cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of quetiapine XR and divalproex ER monotherapies in the treatment of the anxious bipolar patient

Abstract Background Anxiety disorders complicate the treatment of bipolar disorder but are seldom the focus of bipolar treatment studies. Methods The anxiolytic effect of quetiapine XR 50–300 mg/day compared to divalproex ER (500–3000 mg/day) was tested in an 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial in 149 patients with bipolar disorder and a co-occurring panic disorder or GAD. The primary efficacy measure was the Clinician Global Improvement-21 Anxiety Scale (CGI-21). Secondary measures included the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and Sheehan Panic Disorder Scale (SPS). Results Repeated measures last-observation-carried-forward (LOCF) analyses of variance demonstrated significant treatment-by-time interaction effects on 3 of the 4 anxiety measures. Quetiapine XR at a mean endpoint dose of 186 mg/day produced rapid sustained improvements relative to baseline, divalproex ER and placebo on anxiety. Mean baseline-to-endpoint improvement was significantly greater for quetiapine XR compared to divalproex ER and placebo on the HAM-A and SPS. Both active medications were well tolerated, but weight gain was higher on quetiapine XR. Limitations The study was limited to 8 weeks and to patients with bipolar disorder and comorbid panic disorder or GAD. The results may not be applicable to quetiapine XR as an add-on treatment to mood stabilizers or to bipolar disorder comorbid with other anxiety disorders. Conclusions Quetiapine XR in a dose range of 50–300 mg/day appears to reduce anxiety in bipolar patients with comorbid panic disorder or GAD treated for 8 weeks. The efficacy of other second-generation antipsychotics and mood stabilizers in patients with bipolar disorder and a co-occurring anxiety disorder should be investigated in double-blind, placebo-controlled studies.
Reduced lung tumorigenesis in human methylguanine DNA-methyltransferase transgenic mice achieved by expression of transgene within the target cell

Human methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) transgenic mice expressing high levels of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) in lung were crossbred to A/J mice that are susceptible to pulmonary adenoma to study the impact of O6-methylguanine (O6mG)-DNA adduct repair on NNK-induced lung tumorigenesis. Expression of the chimeric human MGMT transgene in lung was identified by northern and western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry assay and enzymatic assay. AGT activity was 17.6 +/- 3.2 versus 1.2 +/- 0.4 fmol/microg DNA in lung of MGMT transgenic mice compared with non-transgenic mice. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-human AGT antibody showed that human AGT was expressed throughout the lung. However, some epithelial cells of bronchi and alveoli did not stain for human AGT, suggesting that the human MGMT transgene expression was heterogeneous. After 100 mg/kg NNK i.p. injection in MGMT transgenic mice, lung AGT activity remained much higher and levels of lung O6mG-DNA adducts in MGMT transgenic mice were lower than those of non-transgenic mice. In the tumorigenesis study, mice received 100 mg/kg NNK at 6 weeks of age and were killed 44 weeks later. Ten of 17 MGMT transgenic mice compared with 16 of 17 non-transgenic mice had lung tumors, P < 0.05. MGMT transgenic mice had lower multiplicity and smaller sized lung tumors than non-transgenic mice. Moreover, a reduction in the frequency of K-ras mutations in lung tumors was found in MGMT transgenic mice (6.7 versus 50% in non-transgenic mice). These results indicate that high levels of AGT expressed in mouse lung reduce lung tissue susceptibility to NNK-induced tumorigenesis due to increased repair capacity for O6mG, subsequently, decreased mutational activation of K-ras oncogene. Heterogeneity in the level of AGT expressed in different lung cell populations or other forms of carcinogenic DNA damage caused by NNK may explain the residual incidence of lung tumors in MGMT transgenic mice.
Effects of varying dietary fatty acid ratios on plasma lipids and platelet function in the African green monkey.

Abstract The influence of varying dietary fatty acid ratios on plasma lipids, platelet function and the potential for thrombosis was evaluated in the African green monkey ( Cercopithecus aethiops ), an animal model widely used in cardiovascular research. Ten adult animals, 5 males and 5 females, at intervals of 2 months, were fed a series of 7 diets with fatty acid ratios (P:S) ranging from 3:1 to 1:4. Platelet aggregation in vitro, plasma levels of β-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4, platelet membrane fatty acid composition and plasma lipids including total cholesterol, HDL and LDL were monitored at the end of each dietary period. Platelet hypersensitivity to ADP aggregation (3 and 10 μM) and plasma β-thromboglobulin were elevated in both males and females when dietary P:S exceeded 1.5:1 (β-TG = 45 ng/ml) as compared to control diets either reflecting current North American or that recommended as a desirable dietary goal (P: S=1 : 1, β-TG = 10 ng/ml). Diets enriched in saturated fatty acids (P:S = 1:2) also altered platelet function, but the effects were most consistently observed in female animals (β-TG = 32 ng/ml). Platelet hypersensitivity was lost and (β-TG levels were at baseline when the animals were returned to the control diets. Platelet sensitivity did not correlate with membrane composition which generally reflected dietary composition. Both the saturated and the polyunsaturated fatty acid enriched diets lowered plasma HDL levels, and the saturated fatty acid diets elevated plasma LDL. In general, a positive relationship was observed between plasma LDL and β-TG; however, this was statistically significant ( P
Longitudinal functional principal component modelling via Stochastic Approximation Monte Carlo

The authors consider the analysis of hierarchical longitudinal functional data based upon a functional principal components approach. In contrast to standard frequentist approaches to selecting the number of principal components, the authors do model averaging using a Bayesian formulation. A relatively straightforward reversible jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo formulation has poor mixing properties and in simulated data often becomes trapped at the wrong number of principal components. In order to overcome this, the authors show how to apply Stochastic Approximation Monte Carlo (SAMC) to this problem, a method that has the potential to explore the entire space and does not become trapped in local extrema. The combination of reversible jump methods and SAMC in hierarchical longitudinal functional data is simplified by a polar coordinate representation of the principal components. The approach is easy to implement and does well in simulated data in determining the distribution of the number of principal components, and in terms of its frequentist estimation properties. Empirical applications are also presented.
Stratospheric influences on the tropospheric seasonal cycles of nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons

[1] The stratospheric influence on the tropospheric seasonal cycles of N2O, CFC-11 (CCl3F), CFC-12 (CCl2F2) and CFC-113 (CCl2FCClF2) is investigated using observations from the AGAGE global trace gas monitoring network and the results of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM). WACCM provides the basis for a number of predictions about the relative amplitudes of N2O and CFC seasonal cycles and about the relative magnitude and phasing of seasonal cycles in the northern and southern hemispheres. These predictions are generally consistent with observations, suggesting that the stratosphere exerts a coherent influence on the tropospheric seasonal cycles of trace gases whose primary sinks are in the stratosphere. This stratospheric influence may complicate efforts to validate estimated source distributions of N2O, an important greenhouse gas, in atmospheric transport model studies.
Stomatal behavior and leaf water status of strawberry in different growth environments

Abstract Leaves of irrigated (IR) and non-irrigated (NIR) strawberries ( Fragaria × ananassa Duch, cultivar ‘Olympus’) were compared in terms of water potential (ψ), turgor potential ( ψ p ), and leaf conductance ( K 1 ) during diurnal cycles in growth chamber, glass-house, and 2 field studies (1977 and 1979). Irrigation was withheld for 3–5 days before measurements were made in the greenhouse and growth chamber, and for 21 days (1977) and 36 days (1979) in the field. In the field, minimum mid-day leaf ψ was usually near −15 bars in both IR and NIR plants. On clear days, such as the 1977 date, ψ and ψ p were not greatly affected by irrigation, except that ψ in IR plants dropped more slowly in early morning and recovered faster near sunset. On the 1979 date, mid-day ψ was higher in IR than NIR plants due to lower solar radiation, but ψ p was very similar in the 2 treatments during most of the day. K 1 rates in NIR plants were half those in IR plants throughout the day, and diurnal patterns of K 1 were similar in 1977 and 1979 despite the differences in water status of IR plants. While stomata clearly responded to soil moisture deficit, the relationship between K 1 and leaf ψ or ψ p depended on the growth environment and irrigation history, as well as other influences on stomata. In contrast to the behavior of field-grown plants, ψ and ψ p of NIR glasshouse plants dropped well below those of IR plants as soil dried, probably due to small pot volume. Also, K 1 at a given ψ was lower in the growth chamber than in the field, perhaps due to a direct effect of low light on stomata. A threshold ψ at which strawberry K 1 drops sharply (indicating stomatal closure) was not observed. The existence of such thresholds in other crops is questionable if their occurrence was inferred from leaf resistance ( R 1 ) rather than K 1 data.
Instructional Practices of Teachers in General Education Classrooms and Gifted Resource Rooms: Development and Validation of the Instructional Practice Questionnaire

An instrument to measure teachers’ instructional practices, the Instructional Practice Questionnaire, was developed and validated in three phases. The questionnaires focused on three domains of instructional practices: cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. First, an initial questionnaire was developed for a pilot study, and data were gathered to analyze questionnaire items with 97 general education teachers. Second, the questionnaire was revised based on the findings of the first-phase data analysis. Third, the revised questionnaire was distributed to two new samples (144 general education teachers and 67 GATE resource room teachers) in an effort to provide reliability and validity evidence of the scores from the revised questionnaire. The questionnaire would be useful for educators and researchers who are interested in understanding instructional practices of classroom teachers and in improving classroom instruction for gifted and talented students.
Signaling pathway-based identification of extensive prognostic gene signatures for lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract Tumor recurrence is the major cause of death in lung cancer treatment. To date, there is no clinically applied gene expression-based model to predict the risk for tumor recurrence in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We sought to embed crosstalk with major signaling pathways into biomarker identification. Three approaches were used to identify prognostic gene signatures from 442 lung adenocarcinoma samples. Candidate genes co-expressed with 6 or 7 major NSCLC signaling hallmarks were identified from genome-wide coexpression networks specifically associated with different prognostic groups. From these candidate genes, the first approach selected genes significantly associated with disease-specific survival using univariate Cox model. The second approach used random forests to refine the gene signatures; and the third approach used Relief algorithm to form the final gene sets. A total of 21 gene signatures were identified using these three approaches. These gene signatures generated significant prognostic stratifications (log-rank P 1, P
Efficient Image Classification on Vertically Decomposed Data

Organizing digital images into semantic categories is imperative for effective browsing and retrieval. In large image collections, efficient algorithms are crucial to quickly categorize new images. In this paper, we study a nearest neighbor based algorithm in image classification from a different perspective. The proposed algorithm vertically decomposes image features into separate bit vectors, one for each bit position of the values in the features, and approximates a number of candidates of nearest neighbors by examining the absolute difference of total variation between the images in the repositories and the unclassified image. Once the candidate set is obtained, the k-nearest neighbors are then searched from the set. We use a combination of global color histogram in HSV (6x3x3) color space and Gabor texture for the image features. Our experiments on Corel dataset show that our algorithm is fast and scalable for image classification even when image repositories are very large. In addition, the classification accuracy is comparable to the accuracy of the classical KNN algorithm.
The Boom-Bust-Recovery Cycle: Dynamics of Change in Community Satisfaction and Social Integration in Delta, Utah*

To better understand the long-term effects of rapid boom growth, we reexamine four subjective indicators of community satisfaction and social integration in Delta, Utah, that were originally analyzed by Brown, Geertsen, and Krannich in 1989. With 24 years of longitudinal data, we find that within approximately a decade of the boom period three of the four indicators returned to or exceeded pre-boom levels. We argue that we need to modify our theories and vocabulary regarding boomtowns to account for a ''boom- bust-recovery cycle'' that better takes into consideration the dynamic nature of communities and their residents and how they subjectively adjust to shifts in objective conditions.
Simulation based experimental design to identify factors affecting performance of AVS/RS

We perform a simulation based experimental design for automated unit-load (UL) storage and retrieval systems based on autonomous vehicle technology to identify factors affecting their performance. First, we select the best combination of numbers of lifts and vehicles from pre-defined scenarios that are the key components of the system. Then, we apply design of experiment (DOE) for a system with this combination of lifts and vehicles and for various arrival rates. The factors considered in the DOE include: dwell point policy, scheduling rule, input/output (I/O) locations and interleaving rule. Three different responses, the average cycle time for storage and retrieval transactions, average vehicle utilization, and average lift utilization, are considered. However, because the ANOVA assumptions are not met for the average cycle time response, an inverse transformation method is applied on this response. The results show that there is three-way interaction effect on each response at a 95% confidence level. After determining the main and the interaction effects, a Tukey's test analysis is completed on the responses. We utilize data from a warehouse in France that utilizes the autonomous vehicle storage and retrieval system.
An efficient steepest-edge simplex algorithm for SIMD computers

This paper proposes a new parallelization of the Primal and Dual Simplex algorithms for Linear Programming (LP) problems on massively parallel Single-Instruction Multiple-Data (SIMD) computers. The algorithms are based on the Steepest-Edge pivot selection method and the tableau representation of the constraint matrix. The initial canonical tableau is formed on an attached scalar host unit, and then partitioned into a rectangular grid of sub-matrices and distributed to the individual Processor Element (PE) memories. In the beginning of the parallel algorithm key portions of the simplex tableau are partially replicated and stored along with the sub-matrices on each one of the PEs. The SIMD simplex algorithm iteratively selects a pivot element and carries-out a simplex computation step until the optimal solution is found, or when unboundedness of the LP is established. The Steepest-Edge pivot selection technique utilizes information mainly from local replicas to search for the next pivot element. The pivot row and column are selectively broadcasted to the PEs before a pivot computation step, by efficiently utilizing the geometry of the toroidal mesh interconnection network. Every individual PE maintains locally and keeps consistent its replicas so that inter-processor communication due to data dependencies is further reduced. The presence of a pipelined inteconnection network, like the mesh network of MP-1 and MP-2 MasPar models allows the global reduction operations necessary in the selection of pivot columns and rows to be performed in time $O(\log n_R + \log n_C)$, in $(n_R \times n_C)$ PE arrays. This particular combination of pivot selection, matrix representation, and selective data replication is shown to be highly efficient in the solution of linear programming problems on SIMD computers. The proposed parallelization has optimal asymptotic speedup and scalability properties. Performance comparisons show that as the problem sizes increase the speed-ups obtained by MasPar''s MP-1 and MP-2 models are in the order of 100 times, and 1000 times, respectively, over sequential versions of the Steepest-Edge Simplex algorithm running on high-end Unix workstations.
Neural Plasticity And Functional Recovery Following Cortical Ischemic Injury

Stroke is a leading cause of persistent motor disability, but few effective treatments exist for application at chronic post-injury timepoints. An approach that combines rehabilitative training with cortical electrical stimulation was evaluated in a non-human primate model of cortical ischemic stroke. Results indicate that cortical stimulation plus rehabilitation enhanced motor recovery compared to rehabilitation alone. Functional mapping of the spared, peri-infarct motor cortex revealed expansions of motor representations related to the rehabilitative task, with greater expansions for subjects that underwent the combined therapy. It is concluded that electrical stimulation combined with rehabilitation enhanced plastic reorganization of the affected motor cortex, leading to superior behavioral recovery
The Behavior of 2-Cyclohexyldithiobenzo-Thiazole and Related Unsymmetrical Disulfides in Rubber Vulcanization and Their Mass Spectral Fragmentation Patterns

Abstract The activities of the various cyclohexyldithio derivatives of thiazoles, benzoxazole and benzimidazole as accelerators may be correlated with their mass spectral fragmentation patterns. Present in the mass spectra are the molecular ions of 2-hydrodisulfides, 2-mereapto compounds, and cations corresponding to the molecular ions of 2-benzothiazolyl hydrodisulfide, 2-mercapto-benzothiazole, and their [M−1]+ ions, respectively. However, the cyclohexyl-dithiothiazoles are fairly strong accelerators, in contrast to the benzoxazole and benzimidazole derivatives which are weak accclerators. This shows that basically the compounds with thiazolylthio groups are superior as accclerators to those with the benzoxazolylthio or benzimidazolylthio group. Some of these cyclohexyldithio derivatives act as retarders when added to a benzothiazole sulfenamide accelerated stock. This property supports the postulate that one of the ways in which an addition of compounds which react with sulfur can inhibit vulcanization...
A Compact Aerosol Core Reactor/Laser Fueled with Reflective Micropellets

An aerosol core reactor concept can overcome efficiency and/or chemical activity problems of other fuel-reactant interface concepts. In the design of a laser using nuclear energy for a “photon-intermediate” pumping scheme, several features of the aerosol core reactor are attractive. First, the “photon-intermediate” pumping concept coupled with photon concentration methods and the aerosol fuel can provide the high power densities required to drive high energy/power lasers efficiently (about 25 to 100 kW/cc). Second, the intermediate photons should have a relatively large mean free path in the aerosol fuel which will allow the concept to scale more favorably. Finally, the aerosol core reactor concept can use materials which should allow the system to operate at high temperatures. The design of an aerosol core reactor is complex, as demonstrated by a conceptual study previously published by the authors. In the earlier work, the individual micropellets, which make up the aerosol, were assumed to be black absorbers. Despite this assumption, it was estimated that an integrated reactor/laser would have a volume of 46 m3 per MJ of laser energy (MJ = 1 MegaJoule). One of the most attractive features of the aerosol core concept, placing a reflective coating on the micropellets, was not explored as a means of increasing the photon mean free path. This study does examine the effects of reflective coatings on the microspheres using the diffusion approximation. It appears that the volume of the laser can be reduced by at least an order of magnitude by coating the micropellets.
Opening up the collaborative problem-solving process to solvers

In software systems, having features of openness means that some of the internal components of the system are made available for examination by users. Researchers have looked at different effects of open systems a great deal in the area of educational technology, but also in areas outside of education. Properly used, openness has the potential to teach users about the system, and about themselves, without drowning the user in a sea of confusing information. This work explores features of openness that I have added to the collaborative problem-solving system known as CoSolve. Collaborative problem-solving software allows several solvers, often remotely and possibly asynchronously, to work together to create a solution to a problem known to all of them. For the purposes of this work, the problem being solved is well defined. In addition to making remote and asynchronous solving more practical, collaborative problem-solving systems can enhance the problem-solving process by providing additional services to solvers, such as record-keeping, suggestion and evaluation tools. The contributions I present here are 1) the addition of features of openness to CoSolve, and an evaluation of those open features, and 2) a collection of tools for analyzing and understanding CoSolve behavior. The first contribution improves CoSolve by making it easier for solvers to collaborate. The second introduces a way to understand the seemingly chaotic and complex behavior of solvers in the CoSolve system.
TALES FROM THE KPMG SKUNK WORKS: THE BASIS-SHIFT OR DEFECTIVE-REDEMPTION SHELTER

Calvin H. Johnson is professor of law at the University of Texas at Austin. This report arises out of his testimony before the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation hearings on the role of professionals in the U.S. tax shelter industry. Prof. Johnson has agreed to serve as an expert for plaintiffs who bought KPMG shelters and seek recovery of costs. He thanks James Martens and Samuel Buell for comments on an earlier draft, but acknowledges responsibility for errors. In this report, Johnson argues that the basis-shift or defective-redemption shelter, called FLIP or OPIS by KPMG, was an early product of KPMG’s endeavor to develop complete tax packages that could be sold for multimillion-dollar fees to many customers. The FLIP/OPIS shelter gives a rare opportunity, he says, to see both KPMG internal deliberations and also the profession’s many independent evaluations. KPMG said the shelter was likely to prevail, Johnson writes, but the tax profession has reached a consensus that the shelter did not meet professional standards, shown by its acceptance of the IRS’s generous settlement offer. In the FLIP/OPIS shelter, Johnson says, a Cayman
Stimulation of H+ secretion by CO2 in turtle bladder: role of intracellular pH, exocytosis, and calcium

We studied the interaction of intracellular pH, exocytosis, and cell calcium on the stimulation of H+ secretion by CO2 in turtle bladder. Intracellular pH was continuously monitored by the fluorescent dye 6-carboxyfluorescein and exocytosis was monitored by the release of mucosal fluorescein dextran. The initial stimulation of H+ secretion by 1 or 5% CO2 added to the serosal solution was accompanied by a similar and temporally related increase in exocytosis. Furthermore, a decrease in intracellular pH seems necessary for the early increase in H+ secretion and exocytosis. Because calcium plays an important role in exocytosis, we measured intracellular calcium in isolated cells with the fluorescent dye quin2. An increase in intracellular calcium (from 50 to 100 nM) was observed in isolated turtle bladder epithelial cells gassed with 5% CO2. To further evaluate the role of intracellular calcium on H+ secretion and exocytosis we utilized agents that alter cell calcium such as trifluoperazine and lanthanum. In the presence of CO2 these agents blocked partially the increase in H+ secretion and exocytosis but did not affect the decrease in intracellular H+. In conclusion, exocytosis, intracellular pH, and intracellular calcium play a key role in mediating CO2-stimulated H+ secretion in the turtle bladder.
On the distributed control of spatially invariant systems

In this paper, the optimal H2 control problem for spatially invariant systems is considered. The framework adopted is borrowed from the work pioneered by Voulgaris et al. In particular, the H2 optimal control problem is solved via the computation of an orthogonal projection of a tensor Hilbert space onto a particular subspace. Next, the optimal H2 decentralized control problem is solved by computing an orthogonal projection on a class of Youla parameters with a decentralized structure. The latter uses Riesz projections after invoking a particular L2-basis.
Influence of cover cropping and no-tillage practices on community composition of soil arthropods in a North Carolina agroecosystem

Winter legume and grain cover crops preceding corn, Zea mays L., grown using conventional and no-tillage methods were investigated for their effect on population dynamics and community structure of soil arthropods. Hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth, supported higher below-ground arthropod population densities and a more taxonomically diverse fauna than crimson clover, Trifolium incarnatum L., or wheat, Triticum aestivum L. Pest and beneficial soil arthropods were most abundant in no-tillage corn preceded by hairy vetch. Diversity of soilarthropod species was higher under no-tillage than conventional tillage. Divergences in community structure of soil arthropods among cover crop species, evident early in the season, dissipated by midseason. Arthropod predators were more numerous in no-tillage than conventional tillage systems regardless of previous cover crops. Although no-tillage practices promoted a more trophically balanced soil arthropod community than conventional tillage during early and mid season, in 1987 seedling corn plants in no-tillage vetch treatments sustained significantly higher (P < 0.05) damage from the southern corn rootworm, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, than in other treatments. Tillage system preference was shown by herbivores: Seedcorn maggot, Delia platura (Meigen), occurred in large numbers in conventional tillage, and southern corn rootworm populations were high in no-tillage, especially following legume cover crops.
Studies on the Characteristics of Dry Matter Production in Double Cropping Early and Late Super Rice

Using ten early and late super rice varieties as the materials,the dry matter production characteristics of double cropping super rice were studied in field conditions.The results showed that early and late super rice had obvious superiority in dry matter production and accumulation,and the grain yield increased with the biomass.There was a significant or very significant positive correlation between the grain yield and the dry matter accumulation after heading,but there was not a correlation between the grain yield and the dry matter accumulation before heading.There was also a very significant positive correlation between the grain yield and the LAI after heading.The ratio of shoot dry weight to leaf area index in the first branch differentiation stage was closely related to the ear-bearing tiller rate and grain yield,so it can be used as a population quality indicator during the transition period from vegetative growth to reproductive growth.
Numerical simulation on gas-solid two-phase flow in slots of porous plugs

The slot-type porous plug used for injecting pulverized coal into the ladle through a bottom position is an extremely important element for desulfurization during hot iron pretreatment,and it makes great effect on the trouble-free operation of this desulfurization technology. With the help of the Eulerian- Eulerian model and the particle dynamic theory,a three-dimensional model is constructed to evaluate the velocity,pressure and concentration fields of gas- solid two-phase flow in the slot of a porous plug. It is found that the concentration nonuniform length in the slot is about 250 mm,the acceleration length is always less than 250 mm,and the maximum difference in pressure is 2350 Pa on condition that the particle size is 20 μm. The result of industrial application shows that the desulfurization efficiency of coal injection through the bottom position is about 15% higher than that by the top lance.
Rater agreement, accuracy, and experienced cognitive load: Comparison of distributional and traditional assessment approaches to rating performance

ABSTRACTError in performance ratings is typically believed to be due to the cognitive complexity of the rating task. Distributional assessment (DA) is proposed to improve rater accuracy by reducing cognitive load. In two laboratory studies, raters reported perceptions of cognitive effort and difficulty while assessing rating targets using DA or the traditional assessment approach. Across both studies, DA raters showed greater interrater agreement, and Study 2 findings provide some support for DA being associated with greater true score rating accuracy. However, DA raters also reported experiencing greater cognitive load during the rating task, and cognitive load did not mediate the relationship between rating format and rater accuracy. These findings have important implications regarding our understanding of cognitive load in the rating process.
Live-Cell Optical Microscopy Beyond the Diffraction Limit

Optical Nanoscopy (super-resolution) techniques such as STED and FPALM/PALM/STORM microscopy utilize either targeted or stochastic switching of fluorescent molecules to achieve ∼25 nm spatial resolution - about 10-fold below the diffraction limit. However, their primary application has been focused on fixed samples because of (i) a lack of suitable live-cell compatible labels and (ii) time resolutions often limited to minutes, especially for FPALM/PALM/STORM.In this talk, I will present recent advances in live-cell nanoscopy using newly developed probes, labeling procedures and instrumentation that have been optimized for live-cell imaging.
Relation of Body Mass Index to Long-Term Survival After Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Obesity confers a paradoxical survival benefit in patients with heart failure, but this obesity paradox has not been well established in those who have undergone cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D). We sought to determine the impact of body mass index (BMI) on long-term survival in patients with heart failure after CRT-D. We identified 113 patients implanted with CRT-D at our institution from May 2002 to November 2003. Patients were divided into 3 categories by pre-implant BMI (kg/m 2 ): normal weight (BMI 2 increase in BMI was associated with a 8% reduction in the risk of the primary end point (adjusted hazard ratio 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.88 to 0.97, p = 0.002). In conclusion, higher BMI is associated with improved long-term survival after CRT-D.
A Monad for Randomized Algorithms

Abstract In this paper, we introduce a monad of random choice for domains that does not suffer from the main two drawbacks of the probabilistic powerdomain. It is not known whether any Cartesian closed category of domains is closed under the probabilistic powerdomain, but the Cartesian closed category BCD is closed under this monad of random choice. Also, there is no distributive law between the probabilistic powerdomain and any of the nondeterministic powerdomains, but there is a distributive law between the monad of random choice and the lower powerdomain. In order to work with the convex powerdomain, an alteration to the monad of random choice is made, so that the Cartesian closed categories RB and FS are closed under this construction. Then, in these categories, there is a distributive law between this monad and the convex powerdomain. This work is based on the uniform continuous random variables of Goubault-Larrecq and Varacca, which do not form a monad. This paper gives motivation for this model and changes the definition of the Kleisli extension of Goubault-Larrecq and Varacca so that it is monotone, which was the problem with their definition.
Regenerative Markov Chain Importance Sampling

ABSTRACTWe introduce Markov Chain Importance Sampling (MCIS), which combines importance sampling (IS) and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) to estimate some characteristics of a non-normalized multi-dimensional distribution. Especially, we introduce some importance functions whose variates are regeneratively generated by MCMC; these variates then are used to estimate the quantity of interest through IS. Because MCIS is regenerative, it overcomes the burn-in problem associated with MCMC. It could also speed up the mixing rate in MCMC.
Development of a Phased-Array feed Demonstrator for radio telescopes

Future centimetre-wavelength radio telescopes will use low-noise phased arrays as feed antennas. Two key reasons for developing this technology is that it enables the radio telescope to have several simultaneous beams on the sky, increasing the speed of the instrument, and because it allows the properties of the feed to be optimised. However, to date only two experimental demonstrations of phased-array feeds on radio telescopes have been performed. We are in the planning stages of an array that will thoroughly demonstrate the capabilities of this technology. This engineering demonstrator will consist of an array of Vivaldi antennas feeding low-noise amplifiers. After amplification the signal will be down-converted and digitized. This data will be stored for off-line beamforming on desktop computers. From these data sets we will be able to demonstrate not only rudimentary beamforming, but also more sophisticated operations such as optimisation of the feed pattern and interference cancellation. Current plans and progress of this project will be reviewed.
Statistical estimation in the presence of possibly incorrect model assumptions

The estimation problem of a parameter of interest when some model assumptions may be incorrect is considered. The parameter of interest is defined in a model-independent manner and the estimating procedure selects a model with the smallest mean square error (MSE) as estimated by a proposed MSE estimator. This proposed MSE estimator combines both a nonparametric bootstrap and plug-in estimation in its structure. It requires at least one consistent estimator with a quickly disappearing systematic bias ( $$\sqrt n $$ mean convergence). This estimator is not tied up to a single set of model assumptions (e.g., a class of parametric models), and thus it works across various sets of possibly nonnested classes of statistical models. The derived large sample properties constitute theoretical justification of its use and allow the estimation of the probability of how likely this estimator will have the smallest MSE in a pool of candidate estimators. Multiple simulation studies illustrate the performance of the proposed procedure under various scenarios. A real data example highlights its practical use when a single model is selected from several conceptually different statistical modeling techniques (parametric regression, Cox regression, stratified Cox regression, regression on pseudo-values) and other model selection approaches are not applicable.
Feasibility of imaging superficial palmar arch using micro-ultrasound, 7T and 3T magnetic resonance imaging

Feasibility of imaging superficial palmar arch using micro-ultrasound, 7T and 3T magnetic resonance imaging
Impact of multidisciplinary therapy on high-grade appendiceal adenocarcinoma (AA).

4134 Background: AA is a rare malignancy ranging from well-differentiated to poorly differentiated carcinoma, including those with signet ring cells. Optimal therapy for low grade peritoneal diseas...
Investigating the Influence of Data Familiarity to Improve the Design of a Crowdsourcing Image Annotation System.

Crowdsourced demarcations of object boundaries in images (segmentations) are important for many vision-based applications. A commonly reported challenge is that a large percentage of crowd results are discarded due to concerns about quality. We conducted three studies to examine (1) how does the quality of crowdsourced segmentations differ for familiar everyday images versus unfamiliar biomedical images?, (2) how does making familiar images less recognizable (rotating images upside down) influence crowd work with respect to the quality of results, segmentation time, and segmentation detail?, and (3) how does crowd workers’ judgments of the ambiguity of the segmentation task, collected by voting, differ for familiar everyday images and unfamiliar biomedical images? We analyzed a total of 2,525 segmentations collected from 121 crowd workers and 1,850 votes from 55 crowd workers. Our results illustrate the potential benefit of explicitly accounting for human familiarity with the data when designing computer interfaces for human interaction.
Functional Nanofibers Containing Cyclodextrins

The process of obtaining nanofibers from polymer solutions has been reported in the literature for the past two decades. However, only in the past few years, have nanofibers containing cyclodextrins (CDs) or their inclusion compounds (ICs) with low or high molecular weight compounds been extensively reported. These nanofibers exhibit superior properties compared to those of their neat polymer nanofibers. It has been observed that with the simple addition of CDs, marked increases in crystallinity, crystallizability, small molecule encapsulation capability, lowered hydrophobicity, and other surface functionalities can be achieved. In this chapter, an in-depth discussion of cyclodextrins, their structures, and inclusion complexes will be provided. Various strategies utilized to obtain those nanofibers functionalized with CDs or their ICs will be discussed. CD based technologies offer green alternatives for designing scaffolds with specific improved properties ﻿for growing cells and tissues. For example, increased small molecule encapsulation or release capability can be achieved, as well stronger nanofibers can be produced. Due to their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and abundant availability, CDs and their ICs, offer excellent opportunities for producing functionalized nanofibers, which have not yet been extensively reported. For this reason, much of our focus in this chapter will concentrate on various strategies for future research in nanofibers functionalized with CDs and their ICs.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Mediates the Deleterious Effects of α2-Antiplasmin on Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown and Ischemic Brain Injury in Experimental Stroke.

Abstract During acute brain ischemia, α2-antiplasmin markedly enhances brain injury, blood–brain barrier breakdown and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression. Although α2-antiplasmin inhibits fibrin thrombus-degradation, and MMP-9 is a collagen-degrading enzyme altering blood–brain barrier, both have similar deleterious effects on the ischemic brain. We examined the hypothesis that MMP-9 is an essential downstream mediator of α2-antiplasmin’s deleterious effects during brain ischemia. Middle cerebral artery thromboembolic stroke was induced in a randomized, blinded fashion in mice with increased blood levels of α2-antiplasmin. There was a robust increase in MMP-9 expression (immunofluorescence) in the ischemic vs. the non-ischemic hemisphere of MMP-9+/+ but not MMP-9−/− mice, 24 h after stroke. Brain swelling and hemorrhage were significantly increased in the ischemic vs. the non-ischemic hemisphere of MMP-9+/+ mice. By comparison to MMP-9+/+ mice, the ischemic hemispheres of MMP-9−/− mice showed a ∼6-fold reduction in brain swelling (p
My Telepresence, My Culture?: An Intercultural Investigation of Telepresence Robot Operators' Interpersonal Distance Behaviors

Interpersonal distance behaviors can vary significantly across countries and impact human social interaction. Do these cross-cultural differences play out when one of the interaction partners participates through a teleoperated robot? Emerging research shows that when being approached by a robot, people tend to hold similar cultural preferences as they would for an approaching human. However, no work yet has investigated this question from a robot teleoperator's perspective. Toward answering this, we conducted an online study (N = 774) using a novel simulation paradigm across two countries (U.S. and India). Results show that in the role of a telepresence robot operator, participants exhibited cross-cultural differences in interpersonal distance behavior in line with human-human proxemic research, indicating that culture-specific distance behavior can manifest in the way a robot operator controls a robot. We discuss implications for designers who seek to automate path planning and navigation for teleoperated robots.
Adherence to Surveillance Endoscopy Following Hospitalization for Index Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage

Adherence to surveillance endoscopy following hospitalization for index esophageal variceal hemorrhage
Interactive influence of sex, stressor timing, and the BclI glucocorticoid receptor polymorphism on stress-induced alterations of long-term memory.

Abstract Certain susceptibility factors, such as genetic variants or specific physiological responses to stress, can dictate the effects of stress on learning and memory. Here, we examined the influence of the BclI polymorphism of the glucocorticoid receptor gene on the time-dependent effects of pre-learning stress on long-term memory. Healthy individuals were exposed to the socially evaluated cold pressor test or a control condition immediately or 30 min before word list learning. Participants’ memory for the words was tested immediately and 24 h after learning, and saliva samples were collected to genotype participants for the BclI polymorphism and to assess cortisol responses to the stressor. Results revealed that stress immediately before learning enhanced memory, while stress 30 min before learning impaired memory; these effects were largely selective to males and non-arousing words. Additionally, stress, independent of when it was administered, enhanced memory in non-carriers of the BclI polymorphism, while impairing memory in carriers; these effects were largely selective to males and participants exhibiting a robust cortisol response to stress. These results provide further evidence for time-dependent effects of stress on long-term memory and suggest that carriers of the BclI polymorphism might be more sensitive to the negative effects of corticosteroids on learning.
Axon Guidance: Morphogens as Chemoattractants and Chemorepellants

To reach their synaptic target destinations, the growth cones of developing neurons respond to specific guidance cues in their extracellular environment. Among the factors acting as guidance cues are secreted signaling molecules from protein families best known for their roles as morphogens in controlling cell fate and early embryonic patterning. These morphogens, which include Sonic hedgehog (Shh), bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7), and Wnt proteins, appear to act directly on growth cones and thus are likely to activate signal transduction pathways with outputs that alter the cytoskeleton.
Cotton-Surfaced Nonwovens for Short-Wear-Cycle Apparel:

Cotton-surfaced nonwovens have been developed with cotton on one side or both sides of a core structure in which the cotton content varies from 41–75% of the fabric weight. The thermally bonded two...
Genomic analysis of CC16 as a biomarker for COPD

Background: CC16 is a protein produced by bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) that participates in host defense. Objectives: Our purpose is to investigate CC16 as a biomarker for COPD using systems biology in the SPIROMICS cohort. Methods: Genome-wide pQTL analyses of CC16 serum protein levels were performed in non-Hispanic Whites (n=1,874) and African Americans (n=403). Spearman correlation analyses between CC16 mRNA levels and other protein-coding genes (n=14,746) were performed using RNAseq data from BEC (n=131). Association analyses between CC16 SNPs/mRNA/protein and COPD-related phenotypes were performed using a generalized linear model. Results: The A allele of rs3741240 was associated with lower CC16 protein levels in non-Hispanic Whites (p=9x10-6) and African Americans (p=0.04). CC16 mRNA levels were positively correlated with CC16 protein levels (p=0.02). CC16 mRNA levels were positively correlated with MUC5B, IL12A, C3, TLR5, IL6, DPP4, and SFTPD, and negatively correlated with MUC5AC, IL18R1, and TLR6 at genome-wide significant level (p 1 vs. 0, OR=0.8, p=0.02). Conclusions: rs3741240 is a pQTL SNP for CC16 protein levels. CC16 mRNA levels are positively correlated with inflammation genes and negatively correlated with atopic genes. These findings are consistent with eQTL and co-expression analyses from SARP asthma cohort (n=107) (Li, 2018, ATS abstract). CC16 protein levels were associated with reduced future COPD exacerbations and will be further investigated longitudinally in SPIROMICS.
Advances in multi-spectral Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coatings

We discuss the development and applications of a new approach to Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating that provides the durability of traditional DLC coatings, with the addition of significantly more transmission at visible wavelengths and greater transmission in the IR. We developed a deposition system design that incorporates multiple coating technologies, allowing for multiple material design approaches. This has enabled the manufacture of DLC coatings with improved extended spectral properties, suitable for applications in which the coating must withstand airborne particulate impacts, corrosive fluids, environmental extremes, and abrasive physical handling, while offering better than typical transmission in the visible or infrared wavelength regions, or both.