cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cognitive engineering of rule-based supervisory control systems: effects of concurrent automation

The authors observed subjects performing a task in a dynamic environment using rule-based supervisory control (RBSC). Task performance was evaluated in an experiment using control and display features derived from a cognitive process model of RBSC. In particular, the effects of numerical versus graphical display of rule parameter, textual data entry versus direct manipulation for control of rule parameters and the presence or absence of a display of the history of past actions were examined. Results indicate that the way in which subjects use the automation is affected by the controls and displays provided, and that the nature of that use can affect overall task performance. >
Competitive Hebbian learning through spike-timing-dependent synaptic plasticity

Hebbian models of development and learning require both activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and a mechanism that induces competition between different synapses. One form of experimentally observed long-term synaptic plasticity, which we call spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), depends on the relative timing of pre- and postsynaptic action potentials. In modeling studies, we find that this form of synaptic modification can automatically balance synaptic strengths to make postsynaptic firing irregular but more sensitive to presynaptic spike timing. It has been argued that neurons in vivo operate in such a balanced regime. Synapses modifiable by STDP compete for control of the timing of postsynaptic action potentials. Inputs that fire the postsynaptic neuron with short latency or that act in correlated groups are able to compete most successfully and develop strong synapses, while synapses of longer-latency or less-effective inputs are weakened.
A resonance ionization spectroscopy/resonance ionization mass spectrometry data service: III—Data sheets for Sb, Bi, P, Na and Sn

Abstract A data service has been established at the National Institute of Standards and Technology to provide the necessary information to apply the techniques of resonance ionization spectroscopy (RIS) and resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) to routine use in analytical chemistry. This service collects and calculates the relevant atomic data, chooses appropriate resonance ionization schemes, and indicates pertinent operating details of successful RIMS studies. The first group of data sheets was published previously covering the elements As, B, Cd, C, Ge, Au, Fe, Pb, Si, and Zn. The second group published covered the elements Al, Ca, Cs, Cr, Co, Cu, Kr, Mg, Hg, and Ni. The third group of data sheets is presented here. It covers the elements Sb, Bi, P, Na and Sn. Others will be published periodically. Reprints of RIS/RIMS work are solicited so that those efforts may be included in future data sheets.
Critical Factors Associated With Missing Follow-Up Data for Living Kidney Donors in the United States

Follow-up care for living kidney donors is an important responsibility of the transplant community. Prior reports indicate incomplete donor follow-up information, which may reflect both donor and transplant center factors. New UNOS regulations require reporting of donor follow-up information by centers for 2 years. We utilized national SRTR data to evaluate donor and center-level factors associated with completed follow-up for donors 2008-2012 (n = 30 026) using multivariable hierarchical logistic models. We compared center follow-up compliance based on current UNOS standards using adjusted and unadjusted models. Complete follow-up at 6, 12, and 24 months was 67%, 60%, and 50% for clinical and 51%, 40%, and 30% for laboratory data, respectively, but have improved over time. Donor risk factors for missing laboratory data included younger age 18-34 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.03, 1.58-2.60), black race (AOR = 1.17, 1.05-1.30), lack of insurance (AOR = 1.25, 1.15-1.36), lower educational attainment (AOR = 1.19, 1.06-1.34), >500 miles to center (AOR = 1.78, 1.60-1.98), and centers performing >40 living donor transplants/year (AOR = 2.20, 1.21-3.98). Risk-adjustment moderately shifted classification of center compliance with UNOS standards. There is substantial missing donor follow-up with marked variation by donor characteristics and centers. Although follow-up has improved over time, targeted efforts are needed for donors with selected characteristics and at centers with higher living donor volume. Adding adjustment for donor factors to policies regulating follow-up may function to provide more balanced evaluation of center efforts.
Liquid hydrogen as an automotive fuel

Hydrogen is an excellent fuel because of (1) the widespread availability of water, its most common source, (2) the rapid recycling from hydrogen to water (regenerating its source quickly), (3) the resulting cleaner environment (almost no pollution caused from its use), (4) the potentially high efficiency in almost every suggested use, and (5) the compatibility with nearly every energy application, such as the internal combustion engine, and every energy source, such as solar. Hydrogen could become the fuel of the future given (1) an incentive to change from the present hydrocarbon fuel, (2) an energy source to produce the hydrogen, (3) an engine to run on hydrogen, and (4) an on-board hydrogen storage system. The on-board hydrogen storage system is discussed here.
Credible occurrence probabilities for extreme geophysical events: Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, magnetic storms

[1] Statistical analysis is made of rare, extreme geophysical events recorded in historical data – counting the number of events k with sizes that exceed chosen thresholds during specific durations of time τ.Under transformations that stabilize data and model-parameter variances, the most likely Poisson-event occurrence rate,k/τ, applies for frequentist inference and, also, for Bayesian inference with a Jeffreys prior that ensures posterior invariance under changes of variables. Frequentist confidence intervals and Bayesian (Jeffreys) credibility intervals are approximately the same and easy to calculate: (1/τ)(k−z/2)2,(k+z/2)2, where z is a parameter that specifies the width, z = 1 (z = 2) corresponding to 1σ, 68.3% (2σ, 95.4%). If only a few events have been observed, as is usually the case for extreme events, then these “error-bar” intervals might be considered to be relatively wide. From historical records, we estimate most likely long-term occurrence rates, 10-yr occurrence probabilities, and intervals of frequentist confidence and Bayesian credibility for large earthquakes, explosive volcanic eruptions, and magnetic storms.
Visible Luminescence from PAH Cations and the Diffuse Bands in Emission

The cations of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) constitute plausible candidates to account for some of the diffuse interstellar bands. As it has been recently shown that some of these bands are also observed in emission, we have searched for electronic luminescence from PAH cations. We report here measurements on the perylene cation (C 20 H 12 + ) and on the phenanthrene cation (C 14 H 10 + ) isolated in Ne matrices, showing that these molecules indeed give rise to fluorescent emission.Thus PAH cations should also be considered as possible carriers of the DIBs in emission.
Associations of Provider-to-Population Ratios and Population Health by County-Level Rurality.

Purpose To explore the relationship between provider-to-population ratios, rurality and population health in the United States using counties as the unit of analysis. Method Population ratios for registered nurses (RNs), primary care physicians, and dentists were included in multivariable regression analyses. Population health indices assessed were premature death rate, self-rated health, teen birth rate, and mammography screening rate. Findings County levels of health and health care providers per capita declined as rurality increased. In adjusted regression models, the highest RN-to-population ratio was associated with significantly better health measures in most urban/rural categories, with the magnitude of these associations generally increasing as rurality increased. In the smallest rural counties, the highest RN-to-population quartile was associated with 1,655 fewer years of potential life lost (YPLL), 2% lower rates of poor or fair health, 11/1,000 fewer teen births, and 6% more mammography screening relative to the lowest quartile. For primary care physicians, more significant associations were found in medium and small rural counties where the highest quartile was associated with 1,482 fewer YPLL, 3% lower rates of poor or fair health, 7/1,000 fewer teen births, and 4% more mammography screening. The highest quartile of dentist-to-population ratio was generally associated with lower rates of premature death and poor or fair health in urban, large-, and medium-sized rural counties, but not in small rural counties. Conclusions The consistency of the results by provider type suggests that the supply of health care professionals, particularly in rural areas, positively impacts the health of the population.
Field-Programmable Gate Arrays: Reconfigurable Logic for Rapid Prototyping and Implementation of Digital Systems

System Implementation Strategies. Review of Logic Design and Electrical Aspects. Introduction to FPGA Architecture. Design Process Flows and Software Tools. Case Studies. Computational Applications. Business Development. Recent Developments. Afterword. Glossary. Index.
Optical radiation from regions downstream of mercury bombardment thrusters.

A 0.5 meter focal length, plane grating monochromator was used to measure the radiance of spectral radiation emanating from regions downstream of a mercury bombardment thruster. The wavelength range investigated was 2800 A. This radiation was due primarily to the radiative decay of excited mercury atoms exhausted from the thruster. Radiance values ranged from 10 to the minus 11th power to 10 to the minus 9th power W/sq cm sr, varying with wavelength. For resonant radiation, the spectral radiance may exceed 10 to the minus 8th power W/sq cm sr. From such radiance measurements, it was concluded that the thruster background radiation should not interfere with the control functions of a star tracker viewing through the thruster exhaust, provided that the tracker is designed to operate with a sufficiently small field of view.
On the Spatial Distribution, Stellar Population, and Rate of Novae in M31

As part of a program to study the stellar population of novae, multiepoch Hα surveys of M31 have been undertaken. In the first survey, conducted between 1990 and 1993, a total of 53 novae were discovered in 11 CCD fields oriented generally along the major axis of M31. The second survey was conducted between 1995 and 1997, yielding a total of 29 novae in five fields including the outer regions of M31's disk. In both surveys, the spatial distribution of novae is found to follow the background galactic light. However, after decomposing the background B light into its bulge and disk components, the nova distribution is found to follow the bulge light better than the overall light, with the disk light providing a significantly poorer fit. As a check on the possibility that extinction in the disk of M31 is biasing the results, an analysis of the spatial distribution of M31's planetary nebulae—the space density of which is expected to be only weakly affected by stellar population—was also considered. Unlike the nova distribution, the planetary nebula distribution is found to follow the overall background B light remarkably well, establishing that, regardless of extinction, the nova distribution is more centrally concentrated than the planetary nebula distribution. To quantify the results, a maximum likelihood analysis was conducted, and it suggests that ~70% of the novae arise from the bulge, although a bulge fraction as low as 50% cannot be ruled out by the data. A Monte Carlo simulation that makes use of the properties of observed Hα light curves was employed in order to translate the observed nova rate in the central region of M31 to a total bulge nova rate. The procedure was applied to the bulge field of our survey as well as to the Hα bulge survey of Ciardullo and coworkers and to a bulge subset of Arp's extensive B-band survey. In all three cases, the results are remarkably consistent, suggesting a total bulge nova rate of ~25 ± 4 yr-1. Based on the bulge nova rate, an Hα mean lifetime versus Hα absolute magnitude relation is derived, which can be used to estimate the nova rate in galaxies of known distance that have been surveyed in Hα. A second-order relation given by log τc(days) = -(4.78 + 2.10Mc + 0.162M) provides the best fit to the data. Finally, the bulge rate is extrapolated to the entire galaxy assuming the disk-to-bulge nova ratio determined in the maximum likelihood analysis. A global nova rate of ~37 is found, which is somewhat higher than previous estimates of ~30 yr-1 for the overall nova rate in M31. If the luminosity-specific disk and bulge nova rates are comparable, the overall nova rate in M31 could approach 50 yr-1.
Genetic and phenotypic characterization of a 2006 United States porcine reproductive and respiratory virus isolate associated with high morbidity and mortality in the field.

Abstract The objective of this study was to characterize a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) isolated from United States pigs experiencing high morbidity (50%) and mortality (20%). The PRRSV isolate, designated NC16845b, was characterized through phenotypic analysis and genomic sequencing and compared to Type 2 PRRSV isolates VR-2332, MN184 and VR-2385. NC16845b demonstrated slower replication in vitro compared to the three other isolates and grew to a peak titer of 5.4 × 105 plaque forming units (PFU) per ml at 60 h post inoculation, which was 4- to 13-fold less than the peak titer of the other three viruses. NC16845b plaques were intermediate size averaging 3.3 mm in diameter that was larger than MN184 plaques and smaller than VR-2385 and VR-2332. Using Northern blot analysis, viral and subgenomic RNA were detected that demonstrated variable levels of hybridization in some open reading frames (ORF) compared to the other viruses. NC16845b is 15,389 nucleotides in length and ORF 5 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis demonstrated a 1-18-2 pattern. Among all available Type 2 complete genome sequences, NC16845b showed the highest nucleotide homology (91.2%) to atypical PRRSV strain JA142. Compared to prototype VR-2332, NC16845b demonstrated marked nucleotide variability within non-structural protein (nsp) 1β and nsp2, and a nucleotide deletion of 24 bases in nsp2. Sequence homology with VR-2332 and MN184 was 88.4% and 82.9%, respectively; homology with the ORF2-7 of VR-2385 was 90.4%. Collectively, these data indicate that, compared to prototype Type 2 PRRSV isolates, NC16845b exhibited slower in vitro growth properties, had regions of heterogeneity within ORF1a that corresponded to at least two individual virus quasispecies, and also contained a continuous 8 amino acid deletion in the nsp2 protein.
Transformation of BALB/c-3T3 cells: I. Investigation of experimental parameters that influence detection of spontaneous transformation.

The frequency of spontaneous morphological transformation is an important variable in measuring chemical-induced transformation in BALB/c-3T3 clone A-31-1-13 cell cultures. Data from 110 experiment...
Ca++-activated K+ channels in vertebrate smooth muscle cells.

Mise au point bibliographique sur les canaux potassiques actives par le sodium et leur role dans l'activite electrique de la membrane cellulaire des muscles lisses
Sound transmission through blade

Abstract The present paper is concerned with the reflection and transmission of plane harmonic waves in a flowing medium, by an infinite set of flat plates of arbitrary spacing and stagger. The velocity potential satisfies the wave equation in a flowing medium. The problem of solving this equation subject to the pertinent boundary conditions is converted into two consecutive Wiener-Hopf problems. The first problem is concerned with plane harmonic acoustic waves reflected by and transmitted through an infinite array of semi-infinite flat plates. The second problem considers the radiation and reflection of duct waveguide modes from the open ends of an infinite array of semi-infinite plates. By combining these two solutions, an approximate solution is obtained to the problem of sound transmission through a blade row. The analysis aims at predicting the transmission of discrete frequency compressor noise generated at one row by the adjacent row. Comparisons are made with an alternative analysis of the same problem and also with some experimental work at NASA.
Treatment of Perinatal Cocaine Addiction: Use of the Modified Therapeutic Community

Treatment outcome was evaluated for perinatal cocaine addicts admitted to a hospitalbased day treatment clinic, organized as a modified therapeutic community (TC) modality. The perinatal program consisted of a specialized track for women embedded within this larger coed day treatment clinic. A total of 87 perinatal women (28 pregnant at intake, the remaining 59 postpartum) were compared with cohorts of nonperinatal women (N = 63) and men (N = 158) admitted during the period of evaluation (September 1989 through December 1993).In logistic regression analysis, successful discharge urine status (last three urines prior to discharge drug-free) was associated with current child custody involvement (odds ratio = 2.80, 95% C.I. = 1.16–6.72), entering treatment when not postpartum (odds ratio = 0.15, 95% C.I. = 0.05–0.42), and taking psychiatric medication (odds ratio = 2.04, 95% C.I. = 1.11–3.72). Both pregnant and postpartum perinatal women showed a similar pattern of shorter treatment as compared with nonperin...
Tolbert receives Macelwane medal

The 1993 James B. Macelwane Medal, given by AGU for significant contributions to the geophysical sciences by a young scientist of outstanding ability, was presented to Margaret Tolbert at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony on December 8, 1993, in San Francisco, Calif. The award citation and Tolbert's response are given here.
DEIRDRE McCLOSKEY'S THE BOURGEOIS VIRTUES: ETHICS FOR AN AGE OF COMMERCE

In the Economic Viewpoints section we welcome extended reviews of important works on economics and political economy. Deirdre McCloskey's The Bourgeois Virtues is one of the most ambitious and important works published in classical liberal political economy for at least half a century.
The Use of Downside Risk Measures in Tax-Efficient Portfolio Construction and Evaluation

It has become almost a platitude to say that downside risk measures are superior to traditional risk measures such as standard deviation. One of the challenges of using downside risk measures as an alternative constructor of portfolios and diagnostic device is in their computational complexity, intensity, and opaqueness. The question investors, especially high-net-worth investors who are concerned about tax efficiency, must ask is whether downside risk measures offer enough benefits to offset their implementation costs in use. This article shows how to use downside risk measures to construct tax-efficient portfolios. A final insight is an outline of how to forecast risk using distributional scaling.
On the iterative refinement of matrix upper bounds for the solution of continuous coupled algebraic Riccati equations

Abstract In this paper, we develop a new approach for the iterative refinement algorithm along with fully mathematical justifications, which sharpens matrix solution upper bounds for the well-known continuous coupled algebraic Riccati equation (CCARE). Our methodology is studied within a broader framework recently proposed in Xu (in press) . Several desirable properties of the algorithm are then established, which include the strict monotonicity and convergence of the sequences generated by the algorithm, thus strengthening the existing results in the literature for computing tighter matrix upper solution bounds for the CCARE. In addition, new admissibility conditions within the general framework are proposed, which guarantee tighter matrix upper solution bounds to be computed from the algorithm.
Coordination complexes of bivalent ansa-ytterbocenes: synthesis, structure and comparison with related unbridged ytterbocenes and ansa-ferrocenes

The dimethylsilyl bridged bis(cyclopentadienide) ligands, {[2,4-(Me3C)2C5H2]2SiMe2}2− and {[(Me3Si)2C5H2]2SiMe2}2−, have been prepared and used for the preparation of ansa-metallocene derivatives of iron and bivalent ytterbium metallocene adducts. The structures of two ansa-ferrocenes, as well as that of the free tetraene [2,4-(Me3C)2C5H3]2SiMe2, have been determined by X-ray crystallography; the lability of the Me3Si group leads to a different ring substitution pattern in the structure of ansa-{[3,4-(Me3Si)2C5H2]2SiMe2}Fe compared with that in ansa-{[2,4-(Me3C)2C5H2]2SiMe2}Fe. The structures of ansa-{[2,4-(Me3C)2C5H2]2SiMe2}Yb(OEt2) and an analogous ansa-ytterbocene isocyanide complex are also reported, and compared with those of non-bridged ytterbocene diethyl ether complexes. Short distances from the ytterbium atom to the diethyl ether β carbon atoms are observed in several structures, consistent with the tendency of ytterbium to maximise its coordination number. Spectroscopic properties for the ansa-ytterbocene etherates and the isocyanide complex are reported and compared with the corresponding adducts of non-bridged ytterbocenes. The reduced Cp(centroid)–metal–Cp(centroid) angle enforced by the ansa-bridge does not lead to significant changes in the optical spectra compared with unbridged metallocene diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran adducts, but significant changes are observed in the isocyanide adducts; a model rationalising the red and blue shifts of λmax is proposed.
Patterns of victimization among male and female inmates: evidence of an enduring legacy

People inside prison have above-average rates of childhood and adult victimization. Little is known, however, about the relationship between types of victimization inside prison and that experienced in childhood. This article estimates rates of victimization for male and female inmates by type of perpetrator and form of victimization (sexual, physical, either, or both) and their association with types of childhood victimization (sexual or physical). Data for these estimates are based on a random sample of approximately 7,500 inmates housed in 12 adult male prisons and one adult female prison in a single state. The significance of the findings for practice are discussed along with recommendations to improve the health and welfare of people inside prison.
Novel regulatory actions of 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the metabolism of polyphosphoinositides in murine epidermal keratinocytes

The in vitro incubation of murine keratinocytes in the presence of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhanced the rapid hydrolysis of the prelabeled keratinocyte polyphosphoinositides (polyPtdIns) when compared to untreated cells. The rapid hydrolysis of the polyPtdIns and the release of the inositol phosphates (particularly InsP3 and InsP2) precede the onset of differentiation of these cells. These data therefore suggest that 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 functions in vitro to initiate the rapid generation of InsP3 from cellular polyPtdIns; this in turn may mobilize intracellular Ca2+, thus providing the signal which program the murine keratinocytes from a proliferating mode into a differentiating mode.
Transient laxity of an anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed knee related to pregnancy

Transient laxity was documented around the end of pregnancy in a woman who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction 2 months before conception. This temporary laxity in the 3rd trimester and a few months postpartum corresponded to a time when substantial remodeling from large diameter to small diameter collagen fibers has been noted in the ACL graft ligamentization process. This is also a time of high levels of the hormone relaxin (member of the family of insulin-like growth factors), whose action in animals leads to dissociation of large collagen fibrils to smaller disorganized fibrils. The temporary laxity resolved. Careful observation of women who become pregnant in the first few months after ACL reconstruction is recommended.
The use of special waveforms in the study of linear dielectric phenomena

A limited amount of work has been published recently on the use of non-sinusoidal wavefor in the study of dielectrics, and it would appear that such methods are advantageous in the study of both linear and non-linear phenomena. In this paper, an attempt has been made to illustrate the usefulness of these methods. First, an outline is given of the steady field and sinusoidal field methods usually used in the measurement of dielectric properties, and of the theories which have been advanced to explain the ensuing results. This is followed by a discussion of the work which has been published recently on the use of special waveforms in dielectric measurements.
Sequence homology between the tetracycline-resistance determinants of Tn10 and pBR322.

Abstract The Tn10 tetracycline resistance gene, tetA, encodes a tetracycline-inducible protein with an apparent M r of 36 × 10 3 . We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the Tn10 tetA gene. The extent of the tetA gene was determined by analysis of amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal deletion mutants. We conclude that a single Tn10 gene, the tetA gene, is sufficient to confer tetracycline resistance, The predicted M r of the tetA protein is 43.2 × 10 3 . The sequence homology between the Tn10 tetA gene and pBR322 tetracycline resistance determinant (49% nucleotide homology, 44% amino acid homology) indicates that these phenotypically distinct tetracycline-resistance determinants must have evolved from a common ancestral sequence. The markedly hydrophobic character of the predicted amino acid sequences of the Tn10 tetA and pBR322 tet-coded proteins suggests that a substantial portion of these proteins may be embedded within the cytoplasmic membrane.
Into the brain: where philosophy should go from here

The maturation of the cognitive neurosciences will throw light on many central philosophical issues. Among them: semantic theory, perception, learning, social and moral knowledge, and practical reasoning and decision making. As contemporary medicine cannot do without the achievements of modern biology, philosophy would be pitiful if it disregarded the achievements of brain research.
Successful Reentry: The Perspective of Private Correctional Health Care Providers

Due to public health and safety concerns, discharge planning is increasingly prioritized by correctional systems when preparing prisoners for their reintegration into the community. Annually, private correctional health care vendors provide $3 billion of health care services to inmates in correctional facilities throughout the U.S., but rarely are contracted to provide transitional health care. A discussion with 12 people representing five private nationwide correctional health care providers highlighted the barriers they face when implementing transitional health care and what templates of services health care companies could provide to state and counties to enhance the reentry process.
The in vitro inhibition effect of 2 nm gold nanoparticles on non-enzymatic glycation of human serum albumin.

Abstract The reaction of amino groups of protein and the carbonyl groups of reducing sugar molecules, non-enzymatically induce a series of chemical reactions that form a heterogeneous group of compounds known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The accumulation of AGEs is associated with various disease conditions that include complications in diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and aging. The current study monitored the extent of non-enzymatic glycation of human serum albumin (HSA) in order to estimate the formation of HSA related AGEs in the presence of 2 nm gold nanoparticles. The rate of glycation was evaluated using several analytical methods. Physiological concentrations of HSA and glyceraldehyde mixtures, incubated with various concentrations of negatively charged 2 nm gold nanoparticles, resulted in a lower reaction rate than mixtures without 2GNP. Moreover, increasing concentrations of gold nanoparticles exhibited a pronounced reduction in AGE formation. High performance liquid chromatography, UV–visible spectroscopy and circular dichroism analytical methods provide reliable techniques for evaluating AGE formation of HSA adducts.
Comparison of floor control protocols for collaborative multimedia environments

Improvements in networking allow for increasingly complex collaboration environments with regard to sessions scale, range of shared tasks, and distance between remote parties. Floor control protocols add an access discipline to such environments that allows to mitigate race conditions on shared resources and throttle media transmission. Primary causes for resource competition among users may be the lack of mutual awareness sand formal session orchestration, or network and shot limitations. Various, often proprietary and unscalable solutions for floor control have been implemented for telemedicine, video conferencing, or distributed interactive simulation. To this date, an analytic comparison of the efficacy of these solutions is lacking. With efficacy, we mean the proportion of time that a protocol takes to allocate a resource, accounting for social and technical overhead for muser behavior, protocol cost, and network conditions. We present a novel taxonomy an comparative performance analysis of known classes of floor control protocols, including socially driven protocols, collision sensing on shared resource, floor taken passing in fully-connected and ring topologies, and, innovatively, across shared control trees. Accordingly, aggregated and selective transmission of control information over a multicast control tree offers the best scalability and efficacy. A novel hierarchical floor control protocol correlating in its operation with tree-based reliable multicast is outlined.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A comparison of conventional methods for the quantification of bacterial cells after exposure to metal oxide nanoparticles

Due to potential interference of nanoparticles on bacterial quantification, there is a challenge to develop a fast, accurate and reproducible method for bacterial quantification. Currently various bacterial quantification methods are used by researchers performing nanoparticles study, but there has been no efficacy evaluation of these methods. Here we study interference of nanoparticles on three most commonly used conventional bacterial quantification methods, including colony counting to determine the colony-forming units (CFU), spectrophotometer method of optical density (OD) measurement, and flow cytometry (FCM). Three oxide nanoparticles including ZnO, TiO2, and SiO2 and four bacterial species including Salmonella enterica serovar Newport, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Escherichia coli were included in the test. Results showed that there is no apparent interference of the oxide nanoparticles on quantifications of all four bacterial species by FCM measurement; CFU counting is time consuming, less accurate and not suitable for automation; and the spectrophotometer method using OD measurement was the most unreliable method to quantify and detect the bacteria in the presence of the nanoparticles. In summary, FCM measurement proved to be the best method, which is suitable for rapid, accurate and automatic detection of bacteria in the presence of the nanoparticles.
Thrombin-Induced Platelet Microbicidal Protein Susceptibility Phenotype Influences the Outcome of Oxacillin Prophylaxis and Therapy of Experimental Staphylococcus aureus Endocarditis

We previously showed that in vitro susceptibility profiles of Staphylococcus aureus to thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein 1 (tPMP-1) impacted the outcome of vancomycin treatment in experimental infective endocarditis. In this same model, treatment with oxacillin (a more rapid staphylocidal agent than vancomycin) enhanced the clearance of both tPMP-1-susceptible and -resistant cells from vegetations. The extent of clearance was greater for tPMP-1-susceptible cells.
THE INTERPRETATION OF ELICITED SENTENCE IMITATION IN A STANDARDIZED CONTEXT

Elicited imitation has been used to study language acquisition and ability, language disorders, and nonstandard dialects While it was initially assumed that elicited imitation reflected knowledge of grammar, later work suggests considerable variability in performance, e.g., children do not always imitate sentences they are known to have spontaneously produced at another time. This paper reviews research on elicited sentence imitation, distinguishing naturalistic and standardized applications of the technique. A six-year program of research is summarized which suggests that elicited imitation in a standardized context yields highly stable individual difference scores, improvement with age in accuracy of imitation, superior performance by middle class students, correlations between “imitation” tests and natural environment language performances, significant correlations between elicited imitation and widely used tests of general verbalability, and statistical evidence that elicited imitation reflects knowledge of grammar, short-term memory, and knowledge of vocabulary The inconsistency of child imitations noted by some researchers may be a function of age and nonstandardized observation procedures.
Atmosphere‐biosphere exchange flux of carbon dioxide in a tallgrass prairie modeled with satellite spectral data

The estimation of the rate of net CO2 uptake of vegetated land surfaces is essential for studies of global carbon cycle. The present paper demonstrates the use of spectral reflectance data from satellite remote sensing to model net CO2 flux (NCF) of a tallgrass canopy at the Konza prairie, Kansas. A bidirectional reflectance canopy model was used to estimate seasonal changes in canopy leaf area index (LAI) from surface reflectances remotely sensed by SPOT 1 and Landsat 5 satellites. The radiation model was also coupled with leaf conductance-photosynthesis models to scale up stomatal conductance and NCF from individual leaves to canopy level according to radiation distribution inside the canopy. The satellite-data-driven model was able to closely simulate the seasonal change in LAI as well as the short-term variation of canopy LAI caused by the dry period during late July and early August in the area. Modeled canopy stomatal conductance (g(sub c)) and NCF agree with measurements within 0.16 cm/s and 0.28 mg m(exp -2)/s, respectively, during the growth season from late May to late August. In October both measured and modeled NCF turned to small negative values as canopy photosynthesis diminished and predicted LAI approached zero. In addition to data scatter, some of the differences between modeled and measured g(sub c) and NCF may be attributed to uncertainties in seasonal changes of plant physiological status that were not detected by satellite data; some of the differences were caused by inadequate description of the dependence of nighttime CO2 flux of soil respiration on near-surface turbulent mixing.
Experimental and numerical studies of two-stage methanol flames

A laminar counterflow configuration is investigated in which a fuel-rich methanol spray is transported by air against an apposing air stream. The fuel-stream equivalence ratio ranges from 1.6 to 3.0, and the fuel-side strain rate from 50 s −1 to 100 s −1 . Under these conditions, there is a vaporization plane in the fuel stream at which the spray disappears, a pale green fuel-rich premixed flame in the fuel stream, and a brighter blue diffusion flame in the vicinity of the stagnation plane. Temperature profiles are measured by thermocouples, and concentration profiles of stable species are measured by gas chromatography of samples withdrawn by a fine probe. Computational methods are employed to calculate the flame structure, with detailed chemistry and transport included. Chemical-kinetic descriptions available in the literature predict the premixed flame to be more than 0.5 mm closer to the diffusion flame than observed experimentally and give nearly twice the measured peak CH 4 concentration and more than twice the measured concentration of C 2 H 2 in the premixed flame. Modification of the rate data by introducing a temperature-dependent branching ratio to the isomers CH 3 O and CH 2 OH, in the H attack on CH 3 OH, patterned after the known variation in the OH attack and by including the step CH 3 O+M→CH 2 OH+M, produces good agreement between all experimental and computational results. A reaction path for methanol in these flames is suggested, including routes to CH, important for prompt NO formation.
Effects of metabolic inhibitors on Paramecium aurelia during the cell generation cycle.

Abstract The ability of a number of metabolic inhibitors (namely, p- dl -fluorophenylalanine, puromycin, chloramphenicol, 5-fluoro-2-deoxyuridine, actinomycin D, triparanol citrate, and 2,4-dinitrophenol) to interfere with cell division has been studied in the species Paramecium aurelia. First, the lowest concentrations sufficient to prevent further division in newly-divided paramecia continuously exposed to the compound were found. Then the effects of exposure to these concentrations for 30 and/or 60 min were tested throughout the interval between two successive divisions, and assessed in terms of prolongation of the cell generation cycle. In all cases the most characteristic feature was an abrupt change from long to short prolongations, which occurred with small increases in the age of the cells, about an hour prior to completion of division. In a discussion on the possible mechanism underlying this response, comparison has been drawn with the parallel behaviour of Tetrahymena pyriformis.
Serum trace minerals during yeast feeding

We have consistently noted cutaneous reactions in subjects ingesting large quantities of yeast. Since depression of plasma zinc has been noted in a number of cutaneous disorders we prospectively measured serum zinc and zinc-binding proteins in six adult male subjects on yeast protein as their sole source of protein for eight days. Serum zinc, albumin, alpha2-macroglobulin, copper, iron and serum amyloid A (SAA) protein were measured before and at the end of the eight day interval. Five of the six individuals developed the characteristic erythematous, papular rash of the palmar surface of the hands. Mean serum zinc in the six subjects decreased from 117.0 to 99.0 μg/dl (p<0.05), and mean serum albumin decreased from 4.9 to 4.7 g/dl (p<0.01). There was no significant change in alpha2-macroglobulin, serum minerals or SAA protein. This study indicates that high intakes of yeast can be added to the list of conditions which are accompanied by depression of circulating zinc.
Effects of Mesoscale Surface Thermal Heterogeneity on Low-Level Horizontal Wind Speeds

Using large-eddy simulation, we investigate characteristics of horizontal wind speed at 100 m above the ground, with surface heat-flux variations that are sinusoidal with amplitudes of 0, 50, and 200 W m−2 and wavelengths of 16, 32, and 128 km, and no background flow. When the amplitude is 200 W m−2, wind speeds induced by the surface-flux variations on scales of 16 and/or 32 km have multiple temporal oscillations from 0600 to 1800 local standard time. The positive peaks first appear before noon. In contrast, for wind speeds induced by the 128-km surface heterogeneity, a single oscillation occurs in the late afternoon, which is much larger than those generated by the 16- and 32-km surface heterogeneity. In addition, at the oscillation onset the kurtosis of the velocity increment over a distance of 1 km significantly increases, which implies intermittency in the generation of 1-km scale eddies. The spatially intermittent energy cascade generated by surface heterogeneity scaled down to 1-km eddies is analogous to the well-known intermittent energy cascade in the inertial subrange. The kurtosis of the 1-km eddies is much larger with the 128-km surface heterogeneity than with the 16- and 32-km heterogeneities. Thus we conclude that localized rapid changes of low-level horizontal wind speed may be caused by significant local surface heterogeneity on scales between a few tens and a few hundreds of kilometres.
Effects of development on olanzapine-associated adverse events.

ABSTRACT Objective: Atypical antipsychotic medications are increasingly prescribed for child and adolescent patients. Relatively little information on adverse events (AEs), specifically in children or adolescents taking atypical antipsychotics, is available. Method: The Food and Drug Administration spontaneous AE reporting postmarketing surveillance database was queried for olanzapine until March 31, 2000. Patient exposure estimates as of the same date were provided by the manufacturer. AE complaints and exposure estimates were divided by age: children (birth–9 years), adolescents (10–19), and adults (20+). AE complaint risks per 10,000 patients exposed were calculated along with risk ratios across age groups and their 95% confidence intervals. Results: Extrapyramidal syndrome complaint risks were similar across development, and tardive dyskinesia complaint risks were comparable in adolescents and adults. Overrepresented AE complaints in children included sedation, weight gain, liver function abnormalities, and tardive dyskinesia. Overrepresented AE complaints in adolescents included sedation, weight gain, liver function abnormalities, and prolactin increase. Conclusions: Extrapyramidal syndromes may be no more common in children and adolescents with olanzapine than in adults. The frequency of some other AEs may differ across development. Caution is warranted because of the likelihood of reporting bias. Similar analyses should be conducted with other atypical antipsychotics.
Determination of the elastic moduli of thin samples and adherent cells using conical atomic force microscope tips

The atomic force microscope can detect the mechanical fingerprints of normal and diseased cells at the single-cell level under physiological conditions. However, atomic force microscopy studies of cell mechanics are limited by the 'bottom effect' artefact that arises from the stiff substrates used to culture cells. Because cells adhered to substrates are very thin, this artefact makes cells appear stiffer than they really are. Here, we show an analytical correction that accounts for this artefact when conical tips are used for atomic force microscope measurements of thin samples. Our bottom effect cone correction (BECC) corrects the Sneddon's model, which is widely used to measure Young's modulus, E. Comparing the performance of BECC and Sneddon's model on thin polyacrylamide gels, we find that although Sneddon's model overestimates E, BECC yields E values that are thickness-independent and similar to those obtained on thick regions of the gel. The application of BECC to measurements on live adherent fibroblasts demonstrates a significant improvement on the estimation of their local mechanical properties.
A clustering algorithm for identifying multiple outliers in linear regression

Identifying outliers is a fundamental step in the regression model building process. However, current outlier diagnostics are often inadequate when data sets contain multiple outlying observations. This paper proposes a new clustering-based approach for multiple outlier identification that utilizes the predicted and residual values obtained from a least squares fit of the data. The procedure is described and is shown to perform well on classic multiple-outlier data sets found in the literature. Also, the performance characteristics of the proposed methodology are demonstrated and explored by applying the procedure to simulated data sets that have various outlier scenarios.
Modeling Recovery from Stumbles: Preliminary Data on Variable Selection and Classification Efficacy

OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this preliminary investigation was to determine the functional relationship between selected information processing time and response execution variables and measures of postural stability in elderly women. A secondary purpose was to explore the efficacy of a neuromotor model using selected variables to retrospectively identify subjects with a self-reported history of falling. DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective, cohort. SETTING: General community. SUBJECTS: Convenience sample of 17 community-dwelling females with a mean age of 72.2 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postural stability variables included the amplitude and frequency of postural sway during static vision-aided no-vision conditions. Information processing and response execution variables were collected using a simple-choice reaction time paradigm for an isometric knee extension task. RESULTS: Postural stability and information processing variables were functionally independent. Based upon significant intergroup differences, simple and choice pre-motor reaction time and non-vision aided anterior posterior sway amplitude were selected for inclusion in a discriminant analysis. The resulting discriminant function was significant (P = 0.01), correctly categorizing all of the subjects with a self-reported history of falling and identifying six out of seven of the non-fallers. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that it is feasible to identify a predisposition to falling by detecting an inability to respond successfully to a postural disturbance. Language: en
Diffusion-based extraction of DMSO from a cell suspension in a three stream, vertical microchannel.

Cells are routinely cryopreserved for investigative and therapeutic applications. The most common cryoprotective agent (CPA), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), is toxic, and must be removed before cells can be used. This study uses a microfluidic device in which three streams flow vertically in parallel through a rectangular channel 500 µm in depth. Two wash streams flow on either side of a DMSO-laden cell stream, allowing DMSO to diffuse into the wash and be removed, and the washed sample to be collected. The ability of the device to extract DMSO from a cell stream was investigated for sample flow rates from 0.5 to 4.0 mL/min (Pe = 1,263–10,100). Recovery of cells from the device was investigated using Jurkat cells (lymphoblasts) in suspensions ranging from 0.5% to 15% cells by volume. Cell recovery was >95% for all conditions investigated, while DMSO removal comparable to a previously developed two-stream device was achieved in either one-quarter the device length, or at four times the flow rate. The high cell recovery is a ∼25% improvement over standard cell washing techniques, and high flow rates achieved are uncommon among microfluidic devices, allowing for processing of clinically relevant cell populations. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 2316–2324. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kainic acid neurotoxicity and seizures

Abstract The effects of anesthetics and anticonvulsants on the neurotoxic effects of kainic acid (2.3 nmol) injected into the rat hippocampus and striatum have been examined with regard to neurochemical, histological and electroencephalographic alterations. Brief anesthesia with ether resulted in seizures and severe degeneration of the hippocampal CA1−4 pyramids and granule cells. Prolonged anesthesia (> 300 min) with chloral hydrate-pentobarbital or with γ-butyrolactone protected most hippocampal neurons and blocked seizures. Phenobarbital (100 mg/kg) prevented cortical seizures but provided minimal protection against hippocampal neuronal degeneration. Prolonged anesthesia (> 300 min) with chloral hydrate-pentobarbital also attenuated the neurotoxic effects of kainic acid in the striatum. The anesthetic and not the anticonvulsant action of drugs accounted for the protection against the neurotoxicity of kainic acid at the site of injection.