cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A simplified skid-steering model for torque and power analysis of tracked small unmanned ground vehicles

The ability to predict the torque and power consumption of a tracked robot, a.k.a., small unmanned ground vehicle (SUGV) is important for its design. Accurate torque and power consumption prediction enables motion planning that does not exceed the torque and power limitations of the propulsion system or the terrain. Due to the fact that skid steering may consume a large percentage of the propulsion power of tracked SUGVs, it must be included in any accurate power analysis. Modeling of skid steering of tracks is difficult on soft soils because of the track-soil interaction and the distributed nature of shear stress along the contact area. This study begins with a general theory of skid steering track-soil interaction at steady state. A fast yet accurate 2-D simplified model is then developed, which is solved with pre-calculated skid steering resistance coefficient maps. Subsequently a quadratic equation for internal power consumption is obtained experimentally. The simplified model is verified using the experimental data obtained from an iRobot Packbot driving on dry sand.
SU-F-BRF-04: Evaluation of Five Commercially-Available Algorithms for Deformable Image Registration

Purpose: Deformable image registration (DIR) is increasingly being used in various clinical applications. Although there are several DIR packages all making successful attempts at modeling complex anatomical changes using even more complex mathematical approximations, they are all subject to various uncertainties. Many studies have attempted to quantify the spatial uncertainty with DIR. This is the first study to compare the uncertainty for interfraction DIR for 5 different commercially-available algorithms. The aim of this study was to benchmark the performance of the most commonlyused DIR algorithms offered through these 5 software packages: Eclipse, MIM, Pinnacle, RaySearch, and Velocity. Methods: A set of 10 virtual H'N phantoms [Pukala et al. MedPhys. 40(11) 2013] with known deformations were used to determine the spatial errors that might be seen when performing DIR. The “ground-truth” deformation vector field (DVF) was compared to the DVF output of the 5 commercially-available algorithms in order to evaluate spatial errors for six regions of interest (ROIs): brainstem, cord, mandible, left parotid, right parotid, and the external body contour. Results: We found that each software package had varying uncertainties with the various ROIs, but were generally all comparable to one another – with mean spatial errors for each algorithm below 3.5 mm for each ROI (averaged across all phantoms). We also found that no single algorithm was the clear winner over the other 4 algorithms. However, at times, we found huge maximum errors in our results (e.g. phantom #9 maximum errors: right parotid = 22.9 mm, external contour = 30.5mm) with the varying DIR algorithms. Conclusion: Although our evaluation was limited to H'N patients, we show that our methods are a single-assessment analysis tool that could be used by any physicist, within any type of facility, to compare their DIR software before initiating widespread use within their daily radiotherapy practice.
A Spitzer Study of the Mass-Loss Histories of Three Bipolar Preplanetary Nebulae

We present the results of far-infrared imaging of extended regions around three bipolar preplanetary nebulae, AFGL 2688, OH 231.8+4.2, and IRAS 16342-3814, at 70 and 160 μm with the MIPS instrument on the Spitzer Space Telescope. After a careful subtraction of the point-spread function of the central star from these images, we place constraints on the existence of extended shells and thus on the mass outflow rates as a function of radial distance from these stars. We find no apparent extended emission in AFGL 2688 and OH 231.8+4.2 beyond 100'' from the central source. In the case of AFGL 2688, this result is inconsistent with a previous report of two extended dust shells made on the basis of ISO observations. We derive upper limits of 2.1 × 10-7 and 1.0 × 10-7 M⊙ yr-1 for the dust mass-loss rates of AFGL 2688 and OH 231.8, respectively, at 200'' from each source. In contrast to these two sources, IRAS 16342-3814 does show extended emission at both wavelengths, which can be interpreted as a very large dust shell with a radius of ~400'' and a thickness of ~100'', corresponding to 4 and 1 pc, respectively, at a distance of 2 kpc. However, this enhanced emission may also be Galactic cirrus; better azimuthal coverage is necessary for confirmation of a shell. If the extended emission is a shell, it can be modeled, with some assumptions about its dust properties, as enhanced mass outflow at a dust mass outflow rate of 1.5 × 10-6 M⊙ yr-1 superimposed on a steady outflow with a dust mass outflow rate of 1.5 × 10-7 M⊙ yr-1. Because of the size of the possible shell, it is likely that this shell has swept up a substantial mass of interstellar gas during its expansion, so these estimates are upper limits to the stellar mass-loss rate. We find a constant color temperature of 32 K throughout the circumstellar envelope of IRAS 16342-3814, which is consistent with heating by the interstellar radiation field.
Spatio-temporal vision of macaques with severe loss of Pβ retinal ganglion cells

Anatomical and physiological studies indicate major structural and functional differences between the two parallel retinogeniculate visual pathways in the macaque. We have examined the contribution of these pathways to achromatic visual capacities by behaviorally testing spatio-temporal vision in monkeys with severe damage to the Pβ (medium cell) pathway. This loss was produced by systemic administration of a neurotoxicant, acrylamide monomer, a treatment that apparently spares other visual system neurons. Monkeys dosed with acrylamide showed large reductions of contrast sensitivity at high spatial as well as low temporal frequencies. On the other hand, they had normal sensitivity for stimuli of high temporal, low spatial frequency. In addition, dosed monkeys retained normal flicker resolution thresholds for unpatterned stimuli. These findings suggest that the medium cell retinogeniculate pathway contributes primarily to the detection of higher spatial, lower temporal frequencies, while the large cell pathway is involved primarily in sensitivity to lower spatial and higher temporal frequencies.
Finite size effects on the dynamics of amorphous and nanocrystalline materials

The dynamics of amorphous and nanocrystalline materials exhibit substantial finite size effects in very small particles. Raman scattering measurements performed in ultrahigh vacuum on ultrathin island films composed of clusters exhibit appreciable changes in the phonon response functions. For amorphous Ge clusters, this is indicated by large changes in the phonon density of states and appreciable sensitivity to surface chemisorption. These effects are associated with a large fraction of cluster dangling bonds and orbital rehybridization. In Bi island films a size-dependent transformation is noted from a nanocrystalline semimetal to an amorphous system for an 8 A thick film. The vibrational properties of the a-Bi state differ from that of metallic a-Bi thick films, suggesting semiconducting character. For nanocrystalline C thin films prepared by annealing a-C, the Raman spectra indicate new disorder induced scattering associated with finite size effects. The spectra exhibit distinctly different character of amorphous and nanocrystalline carbon of dimensions
Specificity in the synergism between retinoic acid and EGF on the growth of adult human skin fibroblasts

Abstract Vitamin A (retinol) and five retinoids were tested for their ability to enhance epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation of adult human skin fibroblast growth in vitro . The retinoids utilized in this study were RO-1-5488 (all- trans -retinoic acid), RO-4-3780 (13- cis -retinoic acid), RO-10-9359, RO-10-1670, and RO-21-6583. Retinol and each retinoid were capable of stimulating fibroblast growth alone (0–86%), while 13- cis and all- trans -retinoic acid were the most potent in potentiating the EGF promotion of fibroblast growth. Other growth factors tested in addition to EGF were nerve growth factor (NGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and thrombin. While EGF and FGF stimulated fibroblast growth to the same degree (2.3-fold), only growth stimulated by EGF was potentiated by retinoic acid. Since retinoic acid might enhance the EGF stimulation of cell growth by increasing either EGF receptor number or binding affinity, the binding of 125 I-labeled EGF was carried out in the presence of retinoic acid and the data were subjected to a Scatchard-type analysis. No change in EGF receptor number or affinity was seen in the presence of retinoic acid. The data indicate a specific interaction between retinoid acid and EGF which results in the potentiation of the EGF-stimulated cell growth. Furthermore, the mechanism of this interaction does not seem to involve the initial binding of EGF to its plasma membrane receptor or the available number of EGF receptors located on the cell surface.
Spot rates, forward rates and exchange market efficiency

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between forward exchange rates and subsequently observed spot rates. No evidence is found for a liquidity premium on forward exchange, indicating that the forward rate can be used as a proxy of the market's expectations and that open exchange positions involve little systematic risk. It is also shown that forward exhange is priced as if the exchange rate could be characterized by a diffusion process with a trend, although there is some evidence such a process does not adequately characterize the exchange rate in all cases.
Inhibition of glycolysis in ascites tumor cells preincubated with 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-glucose

Abstract 2-Deoxy-2-fluoro- d -glucose is phosphorylated by hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1) and is consumed by Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. In comparison with cells preincubated in buffer alone, cells preincubated with 0.5 mM 2-deoxy-2-F-Glc exhibited the following alterations in glycolysis between 5 and 25 sec after addition of 1 mM glucose: broaded maxima and slower declines in the glucose-6-P and fructose-6-P accumulation curves; and a much lower rate of fructose-1,6-P2 accumulation. Accumulations of lactate and other glycolytic intermediates in 2-deoxy-2-F-Glc-treated cells were either equal to or slightly higher than those in control cells. Preincubation with 2-deoxy-2-F-Glc also caused a 30% inhibition of 2- d -deoxyglucose consumption at both low and high concentrations of 2-deoxyglucose. Calculation of the velocities of glycolytic enzymes from accumulation rates between 5 and 15 sec after glucose addition revealed a 20–40% inhibition of hexokinase, phosphoglucose isomerase (EC 5.3.1.9), and fructose-6-P kinase (EC 2.7.1.11) and a slight stimulation of the remainder of glycolysis. These results are interpreted to mean that 2-deoxy-2-F-Glc and/or its derivatives specifically inhibit the hexokinase and fructose-6-P kinase steps and that the hexokinase inhibition is noncompetitive. The exact identity of the inhibiting species is not known.
Laser superconductor interaction: determination using AC loss measurement

Abstract This paper presents the effect of laser intensity on the AC losses in a Y1Ba2Cu3O7−δ: Ag material using a measurement technique developed by the authors. It was determined that the AC loss increases with an increase in the laser intensity. It is believed that this increase in the loss is due to the generation of quasi-particles in the bulk material at the expense of superconducting electrons. These quasi-particles in turn contribute to the AC loss of the material.
The dynamics of marginal equilibria

Suppose F is a real-valued function defined on R^m. The dynamics of the system which is obtained by minimizing F by one (real) component at a time is studied. Two distinct cases arise depending upon whether F is C^1 or not. Thus when F@eC^2, the dynamical system obtained may be studied in terms of iterations of a C^2 local diffeomorphism. In particular when F is a Morse function, the system will converge to a minimum of F. However, when F is not C^1, but convex and suitably approximable, then the system exhibits a notion of turbulence which leads to orbits terminating at trapping points. These are not minima of F but are fixed points of the system.
Movement variability as a function of accuracy demand in programmed serial aiming responses

Abstract Recent research suggests that when a response comprises a series of targets, programming time may be a function of the target within the response that imposes the greatest accuracy demand (Sidaway, Schoenfelder-Zohdi, & Moore, 1990). If this accuracy demand affects the programming process, one might expect to find evidence of this demand in the consequent response execution. Of primary interest in the present research was the dispersion of target contacts on the first target, in a sequence of two targets, when the accuracy demand of the second target was changed. Two experiments are reported that required subjects to rapidly strike two targets in series within a simple reaction time paradigm. The size of the first target was kept constant, whereas the size of the second target was varied and was always smaller than the first. Experiment 1 did not require any direction change in the responses, but in Experiment 2, subjects had to make a 90° direction change in the responses. In both experiments, t...
Drug targeting via retrometabolic approaches

Retrometabolic approaches incorporate targeting and metabolic considerations into the drug design process and represent a novel, systematic methodology for the design of safe, localized compounds. Two major design concepts aimed to increase the therapeutic index of drugs were developed. Chemical delivery systems allow targeting of active biological molecules to specific target sites or organs, based on predictable enzymatic activation. Soft drug approaches are used to design new drugs by building in the molecule, in addition to the activity, the most desired way in which the molecule is to be deactivated and detoxified subsequent to exerting its biological effects. Many examples are provided; related computer programs are also briefly discussed.
HYPOTHYROIDISM IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED RISK OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: THE FRAMINGHAM HEART STUDY

The association between hyperthyroidism and risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) is well described. In contrast, whether hypothyroidism results in increased risk of AF remains unclear. Hypothyroidism is associated with obesity, heart failure and PR interval prolongation, all of which have been related
School Days—Then and Now

A personal reflection on school life today in contrast to that of 30 years ago is recounted, based on a recent visit to the same elementary school the author attended. In contrast to the author's experience of “playing dead” when performing on stage, these children were celebrating life. The productions suggest different metaphors distinguishing the schools intent at these two times.
Recognition of a genus-wide antigen ofLegionella by a monoclonal antibody

A monoclonal antibody was produced against a cytoplasmic membrane protein that appears to be common to all species of the genusLegionella. The antibody was positive in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting with extracts of all of 22 species type strains ofLegionella that were tested. The apparent molecular mass of the protein varied from 57.2 to 62.1 kilodaltons for the 23 species type strains ofLegionella. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed with the monoclonal antibody to enable rapid screening of clinical and environmental isolates forLegionella. All of 23 species type strains ofLegionella that were tested were strongly positive with the monoclonal antibody in the ELISA. Among 27 other bacterial species and 84 strains that were tested, onlyBordetella ssp. andAcinetobacter lwoffii were cross-reactive in the ELISA. These two cross-reactive species are readily distinguishable fromLegionella by culture characteristics. The monoclonal antibody may also be useful in tests to detect the genus-wide antigen in body fluids of patients with legionellosis.
Thyroid peroxidase-catalyzed delabeling of 131 I-diiodotyrosine and 131 I-thyroxine.

The reaction between H2O2, thyroid peroxidase and the labeled iodoamino acids 131IDIT and 131I-T4 was studied in a reaction mixture that permitted simultaneous measurement of delabeling and labeling of the iodoamino acids. Under the incubation conditions used here the major reaction between 131I-DIT and the peroxidase system was an exchange between the iodine atoms of DIT and inorganic iodide. The exchange reaction was highly dependent on the initial iodide concentration and was inhibited by MMI and PTU, but not by dinitrotyrosine. These findings, coupled with the observation that thyroid peroxidase does not catalyze a net deiodination of DIT, make it unlikely that thisenzyme functions as a physiological deiodinase in the thyroid. 131I-T4 showed the following differences compared to 131I-DIT when incubated under similar conditions with the thyroid peroxidase system: 1) there was a marked net decrease in stable T4 concentration; 2) there was much less labeling of T4 by 125I-iodide present in the reaction m...
Two Configurations of the Western Arctic Shelfbreak Current in Summer

AbstractData from a closely spaced array of moorings situated across the Beaufort Sea shelfbreak at 152°W are used to study the Western Arctic Shelfbreak Current, with emphasis on its configuration during the summer season. Two dynamically distinct states of the current are revealed in the absence of wind, with each lasting approximately one month. The first is a surface-intensified shelfbreak jet transporting warm and buoyant Alaskan Coastal Water in late summer. This is the eastward continuation of the Alaskan Coastal Current. It is both baroclinically and barotropically unstable and hence capable of forming the surface-intensified warm-core eddies observed in the southern Beaufort Sea. The second configuration, present during early summer, is a bottom-intensified shelfbreak current advecting weakly stratified Chukchi Summer Water. It is baroclinically unstable and likely forms the middepth warm-core eddies present in the interior basin. The mesoscale instabilities extract energy from the mean flow such...
Perioperative outcomes and complications of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.

Background Laparoscopic techniques are being used increasingly in the repair of ventral hernias and offer the potential benefits of a shorter hospital stay, decreased wound complications, and possibly a lower recurrence rate. Despite good results from high-volume centers, significant complications may occur with this approach and the morbidity of incisional hernia repair may be underestimated. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) since its inception at our institution. Methods Medical records of all patients who underwent LVHR at a single institution from May 2000 through December 2003 were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative variables including complications were analyzed. Follow-up evaluation was by office visit and phone survey with assessment of patient satisfaction scores. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. Results A total of 121 LVHR were performed in 116 patients (52 men, 64 women; mean age, 57 ± 13 y; mean body mass index, 35 ± 8). Hernias were recurrent in 35 cases (28.9%), with a mean of 1.4 prior repairs (range, 1–7). The mean defect size was 109 ± 126 cm 2 and the average mesh size used was 256 ± 192 cm 2 . Operating time was 147 ± 45 minutes, and the hospital stay averaged 1.7 ± 1 days. Twelve cases (9.9%) were converted to open operation, most commonly because of extensive adhesions. Extensive laparoscopic adhesiolysis was necessary in 29 cases (26.6%). Overall, perioperative complications occurred in 33 cases (27.3%), 13 of which (39.3%) were persistent seromas. Major complications were seen in 9 cases (7.4%). There were 4 enterotomies (3.3%): 3 occurred as a result of adhesiolysis and 1 resulted from a trocar injury; 2 were detected intraoperatively and were converted to open operation and 2 presented postoperatively. One of these patients developed sepsis and died. Follow-up evaluation was available for 83.6% of cases at a mean interval of 22 ± 16 months after repair. The hernia recurrence rate was 9.3% (9 cases) and was detected at a median of 6 months postoperatively. The overall patient satisfaction score was high at 4.3 ± 1.1 (scale, 1–5). Conclusions Laparoscopic repair is effective for the vast majority of patients with primary or recurrent ventral hernias and results in hernia recurrence rates of less than 10%, with high patient satisfaction scores. Although seroma is the most common complication, major morbidity occurred in 7.4% of the patients in our series. Enterotomy is the most common serious complication and may result in sepsis and death.
Biscyclopropyl titanocene: A novel reagent for the synthesis of alkylidene and vinyl cyclopropanes

Abstract Alkylidene cyclopropane derivatives are obtained by reaction of biscyclopropyl titanocene with several types of carbonyl compounds, including aldehydes, ketones and esters. In some cases the isomeric vinyl cyclopropane products are also obtained. Biscyclopropyl titanocene also reacts with alkynes forming, after acidification, the corresponding vinyl cyclopropanes.
Self-healing fuse development

The self-healing fuse is a very fast acting current overload protective device which opens and recloses in a few milliseconds. The fuse confines a mercury column in an insulated channel and returns the mercury to the channel after firing. Ratings 5 to 50 amperes at 600 peak volts are possible with a life of hundreds of cycles. Compared to conventional fuses, much less fault current energy fires the fuse by heating the mercury to boiling temperature. Next an arc discharge develops while explosive forces expel the liquid mercury from the channel. Then the high impedance arc either extinguishes immediately, or operates for a few milliseconds, until a switch opens the circuit. Containing this explosion and arc demands a reinforced, very refractory insulator as a fuse channel. Several channel materials and geometries have been tried. Preferred are sapphire and beryllia as materials and several cylindrical holes in parallel as a geometry.
Development and applications of laser-based mono-energetic gamma-rays (MEGa-rays)

Development and optimization at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory of ultrabright, laser-based MEGa-ray sources for isotope-specific detection, assay and imaging of materials will be reviewed.
Generation of millijoule-level soft-x-ray laser pulses at a 4-Hz repetition rate in a highly saturated tabletop capillary discharge amplifier.

Laser pulses with energies of as much as 1 mJ were generated at a wavelength of 46.9 nm by single-pass amplification in a 34.5 cm-long Ne-like Ar capillary discharge plasma. The large gain–length product of this plasma column allows for soft-x-ray amplification in a highly saturated regime, resulting in efficient energy extraction. Average laser output pulse energy of 0.88 mJ and peak power of 0.6 MW were obtained at a repetition rate of 4 Hz. With an estimated peak spectral brightness of ?1×1023 photons/(s mm2 mrad2 0.01% bandwidth) this tabletop laser is one of the brightest soft-x-ray sources to date.
Fuzzy database systems—challenges and opportunities of a new era

There have been significant theoretical advances in fuzzy database technology, yet commercially is successes have been negligible. This article examines the current state of this technology and suggests directions for future efforts. A framework for the analysis of fuzzy database technology is proposed and extant models are examined with reference to this framework. Fuzzy databases are studied in relation to the requirements of the database community. It is argued that new generation applications and object-oriented databases hold the key to the future commerical acceptability of this technology.
Separate effects of caffeine and dbcAMP on macaque sperm motility and interaction with the zona pellucida

Capacitation of macaque sperm with caffeine and dbcAMP is required for fertilization in vitro. This study determined the separate effects of caffeine and dbcAMP on sperm-zona pellucida binding and the acrosome reaction of zona bound sperm. Semen from 6 cynomolgus macaques was washed through 60% Percoll, resuspended, and washed with BWW media and incubated for 2.5 hr. Caffeine, dbcAMP (2 mM each), or both (1 mM each) were added to aliquots of the sperm suspensions. Immature macaque oocytes were placed into drops of sperm suspensions, coincubated with sperm for 30 sec, and either fixed immediately or removed to sperm-free media and incubated 1 hr before fixation. There were no significant differences between groups in the percentage of live, acrosome-reacted sperm in suspension. Treatment with caffeine and dbcAMP or with caffeine alone, significantly increased the number of sperm bound to each zona pellucida (96 +/- 16 and 81 +/- 17, respectively) compared to control and dbcAMP treatment (15 +/- 4 and 28 +/- 13). However, treatment with dbcAMP, alone and with caffeine, resulted in a higher percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm on the zona (15.2 +/- 2.1 and 9.0 +/- 0.6) than control or caffeine treatment (3.0 +/- 1.4 and 2.4 +/- 0.5). Effects on sperm motility consistent with hyperactivation were detected only when both caffeine and dbcAMP were present. Although both caffeine and dbcAMP are presumed to increase or to produce the same effect as increased intracellular cAMP levels, these compounds have different effects on the ability of sperm to bind to the zona and to undergo the acrosome reaction.
Pubertal Maturation of the Gonadotropin Stimulatory Response to Clomiphene: Case Report

ABSTRACT Three clomiphene tests were performed in a boy undergoing a normal but delayed puberty. At age 15 5/12, while the patient was in early puberty, no stimulation of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), or testosterone was detected. At age 17 1/12 (midpuberty) and again at age 18 6/12 (late puberty), stimulation of gonadotropins and testosterone was elicited with clomiphene. The data support the hypothesis that prerequisite for stimulation of gonadotropin release by clomiphene is a moderate degree of sexual maturation.
Theoretical study of phase conjugation in stimulated Brillouin scattering

We present a novel theoretical approach to the study of steady-state phase conjugation in backward-stimulated Brillouin scattering. In this approach the standard coupled-wave equations, including diffraction and pump depletion, are recast into a form that permits a perturbative solution. Comparison of these solutions with those obtained from direct integration of the full coupled-wave equations demonstrates that the analytical solutions are highly accurate under conditions of interest. At this level of approximation only four real, ordinary differential equations must be solved, independently of (1) the number of transverse points required to resolve the wave fronts and (2) the dimensionality of the simulation. The pump and Stokes intensities and wave fronts throughout the cell are uniquely determined by these four scalar solutions. Techniques for including first-order corrections are also discussed.
Neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus: carrying the message or dictating the tone

The dentate gyrus is a region in the mammalian brain critical for memory encoding with a neuronal architecture and function that deviates considerably from other cortical areas. One of the major differences of the dentate gyrus compared to other brain regions is the finding that the dentate gyrus generates new principal neurons that are continuously integrated into a fully functional neural circuit throughout life. Another distinguishing characteristic of the dentate network is that the majority of principal neurons are held under strong inhibition and rarely fire action potentials. These two findings raise the question why a predominantly silent network would need to continually incorporate more functional units. The sparse nature of the neural code in the dentate gyrus is thought to be fundamental to dentate network function, yet the relationship between neurogenesis and low activity levels in the network remains largely unknown. Clues to the functional role of new neurons come from inquiries at the cellular as well as the behavioral level. Few studies have bridged the gap between these levels of inquiry by considering the role of young neurons within the complex dentate network during distinct stages of memory processing. We will review and discuss from a network perspective, the functional role of immature neurons and how their unique cellular properties can modulate the dentate network in memory guided behaviors.
Frequency domain analysis and design of iterative learning control for systems with stochastic disturbances

In this work we examine the performance of iterative learning control (ILC) for systems with non-repeating disturbances and random noise. Single-input, single- output linear time-invariant systems and iteration-invariant learning filters are considered. We find that a tradeoff exists between the convergence rate and converged error spectrum. Optimal filter designs, which are dependant on the disturbance and noise spectra, are developed. We also present simple design guidelines for the case when explicit models of disturbance and noise spectra are not available. A numerical design example is presented.
Transitions in care for older adults with and without dementia.

Objectives: To describe transitions in care of persons with dementia with attention to nursing facility transitions. Design: Prospective cohort. Setting: Public health system. Participants: Four thousand one hundred ninety-seven community-dwelling older adults. Measurements: Participants� electronic medical records were merged with Medicare claims, Medicaid claims, the Minimum Data Set (MDS), and the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) from 2001 to 2008 with a mean follow-up of 5.2 years from the time of enrollment. Results: Older adults with prevalent (n = 524) or incident (n = 999) dementia had greater Medicare (44.7% vs 44.8% vs 11.4%, P < .001) and Medicaid (21.0% vs 16.8% vs 1.4%, P < .001) nursing facility use, greater hospital (76.2% vs 86.0% vs 51.2%, P < .001) and home health (55.7% vs 65.2% vs 27.3%, P < .001) use, more transitions in care per person-year of follow-up (2.6 vs 2.7 vs 1.4, P < .001), and more mean total transitions (11.2 vs 9.2 vs 3.8, P < .001) than those who were never diagnosed (n = 2,674). For the 1,523 participants with dementia, 74.5% of transitions to nursing facilities were transfers from hospitals. For transitions from nursing facilities, the conditional probability was 41.0% for a return home without home health care, 10.7% for home health care, and 39.8% for a hospital transfer. Of participants with dementia with a rehospitalization within 30 days, 45% had been discharged to nursing facilities from the index hospitalization. At time of death, 46% of participants with dementia were at home, 35% were in the hospital, and 19% were in a nursing facility. Conclusion: Individuals with dementia live and frequently die in community settings. Nursing facilities are part of a dynamic network of care characterized by frequent transitions.
The water-soluble extract of chicory affects rat intestinal morphology similarly to other non-starch polysaccharides

Abstract Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed diets containing fiber-free (control), pectin (5%), chicory extract (1%, 5%), inulin (5%) and cellulose (5%) for 4 wk. Weight gains in NSP (non-starch polysaccharide)-fed groups were not significantly greater than those in control. However, rats fed 5% chicory extract and cellulose had significantly higher food intake than those fed the control diet ( P P P P P
Phylogenetic diversity of methanogenic, sulfate-reducing and methanotrophic prokaryotes from deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps

Microbial communities of methanogenic, sulfate-reducing and methanotrophic prokaryotes from deep-sea environments were investigated by molecular phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of the genes encoding for the methyl coenzyme M reductase (mcrA), dissimilatory sulfite reductase (dsrAB) and particulate methane monoxygenase (pmoA), respectively. Clone libraries of PCR amplified genes were constructed using DNA extracted from deep-sea vent chimneys (Rainbow and Logatchev hydrothermal vent fields, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Atlantic Ocean; 9°N East Pacific Rise, Pacific Ocean) and from vertically subsampled sediment cores from cold-seep areas (Blake Ridge, western Atlantic Ocean; Florida Escarpment, Gulf of Mexico). Recombinant clones were screened by RFLP and representative dsrAB, mcrA and pmoA genes were sequenced. The dsrAB sequences grouped primarily within the orders Desulfobacterales, Syntrophobacterales and the Gram-positive order Clostridales. Cold-seep mcrA sequences were distributed among the ANME-2c, -2d and -2e groups, which were previously shown to be associated with the anaerobic oxidation of methane. This study also reports the first mcrA sequences from a high-temperature, black smoker chimney (Logatchev) to group within the ANME-2e subgroup. The majority of the remaining hydrothermal vent mcrA sequences were primarily related to thermophilic members of the anaerobic, methanogenic order Methanococcales. A shift in the dominant ANME-2 group with depth in the sediment for both Florida Escarpment and Blake Ridge mcrA libraries was detected. ANME-2d related clones were detected in the top zones of both cores, with the frequency of ANME-2e related clones increasing with depth. All pmoA sequences retrieved from the cold-seep sites were found to be related to Type I methanotrophic members of the γ-proteobacteria, and were primarily distributed among three major clusters of sequences. No Type II pmoA sequences related to methanotrophic members of the α-proteobacteria were detected, suggesting that the methanotrophic communities in these cold-seep areas are dominated by Type I γ-proteobacteria.
Acid-base characteristics of the Grass Pond watershed in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, USA: interactions among soil, vegetation and surface waters

Abstract. Grass Pond watershed is located within the southwestern Adirondack Mountain region of New York State, USA. This region receives some of the highest rates of acidic deposition in North America and is particularly sensitive to acidic inputs due to many of its soils having shallow depths and being generally base poor. Differences in soil chemistry and tree species between seven subwatersheds were examined in relation to acid-base characteristics of the seven major streams that drain into Grass Pond. Mineral soil pH, stream water BCS (base-cation surplus) and pH exhibited a positive correlation with sugar maple basal area (p = 0.055; 0.48 and 0.39, respectively). Black cherry basal area was inversely correlated with stream water BCS, ANC (acid neutralizing capacity)c and NO3- (p = 0.23; 0.24 and 0.20, respectively). Sugar maple basal areas were positively associated with watershed characteristics associated with the neutralization of atmospheric acidic inputs while in contrast, black cherry basal areas showed opposite relationships to these same watershed characteristics. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that black cherry had a distinctive relationship with forest floor chemistry apart from the other tree species, specifically a strong positive association with forest floor NH4, while sugar maple had a distinctive relationship with stream chemistry variables, specifically a strong positive association with stream water ANCc, BCS and pH. Our results provide evidence that sugar maple is acid-intolerant or calciphilic tree species and also demonstrate that black cherry is likely an acid-tolerant tree species.
Biological Wastewater Treatment and Estrogenic Endocrine Disrupting Compounds: Importance of Colloid Organic Carbon

Understanding the behavior of estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds (EEDCs) during biological wastewater treatment is a critical aspect of protecting aquatic ecosystems and drinking water supplies. Binding coefficients (Kcoc) of 17β-estradiol (E2), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) to colloidal organic carbon (COC) derived from several biological wastewater unit processes was quantified by fluorescence quenching. The magnitude of Kcoc for E2 and EE2 was independent of the sorbate’s hydrophobicity (Kow), but was strongly correlated to the molar extinction coefficient at 280 nm (e280). This suggests that the interactions between the π-electrons of E2 and EE2 and the COC are important in determining binding behavior. The e280 coefficients are related to the aerobic sludge age and colloid capture efficiency of the wastewater treatment process. Treatment processes that utilize a physical barrier for liquid-solid separation, such as membrane bioreactors, appear to offer some important advantages in reducing ef...
Comparison of stress echocardiography and stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy for diagnosing coronary artery disease and assessing its severity

The cumulative published literature dealing with the most frequently utilized noninvasive cardiac stress imaging modalities (radionuclide myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and echocardiography) was reviewed to gain insight on their comparative diagnostic accuracies. To be included, studies had to be performed in conjunction with exercise or a commonly used intravenous pharmacologic stress agent (dipyridamole, adenosine or dobutamine) and had to report temporally related coronary angiography findings. A total of > 75 studies were included, involving > 7,000 patients. Exercise single-photon emitted computed tomographic (SPECT) scintigraphy was more sensitive than exercise echocardiography for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD), localizing it to the proper coronary artery distribution and correctly identifying the presence of multivessel CAD. Adenosine, dipyridamole, and dobutamine provided similar diagnostic accuracy when performed in conjunction with SPECT scintigraphy, and all were more accurate than dobutamine echocardiography. Clinical specificity was similarly high with adenosine SPECT, dipyridamole echocardiography, and exercise echocardiography, and lower with exercise SPECT. Normalcy rate was high for exercise SPECT and similar to clinical specificity for echocardiography.
Digital Dwelling: Technology in Couple and Family Relationships

We are in an unprecedented age of technology. Few articles in family journals address online behavior, intimacy patterns, and influences on the ways couples and families communicate through technology. The purpose of this article is to use a multitheoretical model to describe the process of how technologies are affecting couple and family life. Suggestions for future research and applications are presented.
Design of a fast restoration mechanism for virtual path-based ATM networks

In this paper, we propose a fast restoration mechanism for virtual path-based ATM networks. Given an ATM network topology, the capacity of each physical link, and the primary virtual path (VP) layout at system initialization, the proposed mechanism pre-assigns to each primary VP one backup VP such that (P1) the failure of a single node/link does not lead to the failure of both the primary and backup VPs, (P2) the alternate backup VP is routed on a path with the shortest hop count among all possible paths with sufficient bandwidth between the two VP terminators, and (P3) the maximum link load is minimized. During system operation, if a physical node/link fails, the proposed mechanism restores the VPs that traverse the failed node/link simply by redirecting cells on the failed VPs to their corresponding backup VPs. Moreover, the proposed mechanism also locates (i) new VPs for injured backup VPs that traverse the failed node/link, and (ii) second-generation backup VPs for newly-activated backup VPs that replace their corresponding failed primary VPs, both in a decentralized manner. We elaborate on all the component algorithms, and discuss how to configure the functionalities as software daemons that reside at each network node. The proposed mechanism is shown via event-driven simulation to be practically feasible in fast restoring failed VPs in a cost effective manner.
When “mom’s the boss”: Control over domestic decision making reduces women’s interest in workplace power

Although men are typically considered to have more power than women, women are more likely than men to be primary decision makers in the household domain. We argue that the portrayal of women’s tra...
New constructions and practical applications for private stream searching

A system for private stream searching allows a client to retrieve documents matching some search criteria from a remote server while the server evaluating the request remains provably oblivious to the search criteria. In this extended abstract, we give a high level outline of a new scheme for this problem and an experimental analysis of its scalability. The new scheme is highly efficient in practice. We demonstrate the practical applicability of the scheme by considering its performance in the demanding scenario of providing a privacy preserving version of the Google News Alerts service.
Toughening of Intermetallics by Coated Ductile Reinforcements

The effects of reinforcement debonding and work hardening on ductile reinforcement toughening of γ-TiAl have been examined. Debonding has been varied by either the development of a brittle reaction product layer or by depositing a thin oxide coating between the reinforcement and matrix. The role of work hardening has been explored by comparing Nb reinforcements that exhibits high work hardening with solution hardened Ti-Nb alloy that exhibits negligible work hardening. It is demonstrated that a high work of rupture is encouraged by extensive debonding when the reinforcement exhibits high work hardening. Conversely, debonding is not beneficial when the reinforcement exhibits low work hardening.
Role of the B2 Receptor of Bradykinin in Insulin Sensitivity

The biological actions of bradykinin (BK) are attributed to its B 2 type receptor (B 2 R), whereas the B 1 R is constitutively absent, inducible by inflammation and toxins. Previous studies in B 2 R gene knockout mice showed that the B 1 R is overexpressed, is further upregulated by hypertensive maneuvers, and assumes some of the hemodynamic functions of the B 2 R. The current experiments were designed to further clarify the metabolic function of the B 2 R and to explore whether the upregulated B 1 R can also assume the metabolic function of the missing B 2 R. One group of B 2 R−/− mice (n=9) and one of B 2 R+/+ controls (n=8) were treated for 3 days with captopril (which produced a similar blood pressure-lowering response in both groups) and studied with the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. The knockout mice had fasting and steady-state blood glucose levels similar to those of the wild-type mice but a had tendency to higher fasting insulin levels (at 27.8±5.2 versus 18±2.9 mU/L, respectively). However, they had significantly higher steady-state insulin levels (749±127.2 versus 429.1±31.5 mU/L, P P P 1 R and B 2 R gene expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissues revealed significantly higher B 1 R mRNA level in the knockouts versus wild-type ( P P 2 R confers a state of insulin resistance because it results in impaired insulin - dependent glucose transport; this is probably a direct B 2 R effect because, unlike the hemodynamic autacoid-mediated effects, it cannot be assumed by the upregulated B 1 R.
Next Generation FEC for High-Capacity Communication in Optical Transport Networks

Codes on graphs of interest for next generation forward error correction (FEC) in high-speed optical networks, namely turbo codes and low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, are described in this invited paper. We describe both binary and nonbinary LDPC codes, their design, and decoding. We also discuss an FPGA implementation of decoders for binary LDPC codes. We then explain how to combine multilevel modulation and channel coding optimally by using coded modulation. Also, we describe an LDPC-coded turbo-equalizer as a candidate for dealing simultaneously with fiber nonlinearities, PMD, and residual chromatic dispersion.
Current management of pancreatic carcinoma.

ObjectiveThe author seeks to provide an update on the current management of pancreatic carcinoma, including diagnosis and staging, surgical resection and adjuvant therapy for curative intent, and palliation.Summary Background DataSummary Background Data the 1960s and 1970s, the operative mortality a
Evaluation of Dermatology Practice Online Reviews: Lessons From Qualitative Analysis

Importance Patient satisfaction is an increasingly important component of health care quality measures. Online reviews of physicians represent a promising platform for capturing patient perspectives of care. Objective To identify qualitative themes associated with patient reviews of dermatologic care on consumer reporting websites. Design, Setting, and Participants A qualitative analysis was conducted of patient-generated reviews of dermatology practices on 2 consumer review platforms. Yelp is an online consumer portal for users to review their experience with local businesses; ZocDoc is an online patient-scheduling portal that provides opportunity for patients to write reviews of physician practices. A total of 518 reviews from 45 dermatology practices on Yelp and 4921 reviews from 45 dermatology providers on ZocDoc were collected from 3 geographically diverse cities: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Houston, Texas; and Seattle, Washington. The study was conducted from January 15 to July 15, 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures Reviews were separated into high-scoring and low-scoring groups. An inductive qualitative method was used to code and identify key themes associated with positive and negative patient experiences. Analysis was completed upon reaching thematic saturation. Results Reported as mean (95% CI), the overall Yelp score for the 45 selected practices was 3.46 of 5 stars (3.17-3.75) and overall ZocDoc score for the 45 selected practices was 4.72 of 5 stars (4.47-4.80). The proportion of individual reviews giving a score of 5.0 was significantly higher on ZocDoc (3986 [81.0%]) than on Yelp (229 [44.2%]) (P Conclusions and Relevance Online consumer review websites are designed to facilitate instantaneous and public communication among patients. These platforms provide elaborate and timely data for dermatologists to garner insight into their patients’ experiences. The themes identified in this study are consistent with past satisfaction studies and may aid dermatologists in optimizing the patient care experience.
(4R,5S)-5-Benzyl-4-isopropyl-1,3,4-oxadiazinan-2-one.

The title compound, C13H18N2O2, is an N4-isopropyl-l-phenyl­alanine-based oxadiazinanone. Although the two mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit are oriented appropriately for hydrogen bonding, the distance between the donor and acceptor atoms is large enough to support only weak, if any, hydrogen bonding. The absolute configuration is known based on the known starting compounds in the synthetic procedure.