cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of effects of JPEG2000 compression on a computer-aided detection system for prostate cancer on digitized histopathology

A single digital pathology image can occupy over 10 gigabytes of hard disk space, rendering it difficult to store, analyze, and transmit. Though image compression provides a means of reducing the storage requirement, its effects on CAD (and pathologist) performance are not yet clear. In this work we assess the impact of compression on the ability of a CAD system to detect carcinoma of the prostate (CaP) in histological sections. The CAD algorithm proceeds as follows: Glands in the tissue are segmented using a region-growing algorithm. The size of each gland is then extracted and modeled using a mixture of Gamma distributions. A Markov prior (specifically, a probabilistic pairwise Markov model) is employed to encourage nearby glands to share the same class (i.e. cancerous or non-cancerous). Finally, cancerous glands are aggregated into continuous regions using a distance-hull algorithm. We evaluate CAD performance over 12 images compressed at 14 different compression ratios using JPEG2000. Algorithm performance (measured using the under the receiver operating characteristic curves) remains relatively constant for compression ratios up to 1∶256. After this point performance degrades precipitously. We also have an expert pathologist view the compressed images and assign a confidence measure as to their diagnostic fidelity.
Contextual Influences on Gendered Racial Identity Development of African American Young Women

The aim of the study was to identify the contextual factors and socialization experiences most salient to the identity development of African American girls. Seventeen African American young women ...
The sheath around biased objects immersed in streaming vacuum arc plasmas

Sheaths around negatively biased substrates immersed in vacuum arc plasmas were investigated using positively biased probes. Due to the high plasma density and velocity, the sheath is very thin at the upstream side of the substrate. Its thickness scales approximately with 1 mm/kV for the conditions investigated but the data can also be fitted with the theoretical (bias voltage)/sup 4/3/ law. The sheath very quickly reaches (<3 /spl mu/s) its average quasi-stationary position. The actual position of the sheath edge is subject to fast fluctuations which are correlated with fluctuations of the plasma density. There is evidence that no presheath exists on the upstream side because the Bohm condition is oversatisfied.
Serine Protease PKF of Acinetobacter baumannii Results in Serum Resistance and Suppression of Biofilm Formation

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen. Infections are often preceded by intubation or catheter use, promoting the formation of biofilm, and some strains are able to cause severe cases of bacteremia because of their ability to resist killing by complement. We identified a secreted serine protease, termed "PKF," that provided resistance to complement killing and suppressed biofilm formation. Serum resistance was abrogated in A. baumannii treated with protease inhibitors, as well as in a PKF-negative mutant. Serum resistance could be restored by recombinant PKF, which was shown to reduce the complement activity of normal human serum by almost 50%. PKF was shown to inhibit biofilm formation, because the PKF-negative mutant and wild-type A. baumannii treated with protease inhibitors produced biofilm that could be inhibited by addition of recombinant PKF. Our data indicate that PKF is required for serum resistance and that it suppresses biofilm formation in A. baumannii.
Modeling Ion-Induced Pulses in Radiation-Hard SOI Integrated Circuits

A common technique for hardening a circuit cell against single-event effects (SEE) is to use an RC delay or other time delay technique to slow down the response of a storage or memory cell. In order for this to work, we must have a good model for the duration of the output voltage pulse due to the ion strike on a given cell. Two-dimensional simulations determine the output voltage pulse shape due to an ion strike on a circuit cell within an integrated circuit. For SOI, the worst-case pulse occurs when the ion strike is near the center of the NMOS body (under the gate). It is very desirable to have a simple SPICE model for the SEE behavior because of the large number of circuit cells that need to be characterized. Two-dimensional (2D) simulations are translated into a ID format, from which closed-form physics-based equations are derived, which are then used in SPICE simulations. Test chips from a 0.15 mum SOI process are used to experimentally determine the LET threshold of six different circuits. The SPICE predictions of LET threshold are in good agreement with the experimental results. Because the SEE pulse widths in SOI circuits are much shorter than those in comparable bulk CMOS circuits, time-delay radiation hardening of SOI can be achieved with much less compromise of the speed of storage or memory cells.
Source authentication in group communication systems

Many group communication systems need to enforce a restriction that limits members are authorized to send messages to the group. Receivers therefore need to authenticate message sources before the received messages are accepted. Source authentication in peer-to-peer systems is trivial: the two communication parties can agree on one pair key and use this key to authenticate each other. However, because the group key is shared by all members in a group system, it is quite challenging to identify the sender and determine its authorization. Furthermore, if the authorization can be changed at run-time, source authentication problem can be even harder. This paper presents a source authentication technique called TTA scheme (Transitive Trust Authentication). TTA supports source authentication as well as dynamic authorization change. In addition, its computation and communication overhead is low.
School improvement processes: A comparative study of Chicago high schools

How well do market pressures contribute to school improvement in high schools of choice? This chapter evaluates the relation between markets and reform by comparing two Catholic and two public high schools in Chicago.
Early talk about the past: the origins of conversational stories of personal experience.

This paper explores children's early talk about specific distant past events and its development into conversational stories of personal experience, with special focus on its evaluative function. The data consist of longitudinal home observations of five working-class children and their mothers from ages 2; 0 to 2; 6. Results indicate that during this period the children talked primarily about negative past events, especially events of physical harm; the rate of talk about specific past events doubled; temporally-ordered sequences increased dramatically; and the children became better able to accomplish such talk independently. In addition, one of the most striking findings is the extent to which these 2–year-olds were able to communicate their attitude toward the past event, with speech about the past containing five times more evaluative devices than other speech. These results suggest that (1) by age 2; 6 stories of personal experience emerged in incipient form, and (2) the roots of this genre lie not only in cognitive skills and social interactional support but in the emotional significance of the depicted event.
Parental confirmation as a mitigator of feeling caught and family satisfaction

This study tested parental confirmation as a mitigator of the inverse association between young adults' feelings of being caught and family satisfaction. Participants included 567 young adult children from intact and divorced families. Results indicated that mother's confirmation mitigated the inverse association between feeling caught and family satisfaction for young adults from divorced families. Family satisfaction was lowest in divorced families when young adults felt caught and their fathers were disconfirming, though young adults in intact families reported even less satisfaction in such a communicative context. Importantly, mother confirmation was more predictive of family satisfaction in divorced families than in intact families, whereas father confirmation was more predictive of family satisfaction than mother confirmation for young adults in intact families.
Clinical Application of Strain Imaging

Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction increases the risk for serious post-operative complications. Accurate assessment of LV wall motion is necessary to guide anesthetic management; however, traditional measures have a high degree of inter- and intra-observer variability. Myocardial deformation as measured by strain and strain rates is improving the diagnostic and prognostic utility of echocardiography to determine LV function in patients with cardiovascular disease. Strain can be measured using tissue Doppler and speckle tracking imaging from two-dimensional or three-dimensional echocardiography using various online and offline software packages. Tissue Doppler strain analysis provides excellent temporal resolution but is limited by the imaging angle of insonation. Speckle tracking strain imaging is angle independent and now the more commonly used modality. Strain has been demonstrated to guide therapy, monitor disease progression in various pathologic states, and is emerging as a strong predictor of clinical outcomes.
Glass Bone Implants: The Effect of Surface Topology on Attachment and Proliferation of Osteoblast Cells on 45S Bioactive Glass

Bioglass 45S is a promising bone implant material with superior biocompatibility. Past research showed that adhesion of bone cells to titanium is strongly affected by its surface architecture. However, little is known about the role of surface topology of glass on its use as an implant. Thus, we systematically investigated the effect of surface roughness (Ra ∼ 0.01 – 1.2 μm) on cell adhesion and proliferation on 45S Bioglass in vitro. MG63 osteosarcoma and MC3T3 osteoblast precursor cells were seeded on the glass samples, and incubated for up to 6 days. The attachment, morphology and proliferation of cells were investigated using fluorescence microscopy. Our results show that cell attachment (as indicated by cell spreading and number of focal adhesion sites), and proliferation rate decrease with increasing roughness of bioactive glass surface. These findings provide important insight for improving surface characteristics of bioactive glass bone implants.
Teaching Retaining Wall Design with Case Histories

This paper presents the implementation of a unique case history to conclude a teaching module for the design of retaining walls directed towards undergraduate civil engineering students. The initial portion of the module introduces students to different methods of analysis for assessing lateral loads and the general stability of the wall against sliding, overturning and bearing capacity failure. To conclude this segment, students are asked to complete the design of a retaining wall as part of a project. One such design calls for the design of a structure to retain an 8-meter fill section supporting a parking area next to a shopping center.
Atorvastatin Prevents End-Organ Injury in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension: Role of eNOS and Oxidant Stress

Statins, inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis, are endowed with pleiotropic effects that may contribute to their favorable clinical results. Hypertensive Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats have endothelial dysfunction and cardiorenal injury associated with decreased NO bioavailability and increased superoxide (O2-) production linked to a functional upregulation of angiotensin II. We investigated whether atorvastatin (30 mg/kg per day; by gavage) would prevent endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) downregulation and the increase in O2- in DS rats, thereby reducing end-organ injury. DS rats given a high-salt diet (4% NaCl) for 10 weeks developed hypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] 200+/-8 versus 150+/-2 mm Hg in DS rats fed 0.5% NaCl diet [NS]; P<0.05), impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation, functional upregulation of endothelin-1, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH; 30%), and proteinuria (167%), accompanied by downregulation of aortic eNOS activity (0.7+/-0.2 versus 1.8+/-0.3 nmol/min per gram protein in NS; P<0.05) and increased aortic O2- (2632+/-316 versus 1176+/-112 counts/min per milligram in NS; P<0.05) and plasma 8-F2alpha isoprostanes. Atorvastatin prevented the decrease in eNOS activity (1.5+/-0.3 nmol/min per gram protein) as well as the increase in O2- (1192+/-243 counts/min per milligram) and plasma 8-F2alpha isoprostanes, reduced LVH and proteinuria, and normalized endothelial function and vascular response to endothelin-1, although reduction in SBP was modest (174+/-8 mm Hg). Atorvastatin combined with removal of high salt normalized aortic eNOS activity, SBP, LVH, and proteinuria. These findings strongly suggest that concomitant prevention of vascular eNOS downregulation and inhibition of oxidative stress may contribute to the protection against end-organ injury afforded by this statin in salt-sensitive hypertension.
Mountain pine beetle-killed lodgepole pine for the production of submicron lignocellulose fibrils

The elevated levels of tree mortality attributed to mountain pine beetle (MPB) (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) in western North American forests create forest management challenges. This investigation introduces the production of submicron or nanometer lignocellulose fibrils for value-added materials from the widely available resource represented by dead pines after an outbreak. Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.), trees from two different times since infestation and a noninfested live tree as a control were used for mechanical fibrillation. Fiber deconstruction down to the micro-/nanoscale from infested wood was performed using mechanical fibrillation, without any chemical (pre)treatment. The effects of fibrillation were monitored as a function of processing time, and the respective products were characterized. The changes in fibril morphology, cellulose crystallinity, water retention value, and cellulase adsorption capacity were determined. Interestingly, no significant differences were found between fibrillated samples from the live and the MPB-killed trees. It can be concluded that MPB-killed lodgepole pine is a suitable feedstock for the production of lignocellulose micro-/nanofibrils.
Full-field measurements of particle size distributions. II: experimental comparison of the polarization ratio and scattered intensity methods.

Experimental results are presented for a technique capable of making full-field measurements of discrete particle size distributions with both a broadband polarization ratio technique and a broadband scattered power technique. The data indicate that individual particle sizing is more accurately done using scattered intensities than using polarization ratios because of the latter’s sensitivity to particle shape or beam quality. This result is not readily apparent from the theory discussed in Part I [(Appl. Opt. 32, 7532 (1993)]. It is also shown that spatially resolved measurements of local size distributions require large numbers of particles or else the measurement accuracy is poor.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Selectively Stimulates Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Expression in Ovarian Theca-lnterstitial Cells

Evidence accumulating in the literature supports the concept that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) may be an important local regulator of ovarian function. Recent studies have demonstrated that IGF-I synergistically augments LH stimulation of theca-interstitial cell (TIC) androgen biosynthesis. The purpose of the present studies was to begin to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between IGF-I and LH. TIC were purified from ovaries of hypophysectomized immature rats by Percoll gradient centrifugation. When isolated TIC (5 × 106 viable cells per dish) were cultured (4 days) in serum-free medium, low amounts (<10 ng/ml) of androsterone were produced. Basal androsterone production was not changed by incubation with IGFI (30 ng/ml). Treatment with LH (50 ng/ml) caused an 85-fold stimulation of androsterone synthesis that was further increased 2.1-fold by concomitant treatment with IGF-I. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that untreated TIC contained low levels of 17α-hydroxylase/C17-20 ly...
Growth hormone treatment of patients with Fanconi anemia after hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Short stature is common in patients with Fanconi anemia (FA) and may be due to growth hormone deficiency (GHD) [1–4], especially after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) [5]. Yet, there are no published data on the effectiveness of recombinant human GH treatment in these patients. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective case review study that included 4 patients with FA treated with GH for ≥2 years who reached near adult height. All patients received allogeneic HCT at the University of Minnesota between 2002 and 2008. We hypothesized that height would increase by at least 0.5 SDS in response to therapy. Patients who met two of the three criteria: height ≤−1.5 SDS, growth velocity ≤−2.0 SDS, or height SDS >2 SD below the mid-parental height, underwent GH stimulation testing with clonidine and arginine. GHD was defined as a stimulated GH level <10 μg/L [6]. Evaluation included physical examination, bone age radiograph, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography scan of the brain, thyroid tests, and growth factor levels. This study was approved by the University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board. The mean age at FA diagnosis was 7.0±1.9 years and was 8.7±2.2 years at HCT. All patients had GHD. Patient 1 had an ectopic pituitary gland with pituitary stalk anomaly and Patient 3 had a pituitary microadenoma on MRI. Patients 2 and 4 had normal brain scans. Patient 2 was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure at 12 years and was treated with estrogen replacement throughout the course of GH therapy. Patients 1 and 4 had a transient subclinical hypothyroidism, which resolved without treatment within a year. Patient 2 had normal thyroid function. Patient 3 had primary hypothyroidism prior to starting GH therapy and was euthyroid on levothyroxine during GH treatment. Table I shows GH treatment data. The average age at GH start was 10.7±1.8 years. GH dose was 0.28±0.03 mg/kg/week. The initial bone age was delayed (2 SD below the mean) for Patients 1 and 2. The average growth rate was 4.0±1.1 cm/yr (−2.2±1.8 SD) at baseline, 6.6±3.9 cm/yr (1.7±4.9 SD) in year 1, 9.2±3.1 cm/yr (4.0±1.0 SD) in year 2, 5.6±2.0 cm/yr (1.1±3.7 SD) in year 3, and 5.7±1.1 cm/yr (1.2±2.1 SD) in year 4. The mean increase in height was 0.9±0.6 SDS (p=0.05). The smallest response to GH therapy was seen in Patient 4 who was the oldest and showed no improvement in insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) SDS, suggesting that optimization of GH dose based on IGF-1 levels may have improved outcome. There were no adverse events from GH. Table I Growth hormone treatment data In conclusion, GH treatment was well tolerated and had a positive effect on growth, resulting in an increase in height of at least 0.5 SDS in three out of four patients. It should be noted, however, that the long-term risk of GH treatment in these patients is unknown. Although HCT reduces the risk of leukemia, all patients with FA are at increased risk of solid tumors, including head and neck cancers, and gynecological cancers [7–9]. Therefore, continued surveillance is needed.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Kids in the Middle: A Field Test of a School-Based Consultation Model

A school-based collaborative consultation model was designed and field-tested to increase the core knowledge of AD/HD and effective intervention skills of middle and junior high school staff The model provided both direct and indirect consultation to school districts and included three levels of service: in-service training, on-site consultation, and advanced training witb follow-up consultation. Results of a field test are reported. Across a total of 57 participating school districts, 2,928 different personnel received contact with project activities. Most districts selected general in-service programs focused on knowledge dissemination to regular and special education teachers as well as consultation around individual students. In particular, self-management interventions for adolescents with AD/HD were implemented. Outcomes of the project as measured by consumer satisfaction ratings and 3-month follow-up data strongly suggest that the model was successful in substantially increasing core knowledge abou...
A Comparison of Different Chemical Sanitizers for Inactivating Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in Solution and on Apples, Lettuce, Strawberries, and Cantaloupe

Ozone (3 ppm), chlorine dioxide (3 and 5 ppm), chlorinated trisodium phosphate (100- and 200-ppm chlorine), and peroxyacetic acid (80 ppm) were assessed for reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in an aqueous model system and on inoculated produce. Initially, sanitizer solutions were inoculated to contain approximately 10(6) CFU/ml of either pathogen, after which aliquots were removed at 15-s intervals over a period of 5 min and approximately plated to determine log reduction times. Produce was dip inoculated to contain approximately 10(6) E. coli O157:H7 or L. monocytogenes CFU/g, held overnight, submerged in each sanitizer solution for up to 5 min, and then examined for survivors. In the model system study, both pathogens decreased > 5 log following 2 to 5 min of exposure, with ozone being most effective (15 s), followed by chlorine dioxide (19 to 21 s), chlorinated trisodium phosphate (25 to 27 s), and peroxyacetic acid (70 to 75 s). On produce, ozone and chlorine dioxide (5 ppm) were most effective, reducing populations approximately 5.6 log, with chlorine dioxide (3 ppm) and chlorinated trisodium phosphate (200 ppm chlorine) resulting in maximum reductions of approximately 4.9 log. Peroxyacetic acid was the least effective sanitizer (approximately 4.4-log reductions). After treatment, produce samples were stored at 4 degrees C for 9 days and quantitatively examined for E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, mesophilic aerobic bacteria, yeasts, and molds. Populations of both pathogens remained relatively unchanged, whereas numbers of mesophilic bacteria increased 2 to 3 log during storage. Final mold and yeast populations were significantly higher than initial counts for chlorine dioxide- and ozone-treated produce. Using the nonextended triangle test, whole apples exposed to chlorinated trisodium phosphate (200 ppm chlorine) and shredded lettuce exposed to peroxyacetic acid were statistically different from the other treated samples.
Effect of Genes Controlling Radiation Sensitivity on Chemically Induced Mutations in SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE.

The effect of 16 different genes (rad) conferring radiation sensitivity on chemically induced reversion in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was determined. The site of reversion used was a well-defined chain initiation mutant mapping in the structural gene coding for iso-1-cytochrome c. High doses of EMS and HNO2 resulted in decreased reversion of cyc1–131 in rad6, rad9 and rad15 strains compared to the normal RAD+ strains. In addition, rad52 greatly decreased EMS reversion of cyc1–131 but had not effect on HNO 2-induced reversion; rad18, on the other hand, increased HNO 2-induced reversion but did not alter EMS-induced reversion. When NQO was used as the mutagen, every rad gene tested, except for rad14 , had an effect on reversion; rad6, rad9, rad15, rad17, rad18, rad22, rev1, rev2 and rev3 lowered NQO reversion while rad1, rad2, rad3, rad4, rad10, rad12 and rad16 increased it compared to the RAD+ strain. The effect of rad genes on chemical mutagenesis is discussed in terms of their effect on UV mutagenesis. It is concluded that although the nature of the repair pathways may differ for UV- and chemically-induced mutations in yeast, a functional repair system is required for the induction of mutation by the chemical agents NQO, EMS and HNO2.
Studies on mesoporous materials: I. Synthesis and characterization of MCM-41

Abstract The mesoporous molecular sieves MCM-41 are synthesized and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, cyclohexane and water adsorption, transmission electron micrographs (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), FTIR, FT-Raman, 29Si, 27Al and 13C magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy. Raman spectra from these materials exhibit a common band at ∼610 cm−1 assignable to cyclic trisiloxanes (3-membered rings), indicating in combination with TEM, IR and NMR results that the inorganic portion of MCM-41 resembles amorphous silicas or aluminosilicates rather than crystalline molecular sieves in terms of the local structure and bonding. Pure-silica MCM-41 can be heated to at least 850°C in dry air or 800°C in air with 8 Torr water vapor before structural collapse begins. Using sodium aluminate as the aluminum reagent, aluminosilicate MCM-41 can be prepared with a Si/Al ratio as low as 29 without observing the presence of octahedral aluminum. Such is not the case when using Catapal alumina. Adsorption of cyclohexane and water reveals that pure-silica and aluminosilicate (Si/Al = 39) MCM-41 are both hydrophobic. Based on ammonia TPD results, aluminosilicate MCM-41 has acidity similar to that of amorphous aluminosilicates.
Foreign Exploration in California

Ecological data on a native gall-forming midge, Rhopalomyia californica Felt (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and its parasites in California are used to determine the “best” species or combination of species of parasites to introduce for control of the midge in an imaginary country whose climate is similar to that of the Sacramento Valley of California. Over 4,000 combinations (introduction strategies) among the 12 species of parasites were possible. There was no one “best” species or combination of species in this case; instead, several introduction strategies appeared to be good risks. The results suggest that, where several species of candidate natural enemies are available, several introduction strategies will also exist. After almost 100 years of practice in classical biological control, an adequate theoretical framework for assessing multiple-species introductions is generally lacking. Thus, some of the major theoretical problems in classical biological control remain to be solved.
A Study on the Effect of Mean Cyclic Temperature on the Thermal Fatigue Reliability of SAC Solder Joints Using Digital Image Correlation

Electronics in high reliability applications may be subjected to cyclic thermo-mechanical loads after being deployed for extended periods of time in harsh environment. Cyclic thermal excursion may result in solder joint fatigue leading to failure. Previous researchers have shown that exposure to high temperature for extended periods of time results in evolution of the mechanical properties of SnAgCu alloys. Deployment of leadfree electronics in harsh environment applications may result in exposure to a multitude of thermal cycles. The effect of cyclic thermal range and thermal aging on the thermal fatigue reliability has been widely documented; however the effect of the mean temperature on the thermal fatigue reliability and the strain evolution of during cyclic exposure has not been studied. In this paper, an experimental investigation has been undertaken using digital image correlation to quantify the evolution in the strain state under different mean temperatures and cyclic thermal intervals. Three different test vehicles including BGA144, BGA256 and BGA324 were used in this study under three different test conditions −50°C to +50°C, 0°C to 100°C, 50°C to 150°C. A framework to evaluate the effect of mean temperature of thermal cycle has been developed.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Philanthropic Support of National Parks Analysis Using the Social-Ecological Systems Framework

Ostrom’s social-ecological systems (SES) framework infrequently has been applied to civil society research. But its focus on collective action may help explain why some national parks are more successful at attracting philanthropic resources to supplement stagnant public funding. We examine two types of charitable supporting organizations: “Friends of” Groups (FOGs), which typically emphasize fundraising, and Cooperating Associations (CAs), which typically emphasize visitor support. We identify their partnership patterns across more than 300 national park units. Our findings suggest that FOGs and CAs fill different niches. CAs are drawn to more popular parks or memorials, and FOGs are found in parks with smaller budgets or offering fewer activities. Actor characteristics play a secondary role in explaining nonprofit incidence. The holistic approach of the SES perspective demonstrates the importance of connecting resource systems to institutional settings and actor attributes.
Relationship between paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and P-wave dispersion

Obiective To explore the relationship between paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(PAF) and P wave dispersion(pd) Methods The P wave maximal interval(Pmax)and P wave dispersion were measured and compared in 62 essential hypertensive patients with history of PAF(group A),63 didopathic patients,and 62 healthy controls Rusults The pd and Pmax had significant difference in two groups of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation comparing with that of contol;The pd and Pmax had no significant difference in patients of A group comparing with B group,Taking pd≥40ms,pmax≥110ms and combination of two indexes as diagnosis criteion in Aand B groups,sensitivity of them were 83 9%,85 5%,77 4%and 81 0%,87 3%,79 4%,spccificity were 79 0%,71 4%and 90 3%,positive predictive value were 80 1%,74 6%,88 9%and 79 7%,75 3%,89 3%respectively Conclusions Pd is new,noninvasive,stable predictable index in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Lower Urinary Tract Disorders in Postmenopausal Women

Publisher Summary The incidence of lower urinary tract disorders has increased in women with the increase in life expectancy, and this trend will continue, particularly in the industrialized countries. Women will, therefore, spend a significant part of their life in the postmenopausal years, which is probably due to estrogen deficiency, hormonal alterations, muscular and neuronal damages secondary to previous childbirths, and other age-related physiologic changes. This chapter focuses on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of urinary incontinence, interstitial cystitis, and urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women. Disturbances in the lower urinary tract produce a wide variety of symptoms in postmenopausal women and account for a significant number of medical visits. Although not life threatening, lower urinary tract disorders can have a severe impact on quality of life. Patients with these problems may suffer from a loss of self-esteem, loss of independence, decrease in sexual activity, social isolation, and depression. In addition to the medical impact and psychologic burden, disorders of the lower urinary tract are also associated with significant medical costs.
Effects of Near-Zero Magnetic Fields upon Biological Systems

Man’s exploration of space is resulting in his prolonged separation from the terrestrial magnetic field. In Fig. 1, a typical distribution of the geomagnetic field at the earth’s surface is shown on a Mercator projection. Spacecraft, at the altitudes and latitudes of the usual near-earth orbits, will be exposed for the most part to magnetic fields no lower than those around Rio de Janeiro at sea level. But in spaceflights carrying him more than 10 earth radii (about 1/6 the distance to the moon) away from the earth’s center, man finds the intensity of his magnetic environment to be near zero (Fig. 2). Interplanetary probes [Ness and Wilcox (1965); Schardt and Opp (1967)] have revealed extremely low magnetic fields, i.e., in the range of a few gammas (10−5 Oe)* of intensity, and planetary probes [Koenig et al. (1967); Michaux (1967); Hess (1967), and Colburn (1968)] show fields of considerably less than 100 gammas around all those bodies which are man’s first scheduled extraterrestrial landing sites (Table I). In addition, the makeup of the present generation of manned spacecraft has been estimated to cause only minimal modification of these ambient, null magnetic fields within the vicinity of the crew [Modisette (1966)].
Palladium-Filled Carbon Nanotubes Cathode for Improved Electrolyte Stability and Cyclability Performance of Li-O2 Batteries

Li–oxygen (Li-O2) cathodes using palladium-coated and palladium-filled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were investigated for their battery performance. The full discharge of batteries in the 2–4.5 V range showed 6-fold increase in the first discharge cycle of the Pd-filled over the pristine CNTs and 35% increase over their Pd-coated counterparts. The Pd-filled also exhibited improved cyclability with 58 full cycles of 500 mAhg−1 at current density of 250 mAg−1 versus 35 and 43 cycles for pristine and Pd-coated CNTs, respectively. In this work, the effect of encapsulating the Pd catalysts inside the CNTs proved to increase the stability of the electrolyte during both discharging and charging. Voltammetry, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, UV/Vis spectroscopy and visual inspection of the discharge products using scanning electron microscopy confirmed the improved stability of the electrolyte due to this encapsulation and suggest that this approach could lead increasing the Li-O2 battery capacity and cyclability performance.
Crystallization of Polymers Investigated by Temperature-Modulated DSC

The aim of this review is to summarize studies conducted by temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) on polymer crystallization. This technique can provide several advantages for the analysis of polymers with respect to conventional differential scanning calorimetry. Crystallizations conducted by TMDSC in different experimental conditions are analysed and discussed, in order to illustrate the type of information that can be deduced. Isothermal and non-isothermal crystallizations upon heating and cooling are examined separately, together with the relevant mathematical treatments that allow the evolution of the crystalline, mobile amorphous and rigid amorphous fractions to be determined. The phenomena of 'reversing' and 'reversible' melting are explicated through the analysis of the thermal response of various semi-crystalline polymers to temperature modulation.
Recursive identification for electric arc furnace — Electrode regulator system

This research focuses on the recursive identification for electric arc furnace — electrode regulator system. Based on the comprehensive study of the aforementioned system structure, we express the electrode regulator system by a Hammerstein-Wiener nonlinear block-oriented model and give its parameterized form. Furthermore, an algorithm is proposed for the recursive identification of the model. The properties of uniform convergence for the algorithm parameters are also validated. The simulation results show the efficacy of proposed algorithm.
IL-2 is required for the generation of viral-specific CD4+ Th1 tissue-resident memory cells and B cells are essential for maintenance in the lung.

CD4+ tissue resident cells are an important first line of defense against viral infections in the lungs and are critical for promoting the localization of lung resident CD8+ T cells. However, relatively little is known about the signaling programs required for the development of viral-specific CD4+ tissue resident cells in the lungs. Recently, it was shown that signaling through the high affinity IL-2 receptor is required for the differentiation of lung-resident Th2 memory (Trm) cells in a murine model of airway inflammation. We therefore tested if IL-2 signaling is also required for the development of viral antigen-specific CD4+ Th1 cells in the lung after intranasal infection with LCMV. These studies demonstrate that Th1 CD4+ T cells also require IL-2 for lung Trm development. Additionally, they show that B cells potently inhibit early Th1 cell lung residency, but are required for the maintenance of a long-lived population of CD4+ Th1 Trm. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Integrating graphing assignments into a money and banking course using FRED

Over the course of one semester, six empirical assignments that utilize FRED are used to introduce students of money and banking courses to the economic analysis required for the conduct of monetar...
Measuring Gender in the Context of Demographic Change

In this chapter we focus on the definition and measurement of gender in demographic research. We start by reviewing the history of efforts to bring gender into demographic analyses and the challenges that researchers have faced in this endeavor. We then investigate different approaches to measuring gender and its relationships to demographic outcomes, and look at both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. We argue that while demography now recognizes the importance of gender in any demographic analysis, we are still far from capturing the full effects of gender; especially difficult has been capturing the influence of gender operating at the community or societal levels.
Comparative behavioral toxicology with two common larval fish models: Exploring relationships among modes of action and locomotor responses.

Abstract Behavioral responses inform toxicology studies by rapidly and sensitively detecting molecular initiation events that propagate to physiological changes in individuals. These behavioral responses can be unique to chemical specific mechanisms and modes of action (MOA) and thus present diagnostic utility. In an initial effort to explore the use of larval fish behavioral response patterns in screening environmental contaminants for toxicity and to identify behavioral responses associated with common chemical specific MOAs, we employed the two most common fish models, the zebrafish and the fathead minnow, to define toxicant induced swimming activity alterations during interchanging photoperiods. Though the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) is a common model for aquatic toxicology research and regulatory toxicology practice, this model has received little attention in behavioral studies compared to the zebrafish, a common biomedical model. We specifically compared behavioral responses among 7 different chemicals (1-heptanol, phenol, R-(-)-carvone, citalopram, diazinon, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), and xylazine) that were selected and classified based on anticipated MOA (nonpolar narcosis, polar narcosis, electrophile, specific mechanism) according to traditional approaches to examine whether these comparative responses differ among chemicals with various structure-based predicted toxicity. Following standardized experimental guidelines, zebrafish embryos and fathead minnow larvae were exposed for 96 h to each compound then were observed using digital behavioral analysis. Behavioral observations included photomotor responses, distance traveled, and stimulatory, refractory and cruising locomotor activity. Though fathead minnow larvae displayed greater behavioral sensitivity to 1-heptanol, phenol and citalopram, zebrafish were more sensitive to diazinon and R-(-)-carvone. Both fish models were equally sensitive to xylazine and PTZ. Further, the pharmaceuticals citalopram and xylazine significantly affected behavior at therapeutic hazard values, and each of the seven chemicals elicited unique behavioral response profiles. Larval fish behaviors appear useful as early tier diagnostics to identify mechanisms and pathways associated with diverse biological activities for chemicals lacking mechanistic data.
Parallel Mutual Exclusions

Applications of Petri net theory have been extended to various aspects of manufacturing since its introduction to this domain in the 1970’s. Among them are specification, validation, performance analysis, and simulation for automated manufacturing systems [Al-Jaar 90a; Desrochers 89; DiCesare 91; Murata 89; Silva 90; Zhou 90a]. One can also directly convert Petri net definitions into control code for supervisory control of manufacturing systems. Only after correct Petri net models are constructed for systems do all these applications follow. Therefore, the systematic modeling of a system is very important. Traditionally, one obtains a Petri net model using trial and error methods, and then analyzes it for properties like boundedness and liveness. Since in a moderately sized manufacturing system the complexity of design at the implementation level of detail easily becomes unreasonable, a challenging problem arises: that of systematically constructing a Petri net model such that it has the desirable properties for a manufacturing system.
Detecting task demand via an eye tracking machine learning system

Abstract Computerized systems play a significant role in today's fast-paced digital economy. Because task demand is a major factor that influences how computerized systems are used to make decisions, identifying task demand automatically provides an opportunity for designing advanced decision support systems that can respond to user needs at a personalized level. A first step for designing such advanced decision tools is to investigate possibilities for developing automatic task load detectors. Grounded in decision making, eye tracking, and machine learning literature, we argue that task demand can be detected automatically, reliably, and unobtrusively using eye movements only. To investigate this possibility, we developed an eye tracking task load detection system and tested its effectiveness. Our results revealed that our task load detection system reliably predicted increased task demand from users' eye movement data. These results and their implications for research and practice are discussed.
State of art on energy management strategy for hybrid-powered unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract New energy sources such as solar energy and hydrogen energy have been applied to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which could be formed as the hybrid power sources due to the requirement of miniaturization, lightweight, and environmental protection issue for UAV. Hybrid electrical propulsion technology has been used in UAV and it further enforces this trend for the evolution to the Hybrid-Powered System (HPS). In order to realize long endurance flight mission and improve the energy efficiency of UAV, many researching works are focused on the Energy Management Strategy (EMS) of the HPS with digital simulation, ground demonstration platforms and a few flight tests for the UAV in recent years. energy management strategy, in which off-line or on-line control algorithms acted as the core part, could optimize dynamic electrical power distribution further and directly affect the efficiency and fuel economy of hybrid-powered system onboard. In order to give the guideline for this emerging technology for UAV, this paper presents a review of the topic highlighting energy optimal management strategies of UAV. The characteristics of typical new energy sources applied in UAV are summarized firstly, and then the classification and analysis of the architecture for hybrid power systems in UAV are presented. In the context of new energy sources and configuration of energy system, a comprehensive comparison and analysis for the state of art of EMS are presented, and the various levels of complexity and accuracy of EMS are considered in terms of real time, computational burden and optimization performance based on the optimal control and operational modes of UAV. Finally, the tendency and challenges of energy management strategy applied to the UAV have been forecasted.
Implementing and assessing the efficacy of the North American Bat Monitoring Program

Abstract Bats are under threat from habitat loss, energy development, and the disease white-nose syndrome; therefore, an efficient and effective means to monitor bat populations is needed. The Nort...
CHILD ABUSE AND ADULT MENTAL HEALTH: DOES GENDER MATTER?

Numerous studies have demonstrated that child abuse is associated with poor adult mental health, but few have investigated the extent to which the frequency of different types of abuse increase mental health conditions, especially at the nexus of gender. The present study examines whether parental abuse frequency and abuse perpetrator have distinct effects for men and women on three mental health outcomes—depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, and global self-reported mental health. Data came from three waves of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), comprising a baseline sample of 3,032 adults aged 25-74. Estimating a series of mixed effects models revealed that maternal abuse and frequent abuse during childhood were associated with poorer adult mental health during our 20-year observation period, net of childhood and adult risk factors. Specifically, maternal emotional abuse raised the risk of depression, anxiety, and lower self-rated mental health, and was more strongly associated with depression and anxiety for women than men. Compared to adults who did not experience parental abuse during childhood, adults who experienced frequent emotional and physical abuse by either parent were more likely to experience depression and anxiety and report lower ratings of mental health in adulthood. Frequent child abuse was more strongly associated with anxiety for women than men. These results demonstrate that gender differences in adult mental health have early-life antecedents. Future research investigating the long-term mental health consequences of child abuse should consider the type and magnitude of abuse as well as the perpetrator.
Brand Experience via Mobile AR App Marketing

The current study adapts holiday mobile marketing to consumer AR experiences by adding an additional dynamic: shared social experience. It therefore contributes to the literature related to both holiday mobile marketing and AR marketing. The study tested the efficacy of holiday AR technology marketing by enhancing authentic brand experiences and engagement. The study aims to apply the Experience Economy framework to AR marketing with additional constructs in order to understand consumer brand experience processes (mediation effects) by measuring consumer responses.
Chapter 6 – Polynomial Interpolation

Polynomial interpolation is the most fundamental of all interpolation concepts; the earliest method is probably attributable to I. Newton. Nowadays, polynomial interpolation is mostly of theoretical value; faster and more accurate methods have been developed. Those methods are piecewise polynomial; thus they intrinsically rely on the polynomial methods that are presented in this chapter.