cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anterior and posterior wall infarction of the heart: a statistical comparison based on autopsy findings.

Abstract Statistical analysis of 514 cases of anterior and posterior wall infarcts of the heart reveals that the chief pathologic features of both types are similar. Anterior apical infarcts often extend to the adjacent endocardium and epicardium, and thus give rise to mural thrombus formation and pericarditis more frequently than do posterior basal ones. The differences in incidence of these complications in the two types of infarcts are great enough to be reasonably conclusive ones. Differences in incidence of other characteristics are also noted but these are not of sufficient magnitude to exclude the possibility of chance variation. Some of these unproved differences would be of clinical importance if they could be confirmed by other analyses. They will, therefore, be summarized briefly: (1) The ratio of anterior wall to posterior wall infarction may increase progressively with advancing age. (2) Acute posterior wall infarction may have a slightly higher mortality rate than acute anterior wall infarction despite the lower incidence of mural thrombosis and pericarditis in the former. (3) Superimposed new infarcts in areas of old infarction may be found more frequently in the anterior wall. (4) Anterior wall infarcts in men tend to be larger than posterior wall lesions; the reverse may be true in women. (5) Healed posterior wall infarcts in women may be more often clinically manifest than other healed infarcts. (6) Thrombi in the right ventricle and both auricular appendages, as well as in the left ventricle, may less frequently complicate posterior than anterior wall infarction. (7) Pre-existing hypertension may persist more frequently in acute posterior wall than in acute anterior wall infarction and may be a poor prognostic sign. (8) The coincidence of diabetes may be particularly high in fatal acute posterior wall infarction.
Nostalgia: A sphere and process of contemporary ideology

This theoretical essay looks at the ahistorical elements of nostalgia as found in popular culture, with special emphasis on discussion within the Frankfurt School offered as alternative explanations. It is argued that the anti-critical thrust of nostalgia masks the crises of monopoly capitalism and redirects the conflicts in manageable channels. This conclusion is reached in light of analyses by Marcuse, Horkheimer, Habermas, Adorno and other critical theorists who have considered these issues.
The relationship of maternal attitude toward weight gain to weight gain during pregnancy and low birth weight

Objective To evaluate the relationships between maternal attitude toward weight gain, actual weight gain, and infant birth weight. Methods Maternal attitude toward weight gain during pregnancy was assessed in 1000 women, using an 18-item questionnaire administered at a mean of 20 weeks' gestation. Composite scores were compared with pregnancy weight gain, maternal body mass index (BMI), and infant birth weight. Results In the total population, the attitude score was not significantly related to pregnancy weight gain (r = −0.05, P =.08) and was negatively associated with birth weight (r = −0.09, P Conclusion Maternal attitude regarding weight gain is strongly influenced by pre-pregnancy body size; thin women tend to have positive attitudes and obese women tend to have negative attitudes about weight gain. Within BMI groups, a positive attitude does not predict appropriate weight gain or birth weight. These findings may explain in part why nutritional counseling programs tend to be associated with only minimal increases in birth weight.
Open innovation in the public sector of leading countries

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the current open innovation practices in the public sector of leading countries.Design/methodology/approach – Using a framework based on the role of the government in open innovation, this study analyses a profile of early open innovation adopters based on collected data from secondary sources.Findings – First, the USA, Australia and Singapore developed open innovation policies at the national level, facilitating a positive innovation climate. Many projects, especially those in online platforms, were established under these policies. Second, although outside‐in open innovation principles seem to be popular, there have been emerging attempts to exploit the value of government data through inside‐out approaches.Research limitations/implications – Most governments are in the early stages of adoption of open innovation and are in the process of understanding relevant issues. Future research should investigate how governments adopt open innovation, in particula...
Representational Guidance and Student Engagement: Examining Designs for Collaboration in Online Synchronous Environments.

In this paper we report the results of a study which investigated the affordances of multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs) for collaborative learning from a design perspective. Utilizing a mixed methods approach, we conducted a comparative study of the effect of varying representational and interactional design features on a collaborative design activity in three online synchronous environments. We compared environments featuring multiple modes of interaction (MUVEs), shared representations (text chat and 2D still images) and text-only features. Sixty-one students enrolled in an undergraduate course on Child Development participated in the study. Participants were asked to design a theoretically-based, developmentally appropriate, preschool classroom setting. Students were randomly assigned to one of three online learning environments that provided varying levels of representation and interaction. Significant differences in collaborative problem solving interactions were found. Participants in the shared representations + text condition evidenced stronger learning outcomes as regards substantive discussion and integration of child development concepts; while participants in the MUVE condition reported the most enjoyment with the experience. These findings are explained by the concepts of representational guidance, representational bias, educational affordances and interface design metaphors. Suggestions for the design of MUVEs for collaborative learning are provided.
Quality Assurance and the Management of the University Library System: Committee of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (CULNU), National Workshop, 2006

Purpose – To report on the bi‐annual national workshop of the Committee of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities, held at the National Universities Commission, Abuja in May 2006.Design/methodology/approach – Provides a review of the main events.Findings – Having serious goals and being poorly under‐funded, University Librarians are beset by conflicts in how to achieve their priorities. This program focused on Quality Assurance as its primary theme with many ideas about how to secure better funding.Originality/value – Shares the content of papers delivered at this workshop with a greater readership. Collaboration on a national as well as regional and international level may contribute to new ideas that can lend to goal‐setting.
Biochemistry of the sphingolipides. X. Phytoglycolipide, a complex phytosphingosine-containing lipide from plant seeds

A new complex lipide, phytoglycolipide, has been isolated from soybea,, corn, flaxseed, peanut, sunflowerseed, cottonseed, and wheat phosphatides. This material is obtained by a mild alkaline saponification procedure which destroys glycerol-containing lipides. The new lipide constitutes about 5% of the crude phosphatides and is obtained as a white amorphous powder of identical composition, optical activity, and solubility properties from the various sources. Phytoglycolipide gives on hydrolysis phytosphingosine (and, in the case of soybean only, an unsaturated derivative of phytosphingosine) fatty acids, inositol, glucosamine, a hexuronic acid, galactose, arabinose, mannose, and phosphate.
Hemolysis of albunex-supplemented, 40% hematocrit human erythrocytes in vitro by 1-MHz pulsed ultrasound: Acoustic pressure and pulse length dependence

The tested hypothesis was that ultrasound-induced hemolysis in blood supplemented with a microbubble contrast agent varies with ultrasound intensity and pulse duration. Human erythrocytes in autologous plasma containing 3.6% v:v Albunex microspheres were exposed to 1.07-MHz ultrasound pulses of 5 to 1000 μs at SPTP intensities of 0 to 1100 W/cm2. The dependence of hemolysis on the mechanical index (MI) value of the exposures was also examined. Ultrasound-induced hemolysis: (1) was evident at all pulse/intensity combinations; (2) increased generally with increasing pulse duration at constant intensity; and (3) increased with increasing MI at constant pulse duration. For pulses of 10 to 30 μs, ultrasound-induced hemolysis remained low (≤2%) at MI values < ∼2 and increased sharply with further increase in MI; for 5-μs pulses, this abrupt increase in hemolysis was associated with a larger MI (approximately 3).
Application of clearance concepts to some literature data on drug metabolism in the isolated perfused liver preparation and in vivo

Abstract Using the data of Von Bahr et al. (European J. Pharmacol. 9 (1972) 99), the interrelationships between half-life, volume of distribution and clearance of a drug in vivo and in the isolated perfused liver have been examined. It has been shown that clearance measurements are the most meaningful when comparing the handling of drugs in the isolated perfused liver system to that in vivo. The application of clearance concepts to drug availability and enzyme induction studies are discussed.
Characterization and correlation of soil and plant selenium in some range and coal mine environments of Wyoming

Abstract Selenium (Se) has been recognized as an element of environmental concern because of its natural occurrence and potential toxicity to plants, animals, and humans. Range and coal mine (reclaimed and abandoned) soils were studied using various soil extracts, including saturated paste, hot water, ammonium bicarbonate‐DTPA (AB‐DTPA), and phosphate in order to compare the Se extraction efficiency of these reagents and to characterize the soil‐plant Se correlations in these environments. Soil extraction data indicated the order of Se extractability was phosphate > AB‐DTPA > hot water > saturated paste. The saturated paste‐extractable Se was found to be typically very low. Statistically significant correlations between phosphate‐, AB‐DTPA‐, and hot water‐extractable Se were observed irrespective of the type of environment. Selenium extracted by these reagents indicated certain relationships, such as phosphate ≈ 2 AB‐DTPA, phosphate ≈ 5 hot water, and AB‐DTPA ≈ 3 hot water. Selenium content of shrub veget...
Molecular theory of three-pulse photon echoes for solutes in non-polar fluids

Abstract For a simple molecular solute in a simple non-polar liquid solvent the potential energy can be reasonably modeled by a sum of isotropic pair potentials. In this case various time-correlation functions, including the solute's (transition) frequency–frequency time-correlation function (also called the solvation correlation function), can be calculated semi-analytically without recourse to computer simulation. If the interactions in the system are such that the solute's dynamic transition frequency fluctuations describe a Gaussian process, this then leads to a semi-analytic theory for various spectroscopic observables, including the three-pulse photon echo intensity. In this paper we describe such a theory of the photon echo intensity. For two different model systems our theoretical results compare well with those from molecular dynamics simulation.
Requirement of gene VII in cis for the expression of downstream genes on the major transcript of figwort mosaic virus

Abstract The six major conserved genes of figwort mosaic virus (FMV), a caulimovirus, appear in tandem array on an RNA transcript that spans the entire viral genome. Gene VI, the only cistron that appears as a separate subgenomic RNA, has been reported to transactivate the expression of downstream genes of the full-length transcript. This transcript has a long 5′-leader of about 600 nucleotides followed by a small nonconserved region (gene VII), a smaller intergenic region (57 nucleotides), and the major conserved genes in a closely spaced array. In our present experiments we have constructed expression units containing the promoter for the full-length transcript followed by the 5′ leader region, gene VII, and a reporter gene. These have been tested for expression with and without gene VI as a separate plasmid by electroporation into plant protoplasts. A series of these expression units containing truncated versions of the 5′ leader region placed upstream of a reporter gene (CAT) showed that gene VI transactivation occurred only when gene VII sequences were present in cis between the leader region and the reporter gene. In addition, a more complete version of the FMV genome containing the reporter gene further downstream (in viral gene IV) showed CAT expression only when gene VII sequences were present in an upstream position. A similar construct failed to express CAT activity when gene VII was absent.
Room-temperature phosphorescence from azurin derivatives. Phosphorescence quenching in oxidized native azurin

The tryptophan phosphorescence from a series of derivatives of Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin has been monitored at 30 degrees C in pH 8.5 buffer solution. The phosphorescence lifetimes fall in the range of 230-270 ms for deoxygenated solutions of derivatives containing Cd(II), Cu(I), Co(II), Ni(II), Hg(II) or apoazurin. A weak signal with a lifetime of ca 130 ms is observed from solutions of oxidized native azurin, but this component is ascribed to a modified form of azurin in solution, i.e. protein heterogeneity, on the basis of the unique sensitivity to quenching by dioxygen. Aside from this minor component, the tryptophan phosphorescence in the Cu(II) protein appears to be fully quenched. The quenching is assigned an electron-transfer mechanism involving transient reduction of the metal center. The same mechanism is deemed to be responsible for fluorescence quenching in oxidized native azurin as well. These observations are of interest because aromatic groups like tryptophan may be conduits for physiological electron-transfer processes involving the copper center.
A new sampling scheme for digital phased arrays

A novel sampling scheme for digital phased array antennas is proposed in this paper. This technique allows us to reduce the number of analog paths to one and simplify the required processing power especially for large arrays. All the elements of an array receive the same copy of the desired signal (similar information) with different delay (unique information). We try to eliminate the common information collected by different elements and collect only the unique information, so the proposed scheme works for a desired single beam case. A mathematical derivation which shows that the array factor extracted from the resulting signal through this technique is identical to the traditional array factor is presented. Different steering angles have been applied using this new technique and the results are compared to the traditional array theory showing great agreement. Afterwards, the effect of different sampling time is studied and simulated.
Induction of laurate ω-hydroxylase by di (2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in rat liver microsomes

Abstract Liver microsomes, prepared from rats fed a diet containing di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, were observed to hydroxylate lauric acid at carbon 12 at a specific activity 6 times greater than control rats. There was no increase in the specific activity of the laurate 11-hydroxylase. The specific activity of hepatic microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c reductase was increased 2-fold by phthalate feeding, but no effect was observed in the specific contents of cytochromes b5 or P-450. These results indicate that di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate is similar to the hypolipidemic agent and peroxisomal proliferator, clofibrate, which was previously reported to be a novel inducer of the cytochrome P-450 mediated ω-hydroxylation of fatty acids.
Modeling neural networks with active optical devices

Computers perform poorly in comparison with the human brain for everyday tasks because they evolved from a 1940's number crunching architecture. New architectures are needed, more appropriate for current everyday tasks: web database search, network communication and recognition. For a new computer architecture, we consider the Wilson Cowan biological neural network (BNN) model of the brain which couples excitatory and inhibitory neurons in an additive neural model with sigmoid nonlinearity. We analyze the Wilson Cowan equations to demonstrate supercritical Hopf bifurcation that switches the neural oscillator between off and a stable oscillation---a basic operation in the brain. To mimic the Wilson Cowan neuron, we propose a novel all-optical artificial neural network (ANN) architecture in which semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) perform addition and provide optical injection to a laser diode. We analyze the proposed all-optical system to show that it also performs supercritical Hopf bifurcation, although in this case with 3-D time trajectories rather than 2-D ones. We conclude that the all-optical system has as much dynamic capability as the mathematical brain model. This research aims to stimulate the development of physical analogs to the brain for future computing and better understanding of the brain.
A QUANTITATIVE ANTIBODY RESPONSE OF MAN TO INFECTION OR VACCINATION WITH PASTEURELLA TULARENSIS

A polysaccharide antigen, prepared from a virulent strain of Past. tularensis by phenol extraction, was employed in assaying the antibody in sera from persons recovered from infection with, or vaccinated with Past. tularensis, using the serological technique of quantitative precipitation. Antibody levels in sera of individuals vaccinated with or recovered from infection with Past. tularensis were found to resemble those observed in similar studies by other investigators, such as the antibody response to pneumococcal antigen, meningococcal polysaccharide, and blood group substances. It is suggested that the value of actively or of passively acquired antibody to an individual exposed to tularemia is dependent not on the amount of antibody alone, but also on the amount of antigen with which the antibody is capable of combining.
Induction of Rat Thyroid Cell MHC Class II Antigen by Thyrotropin and Y-Interferon*

Major histocompatibility (MHC) class II antigen expression by thyroid epithelial cells has been widely implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease. We have examined rat MHC (RTl) class II antigen gene regulation in 1B-6 cells, cloned in our laboratory from the Fisher rat thyroid line FRT-L5. 1B-6 cells are TSH dependent for growth and proliferation, and are responsive to more than 5 μU/ml bovine TSH (bTSH) in terms of extracellular cAMP accumulation. Recombinant rat γ interferon (γIF; 1–1000 U/ml) treatment for 5 days together with bTSH (103 μU/ml) was able to induce class II antigen expression in up to 90% of 1B-6 cells, as detected by a murine monoclonal antibody to rat MHC class II antigen (FITC-OX-6). Total cellular RNA was examined in Northern blot analyses using an HLA-DR α-chain-specific RNA probe, which shares 78% sequence homology with the rat RTl.D α-chain gene. A 1.4-kilobase mRNA transcript was detected in γlF-stimulated cells, but not in untreated cells. Dose-response studies...
Experimental demonstration of an all optical flip flop memory

We present an experimental demonstration of an all optical memory consisting of a coupled system of a semiconductor optical amplifier and a super continuum generator operating in the 1500 nm range. The circuit is designed as a fiber ring consisting of the semiconductor amplifier, a polarization beam splitter, a digital polarization controller, a polarization maintaining fiber and a super continuum generator in series. The P or the S output of the beam splitter is sent to an optical spectrum analyzer to measure the output while the other output completes the ring. The linear polarization is adjusted with a digital polarization controller. The stable state consists of two modes, where the mode amplitude represents the state. Mode 1 corresponds to 1530 nanometers and mode 2 corresponds to 1550 nanometers. A contrast ratio between an "on" and "off" state is measured for each mode. The stable states of the flip flop are [mode1- ON, mode2- ON], [mode 1-ON, mode 2-OFF], [mode1-OFF, mode 2-ON] and [mode 1-OFF, mode 2-OFF] and are controlled by the polarization. We shall present the state diagram for these four states of the flip flop, the effect of power on the system, the effect of the SOA drive current, and the effect of polarization fluctuations.
A Fast Response Continuous Analyzer for Halogenated Atmospheric Tracers

Abstract A fast response version of the continuous SF6 analyzer originally introduced in 1976 has been developed. The new continuous analyzer has a response time constant of 0.36 s, which is 4–30 times faster than previous analyzers. The very fast response of the new analyzer allows it to be used to investigate the fundamental nature of atmospheric turbulence and diffusion processes. The new design has been thoroughly tested in laboratory and field conditions over an ambient temperature range from 4° to 40°C and an elevation range of 265 to 2130 m above sea level. The reproducibility in the response of the new analyzer was approximately ±15% over a one-month period. In automobile and aircraft sampling platforms, the reproducibility in response was less than ±12% for periods as long as 7.5 h and elevation changes exceeding 1800 m. The rate of baseline change was <1 ppt min−1 in the laboratory, <10 ppt min−1 in an automobile platform, and 15 ppt min−1 in an aircraft platform. The size, weight, and power con...
A Demand-Driven-Preferred Approval Plan

While demand-driven acquisition (DDA) or patron-driven acquisition (PDA) focuses on providing library materials at a user’s point of need, approval plans attempt to help the library collect everything that might be desired in the future. DDA is the standard method of just-in-time library collecting, while approval plans are a prime example of just-in-case collecting. Therefore, these two methods are often perceived as oppositional library acquisitions practices. Yet, for the start of the 2013–14 fiscal year, California State University, Fullerton’s Pollak Library implemented a hybrid approach of DDA and the approval plan, which came to be known as the DDA-preferred approval plan. This study analyzes the cost and number of books acquired before and after the implementation. Findings demonstrate that the library was able to provide access to a significantly higher number of books in the 2013–14 academic year than in the prior year, and spent much less, suggesting that DDA and the approval plan can work together harmoniously for cost-effective collection building.
Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of Pyrococcus furiosus DNA polymerase.

DNA polymerase gene from the hyperthermophilic Archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus has been cloned and the protein overexpressed in Escherichia coli to produce an active enzyme. The purified protein was crystallized from 0.08 M ammonium sulfate, 0.05 M Na-cacodylate, pH 6.5, 0.15%(v/v) NP40, 0.05%(v/v) Tween 20 and 4.5%(w/v) polyethylene glycol 6000 by the vapour-diffusion method. The orthorhombic crystals had unit-cell dimensions of a = 92.5, b = 125.4, c = 192.1 A; \alpha = β = \gamma = 90°. The crystals diffracted beyond 4 A on a 1.08 A synchrotron radiation source.
Verification of an Electromagnetic Placement Device Compared With Abdominal Radiograph to Predict Accuracy of Feeding Tube Placement

Background: Use of an electromagnetic placement device (EMPD) facilitates placement of feeding tubes at the bedside. Standard practice for verification of feeding tube placement is via radiographic confirmation. The purpose of this research study was to assess the accuracy of placement of small-bore feeding tubes (SBFTs) as determined by EMPD interpretation compared with that of abdominal radiograph verification by a radiologist. Methods: This multicenter prospective study enrolled patients requiring bedside feeding tube placement. SBFTs were placed by an experienced investigator using the EMPD. Two abdominal radiographs were then obtained: one after initial SBFT placement and an additional radiograph after injection of contrast. Documentation of location based on clinician interpretation using the EMPD was then compared with radiologist interpretation. Results: The final sample size was 194 patients, including 18 pediatric patients. Patient age ranged from 12 days to 102 years. Median time for tube place...
Circular/wrap-around self-organizing map networks: an empirical study in clustering and classification

Kohonen's self-organizing map (SOM) network is one of the most important network architectures developed during the 1980s. The main function of SOM networks is to map the input data from an n-dimensional space to a lower-dimensional (usually one or two dimensional) plot while maintaining the original topological relations. A well known limitation of the Kohonen network is the ‘boundary effect’ of nodes on or near the edge of the network. The boundary effect is responsible for the undue influence of the initial random weights assigned to the nodes of the network, which can lead to incorrect topological representations. To overcome this limitation, we use a modified, ‘circular’, weight adjustment algorithm. Our procedure is most effective with the class of problems where the actual coordinates of the output map do not need to correspond to the original input topology. This class of problems includes applications requiring clustering or classification of input data. We tested our method with a well known example problem from the domain of Group Technology, which is typical of this class of problems. Test results show that the circular weight adjustment procedure has better convergence properties, and that the clusters formed using the circular approach are at least as good as, and in many cases superior to, the basic SOM method for these types of problems.
High-energy optical-absorption bands of transition-metal ions in fluoride host crystals

Absorption bands in the region from 40 000 to 80 000 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ have been found for the divalent ions of V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni in the host crystals KMg${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$, Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$, and Mg${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$. Their spectral positions are near those of the free-ion $3d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}4s$ transitions when corrected for crystal-field shifts. The $f$ numbers are near ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ and most of the bands have a temperature-dependent absorption strength consistent with a vibronic absorption mechanism. It is concluded that these are well described as $3d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}4s$ transitions.
Mapping extended Kalman filters onto linear arrays

Techniques for mapping extended Kalman filters onto linear arrays of programmable cells designed for real-time applications are described. First, a general method for mapping a standard (nonsquare root) Kalman filter, where the columns of the covariance matrix are updated in parallel, is introduced. Next, a general method for mapping a factorized (square root) filter, where fast Givens rotations are used to triangularize the prematrix and where rotations of the rows of the prematrix are performed in parallel, is introduced. These mappings are used to implement an extended Kalman filter commonly used in target tracking applications on the Warp computer. The Warp is a commercially available linear array of 10 or more programmable cells connected to an MC68020-based workstation. The Warp implementation of the standard Kalman filter running on 8 Warp cells achieves a measured speedup of 7 over the same filter running on a single cell. The Warp implementation of the factorized filter running on 10 Warp cells achieves a measured speedup of 2. >
Dynamics of No Child Left Behind Policy Impacting Reading Education Practices in Kindergarten in the United States of America

The Commonwealth of Virginia is used as a representative case to illustrate the implication of federal policy on reading education practices in kindergarten in the United States of America. While Virginia follows the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) policy, it allows local school districts to create innovative instructional and assessment practices that can match the needs of each child. Teachers in Virginia experience a wide range of emergent reading skills in kindergarten inclusive classrooms filled with children of diverse backgrounds and abilities. However, highly qualified teachers try to meet the state Standards of Learning through working side-by-side with children. These kindergarten teachers use student-supportive practices to help them successfully progress from emergent to conventional reading, often with the support of parents and reading specialists. Topics addressed are the implication of the NCLB on reading education policy in Virginia, the Virginia Standards of Learning, practices of teaching reading, and assessment of kindergarten students’ reading ability.
Expression of the optx2 homeobox gene during mouse development.

Optx2, a member of the sine oculis-Six family of homeobox genes, is first expressed in the anterior neural plate of the mouse embryo, and subsequently in the optic vesicle and ventral forebrain. During later development, expression is further restricted to precursors of the neural retina, optic chiasm, adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis. In the adult mouse retina, Optx2 mRNA is found in cells within the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer.
Likelihood and conditional likelihood inference for generalized additive mixed models for clustered data

Lin and Zhang (J. Roy. Statist. Soc. Ser. B 61 (1999) 381) proposed the generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) as a framework for analysis of correlated data, where normally distributed random effects are used to account for correlation in the data, and proposed to use double penalized quasi-likelihood (DPQL) to estimate the nonparametric functions in the model and marginal likelihood to estimate the smoothing parameters and variance components simultaneously. However, the normal distributional assumption for the random effects may not be realistic in many applications, and it is unclear how violation of this assumption affects ensuing inferences for GAMMs. For a particular class of GAMMs, we propose a conditional estimation procedure built on a conditional likelihood for the response given a sufficient statistic for the random effect, treating the random effect as a nuisance parameter, which thus should be robust to its distribution. In extensive simulation studies, we assess performance of this estimator under a range of conditions and use it as a basis for comparison to DPQL to evaluate the impact of violation of the normality assumption. The procedure is illustrated with application to data from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS).
Improved modeling capabilites with reduced-order integration

Many rectangular isoparametric finite elements contain a modeling error known as parasitic shear. Parasitic shear can be removed by applying the correct reduced-order Gauss quardrature integration rule. When the 1×1 rule is blindly applied another error, spurious zero energy modes, can be introduced. An analysis procedure is presented that identifies the correct Gauss integration rule for eliminating parasitic shear without introducing spurious zero energy modes. Displacement polynomials expressed in transparent notation assists in the identification of error sources. The procedure is developed with the four-node membrane element and then applied to analyze and correct four- and nine-node Mindlin plate bending elements. Eigenvalue analyses and sample problems are presented to demonstrate the improvements produced by the procedure.
Parametric hidden Markov models for gesture recognition

A method for the representation, recognition, and interpretation of parameterized gesture is presented. By parameterized gesture we mean gestures that exhibit a systematic spatial variation; one example is a point gesture where the relevant parameter is the two-dimensional direction. Our approach is to extend the standard hidden Markov model method of gesture recognition by including a global parametric variation in the output probabilities of the HMM states. Using a linear model of dependence, we formulate an expectation-maximization (EM) method for training the parametric HMM. During testing, a similar EM algorithm simultaneously maximizes the output likelihood of the PHMM for the given sequence and estimates the quantifying parameters. Using visually derived and directly measured three-dimensional hand position measurements as input, we present results that demonstrate the recognition superiority of the PHMM over standard HMM techniques, as well as greater robustness in parameter estimation with respect to noise in the input features. Finally, we extend the PHMM to handle arbitrary smooth (nonlinear) dependencies. The nonlinear formulation requires the use of a generalized expectation-maximization (GEM) algorithm for both training and the simultaneous recognition of the gesture and estimation of the value of the parameter. We present results on a pointing gesture, where the nonlinear approach permits the natural spherical coordinate parameterization of pointing direction.
Visualization of multidigit manipulation mechanics: manipulation mechanics

The purpose of this paper is to develop a visualization tool for the investigation of the contact mechanics at the object-digit interface and force coordination among multiple digits during manipulation tasks. Five miniature six-component force/torque transducers, mounted on a custom-made instrumented handle, were used to record force/torque data at the tips of individual digits during five-digit manipulation tasks. A digitizing device was used to obtain three-dimensional (3-D) coordinates of anatomical landmarks of the hand for the construction of a hand geometric model. The 3-D hand model and force data from transducers were transformed to a common handle coordinate frame so that force vectors were superimposed on digit-tips. One subject performed three static manipulation tasks (grasping, rotating, and lifting) with maximum voluntary contraction on the stabilized instrumented handle. The magnitude and orientation of the force vectors of individual digits were dependent on the tasks, and the subject tended to maximize task efficiency by utilizing different force coordination strategies for different tasks. The visualization methods developed in this paper could potentially provide an effective tool for the examination of object-digit interaction mechanics and interdigit force coordination.
A multidisciplinary approach to improving the understanding of engineering and technology for nonengineering students

In an effort to improve the technological literacy of nonscience, nonengineering students, a course syllabus centered on the development of the electric power industry in the US was developed. The plan was subject through a series of topics treated in as quantitative a fashion as was necessary for the students to appreciate the engineering involved. It was also planned to use as many local examples as possible and to include field trips whenever feasible. Student reaction was found to be excellent. >
Osteoradionecrosis of the cervical vertebrae and occipital bone: A case report and brief review of the literature

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a common complication of radiation therapy. We present the first case reported in the literature of ORN involving the first and second cervical vertebrae and occipital bone in a patient who was treated with surgery and radiation therapy 9 years prior for a TxN3M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the left neck arising from an unknown primary origin. A brief review of the pathophysiology and treatment of this pathological process is also presented. Although the mandible is the most commonly affected site in the head and neck, ORN may develop in an unusual location without any preceding trauma and display an insidious but rapidly progressive course. The pathophysiology of ORN is believed to be a complex metabolic and homeostatic deficiency created by radiation-induced cellular injury and fibrosis, which is characterized by the formation of hypoxic, hypovascular, and hypocellular tissue. The irradiated bone loses its capability to increase the metabolic requirements and nutrient supply required to replace normal collagen and cellular components lost through routine wear. This results in tissue breakdown and the formation of a chronic nonhealing wound. Infection plays only a contaminant role, with trauma being a possible initiating factor. Diagnosis of ORN begins with a complete physical examination, including fiberoptic examination and biopsy of any suspicious lesion to eliminate the possibility of recurrent tumor. Treatment of ORN commonly requires the debridement of necrotic bone and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The head and neck surgeon must possess a high degree of suspicion to promptly diagnose ORN and initiate early treatment. Because of similarities in clinical presentation, the most important step in the initial management of suspected ORN is to eliminate the possibility of tumor recurrence or a new primary.
SHHC: A Scalable Hybrid Hash Cluster for Cloud Backup Services in Data Centers

Data deduplication techniques are ideal solutions for reducing both bandwidth and storage space requirements for cloud backup services in data centers. Current data deduplication solutions rely on comparing fingerprints (hash values) of data chunks to identify redundant data and store the fingerprints on a centralized server. This approach limits the overall throughput and concurrency performance in large scale systems. Furthermore, the slow seek time associated with hard disks degrades the performance of hash lookup operations which are mainly random I/Os. In this paper we present a scalable hybrid hash cluster (SHHC) to maintain a low-latency distributed hash table for storing data fingerprints. Each hybrid node in the cluster is composed of RAM and Solid State Drives (SSD) to take advantage of the fast random access inherent in SSDs. This distributed approach makes the system scalable, balances the load on the hash store and significantly reduces the latency of the hash lookup process.
Expanding pharmacists' role in the era of health care reform.

As a cardiologist who specializes in hypertension management and as a researcher, I was fascinated by the visionary article on pharmacist interdependent prescribing by Abramowitz and colleagues.[1][1] My first interaction with clinical pharmacists was in 1978 during my internal medicine internship
A mechanism of formation of multiple zonal jets in the oceans

Multiple alternating zonal jets observed in the ocean are studied with an idealized quasigeostrophic model of flow in a zonal channel. The jets are maintained by the eddies generated by the imposed, supercritical background flow. The formation, nonlinear dynamics and equilibration of the jets are explained in terms of linear stability arguments and nonlinear self-interactions of the linear eigenmodes. In the proposed mechanism, energy of the background flow is released to the primary instability mode with long meridional and short zonal length scales. This mode undergoes secondary, transverse instability that sets the meridional scale of the emerging multiple zonal jets. This instability channels energy into several weakly damped zonal eigenmodes that amplify the jets. The emerging jets feed back on the instabilities through the partial meridional localization of the most unstable eigenmodes.
Design and synthesis of self-checking VLSI circuits and systems

Self-checking circuits and systems can detect the presence of both transient and permanent faults. The advantage of such a system is that errors can be caught as soon as they occur, and thus data contamination is prevented. Although much effort has been concentrated on the design of self-checking checkers by previous researchers, very few results have been presented for the design of self-checking functional circuits, and fewer still for the design of self-checking systems. Methods are explored for the cost-effective design of combinational and sequential functional circuits, checkers and systems. >
Allele substitution at a flower colour locus produces a pollinator shift in monkeyflowers

The role of major mutations in adaptive evolution has been debated for more than a century. The classical view is that adaptive mutations are nearly infinite in number with infinitesimally small phenotypic effect, but recent theory suggests otherwise. To provide empirical estimates of the magnitude of adaptive mutations in wild plants, we conducted field studies to determine the adaptive value of alternative alleles at a single locus, YELLOW UPPER (YUP). YUP controls the presence or absence of yellow carotenoid pigments in the petals of pink-flowered Mimulus lewisii, which is pollinated by bumblebees, and its red-flowered sister species M. cardinalis, which is pollinated by hummingbirds. We bred near-isogenic lines (NILs) in which the YUP allele from each species was substituted into the other. M. cardinalis NILs with the M. lewisii YUP allele had dark pink flowers and received 74-fold more bee visits than the wild type, whereas M. lewisii NILs with the M. cardinalis yup allele had yellow-orange flowers and received 68-fold more hummingbird visits than the wild type. These results indicate that an adaptive shift in pollinator preference may be initiated by a single major mutation.
Influence of gender, BMI and Hispanic ethnicity on physical activity in children

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between overweight status and physical activity (PA) among gender and ethnic (Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic) sub-groups in elementary school-age children. Methods. PA was assessed over five days using the Actigraph accelerometer in 169 fourth grade students (mean age 9.4 years; 50% female; 63% Hispanic; and 43% overweight, defined as body mass index, BMI ≥85th percentile for age and gender) from four elementary schools in Los Angeles County, California. Results. In the total sample, boys and normal weight students had higher levels of total PA (counts per minute, cpm; p <0.05). Boys spent less time in sedentary PA (p =0.02) and more time in combined moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA, p =0.01). There was a significant gender, ethnicity, and overweight interaction for total PA and MVPA (both p <0.01). MVPA and counts per minute were significantly lower in overweight non-Hispanic girls and Hispanic boys (p <0.05) and marginally lower in overweight n...
Time-sharing parallel applications through performance-targeted feedback-controlled real-time scheduling

Most parallel machines, such as clusters, are space-shared in order to isolate batch parallel applications from each other and optimize their performance. However, this leads to low utilization or potentially long waiting times. We propose a self-adaptive approach to time-sharing such machines that provides isolation and allows the execution rate of an application to be tightly controlled by the administrator. Our approach combines a periodic real-time scheduler on each node with a global feedback-based control system that governs the local schedulers. We have developed an online system that implements our approach. The system takes as input a target execution rate for each application, and automatically and continuously adjusts the applications' real-time schedules to achieve those rates with proportional CPU utilization. Target rates can be dynamically adjusted. Applications are performance-isolated from each other and from other work that is not using our system. We present an extensive evaluation that shows that the system remains stable with low response times, and that our focus on CPU isolation and control does not come at the significant expense of network I/O, disk I/O, or memory isolation.
The Future of Radiation Oncology: The Evolution, Diversification, and Survival of the Specialty

Radiation oncology is a field of medicine that has traveled far over the last century. It has a rich tradition of clinical care and evidence-based practice but in recent years has become increasingly absorbed with technological advances. This increasing emphasis on technology together with other important changes in the health-care economic environment now place the specialty of radiation oncology in a precarious position. If radiation oncologists become simply the guardians of a single therapeutic modality they may find that time marches by and, while the techniques will live on, the specialty may not. This article discusses these threats to the field and examines strategies by which we may evolve, diversify, and thrive.
Space-time coded collision-free frequency hopping in hostile jamming

This paper considers spectrally efficient and robust wireless system design under malicious jamming as well as unintentional interference. Due to limited spectrum and lack of a protected physical boundary, wireless systems are facing much more serious challenges in capacity and security than wired networks. When transmitted through the airlink, wireless signals are vulnerable to hostile jamming and interception. Frequency hopping (FH) system, which is robust under hostile jamming, was originally developed for secure communications in military applications. However, the efficiency of the conventional FH scheme is very low due to inappropriate use of the total available bandwidth and transmission collisions. To improve the system capacity, we develop a space-time coded collision-free frequency hopping (STC-CFFH) system based on the OFDM framework. Performance analysis of the proposed scheme is presented under frequency selective fading and partial band jamming through both theoretical analysis and simulation examples. Our analysis indicates that the STC-CFFH scheme improves the spectral efficiency and inherent anti-jamming features of conventional FH systems. Potentially, the proposed spectrally efficient anti-jamming scheme can be applied directly to military communications under hostile environments.
ABUNDANCE AND PRODUCTIVITY OF WARBLING VIREOS ACROSS AN ELEVATIONAL GRADIENT IN THE SIERRA NEVADA

Abstract Recent studies have shown that Warbling Vireos (Vireo gilvus) are declining in California and that these trends are due to low reproductive success. Brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) has been implicated in the low productivity. I explored two hypotheses related to population dynamics of Warbling Vireos along an elevational gradient: (1) potential source populations exist at high elevations where cowbirds are rare, and (2) potential source populations occur in the center of the elevational distribution with less productive populations at upper and lower elevations. From 1985 through 2002 I studied the abundance and productivity of Warbling Vireos over an elevational gradient in the southern Sierra Nevada. Warbling Vireos were most abundant in mid elevation mixed conifer sites, less abundant in lower elevation ponderosa pine sites and upper elevation true fir sites, and rare in upper elevation lodgepole pine sites. Likewise, daily survival rates of nests were highest at mid...