cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrical Characterization of Glycerin: Water Mixtures: Implications for Use as a Coupling Medium in Microwave Tomography

We examine the broadband behavior of complex electrical properties of glycerin and water mixtures over the frequency range of 0.1–25.0 GHz, especially as they relate to using these liquids as coupling media for microwave tomographic imaging. Their combination is unique in that they are mutually miscible over the full range of concentrations, which allows them to be tailored to dielectric property matching for biological tissues. While the resultant mixture properties are partially driven by differences in the inherent low-frequency permittivity of each constituent, relaxation frequency shifts play a disproportionately larger role in increasing the permittivity dispersion while also dramatically increasing the effective conductivity over the frequency range of 1–3 GHz. For the full range of mixture ratios, the relaxation frequency shifts from 17.5 GHz for 0% glycerin to less than 0.1 GHz for 100% glycerin. Of particular interest is the fact that the conductivity stays above 1.0 S/m over the 1–3-GHz range for glycerin mixture ratios (70%–90% glycerin) we use for microwave breast tomography. The high level of attenuation is critical for suppressing unwanted multipath signals. This paper presents a full characterization of these liquids along with a discussion of their benefits and limitations in the context of microwave tomography.
Neonatal Urogenital Issues: Evaluation and Management

The urinary and genital tracts are affected by more anomalies than any other organ systems. Very few of these abnormalities require urgent neonatal intervention, but recognition of clinical findings is important for directing appropriate evaluation and management. This article addresses renal, bladder, and genital abnormalities noted in newborns. Neonatal management of exstrophy/epispadias complex, prune belly syndrome, and myelomeningocele is discussed. The differential diagnoses of abdominal masses and introital masses are presented.
Examination of precipitation variability in southern Greenland

The surface mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet has decreased in recent decades with important implications for global sea-level rise. Here, a climate reanalysis model is used to examine observed circulation variability and changes in precipitation across southern Greenland to gain insight into the future climate in the region. The influence on precipitation from the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), Icelandic Low, Azores High, regional blocking patterns, as well as near-surface temperature and winds are explored. Statistically significant correlations are higher between precipitation and the Icelandic Low and near-surface winds (0.5–0.7; p < 0.05) than correlations between precipitation and either the NAO or AMO climate indices (southwest Greenland: r = 0.12 and 0.28, respectively; and southeast Greenland: r = 0.25 and -0.07, respectively). Moreover, the recent enhanced warming in the Arctic (Arctic amplification) and the increase in the Greenland Blocking Index coincide with increased mean annual precipitation and interannual variability in southwest Greenland.
Der DYNAMO-Compiler

Der DYNAMO-Compiler ist ein Computer-Programm, das die Gleichungen fur Modelle von dynamischen geschlossenen Systemen behandelt und die erfragten Simulationsergebnisse als numerische Tabellen oder graphische Kurven ausgibt.
Synthesis of [18F]Fluoroarenes by Nucleophilic Radiofluorination of N‐Arylsydnones

A practical method for radiofluorination of anilines with [18F]fluoride via N-arylsydnone intermediates is described. These precursors are stable, easy to handle and facilitate direct and regioselective 18F-labeling to prepare [18F]fluoroarenes. The value of this methodology is further highlighted by successful application to prepare an 18F-labeled neuropeptide.
Cognitive Acoustic Analytics Service for Internet of Things

The rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT) has brought great changes for non-contact and non-destructive sensing and diagnosis. For every inanimate object can tell us something by the sound it makes, acoustic sensor demonstrates great advantages comparing to conventional electronic and mechanic sensors in such cases: overcoming environmental obstacles, mapping to existing use cases of detecting problems with human ears, low cost for deployment, etc. It could be widely applied to various domains, such as predictive maintenance of machinery, robot sensory, elderly and baby care in smart home, etc. Whether we can use the acoustic sensor data to understand what is happening and to predict what will happen relies heavily on the analytics capabilities we apply to the acoustic data, which has to overcome the obstacles of noise, disturbance and errors, and has to meet the requirement of real-time processing of high volume signals with large number of sensors. In this paper, we propose a scalable cognitive acoustics analytics service for IoT that provides the user an incremental learning approach to evolve their analytics capability on non-intuitive and unstructured acoustic data through the combination of acoustic signal processing and machine learning technology. It first performs acoustic signal processing and denoising, enables acoustic signal based abnormal detection based on sound intensity, spectral centroid, etc. Then based on the accumulated abnormal data, a supervised learning method is performed as baseline and a neural network based classifier is used to recognize acoustic events in different scenarios with various volume of sample data and requirement of accuracy. In addition, acoustic sensor arrays processing is supported for localization of moving acoustic source in more complex scenario. In this paper, we designed a hybrid computing structure. Finally, we conduct experiments on acoustic event recognition for machinery diagnosis, and show that the proposed system can achieve high accuracy.
Modulation of TRPA1 channel activity by Cdk5 in sensory neurons

Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily A, member 1 (TRPA1), is activated by a broad range of noxious stimuli. Cdk5, a member of the Cdk family, has recently been identified as a modulator of pain signaling pathways. In the current study, we investigated the extent to which Cdk5 modulates TRPA1 activity. Cdk5 inhibition was found to attenuate TRPA1 response to agonist in mouse DRG sensory neurons. Additionally, the presence of active Cdk5 was associated with increased TRPA1 phosphorylation in transfected HEK293 cells that was roscovitine-sensitive and absent in the mouse mutant S449A full-length channel. Immunopurified Cdk5 was observed to phosphorylate human TRPA1 peptide substrate at S448A in vitro. Our results point to a role for Cdk5 in modulating TRPA1 activity.
Socioeconomic factors are associated with different medication side effect profiles in Parkinson’s Disease patients (P6.002)

Objective: The goal of this analysis was to identify any factors related to the prevalence of compulsive behavior, motor fluctuations, and dyskinesias in patients in a safety net hospital. Background: Compulsive behavior, dyskinesias, and motor fluctuations are common Parkinson’s disease (PD) medication side effects. These are yet to be examined in relation to race, level of education, disease duration (time since the onset of symptoms), diagnosis duration (time since formal diagnosis), and medications used. Design/Methods: A movement disorder patient database containing 452 patients with idiopathic PD was analyzed for differences in PD medication side effects using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Race, sex, level of education, and medications used were evaluated as possible predictors. Results: A greater proportion of the patients in this study were Caucasian males. The mean age was 76 and the mean time since diagnosis of PD was 15.74 years. Among socioeconomic variables, 34.5% had a college degree or some college education. Regarding medications, 284 used carbidopa-levodopa, 160 used dopamine agonists, 78 used COMT inhibitors, and 76 used MAO inhibitors. The only variable associated with compulsive behavior in multivariate analysis was age, with older age having a protective effect (p = 0.0336). Disease duration (defined as time since the onset of symptoms), diagnosis duration (time since formal diagnosis), and level of education were significantly associated with dyskinesia in univariate analysis (p = Conclusions: Parkinson’s Disease patients in our population had a different prevalence of compulsive behavior, dyskinesias, and motor fluctuations which may be associated with differences in socioeconomic differences and barriers to help. Disclosure: Dr. Sisniega has nothing to disclose. Dr. Madhusudhan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rahmani has nothing to disclose. Dr. McInnis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Weinberg has received personal compensation for activities with Abbott Laboratories and Janssen. Dr. Hohler has nothing to disclose.
Assessment Methods in Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry

The purpose of this Chapter is to describe an approach to the clinical assessment of patients presenting to a physician for evaluation of cognitive, behavioral, and/or psychiatric symptoms, in the setting of known or suspected diseases of the central nervous system, as seen from the perspective of a behavioral neurologist working in a psychiatric hospital. Given the increasing convergence of behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry (guided by recent advances in cognitive neuroscience, and exemplified by the recent joint annual meetings of the American Neuropsychiatric Association and the Behavioral Neurology Society), we believe that the approach described here is representative of contemporary practice in neuropsychiatry as well as behavioral neurology. For convenience and lack of a better term, “neurobehavioral assessment” will be used to refer to this method of clinical evaluation. Objectives of such an assessment are multiple and typically include diagnosis, identification of treatment goals, selection of medications and other treatment modalities, and prognostication. As the examination proceeds, syndromic, anatomical, and etiological differential diagnoses are narrowed and modified “on the fly,” so that by the end of the evaluation the examiner has a relatively narrow set of possibilities to choose from with the aid of laboratory studies, as well as an idea of what treatment strategies are indicated and what prognostic advice can be given to the patient and significant others. We stress the need for clinicians to explicitly consider each of the above-mentioned “levels” of diagnosis for several reasons.
Farm and Weather Summary, Agronomy Farm

Weather Comments Winter: No measurable snow or rainfall in December 2003. Very mild month with 4-inch soil temperatures at 31F for the end of the month. Received 2 inches of snow in January and 0.25 inches of rain equivalent for the month. Very little snow cover and cold sub-zero overnight temperatures helped to curb the bean leaf beetle population in fields. Fairly mild February, with more sub-zero readings at end of month to help kill more beetles. An 8-inch snowfall occurred February 15, but was gone in 5 days. March started cool, then warmed up by mid-month, with 4-inch soil temperature about 40F by March 22.
Whither Physical Objects

What counts as a physical object? We think first of bodies, but the notion of a body is both too vague and too narrow. It is too vague in that we are not told how separate and cohesive and well rounded a thing has to be in order to qualify as a body. And it is too narrow, since for ontological purposes any consideration of separateness and cohesiveness and well-roundedness is beside the point. Rather let us understand a physical object, for a while, simply as the aggregate material content of any portion of space-time, however ragged and discontinuous.
Comparative histopathology of intestinal infections.

Intestinal infections are characterized by a range of histologic changes. Some examples (moving progressively deeper into the tissue from the intestinal lumen) are: 1) Enterotoxigenic E. coli infections are characterized by layers of E. coli adherent to villous epithelium, usually with little or no apparent structural damage to the mucosa. 2) The term enteropathogenic E. coli infection designates a disease characterized by E. coli attached intimately to the epithelial cell surface membrane with effacement of brush border microvilli. 3) Rotavirus infections are characterized by destruction of villous epithelial cells. Parvovirus infections are characterized by destruction of crypt epithelial cells. 4) Some intracellular infections with Campylobacter-like organisms are characterized by epithelial cell hyperplasia. 5) Hemorrhagic colitis in humans, caused by enterohemorrhagic E.coli strains, is characterized by mucosal hemorrhage and edema indicative of vascular necrosis. 6) Most of these lesions are accompanied by some degree of inflammation. Neutrophils and lymphocytes mediate some of the structural and functional changes characteristic of these infections. Some changes are mediated directly by microbial products.
Conflict Reduction and Peace Multiplication

The final chapter details aspects of conflict reduction and peace multiplication. The results of mining Exodus 18 reveal Moses providing leadership development and discipleship toward followers, which takes place through a social atmosphere akin to a loving, trusting, functional family. The element of trust is employed, which remains a central factor, particularly within the focus and complexities of group life. Another factor considered is individual identity as related to group life, adding toward the complexity of group life. The result of theses factors is often group conflict. Group conflict need not remain a destructive force, but rather a force for good. Finally a single-shot case study is included, which is a report of leadership/follower findings, specifically that of ethical leader/follower relations. The case study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach toward ethical leader followership to explain insider perspective and practice concerning trust, the outcome including conflict reduction and peace multiplication.
Delegitimizing multicultural education: populist politicians in Norway and the weaponizing of the autobiographical genre

The rise of populism in Norway has witnessed sustained efforts at undermining multicultural education. Given their distrust of established and mediated channels of public communication, several pop...
Object-Oriented Concepts and Modeling

There are two major conceptual models for software systems: the procedure-oriented model and the object-oriented model. In the procedure-oriented model, a system consists of a number of processes (programs). A program consists of a number of subprograms (procedures and/or functions), and each subprogram owns and manipulates some local data; together they may share some global data. A program is a sequence of subprogram activations and data exchanges arranged by a control algorithm. If the system has multiple programs, data may be transferred among them asynchronously or synchronously through messages or shared variables.
Self-efficacy of family caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment: A concept analysis.

BACKGROUND Research demonstrates that increased self-efficacy can help family caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer's and other types of cognitive impairment experience lower burden and depressive symptom severity. AIMS The purpose of this concept analysis is to address fundamental gaps in the understanding of self-efficacy in family caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment, including updating the 26-year-old concept analysis with a contemporary definition. METHODS This study utilizes Walker and Avant's (2019) concept analysis method, an eight-step iterative process that helps to clarify ambiguous concepts. A literature review was conducted from July 1993 through March 2019 using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, and Embase. Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed research articles and review articles that included family caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment. RESULTS Eight defining attributes of this concept are identified. The revised definition of self-efficacy in this population is a family caregiver's confidence in their ability to: manage behaviors and other caregiving stresses, control upsetting thoughts, acquire medical information, manage medical issues, obtain self-care, access community supports, assist with activities of daily living and other care, and maintain a good relationship with a relative, friend, or neighbor of an older adult with cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION This paper utilizes over a quarter-century of research to build on the original analysis by Mowat and Spence Laschinger (1994) and update the concept's definition. This analysis should provide researchers with a clearer understanding of this concept and a renewed emphasis on the importance of targeting interventions to improve self-efficacy in this vulnerable caregiving population.
A framework for the analysis of adaptive systems using bayesian statistics

Safety-critical adaptive software systems, as, for example, used in aircraft must ensure that system must remain in safe regions during adaptation in order to avoid catastrophic failures. We present a framework, which uses hierarchical statistical models and is based upon techniques from computer experiment design and active learning to characterize the boundaries between safe and unsafe regions with a minimal number of test cases. The boundaries are then represented as parametric geometric shapes that can provide easy to understand feedback to the system designer. We illustrate our framework using the NASA adaptive flight control system IFCS.
Chemogenetic Restoration of Autonomous Subthalamic Nucleus Activity Ameliorates Parkinsonian Motor Dysfunction

Excessive, synaptically-driven synchronization of subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons is widely thought to contribute to akinesia, bradykinesia, and rigidity in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Electrophysiological, optogenetic, chemogenetic, genetic, 2-photon imaging, and pharmacological approaches revealed that the autonomous activity of STN neurons, which opposes synaptic synchronization, was downregulated in both toxin and genetic mouse models of PD. Loss of autonomous spiking was due to increased transmission of D2-striatal projection neurons, leading in the STN to elevated activation of NMDA receptors and generation of reactive oxygen species that promoted KATP channel opening. Chemogenetic restoration of autonomous firing in STN neurons reduced synaptic patterning and ameliorated Parkinsonian motor dysfunction, arguing that elevating intrinsic STN activity is an effective therapeutic intervention in PD.
Incident Learning in a Radiation Oncology Practice During the COVID Era.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S): Incident learning is key to developing and maintaining quality and safety in healthcare. This work aims to quantify how submissions to our incident learning system and contributing factors for events have changed in the time of COVID. MATERIALS/METHODS: Events from our incident learning system were analyzed for the 11 months pre-COVID (March 1, 2019 - January 31, 2020) and compared to 11 months during COVID (March 1, 2020 - January 31, 2021). Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate and compare the reporting rate, incident severity, contributing factors, and where in patient pathway the incident originated and was caught. RESULTS: See Table. CONCLUSION: During COVID the number of reported incidents, particularly incidents reaching the patient, markedly declined. This is perhaps related to a decline in the number of treatments delivered during COVID and the presence of new COVID-related workflows. The site of origin of the incidents was similar pre- vs. during-COVID. However, the locations where incidents were caught (detected) shifted to more near-'end of the line' safeguards (e.g., pre-RT Physics and RTT chart checks & write-up), suggesting a potential degradation of safeguards present earlier in the process (e.g., pre-RT peer review, Dosimetry pre-RT check). Communication, hand-offs, and cross-coverage were more likely to be contributing factors during COVID which is most likely attributable to people working virtually/remotely during the pandemic. This emphasizes the need to reduce inter-provider variations, and consistent standards for communication and treatment.
Utilizing Neural Network for Mechatronics, On-line Inspection And Process Control

A trend in the area of automated manufacturing is the incorporation of artificial intelligence methods (example. neural network) to enhance the online inspection and process control. Intelligent on-line inspection and process control in modern manufacturing system have significant potential in improving production performance and quality of its product. Our research paper presents an approach for on-line inspection methodology that is applied to different areas such as metrology, precision measurement, mechatronics and bio-film thickness evaluation. In the case of metrology, the on-line measurement technique was applied for surface roughness measurement on the production floor. In the case of Mechatronics, the neural network technique was applied to the damped sensing and control system. Finally, an example of bio film thickness evaluation using neural network is presented.
Educating the Forensic Jurisprudent

Forensic Science is the study and practice of the application of science to the purposes of the law. (American Academy of Forensic Sciences)
Infantile cerebral palsy cases with severe mental deficiency; relationship of etiology to type of neurologic syndrome.

This is a report of a study of 157 cases of infantile cerebral palsy planned to demonstrate the correlation of etiologic diagnosis with neurologic residua. The average mental level of the group as a whole is represented by an intelligence quotient of 25, indicating the restricted distribution of the clinical material. Birth trauma or postnatal central nervous system infections were found to be of etiologic importance in almost one third of the cases with asymmetric spastic involvement. On the other hand, these causative factors were not implicated in any of the hypotonic or ataxic group, nor in those spastic cases with symmetric involvement.
Lexicalized Markov Grammars for Sentence Compression

We present a sentence compression system based on synchronous context-free grammars (SCFG), following the successful noisy-channel approach of (Knight and Marcu, 2000). We define a headdriven Markovization formulation of SCFG deletion rules, which allows us to lexicalize probabilities of constituent deletions. We also use a robust approach for tree-to-tree alignment between arbitrary document-abstract parallel corpora, which lets us train lexicalized models with much more data than previous approaches relying exclusively on scarcely available document-compression corpora. Finally, we evaluate different Markovized models, and find that our selected best model is one that exploits head-modifier bilexicalization to accurately distinguish adjuncts from complements, and that produces sentences that were judged more grammatical than those generated by previous work.
Evolution in population dynamics

In their study of predator–prey cycles, investigators have assumed that they do not need to worry about evolution. The discovery of population cycles driven by evolutionary factors will change that view.
Additive manufacturing as an enabling technology for "green" hybrid spacecraft propulsion

This paper details the developmental of an innovative "green" hybrid propulsion system, applicable to small spacecraft, using a form of additive manufacturing known as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). When fully developed this cross cutting propulsion technology has the potential to act as a "drop in" replacement for most hydrazine-based propulsion systems. Using FDM overcomes multiple technical issues frequently associated with hybrid propulsion systems. Issues include low-output-rate manufacturing, a lack of system restartability, and poor volumetric efficiency. FDM reduces development and production costs by supporting high production rates across a wide range of form factors. Using FDM, thermoplastic fuel grains can be fabricated with port shapes that enhance burn properties and increase volumetric efficiencies. Most significantly, because FDM-processing builds the specimen one layer at a time, thermo-plastic materials fabricated via FDM possess unique electrical breakdown properties that greatly enhance system ignitability and restartabilty. When FDM-processed fuel materials are subjected to a high-voltage inductive charge, an electrical-arc results along the layered material surface and Joule heating produces a small amount of pyrolized vapor. When the arc occurs simultaneously with the introduction of an oxidizing flow, the pryolized hydrocarbon "seeds" combustion and produces immediate ignition along the entire length of the fuel material.
Current and future role of voluntary surgical contraception in increasing access to and utilization of family planning services in Africa.

BACKGROUND: Voluntary surgical contraception is the most widely utilized method of contraception in the world. High effectiveness low complication rates and reduced cost in the long term make them the ideal contraceptive choice to diverse group of clients including clients from low resource settings. OBJECTIVE: To assess the current status of utilization and effectiveness of voluntary surgical contraception in Africa and suggest possible future roles in contraceptive method choice. METHODS: A review of available literature on voluntary surgical contraception and synthesis of information under relevant headings. RESULTS: Despite very high total fertility rates in most countries of Africa surgical contraceptives still contribute to a very small proportion ofcontraceptive method choice in the continent. Client profile and acceptability studies indicate a large unmet need for permanent contraception in the continent. Lack of information misconceptions and weak health systems (particularly surgical care) are the major impediments to increasing availability of surgical contraception. Lack of knowledge and low levels of motivation among health care providers may also be significant barriers to access. CONCLUSIONS: Ihcreasing availability of information on the safety and effectiveness of these methods to both health care providers and the general population can increase demand and acceptability. Delegating service provision to appropriately trained non-physician providers at primary care settings can assist in increasing accessibility of these important family planning methods.
Formatting pathology reports: applying four design principles to improve communication and patient safety.

Abstract Context.—Eighty-two million surgical pathology and cytology reports were issued in the United States during 2007; a subset of these reports will be misunderstood by readers. Recent attention has focused on standardizing the content of pathology reports, particularly for common malignancies, to facilitate transmission of required information. Comparatively little attention has been focused on the format of reports—the arrangement of headlines, text blocks, and other report elements to optimize communication. Objective.—To provide guidance to report designers and authors about how to format reports to maximize the speed, fidelity, and ease of information transfer. Data Sources.—Review of relevant literature from commercial publishing and aviation and the fields of cognitive psychology and pathology, supplemented with an analysis of 10 000 pathology reports and the author's personal experience as a practicing pathologist. Conclusions.—Four evidence-based and time-tested principles can help pathologi...
MRI Abnormalities in Adolescent Bipolar Affective Disorder

There is increasing evidence for structural differences in the brains of patients with affective disorders. Recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have reported focal signal hyperintensities in the deep white matter of bipolar patients. These previous reports had focused on adult patients with prior episodes of illness. In this case report, the authors discuss a young adolescent patient during her first episode of mania and the finding of subcortical focal signal hyperintensities on brain MRI. The etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical correlates of these lesions will be reviewed.
Ancillary studies in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) Trial: Synergies and opportunities

The definitive power of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to characterize the efficacy of putative therapeutic approaches cannot be overestimated. Such trials are expensive, and their implementation requires prolonged and intensive commitments by both investigators and subjects. Accordingly, enhancing their value, in a sense increasing the "scientific return on investment," is a laudatory objective. Ancillary studies afford a great opportunity to do so. They permit acquisition of new knowledge, elucidation of cause/consequence relation, and delineation of pathogenetic mechanisms at a much lower cost than would be possible if they were performed independently of the parent RCTs. In addition, their utility is enhanced by internal consistency under the rubric of the parent trial and the presumed external validation of the parent trial. Several ancillary studies undertaken in conjunction with the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) trial provide cogent examples. They seek to delineate causal connections linking the accelerated coronary disease typical of diabetes with phenomena such as genetic predisposition to altered expression of cytokines and fibrinolytic system proteins, inflammation, procoagulation, insulin-induced impairment of fibrinolysis, insulin resistance, and the response to insulin-sensitizing and insulin-providing treatment strategies.
Genetic Polymorphisms and the Risk of Accelerated Renal Function Decline in Women

Background Reduced glomerular filtration rate is an important predictor of cardiovascular disease and death. Genetic polymorphisms, particularly in genes involved in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), may influence the rate of renal function decline. Methodology/Principal Findings We examined the relation between specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including those in the RAS, apolipoprotein E and alpha-adducin, and renal function decline assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over an 11-year period in 2578 Caucasian participants of the Nurses' Health Study. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between genotype and risk of eGFR decline of ≥25%. Results After 11 years between creatinine measurements, the eGFR declined by ≥25% in 423 of 2578 (16%) women. The angiotensinogen (AGT) A-20C polymorphism was associated with a higher risk of renal function decline when two risk alleles were present than if one or no alleles were present (CC vs AA and AC) OR 1.83 (95% CI 1.02–3.26; p = 0.04). The angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) A1166C polymorphism was marginally associated with a higher risk of renal function decline when two risk alleles were present (CC vs AA, OR = 1.41; 95% CI 0.98–2.01; p = 0.06). The alpha-adducin G460W polymorphism was associated with a lower risk of renal function decline when any number of risk alleles were present (WG vs GG, OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.61–0.99, p = 0.04; WW vs GG, OR = 0.46; 95% CI 0.20–1.07, p = 0.07). Linear regression analysis with change in eGFR as the outcome showed a larger decline of 3.5 (95% CI 0.5 to 6.4, p = 0.02) ml/min/1.73 m2 in AGT A-20C CC homozygotes. No other polymorphisms were significantly associated with renal function decline or absolute change in eGFR over the study period. Conclusions Genetic variants in the angiotensinogen, angiotensin II type 1 receptor and alpha-adducin genes may contribute to loss of renal function in the general female Caucasian population.
Translational control during heat shock

Regulation of translation during heat shock of Drosophila and mammalian cells is reviewed. Protein synthesis is severely inhibited by elevated temperatures but synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs) is resistant to this inhibition. The primary site of regulation is polypeptide chain initiation. The activities of two initiation factors, eIF-2 and eIF-4F, are modulated during heat shock. A protein kinase which modulates eIF-2 activity appears to be associated with heat shock proteins (HSPs). Evidence is emerging that HSP70 acts as a heat sensor by detecting the presence of accumulating denatured proteins. In the rabbit reticulocyte lysate denatured proteins bind HSP70 releasing an eIF-2 kinase to shut down protein synthesis. It appears highly likely that a similar mechanism is acting in heat shocked cells. Cell-free protein synthesizing systems prepared from heat shocked cells are deficient in eIF-4F. Modulation of eIF-4F can explain in part the apparent preferential translation of HSP mRNAs.
The Qualitative Representation of Physical Systems

The representation of physical systems using qualitative formalisms is examined in this review, with an emphasis on recent developments in the area. The push to develop reasoning systems incorporating deep knowledge originally focused on naive physical representations, but has now shifted to more formal ones based on qualitative mathematics. The qualitative differential constraint formalism used in systems like QSIM is examined, and current efforts to link this to competing representations like Qualitative Process Theory are noted. Inference and representation are intertwined, and the decision to represent notions like causality explicitly, or infer it from other properties, has shifted as the field has developed. The evolution of causal and functional representations is thus examined. Finally, a growing body of work that allows reasoning systems to utilize multiple representations of a system is identified. Dimensions along which multiple model hierarchies could be constructed are examined, including mode of behaviour, granularity, ontology, and representational depth.
On the Performance of Negentropy Approximations as Test Statistics for Detecting Sinusoidal RFI in Microwave Radiometers

Radio-frequency interference (RFI) is a persistent threat to Earth-observing microwave radiometers. A number of test statistics are used for radiometric RFI detection. This paper presents a new RFI detection method that uses the information theoretic quantity known as negentropy. In particular, we study six negentropy-based test statistics and compare their performance against kurtosis, Jarque-Bera, Anderson-Darling, and Shapiro-Wilk normality tests for specific RFI signal models. The Neyman-Pearson decision rule is used to develop receiver operating characteristic curves for each test statistic. We show that although negentropy can be used to detect RFI, it does not outperform kurtosis, except for the kurtosis blind-spot case.
Stable ring resonator with bidirectional passes through the gain medium

Ring resonators have unique properties that are sometimes desirable. Spatial hole burning is eliminated. Beam transformation, such as image rotation which may reduce the magnitude of certain aberrations, can be implemented in a traveling-wave region. There is a drawback, however. As usually constructed, a ring resonator has half as many passes through the gain medium as can be achieved with a standing-wave resonator. This may have a detrimental effect on laser efficiency. We have constructed a type of ring resonator that allows counterpropagating collinear passes through the gain medium, while there is also a section with a unidirectional beam. The resonator includes a polarizing beam splitter. The linear polarization is transformed to the orthogonal state by optical elements at the two ends of the region with counter-propagating beams. The beams passing through the gain medium in opposite directions are linearly polarized with orthogonal states.
A comparison of single date and multitemporal satellite image classifications in a semi-arid grassland

Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite data were used to produce maps depicting ranges of major vegetation types at the Jornada Experimental Range, New Mexico, U.S.A. Single date and multitemporal classification accuracies were compared using vegetation ground data as references. Single date image classifications were more accurate than multitemporal images for mapping land cover types in this region. Use of single date imagery generally involves less expenditure of time and costs related to data acquisition and processing. Multitemporal images have improved classification accuracies in some landscapes; however, single date images may provide a reliable method for mapping vegetation cover in semi-arid environments.
TheTla region of the mouse: Identification of a new serologically defined locus,Qa-2

In cytotoxicity assays, the reactions of cells from two new congenic strains-B6.K1 and B6.K2-with antiserum prepared in B6.K1 against B6 (C57BL/6) spleen and lymph node cells identify a new locus,Qa-2, betweenH-2D andTla. This locus specifies differentiation antigens on lymphoid cells. Skin grafting of B6.K1, B6.K2, and other congenic strains on a B6 background also reveals two histocompatibility loci in the region ofTla.
Capturing quality: retaining provenance for curated volunteer monitoring data

The "real world" nature of field-based citizen science involves unique data management challenges that distinguish it from projects that involve only Internet-mediated activities. In particular, many data contribution and review practices are often accomplished "offline' via paper or general-purpose software like Excel. This can lead to integration challenges when attempting to implement project-specific ICT with full revision and provenance tracking. In this work, we explore some of the current challenges and opportunities in implementing ICT for managing volunteer monitoring data. Our two main contributions are: a general outline of the workflow tasks common to field-based data collection, and a novel data model for preserving provenance metadata that allows for ongoing data exchange between disparate technical systems and participant skill levels. We conclude with applications for other domains, such as hydrologic forecasting and crisis informatics, as well as directions for future research.
Laser Flash Photolysis Formation and Direct Kinetic Studies of Manganese(V)-Oxo Porphyrin Intermediates

Irradiation of porphyrin-manganese(III) perchlorate complexes in acetonitrile with 355 nm laser light gave MnV-oxo intermediates that were characterized by their UV−vis spectra and reactivities. The MnV-oxo species of tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (2), tetraphenylporphyrin (4), and tetra-(4-(N-methylpyridiniumyl))porphyrin (6) were generated. Second-order rate constants for reactions of 2 with substrates were as follows: 6.1 × 105 M-1 s-1 (cis-stilbene), 1.3 × 105 M-1 s-1 (diphenylmethane), 1.3 × 105 M-1 s-1 (ethylbenzene), and 0.55 × 105 M-1 s-1 (ethylbenzene-d10). In oxidations of cis-stilbene and diphenylmethane, the order of reactivity of the MnV-oxo species was 2 > 6 > 4.
A micro-mechanically based continuum damage model for carbon black-filled rubbers incorporating Mullins' effect

Abstract The problem of Mullins' effect in carbon black-filled rubbers is treated from a micro-mechanical viewpoint and a complete continuum constitutive model is developed. To begin with, a first-order accurate free energy function is derived for the composite in terms of the free energy densities of the constituents. Second, an exact relation between averaged macroscopic nonlinear strain measures and averaged nonlinear matrix material strain measures is derived under the assumption of affinely rotating particles and a C0 continuous motion. Third, the notion of strain-induced matrix-particle debonding is incorporated into the free energy density for the material by exploiting ideas from statistical mechanics. The accuracy of the resulting constitutive model is then demonstrated via comparisons to published experimental data.
The Gas-Loaded, Free-Electron Laser

Gas loading of a free-electron laser modifies the phase-matching condition while the small-signal gain expression remains the same. This permits a wider parameter space than the vacuum FEL, which is particularly advantageous at shorter wavelength operation. Scattering of the electrons by the gas limits the interaction length, but available gains are still high enough to allow oscillation build-up. For example, a 0.5μm wavelength helical wiggler FEL pumped by a 100 MeV electron beam is restricted to a length of 40 cm with a small signal gain of 361, and reaches saturation in less than a microsecond.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The contribution of psychology to education.

Psychology makes ideas of educational aims clearer. When one says that the aim of education is culture, or discipline, or efficiency, or happiness, or utility, or knowledge, or skill, or the perfection of all one's powers, or development, one's statements and probably one's thoughts, need definition. Different people, even amongst the clearest-headed of them, do not agree concerning just what culture is, or just what is useful. Psychology helps here by requiring us to put our notions of the aims of education into terms of the exact changes that education is to make, and by describing for us the changes which do actually occur in human beings.
Assisting experts in their data analysis tasks — an AI approach

Abstract There are many reasons why experts examine data. This report describes an expert system that was designed as an assistant to an expert, to help with the problem of too much data and too little time, by automating many of the processing procedures and managing the information and data that is involved in the analysis tasks.
SURVEYS OF RECORDS IN The BRITISH ISLES

In the last year or two the number of ad hoc record‐listing projects in this country has increased quite dramatically. After a long period during which any such initiatives were few and far between, the regular, long‐term work of the major libraries and of the various central and local government record‐holding or ‐listing institutions is now being massively supplemented by a network of non‐official efforts, already numerous enough to amount to a distinct para‐activity of their own.
α-Alkyloximinonitriles by Pyrolysis of α-Alkyloximinocarboxamides with Phosphorus Pentoxide

A preparation of α -alkyloximinonitriles is described in which the corresponding α -alkyloximinocarboxamides are heated with phosphorus pentoxide in vacuo . Structures were proven by infrared analysis and basic hydrolysis of the nitriles to the corresponding acids.
Interactions of baseplate proteins of T-even bacteriophage.

Abstract Heat-sensitive ht mutants of T2H which failed to complement ambers in genes 6 and 10 in T2H appeared to complement ambers in these same genes in T4D. The results of experiments solving this paradox are described. The heat-sensitive mutant of gene 6 in T2H required either the product of the T2H allele or the T4 ts allele of gene 29 to give a thermosensitive baseplate. The heat-sensitive mutant of gene 10 in T2H required the products of both gene 6 and gene 29 to give a thermosensitive baseplate. Thus, the heat sensitivity of the phage depended on particular combinations of the products of different allelic forms of different genes. Interactions of baseplate proteins are discussed.
Family survivors of homicide victims: Theoretical perspectives and an exploratory study

Little empirical information is available on the impact of homicide on surviving family members. Existing descriptions fall into a dichotomy of grief theory and those reporting symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. This pilot study offers a multidimensional formulation which combines symptoms reported across previous studies. Participants were 19 survivors recruited through a victim witness program and a victim rights organization. A learning model, Mowrer's Two Factor Theory, was applied to explain the acquisition and maintenance of post-traumatic symptoms. Consistent with this model, survivors reported recurrent homicide-related intrusions and avoidance behaviors on the Horowitz Impact of Event Scale (IES). Comparison of survivors' IES scores with those of victims of rape, loss of a family member, and other trauma revealed a high frequency of symptoms. Mean length of time since homicide was 2.5 years. The Derogatis Symptom Check List 90-Revised (SCL90-R) revealed a high level of general psychiatric distress, with 66% of survivors meeting “caseness” criteria, indicating a need for treatment intervention. A 7-point Likert scale measure of satisfaction with the criminal justice system was highly correlated with SCL90-R subscales of depression (r=−0.82) and anxiety (r=−0.82). This link between distress and perceptions of the justice system provided preliminary support for an equity theory perspective on survivor attributions. Conceptual, research, and clinical implications were discussed.
Electric Field And Photocurrent Considerations In Photorefractive Memory Materials

High density storage of data in photosensitive electrooptic crystals has been achieved. One of the crystals with the highest writing sensitivity is LiNb03 doped with iron. A key factor in its high sensitivity involves the nature of the charge transport in the crystal. A series of measurements has been carried out to study the charge transport by photocurrent measurements and electrooptic measurements. The two techniques are shown to give consistent results. When described in terms of an equivalent internal electric field a dependence on light intensity is required.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A numerical integration scheme for the N-body gravitational problem

Abstract A method for numerically integrating the N-body gravitational problem is described. We take advantage of the fact that the force on a star can be divided into two parts which operate on different time scales. One part is due to the stars in the immediate vicinity of the star in question and another part due to the distant stars. The part of the force due to the far away stars changes much more slowly than the component due to the nearby stars. Hence that part of the force does not have to be recalculated as frequently as that due to the nearby stars. For systems with large N, most of the stars constitute the “distant” stars and the considerable saving of computing time allows us to integrate systems with up to 1000 particles.
Controlled invariance of ellipsoids: linear vs. nonlinear feedback

Several equivalent conditions or statements for set invariance were obtained for systems with one saturating actuator in a recent paper. In particular, it was shown that the existence of a nonlinear feedback that makes an ellipsoid invariant is equivalent to the existence of a feedback linear inside the ellipsoid that makes it invariant. In this paper, we will show that this equivalence property holds conditionally for systems with multiple saturating actuators. We will provide a criterion to check if the largest ellipsoid made invariant by nonlinear feedback can also be made invariant by a feedback linear inside the ellipsoid. Numerical examples reveal that this criterion is usually satisfied. The equivalence of other set invariance conditions will also be investigated.