cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal exploration in unknown environments

This paper presents an algorithm that optimally explores an unknown environment with regions of varying degrees of importance. The algorithm, termed Ergodic Environmental Exploration (E3), is a finite receding horizon optimal control algorithm that minimizes control effort and the difference between the time average behavior of the system's trajectory and the distribution of the gain in information. The novelty of the E3 algorithm is the gain in information distribution used in the exploration trajectory optimization. The gain in information distribution uses an estimate of the information distribution and the confidence value on that estimate. Successful experiments have been conducted using E3 on a real mobile robot to explore an unknown 2-dimensional area. Results of these experiments are discussed and displayed with figures and a movie.
How Do Campaign Events Affect Regionalism during South Korean Presidential Campaigns

This study examines how campaign events influence regional voters’ candidate preferences during South Korean presidential campaigns. Results show that regional voters become more aware of regionalism through campaign events, and, thus, their voting intention becomes more homogeneous within the regions toward the end of the campaign.
Service Science, Management, and Engineering (SSME) in Japan

This paper reports the latest academic and government activities relating to Service Innovation and Service Science , Management, Engineering (SSME ) in Japan. Universities, government institutes, and government officials are looking for new ideas to cultivate economic growth, especially following the financial crisis that began in late 2008. Service innovation makes an excellent place to look for these new ideas, and SSME, as a new academic initiative for giving fundamentals for service innovation, may make an excellent basis for service innovation.
A systematic review of the literature on consumers' use of patient portals: preliminary results

To assess our collective understanding of how consumers use patient portals, we conducted a systematic literature review focusing on understanding patients and caregivers' perceptions, needs, requirements, and use of patient portals with the goal of informing the design of effective patient portals. Through multiple rounds of screening, we identified 56 relevant publications for analysis. The preliminary analysis suggested that patient portals are implemented in a wide range of health care settings, ranging from large medical centers to small primary care facilities. Patient portals primarily target patients with chronic conditions. Many aspects of the use of patient portals were covered in the literature, including users' use of specific portal functions (such as managing medications and accessing imaging results), their attitudes toward patient portals, and barriers to patient portal use. Our findings call for more attention from information science researchers to contribute to this important area.
Maximum Likelihood Estimator: The Untold Stories, Caveats, and Tips for Application

Advanced statistical models rely on maximum likelihood (ML) estimators to estimate unknown parameters. Given the complexity and highly technical nature of the numerical approaches embedded in ML, textbooks typically offer oversimplified descriptions of ML, omitting important details from the discussion. These untold stories about ML create barriers, anxieties, and uncertainties among users, and increase the risk that poorly informed users might misinterpret study findings. Taking a simple logistic regression as an example, this methodological note describes the basic ideas and detailed steps of running the Newton-Raphson algorithm (i.e., the most popular ML method). An Excel spreadsheet illustrates the iterative procedure that aims to maximize sample likelihood. Implications for discussing the ML procedure, particularly caveats and tips for application, are summarized.
Following gradient extremal paths

For any point on a gradient extremal path, the gradient is an eigenvector of the hessian. Two new methods for following the gradient extremal path are presented. The first greatly reduces the number of second derivative calculations needed by using a modified updating scheme for the hessian. The second method follows the gradient extremal using only the gradient, avoiding the hessian evaluation entirely. The latter algorithm makes it possible to use gradient extremals to explore energy surfaces at higher levels of theory for which analytical hessians are not available.
The Gospels of Frank: Theatrical Salvation in Brian Friel's FAITH HEALER

In 1967, thirteen years before the first production of Faith Healer, Brian Friel likened his role as a playwright to that of an “Irish tinker.” Later, in his “Self-Portrait” (1972), he described th...
Glass-ionomer cement restorations and secondary caries: a preliminary report

This preliminary report is based on a survey of the reasons for inserting 790 glass-ionomer cement, 2,609 resin composite, and 898 amalgam restorations in adults in general practice. Glass-ionomer materials were used about equally for the treatment of primary caries and for replacement of failed restorations, unlike resin composite and amalgam, which were most often used to replace failed restorations. Almost half of the 412 replaced glass-ionomer cement restorations were removed because of the clinical diagnosis of secondary (recurrent) caries, which was by far the most common reason for replacement of all three materials.
Effects of cimaterol on nitrogen retention and energy utilization in lambs.

Fifty-two weaned lambs were used in a comparative slaughter feeding trial and six lambs in a concurrent digestibility trial to investigate the effects of cimaterol on nitrogen retention and energy utilization. Cimaterol (CIM) was administered in the feed at 10 ppm for 90 and 14 d, respectively, in a comparative slaughter feeding trial and in a digestibility trial. No difference was found in dry matter digestibility. Nitrogen retention in the CIM group (739 mg/Wkg.75/d) was greater (P less than .01) than that of the control group (321 mg/Wkg.75/d). This difference was accounted for primarily by reduced nitrogen loss in urine of the CIM group. Cimaterol improved growth rate and feed/gain ratio, although these improvements were only evident during the first 42 d of the 90-d feeding trial. The improvement in growth performance of the CIM group was associated with increased protein gain in the empty body (40.2 g/d, P less than .01) as well as in carcass (26.9 g/d, P less than .01), compared with 30.1 and 14.5 g/d of the control group. Cimaterol decreased (P less than .01) fat gain (91.4 vs 109.9 g/d), total daily energy gain (1.08 vs 1.22 Mcal) and energy gain/kg gain (4.17 vs 5.11 Mcal) compared with the control. Feeding CIM increased (P less than .01) estimated fasting heat production (73 vs 64 Kcal/Wkg.75) and metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance (110.2 vs 92.7 Kcal/Wkg.75) over the control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Model Development, Field Section Characterization, and Model Comparison for Excess Vehicle Fuel Use Attributed to Pavement Structural Response:

In this study, consumption of energy attributed to pavement structural response through viscoelastic deformation of asphalt pavement materials under vehicle loading was predicted for 17 field sections in California by using three different models. Calculated dissipated energy values were converted to excess fuel consumption (EFC) to facilitate comparisons under different traffic loads (car, SUV, and truck) and speeds and different temperature conditions. The goal of the study was to compare the different modeling approaches and provide first-level estimates of EFC in preparation for simulations of annual EFC for different traffic and climate scenarios, as well as different types of pavement structures on the California state highway network. Comparison of the predicted EFC for test sections showed that all three models produced different results, which can be attributed to the differences in the three modeling approaches. However, predictions from the three models were generally of the same order of magni...
Dielectric properties evaluation of NiFe2O4/MWCNTs nanohybrid for microwave applications prepared via novel one step synthesis

NiFe2O4/MWCNTs nanohybrids were synthesized via novel one step ultrasonication assisted method using ortho-xylene as a dispersive medium with varying MWCNTs concentration (0.0%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5%). The nanohybrids were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Impedance Analyzer techniques. XRD indexed patterns confirmed the formation of NiFe2O4/MWCNTs nanohybrid. The SEM images showed the decoration of nickel ferrite nanoparticles on MWCNTs. The FTIR results show two absorption bands. The Cole-Cole plots of impedance show the resistance was only due to the grain boundary contribution. The dielectric properties were found to be increasing with increasing MWCNTs concentration. For 2.5% MWCNTs concentration, dielectric constant and loss 1.06×105, 1.99×106 were achieved as compared to pure nickel ferrite 6.17×103, 3.87×104, respectively. Such increase in the dielectric properties renders its application at high frequency
Diabetes Mellitus and Peripheral Vascular Disease

Diabetes mellitus is defined by hyperglycemia in the setting of inadequate insulin levels. It is a known cardiovascular risk factor and is commonly found in patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Even more, hyperglycemia increases morbidity and mortality in patients with PVD. In those undergoing corrective procedures, rates of infection, cardiovascular events, and death are elevated. Diagnosis is understandably important, which is made via fasting or random glucose values, oral glucose tolerance testing, or hemoglobin A1C. There are multiple treatment modalities, including lifestyle and oral and injectable medications. Therapies aim to lower glucose levels; hypoglycemia risk reduction is also important. Based on recent studies including the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial, Action in Diabetes and Diamicron Modified Release Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE), and the Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial (VADT), glucose targets should be individualized. Although glucose levels aimed at hemoglobin A1C values of 7.0% or less are generally recommended, cardiovascular disease history may dictate less stringent control. In patients who are hospitalized, insulin therapy remains a mainstay. In the patient admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), insulin drip protocols reduce morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, at this time, many recommendations are based on non-randomized studies, or in trials that may not be applicable to patients with peripheral vascular disease. Future research is required to improve outcomes and health of patients with diabetes and peripheral vascular disease.
The Chief Risk Officer: a study of roles and responsibilities

Enterprise risk management is becoming an important component of corporate governance as evidenced by the many firms that have either created the position of a Chief Risk Officer (CRO) or elevated the CRO to the membership of the Top Management Team. However, few studies have explored the roles and responsibilities of the CROs. The aim of this study is to provide some empirical evidence about the roles and responsibilities of CROs based on the Mintzberg’s classical managerial roles model. The study makes use of a dataset obtained from Lexis–Nexis academic to conduct a qualitative content analysis of press releases from 106 US firms that hired a CRO between 2010 and 2014. The results reveal that the key roles and responsibilities of the CROs can be mapped into the three main Mintzberg’s classical managerial roles of interpersonal (leader, liaison), informational (monitor, spokesman), and decisional (entrepreneur, resource allocator) implying that a CRO is a leader, a strategist, and an enabler. The office of the CRO is also gaining pre-eminence and is more diverse as evidenced by the reporting structure and gender representation whereby over 90% of the hired CROs reported to the CEO, chairman, or President, and over 35% of the hired CROs were females, respectively. A study of what CROs do will facilitate the setting of the right expectations about the CROs’ job functions and contribute to an understanding of the value and impact of the CROs to the organizational strategy especially in the areas of risk control, risk management, and risk mitigation.
HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Is Coming to Europe, but Are Gay Men Ready to Accept It? Qualitative Findings from Berlin, Germany

In 2016, the European Medicines Agency approved the marketing of Truvada for use as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in European Union (EU) member states. As individual countries throughout the EU make decisions about whether to adopt PrEP and fund it via governmental insurance, it is vital to understand key populations’ knowledge of and attitudes toward PrEP. In 2015, 20 gay men completed face-to-face audio-recorded interviews, describing their knowledge of and attitudes toward PrEP (mean age 35.9; 35% HIV-positive, 65% HIV-negative). We found that in spite of PrEP not yet having been approved for marketing in Germany, all but one of the participants were aware of PrEP and knew the difference between PrEP and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP; which is approved for use in Germany). By and large, attitudes were favorable about PrEP, especially among HIV-negative participants. Next, there appeared to be an already high demand for PrEP with several participants going to great lengths to gain access to PrEP; two described intentions to obtain PEP for use as PrEP, one was obtaining PrEP via another country (where it was legal), and a fourth participant was discretely distributing PrEP out of his home. Our findings appear to validate anecdotal evidence suggesting high demand for PrEP and that some are already finding ways to obtain it without governmental approval. Our findings suggest that participants were prepared to see the rollout of PrEP in Berlin, pending its approval.
The ultrastructure of tylose formation in resistant banana following inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense

Abstract In a resistant banana cultivar tylose initials appeared within vessel lumina of roots two days after inoculation with race 1 of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense. The tyloses were formed as extensions of contact (paratracheal) parenchyma cells. By 8 days after inoculation the tyloses had enlarged to such an extent that the vessel lumina were completely occluded and walls of adjacent tyloses adhered to form a tissue that completely blocked the vessel interior. Cytological changes that occurred during their development suggest that the growth of tyloses resulted from processes common to normal cell enlargement. The formation of a “protective layer” that occurred in some contact parenchyma cells was not associated with subsequent tylose formation, but may represent a variation of the same basic process.
The Terrible Embrace of the Incipient Baroque: Textually Enacting the Union of Crowns

Portugal and Spain were ruled by a single monarchy from 1580 to 1640; the images of encircling and embracing that accompanied Castilian celebrations of the Union of Crowns indicate that new language accompanied the new political reality. This new language became the idiom of an incipient baroque, a regime of representation that rendered perceptible the particular aspirations of a universal monarchy. Through successive Castilian translations and adaptations, seminal Portuguese works crisscrossed the Hapsburg empire, enclosing the globe in a textual embrace. Textual enclosure became one of the means by which the Hapsburg empire was enacted.
Exploration of NFIRS protected populations using geocoded fire incidents

Abstract The NFIRS database is one of the primary resources for data relevant to fire statistics in the United States. This database is populated by self reported fire incidents by U.S. fire departments. A major criticism of this database for statistical analysis is the problem of reporting bias. One cannot use basic summary statistics and other useful, simple metrics to characterize the U.S. fire problem because the NFIRS database does not mandate reporting from the entire nation. Thus, it only contains data from a subset of fire departments across the nation. Additionally, no major attempts have been made to remedy this problem because U.S. fire data consumers rely on the only other data source (NFPA estimates) at the national level. This paper explores approaches to better characterize the NFIRS reporting population. Public data release records from the NFIRS database were geocoded, and then spatial data processes were applied to obtain a reasonable estimate of the protected populations of NFIRS reporting fire departments. The analysis indicates that between 71 and 83% of the American population is covered by NFIRS reporting fire departments. Additionally, estimates of fire incident, fatality, and injury rates from NFIRS reporting populations appear to be roughly 20%–50% lower than the national rates as reported by the NFPA. These rates are confirmed to be feasible by additional analyses that also supply estimates of the non-NFIRS-reporting population's relevant incident and fatality rates. Regional estimates of the NFIRS-reporting population's fire problem are also generated. Until now, there had been no means of generating an independent assessment of the US fire problem. This new modeling approach provides researchers with a publicly available toolset to conduct rigorous sensitivity analysis on the impact of fire prevention and mitigation approaches at the national level.
Hydricity of Transition-Metal Hydrides: Thermodynamic Considerations for CO2 Reduction

The hydricity ΔG°H– of a metal hydride is an important parameter for describing the reactivity of such complexes. Here, we compile a comprehensive data set consisting of 51 transition-metal hydride complexes [M-H](n−1)+ with known ΔG°H– values in acetonitrile for which the one-electron reduction of the parent complex [M]n+ is reversible. Plotting the hydricity as a function of respective E1/2(Mn+/(n–1)+) yields a robust linear correlation. While this correlation has been previously noted for limited data sets, our analysis demonstrates that this trend extends over a wide range of metal identities, ligand architectures, structural geometries, and overall charges of the metal hydride. This correlation is modeled using established thermochemical cycles relating the hydricity and homolytic bond free energy of the metal–hydride bond. The linear trend of the model enables the estimation of hydricity simply on the basis of the reduction potential of the parent complex and thus provides a guide for the rational d...
Problems with Statistical Tests of Atmospheric Greenhouse Gas Concentration Data Derived from Ice Cores

Direct measurements of the concentrations of greenhouse gases were only made sporadically before 1958 for carbon dioxide, 1978 for nitrous oxide, and 1983 for methane. Prior to those dates, several researchers used concentrations derived from ice cores that have poor temporal accuracy. Several of the studies concluded that radiative forcing from the greenhouse gases is cointegrated with atmospheric temperatures. Monte Carlo simulations of statistical tests of data derived from ice cores are shown to yield spurious results when conducted using annual data. Claims of cointegration between radiative forcing of greenhouse gases and temperature are likely invalid.
La educación ante el enfoque sistémico

El articulo valora el enfoque sistemico dentro del quehacer cientifico y propositivo de la educacion, tomando como referencia las diversas aportaciones de Mario Bunge y Fritjof Capra. En consecuencia, se plantean topicos donde la educacion se vincula con los sistemas sociales, economicos, politicos, culturales y ambientales para que, finalmente se focalice el papel de los estudios sociales dentro de la idea de sistema social mundial y el futuro humano.
Unfit for Democracy: The Roberts Court and the Breakdown of American Politics

In Unfit for Democracy, Stephen Gottlieb argues that the greatest check on political power in the USA is not an institution but the American people, whose democratic rights are under siege by the d...
Shifting the Focus from Individual to Organizational Creativity

An organization may be internally creative, through the implementation of cost-saving technologies or new accounting procedures or the development of new technology R&D. However, the biggest impact on profitability and market share most often derives from external creativity, navel responses to new legislation or radical market shifts. Creativity at the internal level is no guarantee of business success at the external level, but it is a prerequisite. The danger is that internal creativity can become isolated, feeding on itself in an incestuous fashion.
Nuclear Parkin Activates the ERRα Transcriptional Program and Drives Widespread Changes in Gene Expression Following Hypoxia

Parkin is an E3 ubiquitin ligase well-known for facilitating clearance of damaged mitochondria by ubiquitinating proteins on the outer mitochondrial membrane. However, knowledge of Parkin's functions beyond mitophagy is still limited. Here, we demonstrate that Parkin has functions in the nucleus and that Parkinson's disease-associated Parkin mutants, ParkinR42P and ParkinG430D, are selectively excluded from the nucleus. Further, Parkin translocates to the nucleus in response to hypoxia which correlates with increased ubiquitination of nuclear proteins. The serine-threonine kinase PINK1 is responsible for recruiting Parkin to mitochondria, but translocation of Parkin to the nucleus occurs independently of PINK1. Transcriptomic analyses of HeLa cells overexpressing wild type or a nuclear-targeted Parkin revealed that during hypoxia, Parkin contributes to both increased and decreased transcription of genes involved in regulating multiple metabolic pathways. Furthermore, a proteomics screen comparing ubiquitinated proteins in hearts from Parkin-/- and Parkin transgenic mice identified the transcription factor estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) as a potential Parkin target. Co-immunoprecipitation confirmed that nuclear-targeted Parkin interacts with and ubiquitinates ERRα. Further analysis uncovered that nuclear Parkin increases the transcriptional activity of ERRα. Overall, our study supports diverse roles for Parkin and demonstrates that nuclear Parkin regulates transcription of genes involved in multiple metabolic pathways.
The Space of Memory: Bill T. Jones’s Analogy Trilogy

This article analyzes the progression of memory as a spatial metaphor in Bill T. Jones’s Analogy Trilogy. By considering memory as a source of both history and creativity, I show how the spatial me...
Use of electronic recruitment methods in a clinical trial of adults with gout.

Background/aims:Electronic-based recruitment methods are increasingly utilized in clinical trials to recruit and enroll research participants. The cost-effectiveness of electronic-based methods and...
Flow physics of normal and abnormal bioprosthetic aortic valves

Abstract Flow physics of transvalvular flows in the aorta with bioprosthetic valves are investigated using computational modelling. For the efficient simulations of flow-structure-interaction in transvalvular flows, a simplified, reduced degree of freedom valve model is employed with a sharp interface immersed boundary based incompressible flow solver. Simulations are performed for normal as well as abnormal valves with reduced leaflet motion that models the effect of early leaflet thrombosis. The structure of the aortic jet and the hemodynamic stresses on the aortic wall are analysed to understand the hemodynamic impacts and possible long-term clinical implications of sub-clinical, reduced leaflet motion. The simulation results have shown that the reduced leaflet motion tilts the direction of aortic jet and generates stronger flow separation and re-attachment on the aortic wall downstream from the reduced motion leaflets. The modified flow pattern increases the wall pressure fluctuation and average wall shear stress on the downstream aortic wall, and results in the asymmetric oscillatory shear index distributions, which may have long-term clinical implications such as aortic wall damage and remodelling.
The role of cross-border electricity trade in transition to a low-carbon economy in the Northeastern U.S

Abstract Canadian hydropower resources offer a potentially attractive option for meeting decarbonization targets in the US Northeast region, where there are ambitious climate goals and nearby hydro resources in Quebec. Existing transmission capacity is, however, a limiting factor in expanding hydropower imports to the region. To examine the value of expanding transmission capacity from Quebec to the Northeast, we employ an integrated top-down bottom-up modeling framework (USREP-EleMod). This research was part of an Energy Modeling Forum effort, EMF34, with a goal of better characterizing linkages in energy markets across North America. The scenarios we examine exogenously expand transmission capacity by 10, 30, and 50% above existing capacity into the US Northeast (New York/New England), finding the value to the economy of these expansions ranging from $.38-$.49 per kWh imported into New York, and $.30-$.33 per kWh imported into New England by 2050. The scenarios include economy-wide emissions goals these states have set for themselves. The carbon limits we imposed raise fuel prices more than electricity prices and as a result we found greater electrification in the US Northeast region from 2030 onward, a result that one would not see using just an electricity sector model, demonstrating a main hypothesis of EMF34, that models that looked at more integration across energy markets would give deeper insight than more narrowly focused models.
Time-Varying Effect Modeling to Study Age-Varying Associations

In this chapter, we introduce readers to the use of time-varying effect modeling (TVEM) to estimate prevalences and associations that vary as a function of continuous age. Tests of age-varying associations can include either (a) tests of how associations change throughout development as people age in longitudinal studies or (b) tests of how associations differ between people of different ages in a cross-sectional study. We present an empirical example of the latter, estimating age-varying associations in a large, nationally representative cross-sectional sample of adults aged 18–65. The overall goal of this study is to examine generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) across adults aged 18–65, its links to major depressive disorder (MDD), and the moderating role of sex across this age range. Specifically, analyzing data from a subset of 30,999 adults from the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III), we examine (a) prevalence of past-year GAD and past-year MDD across ages 18–65, (b) associations between MDD and GAD across age, (c) associations between sex and GAD across age, and (d) sex as a moderator of the relationship between MDD and GAD across age.
Improving HEXITEC gain calibration through charge-shared and fluorescent multi-pixel events

We describe two techniques to verify and improve the energy calibration of pixelated solid-state X-ray detectors by specifically analyzing multiple-pixel events. There are two primary types of multiple-pixel events. In fluorescent events, some of the incident photon energy is re-emitted as a Cd or Te characteristic X-ray, with mean free path (~80-200 μm) comparable to the pixel pitch. Deposition of the fluorescence photon commonly occurs in an adjacent pixel. Isolating fluorescent double-pixel events provides low-energy (<15 keV) escape lines not intrinsic to the source. These lines reveal that the non-linearity of the gain at low energies is larger than previously thought, and can now be corrected. In charge-shared events, the cloud of deposited charge from one incident photon spreads across pixel boundaries. This causes charge loss due to variation in applied field strength within inter-pixel regions. The charge loss is a smooth function of the ratio between component energies, with more loss seen when a photon hits closer to the boundary and its energy is more evenly split. Characterization of this energy-split-dependent loss lets us extrapolate ‘split event’ behavior below the signal threshold. We can then verify consistency of the non-linear gain calibration at the lowest energies.
The Status of Women in Jewish Tradition

Most ancient societies were patriarchal in outlook, but not all patriarchies are equally condescending toward women. Impelled by the gnawing question of whether the inferiority of women is integral to the Torah's vision, Sassoon sets out to determine where the Bible, the Talmud and related literature, especially the Dead Sea Scrolls, sit on this continuum of patriarchal condescension. Of course, there are multiple voices in both Biblical and Talmudic literature, but more surprising is how divergent these voices are. Some points of view seem intent on the disenfranchisement and domestication of women, whereas others prove to be not far short of egalitarian. Opinions that downplay the applicability of the biblical commandments to women and that strongly deprecate Torah study by women emerge from this study as arguably no more than the views of an especially vocal minority.
Perturbation Modeling for Ocean Sound Propagation

We assume that the speed of sound in the water and the bottom of the ocean is a function of only the depth, and not the range. We also assume that the ocean and its bottom eventually interface with a rigid halfspace. This problem can be solved by the method of normal modes, involving the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of a depth dependent ordinary differential equation. Since the sound speed in this problem varies only a little from its average value, we exploit the fact that the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues are known when the sound speed is constant. We investigate the changes in these eigenvalues and eigenfunctions that result from changes in the depth dependent sound speed within the ocean and its bottom, using an algebraic formulation of the the effect of the perturbation.
Visualizing Respiratory Mechanics Based on Anatomical and Physiological Modeling

We present a new direction in medical applications which stems from our recent efforts to couple PBM methods and physiology modeling to visualize respiratory mechanics. This effort is hoped to result in future sophisticated virtual environments that can be used in both clinical applications and in medical training.
Scheduling independent tasks on partitionable hypercube multiprocessors

A partitionable hypercube allows simultaneous execution of multiple tasks, where each task can be executed on a choice of subcubes. This paper considers the problem of static nonpreemptive scheduling of w independent tasks on a n processor partitionable hypercube system to minimize the overall finishing time of the w tasks. Each task can be executed on subcubes of different sizes, with smaller execution times on larger subcubes. A schedule determines the size of the subcube to be assigned to each task and schedules these tasks on the processors in the hypercube system. The problem of finding the optimal schedule, with minimum finishing time, is known to be NP-hard. This paper presents a fast polynomial time approximation algorithm for the problem, and derives a tight worst-case performance bound of 2 for the algorithm. >
Full-length rat alpha and beta cardiac myosin heavy chain sequences: comparisons suggest a molecular basis for functional differences

Abstract The two cardiac myosin heavy chain isoforms, α and β, differ functionally. α Myosin exhibits higher actin-activated ATPase than does β myosin, and hearts expressing α myosin exhibit increased contractility relative to hearts expressing β myosin. To understand the molecular basis for this functional difference, we determined the complete nucleotide sequence of full-length rat α and β myosin heavy chain cDNAs. This study represents the first opportunity to compare full-length fast ATPase and slow ATPase muscle myosin sequences. The α and β myosin heavy chain amino acid sequences are more related to each other than to other sarcomeric myosin heavy chain sequences. Of the 1938 amino acid residues in α and β myosin heavy chain, 131 are non-identical with 37 non-conservative changes. Two-thirds of these non-identical residues are clustered, and several of these clusters map to regions that have been implicated as functionally important. Some of the regions identified by the clusters of non-identical amino acid residues may affect actin binding, ATP hydrolysis and force production.
Party System Stability and Conflict Initiation Among Democracies

Parties are a vital component of democracy as they are designed to aggregate the interests of the populace. Yet, some party systems are more skilled at this function than others, and in democracies with stable party systems, voters can more easily trace policy decisions from parties and representatives within the government to specific policy outcomes (Mainwaring 1995). This conjecture has been tested in a variety of contexts, though virtually all of the previous work examining the implications of party system stability has focused on domestic policies. This study, however, extends this assumption to foreign policymaking or, more specifically, conflict initiation. Here, we test a model linking party system stability with the likelihood of conflict initiation in 47 democracies from 1975-2001 and find that in less stable party systems democracies are more likely to engage in interstate conflicts with other states. This finding affirms the importance of party system stability as a means of holding elected officials accountable to the public.
Are New Oral Anticoagulants Ready for Use in Patients With Cancer

Patients with cancer have long been an important and enigmatic part of basic science and clinical research in thromboembolic disease. The reciprocal deleterious effects on outcomes of a cancer diagnosis on patients with thrombosis and a thrombotic event on patients with cancer have been observed and documented for more than a century. Patients with cancer continue to be one of the more difficult populations to manage using the available unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparins and the oral vitamin K antagonists. High rates of failure and bleeding complications have made researchers and practitioners alike seek newer more effective anticoagulation agents. The novel oral direct thrombin and activated factor Xa inhibitors have been shown in large clinical trials to be safe and efficacious in many prophylaxis and treatment settings. However, practitioners who treat patients with cancer should be cautious using these agents until more studies are specifically performed in this thrombophilic patient population.
Social Work Field Instructor Satisfaction with Faculty Field Liaisons

been linked to rewards provided for do ing the job. LaCerte, Ray, and Irwin (1989) examined field instructors' per ceptions of the value of rewards offered by the institution, hypothesizing that those who received some tangible reward would feel more valued and supported. They found that the reward most valued by field instructors was the opportunity to participate in the academic side of the students' education, in particular teach ing in the classroom as an occasional guest lecturer. Rohrer, Smith, and Peterson (1992) surveyed graduate and undergraduate field instructors to deter mine what benefits they received from
Analyzing Associations between Mental Health and Social Circumstances

This chapter describes the two main quantitative strategies for explaining the association of mental or emotional well-being with various social and social psychological circumstances or characteristics, such as level of education, identity, or personal history. Statistically explaining an association means demonstrating the conditions under which it no longer exists. If an association vanishes under specific conditions, then the absence of those conditions accounts for the association. Data analysts have two basic methods for explaining associations. Progressive adjustment looks for mediators, which are consequences of the independent variable that cause the outcome, forming a bridge between them. Interaction analysis looks for moderators, which regulate the size and direction of the association being analyzed. External moderators apply to everyone whereas internal moderators apply only to people in a limited range of the independent variable. The same explanatory variable can be both mediator and moderator, as illustrated in the case of structural amplification.
Quality and Pricing of Earnings Under Sustained Growth

I examine the effect of various business strategies aimed at sustaining growth on quality and pricing of earnings. Earnings quality is predicted to be high when earnings growth results from sales increases, rather than cost reductions or income management of core and non-core operations, because firms signal competitive advantages in products. One implication of high earnings quality is that pricing of earnings will also be high. Consistent with the predictions, earnings multiples are the highest when earnings growth is sustained through sales growth. Firms that use income from core and non-core operations to sustain growth have high earnings multiples once growth rates are sustained for at least three years. These multiples are lower than those of firms with sustained sales and earnings increases. Firms almost never reduce operating costs over long periods to sustain earnings growth. Finally, I find that earnings multiples are high when sales are growing over successive years even when earnings do not increase.
Colloquy: Do interacting groups perform better than aggregates of individuals?: Why we have to be reductionists about group memory

Recent examples of research about group processes melding individual-cognitive and social communicative factors have resulted in the application of concepts relevant to individual cognition to groups as a whole. Although based on a helpful metaphor, the practice risks resurrecting discredited “group mind” concepts. One particular concept, “transactive memory system,” implies that a group can “know” all of the knowledge of its individual members. Several studies showing that groups remember more information than do its individual members appear on their face to support this notion. However, a reanalysis of the results of these studies using Lorge-Solomon (1955) Model B reveals that the groups were not successful at pooling their members' knowledge. This conclusion implies that group interaction does not lead to efficient group information exchange.
"Definite lines of influence": Catholic sisters and nurse training schools, 1890-1920.

Background Standard histories of the nurse training school movement have focused on national leaders and organizations and have generally not included Catholic sisters, even though nuns had established approximately 220 nursing schools by 1915. Objectives This study asks how Catholic sisters used their distinct understanding of nursing to shape their nursing schools and the nurse training movement in the United States between 1890 and 1920. Method Historical methodology draws upon primary sources in archives of three women's religious congregations, the Catholic Health Association, and the University of Notre Dame. These include nuns' constitutions and letters, hospital chronicles, journals, minutes of meetings, training school records, annual reports, yearbooks, census records, and educational reports. Secondary sources include nursing, hospital, religious, and labor histories. Results Catholic sisters adapted their nursing to bring it into line with modern society by establishing nurse training schools for both religious and secular women. This legitimized their nursing practice and enhanced their influence with students, physicians, and hospital groups. As nuns admitted laywomen into their schools and worked toward accepted standards of professionalization, they stamped their distinct understanding of nursing onto secular society. Discussion The development of professionalized nursing drew Catholic sisters' schools toward common goals with non-Catholic programs. On the other hand, the sisters' historical construction of nursing in the 19th century, their unique relationship with physicians, and the obstacles they faced later, such as the Roman Catholic clergy's attempt to control evaluation processes, indicate a distinct approach to Catholic nursing. Questions remain as to whether nuns could hold onto their authority later in the 20th century.
Indigenous identity and identification in Peru: Indigenismo, education and contradictions in state discourses

(1999). Indigenous identity and identification in Peru: Indigenismo, education and contradictions in state discourses. Journal of Latin American Cultural Studies: Vol. 8, Culture and the State in Latin America, pp. 63-74.
Delivery of genes and fluorescent dyes into cells of the intact lens by particle bombardment.

The authors report the use of a particle bombardment technique to deliver exogenous genes and fluorescent dyes into living fibre cells in the intact lens. Gold particles were coated with plasmid DNA encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) or the lipophilic fluorescent probes DiI and DiO. The particles were introduced into embryonic chicken or neonatal mouse lenses using a pressurized helium charge. A significant fraction of particles penetrated the capsule and came to rest in the superficial lens cortex. Over the range tested, varying the particle size or the pressure of the helium charge had little effect on the final distribution of particles within the lens. Particle bombardment was used initially to deliver DiI and DiO into the lens. Within a few hours, bombarded lenses exhibited multicolored membranous labelling of individual, elongating fibre cells. The particle bombardment technique was also used to introduce a plasmid encoding GFP. After overnight incubation, many fibre cells in the bow region expressed GFP. On close examination by confocal reflectance microscopy, each expressing cell was found to contain a gold particle lodged in its nucleus. The authors examined the fate of GFP-expressing fibre cells over a period of 1 week in organ culture. In the embryonic chicken lens, transfected fibres showed modest (approximately two-fold) elongation. In contrast, GFP-expressing mouse lens fibres underwent dramatic elongation, reaching the anterior and posterior sutures after 7 days in culture. These species differences may reflect the fact that mitosis continued at a near normal rate in the cultured mouse lens but declined precipitously in the cultured chicken lens. These results suggest that particle bombardment, in conjunction with appropriate cell culture conditions, may prove useful in visualizing the behaviour of differentiating fibre cells in the living intact lens in vitro.
Parallel graph algorithms

Algorithms and data structures developed to solve graph problems on parallel computers are surveyed. The problems discussed relate to searching graphs and finding connected components, maximal chques, maximum cardinahty matchings, mimmum spanning trees, shortest paths, and travehng salesman tours. The algorithms are based on a number of models of parallel computation, including systohc arrays, assoclatwe processors, array processors, and mulhple CPU computers. The most popular model is a direct extension of the standard RAM model of sequential computation. It may not, however, be the best basis for the study of parallel algorithms. More emphasis has been focused recently on communications issues in the analysis of the complexity of parallel algorithms; thus parallel models are coming to be more complementary to implementable architectures. Most algorithms use relatwely simple data structures, such as the adjacency matrix and adjacency hsts, although a few algorithms using linked hsts, heaps, and trees are also discussed.
Direct measurement of the neutrino mass

The absolute values of the neutrino masses are important to the evolving models of particle physics, and cosmology. Experimental limits on the neutrino masses have been established by neutrino oscillation and nuclear beta decay experiments. Improved, model dependent limits are being provided by a range of cosmological observations and neutrinoless double beta decay experiments. This document reports on the status of experiments investigating neutrino mass in a direct, model independent, way. These experiments are approaching a sensitivity that will offer guidance and constraint to models of both cosmology and particle physics. The prospect for pushing the sensitivity of direct measurements still further is considered.
Effects of Graded Levels of Dietary Phosphorus on Bone Mineralization in the Very Young Poult

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of graded levels of dicalcium phosphate on bone mineralization in 1 and 3-week-old poults. Corn-soybean meal diets calculated to contain 1.5% calcium and either .35, .55, .75, .95, or 1.15% available phosphorus were fed to battery brooder reared poults for 3 weeks. Body weights and percent tibia ash were determined at 1 and 3 weeks. Body weight was not significantly affected by dietary phosphorus at either 1 or 3 weeks of age. Percent tibia ash was significantly greater in 1-week-old poults receiving a minimum of .75% available phosphorus. In 3-week-old poults, maximum tibia ash was obtained with a minimum of .55% available phosphorus. This study suggests the level of dietary phosphorus necessary to achieve maximum tibia ash in 3-week-old poults is not sufficient for maximum tibia ash in 1-week-old poults.
The pairwise attribute noise detection algorithm

Analyzing the quality of data prior to constructing data mining models is emerging as an important issue. Algorithms for identifying noise in a given data set can provide a good measure of data quality. Considerable attention has been devoted to detecting class noise or labeling errors. In contrast, limited research work has been devoted to detecting instances with attribute noise, in part due to the difficulty of the problem. We present a novel approach for detecting instances with attribute noise and demonstrate its usefulness with case studies using two different real-world software measurement data sets. Our approach, called Pairwise Attribute Noise Detection Algorithm (PANDA), is compared with a nearest neighbor, distance-based outlier detection technique (denoted DM) investigated in related literature. Since what constitutes noise is domain specific, our case studies uses a software engineering expert to inspect the instances identified by the two approaches to determine whether they actually contain noise. It is shown that PANDA provides better noise detection performance than the DM algorithm.