cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Particulate matter air quality assessment using integrated surface, satellite, and meteorological products: 2. A neural network approach

[1] In recent years, sparse, surface-based air quality monitoring has been improved by using wide-swath, satellite-derived aerosol products. However, satellites are sensitive to the entire aerosol column, not only the aerosol near the surface that impacts human health. In part 1 of this series, we used multiple regression to demonstrate how inclusion of meteorological analyses can help constrain the surface level proportion of the aerosol profile and improve the estimate of surface PM2.5. Here, instead of multiple regression technique, we describe an artificial neural network (ANN) framework that reduces the uncertainty of surface PM estimation from satellite data. We use 3 years of MODIS aerosol optical thickness data at 0.55 μm and meteorological analyses from the rapid update cycle to estimate surface level PM2.5 over the southeast United States (EPA region 4). As compared to regression coefficients obtained through simple correlation (R = 0.60) or multiple regression (R = 0.68) techniques, the ANN derives hourly PM2.5 data that compare with observations with R = 0.74. For estimating daily mean PM2.5, the ANN techniques results in correlation of R = 0.78. Although the degree of improvement varies over different sites and seasons, this study demonstrates the potential for using ANN for operational air quality monitoring.
Distribution functions in nonequilibrium theory of superconductivity and Andreev spectroscopy in unconventional superconductors

We develop a theoretical formulation of nonequilibrium superconducting phenomena, including singlet and triplet pairing, which is especially well suited for spatially inhomogeneous problems. We start from the general Keldysh-Nambu-Gor'kov Green's functions in the quasiclassical approximation and represent them in terms of $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2$ spin-matrix coherence functions and distribution functions for particle-type and hole-type excitations. The resulting transport equations for the distribution functions may be interpreted as a generalization to the superconducting state of Landau's transport equation for the normal Fermi liquid of conduction electrons. The equations are well suited for numerical simulations of dynamical phenomena. Using our formulation we solve an open problem in quasiclassical theory of superconductivity, the derivation of an explicit representation of Zaitsev's nonlinear boundary conditions (A. V. Zaitsev, Zh. \'Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 86, 1742 (1984) [Sov. Phys. JETP 59, 1015 (1984)]; A. L. Shelankov, Fiz. Tverd. Tela (Leningrad) 26, 1615 (1984) [Sov. Phys. Solid State 26, 981 (1984)]) at surfaces and interfaces. These boundary conditions include nonequilibrium phenomena and spin singlet and triplet unconventional pairing. We eliminate spurious solutions as well as numerical stability problems present in the original formulation. Finally, we formulate the Andreev scattering problem at interfaces in terms of the introduced distribution functions and present a theoretical analysis for the study of time reversal symmetry breaking states in unconventional superconductors via Andreev spectroscopy experiments at normal-metal--superconductor interfaces with finite transmission. We include impurity scattering self-consistently.
Kanamycin Depletes Cochlear Polyamines in the Developing Rat

Developing mammals are more sensitive to aminoglycoside antibiotics and other ototoxic agents than adults, with maximum sensitivity occurring during the period of anatomic and functional maturation of the cochlea. For the aminoglycoside antibiotics, the hypersensitive period in rats occurs during the second and third postnatal weeks. Toxicity is initially expressed as outer hair cell (OHC) damage in the high-frequency, basal region of the cochlea. Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), physiologic measures of OHC function, are particularly sensitive to aminoglycoside exposure during the period of rapid cochlear physiologic development. Toxicity is characterized by increased DPOAE thresholds and decreased amplitudes. The mechanism of developmental sensitivity to aminoglycosides is unknown. A potential biochemical target of aminoglycosides is the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC)-polyamine pathway. ODC activity is elevated in the developing rat cochlea, aminoglycosides inhibit cochlear ODC in developing rats, and alpha-difluoromethylornithine (a specific ODC inhibitor) impairs development of cochlear function. In the present study we demonstrate an incomplete polyamine response to aminoglycoside damage, characterized by inhibition of the polyamines spermidine and spermine and accumulation of putrescine in the organ of Corti. Aminoglycoside inhibition of polyamine synthesis may mediate developmental ototoxic hypersensitivity by interfering with developmental and repair processes.
Visual hull method for tomographic PIV measurement of flow around moving objects

Tomographic particle image velocimetry (PIV) is a recently developed method to measure three components of velocity within a volumetric space. We present a visual hull technique that automates identification and masking of discrete objects within the measurement volume, and we apply existing tomographic PIV reconstruction software to measure the velocity surrounding the objects. The technique is demonstrated by considering flow around falling bodies of different shape with Reynolds number ~1,000. Acquired image sets are processed using separate routines to reconstruct both the volumetric mask around the object and the surrounding tracer particles. After particle reconstruction, the reconstructed object mask is used to remove any ghost particles that otherwise appear within the object volume. Velocity vectors corresponding with fluid motion can then be determined up to the boundary of the visual hull without being contaminated or affected by the neighboring object velocity. Although the visual hull method is not meant for precise tracking of objects, the reconstructed object volumes nevertheless can be used to estimate the object location and orientation at each time step.
Bessel capacities on compact manifolds and their relation to Poisson capacities

A motivation for this paper comes from the role of Choquet capacities in the study of semilinear elliptic partial differential equations. In particular, the recent progress in the classification of all positive solutions of Lu=uα in a bounded smooth domain E⊂Rd was achieved by using, as a tool, capacities on a smooth manifold ∂E. Either the Poisson capacities (associated with the Poisson kernel in E) or the Bessel capacities (related to the Bessel kernel) have been used. In this and many other applications there is no advantage in choosing any special member in a class of equivalent capacities. (Two capacities are called equivalent if their ratio is bounded away from 0 and ∞.) In the literature Bessel capacities are considered mostly in the space Rd. We introduce two versions of Bessel capacities on a compact N-dimensional manifold. A class Capl,p of equivalent capacities is defined, for lp⩽N, on every compact Lipschitz manifold. Another class CBl,p is defined (for all l>0, p>1) in terms of a diffusion process on a C2-manifold. These classes coincide when both are defined. If the manifold is the boundary of a bounded C2-domain E⊂Rd, then both versions of the Bessel capacities are equivalent to the Poisson capacities.
Using children's autogenic stories in dynamic clinical assessment

This article explores the usefulness of autogenic or stimulus-independent stories as an instrument for the dynamically oriented clinical assessment of children. Although children's projective stories have long been used in psychodiagnostic and therapeutic work, stories elicited from children during clinical assessment have generally been nonautogenic in nature. It is argued that children's autogenic stories can provide valuable information about the child's personality, conflicts, and defensive accomodations, and in a manner analogous to the adult client's first dream told in treatment, can serve as a sort of “life narrative” for the child.
Microtubules Enable the Planar Cell Polarity of Airway Cilia

Summary Background Airway cilia must be physically oriented along the longitudinal tissue axis for concerted, directional motility that is essential for proper mucociliary clearance. Results We show that planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling specifies directionality and orients respiratory cilia. Within all airway epithelial cells, a conserved set of PCP proteins shows interdependent, asymmetric junctional localization; nonautonomous signaling coordinates polarization between cells; and a polarized microtubule (MT) network is likely required for asymmetric PCP protein localization. We find that basal bodies dock after polarity of PCP proteins is established and are polarized nearly simultaneously, and that refinement of basal body/cilium orientation continues during airway epithelial development. Unique to mature multiciliated cells, we identify PCP-regulated, planar polarized MTs that originate from basal bodies and interact, via their plus ends, with membrane domains associated with the PCP proteins Frizzled and Dishevelled. Disruption of MTs leads to misoriented cilia. Conclusions A conserved PCP pathway orients airway cilia by communicating polarity information from asymmetric membrane domains at the apical junctions, through MTs, to orient the MT and actin-based network of ciliary basal bodies below the apical surface.
Murine mucosal T cells have VIP receptors functionally distinct from those on intestinal epithelial cells.

Abstract Reports suggest that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) binds to lymphocytes and modulates immune responses. The intestines are richly innervated with VIP-producing nerves. Thus, VIP from nerves or other sources may participate in mucosal immunoregulation. To explore this hypothesis further, murine intestinal mucosa inflammatory cells were scrutinized for functional VIP receptors. An [125I]VIP competitive binding assay characterized VIP receptors. Unfractionated lamina propria inflammatory cells bound [125I]VIP specifically. This binding was abrogated by T cell depletion. The VIP receptor on lamina propria T cells was of a single class with a Kd of 9.08 × 10−9 M. It bound PHI and other peptide analogs poorly. The intestinal epithelial cell had a high-affinity VIP receptor (Kd 4.17 × 10−10 M) that bound one VIP analog with moderate affinity. Both VIP and ConA stimulated mucosal inflammatory cells to release interleukin-5 (IL-5). Mucosal inflammatory cells depleted of T cells did not release IL-5 in response to VIP or ConA. It is concluded that: (1) some murine mucosal T lymphocytes have VIP receptors that may be distinct from those displayed on mucosal epithelial cells; (2) VIP affects mucosal T lymphocyte function.
ERP, Medication, and Brief Hospitalization in the Treatment of an Adolescent With Severe BDD:

This article describes the 2-year treatment of a 14-year-old girl suffering from severe body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD). Treatment consisted of twice-wee...
Activin/nodal responsiveness and asymmetric expression of a Xenopus nodal-related gene converge on a FAST-regulated module in intron 1.

Vertebrate Nodal-related factors play central roles in mesendoderm induction and left-right axis specification, but the mechanisms regulating their expression are largely unknown. We identify an element in Xnr1 intron 1 that is activated by activin and Vg1, autoactivated by Xnrs, and suppressed by ventral inducers like BMP4. Intron 1 contains three FAST binding sites on which FAST/Smad transcriptional complexes can assemble; these sites are differentially involved in intron 1-mediated reporter gene expression. Interference with FAST function abolishes intron 1 activity, and transcriptional activation of Xnrs by activin in embryonic tissue explant assays, identifying FAST as an essential mediator of Xnr autoregulation and/or ‘signal relay’ from activin-like molecules. Furthermore, the mapping of endogenous activators of the Xnr1 intronic enhancer within Xenopus embryos agrees well with the pattern of Xnr1 transcription during embryogenesis. In transgenic mice, Xnr1 intron 1 mimics a similarly located enhancer in the mouse nodal gene, and directs FAST site-dependent expression in the primitive streak during gastrulation, and unilateral expression during early somitogenesis. The FAST cassette is similar in an ascidian nodal-related gene, suggesting an ancient origin for this regulatory module. Thus, an evolutionarily conserved intronic enhancer in Xnr1 is involved in both mesendoderm induction and asymmetric expression during left-right axis formation.
A Framework for Studying Voting in Group Support Systems

Group decision making is essential in organizations. Group support systems (GSS) can aide groups in making decisions by providing tools and process support. Voting tools have been considered valuable assets in groups' decision processes. However, there is an insufficiency of theory and experiments in research of voting in GSS. This paper presents a framework by identifying factors related to voting in GSS. These factors were scrutinized for their potential effects on processes and outcomes. Several ways of classifying voting methods are discussed. The framework can be used as a guiding basis for future research and usage of voting in GSS
A matched-delay CMOS TDM multiplexer cell

Standard time-division multiplexer circuits use variations on a finite-state-machine approach to sequence through all input data. The authors present an alternate multiplexer architecture that avoids both the bottleneck of waiting for latches to settle and the problems of distributing a high-frequency clock signal. The authors have investigated the tradeoffs between various architectures by fabricating and testing a CMOS implementation of both a matched-delay and shift-register-based architecture. Experiments show that the proposed approach can be competitive, but additional experiments are needed to further understand its practical limits. >
Mindfulness in financial literacy

ABSTRACTFinancial education is becoming imperative in a society that has pitfalls for unwary consumers. To ensure effectiveness, educational strategies must take into consideration the readiness of consumers to learn the curriculum. Behavioral economics highlights the obstacles that educators face in promoting financial efficacy. Such obstacles include envy, fear, greed, and other all too familiar human failings. One innovative model, mindfulness, provides insight into the human dynamics of personal financial behaviors. This article ties together financial education, mindfulness techniques, and transtheoretical stages of readiness. The impact of gradually introduced educational tasks is presented with an eye toward clients’ stages of readiness, and mindfulness addresses the emotional burdens of altering a financially profligate lifestyle.
The virtual windtunnel-an environment for the exploration of three-dimensional unsteady flows

We describe a recently completed implementation of a virtual environment for exploring numerically-generated three-dimensional unsteady flowfields. A boom-mounted six degree of freedom head-position-sensitive stereo CRT system is used for viewing. A hand position sensitive glove controller is used for injecting various tracers (e.g., "smoke") into the virtual flowfield. A mutiprocessor graphics workstation is used for computation and rendering. We describe our techniques for visualizing unsteady flows and discuss the computer requirements for a variety of visualization techniques. These techniques generalize to visualization of other three-dimensional vector fields.
CBFlib : an ANSI C library for manipulating image data

CBFlib is a library of ANSI C functions providing a simple mechanism for accessing crystallographic binary files (CBFs) and image-supporting CIF (imgCIF) files. The CBFlib application programming interface (API) consists of a set of low-level functions suitable for parsing and manipulating arbitrary input in CIF or CBF format, and a set of high-level functions based on the CBF/imgCIF dictionary and used to support processing of image data files.
Effects of temperature and salinity on nitrogenous excretion by Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles.

Excretion rates of ammonia-N, nitrite-N, nitrate-N, and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) for juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei (3.8560.83 g) were quantified in response to nine different combinations of temperature (24, 28, and 328C) and salinity (10, 25, and 40 ppt) under laboratory conditions. Results indicated that L. vannamei is ammonotelic, with ammonia-N accounting for 61.9-84.3% of total nitrogen (TN) excretion. There were significant effects of temperature and salinity, but no significant interaction between them, on ammonia-N excretion rate (R ). R
Speed of the coherent component of femtosecond laser pulses propagating through random scattering media

The pulse profile and the speed of the coherent component of 85-fs laser pulses propagating through a slab of a random scattering medium were measured. The pulse profile was found to remain essentially the same, while the speed was reduced proportionally to the thickness of the slab and the concentration of the scatterers. The reduction in speed can be accounted for by an effective index of refraction that is described either by the volume fractional combination of the indices of refraction of the scatterers and the water or by the coherent interference between the scattered waves and the primary wave.
Separation of Arabidopsis Pollen Tetrads Is Regulated by QUARTET1, a Pectin Methylesterase Gene

Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) QUARTET (QRT) genes are required for pollen separation during normal floral development. In qrt mutants, the four products of microsporogenesis remain fused and pollen grains are released as tetrads. In Arabidopsis, tetrad analysis in qrt mutants has been used to map all five centromeres, easily distinguish sporophytic from gametophytic mutations, and accurately assess crossover interference. Using a combination of forward and reverse genetics, we have identified the gene responsible for the qrt1 phenotype. Annotation predicts that QRT1 encodes a pectin methylesterase (PME), and enzymatic assays of QRT1 expressed in Escherichia coli indicate that QRT1 has PME activity. Promoter and transcription analysis demonstrate QRT1 is expressed in anther tissues shortly after meiosis is complete. Unexpectedly, the QRT1 promoter is also active in a variety of developmentally unrelated tissues, including developing guard cells, the hypocotyl-root transition zone, areas of lateral root emergence, and floral nectaries. PMEs constitute a large gene family in Arabidopsis, are involved in cell wall loosening, and have been implicated in various aspects of floral development and pollen tube elongation. The identification of QRT1 as a PME contributes to our understanding of pollen development and may help to provide valuable genetic tools in other plant species.
Managed Behavioral Health Care Patients and Their Nursing Care Problems, Level of Functioning, and Impairment on Discharge

Abstract Background : Anecdotal reports of the effects of managed care restrictions suggest an erosion of medical and nursing care. Yet, few substantive data are available to indicate that patients fare better or worse. Objectives : To identify the characteristics of a large hospital's managed behavioral health population in relation to observed nursing care needs, level of patient functioning on admission and discharge, and length of stay. Study Design : A retrospective medical chart review was conducted on inpatients under managed behavioral health care contracts admitted and discharged between April 1995 and January 1996. Results : On discharge, patients showed improvement on all behavioral subsystem ratings, with statistically significant differences in dependency, affiliative, aggressive-protective, achievement, and restorative subsystems. Patients with longer stays were significantly more impaired than patients with shorter stays on discharge Global Assessment of Functioning scores. Conclusion : Expansion of the database to derive meaningful conclusions about the impact of managed care on the resolution of nursing care problems is discussed.
Selective photothermolysis to target sebaceous glands: Theoretical estimation of parameters and preliminary results using a free electron laser

Background and Objectives The success of permanent laser hair removal suggests that selective photothermolysis (SP) of sebaceous glands, another part of hair follicles, may also have merit. About 30% of sebum consists of fats with copious CH2 bond content. SP was studied in vitro, using free electron laser (FEL) pulses at an infrared CH2 vibrational absorption wavelength band. Methods Absorption spectra of natural and artificially prepared sebum were measured from 200 to 3,000 nm, to determine wavelengths potentially able to target sebaceous glands. The Jefferson National Accelerator superconducting FEL was used to measure photothermal excitation of aqueous gels, artificial sebum, pig skin, human scalp, and forehead skin (sebaceous sites). In vitro skin samples were exposed to FEL pulses from 1,620 to 1,720 nm, spot diameter 7–9.5 mm with exposure through a cold 4°C sapphire window in contact with the skin. Exposed and control tissue samples were stained using H&E, and nitroblue tetrazolium chloride staining (NBTC) was used to detect thermal denaturation. Results Natural and artificial sebum both had absorption peaks near 1,210, 1,728, 1,760, 2,306 and 2,346 nm. Laser-induced heating of artificial sebum was approximately twice that of water at 1,710 and 1,720 nm, and about 1.5× higher in human sebaceous glands than in water. Thermal camera imaging showed transient focal heating near sebaceous hair follicles. Histologically, skin samples exposed to ∼1,700 nm, ∼100–125 milliseconds pulses showed evidence of selective thermal damage to sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands were positive for NBTC staining, without evidence of selective loss in samples exposed to the laser. Epidermis was undamaged in all samples. Conclusions SP of sebaceous glands appears to be feasible. Potentially, optical pulses at ∼1,720 or ∼1,210 nm delivered with large beam diameter and appropriate skin cooling in approximately 0.1 seconds may provide an alternative treatment for acne. Lasers Surg. Med. 44:175–183, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DARAW: a new write buffer to improve parallel I/O energy-efficiency

In the past decades, parallel I/O systems have been used widely to support scientific and commercial applications. New data centers today employ huge quantities of I/O systems, which consume a large amount of energy. Most large-scale I/O systems have an array of hard disks working in parallel to meet performance requirements. Traditional energy conservation techniques attempt to place disks into low-power states when possible. In this paper we propose a novel strategy, which aims to significantly conserve energy while reducing average I/O response times. This goal is achieved by making use of buffer disks in parallel I/O systems to accumulate small writes to form a log, which can be transferred to data disks in a batch way. We develop an algorithm - dynamic request allocation algorithm for writes or DARAW - to energy efficiently allocate and schedule write requests in a parallel I/O system. DARAW is able to improve parallel I/O energy efficiency by the virtue of leveraging buffer disks to serve a majority of incoming write requests, thereby keeping data disks in low-power state for longer period times. Buffered requests are then written to data disks at a predetermined time. Experimental results show that DARAW can significantly reduce energy dissipation in parallel I/O systems without adverse impacts on I/O performance.
Multinomial selection procedures for use in simulations

We describe single-stage and closed sequential procedures for selecting the most probable cell of a multinomial distribution. These procedures are then reformulated as nonparametric techniques for selecting the best one of a number of competing simulated systems or alternatives. We discuss performance characteristics of the procedures and make recommendations concerning their use.
Modular bio-mimetic robots that can interact with the world the way we do

The study of human sensorimotor control and learning through robotic devices requires systems that possess bio-mimetic characteristics which allow them to interact with the world in a similar fashion dynamically (this includes backdrivability, high bandwidth, implementability of complex control algorithms, force feedback, low friction, low inertia, robustness, autonomy, appropriate strength to weight ratio in the case of locomotion, safety, among others). Traditionally, engineered systems have evolved based upon industrial requirements, which are quite different. From the context of studying and mimicking the way humans perform control of their bodies, we state that there are specific groups of characteristics that are essential for use in researching sensorimotor control and learning. Designing robotic systems from this perspective necessitates solving new constrained design challenges that integrate with, adapt, and improve upon known approaches. A new design for a bio-mimetic backdrivable modular robot finger which addresses these challenges is presented. Results are presented demonstrating its effectiveness. The novelty of this robot is not only in the integrative design approach, which meets all the constraints presented without compromise, but also as the first bio-mimetic robot to integrate modularity, and it is highly compact. Additionally, the system has the capacity and bandwidth to run real-time control algorithms that can eventually model human behavior and perform complex manipulation tasks.
Interconnect performance evaluation of SGI altix 3700 BX2, cray X1, cray opteron cluster, and dell PowerEdge

We study the performance of inter-process communication on four high-speed multiprocessor systems using a set of communication benchmarks. The goal is to identify certain limiting factors and bottlenecks with the interconnect of these systems as well as to compare these interconnects. We measured network bandwidth using different numbers of communicating processors and communication patterns - such as point-to-point communication, collective communication, and dense communication patterns. The four platforms are: a 512-processor SGI Altix 3700 BX2 shared-memory machine with 3.2 GB/s links; a 64- processor (single-streaming) Cray X1 shared-memory machine with 32 1.6 GB/s links; a 128-processor Cray Opteron cluster using a Myrinet network; and a 1280- node Dell PowerEdge cluster with an InfiniBand network. Our results show the impact of the network bandwidth and topology on the overall performance of each interconnect.
Regulating the mammalian genome: the role of nuclear architecture

Despite the enormous progress over the past two decades in defining the properties and regulation of individual genes in mammalian cells, our knowledge of how the whole genome is coordinated has lagged behind. Recent developments, in DNA microarray analysis and the sequencing of the human genome and those of other organisms, however, are transforming the way in which we are thinking about gene regulation and the coordination of genetic expression. It is now possible to measure the turning on and off of thousands of genes simultaneously. This offers a direct approach to determining differential patterns of gene expression which are, in turn, related to the overall coordination of genetic expression. Gene library and sequencing analysis has recently led to the realization that humans are not endowed with significantly more genes (approximately 35,000) than other mammals, or even an ear of corn. We have only about twice as many genes as the lowly fruitfly. Thus, it is the coordination of overall genomic expression and not the sheer number of individual genes that must be the basis behind the phenotypic differences among species. There is a precise linear array of genetic information coded in the DNA and specific for each species of organism. This is expressed as the chromosomal karyotype which is visible during mitosis. Understanding how this linear array of genes along the chromosomes is arranged and expressed in the three-dimensional context of the cell nucleus is a challenge for future studies. In the past, it has been very difficult to study the structural organization of the cell nucleus especially as it relates to genomic organization and function. However, new developments in threedimensional microscopy and computer imaging coupled with the availability of a large number of gene probes and novel labeling approaches for visualizing sites of genomic components and function makes this a promising area for future investigation.
A novel soft-switching DC-DC converter with wide ZVS-range and reduced filter requirement

A novel soft-switching DC-DC converter capable of achieving high power density and high efficiency is proposed. It has the following features compared to the conventional phase-modulated full-bridge converters (PMC): (i) same number (four) of switches with identical total switch VA ratings; (ii) zero-voltage-switching down to no-load, hence lower EMI; (iii) lower conduction losses; and (iv) smaller overall magnetics requirement. The operating principles and design methods are discussed in detail. Experimental results on a 100 W prototype operating at 200 kHz are presented.
The Diagnostic/Instructional Link in Individualized Education Programs

Enactment of P.L. 94-142 has provided a major impetus to the provision of a free and appropriate education to all handicapped children. A major provision in P.L. 94-142 is the requirement that all handicapped children receiving special education be provided with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP, therefore, is to incorporate special education, which is defined as "specially designed instruction." Literature pertaining to IEP development states that instruction must be linked to assessment. The present investigation sought to determine the extent to which the long-term goals and short-term instructional objectives of the IEP can be documented as being predicated upon the psychoeducational assessment. The IEPs and corresponding psychoeducational assessments of 243 students identified as educable mentally retarded (EMR), emotionally disturbed (ED), and learning disabled (LD) were collected and analyzed. Results revealed that the goals and objectives of the IEP have limited foundation in the ...
Performance of dynamic multi-layer routing schemes in IP+optical networks

This paper presents two dynamic multi-layer routing policies for optical IP networks. Both policies first try to allocate a newly requested electrical path to an existing optical path that directly connects the source and destination nodes. If such a path is not available, the two policies employ different procedures. Policy 1, which has been published already, tries to find available existing optical paths with two or more hops that connect the source and destination nodes. Policy 2, which is proposed in this paper, tries to establish a new one-hop optical path between source and destination nodes. The performance of the two routing policies is evaluated. Simulation results suggest that policy 2 outperforms policy 1 if p is large, where p is the number of packet-switching-capable ports p; the reverse is true only if p is small. We observe that p is the key factor in choosing the most appropriate routing policy.
Extra Effort During Memory Retrieval May Be Associated With Increases in Eyewitness Confidence

When testifying in court, witnesses are motivated to try as hard as possible to give an accurate account. This study tested the proposition that extra effort by eyewitnesses during a memory test can lead to higher confidence ratings without any accompanying changes in accuracy. Participant-witnesses answered multiple-choice questions about a classroom visitor who had spoken 5 days earlier. In the high-motivation condition participants could earn prizes based on their memory test performance; in the low-motivation condition there were no special incentives. Although the motivation manipulation did not affect mean witness confidence, the confidence–accuracy and effort–accuracy correlations were substantially smaller in the high-motivation condition than in the low-motivation condition. Furthermore, the confidence ratings for those participants who reported expending high levels of effort in both motivation conditions were significantly higher than the confidence ratings for the low-effort participants, despite the fact that response accuracy did not differ as a function of reported effort. These findings have important implications for understanding how pressures to perform well in the courtroom can affect eyewitness confidence.
Development of a Temporally Modulated Fuel Injector With Controlled Spray Dynamics

It is now well established that combustion instability in liquid-fueled gas turbines can be controlled through the use of active fuel modulation. What is less clear is the mechanism by which this is achieved. This results from the fact that in most fuel modulation strategies not only is the instantaneous mass flow rate of fuel affected but so to are the parameters which define the post-atomization spray that takes part in the combustion. Specifically, experience with piezoelectric modulated sprays has shown that drop size, velocity, cone angle, and patternation are all affected by the modulation process. This inability to decouple changes in the fueling rate from changes in the spray distribution makes understanding of the mechanism of instability control problematic.This paper presents the results of an effort to develop an injector which can provide temporal modulation of the fuel flow rate but without concomitant changes in spray dynamics. This is achieved using an atomization strategy which is insensitive to both fuel flow rate and combustor acoustics (an over-pressured spill-return nozzle) coupled with an actuator with flat frequency response (a low-mass voice coil). The design and development of the actuator (and its control system) are described, and a combination of Phase-Doppler Interferometry and imaging are used to establish its performance. Results show that the system is capable of producing sprays which have little variation in cone angle or spray distribution function despite variations in mass flow rate (number density) of greater than 50% over a range of frequencies of interest for control of combustion instability (10 Hz to 1 kHz).Copyright © 2001 by ASME
Effects of stretch receptor ablation on the optomotor control of lift in the hawkmoth Manduca sexta.

In insects, fast sensory feedback from specialized mechanoreceptors is integrated with guidance cues descending from the visual system to control flight behavior. A proprioceptive sensory organ found in both locusts and moths, the wing hinge stretch receptor, has been extensively studied in locusts for its powerful influence on the activity of flight muscle motoneurons and interneurons. The stretch receptor fires a high-frequency burst of action potentials near the top of each wingstroke and encodes kinematic variables such as amplitude and timing. Here, I describe the effects of stretch receptor ablation on the visual control of lift during flight in the hawkmoth Manduca sexta. Using a combination of extracellular muscle recordings, force and position measurements and high-speed video recording, I tracked power muscle activity, net vertical flight force (lift), abdomen deflection and wing kinematics in response to image motions of varying velocity during tethered flight in a wind tunnel. As a result of bilateral ablation of the wing hinge stretch receptors, visually evoked lift decreased to nearly one-third of that exhibited by intact animals. The phase and frequency of indirect power muscle action potentials and the patterns of abdominal deflection were unaffected; however, wingstroke amplitude was clearly reduced after ablation. Collectively, these results suggest that stretch receptor feedback is integrated with descending visual cues to control wing kinematics and the resultant aerodynamic force production during flight. Summary
Robust target localization and segmentation using statistical methods

This thesis aims to contribute to the area of visual tracking, which is the process of identifying an object of interest through a sequence of successive images. Some of the challenges associated with these tasks are image noise, occlusions, background clutter, complex object shapes, etc. The work contained in this thesis explores kernel-based statistical methods. These methods map the data to a higher dimensional space where the tasks of classification and clustering are easily carried out. There are two problems related to the mapping: The out-of-sample and the pre-image problem. A pre-image framework for some of the manifold learning and dimensional reduction methods is developed. Two algorithms are developed for visual tracking that are robust to noise and occlusions. In the first algorithm (Chapter 3), a KPCA-based eigenspace representation is used. The de-noising and clustering capabilities of the KPCA procedure lead to a robust algorithm. This framework is further extended in Chapter 6 to incorporate the background information in an energy based formulation, which is minimized using graph cut. Chapter 7 extends this framework to track multiple objects using a single learned model. In the second method, a robust density comparison framework is developed (Chapter 5) that is applied to visual tracking (Chapter 8), where an object is tracked by minimizing the distance between a model distribution and given candidate distributions. The superior performance of kernel-based algorithms comes at a price of increased storage and computational requirements. A novel method is proposed in Chapter 4, that takes advantage of the universal approximation capabilities of generalized radial basis function neural networks to reduce the computational and storage requirements for kernel-based methods. The ideas developed are general and are applicable to other kernel-based methods, such as KPCA and support vector machines.
Consumer Acceptance of Bars and Gummies with Unencapsulated and Encapsulated Resveratrol

The addition of resveratrol, a polyphenol found in red wine and peanuts, to food products would help to provide the health benefits associated with the compound to the consumer in a wide array of food matrices. The bitterness of resveratrol and instability of its bioactive form in light are 2 major challenges with the incorporation of the compound into food products. Microencapsulation in a sodium caseinate matrix was utilized as a strategy to overcome these challenges. The objective of this research was to show the application of the resveratrol microcapsules in easy-to-consume foods. Consumer acceptance was evaluated for gummies and bars with encapsulated resveratrol in comparison to the controls. Four different controls were used: 1) without any resveratrol OR protein (Plain), 2) unencapsulated resveratrol (Resv), 3) sodium caseinate and unencapsulated resveratrol just mixed without encapsulation (P + R), and 4) sodium caseinate only (PRO). Two concentrations of resveratrol that have been shown to offer therapeutic effects in humans were tested (10 and 40 mg/d). The overall liking, evaluated using a 9-point scale, of bars with 10 mg of encapsulated resveratrol did not differ significantly from the control without any added resveratrol and protein (Plain) or from the controls with equivalent protein and/or resveratrol concentrations. For gummies, the samples with the resveratrol microcapsules had a significantly lower overall liking than the controls with the same protein and/or resveratrol content. This research demonstrated application of resveratrol microcapsules into easy-to-consume food products in order to deliver the health benefits to the consumer.
On Creating An External Environment of Academic Libraries

An external environment is a main part of academic libraries. The paper elaborates ways of creating quiet, fine, comfortable external environment of academic libraries in varied views, thus increasing useful function and cultural taste of academic libraries, to readers in varied human scene.
The ulnar side of the wrist: Clinically relevant anatomy and biomechanics.

Abstract Background In the hectic environment of a hand therapy clinic, the opportunity to carefully consider the relationships among pathology, pathomechanics, surgical repair techniques, tissue healing, postoperative management, and rehabilitation program development and progression is limited. Clinicians often default to seeking a protocol, a recipe to follow. Objectives Using the ulnar side of the wrist as an example, relevant anatomy and biomechanics are directly related to several commonly seen pathologies, including fractures, ligament injuries, and instability. Conclusion Armed with knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and surgical procedures, the need for a protocol disappears. Each patient can be individually managed according to his or her unique set of variables and responses to injury, repair, healing, and recovery of function.
Potential Role of FDG-PET Imaging in Understanding Tumor-Host Interaction

UNLABELLED Population ecology mathematical models of tumorigenesis have been developed to define the cellular characteristics which allow a transformed population to begin as a single individual but end with complete destruction of the host. To invade and expand, a tumor population must compete successfully with normal cells for space and critical, shared substrate such as glucose. This study uses population ecology models to examine the potential role of competition for glucose in tumor biology and its implications for FDG-PET imaging. METHODS Chemostat population ecology mathematical models of the tumor-host interface are developed resulting in coupled, nonlinear differential equations which link population growth to acquisition and utilization of glucose. RESULTS The models demonstrate that increased FDG uptake in tumors observed on PET imaging is the result of increased consumption necessary to provide surplus energy for reproduction when inefficient glycolytic pathways are used for glucose metabolism. Specific parameters of the glucose consumption curves are predicted to be markedly different in normal and neoplastic tissues and critical to the tumor-host interaction. Tumor invasability and patient prognosis can be linked to these parameters. CONCLUSION The mathematical models link FDG-PET imaging with processes fundamental to the outcome of the tumor host interaction. The value of FDG-PET can be expanded by quantitation of glucose uptake parameters which will be highly specific in tumor detection and strong indicators of tumor aggressiveness. Therapeutic modalities designed to decrease tumor glucose uptake or increase glucose uptake in normal tissue could be directed and monitored by FDG-PET.
Introduction to Attachments to War: Violence and the Production of Biomedical Knowledge in Twenty-first Century America

This is an excerpt from Jennifer Terry's book, Attachments to War: Violence and the Production of Biomedical Knowledge in Twenty-first Century America, forthcoming 2017. This excerpt is copyrighted by Duke University Press.
A shape memory foam composite with enhanced fluid uptake and bactericidal properties as a hemostatic agent.

Abstract Uncontrolled hemorrhage accounts for more than 30% of trauma deaths worldwide. Current hemostatic devices focus primarily on time to hemostasis, but prevention of bacterial infection is also critical for improving survival rates. In this study, we sought to improve on current devices used for hemorrhage control by combining the large volume-filling capabilities and rapid clotting of shape memory polymer (SMP) foams with the swelling capacity of hydrogels. In addition, a hydrogel composition was selected that readily complexes with elemental iodine to impart bactericidal properties to the device. The focus of this work was to verify that the advantages of each respective material (SMP foam and hydrogel) are retained when combined in a composite device. The iodine-doped hydrogel demonstrated an 80% reduction in bacteria viability when cultured with a high bioburden of Staphylococcus aureus. Hydrogel coating of the SMP foam increased fluid uptake by 19× over the uncoated SMP foam. The composite device retained the shape memory behavior of the foam with more than 15× volume expansion after being submerged in 37 °C water for 15 min. Finally, the expansion force of the composite was tested to assess potential tissue damage within the wound during device expansion. Expansion forces did not exceed 0.6 N, making tissue damage during device expansion unlikely, even when the expanded device diameter is substantially larger than the target wound site. Overall, the enhanced fluid uptake and bactericidal properties of the shape memory foam composite indicate its strong potential as a hemostatic agent to treat non-compressible wounds. Statement of Significance No hemostatic device currently used in civilian and combat trauma situations satisfies all the desired criteria for an optimal hemostatic wound dressing. The research presented here sought to improve on current devices by combining the large volume-filling capabilities and rapid clotting of shape memory polymer (SMP) foams with the swelling capacity of hydrogels. In addition, a hydrogel composition was selected that readily complexes with elemental iodine to impart bactericidal properties to the device. The focus of this work was to verify that the advantages of each respective material are retained when combined into a composite device. This research opens the door to generating novel composites with a focus on both hemostasis, as well as wound healing and microbial prevention.
Quality Assurance in Brachytherapy

Quality assurance for high dose rate brachytherapy is governed not only by AAPM task group reports, but also by state and federal regulations. These regulations cover the periodic (treatment day) and quarterly (source exchange) tests that are required to ensure proper treatment. In addition, other task group reports review advances in brachytherapy treatments, such as improved dose calculations, as well as QA for imaging equipment including CT and ultrasound. Furthermore, a brachytherapy program audit can be conducted by the group to ensure the entire program is being properly managed.