cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tissue distribution of carnitine biosynthetic enzymes in man.

Abstract The distribution in human tissues of enzymes which convert ϵ-N- trimethyl- L -lysine to L -carnitine was studied. Existing methodology was modified and new procedures were developed to measure enzyme activities. ϵ-N- Trimethyl - L - lysine was converted to γ-butyrobetaine in three enzymatic steps (hydroxylation at carbon 3, aldol cleavage between carbons 2 and 3 to yield glycine and γ-trimethlaminobutyraldehyde, and subsequent oxidation of the aldehyde) in all tissues studied (liver, brain, kidney, heart and skeletal muscle), but γ-butyrobetaine was hydroxylated to form L -carnitine only in liver, kidney and brain. γ-Butyrobetaine hydroxylase (4-trimethylaminobutyrate, 2-oxoglutarate : oxygen oxidoreductase (3-hydroxylating), EC 1.14.11.1) activity in liver was dependent on the age of the subject. The activity rose from 12% in infants to 100% of the adult mean by age 15 years. No age dependence could be demonstrated for the other three enzymes studied.
Automated VOI Analysis in FDDNP PET Using Structural Warping: Validation through Classification of Alzheimer's Disease Patients

We evaluate an automated approach to the cortical surface mapping (CSM) method of VOI analysis in PET. Although CSM has been previously shown to be successful, the process can be long and tedious. Here, we present an approach that removes these difficulties through the use of 3D image warping to a common space. We test this automated method using studies of FDDNP PET in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. For each subject, VOIs were created, through CSM, to extract regional PET data. After warping to the common space, a single set of CSM-generated VOIs was used to extract PET data from all subjects. The data extracted using a single set of VOIs outperformed the manual approach in classifying AD patients from MCIs and controls. This suggests that this automated method can remove variance in measurements of PET data and can facilitate accurate, high-throughput image analysis.
Dendritic spines of rat cerebellar Purkinje cells: serial electron microscopy with reference to their biophysical characteristics.

We have used serial electron microscopy and Zd the area of the postsynaptic density (PSD) was measured; the volume of spine smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) was computed; and all of the vesicles in the axonal varicosities were counted. Spine head volume and the volume of SER contained in the head are well correlated with the area of the PSD and the number of vesicles in the presynaptic axonal varicosity. Spine neck diameter does not fluctuate with PSD area, head volume, or the vesicle number. These results suggest that the dimensions of the spine head, but not of the spine neck, are likely to reflect differences in synaptic efficacy. Second, does the geometry of cerebellar spine necks reduce the transfer of synaptic charge to the recipient dendrite from the theoretical maximum that could be transferred if the synapse were on a dendritic shaft2 Comparison of volume to surface area showed that the spine heads are approximately spherical and the necks are approximately cylindrical. Application of results from a biophysical model that assumed these geometrical shapes for spines (Wilson, 1984) showed that the cerebellar spine necks are unlikely to reduce transfer of synaptic charge by more than 5-20% even if their SER were to completely block passage of current through the portion of the neck that it occupies. We suggest that the constricted spine neck diameter might serve to isolate metabolic events in the vicinity of activated synapses
On the Approximability of Multiprocessor Task Scheduling Problems

The multiprocessor job scheduling problem has received considerable attention recently. An extensive list of approximation algorithms has been developed and studied for the problem under a variety of constraints. In this paper, we show that from the viewpoint of approximability, the general multiprocessor job scheduling problem has a very rich structures such that by putting simple constraints on the number of processors in the system, we can obtain four versions of the problem, which are NP-hard with a fully polynomial time approximation scheme, strongly NP-hard with a polynomial time approximation scheme, APX-complete (thus with a constant approximation ratio in polynomial time), and with no constant approximation ratio in polynomial time, respectively.
Novel sensations in the congenitally blind

A report on page 526 of this issue shows that, in blind subjects, the primary visual cortex becomes activated via the neural pathways mediating the sensation of touch. The implications of this finding are many and various.
A two-stage algorithm for one-microphone reverberant speech enhancement

Under noise-free conditions, the quality of reverberant speech is dependent on two distinct perceptual components: coloration and long-term reverberation. They correspond to two physical variables: signal-to-reverberant energy ratio (SRR) and reverberation time, respectively. Inspired by this observation, we propose a two-stage reverberant speech enhancement algorithm using one microphone. In the first stage, an inverse filter is estimated to reduce coloration effects or increase SRR. The second stage employs spectral subtraction to minimize the influence of long-term reverberation. The proposed algorithm significantly improves the quality of reverberant speech. A comparison with a recent enhancement algorithm is made on a corpus of speech utterances in a number of reverberant conditions, and the results show that our algorithm performs substantially better.
Current conduction mechanism and gas adsorption effects on device parameters of the Pt/SnO/sub x//diamond gas sensor

This paper presents the results from analysis and modeling of the gas sensing performance, current conduction and gas detection mechanisms, and adsorption effects on device parameters of a Pt/SnO/sub x//diamond-based gas sensor. The sensor is sensitive and demonstrates high, repeatable, and reproducible reaction. The sensor response in seconds to small concentrations of O/sub 2/, CO, and H/sub 2/ gases. The current conduction mechanism of the diamond-based CAIS (catalyst/adsorptive-oxide/intrinsic-diamond/semiconductor-diamond) diode was found to be dominated by space charge limited conduction in the forward bias region and tunneling in the reverse bias region, distinctively different from silicon based sensors. While gas adsorption causes a change in the barrier height and tunneling factor, no significant change was observed in the ideality factor over the temperature range investigated. The detection mechanism of the sensor is attributable to the change in occupancy ratio of the oxygen vacancies of the adsorptive oxide layer upon oxygen exposure, increasing the contact potential between adsorptive-oxide and intrinsic-diamond.
Enzymatic Manganese(II) Oxidation by a Marine α-Proteobacterium

A yellow-pigmented marine bacterium, designated strain SD-21, was isolated from surface sediments of San Diego Bay, San Diego, Calif., based on its ability to oxidize soluble Mn(II) to insoluble Mn(III, IV) oxides. 16S rRNA analysis revealed that this organism was most closely related to members of the genus Erythrobacter, aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria within the alpha-4 subgroup of the Proteobacteria (alpha-4 Proteobacteria). SD-21, however, has a number of distinguishing phenotypic features relative to Erythrobacter species, including the ability to oxidize Mn(II). During the logarithmic phase of growth, this organism produces Mn(II)-oxidizing factors of approximately 250 and 150 kDa that are heat labile and inhibited by both azide and o-phenanthroline, suggesting the involvement of a metalloenzyme. Although the expression of the Mn(II) oxidase was not dependent on the presence of Mn(II), higher overall growth yields were reached in cultures incubated with Mn(II) in the culture medium. In addition, the rate of Mn(II) oxidation appeared to be slower in cultures grown in the light. This is the first report of Mn(II) oxidation within the alpha-4 Proteobacteria as well as the first Mn(II)-oxidizing proteins identified in a marine gram-negative bacterium.
Interactions of hemoglobin with hydrogen peroxide alters thiol levels and course of endothelial cell death

We investigated cellular injury and death induced by ultrapure human Hb (HbA0) and its diaspirin cross-linked derivative DBBF-Hb in normal and glutathione (GSH)-depleted bovine aortic endothelial c...
Hematological and Immunological Changes with Age

The development of both myeloid cells and immunocytes from a common stem cell precursor, their differentiated pathways, functions and the factors which modulate them are briefly reviewed here. The age-related decline (or lack of it) for the several cell lines is outlined, as well as the effect of this upon life processes and homeostasis. The results from two approaches to extending high levels of immune responses in aged mice are reviewed.
Fully integrated RF CMOS power amplifiers - a prelude to full radio integration

A fully integrated radio on a chip offers innumerable advantages and several challenges. We discuss some of these opportunities and challenges for a fully-integrated CMOS PA and see how the distributed active transformer (DAT) technology can overcome them.
Beamformer design using measured microphone directivity patterns: Robustness to modelling error

The design process for time-invariant acoustic beamformers often assumes that the microphones have an omni-directional directivity pattern, a flat frequency response in the range of interest, and a 2D environment in which wavefronts propagate as a function of azimuth angle only. In this paper we investigate those cases in which one or more of these assumptions do not hold, considering a Minimum Variance Distortionless Response (MVDR)-based solution that is optimized using measured directivity patterns as a function of azimuth, elevation and frequency. Robustness to modelling error is controlled by a regularization parameter that produces a suboptimal but more robust solution. A comparative study is made with the 4-element cardioid microphone array employed in Microsoft Kinect for Windows, whose beamformer weights are calculated with directivity patterns using (a) 2D cardioid models, (b) 3D cardioid models and (c) 3D measurements. Speech recognition and PESQ results are used as evaluation criteria with a noisy speech corpus, revealing empirically optimal regularization parameters for each case and up to a 70% relative improvement in word error rate comparing (a) and (c).
Ventricular Assist Devices: An Overview

a level almost equilvent to that in non-smokers. I work for the vascular surgery group which consist of 4 surgeons in Cooperstown NY, a rural area in central NY. As a group, they practice at multiple out-reach sites to see their patients. I have partneredwith the Center for Smoking Cessation in Albany NY to provide informational packets to patients in the out-reach sites and to help educate the nurses at those sites to use the five ‘A’s’. Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange. Follow-up of the patient interested in quitting would then be referrred to the vascular nurse. By helping patients understand the pathophysiologic effects of smoking on circulation and nicotine addiction; my goal of this poster is to show that consistant smokingcessationcounsilingutilizing the stagesofchange isagreat benefit to patients with PAD to stop smoking and maintain abstinence. On the main campus site where we see the majority of our vascular patients I have found that people are responsive and appreciative of the information provided to them.
Detecting Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children With Intellectual Disability: Which DSM-IV-TR Criteria Are Most Useful?

The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in older children with intellectual disabilities (IDs) is challenging because of overlap in symptomatology and the high comorbidity of these disorders. On the basis of a sample of 89 older children with IDs (aged 6—15 years) referred to an ASD clinic, semistructured parent interviews were used to investigate the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.) diagnostic criteria that differentiated children with ASDs from those without ASDs. Diagnostic criteria related to impaired social interactions, stereotyped or idiosyncratic language, poor conversational skills, lack of pretend and imitative play, and restricted or narrowed interests were related to ASD diagnoses. The findings of this study have implications for improving ASD diagnostic evaluations in children with IDs.
Pinyon jays use transitive inference to predict social dominance

Living in large, stable social groups is often considered to favour the evolution of enhanced cognitive abilities, such as recognizing group members, tracking their social status and inferring relationships among them1,2,3,4. An individual's place in the social order can be learned through direct interactions with others, but conflicts can be time-consuming and even injurious. Because the number of possible pairwise interactions increases rapidly with group size, members of large social groups will benefit if they can make judgments about relationships on the basis of indirect evidence5. Transitive reasoning should therefore be particularly important for social individuals, allowing assessment of relationships from observations of interactions among others. Although a variety of studies have suggested that transitive inference may be used in social settings6,7,8,9,10, the phenomenon has not been demonstrated under controlled conditions in animals. Here we show that highly social pinyon jays (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) draw sophisticated inferences about their own dominance status relative to that of strangers that they have observed interacting with known individuals. These results directly demonstrate that animals use transitive inference in social settings and imply that such cognitive capabilities are widespread among social species.
The inverted-F antenna height effects on bandwidth

The inverted-F antenna is widely used in mobile applications due to its simple design, flexibility, low cost and reliable performance. The paper studies the relationships between antenna impedance bandwidth and its vertical dimension (height) based on measurements. The measurement results indicate the antenna SWR bandwidth increases nearly linearly with the antenna height. Increasing the antenna height increases the antenna area, resulting in reduced antenna Q value which is inversely proportional to the antenna bandwidth. So, for practical applications, the best way to increase antenna bandwidth is to maximize the antenna area (or volume for 3D antenna structures) within a given physical constraint. For the studied 2D inverted-F antenna implementation the height parameter has to be at least 11 mm to cover the 800 MHz band, while 3 mm covers the PCS band with a good margin.
Illumination change compensation techniques to improve kinematic tracking

Illumination changes present challenging problems to video surveillance algorithms tasked with identifying and tracking objects. Illumination changes can drastically alter the appearance of a scene, causing truly salient features to be lost amid otherwise stable background. We describe an illumination change compensation method that identifies large, stable, chromatically distinct background features-called BigBackground regions — which are used as calibration anchors for scene correction. The benefits of this method are demonstrated for a computationally low-cost kinematic tracking application as it attempts to track objects during illumination changes. The BigBackground-based method is compared with other compensation techniques, and is found to successfully track 60% to 80% more objects during illumination changes. Video sequences of pedestrian and vehicular traffic are used for evaluation.
Allomaternal Investment and Relational Uncertainty among Ngandu Farmers of the Central African Republic

Several studies have suggested a matrilateral bias in allomaternal (non-maternal) infant and child caregiving. The bias has been associated with the allomother’s certainty of genetic relatedness, where allomothers with high certainty of genetic relatedness will invest more in children because of potential fitness benefits. Using quantitative behavioral observations collected on Ngandu 8- to 12-month-old infants from the Central African Republic, I examine who is caring for infants and test whether certainty of genetic relatedness may influence investment by allomothers. Results indicate a matrilateral bias in caregiving by extended kin members, but this does not affect the total level of care infants receive when fathers and siblings are included in the analysis. These results replicate a previous study done among an adjacent foraging population and emphasize the importance of examining children’s complete social environments when addressing caregiving and child development.
Sonographically Guided Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Sheath Injection

Objective. The purpose of this study was to describe a sonographically guided technique to perform flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon sheath injections. Methods. Scans were performed with an intermediate-frequency (7.5- to 12-MHz) linear transducer with the scan plane corresponding to the anatomic axial plane and the patients positioned prone. The transducer was placed along the posteromedial ankle with the needle entry point being lateral to the Achilles tendon. A 25-gauge, 1.5-in needle or a 22-gauge spinal needle was positioned directly into the tendon sheath during real-time visualization with injection of a standardized therapeutic mixture (anesthetic and long-acting corticosteroid) at the level of the posterior sulcus for the FHL. Distention of the tendon sheath during real-time visualization was considered a successful injection. Results. Twenty-four injections in 20 patients (12 female and 8 male; age range, 22‐64 years) were performed with this technique. In each case, distention of the FHL tendon sheath was obtained as the desired end point. Apart from minor paresthesias from local anesthesia, no long-term complications from these injections have occurred to date. Conclusions. We describe a method to perform sonographically guided injections of the FHL tendon sheath. Sonography provides several distinct advantages as a method to provide guidance for delivery of therapeutic injections. The most important of these is the ability to visualize the needle and make adjustments in real time to ensure that medication is delivered to the appropriate location. Given these advantages, we propose that sonographic guidance provides an excellent alternative in the administration of corticosteroids to the FHL tendon sheath. Key words: ankle sonography; flexor hallucis longus; sonographically guided injection; tendon sheath injection.
Dynamic decomposition of apparent power in polyphase unbalanced networks with application to transients in an industrial load

In this paper we combine our earlier work on steady-state power decomposition with the concept of dynamic phasors to construct a dynamic (time-variant) decomposition of apparent power for polyphase systems with any number of phases. Our dynamic power decomposition captures transient behavior, while reducing to the standard (constant phasor) characterization in steady-state. Thus, it directly relates to quantities that are part of utility regulations, such as harmonic distortion and power factor. We demonstrate the utility of our dynamic power decomposition by applying it to actual data recorded in a paper plant during an outage.
A comparison of the Pac-X trans-Pacific Wave Glider data and satellite data (MODIS, Aquarius, TRMM and VIIRS).

Four wave-propelled autonomous vehicles (Wave Gliders) instrumented with a variety of oceanographic and meteorological sensors were launched from San Francisco, CA in November 2011 for a trans-Pacific (Pac-X) voyage to test platform endurance. Two arrived in Australia, one in Dec 2012 and one in February 2013, while the two destined for Japan both ran into technical difficulties and did not arrive at their destination. The gliders were all equipped with sensors to measure temperature, salinity, turbidity, oxygen, and both chlorophyll and oil fluorescence. Here we conduct an initial assessment of the data set, noting necessary quality control steps and instrument utility. We conduct a validation of the Pac-X dataset by comparing the glider data to equivalent, or near-equivalent, satellite measurements. Sea surface temperature and salinity compared well to satellite measurements. Chl fluorescence from the gliders was more poorly correlated, with substantial between glider variability. Both turbidity and oil CDOM sensors were compromised to some degree by interfering processes. The well-known diel cycle in chlorophyll fluorescence was observed suggesting that mapping physiological data over large scales is possible. The gliders captured the Pacific Ocean’s major oceanographic features including the increased chlorophyll biomass of the California Current and equatorial upwelling. A comparison of satellite sea surface salinity (Aquarius) and glider-measured salinity revealed thin low salinity lenses in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. One glider survived a direct passage through a tropical cyclone. Two gliders traversed an open ocean phytoplankton bloom; extensive spiking in the chlorophyll fluorescence data is consistent with aggregation and highlights another potential future use for the gliders. On long missions, redundant instrumentation would aid in interpreting unusual data streams, as well as a means to periodically image the sensor heads. Instrument placement is critical to minimize bubble-related problems in the data.
TORP: TinyOS Opportunistic Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

We introduce TORP — TinyOS Opportunistic Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). The main motivation is that when a data packet is transmitted, the multiple relay nodes cooperatively select the one which is closest to the destination node to continue forwarding the data packet. TORP attempts to save energy versus traditional deterministic routing protocols by selecting the next forwarding node dynamically based on the results of the packet delivery to neighboring nodes. We present the details of TORP design to illustrate how to select the next forwarding nodes by avoiding duplicate packet transmissions. Utilizing TelosB motes, we compare the performance of TORP against the Collection Tree Protocol. We present the performance results and the in-depth analysis in terms of throughput, hops per transmission, and power consumption.
Improved oral bioavailability of artemisinin through inclusion complexation with β- and γ-cyclodextrins

Abstract The bioavailability of β- and γ-cyclodextrin artemisinin complexes was evaluated in comparison with a normal commercially available preparation, Artemisinin 250 ® . Twelve healthy male volunteers participated in the study conducted according to a three-way crossover design. The bioavailability was compared using the parameters, total area under the plasma level–time curve (AUC 0–∝ ), peak plasma concentration ( C max ), and time to reach peak plasma concentration ( T max ). A statistically significant difference was observed between the values of the complexes and Artemisinin 250 ® for the three parameters. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the values of the β- and γ-cyclodextrin complexes. Moreover, the 90% confidence interval for the ratio of the AUC 0–∝ values of the β-cyclodextrin complex over those of Artemisinin 250 ® was estimated to be between 1.51–2.04, while that of C max was between 1.73–2.93. For the γ-cyclodextrin complex, the respective intervals were 1.30–1.76 and 1.43–2.43. These findings indicated that the β- and γ-cyclodextrin complexes had a much higher rate and extent of bioavailability compared to Artemisinin 250 ® . In addition, the absorption of artemisinin was observed to be poor and negligible when the preparations started to arrive in the colon. This could be attributed to poor dissolution of artemisinin in the semi-solid faecal matter in the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract.
Assessment is not enough for libraries to be valued

Purpose – This essay is offered in response to an invitation to share reflections on a topic of current concern. The concern is how to position the library profession to not just gain appreciation and support of academic libraries, but to develop librarians as leaders continuing the values of higher education as essential to maintain and improve a democratic society. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This is a viewpoint piece. Findings – The paper speculates that assessment alone may be an inadequate objective of an organizational culture for academic libraries; assessment is not universally accepted throughout higher education as a primary focus, perhaps with the exception when meeting accreditation requirements. Practical implications – An informed citizenry, freedom of information, open and equitable access to knowledge, and intellectual diversity are important values to preserve. This concern overlaps with the authors’ shared and independent work to engage in assess...
Genetic Studies of Obesity across the Life Span

Obesity and correlated aspects of body fat distribution and patterning are established risk factors for several adult clinical disorders, including non-insulindependent diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and some cancers (Van Ittallie & Abraham, 1985; Barrett-Connor, 1985; Bray, 1985; Baumgartner, Roche, Chumlea, Siervogel, & Glueck, 1987; Blair, Habicht, Sims, Sylvester, & Abraham, 1984; Donahue, Abbot, Bloom, Reed, & Katsuhiko-Yano, 1987). Understanding the etiology of obesity is a necessary prerequisite for strategies aimed at reducing, and consequently ameliorating the effects of, excess weight. It has proven difficult, however, to obtain a thorough understanding of this etiology. The etiology is undoubtedly complex, and there is unlikely a single metabolic or behavioral explanation of individual differences in adiposity. Instead, the current evidence suggests that obesity is a consequence of both inherited (genetic) and acquired (environmental) aspects of caloric intake and energy expenditure. These factors most likely differ in their importance over an individual’s lifetime.
Buying health: assessing the impact of a consumer-side vegetable subsidy on purchasing, consumption and waste.

OBJECTIVE To measure the impact of a reimbursement-based consumer subsidy on vegetable expenditures, consumption and waste. DESIGN Two-arm randomized controlled trial; two-week baseline observation period, three-week intervention period. Participants' vegetable expenditures, consumption and waste were monitored using receipts collection and through an FFQ. During the intervention period, the treatment group received reimbursement of up to 50 US dollars ($) for purchased vegetables. SETTING Participants were solicited from Palo Alto, CA, USA using materials advertising a 'consumer behavior study' and a small participation incentive. To prevent selection bias, solicitation materials did not describe the specific behaviour being evaluated. SUBJECTS One hundred and fifty potential participants responded to the solicitations and 144 participants enrolled in the study; 138 participants completed all five weekly surveys. RESULTS Accounting for the control group (n 69) and the two-week baseline period, the intervention significantly impacted the treatment group's (n 69) vegetable expenditures (+$8.16 (sd 2.67)/week, P<0.01), but not vegetable consumption (+1.3 (sd 1.2) servings/week, P=0.28) or waste (-0.23 (sd 1.2) servings/week, P=0.60). CONCLUSIONS The consumer subsidy significantly increased participants' vegetable expenditures, but not consumption or waste, suggesting that this type of subsidy might not have the effects anticipated. Reimbursement-based consumer subsidies may therefore not be as useful a policy tool for impacting vegetable consumption as earlier studies have suggested. Moreover, moderation analysis revealed that the subsidy's effect on participants' vegetable expenditures was significant only in men. Additional research should seek to determine how far reaching gender-specific effects are in this context. Further research should also examine the effect of a similar consumer subsidy on high-risk populations and explore to what extent increases in participants' expenditures are due to the purchase of more expensive vegetables, purchasing of vegetables during the study period that were consumed outside the study period, or a shift from restaurant vegetable consumption to grocery vegetable consumption.
FUZZY LOGIC BASED FUNCTION MODELING IN AERODYNAMIC SIMULATIONS

This paper presents the background for an investigation into the use of fuzzy logic based function modeling as an alternative to linear table look-up and interpolation in flight simulation. Fuzzy systems have been shown to belong to the class of functions which are capable of approximating any real function to any desired degree of accuracy. These fuzzy systems are built upon very simple and efficient mathematical functions and can be implemented in a variety of forms. For accurate faction modeling in a time critical environment, the Sum-Product, Sum-Mean and TimeCritical Optimized inferencing methods would be appropriate choices. Implementing these inferencing methods as fuzzy clustering rules with the output consequent defined as a linear function of the input variables will significantly improve the accuracy, flexibility and size of the resulting function model.
Exercising A Multi-Attribute Value Method for Business Airplane Product Assessment

Product development and the concept of consumer value are critical factors in building effective enterprises. A new product value assessment method, referred to as the Relative Value Index (RVI), has been established for the early, “fuzzy front-end” of business airplane development. A comprehensive 40-year historical product database developed for use in testing and evaluating the new method enables the scope of value method appraisal to be expanded to an industry-wide examination over a significant time span. Sensitivity analyses and Monte Carlo simulations are developed to test the RVI method’s robustness and the reliability of its results. These analyses also enable a rigorous definition of the determinants of product competition in this industry and mark a useful advance in methods for extracting objective findings from historical industry market activities. The RVI approach is used to develop new evidence in support of a ratio theory of product price and value differentiation in the business airplane market, and the method’s utility in engineering design tradespace exploration is demonstrated. This study finds that the Relative Value Index retains simplicity of implementation and minimal data requirements while maintaining a firm grounding in economics and consumer choice theory. It is flexible enough to be readily adapted to new situations and products, while proving robust to uncertainties in the input parameters.
An empirical investigation of word class-based features for natural language understanding

There are many studies that show using class-based features improves the performance of natural language processing (NLP) tasks such as syntactic part-of-speech tagging, dependency parsing, sentiment analysis, and slot filling in natural language understanding (NLU), but not much has been reported on the underlying reasons for the performance improvements. In this paper, we investigate the effects of the word class-based features for the exponential family of models specifically focusing on NLU tasks, and demonstrate that the performance improvements could be attributed to the regularization effect of the class-based features on the underlying model. Our hypothesis is based on empirical observation that shrinking the sum of parameter magnitudes in an exponential model tends to improve performance. We show on several semantic tagging tasks that there is a positive correlation between the model size reduction by the addition of the class-based features and the model performance on a held-out dataset. We also demonstrate that class-based features extracted from different data sources using alternate word clustering methods can individually contribute to the performance gain. Since the proposed features are generated in an unsupervised manner without significant computational overhead, the improvements in performance largely come for free and we show that such features provide gains for a wide range of tasks from semantic classification and slot tagging in NLU to named entity recognition (NER).
Efficacy of Cangling Antidiarrheal Oral Liquor on rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants

Aim: To evaluate the clinical effect of the oral Cangling Antidiarrhea Liquor as therapy for infants with rotavirus enteritis Methods: 58 infants with diarrhea (resulting from rotavirus gastroenteritis) were randomly divided into two groups:treatment group with the oral Cangling Antidiarrhea Liquor and control group Results: The complete response rate of the drug in the treatment group and control group were 34 48% and 10 34% respectively,and a comparison of the data showed significant difference between the two groups( P 0 05) Moreover,efficacy of the drug on shortening course of disease and duration of viral excretion also showed statistically significant difference between the two groups Conclusion:Cangling Antidiarrhea Oral Liquor possesses the advantages of taking effect rapidly and little side effect It is a certain remedy for diarrhea-rotavirus gastroenteritis-in infants,and suitable for clinical application
Pendrin gene ablation alters ENaC subcellular distribution and open probability

The present study explored whether the intercalated cell Cl−/HCO3− exchanger pendrin modulates epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) function by changing channel open probability and/or channel density. To...
Ice Particle Transport Analysis With Phase Change for the E(sup 3) Turbofan Engine Using LEWICE3D Version 3.2

Ice Particle trajectory calculations with phase change were made for the Energy Efficient Engine (E(sup 3)) using the LEWICE3D Version 3.2 software. The particle trajectory computations were performed using the new Glenn Ice Particle Phase Change Model which has been incorporated into the LEWICE3D Version 3.2 software. The E(sup 3) was developed by NASA and GE in the early 1980 s as a technology demonstrator and is representative of a modern high bypass turbofan engine. The E(sup 3) flow field was calculated using the NASA Glenn ADPAC turbomachinery flow solver. Computations were performed for the low pressure compressor of the E(sup 3) for a Mach 0.8 cruise condition at 11,887 m assuming a standard warm day for ice particle sizes of 5, 20, and 100 microns and a free stream particle concentration of 0.3 g/cu m. The impingement efficiency results showed that as particle size increased average impingement efficiencies and scoop factors increased for the various components. The particle analysis also showed that the amount of mass entering the inner core decreased with increased particle size because the larger particles were less able to negotiate the turn into the inner core due to particle inertia. The particle phase change analysis results showed that the larger particles warmed less as they were transported through the low pressure compressor. Only the smallest 5 micron particles were warmed enough to produce melting and the amount of melting was relatively small with a maximum average melting fraction of 0.836. The results also showed an appreciable amount of particle sublimation and evaporation for the 5 micron particles entering the engine core (22 percent).
Abraham model correlations for ionic liquid solvents: computational methodology for updating existing ion-specific equation coefficients

ABSTRACTThe computational methodology for updating existing values of Abraham model ion-specific equation coefficients is illustrated using published experimental solubility and partition coefficient for solutes dissolved in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate. The updated Abraham model ion-specific equation coefficients that are reported for the trifluoroacetate anion are based on 51 experimental values.
Perspective: Fix the incentives.

Fostering the connection between science funding and economic growth needs to be based on thoughtful measurement, says Julia Lane.
Critical Theory and Global Development

This chapter explores recent research by critical theorists concerning theories of (under)development. Drawing from the research of Thomas McCarthy, Axel Honneth, Jurgen Habermas, Amy Allen, Nancy Fraser, and others, the author explores some of the divergent responses critical theorists have given toward the theory and practice of global developmental assistance. Some theorists defending a strong modernist approach to development (e.g., McCarthy, Habermas and Honneth) appear to endorse a logic of development that works within a domesticated model of capitalist markets and lending practices; others (Allen and Fraser) reject this approach. The chapter raises questions about how development that fits within the traditional emancipatory aim of critical theory must also be (democratically?) empowering. Finally, it raises deeper philosophical questions about whether such a critical theory of development must or should instantiate a concept of progress and whether progress so construed should be interpreted principally in terms of expanding freedom (emancipation and empowerment) or simply expanding social welfare opportunity.
Estimating the Ventricular Fibrillation Threshold

Implicit in the basic principles of reasonably uniform excitable media is a vortexlike mode of self-excitation. In heart muscle this would be a rotating action potential and it has in fact been found in both two- and three-dimensional settings. It rotates in 120 msec and has a core diameter of \(\frac{2}{3}\) cm or less, conforming to rough estimates based on oversim- plified physics. Similar estimates indicate that the point-stimulus threshold should be about 4 mA/cm2, based on observed thresholds of total current and a theoretical estimate of the maximum wavefront curvature compatible with sustained propagation. The vortex diameter together with the stimulation threshold can be used to derive the electrical threshold for nucleation by a stable vortex pair: this 16 mA estimate also compares favorably with observations of the electrical threshold for instigation of fibrillation. Electrical defibrillation should require local potential gradients of about 6 V/cm or current densities near 20 mA/cm2, also roughly as observed. Quantitative derivation of these thresholds became feasible only after the pertinent electrophysiology was simplified beyond the comfort level of competent theorists, but this is sometimes how a new starting point is secured for eventual refinement to a believable theory.
Abstract 21321: Heart Rate During Pulseless Electrical Activity as a Marker for Successful Resuscitation and Neurological Outcome in a Rodent Model of Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: During cardiac arrest (CA), a major goal of responders is to ascertain the likelihood of successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and optimize efforts accordingly to achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Pulseless electrical activity (PEA), a common form of CA in inpatient settings, often allows monitoring of heart rate (HR) immediately preceding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We were interested in assessing the role of HR during PEA in outcome of CPR. To evaluate this in a controlled setting, we used a rodent model of asphyxial CA with electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings and neurological testing. We hypothesized that more severe bradycardia may be associated with failure to achieve ROSC and worse neurological outcome if ROSC is achieved. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n=25) were anesthetized, intubated, and placed under mechanical ventilation. Needle electrodes were inserted into the rats to obtain continuous ECG data. Rats then underwent 8 minutes of asphyxial CA followed by CPR accompanied with intravenous epinephrine and bicarbonate injections. Neurological deficit scale (NDS) testing was conducted at 24hrs post-ROSC. Results: Of 25 rats that underwent CA, 4 failed to achieve ROSC. HR was measured after 7.5 minutes of asphyxia (i.e. 30 sec. prior to CPR), when the systolic blood pressure was Conclusions: In a rodent asphyxial model of CA mimicking a PEA state, rats failing to achieve ROSC had lower HR immediately prior to CPR. However, in rats achieving ROSC, slower pre-CPR HR is associated with better neurological outcome. These findings appear to be independent of respiratory acidosis. We propose a model and future experimentation that may help define underlying mechanisms. Validation is needed in human studies to assess potential translational implications in a clinical setting.
SNARE Complex‐Associated Proteins in the Lateral Amygdala of Macaca mulatta Following Long‐Term Ethanol Drinking

Background Recent work with long-term ethanol (EtOH) self-administration in nonhuman primate models has revealed a complex array of behavioral and physiological effects that closely mimic human alcohol abuse. Detailed neurophysiological analysis in these models suggests a myriad of pre- and postsynaptic neurobiological effects that may contribute to the behavioral manifestations of long-term EtOH drinking. The molecular mechanisms regulating presynaptic effects of this chronic EtOH exposure are largely unknown. To this end, we analyzed the effects of long-term EtOH self-administration on the levels of presynaptic SNARE complex proteins in Macaca mulatta basolateral amygdala, a brain region known to regulate both aversive and reward-seeking behaviors. Methods Basolateral amygdala samples from control and EtOH-drinking male and female monkeys were processed. Total basolateral amygdala protein was analyzed by Western blotting using antibodies directed against both core SNARE and SNARE-associated proteins. We also performed correlational analyses between protein expression levels and a number of EtOH drinking parameters, including lifetime grams of EtOH consumed, preference, and blood alcohol concentration. Results Significant interactions or main effects of sex/drinking were seen for a number of SNARE core and SNARE-associated proteins. Across the range of EtOH-drinking phenotypes, SNAP25 and Munc13-1 proteins levels were significantly different between males and females, and Munc13-2 levels were significantly lower in animals with a history of EtOH drinking. A separate analysis of very heavy-drinking individuals revealed significant decreases in Rab3c (females) and complexin 2 (males). Conclusions Protein expression analysis of basolateral amygdala total protein from controls and animals following long-term EtOH self-administration suggests a number of alterations in core SNARE or SNARE-associated components that could dramatically alter presynaptic function. A number of proteins or multiprotein components were also correlated with EtOH drinking behavior, which suggest a potentially heritable role for presynaptic SNARE proteins.
Eco-Tariffs to Avoid Eco-dumping and Environmental Races towards the Bottom (ERTB)

The aim of this chapter is to set out and discuss considerations that led to the suggestion of the use of trade instruments to combat eco-dumping and ERTB. We provide a survey of empirical and theoretical evidence for eco-dumping and ERTB when environmental problems are domestic in nature. In these contexts, it has been suggested that availability of eco-tariffs as additional policy instruments may be environmentally beneficial and/or welfare-enhancing. However, this issue has not been conclusively resolved. We raise some of the open issues regarding eco-tariffs to prevent eco-dumping and ERTB which shall be addressed in chapters 4, 5 and 6.
Less versus more radical surgery in stage IB1 cervical cancer: A population-based study of long-term survival.

5525Background: Our objective was to assess associated factors and disease-specific survival (DSS) of women with stage IB1 cervical cancer treated with less radical surgery (LRS, defined as conizat...
TMT dispositional composition and firm performance: the mediating role of competitive actions

We examine the relationships between top management team (TMT) composition (mean and diversity) of optimism, competitive behaviors (action speed and action complexity), and firm performance based o...
One-Step Hydrophobic Silica Nanoparticle Synthesis at the Air/Water Interface

A template-free, single-precursor method is presented for constructing hydrophobic silica nanoparticles (NPs) without organic solvent in a Langmuir trough divided into two isolated interfaces conne...
A new manual insertion tool for minimally invasive, image-guided cochlear implant surgery

Cochlear implant surgery typically requires a wide-field mastoidectomy to access the cochlea. This portion of the surgery can leave a visible and palpable depression behind the patient's ear, which can be cosmetically displeasing to the patient. For the surgeon, a wide-field mastoidectomy is challenging to perform because bone must be gradually removed by freehand drilling guided primarily by visual feedback in an effort to detect, yet avoid, vital anatomy including the facial nerve which controls motion of the face. Toward overcoming these issues and standardizing surgery, imaged-guided, minimally invasive approaches have been developed in which the cochlea is accessed using a single pre-planned drill trajectory. This approach promises decreased invasiveness, but the limited surgical view and long narrow opening to the cochlea present significant challenges for inserting electrode arrays. This paper describes the first cadaver experiments using a new manual insertion tool which provides a roller mechanism to enable the physician to deploy a cochlear implant electrode array through the narrow drilled hole created by this minimally invasive, image-guided access technique. Results demonstrate that the new tool enables consistent and successful insertions similar to insertions with the traditional tool while increasing the ease of the insertion and freeing the surgeon to monitor progress and make fine adjustments as needed.
Implementing Trauma Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (T-SBIRT) within Employment Services: A Feasibility Trial.

Research suggests that low-income adults accessing employment services have experienced high levels of trauma exposure and associated consequences. Moreover, the health-related effects of trauma undermine employment and employability. A trauma-informed protocol-trauma screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment or T-SBIRT-was therefore implemented within employment service programs serving low-income urban residents. To assess the feasibility of integrating T-SBIRT within employment services, five domains were explored as follows: suitability, acceptability, client adherence, provider adherence or fidelity, and intended outcomes. With a sample of low-income adults (N = 83), the study revealed that T-SBIRT is suitable for employment service participants given high rates of trauma exposure (90.4% experienced two or more lifetime traumas), along with high rates of positive screening results for post-traumatic stress disorder (48.8%), major depression (35.4%), and generalized anxiety (47.6%). Study participants appeared to find T-SBIRT acceptable as evidenced by an 83% acceptance rate. All participants accepting T-SBIRT services completed them, revealing strong client adherence. Provider adherence or model fidelity was high, that is, 98.5%. Finally, the majority of participants accepted a referral to a mental health care (i.e., 56.6%), and over three-quarters accepted a referral to any outside service including primary or mental health care. Implications of findings are discussed.