cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adolescent Experience With Parental Cancer and Involvement With Medical Professionals: A Heuristic Phenomenological Inquiry:

Experiencing the death of a loved one can be a difficult occurrence. Adolescents, in particular, experience death in a unique way. Yet there is relatively little research on adolescents’ experience...
Is There a Signaling Effect of Underwriter Reputation

In this paper we examine the effect of underwriter reputation on the abnormal return due to an announcement to issue seasoned new equity. After controlling for other factors that relate asymmetric information to abnormal returns, underwriter reputation still significantly reduces the magnitude of negative announcement effect. We also develop a procedure to extract a signaling component from the measure of underwriter reputation. We show that the signaling component of underwriter reputation positively and significantly affects abnormal returns. This result supports the notion that issuing firms use underwriter reputation as an effective instrument to signal that their stocks are not overvalued.
An intraoperative laterally placed distractor for gradual load sharing correction of severe spastic neuromuscular spinal deformity

To analyze the overall deformity correction for severe neuromuscular scoliosis using laterally placed intra-operative distraction and compare to those receiving standard surgical technique. This was a retrospective, IRB-approved, cohort study of patients with GMFCS 4 or 5 spastic cerebral palsy with neuromuscular scoliosis, age greater than 10 years, who underwent posterior spinal fusion from 2007 to 2019. All patients had vectored cervical traction with Gardner-Wells tongs, with hips flexed in a relative sitting position. The study cohort underwent intraoperative, laterally placed correction using a distractor placed between two upper ribs and the ipsilateral greater trochanter while the control cohort did not. The 24 study patients were compared to 22 control patients. Preoperative comparisons identified significant differences in Cobb angle, preoperative flexibility, and pelvic obliquity with the study group having larger, stiffer deformities with greater obliquity. There were no differences in pre-operative sagittal plane deformity. Mean post-operative upright Cobb angle correction was 67.3° ± 14.8° in the study and 55.3° ± 9.9° in the control group, representing a 66% and 60% correction, respectively. No neurological or other complications were noted from the use of this technique. The use of a laterally placed distraction device from upper ribs to ipsilateral greater trochanter allowed gradual lateral un-bending of large stiff neuromuscular spine deformities with greater correction than that of standard technique. In this small series, the technique allowed load-sharing during correction, with hips remaining in a functional sitting position, and without neurological complications. Level III—retrospective cohort study.
Weighted Gaussian Process Bandits for Non-stationary Environments.

In this paper, we consider the Gaussian process (GP) bandit optimization problem in a non-stationary environment. To capture external changes, the black-box function is allowed to be time-varying within a reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS). To this end, we develop WGP-UCB, a novel UCB-type algorithm based on weighted Gaussian process regression. A key challenge is how to cope with infinite-dimensional feature maps. To that end, we leverage kernel approximation techniques to prove a sublinear regret bound, which is the first (frequentist) sublinear regret guarantee on weighted time-varying bandits with general nonlinear rewards. This result generalizes both non-stationary linear bandits and standard GP-UCB algorithms. Further, a novel concentration inequality is achieved for weighted Gaussian process regression with general weights. We also provide universal upper bounds and weight-dependent upper bounds for weighted maximum information gains. These results are potentially of independent interest for applications such as news ranking and adaptive pricing, where weights can be adopted to capture the importance or quality of data. Finally, we conduct experiments to highlight the favorable gains of the proposed algorithm in many cases when compared to existing methods.
Improving Cone-Beam CT Angiography for Prostatic Artery Embolization: Is a Low-Dose Protocol Equivalent to the Standard?

PURPOSE To compare the utility of low-dose versus standard cone-beam computed tomography (CT) angiography protocols in identifying nontarget embolization (NTE) during prostatic artery embolization (PAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective, single-center, Phase-1 study (NCT02592473) was conducted for lower urinary tract symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prostate volume, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life score (QoL), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), peak flow rate, UCLA Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI), and postvoid residual were recorded at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24-months after PAE. Six-second (standard protocol, n = 29) or 5-second (low-dose protocol n = 45) rotations were made. Images were selected and matched in pairs by areas of NTE and compared by readers using a binomial generalized estimating equation model. Procedural outcomes were analyzed using a linear mixed model. RESULTS Seventy-four cone-beam CT angiographies were performed in 21 patients. IPSS and QoL scores significantly improved (P <.05). There was no change in UCLA-PCI or IIEF scores. Dose area product of the low- and standard-dose protocol were 37,340.82 mGy·cm2 ± 104.66 and 62,645.66 mGy·cm2 ± 12,711.48, respectively, representing a dose reduction of 40.4%. A total of 120 comparisons showed no preference between the 2 protocols (P =.24). Observers identified 76 and 69 instances of NTE in the standard- and low-dose protocols, respectively (P =.125). CONCLUSIONS Low-dose cone-beam CT angiography achieved equivalent clinical utility in identifying NTE during PAE, with the advantage of a lower radiation dose.
Synopsis of Ozobryum (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta), and Sequential Bayes Evaluation of Genus Integrity

Ozobryum G. L. Merr., once synonymized with Molendoa Lindb., is recognized as a good genus of Pottiaceae based on evaluation of it as a distinctive dissilient genus. Populations from Mexico are described as a new species, O. mexicanum R. H. Zander. The species Anoectangium warburgii Crundw. & M. O. Hill is transferred to Ozobryum. The genus is synthetically evaluated as integral in respect to other genera of the Pleuroweisieae through combination of critical methods of probabilism, including scientific theory, Granger causation, and verificationism, and of evidentialism, including constructivism, likelihoodism, Bayesianism, and analytic methods of classical taxonomy.
Revitalizing Section 5 of the FTC Act Using “Consumer Choice” Analysis

This paper makes two points. First, Section 5 of the FTC Act, properly construed, is indeed significantly broader and more encompassing than the Sherman Act or Clayton Act. Section 5 violations include incipient violations of the other antitrust laws, and also violations of their policy or spirit. Second, the best - and probably the only - way to interpret Section 5 in an expansive manner is to do so in a way that also is relatively definite, predictable, principled and clearly bounded. This best can be done if Section 5 is articulated using the consumer choice framework. Without the discipline and constraints provided by this framework, the FTC Act risks becoming unduly standardless. Unless the Commission uses the choice framework, any attempt to construe Section 5 that goes beyond the other antitrust laws risks being viewed as giving undue discretion to the Commission, and for this reason probably will not be permitted by reviewing courts. The paper also presents three illustrations of how this could make a beneficial difference in practice: situations similar to the N Data case, invitations to collude, and incipient tying and exclusive dealing violations.
Superadditivity of communication capacity using entangled inputs

The additivity conjecture of quantum information theory implies that entanglement cannot, even in principle, help to funnel more classical information through a quantum-communication channel. A counterexample shows that this conjecture is false. The design of error-correcting codes used in modern communications relies on information theory to quantify the capacity of a noisy channel to send information1. This capacity can be expressed using the mutual information between input and output for a single use of the channel; although correlations between subsequent input bits are used to correct errors, they cannot increase the capacity. For quantum channels, it has been an open question whether entangled input states can increase the capacity to send classical information2. The additivity conjecture3,4 states that entanglement does not help, making practical computations of the capacity possible. Although additivity is widely believed to be true, there is no proof. Here, we show that additivity is false, by constructing a random counter-example. Our results show that the most basic question of classical capacity of a quantum channel remains open, with further work needed to determine in which other situations entanglement can boost capacity.
Achievable rates for MIMO fading channels with limited feedback

Channel information at the transmitter can simplify the coding scheme and increase the achievable data rate over a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) fading channel. Feedback from the receiver can be used to specify a precoding matrix, which selectively activates the strongest channel modes. We evaluate the sum data rate per receive antenna when the precoding matrix is quantized with a random vector quantization (RVQ) scheme, assuming a matched filter, or linear minimum mean squared error (MMSE) receiver. Our results are asymptotic as the number of transmit and receive antennas increases with fixed ratio, for a fixed number of feedback bits per dimension. Numerical results show that given a target spectral efficiency, the amount of feedback required by the linear MMSE receiver is only slightly more than that required by the optimal receiver, whereas the matched filter can require significantly more feedback. We also compare these results with a simpler reduced-rank scheme for quantizing the precoding matrix.
Architectural approaches to limiting the criticality of commercial-off-the-shelf (or other re-used software) components in avionics systems

There are several known architectural techniques available with at least the potential to ameliorate some of the hazards associated with the use of lower assurance level commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) or previously-developed-software (PDS) components in avionics system requiring overall assurance at a higher level. But using these techniques, either singly or in combination, is not likely to be quite as simple as extreme optimists might like it to be - under some circumstances, it might not even be cost-effective at all. But given the requisite meticulous and extensive engineering analysis of the factors discussed in this paper (and probably numerous others as well), the techniques discussed here can be considered as at least potentially part of the avionics software engineering armamentarium.
Supreme Court, International Law & President Bush

While overshadowed by rulings concerning the rights of detainees, executive power and judicial review in the war on terror, the Supreme Court recently issued three surprisingly significant decisions on international law. These cases show a realistic reaffirmation by the Supreme Court of international law's central importance to U.S. jurisprudence, the rejection of a post-war conservative belittlement as well as an apparent disdain for it, and a prudent determination of Congressional intent and judicial precedent in global commerce. While dealing with quite technical issues of the federal courts' subject-matter jurisdiction in alien torts, sovereign immunity and antitrust, these three decisions suggest a return to pragmatism by the Supreme Court. Taken together they provide a sensible balancing of foreign policy concerns within the context of the separation of powers and foreign relations. They also serve as a counterweight to the political degradation of international law that started with the Reagan-Bush era and continued through the current Bush administration.
Frequency sampling of the short-time Fourier-transform magnitude for signal reconstruction

Unique recovery of a signal from the magnitude (modulus) of the Fourier transform has been of long-standing interest in image and optical processing in which Fourier-transform phase is lost or difficult to measure. We investigate an alternative problem of recovering a signal from the Fourier-transform magnitude of overlapping regions of the signal, i.e., from the short-time (or -space) Fourier-transform magnitude. Recently it was established that a discrete-time signal x (n) can be uniquely obtained under mild restrictions from its short-time Fourier-transform magnitude. In this paper we extend this result to the case when the short-time Fourier-transform magnitude is known at only one or two frequencies for each n. We also present a recursive algorithm for recovering a sequence from such samples and demonstrate the algorithm with an example.
Semi-classical approximation to the octic double well oscillator☆

Abstract We show that it is possible to calculate the energy levels and splittings in the octic double well potential by semi-classical methods-although dilute gas instanton techniques are not applicable. Numerical results are given and compared to other estimates.
Genetic regulation of plasma cholinesterase in man.

Summary Individual variation in response to succinylcholine has stimulated investigations on the variations and genetic control of serum cholinesterase in man. It has been found that the level of cholinesterase varies from essentially no detectable activity to exceedingly high levels due to a number of different genetic mutations. Qualitative variations in the esterase are also inherited. The most common variant of the latter type is the atypical (dibucaine resistant) cholinesterase which differs from the normal esterase in its lower apparent affinity for choline ester substrates and for a number of inhibitors. On the basis of evidence derived from kinetic experiments, both the anionic site and the esteratic site of the atypical esterase are modified. These changes may be due to a difference in the primary structure of the enzyme at one position which affects both sites of the active center of the enzyme. The modified kinetic properties of the atypical esterase are expressed in both the major component (C4) and the minor components (C1, C2 and C3) of the enzyme which is present in serum in multiple molecular forms. Component C4 (molecular weight of about 300,000) can be converted to component C3 by treatment with urea, and the latter transformed to a C1-like component by sulfhydryl reagents. Both C1 components (native and derived) have molecular weights of about 80,000 and are approximately one-fourth as large as C4. This information should be useful in further studies on the structure of variant forms of the esterase and how the structural alterations account for altered kinetic properties of the variant cholinesterases.
A two-step representation of accounting measurement

An essay is presented which focuses on a two-step representation of accounting measurement and shows that it can improve one's understanding of accounting's institutional features. The first step focuses on a transaction's economic substance which is seen in different transaction characteristics. The second step is a measurement rule for mapping from transaction characteristics to an accounting report.
CYCLOREVERSION OF RHENIUM(V) DIOLATES CONTAINING THE HYDRIDOTRIS(3,5-DIMETHYLPYRAZOLYL)BORATE ANCILLARY LIGAND

Hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)boratorhenium(V) diolates cyclorevert to Tp‘ReO3 and alkene at elevated temperatures in nonpolar solvents. Comparison of activation parameters to those of the anal...
Optimizing the performance of smart wells in complex reservoirs using continuously updated geological models

Optimizing the operation of smart wells (i.e., wells with downhole chokes and sensors) remains a challenge, particularly in light of geological uncertainty. In this paper a combined valve optimization and history-matching procedure is presented and applied. The overall approach allows for the continuous updating of the geological model using data inferred from downhole sensors. The method uses numerically computed gradients, generated using a commercial reservoir simulator for function evaluations, for the valve optimization in conjunction with a probability perturbation approach for the history matching. The methodology is applied to three examples involving both variogram and multiple point geostatistical models. For these cases, using the proposed methodology, oil production is shown to be nearly equal to that achieved using optimized valves with known geology, indicating the potential benefits of the overall approach. In one of the cases, optimization over multiple history-matched models provides significant improvement over optimizing with a single model.
Validation of a Simple Camera Navigation Trainer

Background One laparoscopic skill that is rarely addressed is proper use of the 30-degree laparoscope. Lack of knowledge and training with an angled laparoscope can result in less than optimal visualization. The purpose of this study is to validate a simple and efficient camera navigation trainer. Study Design Thirty-four medical students from Baylor College of Medicine participated. Their use of a 30-degree laparoscope was assessed. In task A, subjects were asked to demonstrate a series of views corresponding to the position of the light cord. In task B, subjects had to correctly demonstrate views of a three-dimensional model of a liver, intestines, and abdominal wall. Subjects then underwent a brief training session, followed by a self-directed, 10-minute practice session. Last, they were retested in tasks A and B. Results Sixteen students (47.1%) had prior experience using a laparoscope. At baseline testing, 0 of 34 novices were able to demonstrate the intended views in task A, but at posttraining the mean success rate was 99.5% (p Conclusions After a simple and brief training session, novices were able to effectively use the 30-degree laparoscope using the established verbal cues. The simplicity of this training module provides an efficient method of training novice camera operators both within and outside the operating room.
New challenges for application of robotics and automation in space research

The presentation will cover the challenges in two major NASA space missions: 1) Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), currently on way to planet Mars with expected landing there in early August this (2012) year after more than 8 months travel with 13 thousands km. hourly speed. The MSL will search for past or current life possibilities on Mars since existence of water -“the bed of life” - has been verified several times during previous NASA visits on Mars. 2) The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) under construction for several years and planned to start operation in 2016 in a heliocentric orbit at 1.5 million km distance from Earth. The JWST will carry out several searches in the cosmos, among them it will try to determine when did visible light first appear in the cosmos.
Analysis of hemlock pollen size in Holocene lake sediments from New England

We explored the middle-Holocene decline of Tsuga canadensis by measuring the diameters of pollen grains in two lake-sediment cores from New England. We hypothesized that a drop in pollen size at the time of the decline followed by an increase in pollen diameters as Tsuga recovered during the late Holocene might indicate reduced abundance of Tsuga in the vicinity of the lake during the decline, as smaller pollen grains travel farther than larger ones. To provide context for this hypothesis, we also measured the diameters of Tsuga pollen grains in the surface sediments of sites spanning the modern-day gradient of Tsuga in New England. Both fossil records exhibited a reduction in pollen size during the interval of the middle-Holocene decline, with diameters similar to those observed in the upper sediments of those sites, yet larger than Tsuga pollen grains in the surface sediments of coastal sites beyond the modern range of Tsuga. This pattern suggests that Tsuga persisted in scattered, low-density populations during the middle Holocene, as it has remained on the landscape since European settlement.
Adaptive NC Path Generation From Massive Point Data With Bounded Error

This paper presents an approach for generating curvature-adaptive finishing tool paths with bounded error directly from massive point data in three-axis computer numerical control (CNC) milling. This approach uses the moving least-squares (MLS) surface as the underlying surface representation. A closed-form formula for normal curvature computation is derived from the implicit form of MLS surfaces. It enables the generation of curvature-adaptive tool paths from massive point data that is critical for balancing the trade-off between machining accuracy and speed. To ensure the path accuracy and robustness for arbitrary surfaces where there might be an abrupt curvature change, a novel guidance field algorithm is introduced. It overcomes potential excessive locality of curvature-adaptive paths by examining the neighboring points' curvature within a self-updating search bound. Our results affirm that the combination of curvature-adaptive path generation and the guidance field algorithm produces high-quality numerical control (NC) paths from a variety of point cloud data with bounded error
Nativity Concentration and Internal Migration among the Foreign-Born*

Are immigrants who live in states where large numbers of their compatriots reside more or less likely to migrate than those who live in other states? Using 1980 U.S. Census data to address that question, the analysis shows that nativity concentration deters interstate migration but not migration within the same state. Residing in a state where fellow nationals live is a more important determinant of internal migration than human capital, immigration status, or a state’s unemployment rate. New York State residence in 1975 also promotes interstate migration. This research suggests that social dimensions should be taken into account in modeling internal migration of the foreign-born.
Development of a predictive optimization model for the compressive strength of sodium activated fly ash based geopolymer pastes

Abstract As concerns about global CO2 emissions grow, there exists a need for widespread commercialization of lower emission building materials such as geopolymers. The commercialization of geopolymers is currently impeded by the high variability of the materials used for their synthesis and limited knowledge of the interrelationships between mix design variables. To overcome these barriers, this work demonstrates a relationship between the compressive strength and the chemical design variables derived from experimental data using genetic programming. The developed model indicates the main chemical factors responsible for the compressive strength of sodium activated geopolymers are the contents of Na2O, reactive SiO2, and H2O. The contents of reactive Al2O3 and CaO were found to not have a significant impact on the compressive strength. The optimization model is shown to predict the compressive strength of fully cured sodium activated fly ash based geopolymer pastes from their chemical composition to within 6.60 MPa.
Implementation success model in government agencies: A case of a centralized identification system at NASA

A recent presidential directive mandated that all U.S. government agencies establish a centralized identification system. This study investigated the impact of usersâ€™ involvement, resistance, and computer self-efficacy on the implementation success of a centralized identification system. Information System (IS) usage was the construct employed to measure IS implementation success. A survey instrument was developed based on existing measures from key IS literature. The results of this study indicated a strong reliability for the measures of all constructs (user involvement, computer self-efficacy, userâ€™s resistance, and IS usage). Factor analysis was conducted using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation. Results of the PCA indicate that items of the constructs measured had high validity, while Cronbachâ€™s Alpha for each factor demonstrates high reliability for all constructs measured. Additionally, results of a structural equations modeling analysis using Partial Least Square (PLS) indicate that computer self-efficacy and user involvement had positive significant impact on the implementation success. However, the results also demonstrated that userâ€™s resistance had no significant impact on IS usage, while end user involvement had a strong negative impact on userâ€™s resistance.
Dynamic Modeling of a Slider-Crank Mechanism Under Joint Wear

A study of how joint wear affects the kinematics of a simple slider-crank mechanism and in turn how change in kinematics of the mechanism affects the joint wear is presented. The coupling between joint wear and system kinematics is modeled by integrating a wear prediction process, built upon a widely used finite-element-based iterative scheme, with the dynamic model that has an imperfect joint whose kinematics changes progressively according to joint wear. Three different modeling techniques are presented based on different assumptions, and their performances are compared in terms of joint forces and wear depths. It turns out that the joint wear increases the joint force and accelerates the wear progress. The accuracy of integrated dynamic model is validated by measuring joint force and wear depth of the slider-crank mechanism. Details of instrumentation are also presented.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Cytochrome c oxidase in migrating larvae of Ascaris lumbricoides var. suum.

Abstract The metabolism of Ascaris eggs is known to be aerobic, while that of the adults is anaerobic. The developmental stage in which this metabolic transition occurs was investigated by comparing the cytochrome c oxidase activity of migrating larvae recovered from swine and guinea pig lungs with that of fourth-stage larvae recovered from the swine intestine, or produced by in vitro exsheathment of lung-stage larvae from guinea pigs. Cytochrome oxidase activity was observed in lung larvae from both hosts but not from fourthstage larvae, indicating that the transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism occurred after the emergence of the fourth-stage larvae.
Solid state morphology of some polypeptide films

Abstract : Plasticized and unplasticized films of poly-L-glutamic acid, poly-gamma-methyl-L-glutamate and poly-gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate were investigated by optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. All of these synthetic polypeptides were cast from cholesteric liquid crystal solutions in a continuing investigation of a possible relation between liquid crystalline behavior in solution and solid state morphology. It was found in one case, PBLG plasticized with 35 vol % 3,3'-dimethylbiphenyl, that the Grandjean texture of the cholesteric mesophase was fully retained in solid films. In all other films no clear evidence of retention of cholesteric texture was found. However, it was found that PBLG cast from the liquid crustal mesophase had a very high degree of uniplanar orientation and a crystallographic net different from that found in films cast from racemic or magnetically oriented solutions. The latter are known to form a different, nematic mesophase. (Author)
Suppressing outliers in pairwise preference ranking

Many of the recently proposed algorithms for learning feature-based ranking functions are based on the pairwise preference framework, in which instead of taking documents in isolation, document pairs are used as instances in the learning process. One disadvantage of this process is that a noisy relevance judgment on a single document can lead to a large number of mis-labeled document pairs. This can jeopardize robustness and deteriorate overall ranking performance. In this paper we study the effects of outlying pairs in rank learning with pairwise preferences and introduce a new meta-learning algorithm capable of suppressing these undesirable effects. This algorithm works as a second optimization step in which any linear baseline ranker can be used as input. Experiments on eight different ranking datasets show that this optimization step produces statistically significant performance gains over state-of-the-art methods.
Molecular characterization and detection of plum bark necrosis stem pitting-associated virus

The complete RNA genome of plum bark necrosis stem pitting-associated virus (PBNSPaV) was cloned and sequenced and was determined to be 14, 214 nts long. The genome structure revealed seven major open reading frames (ORFs), and nontranslated regions at the 5′ and 3′ ends. PBNSPaV represents the simplest genome organization in the genus Ampelovirus, family Closteroviridae. The ORFs 1a and 1b encode, respectively, a large polyprotein with a molecular mass (Mr) of 259.6 kDa containing conserved domains characteristic of a papain-like protease, methyltransferase and helicase (ORF1a) and a 64.1-kDa protein of eight conserved motifs characteristic of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) (ORF1b). ORF1b is presumably expressed via a +1 ribosomal frameshift mechanism. ORF2 encodes a small 6.3-kDa hydrophobic protein of unknown function. ORF3 encodes a 57.4-kDa protein, a homologue of the HSP70 family of heat shock proteins. ORF4 encodes a 61.6-kDa protein with unknown function. ORF5 encodes a 35.9-kDa capsid protein (CP). Lastly, ORF6 encodes a 25.2-kDa minor capsid protein (CPm). Phylogenetic analyses performed on sequences of the HSP70h RdRp and CP support classification of the virus in the genus Ampelovirus. A real-time TaqMan® RT-PCR assay and a one-step RT-PCR were developed for PBNSPaV detection and compared using three different sample preparation methods.
Enhancing social diffusion theory as a basis for prevention intervention: A conceptual and strategic framework

Abstract Social diffusion theory has recently been recognized as a promising approach for large-scale disease prevention and health promotion efforts. This paper describes how principles and tactics from social cognitive theory, operant psychology, social psychology, social marketing, and the overarching stages of change model can be used to further develop the conceptual and strategic (technological) bases of social diffusion theory. Within an integrative framework, we discuss in detail more effective ways to train peer mediators of behavior change as one example of how social diffusion theory can benefit from this conceptual and strategic reformulation. We then further illustrate the use of peer mediators of change in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cancer prevention intervention studies with both interventions training peer mediators to diffuse information, norms, and risk reduction strategies. Although the results of these studies showed reductions in high-risk behaviors across population segments, more closely following the framework discussed in this article should further increase the behavior change potential of future interventions based on social diffusion theory.
Adaptive algorithms for change detection in image sequence

Detection of small changes/targets in a pair of images in a low signal to clutter plus noise ratio (SCNR) is a problem of great significance in image sequence analysis. The importance of the problem arises in applications such as remote sensing for monitoring growth patterns of urban areas, diagnosis of disease from medical images, visual industry inspection and nondestructive testing for subsurface flaws detection in industrial materials, land resource management, city planning, traffic monitoring, optical and infrared detection from radar images, and weather prediction from satellite and radar images. In this dissertation we present two adaptive algorithms for the detection of small changes/targets (of the order of one pixel) in a pair of images in a low signal to clutter plus noise ratio (SCNR) environment (of the order of $-$14.5 dB). They both have the ability to track the nonstationary image signals (changes/targets and clutter plus noise) and suppress the clutter plus noise background. Both detectors are based on time varying autoregressive models to model image background and on correlation canceling concept. The first one uses an order recursive least squares (ORLS) lattice filter, while the second one is based on a normalized version of the two dimensional least mean square (TDLMS) algorithm. Analytical expression for the improvement factor of the suggested change detectors is presented. Also, the influence of the order of the detectors and of the algorithm parameters of the TDLMS on their detection performances is studied. In addition, the effect of the local mean of the processed images on the optimal estimate of the detector parameters is deduced. The influence of the crosscorrelation between the pair of images on the performance of the detectors as well as the analysis of the computational loads for the processors are studied. The performance of the two algorithms are evaluated by using an optical satellite image, as a clutter background, with computer generated target and noise added to it.
General Framework for Evaluating Long-Term Leasing of Toll Roads: Case Study of Indiana I-90 Highway

The long-term leasing of toll roads, a type of public-private partnership (PPP), has been attracting the attention of state governments since the two landmark cases of the Chicago Skyway in Illinois and the Indiana Toll Road in 2005 and 2006, respectively. To assist public agencies in making appropriate decisions to enter PPP agreements that are in the best interest of taxpayers, this paper presents a general framework for evaluating the long-term leasing of toll roads and investigates the two main criteria in the decision-making process: economic efficiency of privatization and the protection of public interest. The economic efficiency of PPPs is also analyzed with an uncertainty-based net present value method, which is demonstrated with a case study of the lease of the Indiana Toll Road. The analysis with Monte Carlo simulation demonstrates that over the analysis period, a public agency is not likely to gain as much benefit from the up-front payment lease amount as from that of continued in-house manage...
Salivary gland enlargement and elevated serum amylase in bulimia nervosa.

Abstract Background: Clinical reports have described salivary gland enlargement in bulimia nervosa, particularly in patients with elevated serum amylase concentration. The goal of the current study was to provide a controlled comparison of salivary gland size in patients with bulimia nervosa and healthy volunteers. Methods: Subjects included 17 women with bulimia nervosa and 21 healthy female control subjects. Dimensions of the parotid and submandibular salivary glands were estimated by ultrasonography. Blood samples for amylase measurement were obtained after overnight fast. Results: Parotid gland size was enlarged 36% in patients with bulimia nervosa in comparison to control subjects ( p Conclusions: These results provide new quantitative data demonstrating increased salivary gland size in bulimia nervosa. Further studies are needed to evaluate factors responsible for salivary gland enlargement and hyperamylasemia in this disorder.
Life-History Notes on Microtus Pinetorum in Central Connecticut

Life-history information was obtained for the pine vole, Microtus pinetorum, in upland oak forests and lowland swamps from live- and snap-trap data during the period from 1963 to 1967. All data obtained pertain only to those animals active on the surface. Population densities fluctuated from 0 to 14.6 per hectare; most years density of pine voles paralleled the same general trend of the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus. Only eight of the 228 individuals captured during the study occurred in swampy situations; 10 were trapped at the margin of uplands and swamps; the remainder were in well-drained uplands. Only 19.2 per cent of the voles were recaptured more than 2 months after their first capture. Two males survived 12 months and two females 10 months. the breeding season extended from mid-February to mid-November. Reproductive rate of the pine vole appears to be lower than that of most other voles. Daytime surface activity accounted for 46.2 per cent of the 221 captures in the live-trap study. There was no correlation between surface activity and temperature and humidity conditions. Other data pertaining to population structure, habitats, reproduction, weight, ectoparasites, home range diameters, and social interaction are presented also.
Toeplitz matrices and classical and q-Bessel functions

We use biinfinite Toeplitz matrix analogues of classical and q-binomial identities in a commutative Banach algebra setting to characterize classical and q-Bessel functions of integer order and to establish properties of these functions.
Large-scale macroinvertebrate assemblage patterns from least-disturbed wadeable stream sites across the 48 contiguous US states

We quantified the patterns in macroinvertebrate assemblages and their associated environmental gradients from 457 least-disturbed wadeable stream sites across the 48 contiguous United States sampled as part of US EPA’s National Wadeable Stream Assessment. The majority of the variation in assemblage composition at the finest taxonomic resolution was related to substrate size, %fastwater habitat, water chemistry, as well as east-west geographic position and elevation. Sites were classified into 5 groups with cluster analysis, and group membership was predicted from environmental data using classification tree analysis (CTA). CTA correctly classified 69.1% of test sites and indicated that groups were distinguished by east-west location, and by factors distinguishing mountain streams from lowland/plains streams. Eastern and western groups that had similar environmental characteristics had very similar coarse scale taxa composition and convergent taxa traits. Ordinations confirmed that composition patterns using coarse level taxa resolution and taxa traits no longer reflected geographic distinctions, but were only related to non-geographic environmental factors. However, composition patterns based on traits, coarse taxa, and macroinvertebrates identified to the finest practical level were all correlated with the same dominant non-geographic environmental gradients.
Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-g-poly(acrylic acid) Gels

A one-step scalable synthetic procedure results in gels of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) cross-linked by poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (Pluronic). The rate of polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of Pluronic is of 3/2 order in acrylic acid and of 1/2 order in the initiator concentration and is independent of the Pluronic concentration. The formation of cross-linked networks in the synthesis can be attributed to the hydrogen abstraction by Pluronic radicals from the propagating Pluronic−PAA copolymer. The Pluronic−PAA gels exhibit temperature- and pH-dependent swelling in aqueous solutions. Aqueous gel suspensions change the rheological behavior in a certain range of temperatures, which depend on the type of Pluronic used. Intraparticle assembly of poly(propylene oxide) segments can be invoked to explain the temperature-dependent swelling, while interparticle attractive interaction of the dangling chains of Pluronic is responsible for viscosification of the gel su...
Topiramate in the Long‐Term Management of Refractory Epilepsy

Summary: Purpose: A total of 292 adult patients (mean age, 33 years) with partial and/or generalized seizures previously resistant to antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy (median baseline seizure rate, 12 seizures/month) were treated with open-label topiramate (TPM) in dosages of 100–1,600 mg/day. Methods: The mean duration of TPM treatment was 413 days (range, 84–804 days), and the mean TPM dosage was 503 mg/day (range, 100–1,600 mg/day; median TPM dosage, 300 mg/day). Seizure reduction was calculated from seizure counts during the last 3 months and last 6 months of TPM therapy compared with baseline. Results: Overall, >50% of patients achieved ges;50% seizure reduction. More important, 11 % of patients were seizure-free for ges;3 months at the last visit; 10% of patients were seizure free for ges;6 months at the last visit. This robust therapeutic response was consistent for patients receiving TPM dosages >400 and <400 mg/day. The most commonly reported adverse events were related to the central nervous system. Over the 2·2-year treatment period, 19% of patients discontinued TPM therapy because of inadequate seizure control; 32% discontinued because of adverse events. Findings from this study show that TPM is a useful agent for long-term seizure control, with some patients becoming seizure free for extended periods despite failing previous AED therapy.
The use of a Priori model based information to guide segmentation and classification of MR images

This paper describes the rationale and importance of utilizing a priori, model based information to guide segmentation and classification in complex medical images represented by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The incorporation of such a priori, model based information requires the development of a "top down" model driven system, rather than the more traditional "bottom up" data driven system. Two different examples which incorporate such model based a priori information are discussed: (1) The segmentation and classification of tissues involved in atherosclerosis; and (2) The segmentation and classification of brain tissue for neurosurgical applications.
Transport Critical Current of Sintered YBa2Cu3Ox in Time-Varying Magnetic Fields

The transport critical current of bulk sintered YBa2Cu3Ox has been measured at 77 K in the presence of static and sinusoidally-time-dependent (10–100 Hz) magnetic fields. In all cases, the field required for a given reduction of critical current density was independent of frequency to within ~10%.
Preprinted Order Sets as a Safety Intervention in Pediatric Sedation

Objectives Implement preprinted packets for pediatric procedural sedations to increase documentation compliance and decrease medication ordering errors. Study design Retrospective chart review of pediatric inpatients undergoing procedural sedation before and after implementation of a preprinted packet including an order set, consent form, and sedation monitoring form. Patient charts before and after the intervention were reviewed for completeness of medical documentation, correct medication dosages, and adverse events. χ 2 or Fisher exact test was used to determine preintervention vs postintervention differences. Results Forty-two charts preintervention and 42 postintervention were reviewed. Documentation compliance increased on consent forms ( P P = .113), and sedation monitoring forms ( P = .003), while dating and timing of order forms decreased. Ordering of resuscitation equipment ( P = .12), documentation of American Society of Anesthesiologists' (ASA) physical status classification ( P P P P P P = .02). Conclusions Implementing preprinted physician orders, consent forms, and prepared packets increased documentation compliance and ordering of reversal agents and resuscitation equipment. Medication dosage ordering errors decreased.
Nematode Resistance and Meiotic Abnormality in Diploid Sugar Beet Selected from Interspecific Beta vulgaris×B. procumbens Hybrids*

Two nematode-resistant trisomic lines which were derived from interspecific Beta, vulgaris × B. procumbens hybrids were intercrossed or backcrossed with susceptible diploid sugar beer and their progenies were screened for nematode resistance. The transmission rate of resistance varied from 1.5 % to 47.6 % with an average of 20.4 % in the progenies of individual insomics derived from the two trisomic lines. Eleven resistant diploads were selected with a frequency of 0.2 %. These resistant diploids were classified into two groups, i.e., one group showed relatively high transmission rates of resistance with an average of 25.4 % and the other extremely low with an average of 1.2 % in their backcrossed and s el fed progenies., Meiotic chromosome behavior in a resistant diploid group with high transmission rates was considerably normal as compared to that in a resistant diploid group with low transmission rates. Chromatid bridges and acertric fragments were detected in 93 % of resistant diploids and in 46 % of susceptible diploids. Two different sized fragments occurred in resistant diploids, while only a smaller fragment was present in susceptible diploids. A frequency of sporocytes with bridges-fragments was 17.4% at anaphase I and 13.9 % at anaphase II in resistant diploids, while in susceptible diploids a frequency was 2.9 % and 5.3 % at the respective stages. These results suggest that at least two paracentric inversions are present in resistant diploids, one of which is linked to nernatode resistance and may be responsible for the low transmission rate of resistance.
Frequency pertubation characteristics of pulse register phonation

Abstract Examination of some acoustic characteristics of sustained pulse register phonation in normal adults confirmed the existence of two distinct waveform patterns. Trains of similar, highly damped waves with relatively uniform spacing predominated, but the “dicrotic” pattern previously described accounted for about 15% of the total sample. Average differences in the periods of continguous cycles (jitter) were extremely large—on the order of 20% of the fundamental period. Jitter did not vary with fundamental frequency according to the pattern documented in modal register and, thus, jitter ratio is not a useful normalizing descriptor of pulse register pertubation.
A method for selecting the best nonlinear model in chronobiology

Abstract Stepwise regression allows for an easy selection of the “best”; linear model. For non‐linear models the selection procedure is not as straightforward, relying on a subjective assessment of the normality, independence and trends of the residuals. An approach suggested by Williams and Kloot (1953) is developed into a quantitative procedure for identifying the “best”; non‐linear model. An example using human circadian rhythms is used to demonstrate the procedure.
Citrinin mycotoxicosis in the rabbit.

Abstract In three trials, single or multiple doses of citrinin dissolved in 0.5 n -NaOH and adjusted to neutral pH with HCl were given to rabbits by either the oral or intraperitoneal route. The 72-hr LD50 was 50 mg/kg body weight by intraperitoneal administration and 134 mg/kg by the oral route. The primary clinical sign in rabbits receiving a single oral dose of 125–150 mg citrinin/kg was fluid diarrhoea commencing 8 hr after dosing. Pathological alterations were generally confined to the kidney and consisted of degeneration and necrosis of proximal convoluted tubules and straight segments. In rabbits given a single oral dose of citrinin (130 mg/kg) the earliest histopathological change, seen 8 hr after dosing, was cytoplasmic vacuolation of tubular epithelial cells. Rabbits given a single oral dose of 120 mg citrinin/kg had regeneration of renal tubular epithelium accompanied by slight tubular cell necrosis when examined 7 days after dosing. Rabbits given multiple sublethal doses of citrinin (33.5 or 77 mg/kg daily for 7 days) had renal alterations of mild tubular degeneration and necrosis, and tubular regeneration.