cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cost analysis of a satellite pharmacy.

The cost-effectiveness of a satellite pharmacy that serves 100 beds in a 550-bed community teaching institution was determined. On one day six months before and one day six months after the satellite pharmacy was implemented, 30 patients were randomly selected for study from the 50-bed surgical-trauma unit and the 50-bed medical oncology unit served by the satellite. Data for the cost analysis were collected from the medical charts of these 60 patients; each patient's entire hospital stay was used for all calculations. Data collected included costs per patient day for drugs, i.v. therapy, and laboratory tests; total hospital costs per patient day; number of doses per patient day; and length of hospital stay. There were no significant differences in patient age or sex, length of hospital stay, or patient mix among patients studied before and after the satellite pharmacy was implemented. The cost per patient day for drugs was significantly less after the satellite pharmacy was implemented. A cost analysis based on this decrease in drug costs per patient day of $5.77 showed that an annual savings of $134,927 could be realized as a result of satellite pharmacy implementation. Implementation of a pharmacy satellite proved to be cost-effective, largely because of decreased drug costs.
Reactions of Small Covalent Inorganic Molecules

The use of pressures up to 400 MPa has permitted many organic and inorganic reaction mechanisms to be established with certainty; however, increased pressure is not routinely used in synthetic research even though commercial apparatus is readily available at a modest cost. In our work we have shown that pressures in the region 100 to 400 MPa are important for solving inorganic and organometallic synthetic problems. All of the reactions observed in this study are thermodynamically permitted at 298 K and at 0.1 MPa. The reactions are not observed, however, at 0.1 MPa and at a reasonable temperature. In certain cases when heat alone is used to increase the rate of reaction one of the reactants will undergo thermal decomposition prior to the desired reaction, but when pressure is used to increase the rate of reaction the desired reaction takes place without any side reactions.
Design for structural and energy performance of long span buildings using geometric multi-objective optimization

Abstract This paper addresses the potential of multi-objective optimization (MOO) in conceptual design to help designers generate and select solutions from a geometrically diverse range of high-performing building forms. With a focus on the long span building typology, this research employs a MOO approach that uses both finite element structural modeling and building energy simulations simultaneously to generate optimized building shapes that are not constrained to regular, rectilinear geometric configurations. Through a series of case studies that explore performance tradeoffs of enclosed arches and static overhangs in different climates, this paper shows how MOO can yield architecturally expressive, high-performing designs, which makes the process more attractive to designers searching for creative forms. It also provides new insight into specific design responses to various climatic constraints, since optimization that considers both structure and energy can shift best solutions in unexpected ways. Finally, by displaying performance results in terms of embodied and operational energy, this paper presents new data showing how considerations of structural material efficiency compare in magnitude to total building energy usage. Together, these three contributions can influence current sustainable design strategies for building typologies that have significant structural requirements.
Kill Switches, Forum Doctrine, and the First Amendment's Digital Future

Governments play an increasing role in providing digital speech spaces. This development has important implications for free expression. The movement of speech from physical public spaces to virtual ones has increased the capacity for State ex ante interference with speech, from targeted blocking of users, websites, and applications to turning off all or parts of communications networks. This Article argues that, contrary to the conclusions of most Speech Clause scholars, First Amendment law's public forum doctrine is ill-equipped to solve these problems, in part because the doctrine underprotects speech that is not made in shared physical space. Rather, when the government carries speech over its networks, it should be treated as a common carrier, barring both user-based and use-based discrimination over those networks. In addition, established First Amendment doctrines such as prior restraint, incitement, and the content-based vs. content-neutral distinction can adequately protect digital speech.
SLC4 Sodium-Driven Bicarbonate Transporters

The SLC4 ( s o l ute c arrier 4) family is a group of a membrane proteins that share sequence homology and in general mediate the transport of bicarbonate. It should be noted that bicarbonate transport is not unique to the SLC4 family. The structurally unrelated SLC26 family has at least three proteins that mediate Cl − –HCO − 3 exchange. In this chapter, the biology of SLC4 Na + -dependent bicarbonate transporters will be highlighted. The outlier in the SLC4 family is the SLC4A11 gene product (NaBC1) that lacks the ability to transport bicarbonate and is currently characterized as an electrogenic sodium-borate transporter. Whether SLC4 transporters mediate bicarbonate and/or carbonate transport is unclear and therefore when the word bicarbonate or the chemical symbol HCO − 3 is used throughout the chapter with reference to SLC4 mediated ion transport, it refers to both HCO − 3 and/or CO 2− 3 .
Using Technology to Facilitate Better Community Consultation With Marginalized Communities.

In the target article, Prabhu, Parker, and DeVita (2017) rightly conclude that emergency departments utilizing both uncontrolled donation after circulatory determination of death (uDCDD) and emerge...
Design of the HELIGS high-performance transmission-distribution-communication-market go-simulation framework

This paper describes the design rationale for the Hierarchical Engine for Large-scale Infrastructure Co-Simulation (HELICS), a new open-source, cyber-physical-energy co-simulation framework for electric power systems. HELICS is designed to support very-large-scale (100,000+ federates) co-simulations with off-the-shelf power-system, communication, market, and end-use tools. Other key features include cross-platform operating system support, the integration of both event-driven (e.g., packetized communication) and time-series (e.g., power flow) simulations, and the ability to co-iterate among federates to ensure physical model convergence at each time step. After describing the requirements, we evaluate existing co-simulation frameworks, including High-Level Architecture (HLA) and Functional Mockup Interface (FMI), and we conclude that none provide the required features. Then we describe the design for the new, layered HELICS architecture.
Response gene to complement 32 suppresses adipose tissue thermogenic genes through inhibiting β3-adrenergic receptor/mTORC1 signaling.

Our previous studies have shown that response gene to complement (RGC)-32 deficiency (Rgc32−/−) protects mice from diet-induced obesity and increases thermogenic gene expression in adipose tissues....
Protective Factors for Drug Abuse

Popular literature often describes the two faces of Japan. One face presents the country’s ability to constantly adapt to and modify what comes from outside, such as technology, fashion, and language. This trait is acknowledged by the Japanese, who know their ancestors produced the Japanese language from a combination of indigenous phonetics and Chinese characters. The other face of Japan, however, shows its ability to adhere to traditional and even ancient values and customs in the face of global Westernization. These seemingly contradictory traits can confound non-Japanese observers.
A History of International Cooperation in Maternal and Child Health

Discuss how maternal and child health gained recognition in industrialized countries and subsequently became a focal point of development assistance to less developed countries. Identify significant milestones in international cooperation inmaternal and child health (including specific programs and initiatives) to illustrate how maternal and child health agenda has evolved over the past 60 years. Evaluate current international cooperation in maternal and child health within the context of shifting ideologies in global health.
What is a good pattern of life model? Guidance for simulations:

We have been modeling an ever-increasing scale of applications with agents that simulate the pattern of life (PoL) and real-world human behaviors in diverse regions of the world. The goal is to sup...
Petro-hegemony and the matrix of resistance: What can Standing Rock’s Water Protectors teach us about organizing for climate justice in the United States?

This article asks what scholars of climate justice politics and activists in the climate justice movement can learn from the Standing Rock Sioux’s fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) in...
Inverse Dose-Response Relationship Between Home Health Care Services and Rehospitalization in Older Adults.

Abstract Objectives (1) To examine the impact of specific services [skilled nursing (SN), physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and home health aide (HA)] in Medicare-certified home health care (HHC) on subsequent rehospitalization among older patients during a 60-day HHC episode and (2) to test the moderating effect of functional limitation on these services. Design Secondary analysis of data from the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) and HHC administrative records of a statewide not-for-profit HHC agency from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016. Setting and Participants Participants were ≥65 years old and were admitted to HHC within 48 hours of hospital discharge. Measures Outcome was time to rehospitalization during the 60-day HHC episode (ie, number of days). Independent variables were visit intensity (number of visits/week) of SN, PT, OT, and HA, respectively. Functional limitation was measured by a composite score generated from 9 OASIS items on physical function. Multivariate Cox Proportional hazard analyses were conducted. Subgroup analysis (high vs low functional limitation) was conducted to examine the moderating effect of functional limitation on specific HHC services. Ad hoc analysis was conducted to examine potential interaction between specific HHC services that were significantly related to rehospitalization. Results The sample included 1377 participants, among whom 11.5% were rehospitalized during the 60-day HHC episode. At the threshold dose of 1 PT or 2 SN visits/week, higher visit intensity significantly reduced the hazard of rehospitalization in these patients by up to 82% for PT (2.30 visits/week; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.18, P value .05 at all intensity levels). Visit intensity of HA or OT was not significantly related to rehospitalization. Conclusions/Relevance At a threshold of 1 PT visit or 2 SN visits/week, HHC lowered the risk of rehospitalization in older patients by up to 82% and 48%, respectively. Both PT and SN were more effective in avoiding rehospitalization in patients with low functional limitation than in those with high functional limitation. Older patients should receive enough HHC services (especially PT and SN) to avoid rehospitalizations with consideration of their functional limitation.
3D Animation for the Raw Beginner Using Autodesk Maya 2e

3D Animation for the Raw Beginner Using Autodesk Maya is a hands-on academic textbook as well as a do-it-yourself training manual for the individual animator. This second edition has been completely rewritten to take into account updates to Autodesk Maya, including Autodesk’s renderer, Arnold. It contains entirely new examples and tutorial lessons. All 612 images are in full color. The book directs the reader to the parts of Maya that must be mastered in order to create complete 3D projects, and thus it simplifies the process of taking on Maya’s vast and intricate interface, while giving the reader a firm foundation on which to build future knowledge of Maya. It also presents brief examples of other popular 3D applications and rendering engines. This principles-based, yet pragmatic book: Introduces the basic steps of the 3D modeling, materials, animation, lighting, and rendering processes. Presents clear and concise tutorials that link key concepts to practical techniques. Includes access to a webpage for the book: https://buzzking.com/AnimationTextbook/AnimationTextbook.html. On this webpage are videos that cover many of the lessons in the book, as well as video tutorials that present bonus material not included in the book. Frees instructors from the painstaking task of developing step-by-step examples to present Maya’s complex interface and basic capabilities. Boasts an easy-to-follow, tutorial-based learning style ideal for individual study by aspiring animators and do-it yourselfers. Roger "Buzz" King is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he teaches 3D Animation for the Computer Science Department and the Alliance for Technology, Learning, and Society (ATLAS), an institute dedicated to the application of technology to the arts. Buzz is an independent 3D animator who serves on the board of directors of a 3D animation startup. Buzz has a B.A. in Mathematics from Occidental College, an M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Southern California, and an M.Div. from the Iliff School of Theology. Key Features Introduces critical aspects of the 3D animation process Presents clear and concise tutorials that link key concepts to practical techniques Includes access to a dedicated Web site, http://3dbybuzz.com, featuring useful videos, lessons, and updates Frees instructors from developing step-by-step examples to present Maya’s complex interface and basic Boasts an easy-to-follow, hands-on learning style ideal for individual study by aspiring animators and do-ityourselfers
A HIGHLY UNUSUAL CASE OF HYPEREOSINOPHILIC SYNDROME PRESENTING WITH BOTH NON-ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AND ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES) is a group of disorders characterized by marked increase in blood eosinophils count leading to eosinophilic infiltration which can potentially damage multiple organ systems A 62-year-old male patient presented with left sided, pressure-like, chest discomfort that
Precision of RSS-Based Localization in the IoT

Currently, the most popular indoor geolocation technique used in smart device is the RSS-based Wi-Fi localization. The general accuracy of Wi-Fi localization in around 10–15 m. To improve this accuracy in indoor areas, site survey is commonly used to collect a signature data base. With the emergence of smart buildings and the IoT to connect the sensors for the smart building, a number of low power sensor devices with diversified power levels will be deployed in the building. The radiated RSS from these devices can be used to improve the precision of the RSS based localization. In this paper we introduce an analytical frame work for calculation of the CRLB in an environment with variable radiated powers from sensors to complement the Wi-Fi localization. We use the analytical framework to demonstrate the accuracy of localization in the third floor of the Atwater Kent Laboratory at Worcester Polytechnic Institue, for existin Wi-Fi localization and variety of sensor deployment scenarios. The existing CRLB calculation for the RSS-Based localization use the differential value of the received signal strength from given reference points to calculate the variance of the location estimate. As a result, effect of the transmitted power from the sources is eliminated. In another words this approach cannot demonstrate the effects of transmitted power of the reference device on the performance of the system. By introducing the concept of certainty in the measurement of the RSS, we also introduce a novel model for calculation of the performance of RSS based localization with inclusion of the effects of the transmitted power from the reference sources.
RE: Management of Neonates Born at ≤34 6/7 Weeks' Gestation With Suspected or Proven Early-Onset Bacterial Sepsis.

The Clinical Report is important and timely in attempting to limit antibiotic use to those patients most likely to benefit from them, but I am concerned that the implications of the statement may leave some patients undertreated. I am most concerned with discontinuing antibiotics in high-risk, ill patients who may have received antibiotics trans-placentally and whose blood cultures show no growth. The authors attempt to justify this by showing time to positive blood cultures are no different in infants whose mothers did versus did not receive antibiotics. This negates the concept of bacterial killing time after exposure to antibiotics, which for Group B … E-mail: burchdj{at}peds.ufl.edu
Cognitive Profiles of Aging in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background Increasingly favorable mortality prognosis in multiple sclerosis (MS) raises questions regarding MS-specific cognitive aging and the presence of comorbidities such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Objective To assess elderly with MS (EwMS) and age-matched healthy controls (HCs) using both MS- and AD-specific psychometrics. Methods EwMS (n = 104) and 56 HCs were assessed on a broad spectrum of language, visual-spatial processing, memory, processing speed, and executive function tests. Using logistic regression analysis, we examined cognitive performance differences between the EwMS and HC groups. Cognitive impairment (CI) was defined using a -1.5 SD threshold relative to age and education years-matched HCs, in two cognitive domains. Results CI was observed in 47.1% of EwMS with differences most often seen on tests emphasizing cognitive processing speed as measured by Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) (d = 0.9, p < 0.001) and verbal fluency (both category-based d = 0.87, p < 0.001; letter-based d = 0.67, p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, sex and years of education, MS/HC diagnosis was best predicted (R2 = 0.27) by differences in category-based verbal fluency (Wald = 9.935, p = 0.002) and SDMT (Wald = 13.937, p < 0.001). Conclusion This study confirms the common hallmark of slowed cognitive processing speed in MS among elderly patients. Defective verbal fluency, less often observed in younger cohorts, may represent emerging cognitive pathology due to other etiologies.
EVOLUTION OF CONCEPTS OF MINORITY INTEREST

The FASB is currently addressing issues related to accounting for minority interest as a part of the “entity project”. Decisions regarding the measurement and financial statement presentation depend upon the determination of the fundamental nature of minority interest. Alternative views describing the nature of minority interest rely upon alternative equity theories of consolidation. This paper traces the evolution of concepts of minority interest from the early 1900s to the present. The evolution is placed in perspective vis-a-vis the development of relevant corporate theories of equity.
Association of Food Access, Recreational Opportunities, and Natural Amenities with Engagement in the Veterans MOVE! Weight Management Program.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the association of county-level food access, recreational opportunities, and natural amenities with participant engagement in a weight management program. METHODS In this cohort study, participants in the Veterans Health Administration MOVE! weight management program between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2013, were observed for 12 months after enrollment. Engagement was measured as the number of program visits per year at 12 months. Cross-sectional analysis and spatial regression were used to examine county characteristics associated with greater participant engagement at 12 months. RESULTS A total of 321,624 participants in 2,708 counties were included. Greater engagement was associated with older age, female sex, white race, being married, and being retired. After accounting for similarities between nearby communities, engagement at 12 months was 3.1 visits higher for each additional farmers' market per 1,000 population (P = 0.01). Engagement was highest for participants living in counties with the most natural amenities (P < 0.001). Recreational opportunities had only a small effect on engagement in the program (β = 0.02 visits at 12 months; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Consideration of a participant's county characteristics in addition to other known demographics and program factors may help to explain variation in engagement in weight management programs.
The effects of Airbnb on hotel performance: Evidence from cities beyond the United States

Abstract Although Airbnb's impact on hotels has been quantified for major hotel markets in the United States, these effects have not been quantified in international hotel markets. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Airbnb listings on key hotel performance metrics in an international context. In particular, we examine the effects of Airbnb listings on hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR), average daily rate (ADR), and occupancy rate (OCC) in major international hotel markets, namely London, Paris, Sydney and Tokyo. The results show that Airbnb listings in these major cities have been increasing more than 100% year over year and that the effect of Airbnb on hotel RevPAR and OCC is negative and statistically significant. In particular, a 1% increase in Airbnb listings decreases hotel RevPAR by between 0.016% and 0.031% in these hotel markets. The implications of these findings for destinations and hoteliers are discussed.
The Criminal Class and the Right to Be Subjected to Unreasonable Searches and Seizures

People that are on parole have been lumped into what is called the criminal class by the courts. Being in the criminal class has many consequences. One such consequence is the loss of individual Fourth Amendment rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. While on parole an individual and their property can be searched with only reasonable suspicion rather than probable cause. The justification for a lower standard is that those in the criminal class pose a greater threat to the community and are in need of greater control because of their propensity to commit crimes at higher rates than the average citizen. However, these beliefs may be founded on misinterpretations of data and inaccurate cultural beliefs. In this article we investigate the “social threat” presumption courts relied upon to lessen parolees Fourth Amendment protections. Specifically, we interview parolees in Colorado to understand why they violate their parole terms and are re-incarcerated. Generally, we find that the presumptions about parolees posing a greater threat to society than the average citizen is unsupportable and therefore unconstitutional.
Extending Care Outside of the Hospital Walls: A Case of Value Creation through Synchronous Video Communication for Knowledge Exchange in Community Health Network

In healthcare settings knowledge exchange among important stakeholders such as doctors, family and patients, and other care providers is a critical imperative. However, such a community modelled approach is missing, limited in scope or its business value not well understood. In this study, the authors illustrate the value potential and subsequent development of a business model for knowledge exchange within the healthcare delivery model outside a hospital setting. Specifically, they illustrate how Synchronous Video Consultation with social media features, in a staged approach, can support knowledge exchange among a network of community health care professionals who address global health disparities and sustain this exchange through resource generation. The authors discuss the contributions and implications of the proposed framework towards value creation in a collaborative setting in general and suggest opportunities for future research.
3 – Threat Definition

Publisher Summary This chapter elaborates various aspects of threat definition used in designing physical protection systems (PPS). The concept of the design basis threat (DBT) is often used to establish the expected threat to a facility and it is used as a management and design tool that helps facilitate informed decision-making by executives and establishes technical requirements for designers. For management, the DBT documents assumptions that were used for the evaluation or design. The physical threat to a facility must be defined as part of determining the objectives of the PPS. A threat definition results in a detailed description of the physical threat by a malevolent adversary to the system. Physical protection provides the most effective barrier to outsiders acting alone or in collusion with insiders, while the control of and accounting for assets are useful against insiders. Additional procedural protection measures against insiders include the use of personnel security assurance programs, such as pre-employment background checks and periodic updates and separation of job responsibilities, so that two or more employees are required to complete sensitive tasks. It is suggested that to determine the threat, information should be sought for regional, national, and international threats, depending on the mission and location of the facility.
Lectures on the Principles of Mathematics

The following lectures, delivered during the Winter Semester 1917/18, are a pivotal event in the development of mathematical logic and mark the start of Hilbert1#x2019;s long and fruitful collaboration with Paul Bernays. Towards the end of his lectures on set theory in the preceding Summer Semester, Hilbert had stated (p. 146), 1#x2018;I hope to be able to explore a foundation for logic more deeply next semester1#x2019;.1 Those earlier lectures had been concerned with the mathematical articulation of set theory and with the prospects for a settheoretic reduction of mathematics. For Chapter IV of the set theory course, Hilbert had announced an enticing and enigmatic title: 1#x2018;Applications of Set Theory to Mathematical Logic1#x2019;. The lectures, however, did not reach the topic of logic proper, and give no hint of the approach Hilbert began exploring a few months later.
Sex vs Gender: A BiologicalLocation for Gender, not Sex.

The origins of bodily sex are well understood but consensus on origins for gender are missing. While gonadal sex and sexual orientation are accepted as emanating from genetic and hormonal templates, gender’s existence, when it is acknowledged, currently has so far emanated from either social origins or a nebulous ‘somewhere’ in the brain. Although the characteristics of sex-related behavior relative to the physicality of reproduction are clearly dimorphic, other cognitive behaviors relative to reproduction have not been explicitly identified and presented. This article synthesizes important research to present a biological location of gender as opposed to sex. These cognitive behaviors can be differentially linked with reproduction throughout the lifespan. A physiological location for gender in the human phenotype may help advance this research further.
BFTrainer: Low-Cost Training of Neural Networks on Unfillable Supercomputer Nodes.

Supercomputer FCFS-based scheduling policies result in many transient idle nodes, a phenomenon that is only partially alleviated by backfill scheduling methods that promote small jobs to run before large jobs. Here we describe how to realize a novel use for these otherwise wasted resources, namely, deep neural network (DNN) training. This important workload is easily organized as many small fragments that can be configured dynamically to fit essentially any node*time hole in a supercomputer's schedule. We describe how the task of rescaling suitable DNN training tasks to fit dynamically changing holes can be formulated as a deterministic mixed integer linear programming (MILP)-based resource allocation algorithm, and show that this MILP problem can be solved efficiently at run time. We show further how this MILP problem can be adapted to optimize for administrator- or user-defined metrics. We validate our method with supercomputer scheduler logs and different DNN training scenarios, and demonstrate efficiencies of up to 93% compared with running the same training tasks on dedicated nodes. Our method thus enables substantial supercomputer resources to be allocated to DNN training with no impact on other applications.
Ultrasonographic evaluation of edentulous crestal bone topography: A proof-of-principle retrospective study.

Objective Edentulous crestal bone ridge assessment, an essential task for planning of implant and bone regenerative procedures, is performed through radiographs. Ultrasonography, providing point of care and cross-sectional images without radiation, could be an adjunct for this purpose. The aim was to investigate the feasibility of ultrasound (US) in assessing bone ridge width (BRW) and crestal bone surface quality (CBSQ) compared with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Study Design Records of patients who were planned for implant placement in at least 1 healed edentulous ridge space with available CBCT and US images were included. The BRWs at 1, 2, and 3 mm from the crest were measured and compared. The CBSQ agreement evaluated using a 3-tier grading system was calculated. Results A total of 45 sites were included. The mean correlation of BRW was 0.97. The mean BRW differences ranged from 0.048 mm (95% confidence interval, −0.69 to 0.78 mm) at the 1-mm level to 0.18 mm (95% confidence interval, −0.92 to 1.3 mm) at the 3-mm level. There was a 91% agreement in CBSQ between the 2 methods. Conclusions Preliminary data with a limited clinical sample size suggested that US is feasible in evaluating crestal BRW and surface quality assessment compared with CBCT.
Data-Driven Theory-guided Learning of Partial Differential Equations using SimultaNeous Basis Function Approximation and Parameter Estimation (SNAPE).

The measured spatiotemporal response of various physical processes is utilized to infer the governing partial differential equations (PDEs). We propose SimultaNeous Basis Function Approximation and Parameter Estimation (SNAPE), a technique of parameter estimation of PDEs that is robust against high levels of noise nearly 100 %, by simultaneously fitting basis functions to the measured response and estimating the parameters of both ordinary and partial differential equations. The domain knowledge of the general multidimensional process is used as a constraint in the formulation of the optimization framework. SNAPE not only demonstrates its applicability on various complex dynamic systems that encompass wide scientific domains including Schrodinger equation, chaotic duffing oscillator, and Navier-Stokes equation but also estimates an analytical approximation to the process response. The method systematically combines the knowledge of well-established scientific theories and the concepts of data science to infer the properties of the process from the observed data.
Inducing effective pedagogical strategies using learning context features

Effective pedagogical strategies are important for e-learning environments While it is assumed that an effective learning environment should craft and adapt its actions to the user's needs, it is often not clear how to do so In this paper, we used a Natural Language Tutoring System named Cordillera and applied Reinforcement Learning (RL) to induce pedagogical strategies directly from pre-existing human user interaction corpora 50 features were explored to model the learning context Of these features, domain-oriented and system performance features were the most influential while user performance and background features were rarely selected The induced pedagogical strategies were then evaluated on real users and results were compared with pre-existing human user interaction corpora Overall, our results show that RL is a feasible approach to induce effective, adaptive pedagogical strategies by using a relatively small training corpus Moreover, we believe that our approach can be used to develop other adaptive and personalized learning environments.
Trading Costs and Return Volatility: Evidence from Exchange Listings

Bid-ask spreads and return volatility decline substantially following Exchange listing for firms that moved from Nasdaq to the NYSE during 1996 and 1997, with the largest reductions in volatility for firms with the largest reductions in spreads. This finding is inconsistent with the reasoning that volatility can be reduced by increasing trading costs, e.g. by imposing a transactions tax. Return volatility declines after Exchange listing even when bid-ask bounce and changes in overall market volatility are allowed for, suggesting that return volatility depends on market structure. Consistent with the results reported by Barclay (1997) for an earlier sample, but somewhat surprising in light of recent market reforms, the largest spread reductions occur for firms where Nasdaq liquidity providers make little use of odd-eighth quotations. Firms subject to the new Nasdaq order-handling rules experience less dramatic decreases in spreads after Exchange listing.
Simple Assay for Urinary Estrogens in Nonpregnancy

A simple procedure is described for the selective extraction of urinary estrogens by concentration on XAD-2 resin and elution with ethanol:water (30:70, by vol). Fractionation of estrogens, with high sensitivity and good recovery, from urine of nonpregnant individuals is made possible by combined use of XAD-2 resin extraction and gas—liquid chromatography.
Designing Trickle Irrigation Laterals for Uniformity

Design equations are derived that can be utilized to calculate the maximum lateral length for a given value of the uniformity coefficient. The solution depends upon the emitter flow function, elevation change, pipe size, reduction coefficient for dividing flow, pipe roughness coefficient, the average emitter flow rate, and either the average emitter spacing or the number of emitters per lateral. For a given uniformity the solution is a linear log-log line with a slope that depends only on the flow rate exponent in the pipe friction loss equation. Dimensionless graphs are presented that can be used to design trickle irrigation laterals. Two application examples are presented to demonstrate the design method and show its versatility.
Integral closure of ideals and annihilators of homology

This article outgrew from an effort to understand our basic question: Are the annihilators of the non-zero Koszul homology modules $H_i$ of an unmixed ideal $I$ contained in the integral closure $\bar{I}$ of $I$? We also obtain some variations on a result of Burch, which continue the theme of the paper in that they deal with annihilators of homology and integrally closed ideals.
Approximating multirate estimation using a filter bank

A scheme of low rate estimation from high rate measurements using a filter bank is presented in this paper. The dimensions of the low rate measurement models are the same as the high rate measurement model and, due to the lowpass filtering effect of the filter bank, better approximated estimates are obtained. >
Survey of digital tape transport servo systems

As the data storage density continues to grow, high performance tape transports are needed for fine positioning and transport of the media over the read and write heads. This paper presents a survey of digital tape transport servo systems for four popular types of drives: (1) reel to reel drives; (2) single cartridge drives; (3) helical scanning drives; and (4) belt-driven drives. Concepts behind velocity, tension and tracking control employed in production drives are discussed and references to pertinent research cited. Techniques used to measure error in the parameters under servo control are presented.
Magnetic force microscopy studies of bit erasure in particulate magnetic recording media

Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) with in situ magnetic fields has been used to study the erasure of bit transitions in high-density particulate magnetic recording media. The erasure of the bit magnetization pattern was studied by imaging the bits in a sequence of applied magnetic fields, each separated by about 250 Oe. It was found that the largest change in the bit patterns between two subsequent images occurred when the field was increased to 1.4 kOe, a field value close to the measured bulk coercivity of 1.6 kOe. The reversals occurred mostly around regions with irregular magnetic boundaries. In addition, there was an observation that reversal was more likely to occur in smaller fields in those regions of the disk which exhibited a larger than average surface roughness. A qualitative analysis of the erasure indicates a magnetization process similar to that observed by Walsh et al. (J. Appl. Phys. 84 (1998) 5709) in thin film recording media.
Improved 50 ps photodiode

The construction of an inexpensive 50‐ps rise‐time photodiode is discussed. The temporal response of the photodiode is made insensitive to the quality of focus of the incoming light through a relatively simple procedure. Quantum efficiencies of up to 5.9% at 514 nm were measured.
Structural Alterations in Titanate Pyrochlores Induced by Ion Irradiation: Xray Photoelectron Spectrum Interpretation

Titanate pyrochlores are candidate host materials for the disposition of plutonium from dismantled nuclear weapons. These pyrochlores also have potential applications as solid electrolytes and oxygen gas sensors. The radiation-induced microstructural evolution of titanate pyrochlores has been characterized using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS analysis of the Ti 2p and O 1s binding energy shifts of REE2Ti2O7 (REE: rare earth) surface layers before and after irradiation shows that the primary manifestations of amorphization are distortions or changes in the coordination number of the titanium polyhedra. A model based on glass network structure was developed, and predictions of the relative susceptibilities for amorphization of the titanate pyrochlores are obtained that are consistent with the experimental results.
Self-pumped phase conjugation in InP:Fe using band-edge resonance and temperature stabilization: theory and experiments

We present data showing nonlinear resonantly enhanced photorefractive response at high modulation depths in InP:Fe. A simple empirical model is used to describe the behavior. Next the impact of these large-signal effects, as well as linear absorption, on the self-pumped phase-conjugate mirror is examined. Finally we compare predicted performance to actual measurements of a ring self-pumped phase-conjugate mirror using InP. The performance of the double-pumped phase-conjugate mirror is also examined experimentally and compared with the performance of the ring mirror.
Depression, suicide and the metabolism of serotonin in the brain ☆

I have recently summarized the data which indicate the likelihood of a central 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin; 5-HT) deficiency in patients with vital depression (Van Praag 1980, 198 la, b). We define vital depression as a syndrome which roughly corresponds with that described as endogenous depression in Anglo-American literature (Van Praag et al. 1965; Van Praag 1978, 1982). The vital depression syndrome is aetiologically non-specific; in other words, it can be provoked by a wide variety of factors: psychosocial, hereditary and acquired somatic factors. The natural course of the syndrome tends to be recurrent (unipolar depressions). When the course is characterized by vital depressive as well as (hypo)manic phases, the term bipolar depression applies. 5-HT is one of the monoamines (MA) found in the brain, where it plays a role as neurotransmitter. Within the context of this paper I will disregard the possible relationships between catecholamines and depression. The bodies of the serotonergic cells are localized mainly in the raphe nuclei. Their axons fan out over large areas of the brain and spinal cord. 5-HT is produced from the essential amino acid tryptophan via a single intermediate compound: 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). 5-HT is converted to the inactive metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) with the aid of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO). The concentration of 5-HIAA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a gross indicator of the degradation of 5-HT in the brain. By giving the patient probenecid, which inhibits the transport of 5-HIAA from the CNS and CSF to the blood stream, a gross index can be obtained of the 5-HT turnover in the CNS. For theoretical backgrounds and procedure of the probenecid test, see Van Praag (1977a).
A circuitous detour

A 39-year-old woman developed end-stage renal disease secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus in 2001. After two failed attempts at arteriovenous fistula placement, she remained on hemodialysis via a tunneled catheter. A living-donor renal transplantation in 2003 failed within 2 years. Hemodialysis was reinitiated. In view of developing central stenosis from usage of multiple catheters earlier, she received a femoral vein tunneled catheter in November 2005. In December 2006 the patient requested to be switched to peritoneal dialysis, which was unsuccessful owing to inadequate clearances. An attempt at placing a bovine arteriovenous graft in the thigh was unsuccessful. A central venogram performed in June 2008 revealed bilaterally occluded brachiocephalic veins, left common iliac vein occlusion, and severe stenosis in the inferior vena cava. A large hemiazygos vein and an azygos vein were the only central veins that were patent to accommodate a large-bore catheter required to support hemodialysis. The radiographic image shown in Figure 1 and the schematic diagram in Figure 2 demonstrate the anatomy of hemiazygos and azygos veins draining in the superior vena cava. A 50-cm tunneled catheter was placed from the left internal jugular vein traversing the hemiazygos and azygos veins, eventually into the right atrium. Unfortunately, blood flows and adequacy of dialysis remained poor and the patient was subsequently switched to a translumbar tunneled catheter. This case highlights the importance of starting dialysis with a native-vein arteriovenous fistula and the travails of patients (and treating physicians) when vascular access options run out.
Electrical Characteristics of Suspension-Insulator Units

Effects of humidity, corona, and mechanical stress on the electrical characteristics of porcelain and glass suspension-insulator units are shown in this paper. Moisture, alone and combined with corona, is found to produce surface deposits which cause hysteresis effects in the power, power factor, and capacitive characteristics, and mechanical stress is found to reduce the power, power factor, and capacitance. The effect of stress is reduced where soft metal is used in place of cement in assembling the unit.
Strain-compensation in closely stacked quantum dot active regions grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition

In this paper, we describe the results of using strain-compensation (SC) for closely-stacked InAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) structures. The effects of the (In)GaP SC layers has been investigated using several methods. High-resolution x-ray diffractometry (XRD) quantifies the values of experimental strain reduction compared to calculations. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicates that the SC layer improves both QD uniformity and reduces defect density. Furthermore, increase in photoluminescence (PL) intensity has been observed from compensated structure. The use of Indium-flushing to dissolve large defect islands prevent further defect propagation in stacked QD active region. Room-temperature ground-state lasing at emission wavelengths of 1227-1249 nm have been realized with threshold current densities of 208-550 A/cm 2 for 15-20 nm spacing structures.
ACUTE CYTOTOXICITIES OF POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS DETERMINED IN VITRO WITH THE HUMAN LIVER TUMOR CELL LINE, HepG2

The neutral red in vitro cytotoxicity assay was adapted for use with the human hepatocellular tumor cell line HepG2 to detect the cytotoxic potencies of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Using benzo[aJ~yrene (B[a]P) as the representative PAH, it was determined that a 3-day exposure was the most suitable for detecting cytotoxic potency and that preexposure to 5 #g/ml Arochlor enhanced the sensitivity of the Hep G2 cells to the toxicant. Such enhanced sensitivity probably reflected increased metabolic conversion of the B[a]P to active metabolites after culturing the cells in the presence of Arochlor. This was shown by a 3-fold increase in the activity of 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase, an indicator of mixedfunction oxygenase activity. Furthermore, a reduction in sensitivity to B[a]P occurred when the cells were cultured in the presence of o~napthoflavone, an inhibitor of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity. When Arochlor-induced cells were transferred to medium lacking Arochlor, the level of 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase quickly declined to basal levels. Arochlor-induced cells were also able to detect the cytotoxic potencies of benzo[k]lTuoranthene, benzo[bJfluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[aJanthracene pyrene, phenanthrene, and fluoranthene, whereas fluorene, anthracene, acenaphthene, and acenaphthylene were not cytotoxic.
Rhenium behavior in molybdenite in hypogene and near-surface environments: Implications for Re-Os geochronometry

Abstract Rhenium is concentrated mainly in molybdenite (MoS2) and occurs as a major cation in only a few rare minerals. This affinity makes molybdenite an ideal mineral for Re-Os geochronometry, but research on the behavior of Re in molybdenite is limited. Infrared microscope, XRD, back-scattered electron (BSE), and microprobe techniques have been used in this study to document Re behavior in molybdenite affected by hypogene and near-surface processes. In the hypogene environment, both 3R and 2H molybdenite can experience Re loss during hydrothermal alteration, which also causes increased infrared transparency (IR). Alteration at temperatures as low as ~ 150°C can cause Re loss in the presence of advecting fluids, and will affect Re-Os dating if it occurs long after primary mineralization. Re loss in 3R and 2H molybdenite under supergene conditions does not increase IR transparency. Rhenium is not incorporated into supergene ferrimolybdite, but is enriched in K-Al-silicate intergrowths which may be illite(?). These minute intergrowths are present in several samples and would not be detected in a simple optical examination. In the supergene environment elemental Os is stable, whereas Re is not. Rhenium in molybdenite may be removed by supergene fluids after some has decayed to 187Os, causing erroneously old ages, or it may be adsorbed into the illite intergrowths, creating ages which are too young. In the weathering environment, Proterozoic molybdenites have altered to Re-enriched powellite, which can be detected using back-scattered electron imagery. Combined microprobe, XRD, BSE, and infrared microscopy can be successfully used to detect alteration in molybdenite prior to dating. These techniques are non-destructive and should be performed before any molybdenite is dated by the Re-Os system.