cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Speech Under Stress and Lombard Effect: Impact and Solutions for Forensic Speaker Recognition

In the field of voice forensics, the ability to perform effective speaker recognition from input audio streams is an important task. However, in many situations, individuals willchange the manner in which they produce their speech due to the environment (i.e., Lombard Effect), their speaker state (i.e., emotion, cognitive stress), and secondary tasks (i.e., task stress at hand, both physical and/or cognitive). Automatic recognition schemes for both speech and speaker ID are impacted by the variability introduced in these conditions. Extensive research in the field of speech under stress has been performed for speech recognition, primarily for low-vocabulary isolated-word recognition. However, limited formal research has been performed for speaker ID/verification primarily due to the lack of effective corpora in the field. This chapter addresses speech under stress including Lombard effect for the purposes of speaker recognition. Domains where stress/variability occur (Lombard Effect, Physical Stress, Cognitive Stress) will first be considered. Next, to perform effective speaker recognition it is necessary to detect if a subject is under stress, which is a useful trait in and of itself for voice forensics and biometrics, and therefore we consider prior research on the detection of speech under stress. Next, the impact of stress on speaker recognition is considered, and finally we address ways to improve speaker recognition in these domains (TEO features, alternative sensors, classification schemes, etc.). While speech under stress has been considered, the domain of speaker recognition represents an emerging research aspect which deserves further investigations.
Network topologies dictate electromechanical coupling in liquid metal–elastomer composites

Elastomers embedded with micro- and nanoscale droplets of liquid metal (LM) alloys like eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) can exhibit unique combinations of elastic, thermal, and electrical properties that are difficult to achieve using rigid filler. For composites with sufficient concentrations of liquid metal, the LM droplets can form percolating networks that conduct electricity and deform with the surrounding elastomer as the composite is stretched. Surprisingly, experimental measurements performed on LM-embedded elastomers (LMEEs) show that the total electrical resistance of the composite increases only slightly even as the elastomer is stretched to several times its natural length. In contrast, Pouillet's law would predict an exponential increase in resistance (Ω) with stretch (λ) due to the incompressibility of liquid metal and elastomer. In this manuscript, we perform a computational analysis to examine the unique electromechanical properties of conductive LMEE composites. Our analysis suggests that the gauge factor that quantifies electromechanical coupling (i.e. G = {ΔΩ/Ω0}/λ) decreases with increasing tortuosity of the conductive pathways formed by the connected LM droplets. A dimensionless parameter for path tortuosity can be used to estimate G for statistically homogeneous LMEE composites. These results rationalize experimental observations and provide insight into the influence of liquid metal droplet assembly on the functionality of the composite.
Examination of host-taxon, environment, and distance effects on leaf fungal endophytes in the dominant woody genus, Metrosideros, on Oʻahu

Abstract Fungal endophyte (FE) communities can be shaped by environmental conditions and/or host-plant affinities. Hawaiʻi's landscape-dominant woody genus Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) comprises several vegetatively distinct taxa that are non-randomly distributed across environments, and their FE communities are poorly known. We examined the relative importance of Metrosideros taxon and environment (elevation) on FE communities on Oʻahu. ITS1 rDNA barcoding and sequencing of 113 trees detected a richness of 1,637 FEs representing 5 phyla, 223 genera, and 200 species. Variation in FE diversity was significantly explained by host taxon and site with considerable overlap in FE communities among taxa. FE communities did not vary between pubescent and glabrous taxa or across elevations, possibly due to the relatively narrow range of environmental conditions represented on Oʻahu relative to taller islands. A significant pattern of isolation by distance in FE composition was detected both among and within sites, consistent with restricted dispersal of FEs across the island.
Colorado River Governance: A Model?

In recent years the governance system in the Colorado River Basin has been viewed as a model for other basins to consider. This working paper outlines the primary management institutions in the basin, discusses the manner in which decisions are made, and considers its utility for other basins.
Monensin effects on digestion of corn or barley high-concentrate diets.

We conducted two experiments to determine the effects of monensin addition on digestion of high-concentrate diets based on corn or barley and to identify any interactions between grain source and monensin addition. A replicated in vitro experiment with a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement was used to evaluate monensin addition (0 or 72 mg/kg in vitro substrate) and grain source (corn, Gunhilde barley [GUN], Harrington barley [HAR], or Medallion barley [MED]). Triplicate tubes for each treatment were incubated for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 30 h. Rate and extent of IVDMD were determined. Four ruminally and abomasally cannulated steers were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to test the effects of monensin addition (0 vs 270 mg x steer(-1) x d(-1)) and grain source (70% corn vs 80% Medallion barley). Diets were balanced to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. An interaction (P < .10) was found between monensin addition and grain source for IVDMD during 3 through 9 h of incubation. Monensin increased the IVDMD of GUN and MED, but it decreased the IVDMD of HAR. Corn IVDMD was not affected by monensin addition. Steers fed Medallion barley had greater (P < .05) microbial protein synthesis, rate of in situ DM and starch disappearance, ruminal and postruminal digestion of starch, ruminal total VFA concentrations, and total tract digestion of DM, OM, and starch compared with steers fed corn. Monensin addition decreased (P < .10) ruminal digestion of feed N and ruminal proportions of acetate and butyrate and increased (P < .001) the ruminal proportion of propionate. No monensin x grain source interactions were observed for the variables measured in vivo.
Report on the AAAI 2010 Robot Exhibition

The 19th robotics program at the annual AAAI conference was held in Atlanta, Georgia in July 2010. In this article we give a summary of three components of the exhibition: small scale manipulation challenge: robotic chess; the learning by demonstration challenge, and the education track. In each section we detail the challenge task. We also describe the participating teams, highlight the research questions they tackled and brieﬂy describe the systems they demonstrated.
Growth and Pathogenesis of Mycoplasma mycoides var. capri in Chicken Embryo Tracheal Organ Cultures.

Abstract The growth and pathogenicity of Mycoplasma mycoides var. capri were studied in chicken embryo tracheal rings in rolled tubes. In these organ cultures, M. mycoides var. capri attained titers of 107 to 108 color-changing units/ml of Eagle's medium and there was inhibition of ciliary activity. The rapidity of inhibition was directly related to the number of organisms inoculated. Growth of organisms was closely associated with the tracheal tissue because multiplication was not demonstrated in “conditioned medium,” that is Eagle's medium from which the rings had been removed. Mycoplasma growth occurred when the cultures were incubated at 37 C, 33 C, and room temperature, but the cilia-stopping effect (CSE) was most rapid at 37 C and was not demonstrable at room temperature. Furthermore, there was no CSE when cultures were maintained in medium in which M. mycoides var. capri had been grown but was either filtered to remove the organisms or treated with tetracycline to stop their multiplication. This indicated that the CSE of M. mycoides var. capri was dependent upon a close association of multiplying organisms with the tracheal rings and was not due to toxic products persisting in the medium. Chicken tracheal epithelial cells did not adsorb to colonies of M. mycoides var. capri but HeLa cells did. Although their adsorption was unaffected by prior neuraminidase treatment, the addition of neuraminidase to the tracheal organ culture system delayed the CSE of M. mycoides var. capri. Peroxide production was demonstrated in M. mycoides var. capri-infected tracheal rings but not in uninfected cultures. The addition of glucose to the organ cultures delayed the CSE of M. mycoides var. capri, possibly because of the stimulation of peroxidase activity. Similarily, catalase protected the cilia from the usual damaging effect of M. mycoides var. capri. This protective effect was partially reversed by the addition of 3-amino-1, 2, 4,-triazole and it did not occur if the catalase had been inactivated by boiling. The addition of hydrogen peroxide to tracheal cultures also resulted in loss of ciliary activity. The present results show that the liberation of peroxide is an important factor in the pathogenesis of M. mycoides var. capri infection of chicken tracheal organ cultures. It is speculated that this also may be so in the natural host.
Socrates' Refutation of Apollo

It has been argued about Plato’s early dialogues that Socrates is made there to privilege beliefs derived from “information” he receives through certain forms of divination. These beliefs, the argument continues, are allowed to supplement Socrates’s elenctically established human knowledge while remaining “logically independent” of it.Such a view is needed, some believe, to solve the paradox that, while Socrates disavows knowledge of anything great or small, he is convinced that his life is morally unimpeachable. Socrates will also claim that wrongdoing is the result of ignorance implying that virtue follows from knowledge. These apparent conflicts can be explained, it is supposed, by Socrates’s confidence in divine signs which, while failing to secure the knowledge Socrates is seeking in answers to his “What is F?” questions, gives him the warrant he requires to hold the beliefs he does. This warrant could be substantively challenged, however, if it turned out that Socrates also believes these divine signs may be subject to elenctic refutation. I show, here, that Socrates does refute Apollo or, rather, that Socrates performs an elenchus on the god’s pronouncement, and that this elenctic test sheds important light on the meaning and function of “refutation” in Socratic argumentation. What Socrates hopes to exhibit through his examinations of the politicians, poets and artisans is just that, since there is someone wiser than Socrates, he has reasons for believing the god means something other than what he appears at first to say. If the apparent meaning of Apollo’s pronouncement cannot be shown to be inconsistent with the god’s otherwise infallible wisdom, Socrates will have reasons for doubting his own claim to lack such wisdom and for accepting the indictment brought against him. At his trial, Socrates argues that he refuted Apollo, but the jury, ironically, disagrees and convicts him of impiety.
The Drosophila planar polarity gene multiple wing hairs directly regulates the actin cytoskeleton

The evolutionarily conserved frizzled/starry night (fz/stan) pathway regulates planar cell polarity (PCP) in vertebrates and invertebrates. This pathway has been extensively studied in the Drosophila wing, where it is manifested by an array of distally pointing cuticular hairs. Using in vivo imaging we found that, early in hair growth, cells have multiple actin bundles and hairs that subsequently fuse into a single growing hair. The downstream PCP gene multiple wing hairs (mwh) plays a key role in this process and acts to antagonize the actin cytoskeleton. In mwh mutants hair initiation is not limited to a small region at the distal edge of pupal wing cells as in wild type, resulting in multiple hairs with aberrant polarity. Extra actin bundles/hairs are formed and do not completely fuse, in contrast to wild type. As development proceeded additional hairs continued to form, further increasing hair number. We identified a fragment of Mwh with in vivo rescue activity and that bound and bundled F-actin filaments and inhibited actin polymerization in in vitro actin assays. The loss of these activities can explain the mwh mutant phenotype. Our data suggest a model whereby, prior to hair initiation, proximally localized Mwh inhibits actin polymerization resulting in polarized activation of the cytoskeleton and hair formation on the distal side of wing cells. During hair growth Mwh is found in growing hairs, where we suggest it functions to promote the fusion of actin bundles and inhibit the formation of additional actin bundles that could lead to extra hairs.
How spirituality is manifested within corporate culture: perspectives from a case study and a scholar’s focus group

This paper presents a case study of organizational‐level spirituality. Using quotations from executives in a large, multi‐state, faith‐based healthcare organization, it portrays how one organization understands corporate‐level spirituality and what structures, processes, norms and behaviors they see as necessary to embed and support its culture. Interviews also suggest areas of struggle and difficulty. Results are then compared with a normative model of organizational level variables generated by a cohort of interdisciplinary faculty. Finally, comparison with data from another investigative study suggests aspects of this particular organization’s culture that may be more prominent because of the founding faith tradition of the organization.
Brain Imaging Studies of Drug Abuse: Therapeutic Implications

Abstract An understanding of the neurobiological substrates of brain dysfunction associated with substance abuse is essential for the development of effective treatments for this disorder. Noninvasive brain imaging provides a powerful approach to obtain the relevant information for it permits the in vivo assessment of brain function under different conditions that characterize various stages of an addictive cycle.
Retrospective analysis of abdominal pain in postoperative laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients: is a simple algorithm the answer?

Abstract Background Patients who have undergone laparoscopic gastric bypass have a high risk of developing an internal hernia. Most patients present 9–18 months postoperatively with a weight loss of 75–120 lb and pain out of proportion to the physical findings. Given the risks of internal hernias and the difficulty in radiologic diagnosis, we have developed a single algorithm to avoid the triage complication of a “missed” diagnosis. Methods A retrospective review was performed of 1500 bariatric procedures performed from 2001 to 2006, 33% (laparoscopic Roux-en- Y gastric bypass) of which were performed using an antecolic antegastric Roux limb, with all potential defects, including Peterson's, closed. Of these 1500 patients, 75 were evaluated for abdominal pain to rule out an internal hernia. Results Of the 75 patients, 40 had signs of an internal hernia or abdominal obstruction on computed tomography and underwent laparoscopy. The operative time was 38–45 minutes, and the length of stay was 1.5 days. The remaining 35 patient's computed tomography scans were interpreted as “no evidence” of internal hernia or obstruction. Of the 35 patients, 29 underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and had either an internal hernia or critical adhesions. Thus, 69 patients (92%) underwent diagnostic laparoscopy. In 6 patients, the symptoms resolved completely without any surgical intervention. Conclusion At our institution, patients who undergo laparoscopic Roux-en- Y gastric bypass with a weight loss of 75–120 lb undergo computed tomography with contrast to rule out other potential nonoperative causes. Also, unless clinically stable or the patient has complete resolution of their pain, they then undergo laparoscopy for evaluation.
NMR spectroscopic evaluation of the internal environment of PLGA microspheres.

The internal environment of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres was characterized using 31P and 13C solid-state and solution NMR spectroscopy. Physical and chemical states of encapsulated phosphate- and histidine-containing porogen excipients were evaluated using polymers with blocked (i.e., esterified) or unblocked (free acid) end groups. Spectroscopic and gravimetric results demonstrated that the encapsulated porogen deliquesced upon hydration at 84% relative humidity to form a solution environment inside the microspheres. Dibasic phosphate porogen encapsulated in unblocked PLGA was partially titrated to the monobasic form, while in the same formulation 13C NMR showed partial protonation of the histidine imidazole. Similarly, encapsulated monobasic phosphate was partially converted to phosphoric acid. Coencapsulation of monobasic and dibasic phosphate porogens resulted in a single peak on hydration, indicating chemical exchange between discrete excipient microphases. Exogenous buffer addition...
Endovascular Management of the “Failing to Mature” Arteriovenous Fistula

The "failing to mature" arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is frequently encountered among patients in need of hemodialysis (HD). It is essential that its prompt recognition and management are conducted in a timely manner to allow its use in HD. The physical examination is essential in early identification of the "failing to mature" AVF and helps guide initial endovascular management. In most instances, endovascular evaluation successfully identifies all the lesions that have contributed to AVF derangement and retarded its proper maturation. It is common to find juxta-arterial stenosis as well as venous stenosis in the body of the AVF, or its venous outflow tract. However, a wide spectrum of lesions can be seen, and in many instances, multiple lesions coexist in the same deranged AVF. Identifying and understanding the impact of all the lesions is a prerequisite for any intervention. Balloon angioplasty is the mainstay of management of stenotic lesions. Accessory vein obliteration or ligation is necessary in some cases. Procedure-related complications are low and are reduced by caution and experience. Overall, endovascular management is successful in converting the "failing to mature" AVF to usable HD access in the majority of cases, but multiple interventions may be needed in some before the AVF can be used for HD. Once usable, these AVFs have good long-term assisted patency rates. When endovascular management is unsuccessful or not possible, surgical revision of the AVF, or creation of a new AV vascular access is necessary.
Design, Synthesis, and Antiviral Evaluation of Some Polyhalogenated Indole C-nucleosides

2,5,6-Trichloro-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazole (TCRB), 2-bromo-5,6-dichloro-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazole (BDCRB) and 2-benzylthio-5,6-dichloro-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazole (BTDCRB) are benzimidazole nucleosides that exhibit strong and selective anti-HCMV activity. Polyhalogenated indole C-nucleosides were prepared as 1-deaza analogs of the benzimidazole nucleosides TCRB and BDCRB. A mild Knoevenagel coupling reaction between an indol-2-thione and a ribofuranose derivative was developed for the synthesis of 2-benzylthio-5,6-dichloro-3-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)indole (12). 3-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-2,5,6-trichloroindole (16) was prepared from 12 in 4 steps. A Lewis acid-mediated glycosylation method was then developed to prepare the targeted 2-haloindole C-nucleoside 16 stereoselectively in four steps from the corresponding 2-haloindole aglycons. Only 12 was active against HCMV but it also was somewhat cytotoxic.
Systemic augmentation of αB-crystallin provides therapeutic benefit twelve hours post-stroke onset via immune modulation

Tissue plasminogen activator is the only treatment option for stroke victims; however, it has to be administered within 4.5 h after symptom onset, making its use very limited. This report describes a unique target for effective treatment of stroke, even 12 h after onset, by the administration of αB-crystallin (Cryab), an endogenous immunomodulatory neuroprotectant. In Cryab−/− mice, there was increased lesion size and diminished neurologic function after stroke compared with wild-type mice. Increased plasma Cryab was detected after experimental stroke in mice and after stroke in human patients. Administration of Cryab even 12 h after experimental stroke reduced both stroke volume and inflammatory cytokines associated with stroke pathology. Cryab is an endogenous anti-inflammatory and neuroprotectant molecule produced after stroke, whose beneficial properties can be augmented when administered therapeutically after stroke.
Wood net primary production resilience in an unmanaged forest transitioning from early to middle succession

The mixed deciduous forests of the upper Midwest, USA are approaching an ecological threshold in which early successional canopy trees are reaching maturity and beginning to senesce, giving way to a more diverse canopy of middle and late successional species. The net primary production (NPP) of these forests is generally considered past peak and in decline, but recent studies show a striking resilience in the NPP trajectories of some middle and late successional forests; yet, the mechanisms controlling such temporal changes in NPP are largely unknown. At the University of Michigan Biological Station in northern Michigan, we used a ≥9-year continuous record of wood net primary production (NPP), leaf area index (LAI), canopy composition, and stem mortality in 30 forested plots to identify the constraints on wood NPP as a mixed forest transitions from early to middle succession. Although wood NPP decreased over time in most stands, the rate of decline was attenuated when the canopy comprised a more diverse assemblage of early and middle/late successional species. The mechanism for sustained NPP in stands with more species diverse canopies was the proliferation of LAI by intact later successional tree species, even as stem mortality rates of early successional trees increased. We conclude that projections of carbon sequestration for the aging mixed forests of the upper Midwest should account for species composition shifts that affect the resilience wood NPP.
Adsorbate-induced dissociation of metal clusters: TiO2(110)-supported Cu and Ni clusters exposed to oxygen gas

Abstract Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) investigations of Cu clusters grown on TiO2(1 1 0)-(1 × 1) have shown that exposure to oxygen causes small three dimensional (3D) clusters to dissociate into two dimensional (2D) structures at room temperature. Larger Cu clusters do not completely dissociate upon oxygen exposure, but the clusters become smaller. Although Ni is more easily oxidized than Cu, the oxygen-induced dissociation of Ni clusters is much slower than that of Cu for similar oxygen exposures. The formation of 2D clusters is thermodynamically favorable for Cu and Ni based on the lower surface energy of the oxygen-covered metal compared to that of the pure metal. The reduction in surface energy upon oxidation is smaller for Ni than for Cu, resulting in less driving force for the Ni clusters to become 2D. As expected, exposure of Cu clusters to oxygen at 500 K increases the rate at which the 3D clusters disappear. However, oxidation of the Ni clusters at 500 K causes significant changes in the surface morphology due to the oxidation of the TiO2 surface itself. The new titania layers preferentially grow around the Ni clusters; since molecular oxygen is readily dissociated on Ni, the oxygen atoms can then spillover to the titania surface and promote the growth of titania islands in the vicinity of the Ni clusters.
The role of β93 Cys in the inhibition of Hb S fiber formation

Recent studies have suggested that nitric oxide (NO) binding to hemoglobin (Hb) may lead to the inhibition of sickle cell fiber formation and the dissolution of sickle cell fibers. NO can react with Hb in at least 3 ways: 1) formation of Hb(II)NO, 2) formation of methemoglobin, and 3) formation of S-nitrosohemoglobin, through nitrosylation of the β93 Cys residue. In this study, the role of β93 Cys in the mechanism of sickle cell fiber inhibition is investigated through chemical modification with N-ethylmaleimide. UV resonance Raman, FT-IR and electrospray ionization mass spectroscopic methods in conjunction with equilibrium solubility and kinetic studies are used to characterize the effect of β93 Cys modification on Hb S fiber formation. Both FT-IR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry results demonstrate that modification can occur at both the β93 and α104 Cys residues under relatively mild reaction conditions. Equilibrium solubility measurements reveal that singly-modified Hb at the β93 position leads to increased amounts of fiber formation relative to unmodified or doubly-modified Hb S. Kinetic studies confirm that modification of only the β93 residue leads to a faster onset of polymerization. UV resonance Raman results indicate that modification of the α104 residue in addition to the β93 residue significantly perturbs the α1β2 interface, while modification of only β93 does not. These results in conjunction with the equilibrium solubility and kinetic measurements are suggestive that modification of the α104 Cys residue and not the β93 Cys residue leads to T-state destabilization and inhibition of fiber formation. These findings have implications for understanding the mechanism of NO binding to Hb and NO inhibition of Hb S fiber formation.
The Cost Of Medicaid Annuities

Medicaid annuities are annuities that long-term care recipients use to shelter assets, thereby qualifying them early for Medicaid eligibility. As such, these annuities have the potential to increas...
CYR61 Expression Promotes Taxol Resistance: A Molecular Link with the p53 in Breast.

CYR61 render human breast cancer cells highly resistance to the microtubule-interfering agent Taxol, a drug of choice for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The angiogenic factor CYR61 and its receptor avβ3 are markedly up-regulated in very aggressive breast carcinomas. Integrin signaling has been shown to modulate cancer cell responses to chemotherapy agents. Thus, the signal transduction pathways initiated by integrin may be a potential target for inhibiting cell survival during cytotoxic drug exposure. However, the molecular mechanism for CYR61-induces cytoprotection still unknown. Our data demonstrates that functional blockade of avβ3 with a synthetic chemical peptidomimetic based upon the αvβ3 the RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) motif, is specifically cytotoxic towards CYR61-overexpressing breast cancer cells and that pharmacological interference of the CYR61/αvβ3 interaction restores Taxol efficacy. This data suggests that a previously unrecognized CYR61/αvβ3-driven cellular signaling actively modulates cell growth, apoptosis and chemosensitivity. To better understand the mechanism by which CYR61 induces Taxol resistance, we studied a series of molecular events and reveal that CYR61 prevents Taxol induction of p53 accumulation, blocks p21 WAF1/CIP1 overexpression, and furthermore we demonstrated that CYR61 induces JNK activation. These observations suggest that increased expression of CYR61 could promote a chemoresistance by suppressing a specific pro-apoptotic signaling while still given chemotherapeutic treatments to induce cell damage. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 1139.
The Quality Improvement for Depression Collaboration: general analytic strategies for a coordinated study of quality improvement in depression care

It is difficult to evaluate the promise of primary care quality-improvement interventions for depression because published studies have evaluated diverse interventions by using different research designs in dissimilar populations. Preplanned meta-analysis provides an alternative to derive more precise and generalizable estimates of intervention effects; however, this approach requires the resolution of analytic challenges resulting from design differences that threaten internal and external validity. This paper describes the four-project Quality Improvement for Depression (QID) collaboration specifically designed for preplanned meta-analysis of intervention effects on outcomes. This paper summarizes the interventions the four projects tested, characterizes commonalities and heterogeneity in the research designs used to evaluate these interventions, and discusses the implications of this heterogeneity for preplanned meta-analysis.
Park Play: A picture description task for assessing childhood motor speech disorders

The purpose of this study was to develop a picture description task for eliciting connected speech from children with motor speech disorders. The Park Play scene is a child-friendly picture descrip...
Comparing shared and distributed memory computers

Abstract There are two distinct types of MIMD (Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data) computers: the shared memory machine, e.g. Butterfly, and the distributed memory machine, e.g. Hypercubes, Transputer arrays. Typically these utilize different programming models: the shared memory machine has monitors, semaphores and fetch-and-add; whereas the distributed memory machine uses message passing. Moreover there are two popular types of operating systems: a multi-tasking, asynchronous operating system and a crystalline, loosely synchronous operating system. In this paper I firstly describe the Butterfly, Hypercube and Transputer array MIMD computers, and review monitors, semaphores, fetch-and-add and message passing; then I explain the two types of operating systems and give examples of how they are implemented on these MIMD computers. Next I discuss the advantages and disadvantages of shared memory machines with monitors, semaphores and fetch-and-add, compared to distributed memory machines using message passing, answering questions such as “is one model ‘easier’ to program than the other?” and “which is ‘more efficient‘?”. One may think that a shared memory machine with monitors, semaphores and fetch-and-add is simpler to program and runs faster than a distributed memory machine using message passing but we shall see that this is not necessarily the case. Finally I briefly discuss which type of operating system to use and on which type of computer. This of course depends on the algorithm one wishes to compute.
Note: Where the monotone pattern (mostly) rules

We consider pattern containment and avoidance with a very tight definition that was used first in several papers more than 60 years ago. Using this definition, we prove that the monotone pattern is easier to avoid than almost any other pattern of the same length. We also show that with this definition, almost all patterns of length k are avoided by the same number of permutations of length n. The corresponding statements are not known to be true for more relaxed definitions of pattern containment. This is the first time we know of that expectations have been used to compare numbers of permutations avoiding certain patterns.
Theory of Landau Orbital Ferromagnetic States for Electrons in a Metal

A theory of the Landau orbital ferromagnetic states for the electrons in metals is presented. The conditions under which such states are realizable in a metal and are observable in a laboratory are presented and analyzed.
Apparent Afterimage Size, Emmert's Law, and Oculomotor Adjustment

The apparent size of an afterimage viewed from distances between 5 cm and 580 cm was matched to that of a size-adjustable stimulus at a fixed distance (20, 30, 90, and 200 cm). The experiment was conducted under normal indoor illumination with a procedure that facilitated matching for angular size. The matched size was found to increase with focal distance within 1 m and very little beyond 1 m. Similar results were obtained with an equivalent series of real stimuli subtending a constant visual angle. These findings suggest a scaling in perceived angular size in proportion to the oculomotor adjustments for accommodation and convergence. The observations of perceived angular size of the afterimage complement what Emmert's law is meant to describe (perceived object size of the afterimage), even though as the focal distance decreases it may be increasingly difficult to tease out perceived object size and perceived angular size with the matching procedure.
One-Way Shear Behavior of Lightweight Concrete Panels Reinforced with GFRP Bars

Corrosion of steel bars used in reinforced concrete bridge decks exposed to moisture and deicing salts is of concern. The chloride-induced corrosion of steel reinforcement increases the maintenance cost of the structure. The resistance of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcing bars to corrosion provides a viable alternative to steel reinforcement. Lightweight concrete allows structural members to have a reduced weight, which is advantageous for lifting and moving operations when precast concrete elements are used. This paper evaluates the one-way shear capacity of lightweight concrete panels reinforced with GFRP reinforcement. Three normal weight concrete and three lightweight concrete specimens reinforced with identical GFRP reinforcement details were tested to failure. The results of the tests are compared with the shear strength predictions of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) 440.1R-06 recommendations and a theoretical model based on the modified compression field theory.
Solar physics: New lease on life for the Solar Maximum Mission

Observation le 24 avril 1984 d'une eruption chromospherique par le satellite Solar Maximum Mission 2, apres que celui-ci est ete repare dans l'espace
Heterogeneous Stimulus Summation in the Release of Spawning Activities in Fish

Abstract By Eric Fabricius. Institute for Freshwater Research, Drottningholm, Sweden Report 31:57–99. 1950.
Low serum promotes maturation of excitation-contraction coupling in myotubes.

Patch-clamping and the simultaneous fluorescence measurement of cytoplasmic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) were used to analyze the effect of serum on the functional features of excitation–contraction (E–C) coupling in mouse skeletal myotubes. In high-serum-treated (10%) myotubes, depolarization elicited Ca2+ release which continued for tens of milliseconds following the end of the pulse, after which [Ca2+]i decayed slowly. In low-serum-treated (0.5%) myotubes, the Ca2+ transient caused by depolarization had an increased rate of rise and peak amplitude, and [Ca2+]i began to decay rapidly upon repolarization. When a depolarizing pulse (0.5–1.0 s) was applied to low-serum-treated myotubes during a Ca2+ transient induced by 5–10 mM caffeine, repolarization usually caused the caffeine transient to terminate rapidly (RISC; repolarization-induced stop of caffeine-induced Ca2+ release). The RISC was less prominent in high-serum-treated myotubes. These results suggest that low serum promotes the maturation of myotubes so that Ca2+-release and Ca2+-removal activities are accelerated. Additionally, the essential features of the communication between the voltage sensor and the Ca2+-release channel are shared by myotubes and adult muscle fibers.
Suppression of Cancer Cell Growth by Promoting Cyclin D1 Degradation

The cyclin D1 proto-oncoprotein is a crucial regulator in cell-cycle progression, and aberrant overexpression of cyclin D1 is linked to tumorigenesis of many different cancer types. By screening ubiquitinated cyclin D1 as a substrate with a deubiquitinase library, we have identified USP2 as a specific deubiquitinase for cyclin D1. USP2 directly interacts with cyclin D1 and promotes its stabilization by antagonizing ubiquitin-dependent degradation. Conversely, USP2 knockdown destabilizes cyclin D1 and induces growth arrest in the human cancer lines where cell growth is dependent on cyclin D1 expression. Of note, cyclin D1 is not universally required for cell-cycle progression. Inactivation of USP2 has either very mild effects on cell growth in normal human fibroblasts or no effect in the cancer cells that do not express cyclin D1. These findings suggest that targeting USP2 is an effective approach to induce growth suppression in the cancer cells addicted to cyclin D1 expression.
Low-threshold and narrow linewidth diffusive random lasing in rhodamine 6G dye-doped polyurethane with dispersed ZrO_2 nanoparticles

We report on low-threshold and narrow linewidth intensity feedback random lasing in rhodamine 6G dye-doped polyurethane with dispersed ZrO2 nanoparticles. Depending on the dye/particle concentration, the lasing threshold is 6.8–15.4 MW/cm2, and the linewidth is 4–6 nm. The lasing threshold as a function of nanoparticle concentration is found to follow a power law with an exponent of −0.496±0.020, which is within uncertainty of Burin et al.’s theoretical prediction [Phys. Rev. Lett.87, 215503 (2001)]10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.215503PRLTAO0031-9007.
The Effect of an Electronic Checklist on Critical Care Provider Workload, Errors, and Performance

Purpose:The strategy used to improve effective checklist use in intensive care unit (ICU) setting is essential for checklist success. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that an electronic checklist could reduce ICU provider workload, errors, and time to checklist completion, as compared to a paper checklist.Methods:This was a simulation-based study conducted at an academic tertiary hospital. All participants completed checklists for 6 ICU patients: 3 using an electronic checklist and 3 using an identical paper checklist. In both scenarios, participants had full access to the existing electronic medical record system. The outcomes measured were workload (defined using the National Aeronautics and Space Association task load index [NASA-TLX]), the number of checklist errors, and time to checklist completion. Two independent clinician reviewers, blinded to participant results, served as the reference standard for checklist error calculation.Results:Twenty-one ICU providers participated in this study. Th...
Caudate volumes in childhood predict symptom severity in adults with Tourette syndrome.

Background: Most children with Tourette syndrome (TS) experience a marked decline in the severity of tic symptoms during adolescence. Currently no clinical measures can predict whose tic symptoms will persist into adulthood. Previous cross-sectional imaging studies have identified reduced caudate nucleus volumes in subjects with TS. Objective: To evaluate whether caudate nucleus volumes in childhood can predict the severity of tic or obsessive–compulsive symptoms at follow-up in early adulthood. Methods: In a prospective longitudinal study, clinical status and basal ganglia volumes of 43 children with TS were measured on high-resolution magnetic resonance images before age 14 years. Follow-up clinical assessments were conducted after age 16 years, an average of 7.5 years later. Linear regression and Tobit regression analyses were used to assess the association of basal ganglia volumes measured in childhood with the severity of tic and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms at the time of childhood MRI and at follow-up in early adulthood. Results: Volumes of the caudate nucleus correlated significantly and inversely with the severity of tic and OCD symptoms in early adulthood. Caudate volumes did not correlate with the severity of symptoms at the time of the MRI scan. Conclusions: Caudate volumes in children with Tourette syndrome predict the severity of tic and obsessive–compulsive symptoms in early adulthood. This study provides compelling evidence that morphologic disturbances of the caudate nucleus within cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical circuits are central to the persistence of both tics and obsessive–compulsive symptoms into adulthood.
A Mental Workload Study on the 2d and 3d Viewing Conditions of the da Vinci Surgical Robot

Fifteen medical students performed a standard training task using the da Vinci Surgical robot's 2d and 3d viewing conditions. Measures of mental workload associated with both viewing conditions were assessed using a secondary interval production task as well as the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and the Multiple Resources Questionnaire (MRQ). The Results of the NASA-TLX indicated that the 3d viewing condition results in lower scores of mental workload when compared to the 2d condition. The MRQ data provided diagnostic information regarding which information processing pools were stressed in both the 2d and 3d viewing conditions.
Site Characteristics and Prey Abundance at Foraging Sites Used by Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) Wintering in Florida

Abstract We examined site characteristics and prey abundances where wintering Aythya affinis (Lesser Scaup; hereafter scaup) foraged within three regions of the Indian River Lagoon system in central Florida. We observed that scaup concentrated in the Indian and Banana rivers; however, density of prey items did not differ between foraging sites and random sites. We also found that site characteristics were similar between foraging and random sites. Differences in site characteristics between random points across all three regions did not explain the distribution of foraging scaup (no scaup foraged in the Mosquito Lagoon); however, prey densities were approximately 3 times lower in the Mosquito Lagoon region. Our study suggests that current habitat conditions within the northern Indian River Lagoon system meet the overwintering requirements of scaup; however, prey densities in the Mosquito Lagoon may have been too low to be profitable for foraging scaup during the period of our study.
Researching Adaptive Systems with RRobots

Abstract This research effort proposes a framework for conducting simulation-based research experiments using a pre-existing system. RRobots is a simulation of robots competing within a two-dimensional battlefield. This RRobots simulation has been enhanced to support adaptive-systems research efforts probability based behavior selection and self-healing systems. It supports experiment automation. Researchers have used this as a framework to explore the speed of adaptation. New reporting data elements were added to the output system. The team added tools to support the execution of large numbers of simulation runs, distributing these runs within federation of RRobots Ruby on Rails servers. The initial generation of experiment results using a large data set is analyzed. Next-generation job processing components within the RRobots code are also discussed. This paper discusses these improvements from the general RRobots baseline and uses these to compare a faster more reliable RRobots code base with the original simulation.
The study of clinical judgment: an ecological approach

Abstract Reviews of the clinical judgment literature in psychology frequently conclude that therapists are subject to a number of biases that negatively influence the accuracy of their clinical judgments. As a consequence, therapists seem to be poor decision-makers, a finding that has serious implications for clinical training and practice. We argue that the concept of clinicians as poor decision makers requires considerable clarification. The clinical judgment literature is important, but it suffers from an inadequate framework for understanding different types of judgments and different contexts within which judgments are made. As an initial attempt to clarify some of the complexities inherent in the study of clinical judgment, we discuss a framework borrowed from cognitive psychology that is designed to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the clinical judgment ecology. The model includes: (a) characteristics of the therapist, (b) information processing strategies made available to the therapist, (c) criterial tasks that define the major focus of specific judgments, and (d) the nature of the clinical materials that provide the basis for judgments. These four factors interact to influence therapists' judgments. Implications of the model for research on clinical judgment as well as clinical practice and training are discussed.
Radiological implications of top-off operation at national synchrotron light source-II

Abstract High current and low emittance have been specified to achieve ultra high brightness in the third generation medium energy Synchrotron Radiation Sources. This leads to the electron beam lifetime limited by Touschek scattering, and after commissioning may settle in at as low as ∼3 h. It may well be less in the early days of operation. At the same time, the intensity stability specified by the user community for the synchrotron beam is 1% or better. Given the anticipated lifetime of the beam, incremental filling called top-off injection at intervals on the order of ∼1 min will be required to maintain this beam stability. It is judged to be impractical to make these incremental fills by closing the beam shutters at each injection. In addition, closing the front end beam shutters during each injection will adversely affect the stability of beamline optics due to thermal cycling. Hence the radiological consequences of injection with front end beam shutters open must be evaluated. This paper summarizes results of radiological analysis carried out for the proposed top-off injection at National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II) with beam shutters open.
Upper limits for the ethyl-cyanide abundances in TMC-1 and L134N: chemical implications.

Interstellar ethyl-cyanide has been sought via its 2(02)-1(01) transition towards two cold, dark clouds, and upper limits of the total column densities of 3 x 10 to the 12th/sq cm and 2 x 10 to the 12th/sq cm for TMC-1 and L134N, respectively. The 2(02)-1(01) transition of vynil cyanide, previously identified in TMC-1 by Matthews and Sears (1983b), was also observed. The detection of vinyl cyanide and the nondetection of ethyl cyanide in TMC-1 are consistent with gas phase ion-molecule chemical models, and there is thus no necessity of invoking grain surface synthesis for vinyl cyanide in cold clouds.
Museums and the shaping of contemporary artworks

Abstract In the museum context, curators and conservators often play a role in shaping the nature of contemporary artworks. Before, during and after the acquisition of an art object, curators and conservators engage in dialogue with the artist about how the object should be exhibited and conserved. As a part of this dialogue, the artist may express specifications for the display and conservation of the object, thereby fixing characteristics of the artwork that were previously left open. This process can make a significant difference to the visual appearance of the work, the nature of the audience's experience, and how the work should be interpreted. I present several case studies in which the nature of the artwork has been shaped by such dialogues, and discuss principles for resolving cases in which there is a conflict between instructions specified by the artist and those adopted by the museum.
Cytoplasmic injury in the shoot apex of maize after gamma-irradiation*

Generative cells of maize shoot apices developed irregularly-shaped dense condensates in cytoplasm during 12 hr after acute gamma irradiation. The condensates were clearly delineated by stains having high affinity for RNA but were not revealed by protein stains. This conspicuous early evidence of cytoplasmic change receded after 12 hr.