cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A laryngeal dissection station: educational paradigms in phonosurgery.

Objectives: To introduce a new tool for phonosurgical training and education. A multitude of innovations in complex laryngeal surgery has catalyzed new educational initiatives. Establishing dexterity in phonomicrosurgery is often difficult to achieve while working on patients because of the narrow margin for success. Furthermore, laryngoplastic phonosurgery and open partial laryngectomy require sophisticated knowledge of precise anatomic relationships, which can be difficult to express in images. Finally, many teaching programs do not have a high volume of these procedures, and there is a significant need to transmit this information in continuing education courses. Study Design: Prototype design. Methods: A laryngeal dissection station (LDS) was designed to facilitate the acquisition of high-level procedural skill sets for both transoral and transcervical techniques. Results: This LDS can be used in existing temporal-bone laboratories by using cadaveric larynges. A rectangular frame supports two adjustable holders, one for the larynx and one for the examining speculum of a laryngoscope. Procedures are performed with the larynx fixed in space by a novel fixator. Variation in position and orientation of the components affords simulation of both microlaryngoscopy and open surgery. The dissection station can accommodate virtually any laryngoscope, regardless of size or shape. Conclusions: This training apparatus should facilitate laryngeal surgical instruction in residency training and continuing medical education. This device and others like it can help establish clinical competency in laryngology, should this become necessary in future educational models of residency training and recertification.
Modification of Gd-DTPA cystine copolymers with PEG-1000 optimizes pharmacokinetics and tissue retention for magnetic resonance angiography

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PEGylation of novel biodegradable macromolecular polydisulfide Gd(III) complexes, gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (GdDTPA) cystine copolymers (GDCP), on their pharmacokinetics and long-term Gd(III) tissue retention, and to demonstrate the potential application of PEGylated GDCP (PEG-GDCP) for MR angiography (MRA). The pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and metabolic excretion of PEG(1000)-GDCP (42.1-52.1 kDa; PEG: MW = 1000 Da) with three different PEG grafting degrees and GDCP (43.3 kDa) were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Pharmacokinetic data were analyzed by means of an open two-compartment model. Initially all three PEG(1000)-GDCP contrast agents (CAs) had a higher plasma concentration than GDCP, but after 30 min the Gd(III) concentration from the PEGylated agents rapidly decreased, resulting in significantly lower elimination half-life values. All of the biodegradable macromolecular CAs demonstrated low long-term Gd(III) tissue accumulation, while PEG(1000)-GDCP had significantly lower accumulation in the liver than GDCP. In the rats, all CAs showed excellent vascular contrast enhancement in an MRA protocol with a long image acquisition time. Because PEG(1000)-GDCP remained intravascular for an acceptable period for effective contrast-enhanced (CE)-MRA, and then excreted rapidly from the vasculature with minimal tissue retention, PEG(1000)-GDCP shows a great promise as a blood-pool CA for MRA.
Penetration into semi-infinite reinforced-concrete targets with spherical and ogival nose projectiles

Abstract We developed an engineering model for forces on rigid, spherical and ogival nose projectiles that penetrated semi-infinite, reinforced-concrete targets. Post-test target observations and triaxial, material-test data on samples cored from concrete targets guided the model development. The spherical, cavity-expansion approximation simplified the target analysis, and closed-from penetration equations were derived. The model predicted depths of penetration that were in reasonable agreement with penetration data.
Effects of Biomolecular Flexibility on Alchemical Calculations of Absolute Binding Free Energies.

The independent trajectory thermodynamic integration (IT-TI) approach (Lawrenz, M., et al. J. Chem. Theory. Comput. 2009, 5, 1106−1116) for free energy calculations with distributed computing is employed to study two distinct cases of protein–ligand binding: first, the influenza surface protein N1 neuraminidase bound to the inhibitor oseltamivir, and second, the Mycobacterium tuberculosis enzyme RmlC complexed with the molecule CID 77074. For both systems, finite molecular dynamics (MD) sampling and varied molecular flexibility give rise to IT-TI free energy distributions that are remarkably centered on the target experimental values, with a spread directly related to protein, ligand, and solvent dynamics. Using over 2 μs of total MD simulation, alternative protocols for the practical, general implementation of IT-TI are investigated, including the optimal use of distributed computing, the total number of alchemical intermediates, and the procedure to perturb electrostatics and van der Waals interactions....
Observation of laser speckle effects and nonclassical kinetics in an elementary chemical reaction.

An experimental demonstration is provided for memory-based, nonclassical reaction kinetics in a homogeneous system with an elementary reaction, $A+B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}C$. A new reaction-kinetics regime is observed which is a direct consequence of speckles in the laser beam. However, in spite of the nonrandom, speckled initial distribution of reactant $B$, the long-time regime gives the first experimental demonstration of the asymptotic self-segregation (``Zeldovich'') effect. Monte Carlo simulation results are consistent with the experiments.
Near-surface GRM model updating using reduced travel times

Summary Two layer models which sum the vertical time in weathering and the vertical time from base of weathering to datum have produced an initial basis for 3D seismic nearsurface static corrections in Saudi Arabia. In certain 3D blocks there exist large magnitude nearsurface time anomalies due to thick deposition in gorges, in which both the velocity of the shallow weathering layer and its depth are highly variable. The generalized reciprocal method (GRM) technique has been applied to solve these local areas. Generalized linear inversion technique was tested but failed to resolve the large high frequency time shifts. Tomography could be considered but has problems in the time tie of the models using the regional sloping datum.
Novel multi-layer floorplanning for Heterogeneous FPGAs

The current generations of FPGA comprise of many specialized hardware cores, like embedded processors, multipliers, RAMs and FIFOs, along with the regular arrays of reconfigurable logic. On any FPGA device, these embedded cores are located at fixed locations only. This makes the task of floorplanning for the applications with heterogeneous components very difficult. Recently, some researchers have started looking into this problem of heterogeneous floorplanning on FPGA. However, all these work suffer from a fundamental flaw which affects the quality of solutions leading to higher device areas or excessively high runtime. In previous research conducted, we propose a heterogeneous floorplanner for FPGA, HPIan, which is highly efficient in finding floorplans of variety of resources. In this paper, we extend the floorplanner to include an adaptive placer algorithm. We also perform our experiments on the MCNC benchmarks for the floorplan with random heterogeneous resource allocations. We observe that as the statistical variation in the heterogeneous resource allocations is increased, the traditional floorplanner gives an increasing area of all the benchmarks whereas the HPIan floorplanner does not. The proposed floorplanner thus provides an efficient way to handle floorplans with large variations in the heterogeneous resources.
DISCOVERING AND COMPOSING DISTRIBUTED ATOMIC AGENTS FOR IMAGERY AND GEOSPATIAL PROBLEM SOLVING

This paper describes our approach to building a scalable, flexible agent-based architecture for imagery and geospatial processing. Central to this approach is the agent discovery and composition mechanism which scales to support networks with thousands of agents. The agent architecture implements over 100 imagery and geospatial processing agents based on the Java Advanced Imaging and OpenMap(TM) APIs. The agents are distributed over a Jini enabled network, and communicate with one another via JavaSpaces. We discuss our "atomic" approach in this paper: developing low-level processing agents that are used by application of specific agents. We discuss several concepts in this approach: agent lookup and discovery through traditional information retrieval techniques, the ability to rapidly prototype agents based on commercial software products, and a knowledge management approach that reuses prior processing approaches and results. We present results demonstrating the scalability of our agent discovery and composition mechanism to compare them with other traditional discovery mechanisms, and demonstrate how the discovery mechanism scales to support thousands of agents.
Collective Flow Observed in Relativistic Nuclear Collisions

The reactions Ca + Ca and Nb + Nb at 400 MeV/nucleon have been studied at the Bevalac using the "Plastic Ball" spectrometer. A global analysis of the events shows two nontrivial collective flow effects: the bounceoff of the projectile fragments, and the side-splash of the intermediate-rapidity fragments for the higher-multiplicity Nb + Nb events. Neither effect is seen in a knockon cascade calculation. A simulation with an event-generating statistical model has been done in order to extract the magnitudes of the effects.
Irony, tragedy, and myth: The poetry of Wole Soyinka

(1982). Irony, tragedy, and myth: The poetry of Wole Soyinka. World Literature Written in English: Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 5-26.
Epitope mapping of snake venom phospholipases A2 with pseudexin monoclonal antibodies.

Fifteen different monoclonal antibodies, developed against a pseudexin A, B, and C mixture, were screened for linear epitope recognition. Peptides (9-mers) spanning pseudexin B were synthesized on alanine-derivatized polyethylene pins and subsequently probed with antibody. Four antibodies recognized linear epitopes of pseudexin A, pseudexin B, and also nonidentical sequences found in other phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Three antibodies recognized a highly conserved site important in calcium binding and the interlocking of dimeric forms of PLA2. Antibodies neutralizing lethal or enzymatic effects of PLA2 did not recognize linear epitopes.
p21-activated kinase (Pak) regulates NADPH oxidase activation in human neutrophils.

The phagocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase plays an instrumental role in host defense and contributes to microbicial killing by releasing highly reactive oxygen species. This multicomponent enzyme is composed of membrane and cytosolic components that assemble in the plasma membrane or phagolysosome. While the guanosine S′-triphosphatase (GTPase) Rac2 has been shown to be a critical regulator of NADPH oxidase activity and assembly, the role of its effector, p21-activated kinase (Pak), in oxidase function has not been well defined. Using HIV-1 Tat-mediated protein transduction of Pak inhibitory domain, we show here that Pak activity is indeed required for efficient superoxide generation in intact neutrophils. Furthermore, we show that Pak translocates to the plasma membrane upon N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF) stimulation and colocalizes with translocated p47phox and with p22phox, a subunit of flavocytochrome b558. Although activated Pak phosphorylated several essential serine residues in the C-terminus of p47phox, direct binding to p47phox was not observed. In contrast, active Pak bound directly to p22phox, suggesting flavocytochrome b was the oxidase-associated membrane target of this kinase and this association may facilitate further phosphorylation of p47phox in the assembling NADPH oxidase complex.
Age and prevalence of cervical carcinoma in subsequent hysterectomy following a conization procedure.

Summary Objective To determine the prevalence and age of patients with cervical carcinoma missed by a loop electrosurgical excision procedure. Materials and Methods A total of 253 women with cervical dysplasia who underwent conization and 248 women who later underwent hysterectomy were retrospectively reviewed. The age and prevalence of those with cervical carcinoma diagnosed and missed by conization were determined. Results Of the 248 patients, 11 cases (4.4%) of cervical carcinoma were missed by cervical conization. The age of those with cervical carcinoma missed by conization was significantly greater than those whose diagnosis was not missed ( p Conclusion Women with severe cervical dysplasia who no longer wish to preserve fertility should be advised to undergo hysterectomy if the conization margins are not free of disease. Older women with incomplete resection margins tend to have undiagnosed hidden cervical carcinoma after cervical conization.
Electromagnetic Modes and Dynamics of Localized Waves

We have found the central frequencies, linewidths and field speckle patterns in transmission for quasimodes of random media. We study the time evolution of modes and correlation using time-frequency analysis.
Electron-Phonon Coupled Two-Dimensional Heat Transfer in Nanoscale Metal/Dielectric Multilayers

Heat transfer across nanoscale metal/dielectric multilayers involves multiple thermal conduction mechanisms. Electron or phonon interface scattering can augment the thermal conductivity anisotropy in multilayer composites. Weak electron-phonon coupling and quasi-ballistic phonon transport normal to the metal film further increase the anisotropy for metal-dielectric multilayers with period shorter than the relevant free paths. This paper models these physical mechanisms using an approximate thermal resistor network with support from the Boltzmann transport equation. We measure the in- and cross-plane thermal conductivity of a Mo/Si (2.8 nm/4.1 nm) multilayer as 15.4 and 1.2 W/mK, respectively, which agree with the proposed theoretical model. This work introduces a criterion for the transition from electron to phonon dominated heat conduction in metal films bounded by dielectrics.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Hydrocarbons from Australian Oil, Two Hundred Million Years Old

Column chromatography used to determine hydrocarbons present in Moonie crude oil from Queensland, Australia, that is two hundred million years old
Developmental regulation of pituitary growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor gene expression in the rat.

The mechanisms governing age-dependent patterns of GH secretion are not well understood. Studies have shown that pituitaries of fetal and neonatal mammals are highly responsive to the stimulatory effect of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) compared to those of mature mammals. Differential pituitary responsiveness to GHRH may, therefore, contribute to the elevated circulating GH concentrations characteristic of the perinatal period and the subsequent decline in circulating GH late in life. Age-dependent expression of GHRH-receptor (GHRH-R) would provide a cellular mechanism to direct differential somatotroph responsiveness to GHRH. Therefore, we determined the ontogeny of rat GHRH-R gene expression. We studied rats at ages that correspond to major changes in circulating GH levels: embryonic day 19.5 (of 21.5-day gestation period); postnatal days 2, 12, 30, 45, and 70; and 1 yr of age. We found that GHRH-R messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was markedly age dependent (P < 0.0003). The concentration of GHRH-R mRNA wa...
Peptide-based, irreversible inhibitors of γ-secretase activity

Abstract The characterization of the enzymes responsible for amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) production is considered to be a primary goal towards the development of future therapeutics for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Inhibitors of γ-secretase activity were critical in demonstrating that the presenilins (PSs) likely comprised at least part of the active site of the γ-secretase enzyme complex, with two highly conserved membrane aspartates presumably acting as catalytic residues. However, whether or not these aspartates are actually the catalytic residues of the enzyme complex or are merely essential for normal PS function and/or maturation is still unknown. In this paper, we report the development of reactive inhibitors of γ-secretase activity that are functionally irreversible. Since such inhibitors have been shown to bind catalytic residues in other aspartyl proteases (e.g., HIV protease), they might be used to determine if the transmembrane aspartates of PSs are involved directly in substrate cleavage.
Secular Changes in U.S. Prediabetes Prevalence Defined by Hemoglobin A1c and Fasting Plasma Glucose National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1999–2010

OBJECTIVE Using a nationally representative sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population, we estimated prediabetes prevalence and its changes during 1999–2010. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data were from 19,182 nonpregnant individuals aged ≥12 years who participated in the 1999–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. We defined prediabetes as hemoglobin A 1c 5.7 to RESULTS Among those aged ≥12 years, age-adjusted prediabetes prevalence increased from 27.4% (95% CI 25.1–29.7) in 1999–2002 to 34.1% (32.5–35.8) in 2007–2010. Among adults aged ≥18 years, the prevalence increased from 29.2% (26.8–31.8) to 36.2% (34.5–38.0). As single measures among individuals aged ≥12 years, A1C5.7 prevalence increased from 9.5% (8.4–10.8) to 17.8% (16.6–19.0), a relative increase of 87%, whereas IFG remained stable. These prevalence changes were similar among the total population, across subgroups, and after controlling for covariates. CONCLUSIONS During 1999–2010, U.S. prediabetes prevalence increased because of increases in A1C5.7. Continuous monitoring of prediabetes is needed to identify, quantify, and characterize the population of high-risk individuals targeted for ongoing diabetes primary prevention efforts.
Religious and therapeutic elements in Sufi teaching stories.

Like the teaching stories of many other religions—the parables of Jesus, Zen koans, Hasidic tales—the stories of the Sufis, or Islamic mystics, offer important insights into the nature of religious experience and emotional well-being. This paper discusses the comments of selected Sufi tales on the basic structure of situations, non-rational or lateral problem-solving techniques, the process of consciousness-raising, and the experience of confronting unexpected reality.
Analytics-driven dynamic game adaption for player retention in Scrabble

This paper shows how game analytics can be used in conjunction with an adaptive system in order to increase player retention at the level of individual game sessions in Scrabblesque, a Flash game based on the popular board game Scrabble. In this paper, we use game analytic knowledge to create a simplified search space (called the game analytic space) of board states. We then target a distribution of game analytic states that are predictive of players playing a complete game session of Scrabblesque in order to increase player retention. Our adaptive system then has a computer-controlled AI opponent take moves that will help realize this distribution of game analytic states with the ultimate goal of reducing the quitting rate. We test this system by performing a user study in which we compare how many people quit playing the adaptive version of Scrabblesque early and how many people quit playing a nonadaptive version of Scrabblesque early. We also compare how well the adaptive version of Scrabblesque was able to influence player behavior as described by game analytics. Our results show that our adaptive system is able to produce a significant reduction in the quitting rate (p = 0.03) when compared to the non-adaptive version. In addition, the adaptive version of Scrabblesque is able to better fit a target distribution of game analytic states when compared to the non-adaptive version.
What have we Learned from the Experience of Low Oil Prices

This article is an attempt to assess the effect of the low oil prices the world experienced in the mid-1980s, 1998 and early 1999. Such an assessment will help us predict the consequences of low oil prices in the future. The study focuses on the boon and bane of low oil prices from the producers' and consumers' points of view. Low oil prices, which are not related to technology and lower production costs, have depleted oil reserves, increased the income gap between consumers and producers, created friction among OPEC Members and between OPEC and non-OPEC producers, and led to the imposition of tariffs on oil imports in consuming countries. In addition, they have led to economic hardship in oil-producing countries, including declines in oil revenue, budget deficits, budget cuts and cancelled projects, borrowing and debts, deterioration in the balance of payments, negative economic growth, currency devaluations and political unrest. They have affected oil companies through reduced earnings, forced lay-offs of workers, lower investment and increased mergers. Despite these disadvantages, oil producers may benefit from low oil prices in the long run. They will increase demand, slow the process of substitution and decrease non-OPEC production. Consumers, on the other hand, will benefit from low oil prices, through higher economic growth and disposable income, and lower legislative and import costs. In addition, consumers will drive faster and longer. These benefits do not come without cost. Low prices will also increase the future vulnerability of consuming countries and lead to more dependence on oil at the expense of alternative energy sources, more dependence on oil imports, more waste, more environmental damage and less efficiency. After outlining the advantages and disadvantages, the study concludes that the disadvantages of low oil prices outweigh their benefits; that is, low oil prices have caused substantial damage. This is due to market inefficiencies and imperfections that include government intervention, especially in consuming countries. Competitive markets, on the other hand, may not lead to such damage. Also, the recent increase in oil prices may have been caused by the low oil prices in 1998 and early 1999, which resulted in lower investment and maintenance spending that, in turn, led to reduced capacity and production.
Liaison psychiatry on a burn unit

Psychiatric liaison activities and intervention on a burn unit are described. The authors review the psychiatrist's interventions with regard to unhealthy staff denial; educating staff about psychiatric issues; facilitating improved staff-patient communication; and helping nurses manage patients' inappropriate sexual behavior.
Interactions of growing folds and coeval depositional systems

Responses of both modern and ancient fluvial depositional systems to growing folds can be interpreted in terms of interactions among competing controlling variables which can be incorporated into simple conceptual models. The ratio of the rate of sediment accumulation to the rate of structural uplift determines whether a fold develops a topographic expression above local base level. The balance between (a) stream power and rates of upstream deposition vs. (b) bedrock resistance and rates of crestal uplift and of fold widening determines whether an antecedent stream maintains its course or is defeated by a growing structure. Modern drainage configurations in actively folding landscapes can often be interpreted in terms of these competing variables, and through analysis of digital topography, detailed topographic characteristics of these folds can be quantified. Modern examples of growing folds display both defeated and persistent antecedent rivers, deflected drainages and laterally propagating structures. The topography associated with a defeated antecedent river at Wheeler Ridge, California, is consistent with a model in which defeat results from forced aggradation in the piggyback basin, without the need to vary discharge or uplift rate. Reconstruction of the long-term interplay between a depositional system and evolving folds requires a stratigraphic perspective, such as that provided by syntectonic strata which are directly juxtaposed with ancient folds and faults. Analysis of Palaeogene growth strata bounding the Catalan Coastal Ranges of NE Spain demonstrates the synchronous growth and the kinematic history of multiple folds and faults in the proximal foreland basin. Although dominated by transverse rivers which crossed fold crests, palaeovalleys, interfan lows, structural re-entrants and saddles, and rising anticlines diverted flow and influenced local deposition. In the ancient record, drainage-network events, such as avulsion or defeat of a transverse stream, usually cannot be unambiguously attributed to a single cause. Examination of ancient syntectonic strata from a geomorphological perspective, however, permits successive reconstructions of synorogenic topography, landscapes and depositional systems.
Stochastic control of freeway corridor systems

This paper deals with the dynamic stochastic control of a freeway corridor system, which consists of a multilane freeway interconnected with entry and exit ramps to one or more parallel traffic arterials, and subject to ramp controls and signals at intersections. Key issues associated with the use of modern estimation and control theory are presented.
Prognostic factors in infants with acute myeloid leukemia

Little is known about the factors that affect treatment outcome in very young children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We therefore analyzed the prognostic impact of various presenting clinical and laboratory features by discrete age group in 299 children with AML treated in four consecutive clinical trials between 1980 and 1997. Differences in presenting features, as well as treatment outcome, were compared between children aged 12 months or less (n = 28) or 13 to 24 months (n = 28) and those more than 24 months of age (n = 243). Children in the two youngest groups (24 months of age or less) had similar presenting features and treatment outcome. Collectively, these 56 children were significantly more likely than the 243 older patients to have M4 or M5 leukemia (70% vs 30%), CNS leukemia (33% vs 22%), the t(9;11) (p22;q23) (18% vs6%) or other 11q23 translocations (23% vs 3%), and less likely to have Auer rods (2% vs 54%) or the t(8;21) (q22;q22) (0% vs 17%). Among patients aged 24 months or less, two factors independently predicted a favorable prognosis: FAB M4 or M5 leukemia (relative risk of relapse, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.2–0.9) and the t(9;11) (relative risk, 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.1–1.0). Leukocyte count and 11q23 translocations other than the t(9;11) lacked prognostic significance. Among older patients, a leukocyte count <50 × 109/l and the presence of the t(9;11) conferred a favorable prognosis.
Social complexity and hormonal influences on sexual behavior in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Rhesus females in multi-animal groups mate only during the mid-follicular and periovulatory portions of their ovarian cycle, whereas females in pair-tests often mate at all cycle phases. We investigated the influence of social context on hormonal mediation of rhesus sexual behavior by observing the same males and females in both pair-tests and in single male/multi-female group-tests. Five intact adult female rhesus were tested with each of four males during their follicular, periovulatory, and luteal cycle phases as verified by steroid radioimmunoassay. Male initiated behaviors of approach, hiptouch, mount, and ejaculation were significantly above luteal levels during periovulatory group-tests, with periovulatory approach and hiptouch frequencies also significantly above follicular levels. Approach did not vary with the female's cycle phase in pair-tests and both follicular and periovulatory frequencies of hiptouch, mount, and ejaculation were higher than luteal levels. Pair-test frequencies were greater than group-test frequencies at all cycle phases, except for male approach, where the difference depended upon female cycle phase. When group-tested, females approached the male, presented, and handslapped most frequently during periovulatory tests. In pair-tests, females approached and handslapped equally during follicular and periovulatory tests and lower luteally, but presents did not vary cyclically. Females approached males significantly more frequently during pair- than group-tests, but there were no consistent differences between the two social conditions for present and handslap. In group-tests, periovulatory females were approached and threatened by other group females significantly more often that they were at other cycle phases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A computational study of sooting limits in laminar premixed flames of ethane, ethylene, and acetylene☆

Abstract The onset of sooting in laminar premixed flames was examined computationally. Three series of atmospheric fueloxygennitrogen flames of ethane, ethylene, and acetylene were simulated using a detailed chemical kinetic model of soot particle nucleation and growth. It was found that the critical equivalence ratios for soot appearance, both the absolute values and temperature dependencies, can be predicted fairly close to the experimental observations, even when no reactions for the oxidation of aromatics by hydroxyl are included in the mechanism. The analysis of the computational results strongly suggests that the appearance of soot is controlled by two factors, concentration of acetylene and growth of polycyclic aromatics, and the latter is limited by the rise in flame temperature towards the end of the main reaction zone. The present results and conclusions are in agreement with the principal findings of previous modeling studies.
Two happiness puzzles.

Economists, as well as psychologists and philosophers, have become increasingly interested in self-reported measures of wellbeing, what they mean, and whether they might be used for policymaking. This interest parallels a renewed awareness of the limitations of standard measures of GDP (and allied measures), as well as a wish to redirect measurement away from GDP in an era when growth rates are diminishing across much of the rich world. Various subjective wellbeing (SWB) measures have been used to provide new insights and to capture a number of difficult-to-measure phenomena, such as the trade-off between inflation and unemployment, the costs of air pollution, or the values attached to environmental amenities. In spite of those successes, the measures are neither fully accepted nor fully understood. Traditional economics has been skeptical of measures whose content is unclear, is largely up to the respondent, and is sometimes deeply affected by the wording of the questions or by the context in which they are put. Although cognitive testing in the laboratory can provide insights about how people understand well-being questions, more often the interpretation is deduced by analyzing the correlates of the answers ex post. This poses a problem: we cannot use a correlation between a SWB measure and a variable X both to validate the measure and to claim that we have demonstrated the welfare consequences of X. One symptom is the “happiness fork:” that results that conform to standard welfare analysis (left fork)—that income, education and health are positively linked to SWB—are taken as support for SWB measures, while results that do not so conform (right fork)—that unemployment is much worse than the loss of income would imply, or that people hate to commute—are also taken as supportive and indeed demonstrative of the superiority of the SWB measures. Such interpretations are unlikely to persuade skeptics. Our approach is to look at several SWB findings that are, on the face of it, internally contradictory, or that appear to contradict well-based if conventional judgments about what is or is not good for people. Those who see happiness as the only good, and who believe that SWB measures capture it, simply see these conventional judgments as mistaken. For those of us not so committed, we are likely to modify our interpretation of the measures, or the place that happiness plays in wellbeing, or both. From whatever perspective, internal contradictions need to be worked out, a process that is likely to be productive. One distinction that helps reduce confusion is that between evaluative and hedonic wellbeing which we maintain throughout.
Parameter estimation for a standard surface water vehicle model

A parameter estimation scheme for a surface water vehicle is presented and is based on a standard surface water vehicle model developed at the Naval Research Laboratory. The feasibility of the proposed scheme is demonstrated using the Popov-Belevitch-Hautus (PBH) test for observability. The proposed scheme is independent of the value of the surface water vehicle parameters and could be used for multiple types of surface water vehicles that fit the given model structure.
Importance of multi-modal approaches to effectively identify cataract cases from electronic health records

Objective: There is increasing interest in using electronic health records (EHRs) to identify subjects for genomic association studies, due in part to the availability of large amounts of clinical data and the expected cost efficiencies of subject identification. We describe the construction and validation of an EHR-based algorithm to identify subjects with age-related cataracts. Materials and methods: We used a multi-modal strategy consisting of structured database querying, natural language processing on free-text documents, and optical character recognition on scanned clinical images to identify cataract subjects and related cataract attributes. Extensive validation on 3657 subjects compared the multi-modal results to manual chart review. The algorithm was also implemented at participating electronic MEdical Records and GEnomics (eMERGE) institutions. Results: An EHR-based cataract phenotyping algorithm was successfully developed and validated, resulting in positive predictive values (PPVs) >95%. The multi-modal approach increased the identification of cataract subject attributes by a factor of three compared to single-mode approaches while maintaining high PPV. Components of the cataract algorithm were successfully deployed at three other institutions with similar accuracy. Discussion: A multi-modal strategy incorporating optical character recognition and natural language processing may increase the number of cases identified while maintaining similar PPVs. Such algorithms, however, require that the needed information be embedded within clinical documents. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that algorithms to identify and characterize cataracts can be developed utilizing data collected via the EHR. These algorithms provide a high level of accuracy even when implemented across multiple EHRs and institutional boundaries.
Ultrasonic transducer simulation and field visualization

The process of designing an ultrasonic phased array benefits from the ability to quickly view the effects of transducer modifications. This is particularly important for sparse arrays, where small changes in element placement or symmetry can have large effects on the transmitted field. Rapid feedback on these parameters is enabled through simulations that exploit modern computer processors. A program to perform these simulations is presented.
Optogenetic release of norepinephrine from cardiac sympathetic neurons alters mechanical and electrical function.

Aims Release of norepinephrine (NE) from sympathetic neurons enhances heart rate (HR) and developed force through activation of β-adrenergic receptors, and this sympathoexcitation is a key risk for the generation of cardiac arrhythmias. Studies of β-adrenergic modulation of cardiac function typically involve the administration of exogenous β-adrenergic receptor agonists to directly elicit global β-adrenergic receptor activation by bypassing the involvement of sympathetic nerve terminals. In this work, we use a novel method to activate sympathetic fibres within the myocardium of Langendorff-perfused hearts while measuring changes in electrical and mechanical function. Methods and results The light-activated optogenetic protein channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) was expressed in murine catecholaminergic sympathetic neurons. Sympathetic fibres were then photoactivated to examine changes in contractile force, HR, and cardiac electrical activity. Incidence of arrhythmia was measured with and without exposure to photoactivation of sympathetic fibres, and hearts were optically mapped to detect changes in action potential durations and conduction velocities. Results demonstrate facilitation of both developed force and HR after photostimulated release of NE, with increases in contractile force and HR of 34.5 ± 5.5 and 25.0 ± 9.3%, respectively. Photostimulation of sympathetic fibres also made hearts more susceptible to arrhythmia, with greater incidence and severity. In addition, optically mapped action potentials displayed a small but significant shortening of the plateau phase (−5.5 ± 1.0 ms) after photostimulation. Conclusion This study characterizes a powerful and clinically relevant new model for studies of cardiac arrhythmias generated by increasing the activity of sympathetic nerve terminals and the resulting activation of myocyte β-adrenergic receptors.
An Optimization Framework for Nonlinear Control Systems Design based on Multi-Constraints and Multi-Criteria

A survey of the authors' recent contributions are given to a new multi-constrained and multi-criteria optimization approach to the design of optimal compensators for general MIMO nonlinear feedback control systems in several practical considerations including such as robust stabilization with the presence of uncertainty, tracking and model matching, and disturbance rejection problems. First, the general framework for nonlinear closed-loop feedback systems is described in a Banach space setting in the time domain. Then, several typical optimal feedback design problems are formulated. Moreover, existence, uniqueness and characteristics theorems are established. Finally, a convergent recursive algorithm for solving the general constrained optimization is included.
A New Class of Digital Division Methods

This paper describes a class of division methods best suited for use in digital computers with facilities for floating point arithmetic. The division methods may be contrasted with conventional division procedures by considering the nature of each quotient digit as generated during the division process. In restoring division, each quotient digit has one of the values 0,1, . . . , r ?1, for an arbitrary integer radix r. In nonrestoring division, each quotient digit has one of the values ?(r?1),. . ., ?1, +1, . . ., +(r?1). For the division methods described here, each quotient digit has one of the values ?n, ?(n?1), . . ., ?1, 0, 1, . . . n?1, n, where n is an integer such that ?(r ?1)?n?r?1. A method for serial conversion of the quotient digits to conventional (restoring) form is given. Examples of new division procedures for radix 4 and radix 10 are given.
Non-LTE Synthetic Spectral Fits to the Type Ia Supernova 1994D in NGC 4526

We have fitted the normal, well-observed, Type Ia Supernova (SN Ia) SN 1994D with non-LTE spectra of the deflagration model W7. We find that well before maximum luminosity W7 fits the optical spectra of SN 1994D. After maximum brightness the quality of the fits weakens as the spectrum forms in a core rich in iron-peak elements. We show the basic structure of W7 is likely to be representative of the typical SN Ia. We have shown that like W7, the typical SN Ia has a layer of unburned C+O composition at v > 15000 km s-1, followed by layers of C-burned and O-burned material with a density structure similar to W7. We present UVOIR (UBVRIJKH) synthetic photometry and colors and compare with observation. We have computed the distance to the host galaxy, NGC 4526, obtaining a distance modulus of μ = 30.8 ± 0.3. We discuss further application of this direct measurement of SNe Ia distances. We also discuss some simple modifications to W7 that could improve the quality of the fits to the observations.
Sources of Health Insurance and Characteristics of the Uninsured: Analysis of the March 2005 Current Population Survey

This paper provides historic data through 2004 on the number and percentage of nonelderly individuals with and without health insurance. Based on EBRI estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau's March 2005 Current Population Survey (CPS), it reflects 2004 data. It also discusses trends in coverage for the 1994-2004 period and highlights characteristics that typically indicate whether an individual is insured.
siRNA screen of the human signaling proteome identifies the PtdIns(3,4,5)P3-mTOR signaling pathway as a primary regulator of transferrin uptake.

Background: Iron uptake via endocytosis of iron-transferrin-transferrin receptor complexes is a rate-limiting step for cell growth, viability and proliferation in tumor cells as well as nontransformed cells such as activated lymphocytes. Signaling pathways that regulate transferrin uptake have not yet been identified. Results: We surveyed the human signaling proteome for regulators that increase or decrease transferrin uptake by screening 1,804 dicer-generated signaling small interfering RNAs using automated quantitative imaging. In addition to known transport proteins, we identified 11 signaling proteins that included a striking signature set for the phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3)-target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. We show that the PI3K-mTOR signaling pathway is a positive regulator of transferrin uptake that increases the number of transferrin receptors per endocytic vesicle without affecting endocytosis or recycling rates. Conclusion: Our study identifies the PtdIns(3,4,5)P3-mTOR signaling pathway as a new regulator of iron-transferrin uptake and serves as a proof-of-concept that targeted RNA interference screens of the signaling proteome provide a powerful and unbiased approach to discover or rank signaling pathways that regulate a particular cell function.
Bilateral and Unilateral Arm Training Improve Motor Function Through Differing Neuroplastic Mechanisms A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Background and Purpose. This randomized controlled trial tests the efficacy of bilateral arm training with rhythmic auditory cueing (BATRAC) versus dose-matched therapeutic exercises (DMTEs) on upp...
The pragma-dialectician's dilemma: Reply to Garssen and van Laar

Garssen and van Laar in effect concede our main criticism of the pragma-dialectical approach. The criticism is that the conclusions of arguments can be ‘P-D reasonable’ yet patently unreasonable, epistemically speaking. The concession consists in the claim that the theory “remains restricted to the investigation of standpoints in the light of particular sets of starting points” which are “up to individual disputants to create” and the admission that all the relevant terms of normative appraisal have been redefined. We also discuss their criticisms of the epistemic account of argumentation and argument evaluation and raise some new questions about the approach they defend.
A genetic reporter system to gauge cell proliferation rate

In higher eukaryotes, E2F transcription factors often drive expression of genes necessary for the cell cycle, notably the G1/S phase transition. With conventional transcriptional reporter systems, expression of a reporter gene from an E2F-responsive promoter would allow one to identify the fraction of cells making this transition. Here, we have engineered an E2F-responsive genetic reporter system that outputs the proliferation rate. The system takes advantage of the long half-lives of fluorescent protein reporters and output signal normalization. By doing so, it converts dynamic pulses of E2F activity into an analog output proportional to the proliferation rate. Such a system should be useful for applications involving high-throughput drug or genetic screens, investigation of cellular environment, and biological engineering.
Opioid-induced hypernociception is associated with hyperexcitability and altered tetrodotoxin-resistant Na+ channel function of dorsal root ganglia

Opiates are potent analgesics for moderate to severe pain. Paradoxically, patients under chronic opiates have reported hypernociception, the mechanisms of which are unknown. Using standard patch-cl...
High-low polysilicon-emitter SiGe-base bipolar transistors

Self-aligned heterojunction bipolar transistors with a high-low emitter profile consisting of a heavily doped polysilicon contact on top of a thin epitaxial emitter cap have been fabricated. The low doping in the single-crystal emitter cap allows a very high dopant concentration in the base with low emitter-base reverse leakage and low emitter-base capacitance. The thin emitter cap is contacted by heavily doped polysilicon to reduce the emitter resistance, the base current, and the emitter charge storage. A trapezoidal germanium profile in the base ensures a small base transit time and adequate current gain despite high base doping. The performance potential of this structure was simulated and demonstrated experimentally in transistors with near-ideal characteristics, very small reverse emitter-base leakage current, and 52-GHz peak f/sub max/, and in unloaded ECL and NTL ring oscillators with 24- and 19-ps gate delays, respectively. >
Value-Added Processes in Document-Based Systems: Abstracting and Indexing Services.

Analyse des techniques mises en œuvre par les services d'analyse et d'indexation pour creer une valeur ajoutee a l'information en ligne. Les «valeurs ajoutees» prises en compte sont brievement definies, leur cout et leur mode de controle sont abordes
HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION IN RACIALLY DIVERSE CITIES AND COUNTIES OF XINJIANG, CHINA

This research examines the impact of ethnic concentration and community socioeconomic status (SES) on elderly health in ethnically diverse communities in Xinjiang in northwest China. Effects of the concentration of two major ethnic populations are compared: the Han, which is the dominant ethnic group in China, and the Uyghur, the largest Muslim group in Xinjiang. Net of socioeconomic status, we find that population densities of the ethnic groups have a significant impact on our aggregate-level indicators of elderly health. Han density predicts good health, while Uyghur density predicts poor health. However, we do not find that SES indicators are independent predictors of community elder health. These findings suggest that rapidly developing economies, like those in China, do not necessarily provide the attention to health care that would result in improved quality of life and health status for the population.