cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the midrange estimator

An error criterion for the design of an estimator based on extreme-order statistics, namely, the midrange, is defined. This approach is taken to overcome the fact that the variance of the midrange estimate is strongly dependent on the input distribution. Moreover, under this performance criterion, nonparametric characteristics for the design of these estimators are found. >
Clinical correlates of dysrhythmias requiring an esophageal ECG for accurate diagnosis in patients with congenital heart disease

Esophageal electrocardiography (EsECG) is a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of dysrhythmias that are difficult to diagnose with a conventional ECG. This study was designed to evaluate which type of dysrhythmias required the EsECG for proper diagnosis and what factors produced the rhythm problems. Sixty-eight pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery were studied. After release of the aortic cross-clamp, the cardiac rhythm was analyzed by a standard limb-lead ECG at five-minute intervals. Twenty-six of 68 patients exhibited rhythms during reperfusion that required the EsECG for definitive diagnosis. This group of patients was younger, had longer durations of cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic occlusion, and required more time and interventions to achieve a normal sinus rhythm. The likelihood of difficult dysrhythmias was not related to the type of surgical procedure performed.
Bone metastasis in epithelial ovarian carcinoma

Two cases of bone metastasis in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma and a review of the literature are presented. Bone metastases detected antemortem are rare and herald a poor prognosis.
Influences of Large Amplitudes, Transverse Shear Deformation, and Rotatory Inertia on Lateral Vibrations of Transversely Isotropic Plates

In the present paper, using an improved Reissner’s variational theorem along with Berger’s hypothesis, a set of governing equations which include the effects of transverse shear deformation and rotatory inertia is derived for the large amplitude free vibrations of plates composed of a transversely isotropic material. Applying the possibility of neglecting the rotatory inertia in primarily flexural vibration (discussed in the previous work [1]2 ), the lateral free vibrations of simply supported plates are treated in detail and the solution is compared with those of previous investigators. The free vibration of beams is studied as a special case of plates, while the small amplitude vibrations are treated as a special case of large amplitude vibrations. The numerical results show that the effect of transverse shear deformation is significant when applying to the plate constructions made of pyrolytic graphite-type materials.
Analysis of Permanent-Magnet Machines Using an Anisotropic Magnetostatic Continuum Formulation

We present a magnetostatic continuum formulation for computing the magnetic fields and flux densities in permanent-magnet machine designs. This formulation offers certain advantages over traditional closed-form solutions and finite-element analysis. Our formulation is numerically robust. It models the tooth/winding region of the machine by using anisotropic permeability. Here, we derive spatial harmonics associated with the stator current density and rotor magnetization. We provide techniques to compute average flux density in the stator and rotor backirons and the stator teeth, and to calculate electromagnetic torque. The continuum formulation results compare well with those of finite-element analysis
Cyclodextrins enhance recombinant phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase activity.

Inositol lipid kinases have been studied extensively in both plant and animal systems. However, major limitations for in vitro studies of recombinant lipid kinases are the low specific activity and instability of the purified proteins. Our goal was to determine if cyclodextrins would provide an effective substrate delivery system and enhance the specific activity of lipid kinases. For these studies, we have used recombinant Arabidopsis thaliana phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase 1 (At PIPK1). At PIPK1 was produced as a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase and purified on glutathione-Sepharose beads. A comparison of lipid kinase activity using substrate prepared in α-, β-, or γ-cyclodextrin indicated that β-cyclodextrin was most effective and enhanced lipid kinase activity 6-fold compared with substrate prepared in Triton X-100-mixed micelles. We have optimized reaction conditions and shown that product can be recovered from the cyclodextrin-treated recombinant protein, which reveals a potential method for automating the assay for pharmacological screening.
The Relationship Between Gastroesophageal Reflux and Chronic Unexplained Cough in Children

The aim of this study was to assess the association between chronic cough and acid or weakly acid gastroesophageal reflux (GER) determined by 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring and to assess whether the association is age dependent. Overall 150 children (mean age 7.5 years; range 0.3-18.0 years; male/female 90/60) were enrolled. Median of 87.5% (0% to 100%) of all cough episodes were associated with reflux; 9% (0% to 100%) with acidic and 60% (0% to 100%) with weakly acidic episodes. In 52 children (34.7%), all cough episodes were associated with GER (100% association). Children younger than 2 years had significantly higher number of cough episodes associated with total (P = .03) and weakly acidic GER (P = .01). Binary logistic regression confirmed that only increase in age decreases the risk for complete (100%) association between cough episode and GER. Cough is significantly associated with weakly acidic GER and children of younger age are at higher risk.
Characterization of growing microorganisms in soil by stable isotope probing with H218O.

A new approach to characterize growing microorganisms in environmental samples based on labeling microbial DNA with H218O is described. To test if sufficient amounts of 18O could be incorporated into DNA to use water as a labeling substrate for stable isotope probing, Escherichia coli DNA was labeled by cultivating bacteria in Luria broth with H218O and labeled DNA was separated from [16O]DNA on a cesium chloride gradient. Soil samples were incubated with H218O for 6, 14, or 21 days, and isopycnic centrifugation of the soil DNA showed the formation of two bands after 6 days and three bands after 14 or 21 days, indicating that 18O can be used in the stable isotope probing of soil samples. DNA extracted from soil incubated for 21 days with H218O was fractionated after isopycnic centrifugation and DNA from 17 subsamples was used in terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA genes. The TRFLP patterns clustered into three groups that corresponded to the three DNA bands. The fraction of total fluorescence contributed by individual terminal restriction fragments (TRF) to a TRFLP pattern varied across the 17 subsamples so that a TRF was more prominent in only one of the three bands. Labeling soil DNA with H218O allows the identification of newly grown cells. In addition, cells that survive but do not divide during an incubation period can also be characterized with this new technique because their DNA remains without the label.
Emotion-Related Self-Regulation and Its Relation to Children's Maladjustment

The development of children's emotion-related self-regulation appears to be related to, and likely involved in, many aspects of children's development. In this review, the distinction between effortful self-regulatory processes and those that are somewhat less voluntary is discussed, and literature on the former capacities is reviewed. Emotion-related self-regulation develops rapidly in the early years of life and improves more slowly into adulthood. Individual differences in children's self-regulation are fairly stable after the first year or two of life. Such individual differences are inversely related to at least some types of externalizing problems. Findings for internalizing problems are less consistent and robust, although emotion-related self-regulation appears to be inversely related to internalizing problems after the early years. Self-regulatory capacities have been related to both genetic and environmental factors and their interaction. Some interventions designed to foster self-regulation and...
Third-Party Payment for Auditory Rehabilitation

Abstract This article provides updated information on third party reimbursement for auditory rehabilitation services provided by speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Differences between t...
Muscarine modulation by a G‐protein alpha‐subunit of delayed rectifier K+ current in rat ventromedial hypothalamic neurones.

1. Rat cultured ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) neurones obtained from embryonic hypothalamus were used to study the muscarinic (carbachol) modulation of voltage-gated K+ currents with the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. 2. Carbachol produced a potent and concentration-dependent (100 fM to 100 microM) decrease of the outward delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) with an IC50 of 44 pM and a Hill coefficient of 0.4. The carbachol-induced depression of IK was reduced by pirenzepine (1-10 microM) and atropine (1 microM). Carbachol had no effect on the transient outward K+ current (IA). 3. Intracellular dialysis with guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiophosphate) (GDP-beta-S, 500 microM) significantly diminished the carbachol-induced depression of IK, suggesting GTP-binding protein (G-protein) involvement. Pre-incubation of VMH neurones with pertussis toxin (200-400 ng ml-1) or cholera toxin (1 microgram ml-1) for 24-48 h had no effect on the carbachol-induced depression of IK. This suggested that the G alpha o, G alpha i, and G alpha s G-protein alpha-subunits were not involved in mediating the carbachol-induced depression of IK in VMH neurones. 4. Treatment (24-48 h) of VMH neurones with antisense phosphothio-oligodeoxynucleotides to the G alpha 11 G-protein subunit (10 microM) significantly diminished the carbachol-induced depression of IK. Treatment with 10 microM of either G alpha 11 sense or antisense to G alpha q had no effect. 5. These results demonstrate a novel and potent muscarinic depression of IK in VMN neurones, and that this depression is specifically mediated by the G alpha 11 G-protein subunit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Growth Mixture Modelling in Developmental Psychology: Overview and Demonstration of Heterogeneity in Developmental Trajectories of Adolescent Antisocial Behaviour

Recent advances in statistical techniques for longitudinal data analysis have provided increased capabilities for elucidating individual differences in trajectories of change in child behaviours and abilities. However, most techniques still assume that there is a single underlying distribution with respect to changes over time, about which children are normally distributed. If there are multiple subgroups of youth following distinct developmental trajectories with unique predictors, however, the results of these statistical techniques may provide an incomplete analysis of the data. A newer class of statistical techniques, latent growth mixture modelling, provides a robust framework for examining heterogeneity in patterns of development. This paper illustrates the use of latent growth mixture modelling for examining heterogeneity in developmental trajectories of adolescent antisocial behaviour. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of a Tactile Navigation Cueing System and Real-Time Assessment of Cognitive State

This paper details an evaluation of a tactile cueing system that was created to enhance the navigation of a complex route. The complexity of the task along with simultaneously challenging cognitive tasks also enabled the real-time assessment of cognitive state in various task load conditions. Honeywell has been working with the US Army's Future Force Warrior program to develop adaptive systems that will effectively manage the available cognitive resources used for information processing by the dismounted Soldier in highly dynamic, information rich environments. The appropriate allocation of cognitive resources is key to managing multiple tasks, focusing on the most important ones, and maintaining overall situation awareness. Non-visual navigation support would offload a typically visual task, such as viewing a paper map or computer-based map display, to a sensory channel that is underutilized, tactile sensation. Both benefits and costs to this type of automation support are explored in detail, where the evaluation supports the premise that strong automated support should only be used in high workload situations where the benefits outweigh the costs.
A Wavelet-Based Method for Time Series Forecasting

Usually time series are controlled by two or more data generative processes which display changes over time. Each one of these processes may be described by different models. In practice, the observed data is an aggregated view of the processes, fact which limits the effectivity of any model selection procedure. In many occasions, the data generative processes may be separated by using spectral analysis methods, reconstructing a specific part of the data by filtering bands. Then, a filtered version of the series may be forecasted, by using proper model selection procedures. In this article we explore the use of forecasting methods in the wavelet space. To do this, we decompose the time series into a number of scale time sequences by applying a discrete wavelet transform. By fitting proper ARIMA models at each resolution level, a forecasting step is conducted. Then, by applying the inverse wavelet transform, we reconstruct forecasted time series. Experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Optimum placement of actuators in structural and control design using Stackelberg games

Actuator placement has a significant impact on the dynamic response of actively controlled structures. Misplaced actuators and sensors often lead to controllability and observability problems, and ...
Eating behavior among women with anorexia nervosa.

Background Disturbed eating and severe caloric restriction are characteristic features of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Despite the importance of eating behavior in the presentation of AN, there have been relatively few objective laboratory studies of eating behavior among persons with eating disorders. Objective The purpose of the study was to obtain objective measures of eating behavior among patients with AN before and immediately after weight restoration and to compare those measures with measures among control subjects. Design Twelve patients hospitalized for AN and 12 control subjects participated in the study. Eleven of the 12 patients were retested at 90% of ideal body weight. Results The average meal consumption was 103.97 +/- 102.08 g for patients at low weight and 178.03 +/- 202.97 g after weight restoration (NS). Control subjects consumed significantly more than did AN patients at both time points, and the average meal size was 489.58 +/- 187.64 g. Patients showed significant decreases in psychological and eating-disordered symptoms after weight restoration. Conclusion These data suggest that patients with AN show a persistent disturbance in eating behavior, despite the restoration of body weight and significant improvements in eating-disordered and psychological symptoms.
Unbiased τ-leap methods for stochastic simulation of biochemical systems

Stochastic simulation of biological systems has received much attention recently. A very promising stochastic simulation method is the tau-leap method, which can significantly accelerate simulation with controllable accuracy. However, all current -leap methods produce biased results, which can cause large simulation errors. In this paper, we analyze the expected number of reactions occurring during each leap. Relying on the analytical results, we develop an unbiased Poisson tau-leap method and an unbiased binomial tau-leap method. Simulations demonstrate that our new unbiased tau-leap method can significantly improve simulation accuracy without sacrificing simulation speed.
Modulation of cyclic-nucleotide-gated channels and regulation of vertebrate phototransduction

Cyclic-nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are crucial for sensory transduction in the photoreceptors (rods and cones) of the vertebrate retina. Light triggers a decrease in the cytoplasmic concentration of cyclic GMP in the outer segments of these cells, leading to closure of CNG channels and hyperpolarization of the membrane potential. Hence, CNG channels translate a chemical change in cyclic nucleotide concentration into an electrical signal that can spread through the photoreceptor cell and be transmitted to the rest of the visual system. The sensitivity of phototransduction can be altered by exposing the cells to light, through adaptation processes intrinsic to photoreceptors. Intracellular Ca(2+) is a major signal in light adaptation and, in conjunction with Ca(2+)-binding proteins, one of its targets for modulation is the CNG channel itself. However, other intracellular signals may be involved in the fine-tuning of light sensitivity in response to cues internal to organisms. Several intracellular signals are candidates for mediating changes in cyclic GMP sensitivity including transition metals, such as Ni(2+) and Zn(2+), and lipid metabolites, such as diacylglycerol. Moreover, CNG channels are associated with protein kinases and phosphatases that catalyze changes in phosphorylation state and allosterically modulate channel activity. Recent studies suggest that the effects of circadian rhythms and retinal transmitters on CNG channels may be mediated by such changes in phosphorylation. The goal of this paper is to review the molecular mechanisms underlying modulation of CNG channels and to relate these forms of modulation to the regulation of light sensitivity.
Gender and age are associated with healthy food purchases via grocery voucher redemption.

Introduction: Grocery vouchers that specifically target foods associated with reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk result in increased consumption of those foods. In regions with disproportionately high CVD rates, there is little research concerning the impact of vouchers on purchases of risk-reducing foods when there are no restrictions placed on grocery voucher redemption. Since many food assistance programs place few restrictions on type of foods that can be purchased, identifying demographic factors associated with purchasing habits is a prerequisite to promoting healthy eating. The purpose of this study was to determine the associations of age, gender, education and income level with purchasing of healthful foods through the use of a grocery voucher in a rural food desert (poverty rate of 420% and 433% of residents living >16 km from a large grocery store) with high rates of chronic disease. Methods: The effectiveness of an intervention that included a media campaign, a $5 grocery voucher, local heart healthy food branding and a grocery store event was tested. Brief nutritional articles were published in both local newspapers during four consecutive weeks. These articles explained the physiological actions of healthy foods and listed a health-promoting recipe. During the fourth week of the media campaign, a voucher for a $5 grocery gift card redeemable at one of either community grocery stores was also printed in both local newspapers. In each store, foods that are known to be associated with a reduced risk of CVD were marked with a blue logo. Participants ( N=311) completed a questionnaire that assessed demographics and usual servings of fruits, vegetables and grains. Participants received a $5 grocery card and a list of labelled foods. Returned grocery receipts were stapled to the questionnaires to analyse the relationship between demographics and food choices. Results: Participants who bought at least one labelled food item were older ( M=48.5, SD=14.7) than those who did not buy any of these items ( M=42.3, SD=16.4; p=0.0008). There was a significant association between labelled food purchases and gender, with 47% of male participants purchasing at least one labelled food item compared with 63% of females in the study ( p = 0.008). There were no significant associations between purchase of labelled food items and either education or income. The significant
Effects of taurine supplementation in live feeds on larval rearing performance of California yellowtail Seriola lalandi and white seabass Atractoscion nobilis

The larval rearing performance of California yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) and white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) was compared between larvae fed taurine-supplemented rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) and Artemia (Artemia franciscana) and control groups fed live feeds with no taurine enhancement. Results from the S. lalandi trial demonstrated that when fed taurine-supplemented rotifers, survival was significantly higher than the control group (20.1% vs. 9.1%, P < 0.01) as was notochord length (5.43 mm vs. 5.13 mm, P < 0.005). No larval performance differences were detected between experimental and control treatments of A. nobilis. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that taurine concentrations were significantly elevated in both S. lalandi (23.7 vs. 2.7 mg g−1, P < 0.001) and A. nobilis (33.0 vs. 21.0 mg g−1, P < 0.005) when live feeds were supplemented with taurine. Results suggest that taurine is a limiting nutrient in the larviculture of S. lalandi but may not be for A. nobilis.
A Joint Venture

A 59-year-old woman presented with a 6-week history of pain and swelling in her right knee, which necessitated the use of a cane. Two weeks before presenting for care, she began to experience pain in her left knee, followed by the onset of pain and swelling in her left ankle and left wrist. She also noted fatigue and progressive dyspnea on exertion.
A MELUS Interview: Paula Gunn Allen

Paul Gunn Allen received her Ph.D. in American Studies, American Indian Studies from the University of New Mexico in 1975. She has published extensively: five books of poetry; poems and short stories in journals, magazines and anthologies; and scholarly works. Her novel The Woman Who Owned The Shadows will be published in the summer of 1983 by Spinsters Ink. (For other titles, see the Selected Bibliography following the interview.) In 1978 Ms. Allen won an NEA grant for creative writing. She also received a post-doctoral fellowship in American Indian Studies at UCLA (1981-82). Recently, she received an Honorable Mention for Shadow Country from the National Book Award Before Columbus Foundation. Her work will also be the focus of a forthcoming issue of the Newsletter of the Association for Studies in American Indian Literature (Volume 7, number 3). She lives in the Bay area and teaches Native American literature at UC, Berkeley. This interview took place on December 29, 1982.
RIBOSOMAL-DNA VARIATION AND DISTRIBUTION IN RUDBECKIA MISSOURIENSIS.

Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) has been used to describe both the genetic structure within plant populations and the phylogenetic relationships among species of plants
Experiences with depression in a dementia clinic

Of 317 consecutive cases seen in a dementia clinic, 19 (6%) had little or no objective evidence of cognitive impairment on clinical examination and extensive neuropsychological testing. Of the remaining 298 cases, 192 (64%) were diagnosed as probable or possible Alzheimer's disease (AD). Of the 19 nondemented cases, 8 (42%) were thought to have cognitive difficulty due to depression. In the AD group, only 4 cases (2%) were thought to be depressed and only 2 of the 4 met DSM-III-R criteria for major depression. There was no relationship between Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores and either cognitive or behavioral measurements of dementia severity, suggesting that the difference between the two groups was not due to underreporting by AD patients. The authors concluded that a tertiary care setting, depression is a common cause of cognitive complaints in persons without organic disease and a rare cause of excess morbidity in AD.
Building a Harmonically Ecosystemic Machine: Combining Sonic Ecosystems with Models of Contemporary Harmonic Language

Interactive music systems are an ideal exploration ground for the testing and incorporation of decision-making algorithms and music informatics techniques into real-time applications. The interactive music system, ‘The Harmonically Ecosystemic Machine; Sonic Space No. 7’, is the compositional result of such a collaboration between music technologyresearchersfocusedonharmonicaccompanimentgenerating finite state transducers and sonic ecosystems as interactive music systems. This installation-based system interprets music that occurs in the physical space of a room, from a harmonic perspective, played by both the system itself and any human performers. The resulting data is used by the system to drive the ongoing, generative, interactive composition. The technical details of the system, including an overview of and motivation for the use of finite state transducers (FSTs), the process of integrating FSTs into real-time interactive music systems, the interaction paradigms established, and the experience design for the composition are presented.
Effects of the Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist [D-LEU6, Desgly-NH210, Proethylamide9]-GnRH (Leuprolide) on R3327-G Rat Prostatic Tumor Growth

Abstract The synthetic gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist [D-leu6, desgly-NH210, proethylamide9]-GnRH (leuprolide) was tested for its ability to inhibit androgen-sensitive R3327-G rat prostatic tumor growth in Copenhagen X Fischer Fi male rats. The chronic administration of leuprolide at 50 fig. per kg. body weight or 1000 pg. per kg. body weight significantly reduced serum testosterone levels and testis weights. Only chronic leuprolide administration at high concentration (1000 pg. per kg.) compared with orchiectomy in reducing the rate of tumor growth, prolonging survival, and affecting changes in DNA content per cell as quantitated by flow cytometry. The DNA content changes and cell kinetic responses of R3327-G tumors to these treatments were related to the extent to which serum testosterone levels were reduced. The data suggest that for some prostatic cancers gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist administration must reduce serum testosterone levels to those achieved by orchiectomy for maximal growth rate inhibition.
Suggested Guidelines for Writing Reflective Case Narratives: Structure and Indicators

Reflective case narratives are a practical mechanism for conveying lessons learned for practice improvement. Their ability to transform experience into knowledge in a colloquial, narrative style po...
Inhibition of Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1) Is More Effective At Sensitizing Myeloma Cells to Bortezomib Than Inhibition of Individual HSF1 Targets.

Abstract Abstract 2953 Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell disorder with an average incidence of 21,000 new cases per year in the United States. Recent advances in therapeutic approaches such as the use of proteasome inhibitors have resulted in a significant increase in the overall survival of myeloma patients. Myeloma cells maintain many of the characteristics of normal plasma cells, including constitutive immunoglobulin production and secretion, therefore management of ER stress plays a role in myeloma cell sensitivity to proteasome inhibition. However, myeloma cells also upregulate protective genes in response to the proteotoxic stress that can limit the therapeutic response. Previous groups have published on the importance of the heat shock response and the heat shock protein (HSP) family, supporting preclinical and clinical exploration of HSP inhibition in myeloma. Our group had interest in regulation of the HSP response and has evaluated the master regulator HSF1 as a potential therapeutic target. We found that siRNA-mediated silencing of HSF1 enhances bortezomib-induced apoptosis in a myeloma cell line. To define the effectors of the heat shock response important in regulating bortezomib response, we determined which heat shock response genes are induced by bortezomib in an HSF1-dependent manner. From a realtime PCR array of 84 HSP family genes, we found 21 genes that were induced greater than 2-fold by bortezomib. Of these 21 genes, 10 genes showed >50% reduction in HSF1-silenced cells. 7/10 genes were confirmed by independent qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. These genes include: CRYAB (alpha-crystallin B chain), DNAJB1 (HSP40 subfamily B), HSPA1A (HSP70-1A), HSPA1B (HSP70-1B), HSPB1 (HSP27), HSPH1 (HSP105/110), and HSP90AB1 (HSP90b1). To begin to determine which of these genes was important for the HSF1-dependent protective response we silenced the 7 genes individually and subsequently treated the cells with bortezomib. Surprisingly only 1 of the 7 genes silenced individually, DNAJB1, had an observable effect on bortezomib-induced death. However DNAJB1 silencing does not account for all the HSF1 activity as the increase in cell death due to bortezomib is only 48% of that observed with HSF1 silencing. Thus targeting HSF1 is more effective at sensitizing multiple myeloma cells to bortezomib-induced apoptosis than targeting individual HSPs. Moreover these data suggest that HSP90 inhibitors are functioning by inhibiting at least two members of this family to be effective as single agents. Therefore, while clinical trials for individual HSP and HSP in combination with bortezomib are being conducted, a more effective strategy for apoptosis induction is achieved through inhibition of HSP regulators such as HSF1 in combination with bortezomib. These results provide support for investigating HSP regulation in response to PI to increase the efficacy of myeloma therapy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Emerging hard and soft technologies: current status, issues, and problems

This paper analyses sixteen emerging hard and soft technologies. First, it assesses and critically examines the contents of recent research publications on these technologies. Next, it identifies various sets of objectives, for which these technologies have been adopted. The third section discusses the characteristics and nuances of the technologies and then summarises the recent experiences of companies with each one of them. Further, the paper focuses on the implementation problems that have been encountered by companies in general with each of these technologies. The final sections outline the important lessons and the critical success factors. In conclusion, the paper stresses that hard technologies do face certain technical problems, but all of these can be overcome through RD whereas soft technologies always encounter serious people problems, which require tremendous efforts in terms of retraining, and attitudinal changes. To make a success of any technology (hard or soft) careful and sustained implementation has been found to be crucial.
Binary classification of Mueller matrix images from an optimization of Poincaré coordinates

A new binary classification method for Mueller matrix images is presented which optimizes the polarization state analyzer (PSA) and the polarization state generator (PSG) using a statistical divergence between pixel values in two regions of an image. This optimization generalizes to multiple PSA/PSG pairs so that the classification performance as a function of number of polarimetric measurements can be considered. Optimizing PSA/PSG pairs gives insight into which polarimetric measurements are most useful for the binary classification. For example, in scenes with strong diattenuation, retardance, or depolarization certain PSA/PSG pairs would make two regions in an image look very similar and other pairs would make the regions look very different. The method presented in this paper provides a quantitative method for ensuring the images acquired can be classified optimally.
Geometry optimization for WiFi-based indoor passive multistatic radars

Passive multistatic radars (PMRs) are becoming mature in recent times and different kinds of practical systems are being studied and developed. Whereas various issues related to passive radars are still under active research, an important aspect is that the performance of a PMR is greatly dependent on the geometry and physical locations of the transceivers. A PMR designer generally has no control on the position of the transmitters, however, locating the passive receiver to obtain best target detection capabilities remain an interesting research problem. In this paper, we study the optimization of the position of a passive radar receiver in an indoor environment that uses WiFi as an illuminator of opportunity. Furthermore, the proposed technique also provides a method to select a subset of optimal transmitters, among many, for the detection of a target in an indoor area. The subject optimization is performed on a case study where different constraints are applied to find the optimal location of the receiver.
Case 4: Suspected Sudden Visual Loss in a 2-year-old Girl

1. Hani Alsaedi, MD* 2. Katsuaki Kojima, MD, PhD* 3. Ajovi Scott-Emuakpor, MD, PhD* 1. *Departments of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI This case concerns a 28-month-old girl with a history of polycythemia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and pulmonary hypertension who was being treated with sildenafil. She is brought to a community hospital emergency department by her parents for evaluation of a suspected sudden-onset right-sided visual loss. On the day of admission, the patient’s parents notice that she is clumsy, as evidenced by reaching out several inches off to the left of her target. Additionally, she walks into the infant gate instead of through it. She has no seizurelike activity, weakness, or facial drooping. She has several episodes of “explosive” diarrhea. This infant is the product of a pregnancy that was complicated by premature labor, leading to a premature delivery at 24 weeks' gestation. She consequently spent several weeks in the NICU. At initial presentation, she is afebrile with a heart rate of 139 beats/min, a respiratory rate of 56 breaths/min, blood pressure of 100/67 mm Hg, and oxygen saturation greater than 95% in room air. Physical examination reveals a well-nourished, toxic-appearing girl. Her pupils are equal, round, and …
Aromatic Polyethers, Polyetherketones, Polysulfides, and Polysulfones

Aromatic polymers are a very important group of high-performance engineering materials, which have been subjected to intense academic and industrial research. This chapter aims to provide a review on the history and recent advances in the synthesis, reactions, physical and chemical properties, and applications of certain aromatic polymers, with emphasis on poly(arylene ether)s, polyetherketones, polysulfones, and polysulfides. Specific published examples are adapted in this chapter for illustration concerning these four high-performance polymer families.
Utilizing Advanced Metering Infrastructure to Build a Public Key Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles

component of our lives in the future which will necessitate their integration with the Smart Grid. In addition to public charging stations that are built for EV charging purposes, we are witnessing the development of home microgrids which will serve as a charging station not only for the homeowners but also for the neighborhood. Such home microgrids can be accessible through their smart meters, which makes advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) a viable alternative for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) communications. The security of these communications can be addressed by relying on a public-key infrastructure (PKI) that enables the use of certificates by the participants. However, the management of a PKI is challenging, in particular with respect to certificate revocation lists (CRLs) that need to be maintained at all times not just for the AMI network but also for the large number of EVs that will use it. Real-time access to CRLs is necessary for secure and efficient EV communications which is often needed for charge scheduling purposes. In this paper, we propose exploiting the AMI as an overlay infrastructure that keeps the CRL of EVs in a distributed hash table (DHT) and provide required security services. The proposed approach is evaluated under ns-3 by using IEEE 802.11s and IEEE 802.11p protocols. The results shows that the proposed approach enables the use of smart meters as an overlay infrastructure by significantly reducing the storage requirements for implementing PKI and providing comparable delay performance to that of a local CRL approach.
Data for: Distinguishing Generations of Quartz and a Distinct Gas Signature of Deep High-Grade Carlin-Type Gold Mineralization Using Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

Abstract Carlin-type gold deposits in north-central Nevada occur in a region that was the locus of igneous and/or hydrothermal activity over time and the overprinting of silicification associated with metamorphism, base metal mineralization, barren jasperoid, and post-ore alteration hinders exploration efforts. Therefore, the potential to distinguish unrelated generations of quartz using the results of quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) gas analyses was evaluated for the Getchell trend, and compared to results from the Goldstrike property in the Carlin trend and a Carlin-type gold occurrence in the Huijiabao trend, China. The results of fluid inclusion petrography, QMS analyses, and interpretation of gas data using N 2 –Ar–He ternary diagrams and CO 2 /CH 4 vs. N 2 /Ar plots indicate that different generations of quartz in the Getchell trend were deposited by hydrothermal fluids having distinct characteristics. Metamorphic quartz containing one-phase CH 4 and halite-bearing liquid–water dominant vapor-poor inclusions has the highest gas content (37.6 mol%) and highest N 2 /Ar values (3250), which are suggestive of an evolved magmatic fluid. Pre-ore and quartz–base metal veins contain CO 2 -bearing inclusions. Base metal veins have N 2 /Ar values ≥675 and a positive correlation between H 2 S/Ar vs. N 2 /Ar that is suggestive of a magmatic fluid. Carlin-type quartz contains liquid-dominant vapor-poor inclusions and is characterized by total gas contents >10 mol% and N 2 /Ar values >300 that are suggestive of mixed crustal–meteoric–magmatic fluid sources. Post-ore quartz and barren jasperoid formed from mixtures of gas-poor meteoric water and crustal fluids. Samples of deep high-grade mineralization from the Goldstrike property have total gas contents up to 10.5 mol% and N 2 /Ar values >300. Fluid sources include crustal, meteoric, and magmatic. Gas data from the Goldstrike property, Turquoise Ridge deposit, and metamorphic quartz of the Getchell trend plot near the N 2 apex of N 2 –Ar–He diagrams, which is indicative of a magmatic fluid end member. Carlin-type mineralization in the Huijiabao trend is unique because fluids were CH 4 -rich and there is a correlation between CH 4 and hydrocarbons. Gas analyses commonly record 2 is the dominant gas specie. Together, the results show that fluid inclusion gases can be used to distinguish different generations of quartz in mining districts with complex origins.
Data-Driven Detection of Needle Buckling Events in Robotic Needle Steering

In robotic needle steering, flexible asymmetric-tip needles can steer around obstacles to reach targets deep within tissue. Due to tissue inhomogeneity and needle flexibility, needle buckling can o...
What politics where breath fractures?: (in)translation and the poetics of difference

The book Secession/Insecession, published in 2014, consists of two texts that face each other in the style of conventional bilingual editions of poetry: a translation by Canadian poet Erin Moure of...
Perceived Versus Actual Risk of Type 2 Diabetes by Race and Ethnicity

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine associations between perceived risk and actual risk of type 2 diabetes by race and/or ethnicity.MethodsThe study sample included 10 999 adults from t...
Auto-immune skin diseases in animals: time to reclassify and review after 40 years.

It has been more than 40 years since the dual descriptions of canine pemphigus vulgaris. Over the ensuing four decades, the reports of—mostly canine—novel autoimmune skin diseases (AISDs) have progressed in successive waves separated by long periods of quiescence. This Editorial introduces a series of comprehensive review papers on the various canine and feline AISDs. This collection of articles aims at remediating the current veterinary literature deficiency on this topic by summarizing the key historical, clinical, histological, immunological and treatment characteristics of animal AISDs.
Oxidized LDL and anti-oxidized LDL antibodies in atherosclerosis - Novel insights and future directions in diagnosis and therapy .

We provide an up-to-date overview of current topics surrounding oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and its related antibodies in the quest to better identify the individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerotic plaques with unfavorable characteristics. We discuss the potential of oxLDL and anti-oxLDL antibodies as serum biomarkers of cardiovascular disease and emerging studies examining the targeting of arterial oxLDL for imaging and therapeutic delivery.
Power Factor Correction Circuits

Publisher Summary This chapter gives a technical review of current research in high frequency power factor correction (PFC), including the definition of power factor (PF) and total harmonic distortion (THD), configuration of PFC circuit, discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) input technique, and continuous conduction mode (CCM) shaping technique. Research on harmonic reduction and PFC has become intensified in the early nineties. With the rapid development in power semiconductor devices, power electronic systems have matured and expanded to new and wide application range from residential, commercial, aerospace to military and others. Power factor is a very important parameter in power electronics because it gives a measure of how effective the real power utilization in the system is. Because of their high reliability and high power handling capability, passive power factor correctors are normally used in high power line applications. Comparing with the other type of high frequency PFC circuits, the buck corrector offers inrush-current limiting, overload or short-circuit protection, and over-voltage protection for the converter due to the existence of the power switch in front of the line.
G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 contributes to impaired fatty acid metabolism in the failing heart.

Abstract Increased G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)2 is central to heart failure (HF) pathogenesis, via desensitization of β-adrenergic receptors and loss of contractile reserve. Since GRK2 has been shown to compromise fatty acid (FA) oxidation, this kinase may link metabolic and contractile defects in HF. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanistic role of GRK2 in FA metabolism and bioenergetics in the heart. For that purpose, we measured FA uptake and cluster of differentiation (CD)36 expression, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination in mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of GRK2 (TgGRK2) or expression of its c-terminus (GRK2 inhibitor- TgβARKct) or in global heterozygous GRK2 knockout (GRK2+/−) mice. Cellular bioenergetics were also measured in isolated cardiomyocytes following adenoviral delivery of exogenous GRK2, βARKct, or short hairpin GRK2 (shGRK2). Additionally, CD36 expression and phosphorylation were evaluated following transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in wild type (WT) and GRK2+/− mice. Our results show a 33% ± 0.81 reduction in FA uptake rate, accompanied by 51% ± 0.17 lower CD36 protein, and 70% ± 0.23 and 69% ± 0.18 increases in CD36 phosphorylation and ubiquitination, respectively, in the TgGRK2 mice. Moreover, an in vitro kinase assay suggests that GRK2 directly phosphorylates CD36. In isolated cardiomyocytes, GRK2 overexpression induced a 26% ± 2.21 decrease in maximal respiration, which was enhanced (20% ± 4.02–5.14) with inhibition of the kinase. Importantly, in hearts with systolic dysfunction, notable reductions in CD36 mRNA and protein, as well as a significant increase in CD36 phosphorylation were normalized in the GRK2+/− mice post-TAC. Thus, we propose that GRK2 up-regulation in HF is, at least partly, responsible for reduced FA uptake and oxidation and may be a nodal link between metabolic and contractile defects.
A phase I dose-escalation study of intraperitoneal (IP) cisplatin, IV/IP paclitaxel, IV bevacizumab, and oral olaparib for newly diagnosed adenxal carcinoma.

5572Background: IP cisplatin (Cis) plus IV/IP paclitaxel (Tax) is a standard therapy for optimally debulked adnexal cancer. We previously demonstrated the feasibility of combining bevacizumab (Bev)...
Free Energies of Catalytic Species Adsorbed to Pt(111) Surfaces under Liquid Solvent Calculated Using Classical and Quantum Approaches

Solvent plays an important role in liquid phase heterogeneous catalysis; however, methods for calculating the free energies of catalytic phenomena at the solid-liquid interface are not well-established. For example, solvent molecules alter the energies of catalytic species and participate in catalytic reactions and can thus significantly influence catalytic performance. In this work, we begin to establish methods for calculating the free energies of such phenomena, specifically, by employing an explicit solvation method using a multiscale sampling (MSS) approach. This MSS approach combines classical molecular dynamics with density functional theory. We use it to calculate the free energies of solvation of catalytic species, specifically adsorbed NH*, NH2*, CO*, COH*, CH2OH*, and C3H7O3* on Pt(111) surfaces under aqueous phase and under a mixed H2O/CH3OH solvent. We compare our calculated values with analogous values from implicit solvation for validation and to identify situations where implicit solvation is sufficient versus where explicit solvent is needed to compute adsorbate free energies. Our results indicate that explicit quantum-based methods are needed when adsorbates form chemical bonds and/or strong hydrogen bonds with H2O solvent. Using MSS, we further separate the calculated free energies into energetic and entropic contributions in order to understand how each influences the free energy. We find that adsorbates that exhibit strong energies also exhibit strong and negative entropies, and we attribute this relationship to hydrogen bonding between the adsorbates and the solvent molecules, which provides a large energetic contribution but reduces the overall mobility of the solvent.
Spenser Versus Charm

The author contends that Spenser saw only the perilous side of charm, personified as Duessa, fetching—as some might find Roman Catholicism. If something is attractive, beware.
A Darwinian Pilgrim's Late Progress

This is the final part of an autobiographical series which retraces the most significant events, collaborations, and research results of Michael Ruse’s 55-year-long career in the history and philosophy of science. In this installment, Ruse’s increasing engagement with historiography leads him to rethink and tackle the role of values in science. The intertwined topics summarized here are considered as they developed between the 1990s and the 2010s: the mediation between empiricism and social constructivism; the historical study of the idea of qualitative, biological “progress” in evolutionary biology as drawn from coeval social ideas; the paradox according to which “progress” is formally eschewed and yet implicitly present in modern evolutionary biology; the development of evolutionary biology from pseudoscience tied to social progress to popular science to full-fledged professional science; Darwinism as hopeful, progressive “religion” contrasted with progress-less Darwinian theory; meaning in a Darwinian world, and the development of a Darwinian existentialism.
Identifying Ocean Swell Generation Events from Ross Ice Shelf Seismic Data

AbstractStrong surface winds under extratropical cyclones exert intense surface stresses on the ocean that lead to upper-ocean mixing, intensified heat fluxes, and the generation of waves, that, ov...