cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies of the basicranial axis: A brief review

Growth and development of the cranial base have interested students of anatomical disciplines for more than a century. Flexure of the basal region has been of particular interest and is among the most assiduously studied characteristics of the skull. Reports may be found in journals serving such a diversity of professional interests that a summary of facts and the more interesting speculations on unsettled aspects of this subject should be of value. This paper is a review of the literature from Virschow's and Schaeffer's writings in the latter half of the last century to those of the most recent investigators. It includes the works of anatomists, anthropologists, embryologists and orthodontists, among others.
Quasi-static deformation of a viscoelastic half-space by a displacement dislocation

The correspondence principle is used to get the Laplace transformed solution of the problem of the quasi-static deformation of a viscoelastic half-space by a shear displacement dislocation from the corresponding static elastic results. The transformed solution is inverted for the Voigt and the Maxwell viscoelastic models. It is shown that, for a vertical dip-slip fault, the surface displacements for the viscoelastic case are identical with the elastic displacements. In the case of a vertical strike-slip fault, detailed numerical results are obtained for both a point source and a finite rectangular source. It is found that the results for the viscoelastic models differ significantly from the corresponding elastic results.
Neural network models to detect airplane near-collision situations

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been investigating early warning accident prevention systems in an effort to prevent runway collisions. One system in place is the Airport Movement Area Safety System (AMASS), developed under contract for the FAA. AMASS internal logic is based on computing separation distances among airplanes, and it utilizes prediction models to foresee potential accidents. Research described in this paper shows that neural network models have the capability to accurately predict future separation distances and aircraft positions. Accurate prediction algorithms integrated in safety systems such as AMASS can potentially deliver earlier warnings to air traffic controllers, hence reducing the risk of runway accidents even further. Additionally, more accurate predictions will lower the incidence of false alarms, increasing confidence in the detection system. In this paper, different incipient detection approaches are presented, and several prediction techniques are evaluated using data from one large and busy airport. The main conclusion is that no single approach is good for every possible scenario, but the optimal performance is attained by a combination of the techniques presented.
A slow start: Use of preventive services among seniors following the Affordable Care Act's enhancement of Medicare benefits in the U.S.

Abstract Objective Beginning January 1st, 2011 in the United States the Affordable Care Act enhanced Medicare coverage for preventive services by eliminating patient cost-sharing under Part B and by introducing an “Annual Wellness Visit,” also free-of-charge. We evaluated the early effects of these reforms on utilization of preventive services. Method We analyzed nationally representative data on 15,044 Medicare seniors from the 2008–2010, and 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, and examined self-reported cholesterol test, blood pressure check, flu vaccination, endoscopy, fecal occult blood test, prostate specific antigen test, breast examination, and mammography. Results Enhanced Medicare benefits had no effects on preventive service utilization among Medicare seniors in 2012, including those with traditional Medicare and no other supplemental insurance, who stood to benefit the most from Part B enhancements. Conclusion The muted overall response can be partly attributed to the fact that most seniors already held insurance that fully covered preventive services. While insurance enhancements can sometimes raise utilization, in the case of preventive services there are other fundamental barriers that require attention. Educating and incentivizing physicians about the need to refer/recommend screenings, and enhancing knowledge among seniors about the importance of preventive care are two steps that would likely go a long way towards increasing utilization.
Where do the excess photons and dileptons in SPS nuclear collisions come from

Abstract Recently the first single photon spectra from CERN energy heavy-ion collisins were reported by WA80, while NA34/3 and NA38 have obtained the spectra for dileptons with the mass up to 4–5 GeV. The production rates for photons and dileptons significantly increase when reactions involving the A 1 meson are included. However, with the conventional expansion scenario, the absolute yields are still significantly smaller than the observed ones. It may indicate that expansion in the “mixed state” takes much more time.
Primary care physicians' medical decision making for late-life depression

OBJECTIVE: To describe primary care physicians’ clinical decision making regarding late-life depression.
Quantitative ocular tests for myasthenia gravis: a comparative review with detection theory analysis

Many reports in the literature describe a variety of ocular signs in myasthenia gravis. To determine the utility of laboratory recordings of ocular signs in the evaluation for myasthenia, we reviewed all previous studies of quantitative measures of eye movements or intra-ocular pressures. We selected those studies with data presented for both myasthenic and non-myasthenic ocular palsies. Signal detection theory was used to evaluate the discriminative power of each variable. The characteristics of saccades and quick phases of optokinetic nystagmus at the start of recording were poor at distinguishing between myasthenic and non-myasthenic palsies, except when the comparison was solely between myasthenia and chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia. The effects of fatigue on saccadic parameters were also not discriminative, though there was insufficient data to evaluate this adequately. Changes induced by edrophonium in the amplitude or peak velocity of saccades or optokinetic quick phases were good diagnostic tests, retaining high sensitivities when criteria were set to yield a specificity of 95%. Most of these parameters were less efficient as screening tests, with modest specificities when criteria were set to yield a sensitivity of 95%. The change in optokinetic quick phase amplitude recorded by infrared oculography was the best test, with ideal characteristics of 97% specificity and sensitivity at a criterion of zero change. This analysis suggests that eye movement recordings of saccades or optokinetic nystagmus have potential as useful and inexpensive tests for myasthenia, and warrant further study.
Some roots of preference: roles, activities and familial values.

This paper examines some of the connecting links between modernization in a developing society, particularly urbanization and increased education for women, and preferences for number of children. Using 1973 Taiwan data, preferences for smaller families are found to be consistently related to modern attitudes and behavior in the three domains examined: intrafamilial husband-wife role relationships, extrafamilial activities of the wife, and familial and religious values relating the family to the larger institutional setting. Modernization of these attitudes, behaviors, and values has an impact on reproductive goals independent of their association with structural variables. The wife’s outside activities and exposure to modern influences through the mass media are especially important linkages, having a particularly strong mediating effect in the education effect on preferences. Intrafamilial relations appear to be of less importance. Modernization of familial and religious values mediates between urbanization and family size preferences. The measure of preference used is a scale value which has been found in other research to be more predictive of reproductive behavior than the conventional single-valued statement of number of children wanted. As the level of contraceptive use rises in developing societies, family size preferences increasingly become a factor in birth rates, and understanding the sources of change in these preferences takes on added importance. The policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Bilateral aberrant cervical internal carotid arteries

A patient with symptomatic bilateral aberrant cervical internal carotid arteries, demonstrated on CT and MRI, is described.
Computationally Optimal Metric-First Code Tree Search Algorithms

Code tree search algorithms find wide applicability in source encoding, channel decoding, pattern recognition, and maximum likelihood sequence estimation. These algorithms search code trees and may be classified as depth-first, breadth-first, and metric-first depending on the search criterion employed. We define here a criterion for metric-first algorithms to be optimal. We show that implementations of metric-first searches proposed heretofore are not optimal, and we propose and analyze two algorithms which are. Experimental data obtained by encoding a voiced speech sound point to superiority of the proposed implementation over earlier versions.
Stable phase transition control for robot arm motion

A nonlinear-feedback-based algorithm is combined with explicit force control to drive a rigid manipulator from free space to compliant motion. Force control is switched on when the sensors report a contact event. An event-based motion planning method is used. Physically sensible definitions for the stability of a phase transition are given. A nonlinear interaction force model is considered in the analysis. Conditions involving impact velocity are presented for a stable phase transition that allows a finite number of bounces before final contact is eventually established. A sufficient condition for bounceless landing is given. The results are verified by dynamic simulation, which is now in the process of experimental implementation. >
Use of Palivizumab in Primary Practice

OBJECTIVES: To describe the implementation of a program for the use of palivizumab in a general pediatrics office and evaluate adherence to the 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines. METHODS: Pediatricians in a large practice were educated in the diagnosis and management of bronchiolitis, with specific attention to the AAP’s palivizumab administration guidelines. During the 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 respiratory syncytial virus seasons, children were systematically identified and enrolled for palivizumab administration. Indication for administration was determined by gestational age, age at the beginning of the respiratory syncytial virus season, pertinent diagnoses, and presence of risk factors. RESULTS: In the 2009–2010 season, 161 children were enrolled to receive palivizumab, 86 of whom (53%) conformed with AAP guidelines. In contrast, in 2010–2011, a total of 85 children were enrolled to receive palivizumab, and 73 (86%) conformed with the guidelines. As a consequence, the total cost of palivizumab (US $: 511 559 vs 1 500 670) and the cost per child (US $: 6018 vs 9438) were lower in 2010–2011 than in 2009–2010. However, of the children selected within the AAP guidelines, only 29% received the appropriate number of doses, whereas 62% and 9% received fewer or excessive doses, respectively; these findings were similar for the 2 seasons. CONCLUSIONS: In a primary practice, use of palivizumab outside of the AAP guidelines was frequent and manifested as inadequate indications or inadequate number of doses. The former improved with education and standardization of care (suggesting provider problems), while the latter did not (suggesting system problems). Additional interventions are required. * Abbreviations: AAP — : American Academy of Pediatrics CHD — : congenital heart disease CHMPC — : Children’s Hospital Medical Practice Corporation CHNO — : Children’s Hospital of New Orleans CLD — : chronic lung disease GA — : gestational age HSCHD — : hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease RSV — : respiratory syncytial virus
An efficient algorithm for the three-dimensional analysis of passive microstrip components and discontinuities for microwave and millimeter-wave integrated circuits

A numerical technique for the full-wave analysis of shielded, passive microstrip components on a two-layer substrate is presented. The distinct feature of the technique is an efficient formulation for establishing the system matrix in the moment method procedure which allows the derivation of the elements of any large matrix by a linear combination of elements in a precomputed index table. The table is obtained from a two-dimensional discrete fast Fourier transform. In the moment method procedure, the two-dimensional surface current is represented by locally defined rooftop functions. The effect of the resonant modes associated with the metallic enclosure on the numerical procedure is examined. In order to demonstrate the features and the accuracy of the technique, numerical results for a microstrip open end and for a right-angle bend with and without the compensated corner are computed by using the resonant technique and are compared with other published computational and experimental data. >
Proposed framework for applying adaptive critics in real-time realm

Adaptive critics have shown much promise for designing optimal nonlinear controllers in an off-line context. Still, their greatest potential exists in the context Of reconfigurable control, that is, real time controller redesign in response to (substantial) changes in plant dynamics. To accomplish this, a framework is proposed for the application of adaptive critics in real-time control (for those critic methods requiring a model of the plant). The framework is presented in the context of work being done in reconfigurable flight control by the NW Computational Intelligence Lab (NWCIL) at Portland State University. The proposal incorporates recent work (by others) in fast and efficient on-line plant identification, considerations for bounding the computational costs of converging neural networks, and a novel approach (by us) toward the task of assuring system stability during the adaptation process. The potential and limitations of the proposed framework are discussed. It is suggested that with the recent rapid reduction in computational barriers, only certain theoretical issues remain as the central barriers to successful on-line application of the methods.
The Time-Marginalized Coalescent Prior for Hierarchical Clustering

We introduce a new prior for use in Nonparametric Bayesian Hierarchical Clustering. The prior is constructed by marginalizing out the time information of Kingman's coalescent, providing a prior over tree structures which we call the Time-Marginalized Coalescent (TMC). This allows for models which factorize the tree structure and times, providing two benefits: more flexible priors may be constructed and more efficient Gibbs type inference can be used. We demonstrate this on an example model for density estimation and show the TMC achieves competitive experimental results.
Flow Separation Control Using Nanosecond Pulse Driven DBD Plasma Actuators

This work continues an ongoing effort aimed at development and use of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators driven by repetitive nanosecond pulses for high Reynolds number aerodynamic flow control. These actuators are believed to influence the flow via a thermal mechanism which is fundamentally different from more commonly studied AC-DBD actuators. Leading edge separation control on an 8-inch chord NACA 0015 airfoil is demonstrated at various post-stall angles of attack for Mach numbers up to 0.26 (free stream velocity up to 93 m/s) and Reynolds numbers up to 1.15 X 106. The nanosecond (NS) pulse driven DBD is shown to extend the stall angle at low Reynolds numbers by functioning as an active trip. At post-stall angles of attack, the device is shown to excite shear layer instabilities and generate coherent spanwise vortices that transfer momentum from the freestream to the separated region, thus reattaching the flow. This is observed for all high Reynolds numbers and Mach numbers spanning th...
A Phase II trial of gemcitabine and mitoxantrone for patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first relapse.

Abstract Introduction We evaluated the complete remission (CR) rate in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first relapse treated with fixed-dose-rate gemcitabine and mitoxantrone. In addition, we measured multidrug resistance (MDR) proteins on pretreatment bone marrows and correlated expression with outcome. Patients and Methods The study was performed in a 2-stage design. Pretreatment bone marrows were assayed for the MDR proteins (LRP, MDR1, MRP1, SLC28-29A1/A2, ABCC4/C5, and GSTP1) by immunohistochemistry and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Only 5 of the first 24 patients (21%) achieved CR; therefore, the study was terminated. Eleven patients (46%) had poor-risk cytogenetics and the median duration of first CR was 7.3 months. Patients had significant expression of the various MDR genes, with 70% of patients expressing moderate to high levels of GSTP1 by immunohistochemistry. Higher sum total of ABCC4 and SLC29A2 expression measured by RT-PCR was associated with not achieving CR (20.6 vs. 12.1; P = .006). In addition, there was a trend for higher expression of the sum total of the 10 MDR genes (measured by RT-PCR) and not achieving CR ( P = .06). Conclusion The CR rate in this study was comparable to other regimens used in poor-risk patients. Of interest, ABCC4 and SLC29A2 expression were predictive of achieving CR. The high expression of GSTP1 suggests that this may be a therapeutic target for relapsed AML. Finally, the rapidity and ease of using RT-PCR to quantify MDR in this study may have clinical utility in future trials.
On sensing capacity of sensor networks for a class of linear observation models

In this paper we derive fundamental information theoretic upper and lower bounds to sensing capacity of sensor networks for several classes of linear observation models under fixed SNR. We define sensing capacity as the number of signal dimensions that can be reliably identified per sensor measurement. The signal sparsity plays an important role in this context. First we derive lower bounds to probability of error by extending the Fano's inequality to handle arbitrary distortion in reconstruction and continuous signal spaces. It turns out that a necessary condition for signal reconstruction to within an average distortion level is that the rate distortion at the given level of sparsity should be less than the mutual information between the signal and the observations. Through a suitable expansion of the mutual information term we isolate the effect of structure of the sensing matrix on sensing capacity. Subsequently we analyze this effect for several interesting classes of sensing matrices that arise naturally in the context of sensor networks under different scenarios. First we show the effect of sensing diversity - which is related to the field coverage per sensor- on sensing capacity for random ensembles of sensing matrices. We show that low diversity implies low sensing capacity. However sufficiently large diversity can be traded off for SNR and signal sparsity. Then we consider deterministic sensing matrices and evaluate a general upper bound to sensing capacity. As a special case we show that a random LTI filter type structure suffers from low diversity.
Factors Influencing Enrollment in the Medication Therapy Management Clinic at an Academic Ambulatory Care Clinic.

Purpose:In 2001, the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System (UI Health) established a pharmacist-run, referral-based medication therapy management clinic (MTMC). Referrals are obtained from any UI Health provider or by self-referral. Although there is a high volume of referrals, a large percentage of patients do not enroll. This study was designed to determine the various factors that influence patient enrollment in the MTMC.Methods:This study was a retrospective chart review of demographic and patient variable data during years 2010 and 2011. Disabilities, distance from MTMC, mode of transportation, past medical history, and appointment dates were extracted from the medical records. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 103 referrals were made; however, only 17% of patients remain enrolled in MTMC. The baseline demographics included a mean age of 63 years, 68% female, 70% African American, and 81% English speaking. Patie...
Combinations of physiologic estrogens with xenoestrogens alter calcium and kinase responses, prolactin release, and membrane estrogen receptor trafficking in rat pituitary cells

Background Xenoestrogens such as alkylphenols and the structurally related plastic byproduct bisphenol A have recently been shown to act potently via nongenomic signaling pathways and the membrane version of estrogen receptor-α. Though the responses to these compounds are typically measured individually, they usually contaminate organisms that already have endogenous estrogens present. Therefore, we used quantitative medium-throughput screening assays to measure the effects of physiologic estrogens in combination with these xenoestrogens.
Ensemble-Vis: A Framework for the Statistical Visualization of Ensemble Data

Scientists increasingly use ensemble data sets to explore relationships present in dynamic systems. Ensemble data sets combine spatio-temporal simulation results generated using multiple numerical models, sampled input conditions and perturbed parameters. While ensemble data sets are a powerful tool for mitigating uncertainty, they pose significant visualization and analysis challenges due to their complexity. In this article, we present Ensemble-Vis, a framework consisting of a collection of overview and statistical displays linked through a high level of interactivity. Ensemble-Vis allows scientists to gain key scientific insight into the distribution of simulation results as well as the uncertainty associated with the scientific data. In contrast to methods that present large amounts of diverse information in a single display, we argue that combining multiple linked displays yields a clearer presentation of the data and facilitates a greater level of visual data analysis. We demonstrate our framework using driving problems from climate modeling and meteorology and discuss generalizations to other fields.
The Reference Model for Open Systems Interconnection

In the mid-1970s, the development and use of resource-sharing computer networks began to achieve considerable attention. The early successes of the arpanet [1] and cyclades [2], the immediate commercial potential of packet switching, satellite, and local network technology, and the declining cost of hardware made it apparent that computer networking was quickly becoming an important area of innovation and commerce. It was also apparent that to utilize the full potential of such computer networks, international standards would be required to ensure that any system could communicate with any other system anywhere in the world.
Genes and pathways affected by CAG-repeat RNA-based toxicity in Drosophila

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 is one of the polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases, which are caused by a CAG-repeat expansion within the coding region of the associated genes. The CAG repeat specifies glutamine, and the expanded polyQ domain mutation confers dominant toxicity on the protein. Traditionally, studies have focused on protein toxicity in polyQ disease mechanisms. Recent findings, however, demonstrate that the CAG-repeat RNA, which encodes the toxic polyQ protein, also contributes to the disease in Drosophila. To provide insights into the nature of the RNA toxicity, we extracted brain-enriched RNA from flies expressing a toxic CAG-repeat mRNA (CAG100) and a non-toxic interrupted CAA/G mRNA repeat (CAA/G105) for microarray analysis. This approach identified 160 genes that are differentially expressed specifically in CAG100 flies. Functional annotation clustering analysis revealed several broad ontologies enriched in the CAG100 gene list, including iron ion binding and nucleotide binding. Intriguingly, transcripts for the Hsp70 genes, a powerful suppressor of polyQ and other human neurodegenerative diseases, were also upregulated. We therefore tested and showed that upregulation of heat shock protein 70 mitigates CAG-repeat RNA toxicity. We then assessed whether other modifiers of the pathogenic, expanded Ataxin-3 polyQ protein could also modify the CAG-repeat RNA toxicity. This approach identified the co-chaperone Tpr2, the transcriptional regulator Dpld, and the RNA-binding protein Orb2 as modifiers of both polyQ protein toxicity and CAG-repeat RNA-based toxicity. These findings suggest an overlap in the mechanisms of RNA and protein-based toxicity, providing insights into the pathogenicity of the RNA in polyQ disease.
Discordant circulating fetal DNA and subsequent cytogenetics reveal false negative, placental mosaic, and fetal mosaic cfDNA genotypes

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) Societies recommended that abnormal cfDNA fetal results should be confirmed by amniocentesis and karyotyping. Our results demonstrate that normal cfDNA results inconsistent with high-resolution abnormal ultrasounds should be confirmed by karyotyping following a substantial frequency of incorrect cfDNA results. Historical review of our ~4,000 signed prenatal karyotypes found ~24% of reported abnormalities would not have been detected by cfDNA. Akron Children’s Hospital Cytogenetics Laboratory has completed 28 abnormal cfDNA cases among the 112 amniocenteses karyotyped. Following abnormal cfDNA results our karyotypes confirmed only 60% of the cfDNA results were consistent. Our cases found a normal cfDNA test result followed by a 20 weeks anatomical ultrasound detected a false negative trisomy 18 cfDNA result. One cfDNA result that reported trisomy 21 in the fetus was confirmed by karyotyping which also added an originally undetected balanced reciprocal translocation. Another reported karyotyped case followed by a repeated microarray of pure fetal DNA, together revealed one phenotypically normal newborn with a complex mosaic karyotype substantially decreasing the newborn’s eventual reproductive fitness. This second case establishes the importance of karyotyping the placenta and cord or peripheral blood when inconsistent or mosaic results are identified following an abnormal cfDNA result with a normal newborn phenotype without a prenatal karyotype. These Maternal Fetal Medicine referrals demonstrate that positive NIPT results identify an increased abnormal karyotypic frequency as well as a substantial proportion of discordant fetal results. Our results found: (1) a normal NIPT test result followed by a 20 week anatomical ultrasound detected a false negative trisomy 18 NIPT result, (2) a substantial proportion of abnormal NIPT tests identify chromosomal mosaicism that may or may not be confined to the placenta, (3) follow up karyotyping should be completed on the newborn placenta and peripheral blood when the amniocyte karyotype does not confirm the NIPT reported abnormality in order to identify ongoing risk of developing mosaic symptoms, and (4) karyotyping all high risk fetuses tested by amniocentesis defines the 24% of chromosome abnormalities not currently screened by NIPT.
CORRELATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD RELATIONSHIPS, CARBON ASSIMILATION, AND WATER STATUS OF SAGEBRUSH SEEDLINGS ESTABLISHING AFTER FIRE

Abstract Interactions of Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana (mountain big sagebrush) and neighboring herbs may affect community development following fire in sagebrush steppe. Dry mass, photosynthesis, and water relations were measured for seedlings of A. tridentata ssp. vaseyana occurring at different distances from neighboring herbs in the initial growing seasons following fire, when herbs dominate plant community cover. Seedling mass significantly increased as distance to neighboring herbs increased, although a low r2 indicated that mass was also affected by other sources of variation. Carbon assimilation (Anet) was also greater for A. tridentata ssp. vaseyana seedlings in microsites farther from herbs, except during those sampling dates when Anet and water availability were at low levels. Contrary to our expectations, water status of seedlings was not correlated with their distances to neighboring herbs, and supplemental watering did not affect the slope of the relationship between seedling mass and d...
Design of the Study

Variation in Lake Dillon and its watershed was quantified by a dual sampling program, one part of which was designed primarily to provide detailed information for a few sites on many dates and the second to provide a detailed picture of spatial variation on a smaller number of dates. These two approaches were supplemented by special data collection programs of more limited scope whose purpose was to provide information that would not necessarily be forthcoming from the routine studies. The Lake Dillon Study is thus supported by three data sets: (1) time series, (2) spatial survey, and (3) special studies.
Well posedness of nonlinear casual feedback systems

Consider a discrete time, causal, MIMO system whose input-output operator C maps the space of norm square summable RN-valued sequences lN 2[0,?) to itself. Our concern is the feedback systems
Effects of oral contraceptives on diazepam-induced psychomotor impairment

Eight young women taking oral contraceptives and 10 young men each received three different doses of diazepam, 0.07, 0.14, and 0.28 mg/kg. The women also received each dose both on days 10 and 28 of an oral contraceptive cycle. Performance based on both a psychomotor and cognitive-encoding task was significantly impaired after a 0.28-mg/kg dose of diazepam in women taking oral contraceptives and in men. In general, however, impairment in performance was less on day 10 than on day 28 of the oral contraceptive cycle. The onset of behavioral impairment was also slower on cycle day 10 than on day 28; peak impairment was reached at 20 min after dosing for men and women on day 28, but at 60 min for women on day 10. The cycle phase effects are potentially dangerous because of their unexpected nature. Individuals may obtain an expectation of intoxication based on the 21-day OC period yet experience capriciously greater acute impairment during their 7-day menstrual pause.
A content analyses of guided imagery scripts: a strategy for the development of cultural adaptations

This paper proposes a first step in deciding whether it is necessary to develop a cultural adaptation by comparing the cultural characteristics of an intervention with the same characteristics of a specific group. Larger cultural differences suggest a greater need to conduct a cultural adaptation. This recommendation stems from the cultural match theory (CMT) which, explains that therapeutic outcomes increase as interventions are more similar to the cultural characteristics of specific treatment groups. However, the CMT has rarely been tested, partly because strategies to effectively measure the cultural characteristics of an intervention are still lacking. This article addresses this gap by assessing two dimensions of the self-orientation relevant to cultural adaptations, namely, idiocentrism--the tendency to define oneself in isolation from others--and allocentrism--the tendency to define oneself in relationship to others--through a content analysis of guided imagery scripts. Two independent evaluators analyzed 123 guided imagery scripts (published during 1989-2008) using 6 theoretically derived categories to analyze idiocentrism versus allocentrism. Results indicated that idiocentric elements were 1.5 to 52.3 times more frequently used than were allocentric ones. The implications of these findings for the development of culturally adapted interventions are discussed.
Statistical Contributions to Proteomic Research

Proteomic profiling has the potential to impact the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of various diseases. A number of different proteomic technologies are available that allow us to look at many proteins at once, and all of them yield complex data that raise significant quantitative challenges. Inadequate attention to these quantitative issues can prevent these studies from achieving their desired goals, and can even lead to invalid results. In this chapter, we describe various ways the involvement of statisticians or other quantitative scientists in the study team can contribute to the success of proteomic research, and we outline some of the key statistical principles that should guide the experimental design and analysis of such studies.
New objects do not capture attention without a sensory transient.

Attention capture occurs when a stimulus event involuntarily recruits attention. The abrupt appearance of a new object is perhaps the most well-studied attention-capturing event, yet there is debate over the root cause of this capture. Does a new object capture attention because it involves the creation of a new object representation or because its appearance creates a characteristic luminance transient? The present study sought to resolve this question by introducing a new object into a search display, either with or without a unique luminance transient. Contrary to the results of a recent study (Davoli, Suszko, & Abrams, 2007), when the new objects transient was masked by a brief interstimulus interval introduced between the placeholder and search arrays, a new object did not capture attention. Moreover, when a new objects transient was masked, participants could not locate a new object efficiently even when that was their explicit goal. Together, these data suggest that luminance transient signals are necessary for attention capture by new objects.
Schizophrenia: The Characteristic Symptoms

The specific symptoms that have been felt to characterize schizophrenia have varied widely over time and across cultures, as has the diagnostic and prognostic importance placed on these symptoms. In this report, the historical concepts of what constitutes the "characteristic symptoms" of schizophrenia are reviewed in the context of the development of DSM-IV. Through the existing literatures as well as through previously unpublished data sets, the dimensions of reliability, specificity, validity, and descriptive value of the various signs and symptoms used to classify schizophrenia are explored. In addition, the structure of the DSM-III-R definition of schizophrenia with that of the proposed revisions of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) are contrasted, demonstrating several potentially meaningful differences. It is concluded that a comprehensive description of the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia should place a strong emphasis on both positive and negative symptoms. Principles and approaches to guide the development of DSM-IV are suggested.
Indigenous Migration and Social Change : The Forasteros of Cuzco, 1570-1720

Many observers in colonial Spanish America—whether clerical, governmental, or foreign—noted the large numbers of forasteros, or Indians who were not seemingly attached to any locality. These migrants, or “wanderers,” offended the bureaucratic sensibilities of the Spanish administration, as they also frustrated their tax and revenue efforts. Ann M. Wightman’s research on these early “undocumentals” in the Cuzco region of Peru reveals much of importance on Andean society and its adaptation and resistance to Spanish cultural and political hegemony. The book thereby informs our understanding of social change in the colonial period. Wightman shows that the dismissal of the forasteros as marginalized rural poor is superficial at best, and through laborious and painstaking archival research she presents a clear picture of the transformation of traditional society as the native populations coped with the disruptions of the conquest—and in doing so, reveals the reciprocal adaptations of the colonial power. Her choice of Cuzco is particularly appropriate, as this was a “heartland” region crucial to both the Incan and Spanish empires. The questions addressed by Wightman are of great concern to current Andean ethnohistory, one of the liveliest areas of such research, and are sure to have an important impact.
The distracted nurse.

“A reduced visual field or a diverted attention away from the patient may result in a healthcare provider not recogniz ing potent ia l complications, such as a low reservoir level or a disconnected tube.” IN AN EFFORT to curb medical errors, hospitals have spent a great deal of money on computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices so health care providers have instant access to patient data, drug information, or medical reference material. Unfortunately, like many innovations, this solution has come with an unintended downside—health care providers focusing on electronic devices and away from the patient. It also allows health care providers to do nonwork-related tasks, such as texting friends, answering personal e-mails, or surfing the Web, even during moments of critical care. A new study has been published showing that half of health care workers running bypass machines admitted texting while performing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB; Smith, Darling, & Searles, 2011). This phenomenon has set off discussions in many medical settings of a problem, which has been described as “distracted doctoring.” In response, some hospitals have begun limiting the use of electronic devices in critical settings, and some nursing schools have started reminding students to focus on patients instead of devices, even as they are being handed more electronic tools. Among the respondents, 36.1% reported having a hospital policy regarding cell phone use, whereas 16.4% had a department policy. In the peer-reviewed survey of 439 health care workers published this year, 55.6% admitted to using a cell phone during the performance of CPB (Smith et al., 2011). Sending text messages while performing CPB was acknowledged by 49.2%, with clear generational differenced detected when cross-referenced with age groups. Younger respondents were more likely to use a cell phone while on CPB than were older respondents. For smart phone features, health care workers report having accessed e-mail (21%), having used the Internet (15.1%), or having checked/posted
Thermoviscoelastic Stresses for Moving Temperature Fields

A method of integration of equations of linear thermoviscoelasticity, when the medium is subjected to moving temperature fields, is developed. The method may be regarded as the extension of Goodier’s method for thermoelasticity theory. Closed-form solutions to stress fields associated with moving heat sources in unbounded standard linear solids or in unlimited standard linear plates are constructed.
Synthesis of field performance of remote sensing strategies for condition assessment of in-service bridges in Michigan

The current state of the national bridge infrastructure network highlights the need for solutions to mitigate the evolution of deterioration, but also the need to develop innovative solutions to evaluate conditions on regular intervals. Solutions to this evaluation challenge need to be cost-effective and not interrupt traffic, but also need to align with current assessment strategies for adoption. The concept of remote sensing applied to transportation infrastructure evaluation presents a viable option, as the tools are noninvasive and can be used to provide analogous information to that which is typically collected through standard evaluation practices. This paper presents the results of a field study focusing on the deployment of commercially available remote sensing technologies for evaluating in-service bridges. The selected remote sensing technologies were used on three concrete bridges in the State of Michigan to evaluate the capabilities of each technology and their ability to provide condition measurements comparable to those derived from traditional hands-on inspection practices typical for in-service bridges. Results from the field study highlight that these technologies do provide comparable and even more comprehensive condition measurements in a more efficient manner than standard practice, but also highlights the need for the fusion of measurement techniques to provide a more robust condition assessment.
Investigating the Impact of Interactive Immersive Virtual Reality Environments in Enhancing Task Performance in Online Engineering Design Activities

The objective of this paper is to test the hypothesis that immersive virtual reality environments such as those achievable through the head-mounted displays, enhance task performance in online engineering design activities. In this paper, task performance is measured by the time to complete a given engineering activity. Over the last decade, a wide range of virtual reality applications have been developed based on non-immersive and immersive virtual reality systems for educational purposes. However, a major limitation of non-immersive virtual reality systems is the lack of an immersive experience that not only provides content to students, but also enables them to interact and learn in a completely 360 degree immersive environment. The authors of this work have developed a replica of a physical engineering laboratory in an interactive virtual learning environment. This research measures the difference in task performance between i) students exposed to an immersive virtual reality system and ii) students exposed to a non-immersive virtual reality system, in the interactive virtual environment developed by the research team. This research seeks to explore whether statistically significant differences in performance exist between these groups. Knowledge gained from testing this hypothesis will inform educators about the value and impact of immersive virtual reality technologies in enhancing online education. A case study involving 54 students in a product functional analysis task is used to test the hypothesis.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
A stochastic damage model for the rupture prediction of a multi-phase solid. I - Parametric studies. II - Statistical approach

A stochastic damage model for predicting the rupture of a brittle multiphase material is developed, based on the microcrack-macrocrack interaction. The model, which incorporates uncertainties in locations, orientations, and numbers of microcracks, characterizes damage by microcracking and fracture by macrocracking. A parametric study is carried out to investigate the change of the stress intensity at the macrocrack tip by the configuration of microcracks. The inherent statistical distribution of the fracture toughness arising from the intrinsic random nature of microcracks is explored using a statistical approach. For this purpose, a computer simulation model is introduced, which incorporates a statistical characterization of geometrical parameters of a random microcrack array.
Woman's Place: National Differences in the Occupational Mosaic

still largely confined to traditionally female occupations. Their pay, even when they work full-time year-round, is still only three-fifths as much as that of men. Nor is this considered surprising. Many laymen and social scientists alike assure us that this is not only the way it is, but the way it has been and presumably will be. In other words, biology is destiny. There is considerable agreement about the basic facts and their immediate causes. While women now constitute about 40% of the labor force, as opposed to 26% in 1940 and 15% in 1870, this continues to be substantially less than the proportion of women in the population. A larger proportion of women than men work part time; about 29% of women in the labor market, compared to 11% of men. The earnings of women who are employed full time are lower than the earnings of men who are employed full time because women tend to be in lower paying occupations than men. The earnings of women are lower than those of men in the same occupation because women tend to be at lower levels within occupations and because they tend to be employed in lower paying firms.
Clinical leprosy in Japan

The Leprosy Prevention Law was abolished at the end of March, 1996. Since medical insurance for leprosy started in April, 1996, dermatologists in clinics have to take care of leprosy patients. However, dermatologists have not learned enough about leprosy, and only a few of them are familiar with it. Japanese patients newly diagnosed with leprosy in Japan have decreasing, and patients who come from foreign countries to work in Japan have more important in leprosy control. Therefore, it is important to educate dermatologists about leprosy. Recently, diagnostic guides including information about network systems have become available in book stores. It is possible to obtain all kinds of information about leprosy from the network systems.
Graduated Flood Risks and Property Prices in Galveston County

Our hedonic property analysis approach in Galveston County, Texas aims at estimating the impacts of flood risks and water-related amenities in a more systematic way. First, we interact distance to the nearest coastline and flood risk in order to account for these impacts acting together on housing sales prices in our coastal community. Second, we use more granular flood risk measure in the analysis compared to the existing literature. Results show that the hedonic price effect is dependent upon the distance to the nearest coastline, and as expected the distance effect varies by flood risk type. We find that in this coastal housing market properties located in the highest risk flood area, for up to nearly a quarter mile from the nearest coastline, actually command a price premium. A recent movement toward risk-based flood insurance premiums in the United States was deeply opposed by the real estate sector for fear of causing property values to steeply decline. This analysis sheds some further light on this depressed property value assertion highlighting its sensitivity to distance to the water.
Age-related impairments in skeletal muscle PDH phosphorylation and plasma lactate are indicative of metabolic inflexibility and the effects of exercise training.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether plasma lactate and skeletal muscle glucose regulatory pathways, specifically PDH dephosphorylation, are impaired during hyperinsulinemic condition...
Detrusor-sphincter Dyssynergia and Dyssynergic Responses: Recognition and Rationale for Early Modified Transurethral Sphincterotomy in Complete Spinal Cord Injury Lesions

Abstract: Some characteristics are described for detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and the dyssynergic response in spinal injury patients with complete lesions. The urodynamic evaluation and clinical problems are analyzed in 53 patients to identify the importance of early recognition of sphincter dyssynergia. Cystomanometric and urethral profile pressures vary from 30 to 150cm. water. Although high voiding pressure, particularly associated with autonomic dysreflexia, may be indicative of sphincter dyssynergia it is not diagnostic. Relevant characteristics of patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia are 1) rhythmic detrusor contractions on cystomanometry with associated marked increase in electromyographic activity of the external urethral sphincter or 2) an areflexic bladder with concomitant increase in electromyographic activity on attempted voiding. These characteristics enable early recognition of dyssynergia and afford expediency in its management. The modified approach to external sphincterotomy as ...