cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study of an Iron-Based Oxygen Carrier on the Moving Bed Chemical Looping System

The Industrial Technology Research Institute has developed a 30 kWth moving bed chemical looping system for hydrogen production. Methane is supplied as a fuel to the reducer, and steam is supplied to the oxidizer to produce hydrogen. An iron-based oxygen carrier is used circulating between the reactors. In this study, the mechanical strength, attrition rate, and conversion rate of the oxygen carrier were tested at two Fe2O3 levels of content (40 and 60 wt %) calcined at temperatures of 1100 and 1300 °C. The oxygen carrier with the lower iron content presented the higher conversion rate of 72% at both calcination temperatures. The mechanical strength (170.5 N) and attrition rate (0.3%) of the oxygen carrier with a low Fe2O3 content were higher at the higher calcination temperature. Further, the oxygen carriers were circulated in the 30 kWth moving bed chemical looping system under ambient and high-temperature conditions. The oxygen carrier with two Fe2O3 content levels (40 and 60 wt %) at the calcination t...
THE TIME COURSE OF HALOPERIDOL-INDUCED DOPAMINE RECEPTOR SITE SUPERSENSITIVITY IN GUINEA PIGS

We have studied the time course of haloperidol-induced alterations in striatal DA receptor site characteristics in guinea pigs. After 3 weeks of haloperidol treatment, behavioral supersensitivity for apomorphine stereotypy developed, and striatal DA receptor site and concentration increased. Supersensitivity of DA receptors persisted at 3 weeks post-treatment, behavioral and binding assays reavealed a return to control values. These findings suggest that haloperidol-induced supersensitivity of DA receptor sites can be reversible.
Multitaper harmonic analysis of infant vocalizations

Infant vocalizations exhibit many special complexities relative to adult speech that make acoustic analysis difficult, even though the basic physics of sound production in the vocal tract is identical. Fundamental frequency is raised, resulting in wider-spaced harmonics that make it hard to accurately estimate the spectral envelope or locate formant resonances, which are higher than in adult voices, due to anatomical scaling effects. Irregular vocal fold vibratory regimes are often observed, involving period doubling and other nonlinear phenomena not seen in adult speech, along with atypical patterns of turbulent noise production. Unsurprisingly, traditional analysis techniques that depend on estimating the spectral envelope from the speech signal do not work well when applied to infant vocalizations. An alternative approach is proposed, using multitaper analysis to calculate the time-varying amplitude and phase of every harmonic component of the voice, along with the residual noise component, recovering the vocal tract transfer function from the results. The new technique is compared against linear prediction and cepstral analysis using home audio recordings of 20 infants collected from 0 to 24 months using LENA technology. Developmental progressions in the acoustic structure of the infant voice are identified that cannot be found using traditional methods.
Mapping of barley susceptibility/resistance QTL against spot form net blotch caused by Pyrenophora teres f. maculata using RIL populations

Spot form net blotch (SFNB) caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Pyrenophora teres f. maculata (Ptm) is an important disease of barley worldwide including the major barley production regions of North America. To characterize SFNB resistance/susceptibility quantitative trait loci (QTL), three recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations were developed from crosses between the malting barley cultivars, Tradition (six row) and Pinnacle (two row), and the two world barley core collection lines, PI67381 and PI84314. Tradition and Pinnacle were susceptible to many North American Ptm isolates, while PI67381 and PI84314 carry resistances to diverse Ptm isolates from across the globe. The RIL populations, Tradition/PI67381, Pinnacle/PI67381, and Pinnacle/PI84314 were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-mediated genotype-by-sequencing single nucleotide polymorphism marker panels and phenotyped at the seedling stage with six geographically distinct Ptm isolates: FGOB10Ptm-1 (North Dakota, USA), Pin-A14 (Montana, USA), Cel-A17 (Montana, USA), SG1 (Australia), NZKF2 (New Zealand) and DEN2.6 (Denmark). The goal was to determine if the susceptible elite lines contained common susceptibility genes/QTL or if the resistant lines had common resistant genes/QTL effective against diverse Ptm isolates. The QTL analyses identified a total of 12 resistance and/or susceptibility loci on chromosomes 2H, 3H, 4H, 6H, and 7H of which three had not been previously reported. Common major QTL were detected on chromosome 2H (R2 = 14–40%) and 7H (R2 = 24–80%) in all three RIL populations, suggesting underlying genes with broad resistance specificity. The major 7H QTL was shown to be a dominant susceptibility gene in both susceptible malting barley varieties.
Teacher Empathy: A Model of Empathy for Teaching for Student Success

This paper defines teacher empathy, argues that teacher empathy enhances student learning, and offers suggestions for increasing teacher empathy. Teacher empathy is the degree to which an instructo...
Stage Two Malignant Melanoma of the Clitoris: A Case Report

Mucosal melanomas are rare in comparison to cutaneous melanomas, accounting for approximately 1% of all melanoma cases. Vulvovaginal melanoma is the least common mucosal melanoma subtype. For patients without distant metastases at presentation, regional lymph node involvement is the most important prognostic indicator. Lymphoscintigraphy is a method used to identify the sentinel lymph node (SLN), directing subsequent biopsies to the lymph node at highest risk for cancer spread. We present a 67-year-old Hispanic female with stage II B (T4aN0M0) melanoma of the clitoris. The patient initially sought medical treatment for a pigmented vulvar lesion over her clitoris that occasionally bleeds. She stated that over the past month the lesion began to grow peripherally and then acquired a very dark color. The patient underwent local excision of the mass and subsequent pathology revealed malignant melanoma. The patient underwent lymphoscintigraphy which allowed localization and subsequent biopsy of the left inguinal sentinel node. The left inguinal sentinel node was negative for metastatic melanoma. It was opted to keep her under observation. Compared to cutaneous melanoma, patients with mucosal melanoma usually present with more advanced disease, and thus efficacious imaging practices play a significant role in the management of the disease. Lymphoscintigraphy is a well-tolerated, validated, cost-effective, and reliable method of detecting sentinel nodes with minimal radiation exposure to the patient. In our case, early clinical detection allowed for prompt surgical intervention, pathologic diagnosis, and reliable staging via lymphoscintigraphy of a rare form of malignant melanoma.
The impact of conditional dependence on checked baggage screening

Abstract Checked baggage screening, an important layer of an aviation security system, has gained a lot of research interest in the literature. Due to the different characteristics (for example, cost, capacity, and efficiency) of various screening devices, several cost-benefit models have been proposed to help select screening devices to include in a checked baggage screening system. Almost all cost-benefit models involving multiple devices implicitly assume that, given that a bag carries a threat or not, the responses from different screening devices are conditionally independent. This assumption may not hold in real situations because one device’s response may be positively or negatively correlated with another device’s response. In this paper, we bridge this research gap and address the impact of conditional dependence on checked baggage screening based on a more general system configuration and an existing cost-benefit model. The cost-benefit model investigates a two-device screening system with the objective of minimizing the expected cost per bag. Our detailed numerical results suggest that (1) the higher the correlation coefficient, the higher the optimal expected cost per bag, (2) incorporating correlation coefficients may even alter the choice of devices to include in the optimal screening system, and (3) the more the responses are correlated, the higher the relative increase of the optimal expected cost per bag when ignoring conditional dependence.
Benchmarking Deep Learning Frameworks and Investigating FPGA Deployment for Traffic Sign Classification and Detection

We benchmark several widely-used deep learning frameworks and investigate the field programmable gate array (FPGA) deployment for performing traffic sign classification and detection. We evaluate the training speed and inference accuracy of these frameworks on the graphics processing unit (GPU) by training FPGA-deployment-suitable models with various input sizes on German Traffic Sign Recognition Benchmark (GTSRB), a traffic sign classification dataset. Then, selected trained classification models and various object detection models that we train on GTSRB's detection counterpart (i.e., German Traffic Sign Detection Benchmark) are evaluated with inference speed, accuracy, and FPGA power efficiency by varying different parameters such as floating-point precisions, batch sizes, etc. We discover that Neon and MXNet deliver the best training speed and classification accuracy on the GPU in general for all test cases, while TensorFlow is always among the frameworks with the highest inference accuracies. We observe that with the current OpenVINO release, the performance of lightweight models (e.g., MobileNet-v1-SSD, etc.) usually exceeds the requirement of real-time detection without losing much accuracy, while other models (e.g., VGG-SSD, ResNet-50-SSD) generally fail to do so. We also demonstrate that we can adjust the precision of bitstreams and the batch sizes to balance inference speed and accuracy of the applications deployed on the FPGA. Finally, we show that for all test cases, the FPGA always achieves higher power efficiency than the GPU.
Religion of the field Negro: on black secularism and black theology

Religion of the Field Negro aims to expose black secularism’s effect on black theology as one of distortion and nullification. The book builds on Lloyd’s article entitled “Black Secularism and Blac...
Meta-Analysis of Outcomes of Axillary and Subclavian Implanted Impella 5.0 for Cardiogenic Shock

Introduction The purpose of this study was to summarize survival and adverse events in patients with cardiogenic shock supported by the 5.0 Impella (Abiomed Inc, Danvers, MA USA) via axillary or subclavian access. Methods We performed a literature review of PUBMED and OVID databases for published, peer-reviewed manuscripts in English through March 31, 2019 for patients supported by Impella 5.0 devices. Only peer-reviewed studies with axillary or subclavian access, greater than or equal to 5 patients, and with clear reporting of survival and adverse events were included. A random effects meta-analysis was then performed. Results The ten studies included in the final analysis (n=125 patients) evaluated 30-day survival and adverse events such as cerebrovascular accident, limb ischemia, hemolysis, major bleeding, device malfunction, pump thrombosis, and infection. The mean age of patients across studies was 57 +/- 4.7 years, 83% were male, 43% were post-acute myocardial infarction. The mean length of support was 13.4 +/- 8.2 days. The 30-day survival was 64% (95% CI 51.7- 76.6 %). Percentages of patient experiencing adverse events are reported in Figure 1. Conclusions This analysis demonstrates that axillary or subclavian Impella 5.0 has a relatively low adverse event rate and can be used for longer periods of time than is reported for other forms of temporary support.
Eradicate Social Isolation

Social relationships play a critical role in helping to maintain health and well-being across the life course. Social isolation has severe consequences for individuals, families, and communities. With the growing recognition of the need to identify opportunities to prevent and reduce social isolation, the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare has called for social workers to lead the charge to eradicate social isolation. Gerontological social workers, focusing on the person-in-environment, can play a critical role in furthering our knowledge and development of innovative interventions to tackle this important issue.
Fuel efficiency drives the auto industry to reduce vehicle weight

In this age of global warming, the automotive industry is seeking to minimize the energy required to manufacture and operate its products without sacrificing performance and safety or increasing cost. Toward this end, whether cars and trucks are powered by internal-combustion engines or batteries, lowering vehicle weight is a major contributor to reducing energy consumption by increasing fuel efficiency. “The industry is driven by fuel efficiency,” said David Matlock of the Colorado School of Mines, who has helped develop advanced high-strength steels (AHSSs) used in autos.
Equilibration and passage of water in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle in relation to estimating body water by compartmental kinetic models.

The volume of water in the rumen of four steers was increased (P less than .01) 47% when the level of ground cobs in the diet fed to the steers was changed from 10% to 50%. The difference in gut water content due to diet was not accurately (P greater than .10) estimated by deuterium oxide dilution using either one-, two- or three-compartmental models. Gut water was overestimated and empty body water underestimated when calculated by two-compartment models. The proportions of total body water within each compartment of a three-compartment model were quite variable among steers. When the two-compartment model was solved on the basis of measurements taken from either compartment, different compartment volumes were obtained. This indicated that the two-compartment model did not accurately describe the water equilibration process. Water in the contents of the proximal duodenum and terminal ileum equilibrated with blood in 30 min (range, 10 to 75 min), fecal water equilibrated in 4.3 h (range, 1.7 to 6.7 h) and water in rumen contents equilibrated in 8.3 h (range, 3.8 to 12.5 h). Diet did not affect (P greater than .10) equilibration time or the mean retention time of water in the gastrointestinal tract. Mean retention time was much longer than equilibration time; thus, the equilibration of water in the gastrointestinal tract contents was primarily dependent upon movement of water across the gut mucosa and not upon the flow of water through the gut. One-third of the water in the contents of the gastrointestinal tract was located outside the rumen. Compartmental modeling based only upon D2O disappearance from blood did not enable either gut water or rumen water to be accurately estimated.
Toward a theory of media priming

This manuscript puts forth a theory of media priming, where media priming occurs when information from media content is utilized outside the media consumer’s awareness. The media consumer is influe...
A Semi-Powered Ankle Prosthesis and Unified Controller for Level and Sloped Walking

This paper describes a semi-powered ankle prosthesis and corresponding unified controller that provides biomimetic behavior for level and sloped walking without requiring identification of ground slope or modulation of control parameters. The controller is based on the observation that healthy individuals maintain an invariant external quasi-stiffness (spring like behavior between the shank and ground) when walking on level and sloped terrain. Emulating an invariant external quasi-stiffness requires an ankle that can vary the set-point (i.e., equilibrium angle) of the ankle stiffness. A semi-powered ankle prosthesis that incorporates a novel constant-volume power-asymmetric actuator was developed to provide this behavior, and the unified controller was implemented on it. The device and unified controller were assessed on three subjects with transtibial amputations while walking on inclines, level ground, and declines. Experimental results suggest that the prosthesis and accompanying controller can provide a consistent external quasi-stiffness similar to healthy subjects across all tested ground slopes.
Concept Design of a Small Heaving Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter

Ocean waves are a consistent, reliable source of renewable energy, but major hurdles still exist before wave energy will be a viable grid power source. Several applications exist today that would benefit from a small stand-alone wave energy system. The goal of this project was to design, build and test a small wave energy converter to operate in the waters adjacent to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, producing 50W average power. The result was a cylindrical heaving device with integrated oscillating water column, with outer diameter of 3.4 ft and total weight of 94.5 lbs. The design utilizes off-the-shelf components and 3D printed parts to minimize cost. Follow-on testing (both tank and field) will be conducted to evaluate performance of the concept design. This project serves as a foundation for future wave energy research and design projects.
An appraisal of the evolution of some of the main themes in Sosa’s epistemology

Abstract: In this article, I propose to trace the evolution of three central concepts in Sosa’s epistemology: the distinction between animal and reflective knowledge, closure principles, and the safety condition. These three planks played a central role in the early presentations of Sosa’s epistemology, but have recently undergone interesting changes.
Examining the immunomodulatory effects of GM-CSF and IL-12 in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (728.2)

Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a growth factor for microglia/macrophages, has been associated with protective functions in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in terms of Amyloid β (Aβ) plaque accumulation and cognitive function. We extended these studies by combining GM-CSF and Interleukin-12 (IL-12), considered to be a differentiation factor of naive T-cells into Th1 cells. A transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model for AD was used and mice were grown to an advanced stage of brain Aβ plaque deposition. At 18 months old, AD mice were then injected daily for 20 days, subcutaneously with doses of GM-CSF (1.7 μg/day) and/or IL-12 once a week (20 ng) and sacrificed at day 21. Mice were divided into the following groups: 1) AD mice with GM-CSF plus IL-12, 2) AD mice with IL-12 alone and 3) AD mice with no treatment. Mouse brains were perfused and brain slices were quantitated by immunohistochemical methods using Aperio software for Aβ 1-40 or Aβ 1-42 peptides. The results indicat...
Ultraheavy Cosmic Rays — HEAO-3 Results

I have been invited to report on results from the experiment on HEAO-3 which was designed to measure the elemental composition of the Ultraheavy (UH) cosmic rays, i. e., nuclei with atomic number (or nuclear charge, Z) greater than 30. Before I do that, I want to take a few minutes to remind you why we designed this experiment.
Dose fractionation (DF) and combination radioimmunotherapy (RIT) in patients with prostate cancer using 177Lu-J591 (Lu-J591) anti-PSMA antibody and docetaxel

360 Objectives We have previously performed phase I and II clinical studies with Lu-J591 mAb radioimmunotherapy (RIT) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (metCRPC). MTD was 70 mCi/m2. In order to reduce myelotoxicity, increase the amount of total administered dose, and improve efficacy, we have designed two phase I trials to evaluate DF alone and in combination with docetaxel, which is standard chemotherapy for metCRPC, and is a known radiosensitizer. Methods In the first phase I study, cohorts of 3-6 patients with progressive metCRPC received 2 FD of Lu -J591, 2 weeks apart: In a second phase I trial, patients with metCRPC received docetaxel (75 mg/m2 every 3 wks) with prednisone 10 mg/d. In both trials, Group-1 was started with two doses of Lu-J591 at 20 mCi/m2, 2 wks apart, and then escalated in 5 mCi/m2 increments to 45 mCi/m2. Results In the DF trial, 28 patients have been treated, receiving up to 45 mCi/m2 x2 (highest anticipated dose). Despite achieving cumulative doses exceeding the single-dose MTD (a dose at which 41% require platelet transfusions), only 6 pts receiving up to 90 mCi/m2 experienced Gr 4 thrombocytopenia (2 requiring a transfusion). 3 pts experienced Gr 4 neutropenia without fever; no growth factors were needed. Gr >1 non-heme toxicity has been rare. The MTD for the regimen is 40 mCi/m2 x2 (no transfusions needed at this dose). 13 (46%) pts have experienced PSA declines. In the second combination RIT trial, the first group (n=3) received docetaxel and Lu-J591 (20 mCi/m2x 2). In the next cohort , one subject received docetaxel and Lu-J591 (skipped to dose level 3 = 30 mCi/m2 x2). No DLT has been observed so far. Conclusions With DF, paatients are able to tolerate higher cumulative doses than with single-dose Lu-J591 and some efficacy has been demonstrated. MTD with combination RIT has not been determined in metCRPC
Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenia: Is it a Serious Concern for Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Inhibitors?

Over the past decade, several glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists have been developed and tested clinically as adjuncts to coronary intervention and/or treatment of acute coronary syndromes. Thrombocytopenia associated with this class of compounds has been described in most large studies to date and when it occurs in combination with bleeding represents a major safety concern. Cases of thrombocytopenia caused by GP IIb/IIIa antagonists vary in their clinical presentation according to time of onset (following the first dose or delayed), severity (profound, i.e., <20,000 cells/mm(3), or mild), and may or may not be associated with clinically important bleeding. More than one etiology appears responsible for thrombocytopenia associated with GP IIb/IIIa antagonists, including acute, idiosyncratic, as well as delayed immune-mediated mechanisms. Comparison of the incidence of thrombocytopenia across the different agents currently being studied and the one agent commercially available is complicated by varying definitions of thrombocytopenia used to date; different clinical settings in which GP IIb/IIIa antagonists have been studied; use of concomitant medications such as heparin, which itself may cause thrombocytopenia; relatively infrequent occurrence of thrombocytopenia; and the limited number of patients exposed to these agents. Review of the large studies presented and published to date suggests that thrombocytopenia due specifically to GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists occurs in less than 5% of treated patients and may vary depending on the type of agent, concomitant therapy, and clinical scenario. Current standard management includes immediate cessation of the GP IIb/IIIa antagonist and, in severe cases, platelet transfusions. In cases with associated hemorrhage, other anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents should be discontinued and possibly reversed. There may be a role for IV IgG and steroids, especially for cases of thrombocytopenia that are immune-mediated; however, further investigations are necessary.
Cutoff scores in neurocognitive testing and symptom clusters that predict protracted recovery from concussions in high school athletes.

BACKGROUND:: Many studies address diagnosing concussions but few look at predicting prognosis. A prior discriminant function analysis showed that symptom clusters derived from the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) and ImPACT composite scores used together improved predictions of protracted recovery following a sports-related concussion. OBJECTIVE:: To determine cutoff scores in neurocognitive and PCSS symptom cluster scores when classifying protracted recovery in concussed athletes. METHODS:: 108 male high school football athletes completed a computer-based neurocognitive test battery (ImPACT) within a median of 2 days following injury. Patients completed graded exertional protocols requiring athletes to be symptom free at rest and during increasing levels of activity and had recovery of neurocognitive scores before return-to-play. Following return-to-play, athletes were classified as protracted recovery (>14 days, N=58) or short-recovery (≤14 days, N=50). ROC curves analyzed each of the neurocognitive (verbal, visual, processing speed, and reaction time) and symptom cluster (migraine, cognitive, sleep, and neuropsychiatric) scores. RESULTS:: Cutoffs for migraine cluster, cognitive cluster, visual memory, and processing speed were statistically significant. Cutoffs at 75%, 80%, and 85% sensitivity to predict protracted recovery for the migraine symptom cluster were ≥15, 18, 20; cognitive symptom cluster ≥18, 19, 22; visual memory ≤48, 46, 44.5; and processing speed ≤24.5, 23.46, 22.5; respectively. Eighty-percent sensitivity indicates that the corresponding cutoff correctly identify 80% of concussed athletes requiring protracted recovery. CONCLUSION:: Specific cutoffs may help to set numerical thresholds for clinicians to predict which concussed athletes will have a protracted recovery. Language: en
A Prognostic View on the Application of Individualized Genomics in Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a common age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Over the last 15 years, advances have been made in our understanding of the etiology of the disease, with the greatest insights perhaps coming from genetic studies. The identification of a number of genes that harbor pathogenic mutations causing Parkinson’s disease have on the whole driven the development of disease model systems and nominated a number of therapeutic targets. As we move towards an era of personalized medicine, genetic determinants will become even more crucial for accurate diagnosis, and assessing prognosis and outcomes. The individual genomic profile and risk assessments will in the long-term determine clinical trial participation, treatment plans and therapeutic dosing. Herein we discuss the status of genetics in Parkinson’s disease and how these factors may affect patient care in the future.
A validity study of the Screening Tool of Feeding Problems (STEP)

The Screening Tool of fEeding Problems (STEP) was developed as a means to identify feeding problems presented by persons with an intellectual disability, for diagnosis, treatment and evaluating treatment outcome. Rarely is assessment comprehensive and often problems are not identified until they are severe. Items for the scale were developed to target feeding problems identified in the literature in the areas of risk of aspiration, food selectivity, feeding skills deficits, food refusal and associated behaviour problems, and nutrition related behavior problems. The current study examines the validity of the STEP as a means to identify feeding problems. Convergent validity was demonstrated by comparing STEP items targeting rumination and pica (items 18 and 9, respectively) to DSM-IV diagnoses of these disorders. Implications of the results are discussed.
Effects on sleep and wakefulness of the injection of hypocretin-1 (orexin-A) into the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus of the cat.

Anatomical data demonstrate a dense projection, in the cat, from hypocretin (orexin) neurons in the hypothalamus to the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT), which is a critical pontine site that is involved in the regulation of the behavioral states of sleep and wakefulness. The present study was therefore undertaken to explore the hypocretinergic control of neurons in the LDT vis-a-vis these behavioral states. Accordingly, hypocretin-1 was microinjected into the LDT of chronic, unanesthetized cats and its effects on the percentage, latency, frequency and duration of wakefulness, quiet (non-REM) sleep and active (REM) sleep were determined. There was a significant increase in the time spent in wakefulness following the microinjection of hypocretin-1 into the LDT and a significant decrease in the time spent in active sleep. The increase in the percentage of wakefulness was due to an increase in the duration of episodes of wakefulness; the reduction in active sleep was due to a decrease in the frequency of active sleep episodes, but not in their duration. These data indicate that hypocretinergic processes in the LDT play an important role in both of the promotion of wakefulness and the suppression of active sleep.
Opening the black box of neural networks for remote sensing image classification

Neural networks, which make no assumption about data distribution, have achieved improved image classification results compared to traditional methods. Unfortunately, a neural network is generally perceived as being a ‘black box’. It is extremely difficult to document how specific classification decisions are reached. Fuzzy systems, on the other hand, have the capability to represent classification decisions explicitly in the form of fuzzy ‘if-then’ rules. However, the construction of a knowledge base, especially the fine-tuning of the fuzzy set parameters of the fuzzy rules in a fuzzy expert system, is a tedious and subjective process. This research has developed a new, improved neuro-fuzzy image classification system based on the synergism between neural networks and fuzzy expert systems. It incorporates the best of both technologies and compensates for the shortcomings of each. The learning algorithms of neural networks developed here are used to automate the derivation of fuzzy set parameters for the ...
Continuum shell model with full correction for target recoil

Abstract The nuclear continuum shell model is reformulated in such a manner that target recoil is taken fully into account. The reformulation is achieved by employing dynamical R -matrix discretization based on intrinsic harmonic oscillator expansion functions. The desired intrinsic matrix elements are computed directly from corresponding shell-model matrix elements. The importance of the recoil corrections for light nuclei is illustrated by detailed calculations for nucleon scattering from closed shell nuclei. When recoil corrections are included, these calculations reproduce corresponding resonating group results. Since the inherent power and convenience of the shell-model ansatz is retained, it will be feasible to carry out more general calculations, including more elaborate target configurations and inelastic channels. A variety of forms for the nuclear interaction may be employed.
Mathematical modeling of empirical laws in computer applications: A case study

Abstract A major difficulty in using empirical laws in computer applications is the estimation of parameters. In this paper, we argue that the difficulty arises from the misuse of goodness-of-fit tests. As an alternative, we suggest the use of Simon's theory of model building and apply the theory to examine the two well-known laws of Zipf. As a result, we show that the Simon-Yule model of text generation derives two formulations of Zipf's law: (1) the frequency-count distribution proposed by Booth, and (2) the frequency-rank distribution proposed by Mandelbrot. A further significant contribution of the paper is that it provides a theoretical foundation for the estimation of parameters associated with the two laws of Zipf.
Population Trends in Belarus and the Impact of Chernobyl', 1989-2002

An American geographer studying population change and urbanization in the former USSR focuses on trends revealed by comparison of the two most recent censuses conducted in Belarus. National and regional total, urban, and rural population change is analyzed for the period 1989-1999, with selected updating to 2001 and 2002. Patterns of fertility, mortality, natural increase, and migration also are addressed where relevant to an understanding of general population trends. Particular effort is devoted to detecting population movements resulting from the Chernobyl' nuclear accident in nearby northern Ukraine in 1986. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: J11, O18, R23. 2 figures, 3 tables, 35 references, 2 appendices.
CMS Web-Based Monitoring

With the growth in size and complexity of High Energy Physics experiments, and the accompanying increase in the number of collaborators spread across the globe, the importance of widely relaying timely monitoring and status information has grown. To this end, we present online Web Based Monitoring solutions from the CMS experiment at CERN. The web tools developed present data to the user from many underlying heterogeneous sources, from real time messaging system to relational databases. We provide the power to combine and correlate data in both graphical and tabular formats of interest to the experimentalist, with data such as beam conditions, luminosity, trigger rates, detector conditions and many others, allowing for flexibility on the user side. We also present some examples of how this system has been used during CMS commissioning and early beam collision running at the Large Hadron Collider.
The case for long-acting antipsychotic agents in the post-CATIE era.

Objective: Long-acting antipsychotic agents were developed to promote treatment compliance in patients requiring maintenance treatment for schizophrenia. Method: An analysis of the impact of non-compliance on treatment outcomes in schizophrenia and the advantages and disadvantages of long-acting antipsychotics. Results: Partial or total non-compliance with oral antipsychotics remains widespread and is associated with significant increases in the risk of relapse, rehospitalization, progressive brain tissue loss and further functional deterioration. Long-acting agents have the potential to address issues of all-cause discontinuation and poor compliance. The development of the first long-acting atypical antipsychotic, which appears to be effective and well tolerated, should further improve the long-term management of schizophrenia. Conclusion: Long-acting agents represent a valuable tool for the management of schizophrenia and merit wider use, especially in light of emerging literature regarding the neuroprotective advantages of atypical antipsychotics over conventional agents in terms of regenerating brain tissue during maintenance therapy.
Latitude of attitude in ratings of dialect variations

Linguistic attitudes toward dialect patterns were examined through methodological refinements in the use of the semantic differential. Subjects rated their stereotypes and the actual language of children on modified semantic differential scales designed to elicit latitudes of acceptance, rejection, and noncommitment as well as best estimate position. Results validated the two factor model of confidence‐eagerness and ethnicity‐nonstandardness. Three specific research questions regarding the modified technique are discussed.
Steroid modifications. II. The effect of ruthenium tetroxide on several aromatic steroids.

Abstract The ability of ruthenium tetroxide to form a double dibenzylic oxidation product with ring A aromatic steroids has been tested further. The reaction was found to be limited to estratrienes possessing only a 3-acyloxy moiety on ring A. Other substituents resulted in the oxidative degradation of ring A.
Studies on the metabolic pathway of the acetyl group for acetylcholine synthesis.

Abstract Glucose and pyruvate are the most effective precursors of the acetyl moiety of acetylcholine in mammalian brain; the metabolic intermediates between pyruvate and acetylcholine, however, are unknown. The following data suggest that citrate is not the sole intermediate of the acetyl group for acetylcholine synthesis in rat brain slices or synaptosomes: (1) 2.5 mM (−)-hydroxycitrate decreased acetylcholine synthesis from [U- 14 C]glucose by only 25 per cent; (2) inhibition of citrate transport out of mitochondria by n -butylmalonate or 1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylate variably affected acetylcholine synthesis; and (3) high concentrations of nonradioactive citrate decreased the synthesis of acetylcholine but did not decrease the specific activity of the acetylcholine synthesized from [U- 14 C]glucose. even though the uptake of citrate into the synaptosomes under these experimental conditions was approximately five times greater than the uptake of glucose. Other possible acetyl donors altered acetylcholine synthesis. Acetylcarnitine stimulated synthesis in brain slices, and carnitine stimulated synthesis by synaptosomes.The specificactivity of the acetylcholine synthesized from [U- 14C glucose by synaptosomes was decreased by N -acetyl- l -aspartate (10mM), acetyl CoA (1 mM), and acetyl phosphate (10mM) which is consistent with these compounds acting as direct acetyl donors. Acetate (10 mM) did not affect either the amount or specific activity of the acetylcholine synthesized. Further evidence of compartmentation of cytoplasmic acetyl CoA is presented. The cytoplasmic acetyl CoA for acetylcholine synthesis is distinguishable from the cytoplasmic acetyl CoA for lipid synthesis. (−)-Hydroxycitrate inhibited acetylcholine synthesis without inhibiting lipid synthesis from [U- 14 C]glucose. However, when 3-hydroxy[3- 14 C]butyrate was used as substrate, (−)-hydroxycitrate inhibited incorporation into lipids twice as much as incorporation into acetylcholine. [U- 14 C]Glucose metabolism by infant brain slices was more sensitive than adult brain slices to (−)-hydroxycitrate. However, the response to the other compounds which interfere with citrate metabolism was similar in slices from adult and infant brains.
Prospects for a vaccine for Clostridium difficile.

Clostridium difficile diarrhoea and colitis is a new disease that is attributable to broad spectrum antibiotic therapy. During the past 2 decades C. difficile has become one of the most common nosocomial pathogens in the developed world. As changing demographics create an increasingly elderly population and the use of broad spectrum antimicrobials continues to expand, C. difficile is likely to become increasingly problematic. Disease caused by this organism is caused by the inflammatory actions of its 2 toxins, A and B, on the intestinal mucosa. Human antibody responses to these toxins are common in the general population and in patients with C. difficile-associated disease. There is substantial, albeit inconclusive, evidence to indicate that antitoxin antibodies provide protection against severe, prolonged or recurrent C. difficile diarrhoea. Immunity induced by oral or parenteral passive administration of antibody is protective in animal models of C. difficile infection. In humans, intravenous passive immunisation with pooled human immunoglobulin has been successful in the treatment of recurrent and severe C. difficile colitis. Human trials of oral passive immunotherapy with bovine immunoglobulin therapy are in progress. Formalin—inactivated culture filtrate from toxigenic C. difficile, as well as purified and inactivated toxins, have been used to successfully immunise animals. Similar preparations are under investigation as possible human vaccines. Antibiotic therapy is effective in treating most individual patients with C. difficile diarrhoea, but has proven ineffective in reducing the overall incidence of nosocomial infection. Active immunisation is probably the most promising approach to long term control of this difficult iatrogenic disease.
Molecular dynamics simulations of cathode/glass interface behavior: effect of orientation on phase transformation, Li migration, and interface relaxation

Abstract The molecular dynamics (MD) computer simulation technique has been used to study electrolyte/cathode interfaces formed in Li-based thin film oxide solid state ionic devices at the atomistic level. The solid electrolytes are lithium silicate glasses while the cathodes are V 2 O 5 or WO 3 crystals. The work presented in this paper will focus on the behavior at the glass/V 2 O 5 interface. The MD simulation technique has been successfully used to simulate a variety of silicate glasses and glass surfaces, with results consistent with a variety of experimental data. The simulations of the vanadia crystal reproduce the experimental crystal structures, vibrational frequency, and the appropriate phase transition of V 2 O 5 as Li ions enter the crystal. The simulations have also shown that Li transport into the crystal is affected by the orientation of the crystal at the interface as well as by surface roughness. While the crystal oriented with the (001) planes parallel to the crystal/glass interface shows the appropriate phase transition to the δ-LiV 2 O 5 phase as Li ions enter the crystal, the work presented here shows that the crystal oriented with the (100) planes parallel to the interface does not transform. The difference is attributed to the effect of interface bonding between the ions in the first crystal layer and those in the glass surface. The simulations show a relaxation occurring in a lithium metasilicate glass electrolyte but not in a lithium disilicate electrolyte. In addition, relaxation at the interface between a roughened glass surface and the crystal creates a distortion in the crystal planes in immediate contact with the glass that creates an induced strain in the crystal.
Analytic methods for select sets

We analyze the asymptotic number of items chosen in a selection procedure. The procedure selects items whose rank among all previous applicants is within the best 100p percent of the number of previously selected items. We use analytic methods to obtain a succinct formula for the first-order asymptotic growth of the expected number of items chosen by the procedure.
An Ultrastructural Study of the Corpora Amylacea of the Optic Nerve Head and Retina

We studied corpora amylacea in the optic nerve heads and retinas of four human eyes with increased intraocular pressure by light and electron microscopy. Ultrastructurally they consisted of a mass of filamentous tangle discretely bordered by normal or abnormal axoplasm within an axonal swelling. We found neurotubules, mitochondria, and the accumulation of dense bodies in the axoplasm surrounding the filamentous tangle. We noted ultrastructural similarities between corpora amylacea and cytoid bodies, swollen axons with transport block, and experimentally induced neurofibrillary tangles. We concluded that corpora amylacea are intracellular organelles found in axonal swellings and are not glial in origin, as previously believed. There is a possible relationship between corpora amylacea and distrubance of axoplasmic transport.
Elucidation of the Dynamics for Hot-Spot Initiation at Nonuniform Interfaces of Highly Shocked Materials

The fundamental processes in shock-induced instabilities of materials remain obscure, particularly for detonation of energetic materials. We simulated these processes at the atomic scale on a realistic model of a polymer-bonded explosive (3,695,375 atoms/cell) and observed that a hot spot forms at the nonuniform interface, arising from shear relaxation that results in shear along the interface that leads to a large temperature increase that persists long after the shock front has passed the interface. For energetic materials this temperature increase is coupled to chemical reactions that lead to detonation. We show that decreasing the density of the binder eliminates the hot spot.
Investigating systematic individual differences in sleep-deprived performance on a high-fidelity flight simulator.

Laboratory research has revealed considerable systematic variability in the degree to which individuals’ alertness and performance are affected by sleep deprivation. However, little is known about whether or not different populations exhibit similar levels of individual variability. In the present study, we examined individual variability in performance impairment due to sleep loss in a highly select population of military jet pilots. Ten active-duty F-117 pilots were deprived of sleep for 38 h and studied repeatedly in a high-fidelity flight simulator. Data were analyzed with a mixed-model ANOVA to quantify individual variability. Statistically significant, systematic individual differences in the effects of sleep deprivation were observed, even when baseline differences were accounted for. The findings suggest that highly select populations may exhibit individual differences in vulnerability to performance impairment from sleep loss just as the general population does. Thus, the scientific and operational communities’ reliance on group data as opposed to individual data may entail substantial misestimation of the impact of job-related stressors on safety and performance.
Lagrangian relaxation neural network for unit commitment

This paper presents a novel method for unit commitment by synergistically combining Lagrangian relaxation for constraint handling with Hopfield-type recurrent neural networks for fast convergence to the minimum. The key idea is to set up a Hopfield-type network using the negative dual as its energy function. This network is connected to "neuron-based dynamic programming modules" that make full use of the DP structure to solve individual unit subproblems. The overall network is proved to be stable, and the difficulties in handling integer variables, subproblem constraints, and subproblem local minima plaguing current neural network methods are avoided. Unit commitment solutions are thus natural results of network convergence. Software simulation using data sets from Northeast Utilities demonstrates that the results are much better than what has been reported in the neural network literature, and the method can provide near-optimal solutions for practical problems. Furthermore, the method has the potential to be implemented in hardware with much improved quality and speed.
Role of prophylactic antibiotics in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a meta-analysis

Background The role of prophylactic antibiotics in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in low-risk patients is controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics in low-risk patients (those without cholelithiasis or cholangitis) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Streak Camera Methods In Nucleic Acid And Protein Fluorescence Spectroscopy

The photoelectronic streak camera can clearly resolve picosecond electronic and molecular processes occurring in DNA and in proteins. Particularly appropriate examples are: fluorescence kinetics of nucleic acids which are sensitive to structure and base stacking interactions; fast rotational depolarization of emission from tyrosine sidechains in proteins; excited-state molecular dynamics as measured by time-resolved emission spectra.
Evaluation of the Effects of Nutrient Removal and the “Storm of the Century” on Submersed Vegetation in Kings Bay – Crystal River, Florida

ABSTRACT Municipal wastewater effluent was removed in 1992 from a cove (Cedar Cove) of Kings Bay in an attempt to reduce the bay's ambient total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations. Many citizens and professionals viewed nutrient removal as the solution to reducing the bay's nuisance growths of aquatic macrophytes and filamentous algae. Wastewater removal reduced average TP from 105 μg·L−1 to 27 μg·L−1 and average TN from 620 μg·L−1 to 220 μg·L−1 in Cedar Cove. TP (24 μg·L−1 to 28 μg·L−1) and TN (300 μg·L−1 to 260 μg·L−1), however, were not significantly reduced in southern Kings Bay. There were no significant changes in mean frequency of occurrence of vallisneria in Cedar Cove (0% to 1%) or southern Kings Bay (19% to 22%). Average hydrilla occurrence decreased significantly after wastewater removal in Cedar Cove (54% to 36%) and southern Kings Bay (61% to 35%). Eurasian watermilfoil occurrence significantly increased in Cedar Cove (6% to 24%) and southern Kings Bay (11 % to 32%). Filam...