cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting consumers' responses to mobile advertising from a social norm theoretical perspective

As mobile technology continues to diffuse, the numbers of mobile subscribers continue to grow. With a high penetration of mobile subscribers in the United States, the mobile phone and network is promptly becoming a feasible marketing channel as mobile phones facilitate the exposure to advertisements deliver through a variety of mobile technologies. The purpose of this study was to examine whether misperceptions of social norms of mobile advertising play any role in predicting consumers' responses to mobile advertising. The study used a questionnaire survey method to measure mobile users' attitudes, perceived usefulness (PU), perceived-ease-of-use (PEOU), and adoption intention of mobile advertising. A total of 343 college students from a large southwestern public university were recruited to participate in this study. The study demonstrated that misperceptions of social norms predicted consumers' perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) of mobile advertising. Both PU and PEOU are critical variables predicting consumers' adoption of technologies. The study also found that PU predicted attitude towards mobile advertising, whereas PEOU did not predict attitude towards mobile advertising. Lastly attitude towards mobile advertising significantly predicted the intention to adopt mobile advertising.
Bridged double percolation in conductive polymer composites: an electrical conductivity, morphology and mechanical property study

Conductive polymer composites are ubiquitous in technological applications and constitute an ongoing topic of tremendous commercial interest. Strategies developed to improve the level of electrical conductivity achieved at a given filler concentration have relied on double-percolated networks induced by immiscible polymer blends, as well as mixtures of fillers in a single polymer matrix, to enhance interparticle connectivity. In this work, we combine these two strategies by examining quaternary composites consisting of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), graphite (G) and carbon fiber (CF). On the basis of our previous findings, we examine the electrical conductivity, morphology, thermal signature and mechanical properties of HDPE/UHMWPE/G systems that show evidence of double percolation. Upon addition of CF, tremendous increases in conductivity are realized. The mechanism by which this increase occurs is termed bridged double percolation to reflect the role of CF in spanning non-conductive regions and enhancing the continuity of conductive pathways. At CF concentrations above the percolation threshold concentration, addition of G promotes increases in conductivity and dynamic storage modulus in which the conductivity increases exponentially with increasing modulus.
Pediatric ptosis as a sign of treatable autonomic dysfunction.

Purpose To report the ophthalmic findings in young patients with dopamine β-hydroxylase deficiency and to assess them in the context of other reports in an attempt to discern if ophthalmic criteria may assist in early detection of this debilitating, yet treatable, disorder. Design Prospective, observational case series. Methods An ophthalmic examination, including measuring intraocular and systemic blood pressures while supine, sitting, and standing, and eyelid function and pupillary function testing, was completed on 3 young patients with recently documented dopamine β-hydroxylase deficiency at a single institution. Results Mean arterial blood pressures were 90.1 ± 18.5 mm Hg supine, 79.1 ± 25.7 mm Hg sitting, and 45.8 ± 11.6 mm Hg standing ( P = .021). Mean intraocular pressures in these patients were 15.8 ± 1.0 mm Hg supine, 15.0 ± 3.6 mm Hg sitting, and 7.7 ± 2.3 mm Hg standing ( P = .03). Mean palpebral fissure, levator function, and margin reflex distance were 8.2 ± 1.0 mm, 16.0 ± 0 mm, and 2.8 ± 0.6 mm, respectively. Measurable miosis was present in only 1 patient, and pupillary supersensitivity to 2.5% phenylephrine was not observed. Conclusions The ophthalmologic findings of the patients in this case series documented mild ptosis and striking orthostatic reductions in intraocular pressure and mean arterial blood pressure, as might be expected with a lack of intrinsic sympathetic function. Orthostatic intraocular pressure and mean arterial blood pressure may be a helpful early screening tool for autonomic dysfunction in children undergoing a ptosis evaluation.
Reduction of heroin self-administration in baboons by manipulation of behavioral and pharmacological conditions ☆

Abstract Baboons responded on a discrete-trial choice task on which trials occurred every three hours throughout the day. Trials involved choosing between several mutually exclusive options, one of which was always associated with intravenous infusion of a unit dose of heroin. Experiments were undertaken to reduce the selection of the heroin option. Experiment 1 used methods analogous to clinical situations involving opioid maintenance and subsequent detoxification. During initial baseline conditions, baboons consistently preferred an option of heroin and food over an option of saline and food. Selection of heroin was almost entirely eliminated when there was a mutually exclusive choice between heroin and food and chronic non-contingent morphine was administered. Decreasing the dose of non-contingent morphine produced an increased selection of heroin. In Experiment 2, initial baseline conditions were similar to Experiment 1. Food availability was subsequently made contingent upon selection of options involving progressively lower doses of contingent heroin. These manipulations reduced heroin intake to about 15% of baseline levels. The experiments demonstrate the utility of animal models for studying procedures for the reduction of opiate self-administration.
The Effect of Intake Boost Pressure on MK (Modulated Kinetics) Combustion

In previous work, an RSM optimization was performed to demonstrate the emission reduction capability of the combined effects of high injection pressure, boost pressure, and cooled EGR on a HSDI diesel engine equipped with a common rail injection system. The RSM optimization led optimum operating parameters to low-temperature and premixed combustion characteristics, i. e., the MK combustion region, resulting in simultaneous reductions in NOx and PM emissions without sacrificing BSFC. However, further retardation of injection timing and increase of EGR rate from the optimum point resulted in significant deterioration of the engine stability with misfire. In the present work, further RSM optimization was conducted to investigate the effect of intake boost pressure on MK combustion. It was found that the increase of intake boost pressure shortened ignition delay, which was not favorable for MK combustion. However it allowed the use of heavier EGR and later injection timings, which intensified the characteristics of MK combustion, i. e., lower-temperature and more thoroughly premixed combustion characteristics. Compared to the previous optimum point, the NOx emission level of the new optimum point was improved by 48%, and it was possible to improve PM emissions further by 71%, while retaining BSFC at the same level. At the new optimum point NOx and PM emissions were 0.54 and 0.092g/kW-hr, respectively, which met the EPA Tier II 2004 automotive diesel mandates.
Stem Cells and Regeneration in the Retina: What Fish Have Taught Us about Neurogenesis

Many species of fish grow for much of their lifetimes and add neurons to the CNS continuously. The retina has proved to be a convenient model in which to study neurogenesis, both the normal variety associated with growth and regeneration in response to a lesion. Initial neurogenesis in the embryonic eye cup begins in a tiny cluster of neuroepithelial cells that steadily enlarges to produce a central disk of neurons. Subsequent growth occurs mainly at the edge of this disk, in the circumferential germinal zone, where the retina adds annuli of new neurons of all varieties except the rod photoreceptors. A few proliferative cells persist to adulthood in central retina and normally produce only rods, but when the retina is damaged, these cells contribute to the production of new neurons of diverse classes. Recent work has revealed two additional populations of dividing cells in central retina; they normally proliferate so slowly that special methods are required to reveal them. We suggest that the three prolif...
Light-intensity physical activities and mortality in the United States general population and CKD subpopulation

Background and objectives Sedentary behavior is associated with increased mortality in the general population. Whether replacing sedentary behavior with low- or light-intensity activities confers a survival benefit in the general or CKD populations is unknown. Design, setting, participants, & measurements This observational analysis of the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey examined the associations of low- and light-intensity activities with mortality. On the basis of the number of counts/min recorded by an accelerometer, durations of sedentary ( Results Of the 3626 participants included, 383 had CKD. The mean sedentary duration was 34.4±7.9 min/hr in the entire cohort and 40.8±6.8 in the CKD subgroup. Tradeoff of sedentary duration with low activity duration was not associated with mortality in the entire cohort or the CKD subgroup. Tradeoff of sedentary duration with light activity duration was associated with a lower hazard of death in the entire cohort (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.48 to 0.93) and CKD subgroup (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.35 to 0.98). Tradeoff of sedentary duration with moderate/vigorous activity duration had a nonsignificant lower hazard in the entire cohort and CKD subgroup. Conclusions Patients with CKD are sedentary nearly two thirds of the time. Interventions that replace sedentary duration with an increase in light activity duration might confer a survival benefit.
Structural Impact in FPSO Life Extension: A Class Perspective

The Offshore Oil and Gas Industry has converted a large number of units from trading tankers and carriers into Floating Production, Storage and Offloading units (FPSOs). Several of these have been moored offshore Brazil during the last 15 years. Following the discovery of offshore pre-salt fields some years ago, demand for FPSOs has increased, and the forecasts for productive field lives have grown. The result of these developments is the need to extend the service lives of existing FPSOs.The main aim of this study is to investigate FPSO structural response to environmental conditions and functional loads, considering the actual available tools for numerical simulations and Rule requirements, which currently are basic requirements for design review for Classification.The procedure was developed from one selected FPSO converted from a trading Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) tanker approximately 15 years ago and includes investigation of the impact on hull behavior comparing the motion analyses of the production unit under environmental data and software capabilities available at the period of conversion and actual performance: variances in the environmental (sea scatter diagrams) datasets; updates to Classification requirements for defining offloading conditions, environmental loads, acceptance criteria and remaining fatigue life (RFL); and incorporating the most recent gauged thickness for primary structure.The selected FPSO was evaluated according to prescriptive Rule requirements and also using finite element analysis, taking into account the previous conditions of Classification approval as well as the actual requirements and available data. Structural analysis included one global model and some local refined models to address strength, buckling and fatigue capacity of the typical portions/connections of the hull.The comparisons performed from the results of these analyses are a crucial step toward understanding the structural capacity of the FPSO at the conversion stage, its performance during the last 15 years, and its remaining service life.Differences were tabulated and evaluated so that a more precise level of uncertainty could be achieved for predicting the estimated remaining service life, and consequently, a new and dedicated approach to investigate the existing FPSO fleet is being generated.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Trinocular Correspondence for Particles and Streaks

This paper examines the problem of matching corresponding object points in three views of a scene. The matching problem is a critical step in the recovery of 3-dimensional position by stereo image processing and has important application in the analysis of particle distributions and fluid flows. We introduce an algorithms that iteratively searches for all possible pairwise matches using trinocular consistency constraints. The algorithm is shown to be equivalent to a search for edges that belong to all perfect matchings in a bipartite graph that links consistent matches between two views. Three such problems are solved in parallel. An attractive property of the matching algorithm is its graceful degradation in response to image distortion and modeling error. Although measurement errors may prevent successful matching, wrong matches can almost always be avoided if the error in the image position of a particle can be bounded. Thus, noise can cause a loss of acuity but should not cause the introduction of gross misinformation that could result from incorrect matching. Experiments with synthetic particle images demonstrate that this approach can lead to significantly greater numbers of matches than algorithms that match in a single direction.
Inhibition of RNA-polymerase by arginine-rich histone fractions.

Die Hemmung der RNS-Polymerase durch Histone ist eine direkte Folge der Prazipitierung der DNS aus der Losung.
Evaluation of the geological stability and predictability of sediment of the Northern Bermuda rise by the subseabed disposal program

Abstract The northern Bermuda Rise has been the subject of intensive study in the past three years by members of the Sub‐seabed Disposal Program (SDP). This analysis has been aimed at determining the generic characteristics of western North At‐lantic hemipelagic clays relative to the SDP Site Qualification Criteria. The two primary criteria are whether or not the region is sufficiently geologically predictable and stable to guarantee the safety and integrity of a repository, and whether or not the sediments themselves form a barrier sufficient to keep predicted releases of waste below acceptable levels. Analysis of sediment cores and seismic profiles suggests that, from the perspective of the SDP, western North Atlantic hemipelagic clay environments should be downgraded in favor of environments in which strong bottom currents are less prominent. The northern Bermuda Rise has experienced one or more episodes of Quaternary erosion. Thus, the integrity of a shallow repository in this environment would be dif...
Niche Construction and Cognitive Evolution

Despite the fact that animal behavior involves a particularly powerful form of niche construction, few researchers have considered how the environmental impact of behavior may feed back to influence the evolution of the cognitive underpinnings of behavior. I explore a model that explicitly incorporates niche construction while tracking cognitive evolution. Agents and their stimuli are modeled as coevolving populations. The agents are born with “weights” attached to behaviors in a repertoire. Further, these agents are able to change these weights based on previous success and an inherited learning parameter. Both the agent and the stimulus receive payoffs through a behavioral interaction (where the payoff structure is influenced by the “genotype” of the stimulus). The behaving agent exhibits niche construction through its effects on stimuli (the “environment”), which can feed back to influence the value of different cognitive strategies. Here I focus on two forms of niche construction: (1) the stimulus and responding agent have common interests (positive niche construction) and (2) the stimulus and agent have dissimilar interests (negative niche construction). The form of niche construction qualitatively affects cognitive evolution (i.e., the initial behavioral probability distribution and the value of the learning parameter). Given a mutualism between the stimulus and responding agent, rapid learning and “fixed” behavioral distributions (i.e., most of the weight on a single behavior) evolve. Given an antagonism between the stimulus and agent, slower learning and “flexible” behavioral distributions (i.e., equal weight on different behaviors) evolve. I discuss these results in light of findings from the fields of ethology, psychology, and evolutionary ecology.
Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA) syndrome with a single uterus

Objective To describe an unusual case of obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA) syndrome with a single uterus. Design Case report. Setting Major academic medical center. Patient(s) A 12-year-old girl with OHVIRA syndrome. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) None. Result(s) A 12-year-old girl presented with presumed OHVIRA syndrome and had surgical correction of the obstructed hemivagina. Two years later she presented with increasing pelvic pain and underwent laparoscopy for presumed endometriosis. A single uterus with a broad flat fundus was found as well as endometriosis. Conclusion(s) OHVIRA syndrome is typically associated with a didelphys uterus with two cervices and two vaginas, one of which is obstructed. The obstruction usually occurs on the same side as the renal anomaly. We report a rare congenital anomaly of the female reproductive tract: OHVIRA syndrome with a single uterus. From a fertility standpoint, cases of a single uterus with two cervices are managed differently than two uteri with two cervices. Healthcare providers managing complex reproductive tract anomalies should be aware of this potential variant.
Verification experiments with an isopycnal coordinate ocean model

Abstract The approximate conservation of density along trajectories in the upper thermocline, indicated by the observed distribution of water mass properties, suggests that isopycnal coordinates would Provide a more economical framework than conventional Eulerian coordinates. An approximate analytic solution for a wind-driven circulation in a reduced gravity model is used as a prototype for testing a numerical model based on isopycnal coordinates. The numerical solutions are successful in reproducing the outcropping pattern of the analytic solutions. The application of the flux-corrected transport algorithm significantly reduces implied diffusivity relative to a first-order donor cell scheme.
Effect of an American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines program-based clinical pathway on referral and enrollment into cardiac rehabilitation after acute myocardial infarction

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR)/secondary prevention programs are an important part of patient care after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, only 10% to 15% of eligible patients enroll in such programs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines (GWTG)-based clinical pathway on referral and enrollment into CR after AMI. Patients (n = 780) admitted to a single center during an 18-month period with AMI and discharged to home were evaluated retrospectively for referral and enrollment into CR programs. A total of 714 patients (92%) were on the GWTG pathway; 392 (55%) were referred and 135 (19%) were enrolled into CR. Higher referral was associated with pathway use (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1 to 4.9, p = 0.03), percutaneous coronary intervention (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.9 to 5.2, p <0.0001), and in-patient physical therapy consultation (OR 13, 95% CI 8.2 to 20.5, p <0.0001). Ethnicity did not affect referral, but was the only variable associated with lower enrollment. Hispanic and black patients had 92% (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.55, p = 0.02) and 57% (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.05, p = 0.06) lower odds to enroll compared with white patients, respectively. In conclusion, use of the American Heart Association GWTG pathway showed a significantly higher referral rate to CR after AMI than previously reported in the literature. Nonetheless, most referred patients did not enroll. Strategies to bridge the gap between referral and enrollment in CR should be incorporated into AMI clinical pathways, with special emphasis on increasing enrollment in ethnic minorities.
Continuous wave laser induced degradation of polystyrene monitored by time-of-flight mass spectrometry†

The laser induced degradation of polystyrene within the ion-source housing of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer is described. A low power, CO2 laser was used to produce a steady state flux of degradation products. This method permits the use of normal recording techniques. The degradation of polystyrene is reported using this technique. Evidence is presented that the monomer is ejected from the irradiated surface. Degradation in the presence of oxygen and nitrogen is also described. Oxygen promotes the fragmentation of styrene while nitrogen shows the opposite effect.
An analysis of the link between strokes and soils in the South Carolina coastal plains.

The Stroke Belt is a geographical region of the Southeastern United States where resident individuals suffer a disproportionately higher rate of strokes than the rest of the population. While the “buckle” of this Stroke Belt coincides with the Southeastern Coastal Plain region of North and South Carolina and Georgia, there is a paucity of information pinpointing specific causes for this phenomenon. A number of studies posit that an exposure event–potentially microbial in nature–early in life, could be a risk factor. The most likely vector for such an exposure event would be the soils of the Southeastern Coastal Plain region. These soils may have chemical and physical properties which are conducive to the growth and survival of microorganisms which may predispose individuals to stroke. To this aim, we correlated SC stroke mortality data to soil characteristics found in the NRCS SSURGO database. In statewide comparisons, depth to water table (50 to 100 cm, R = 0.62) and soil drainage class (poorly drained, ...
Direct detection of genomic DNA with fluidic force discrimination assays

Herein, we describe the direct detection of genomic DNA using fluidic force discrimination (FFD) assays. Starting with extracted bacterial DNA, samples are fragmented by restriction enzymes or sonication, then thermocycled in the presence of blocking and labeling sequences, and finally detected with microbead-based FFD assays. Both strain and species identification of extracted Bacillus DNA have been demonstrated in <30 min, without amplification (e.g., PCR). Femtomolar assays can be achieved with this rapid and simple procedure.
Investigation of hurricane Ivan using the coupled ocean–atmosphere–wave–sediment transport (COAWST) model

The coupled ocean–atmosphere–wave–sediment transport (COAWST) model is used to hindcast Hurricane Ivan (2004), an extremely intense tropical cyclone (TC) translating through the Gulf of Mexico. Sensitivity experiments with increasing complexity in ocean–atmosphere–wave coupled exchange processes are performed to assess the impacts of coupling on the predictions of the atmosphere, ocean, and wave environments during the occurrence of a TC. Modest improvement in track but significant improvement in intensity are found when using the fully atmosphere–ocean-wave coupled configuration versus uncoupled (e.g., standalone atmosphere, ocean, or wave) model simulations. Surface wave fields generated in the fully coupled configuration also demonstrates good agreement with in situ buoy measurements. Coupled and uncoupled model-simulated sea surface temperature (SST) fields are compared with both in situ and remote observations. Detailed heat budget analysis reveals that the mixed layer temperature cooling in the deep ocean (on the shelf) is caused primarily by advection (equally by advection and diffusion).
Clinical Outcome of Isolated Locoregional Recurrence in Patients With Breast Cancer According to Their Primary Local Treatment

Abstract Introduction This study assessed the clinical outcome and prognostic factors in patients with breast cancer who presented with isolated locoregional recurrence (ILRR) as a first event. Materials and Methods Between 1970 and 2008, 2960 patients with pT1-2, N0-3, M0 primary invasive breast cancer had either breast-conserving therapy (BCT) using lumpectomy and radiation therapy (RT) (group A = 1849 patients) or mastectomy without RT (group B = 1111 patients). Out of groups A and B, 117 and 103 patients, respectively, developed ILRR as a first event. Those 220 patients served as the basis for this study. A multivariate analysis was performed to estimate the clinical outcome of both groups, taking into account clinically relevant variables for the primary tumor and ILRR. Results The median follow-up after ILRR was 83 months. The median disease-free interval (DFI) was 79 and 38 months for groups A and B, respectively. The overall survival (OS) for group A was 81% and 69% at 5 and 8 years, respectively. For group B, it was 61% and 46%, respectively. The distant metastasis–free survival (DMFS) for group A was 84% at 5 years and remained 84% at 8 years. The DMFS for group B was 60% at 5 years and 52% at 8 years. In multivariate analysis, initial local treatment (BCT vs. mastectomy without RT), pathologic T stage, locoregional recurrence site (local vs. regional), and DFI (≤ 4 years vs. > 4 years) were significant prognostic variables for both OS and DMFS. Conclusion Patients with breast cancer who developed ILRR after BCT as their initial local treatment have better clinical outcome compared with those who had mastectomy without RT.
Survival and bioenergetic responses of juvenile Atlantic salmon along a perturbation gradient in a natural stream

We tested the effects of a pollution gradient on the survival and energetic responses of Atlantic salmon fry stocked in Onondaga Creek, a historic but highly polluted nursery stream. A relatively unperturbed reference stream provided similar physical and thermal gradients that co-varied longitudinally with the pollution gradient in Onondaga Creek, and macroinvertebrate communities provided indices of water quality degradation. Survival, cohort biomass, instantaneous growth rate and growth index of Atlantic salmon were inverse functions of water quality in the perturbed stream. Generally, survival and energetic parameters of Atlantic salmon responded differently to longitudinal gradients in the two streams, indicating that water quality, rather than habitat variation, exerted the strongest control over salmon. Effects were more pronounced during the early summer, possibly because tolerance to such perturbations increases with age or body size. Energetics-related parameters were more sensitive to water quality than were survival-related parameters, indicating that sub-lethal effects of pollution may be detected and quantified by examining energy balances of individuals.
A Mutation in the 5′ Untranslated Region Increases Stability of norA mRNA, Encoding a Multidrug Resistance Transporter of Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT NorA, a multidrug efflux pump in Staphylococcus aureus, protects the cell from multiple drugs, including quinolones. TheflqB mutation (T→G) in the 5′ untranslated region upstream of norA causes norA overexpression of 4.9-fold in cis, as measured innorA::blaZ fusions. The transcriptional initiation site of norA was unchanged in mutant and wild-type strains, but the half-life of norAmRNA was increased 4.8-fold in the flqB mutant compared to the wild-type strain. Computer-generated folding of the first 68 nucleotides of the norA transcript predicts an additional stem-loop and changes in a putative RNase III cleavage site in theflqB mutant.
Maintenance, schedule reliability and transit system performance

Abstract Bus transit vehicle maintenance policy is an often overlooked factor which can have an important effect upon system performance. While no analytic tool is currently available, three previously developed models provide the necessary links required to build a single package to evaluate the relation between the system operating performance and maintenance policy. These include a maintenance model, a reliability model, and a performance evaluation model. The Maintenance Model provides the level of dependability as a function of the number of spare buses and the number of mechanics. The dependability indicates the probability of a schedule failure due to maintenance problems. The Reliability Model uses the dependability value to determine average passenger waiting times, on the theory that undependable service will cause long waiting times. The Performance Evaluation Model quantifies the effect of waiting times on ridership and examines the overall system performance. This paper provides a procedure to link these three models, and presents a case study example for Lafayette, Indiana.
Raising the Bar for Nursing Excellence: Exploring an Innovative Approach to Labor and Delivery Charge Nurse Selection, Orientation, and Evaluation

Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program Charge nurses are frequently selected and placed into leadership positions without adequate educational preparation, which leaves them without the skills needed to function to their fullest potential. As a result, this organization set out to expand the current charge nurse selection, orientation, and evaluation processes, and to develop a more robust plan to meet the needs of the unit and organization. We felt this would allow us to reach the level of excellence expected of a tertiary center and to tap into the abundant leadership potential of the newly appointed charge nurses. Proposed Change On a daily basis, charge nurses provide the minute-to-minute leadership at the unit level and are typically selected based on their skill and knowledge or sometimes simply by default. We felt we could do better. The new selection process looks to those nurses with a desire to advance their level of leadership and includes a thorough application process to identify the key elements needed to succeed in the role. It includes a self-evaluation of leadership skills and two peer-reviews that ultimately play a key factor in the decision-making process. We developed a plan to provide early support in their orientation period and to continue to expand on those skills over time. It included a thorough orientation packet of essential resources and the development of a charge nurse workshop that focused on leadership skills necessary to be an effective change agent on the unit. We also developed a competency assessment for ongoing evaluation that builds on previously learned skills and identifies areas of opportunities for professional growth in the role. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation Historically, the selected nurse would shadow an experienced charge nurse for two to three shifts, which would complete their orientation to the role. We know through evidence in the literature that charge nurses need broader skills to influence organizational outcomes, foster teamwork, and promote nursing excellence. The new processes allow for building a better foundation of understanding of the new role, making the group of charge nurses more cohesive in their management styles, and creating a feeling of stability and support in the unit. Implications for Nursing Practice Through this new comprehensive program, the charge nurse role will be preserved, strengthened, and validated, which gives them the skills to become successful in their new positions.
A loss function analysis for classification methods in text categorization

This paper presents a formal analysis of popular text classification methods, focusing on their loss functions whose minimization is essential to the optimization of those methods, and whose decomposition into the training-set loss and the model complexity enables cross-method comparisons on a common basis from an optimization point of view. Those methods include Support Vector Machines, Linear Regression, Logistic Regression, Neural Network, Naive Bayes, K-Nearest Neighbor, Rocchio-style and Multi-class Prototype classifiers. Theoretical analysis (including our new derivations) is provided for each method, along with evaluation results for all the methods on the Reuters-21578 benchmark corpus. Using linear regression, neural networks and logistic regression methods as examples, we show that properly tuning the balance between the training-set loss and the complexity penalty would have a significant impact to the performance of a classifier. In linear regression, in particular, the tuning of the complexity penalty yielded a result (measured using macro-averaged F1) that outperformed all text categorization methods ever evaluated on that benchmark corpus, including Support Vector Machines.
Mcl-1 Ubiquitination and Destruction

Loss of the Fbw7 tumor suppressor is common in diverse human cancer types, including T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL), although the mechanistic basis of its anti-oncogenic activity remains largely unclear. We recently reported that SCFFbw7 regulates cellular apoptosis by controlling the ubiquitination and destruction of the pro-survival protein, Mcl-1, in a GSK3 phosphorylation-dependent manner. We found that human T-ALL cell lines displayed a close relationship between Fbw7 loss and Mcl-1 overexpression. More interestingly, T-ALL cell lines that are deficient in Fbw7 are particularly sensitive to sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor that has been demonstrated to reduce Mcl-1 expression through an unknown mechanism. On the other hand, Fbw7-deficient T-ALL cell lines are much more resistant to the Bcl-2 antagonist, ABT-737. Furthermore, reconstitution of Fbw7 or depletion of Mcl-1 in Fbw7-deficient cells restores ABT-737 sensitivity, suggesting that elevated Mcl-1 expression is important for Fbw7-deficient cells to evade apoptosis. Therefore, our work provides a novel molecular mechanism for the tumor suppression function of Fbw7. Furthermore, it provides the rationale for targeted usage of Mcl-1 antagonists to treat Fbw7-deficient T-ALL patients.
Serotonin nerve terminals in the dorsomedial medulla facilitate sympathetic and ventilatory responses to hemorrhage and peripheral chemoreflex activation

Serotonin neurons of the caudal raphe facilitate ventilatory and sympathetic responses that develop following blood loss in conscious rats. Here, we tested whether serotonin projections to the caud...
Artificial neural network based load blinder for distance protection

Distance relay can provide remote backup protection by zone 2 and zone 3, but it may mal-operate under heavy loading conditions and cause cascading trips in the network, which could further lead to a wide spread blackout. To prevent cascading outages, load blinders are generally used to block distance relay when there is heavy load in the system. However, conventional load blinders are not always able to discriminate between heavy loading conditions and fault conditions, especially for heavy loads with low power factor or faults with fault resistance. This paper proposes a novel load blinder scheme for distance protection by using artificial neural network (ANN). Test results show that the proposed ANN-based load blinder scheme is able to discriminate between different heavy loads with a wide range of power factors and different faults with fault resistance.
An examination of the postmortem redistribution of fentanyl and interlaboratory variability.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid agonist used for pain control. Often administered as a transdermal patch, it is an interesting drug for study of postmortem redistribution. We hypothesized that fentanyl concentrations would increase over time after death, as measured in blood drawn on the day prior to autopsy and in blood drawn at the time of autopsy in ten cases where fentanyl patches were identified at the scene. Concentrations were compared, and heart blood to femoral blood ratios were calculated as markers of postmortem redistribution. Fentanyl concentrations measured in peripheral blood drawn the day of autopsy (peripheral blood 2 [PB2]) were higher than those drawn the day prior to autopsy (peripheral blood 1 [PB1]) with a mean ratio (PB2/PB1) of 1.80. The ratio of heart blood concentrations (HB) to femoral blood concentrations drawn at autopsy (PB2) had a mean ratio (HB/PB2) of 1.08. Some cases had blood from the same source analyzed at two different laboratories, and concentrations of fentanyl in those samples showed inter- and intralaboratory differences up to 25 ng/mL. Postmortem fentanyl concentrations may be affected by antemortem factors, postmortem redistribution, and laboratory variability. Forensic pathologists must use caution in interpreting fentanyl levels as part of death investigation.
OBSERVATIONS OF FECAL SAC DISPOSAL BY EASTERN BLUEBIRDS

Abstract During systematic observations of Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) parental behavior near Athens, Georgia, we observed adults placing fecal sacs on electric wires. Adults also placed fecal sacs on fence posts, tree branches, and utility poles. Females and males did not dispose of fecal sacs differently or remove fecal sacs at different rates. Adults carried fecal sacs 91 ± 11 m before disposal, 21–52 m (95% CI) farther than their average distance from the nest. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that fecal sac removal reduces cues predators use to locate nests. Observaciones sobre la Disposicion de Sacos Fecales en Sialia sialis Resumen. Durante observaciones sistematicas del comportamiento parental de Sialia sialis en las cercanias de Athens, Georgia, observamos la colocacion de sacos fecales en cables electricos. Los adultos tambien dejaron sacos fecales en postes de cercas, ramas de arboles y postes de alumbrado. No se encontraron diferencias entre machos y hembras en la tasa de co...
World Kidney Day 2011.

World Kidney Day (WKD), established by the International Society of Nephrology and the International Society of Kidney Foundations in 2006, is a global effort to “raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its
Neurocognitive mechanisms of statistical-sequential learning: what do event-related potentials tell us?

Statistical-sequential learning (SL) is the ability to process patterns of environmental stimuli, such as spoken language, music, or one’s motor actions, that unfold in time. The underlying neurocognitive mechanisms of SL and the associated cognitive representations are still not well understood as reflected by the heterogeneity of the reviewed cognitive models. The purpose of this review is: (1) to provide a general overview of the primary models and theories of SL, (2) to describe the empirical research - with a focus on the Event-Related Potential (ERP) literature - in support of these models while also highlighting the current limitations of this research, and (3) to present a set of new lines of ERP research to overcome these limitations. The review is articulated around three descriptive dimensions in relation to SL: the level of abstractness of the representations learned through SL, the effect of the level of attention and consciousness on SL, and the developmental trajectory of SL across the life-span. We conclude with a new tentative model that takes into account these three dimensions and also point to several promising new lines of SL research.
High Energy Radiation Effects on the Thermal Properties and Density of Nylon 6 Fibers

To study the effects of high energy radiation on the mechanical and thermal prop erties and densities of nylon 6, two different nylons were subjected to gamma and proton irradiation. Progressive irradiation with both types of irradiation at first increased crystalline content, then decreased it. The presence of oxygen during gamma irradiation caused a continuing increase in density with the decrease in the amount of crystalline material.
The imagined crusade: The Church of England and the mythology of nationalism and christianity during the great war

The Church of England, being the state church of an imperial nation of diverse peoples and creeds, had to contend with provocative controversies in the early twentieth century leading up to the First World War. Perhaps the greatest was secularization, which gained momenturn in the previous century.2 The last fifty years of the nineteenth century proved threatening for church leaders. Horace Mann's 1851 religious census in England and Wales, although controversial, insinuated church attendance was much lower in Great Britain than previously perceived. Causing more anxiety, the State Church consistently lost authority over many of its traditions, including administering burial grounds and the last rights ceremony.3 Additionally Ecclesiastical courts gave up authority to the civic courts of British society.
Fatigue testing of unalloyed plutonium

A pneumatic apparatus was developed for room temperature fatigue testing of as-cast Pu at a frequency of 270 cycles/sec. The fatigue testing fixture operates on the principle used to vibrate the reeds in a harmonica. The results of fatigue tests on as-cast Pu specimens showed that fatigue cracks initiated at two positions. In one, a crack initiated at a corner of the specimen and this was characteristic of crack propagation in the majority of the specimens. In the other the crack initiated on the surface of the specimen. (P.C.H.)
Gender differences in follower behavior. An experimental study of reactions to ambitious decision makers.

This study investigates whether observers react negatively to overly ambitious leaders, focusing on whether women are more sensitive than men in their perceptions of the traits of decision makers and whether men and women behave differently as a result of such perceptions. Results from two laboratory experiments show how participants react to ambitious decision makers in simple bargaining scenarios. The results indicate that observers tend to equate ambition for decision-making authority with self-interested, unfair, male behavior. Moreover, observers tend to be less satisfied with a decision made by an ambitious decision maker compared to the same decision made by an unambitious decision maker. That is, people generally dislike ambitious decision makers independent of the actual decision that is made. Further, there are important differences in male and female expectations of what decision makers will do that, when combined with perceptions of decision-maker gender, have more nuanced implications for outcome satisfaction and our understanding of “follower behavior.”
Catecholamine responses to α-adrenergic blockade during exercise in women acutely exposed to altitude

We have previously documented the importance of the sympathetic nervous system in acclimatizing to high altitude in men. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the extent to which α-adr...
Activation of muscarinic M3 receptors inhibits large-conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ channels in rat urinary bladder smooth muscle cells.

Large conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels are key regulators of detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) contraction and relaxation during urine voiding and storage. Here, we explored whet...
Using weighted MAX-SAT engines to solve MPE

Logical and probabilistic reasoning are Closely related. Many examples in each group have natural analogs in the other. One example is the strong relationship between weighted MAXSAT and MPE. This paper presents a simple reduction of MPE to weighted MAX-SAT. It also investigates approximating MPE by converting it to a weighted MAX-SAT problem, then using the incomplete methods for solving weighted MAX-SAT to generate a solution. We show that converting MPE problems to MAX-SAT problems and using a method designed for MAX-SAT to solve them often produces solutions that are vastly superior to the previous local search methods designed directly for the MPE problem.
Substance Abuse and Anxiety Disorders: The Case of Social Anxiety Disorder and PTSD

This chapter aims to provide a background in anxiety disorder/substance use disorder (SUD) comorbidity and its treatment, with an in-depth focus on social anxiety disorder (SAD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The chapter covers relevant comorbidity models and describes the complexities of these comorbid conditions, followed by a section devoted to treatment of co-occurring SAD or PTSD and SUD.
I-Gate Body-Tied Silicon-on-Insulator MOSFETs With Improved High-Frequency Performance

A new body-tied (BT) (I-gate) silicon-on-insulator transistor with comparable f_T and f_ as those of floating-body transistors and comparable analog performance as those of T-gate BT transistors is demonstrated. The structure is fabricated without process modifications by selectively blocking silicide formation and source/drain implant in a foundry technology.
Exploring Novice Teachers’ Attitudes and Behaviors Regarding Teacher Unionism

The distinct needs and interests of novice teachers are not always reflected in the priorities of teacher unions, which may impact novice teachers' attachment to teacher unionism. Using survey data from teachers, we examined novice teachers' involvement in their unions and their desire for union involvement in their work lives compared to their veteran colleagues'. Finally we explored how novices' union beliefs and involvement varied by characteristics of their organizational context. Our findings suggest that teacher unions need to more fully address the needs and interests of novice teachers as well as the organi- zational factors that influence their evaluation of unionism.
Votes and a half-binomial

Abstract In two party elections with popular vote ratio p q , 1 2 ≤p=1 −q , a theoretical model suggests replacing the so-called MacMahon cube law approximation ( p q ) 3 , for the ratio P Q of candidates elected, by the ratio ƒ k (p) ƒ k (q) of the two half sums in the binomial expansion of (p+q)2k+1 for some k. This ratio is nearly ( p q ) 3 when k = 6. The success probability g k (p)=( p a (p a +q a ) for the power law ( p q ) a ≐ P Q is shown to so closely approximate ƒ k (p)=Σ 0 k ( r 2k+1 )p 2k+1−r q r , if we choose a = a k = (2k+1)! 4 k k!k! , that 1≤ ƒ k (p) g k (p) ≤1.01884086 for k≥1 if 1 2 ≤p≤1 . Computationally, we avoid large binomial coefficients in computing ƒ k (p) for k>22 by expressing 2ƒ k (p)−1 as the sum (p−q) Σ 0 k (4pq) s a s (2s+1) , whose terms decrease by the factors (4pq)(1− 1 2s ) . Setting K = 4k+3, we compute ak for the large k using a continued fraction πa k 2 = K+1 2 ( 2K+3 2 ( 2K+5 2 (2K+…) ) ) derived from the ratio of π to the finite Wallis product approximation.
Automatic loop shaping of QFT robust controllers with multi-objective specifications via nonlinear quadratic inequalities

This paper introduces a new methodology to synthesize automatically robust controllers in the Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) framework. The method avoids the classical gridding of the controller's phase, and deals with multi-objective specifications and parametric uncertainty in the plant model. By tacking the required robust stability and robust performance specifications, and grouping them into two nonlinear quadratic inequalities, the method derives a nonlinear and frequency-dependent expression for the controller magnitude, which is independent of the controller phase. Then, by evaluating this expression for every frequency of interest, and using a least-square-type algorithm with phase constraints to find the parameters of an a priory fix order controller structure, the method finds automatically the most appropriate controller parameters to meet all the multi-objective specifications for all the plants within the uncertainty. The method is exemplified with a DC motor control application.