cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Which is More Useful for Predicting Future Cash Flows, IAS-Earnings or U.S. GAAP-Earnings?

International Accounting Standards (IAS) are emerging as a credible alternate to the U.S. GAAP. The European Commission recently issued a regulation requiring about 7,000 European public companies to adopt IAS by 2005. Similarly, the Australian government has proposed that IAS be adopted from 2005. The SEC has called for research to evaluate whether IAS should be permitted for cross-border offerings of securities in the U.S. In response, this study examines which set of standards, IAS or U.S. GAAP, produces earnings and accruals that are more useful in predicting future operating cash flows. The sample consists of firms from twelve countries representing years 1992 through 2002. The results indicate that when observations are pooled across the years 1992 through 2002, U.S. GAAP-earnings outperform IAS-earnings. However, when the time period is partitioned into before (1992-1999) and after the development and approval of core IAS standards (2000-2002), the ability of the U.S. GAAP-earnings to beat IAS-earnings is observed only for the years 1992-1999. A similar pattern is observed when earnings are disaggregated into cash flow and accruals. In short, the findings support the notion that the gap between IAS and U.S. GAAP, in terms of predictive ability, is shrinking. Overall, the findings bode well for the on-going development of IAS as a credible global accounting standard.
Proceeding of the fourth ACM workshop on Mobile cloud computing and services

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the 2013 ACM Workshop on Mobile Cloud Computing and Services, the 4th workshop since it was held in 2010. This year's workshop continues its tradition of being a forum for presentation of research results and progress on leading edge system and networking issues related to mobile cloud computing and services, including device virtualization, notification services, location services, and scalable mobile cloud computing platforms. The mission of the workshop is to share novel solutions that can facilitate mobile cloud services, and identify new directions for future research and development. In this workshop, we are pleased to have the keynote speaker Dr. Mahadev Satyanarayanan from Carnegie Mellon University, which is known to be one of the leading researchers in mobile cloud areas. The keynote speech is followed by two excellent sessions which will be held in the morning and afternoon respectively. Each session is mixed with vision presentations and technical solutions, and with speakers from both academia and industries. Specifically, we have a number of invited presentations from reputed and active researchers in the field. In addition, the program includes a panel on "My Favorite Mobile Cloud Service and Why it Will Change the Mobile World". I hope you could think about your own favorite mobile cloud services and will enjoy the panel discussions.
New Perspectives on the Physics of High-Field Superconductors

In making a practical high-field superconducting conductor, the manufacturer is confronted with the problem of optimizing simultaneously several properties (e.g., Tc, Hc2, Jc, and mechanical behavior), all of which themselves depend on a variety of material parameters. At the same time it is necessary to fabricate the conductor in the form of fine, twisted filaments imbedded in a normal metal matrix. This is no simple matter, needless to say, and in carrying out such a task it is helpful to have as clear an understanding as possible of how the physical properties of interest depend on the various material parameters. In this paper we review recent advances in the understanding of the upper critical field, Hc2, of real high-field superconductors in an effort to provide some improved guidance to the practical conductor community in just this regard. In particular, we address the role of disorder in determining Hc2 of the A15 superconductors and corrections to the theory of Pauli limiting that have come to light recently. The insights obtained from these results are also used to provide an up-to-date set of ground rules for optimizing Hc2 and to establish expected theoretical limits of Hc2 in superconductors of practical interest.
Coevolution of Network and Land Use

As American cities evolved in the first half of the 20th century, we saw a concentration of activities and development at the centers of cities. Since freeways were constructed from the 1960s, roads also became more differentiated with regard to their design speeds and capacities (certainly in the pre-auto era most unpaved streets were equally slow, with paved streets and highways and then freeways, some roads got much faster and carry more traffic). Faster roads have enabled decentralization of activities, and consequently led to a flattening of the density gradient of land use as centers of cities became relatively less important. In response to this trend, the representation of urban spatial structure in urban economics has migrated from the mono-centric models to the poly-centric models (Mori, 2006).
Superior and Inferior Ophthalmic Vein Thrombosis in the Setting of Lung Cancer

Superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis is extremely rare and is often associated with orbital inflammation/infection, systemic/local tumors, hypercoagulable states, autoimmune conditions, and rarely carotid cavernous fistula. Clinical features include abrupt onset of painful proptosis, chemosis, ophthalmoplegia, and diminished visual acuity. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent permanent blindness. Management options for this medical emergency include antibiotics, steroids, and/or anticoagulation. We present a case of superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis with left cavernous sinus thrombosis in the setting of newly diagnosed malignancy.
Influence of impaired selective motor control on gait in children with cerebral palsy.

Abstract Purpose Spastic cerebral palsy (CP) is characterized by four neuromuscular deficits: weakness, short muscle-tendon unit, muscle spasticity and impaired selective motor control (SMC). We ex...
Kinematics of treadmill galloping by cats

A series of three studies was made of cats galloping on a treadmill. The purpose of the work was to furnish information on kinematic time constraints that could be used for biomechanical and neurophysiological interpretations. The data for this first report were obtained from nine cats trained to avoid shock or an air jet. They galloped at a constant velocity for a number of successive strides (cycles of movement by the four limbs). Cinematographic measurements were made and normalized of test runs in which footfall order was invariant, at speeds from 2.8 to 6.1 m/sec. Three previously defined types of galloping were seen at all speeds: the rotatory gallop, the transverse gallop and the half bound. Stride length increased markedly and linearly as forward velocity increased, and percentage of zero support (there was one flight phase per stride) increased slightly, but all other measures were quite insensitive to velocity changes. Movements of individual limbs, as measured by duty factor (stance or down time as a percentage of stride duration) varied little across the four limbs or three types of gallop. Averaged interlimb measures showed that across gallop types the forelimb touchdowns were always separated by approximately 25% of stride duration, but the hindlimbs could be separated by 11% (rotatory and transverse gallops) or else could touch down simultaneously (half bound). Overall, the most invariant hindlimb-to-forelimb interval was from the trailing (rear) hindlimb to the trailing forelimb. No evidence was gained to refute the assumption that selection of one of three types of gallop on the treadmill was arbitrary, at least for avoidance running.
Workplace wellness program and short-term changes in health care expenditures.

Abstract Workplace wellness programs are commonly offered by employers with the expectation that they will reduce health care costs. We previously reported that Be Fit, a 10-week wellness program offered to employees of a large teaching hospital and geared towards improving nutrition and physical activity, led to improvements in weight, serum cholesterol, and blood pressure at program completion and 1-year follow-up. In the present study we assessed whether Be Fit participation was associated with reduced health expenditures by employing a difference-in-differences analysis of claims data for 289 employees who participated in Be Fit between 2010 and 2014 and 194 controls from the same parent company matched on sex, age, health risk score, and baseline health expenditures. We compared changes in expenditures from the year prior to Be Fit participation to the year after initiating participation. We did not observe any inflection in health care expenditures at the time of Be Fit participation for participants or matched controls. After adjusting for matching characteristics, changes in quarterly health expenditures were $236 lower for participants compared to controls (95% CI −$640 to $168). We similarly found no evidence of reduced health expenditures when expenditures were capped at the 99th percentile (excluding the impact of outliers) or limited to expenditures for cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Despite improvements in clinical risk factors, we find no evidence that Be Fit was associated with reduced health expenditures over 1-year follow-up. Reducing health expenditures may require a longer time horizon and programs targeting a broader set of risk factors.
Multi-contrast imaging on dual-source photon-counting-detector (PCD) CT

Photon-counting-detector (PCD) CT can provide multiple energy bin data sets and allows single-acquisition, multiple-contrast-injection imaging using materials such as iodine, gadolinium and bismuth. However, due to technical limitations, PCDs can suffer from compromised energy-resolving capability, which degrades multicontrast imaging performance. In this work, we investigate the use of a dual-source (DS)-PCD system architecture with additional beam filtration to improve spectral separation among energy bin data sets, and quantify its performance for multi-contrast imaging. Experiments were performed using a CT phantom including various concentrations of iodine (I), gadolinium (Gd) and bismuth (Bi). The DS-PCD architecture was emulated by scanning the same phantom twice on a single-source (SS) PCD-CT with two different tube potentials: 80 kV (energy thresholds = 25/50 keV), and 140 kV (energy thresholds = 25/90 keV) with a 0.4-mm tin filter. We further compared material decomposition performance using the proposed DS-PCD approach with that of the current SS-PCD approach. For the SS-PCD, chess mode with 4 energy bins was used, with energy thresholds of 25/50/75/90 keV to resolve the K-edges of Gd and Bi. The mean energies of the four energy bins in SS-PCD were 72/76/93/109 keV, while those of the four energy bins using DS-PCD were 57/64/88/111 keV, denoting a better spectral separation using DS-PCD. The material quantification root mean square error (RMSE) was reduced from 4.5/3.3/1.2 mg/mL for iodine/Gd/Bi using SS-PCD, to 1.4/1.2/1.1 mg/mL using DS-PCD. These results demonstrate that the DS-PCD can improve multi-contrast imaging performance compared to a SS-PCD acquisition.
Function and progression of non-suicidal self-injury and relationship with suicide attempts: A qualitative investigation with an adolescent clinical sample:

Aim:To investigate the function and progression of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and its relationship with suicide attempts.Method:Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 adolescen...
How Should We Manage Renal Transplant Patients with Failed Allografts Who Return to Dialysis

Patients with failing renal allografts often progress to end-stage renal disease, unlike transplant-naive chronic kidney disease patients, in an accelerated and unpredictable manner. The variability of this population renders decisions regarding placement of permanent dialysis access more difficult. Since patients with failed allografts who return to dialysis experience higher rates of morbidity and mortality, recognition and optimization of factors that will improve survival outcomes and quality of life are tantamount to longer term success. We provide guidelines on several topics such as immunosuppression withdrawal and determination of nephrectomy need versus retaining the allograft based on the current literature and our copious single-center experience.
Development and validation of an ambulatory piglet model for short bowel syndrome with ileo-colonic anastomosis

Extensive bowel resection results in short bowel syndrome. Absence of the ileocecal valve and length of remaining bowel are important prognostic factors. Such patients require total parenteral nutr...
The sublimative evolution of (486958) Arrokoth

Abstract We consider the history of New Horizons target (486958) Arrokoth in the context of its sublimative evolution. Shortly after the Sun's protoplanetary disk (PPD) cleared, the newly intense sunlight sparked a sublimative period in Arrokoth's early history that lasted for ~10–100 Myr. Although this sublimation was too weak to significantly alter Arrokoth's spin state, it could drive mass transport around the surface significant enough to erase topographic features on length scales of ~10–100 m. This includes craters up to ~50–500 m in diameter, which suggests that the majority of Arrokoth's craters may not be primordial (dating from the merger of Arrokoth's lobes), but rather could date from after the end of this sublimative period. Thereafter, Arrokoth entered a Quiescent Period (which lasts to the present day), in which volatile production rates are at least 13 orders of magnitude less than the ~1024 molecules/s detection limit of the New Horizons spacecraft (Lisse et al. 2020). This is insufficient to drive either mass transport or sublimative torques. These results suggest that the observed surface of Arrokoth is not primordial, but rather dates from the Quiescent Period. By contrast, the inability of sublimative torques to meaningfully alter Arrokoth's rotation state suggests that its shape is indeed primordial, and its observed rotation is representative of its spin state after formation.
Mitigating denial-of-service attacks on digital contact tracing: poster abstract

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many researchers have proposed privacy-preserving smartphone proximity tracing. Current projects, based on ephemeral IDs, are vulnerable to DoS attacks. In this paper, we present BlindSignedIDs that can be verified in-place through a TESLA server. We will demonstrate our BlindSignedIDs can effectively mitigate such DoS attacks.
Substance Use Predicts Sustained Viral Suppression in a Community Cohort of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Living with HIV

Retention in care and sustained viral suppression are integral outcomes in the care continuum for people living with HIV (PLWH) and HIV prevention; however, less is known about how substance use predicts sustained viral suppression over time. This study seeks to examine the predictive effects of substance use on sustained viral suppression in a sample of cisgender sexual minority men and gender minority PLWH (n = 163) drawn from a longitudinal sample in the Chicago area collected 2015–2019. Using data from 3 visits separated by 6 months, participants were coded persistently detectable, inconsistently virally suppressed, and consistently virally suppressed (< 40 copies/mL at all visits). Multinomial logistic regressions were utilized. About 40% of participants had sustained viral suppression. In multinomial logistic regressions, CUDIT-R predicted persistent detectable status and stimulant use was associated with inconsistent viral suppression. Substance use may create challenges in achieving sustained viral suppression, which has important implications for care and prevention.
GRIT: Women in Medicine Leadership Conference Participants’ Perceptions of Gender Discrimination, Disparity, and Mitigation

Abstract Objective To assess demographic characteristics and perceptions of female physicians in attendance at a medical conference for women with content focused on growth, resilience, inspiration, and tenacity to better understand major barriers women in medicine face and to find solutions to these barriers. Patients and Methods A Likert survey was administered to female physicians attending the conference (September 20 to 22, 2018). The survey consisted of demographic data and 4 dimensions that are conducive to women’s success in academic medicine: equal access, work-life balance, freedom from gender biases, and supportive leadership. Results All of the 228 female physicians surveyed during the conference completed the surveys. There were 70 participants (31.5%) who were in practice for less than 10 years (early career), 111 (50%) who were in practice for 11 to 20 years (midcareer), and 41 (18.5%) who had more than 20 years of practice (late career). Whereas participants reported positive support from their supervisors (mean, 0.4 [SD 0.9]; P Conclusion Female physicians were less likely to feel support for work-life balance and did not report freedom from gender bias in comparison to other dimensions of support. Whereas there was no statistically significant difference between career stage, trends noting that late-career physicians felt less support in all dimensions were observed. Future research should explore a more diverse sample population of women physicians.
Chapter 15 Charged Protein Side Chain Movement in Lipid Bilayers Explored with Free Energy Simulation

Biological membranes exhibit a bilayer arrangement of lipid molecules forming a hydrophobic core that presents a physical barrier to all polar and charged species. This universally accepted view has been challenged by biophysical partitioning experiments that suggest small free energies to insert charged side chains into the center of a membrane. We survey theoretical, experimental and simulation approaches and report free energy simulations that reveal large barriers for charged side chain movement across membranes. In simulations of an arginine side chain attached to a transmembrane ?-helix and its simple side chain analog molecule, significant penetration of water and lipid head groups into the membrane core is seen. Yet there exists differences in the shape and magnitude of the free energy profiles due to the presence of the host helix. Calculated p Ka shifts within the membrane suggest that arginine will remain mostly protonated throughout the membrane if attached to a transmembrane helix. The discrepancy between simulation and a recent translocon-based assay is explained in terms of several factors, including the difficulties in obtaining a spatial interpretation from these experiments. These simulations have implications for the gating mechanisms of voltage gated ion channels, suggesting that large paddle-like movements of lipid-exposed arginines are unlikely.
Firm Performance, Reporting Goals, and Language in Narrative Disclosures

Prior research finds that the reporting complexity of qualitative disclosures increases as firm performance deteriorates, and that reporting complexity may dampen investors’ short-term reactions to news. While some argue that managers intentionally increase reporting complexity to hide bad performance, others suggest that bad performance is instead simply more difficult to describe in fewer and more readable words. I use a controlled experiment to investigate these explanations, and find greater support for the idea that bad performance is inherently more difficult to describe than good performance. Counter to arguments made in the archival literature, I find that individuals provide longer, but more readable, disclosures when performance is bad and they are given a goal of reporting strategically rather than reporting accurately. This contradicts the claim that managers intentionally obfuscate poor performance in order to mitigate negative reactions to bad news. My study also provides evidence in a controlled setting on how other linguistic choices may vary with performance and goals.
A Class of Genes Affecting B Factor-Regulated Development in SCHIZOPHYLLUM COMMUNE

Twelve mutations affecting nuclear migration, a major developmental phase in Schizophyllum commune, display a complex pattern of complementation and recombination. They are expressed only when a genetic factor controlling this phase of development, the B incompatibility factor, is operative. All twelve mutations are linked to the B factor, nine in a cluster and three in distinct loci outside the cluster. A linear map cannot be constructed from the frequency of recombination. Complementation maps are not linear. There is little correlation between the complementation groups and the groups based on recombination. Many pairs of mutations that do not complement recombine with frequencies of 1.1% to 26.9%. The genes represented by the twelve mutations are located in a linked group of about 18 known genes involved in the specific phase of development controlled by the B factor.
Adverse effect of splenectomy in experimental peritonitis

Abstract Patients undergoing splenectomy have increased operative morbidity and mortality, especially when associated with gastrointestinal surgery or injury. This present study was designed to assess the effect of splenectomy on mortality in a polymicrobial fecal peritonitis model and evaluate therapy with antibiotic (cefoxitin) or immunomodulation (glucan). Human stool-barium (0.15 cc) was placed in the peritoneum of Sprague-Dawley rats at the time of splenectomy or sham surgery. Splenectomy animals were then treated with 5% dextrose, cefoxitin (60 mg im q 6 hr), glucan (7.5 mg ip prior to surgery), or cefoxitin plus glucan. Splenectomy resulted in decreased survival (5% vs 30%, P
AMPA potentiator treatment of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer disease.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of the positive α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid modulator LY451395 in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease (AD) (Mini-Mental State Examination scores 14 to 26). Methods: One hundred eighty-one patients were randomized to treatment in an 11-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients received either LY451395 0.2 mg BID for 28 days and 1.0 mg BID thereafter (n = 90) or placebo (n = 91). The primary outcome measurement was the Alzheimer9s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) with several secondary outcome measurements: Clinician9s Interview-Based Impression of Change, Trail Making Part A, Stylus Tapping Test, Single Digit Modality Test, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Results: Baseline demographics were similar between the two groups. Patients did not show any mean change from baseline in the ADAS-Cog after treatment with LY451395 for 4 weeks ( p = 0.60) or 8 weeks ( p = 0.83). The only secondary outcome measurement that showed changes from baseline compared with placebo was the NPI Total Score: p = 0.06 (marginal significance) after 4 weeks of treatment and p = 0.03 after 8 weeks of treatment. Ninety-two percent of LY451395-treated patients and 95% of placebo-treated patients completed the trial. Adverse events were experienced by 83% of LY451395-treated patients and 86% of placebo-treated patients, the majority of which were rated mild in severity. Conclusion: Patients treated with LY451395 did not show a statistically significant separation from patients taking placebo on the Alzheimer9s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale, the primary outcome measure.
Primordial ethnicity or modern nationalism: The case of Yugoslavia's Muslims

One of the longest standing debates in social science has been that which has divided students of ethnicity over the issue of modernization. On the one side are the tribalists, who emphasize that the ethnonational consciousness of a self-defined group is historically rooted and believe that processes of racial and cultural homogenization associated with the broader phenomenon of modernization promote the gradual break-down of ethnic boundaries within states and ultimately encourage the spread of global culture and the disappearance of ‘tribal’ languages (here one might include such examples as Catalan, Sorb, Romansch, and perhaps also Welsh, Macedonian and Estonian). In this view, ethnocentrism is negatively correlated with the degree of interaction, and multiethnic societies are supposed to be less ethnocentric than ethnically homogeneous societies. There are two chief variants of this approach represented by the functionalists (assimilationists) and the Marxists.
Metal dication cross-linked polymer network colloids as an approach to form and stabilize unusually small metal nanoparticles

Reduction of Cu(II) cations immobilized as cross-linkers in polyacrylate network colloids produce relatively small (∼3 nm) Cu metal particles which are further tuned to smaller size (∼1.5 nm) by partially substituting Ca+2 for Cu+2 in the polymer network colloid.
Decreased follistatin gene expression in gonadotroph adenomas

What growth factors are involved in the pathogenesis of gonadotroph adenomas is not yet known. Activin is one possible candidate because it stimulates growth and differentiation in many cells, including the gonadotroph cell, and it stimulates FSH secretion, characteristic of gonadotroph adenomas. As activin beta B-subunit is expressed in gonadotroph adenomas, we sought to determine whether activin receptor II and follistatin are also expressed. Total ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted from 10 gonadotroph adenomas that did not express pit-1 and was reverse transcribed. The resulting complementary DNAs for human activin receptor II and follistatin were amplified by PCR. All 10 adenomas expressed activin receptor II messenger RNA (mRNA), as did nonadenomatous pituitary tissue. Only 2 of the 10 gonadotroph adenomas expressed detectable follistatin mRNA, although all 4 nonadenomatous pituitaries did. Quantitation of follistatin mRNA by competitive reverse transcription-PCR showed that none of the 10 gonadotr...
Voluntary Environmental Programs: Are Carrots without Sticks Enough?

In recent years industry representatives, policymakers, and scholars have argued that “command-and-control” regulations, although relatively effective, are costly policy instruments for promoting environmental protection. Accordingly, voluntary environmental programs (VEPs), generally understood as self-regulatory agreements that seek to promote enhanced corporate environmental protection, have been offered as efficient, flexible, and effective alternatives to traditional regulatory structures (Steelman & Rivera, 2006). VEPs’ apparent win–win characteristics have made these initiatives very popular, particularly among industries and some regulators, in developed countries and most recently in emerging market economies. For example, in the United States over two hundred VEPs have been established by government agencies with more than 13 thousand participants in programs such as Green Lights, 33/50, or Performance Track (Steelman & Rivera, 2006). At the international level, ISO 14001, a VEP established by the nongovernmental International Organization for Standardization, had in 2004 more than 66 thousand participants in over one hundred countries (Delmans & Montiel, 2008). Voluntary environmental programs come in many forms and structures from strictly voluntary initiatives with no required standards, no reporting, and no oversight to certification programs with specific performance-based requirements and periodic third-party audits. Voluntary programs also vary in terms of their industry and country focus, and their unilateral or joint sponsorship by government agencies, industry, and/or environmental groups. This second installment of the Policy Studies Journal’s (PSJ) Symposium on Voluntary Environmental Programs includes four papers advancing this literature by moving beyond the typical approach that focuses on studying single VEPs usually in the context of the United States. Instead, these papers contribute by either examining multiple voluntary programs or focusing on initiatives implemented outside the United States, in countries such Canada, Mexico, and India. The basic research questions examined remain the same as those addressed in the initial group of papers published as part of this symposium on the previous issues of PSJ: (i) Under what conditions can VEPs effectively promote superior corporate environmental
The spinal headache in pregnant women

Pregnant women are at particular risk of dural puncture (and the subsequent headache) because of sex, young age, and the widespread application of regional anesthesia. The incidence of epidural needle-induced post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) also known as spinal headache in pregnant women following dural puncture with a large bore needle has been reported to range 76-85%. Although a few measures have been proposed to prevent PDPH Intrathecal injection of saline, insertion of the epidural catheter into the subarachnoid space through the dural hole, none have been shown to work with certainty to date. This article reviews the latest developments aimed at prevention and treatment of this debilitating condition. Key Words: Labor analgesia; epidural, combined spinal epidural; complications, dural puncture, postdural puncture headache (PDPH); prevention.
Activity of Tetracycline, Doxycycline, and Minocycline Against Methicillin-Susceptible and -Resistant Staphylococci

Tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against methicillin-susceptible and -resistant isolates of Staphylococcus . At clinically achievable levels both doxycycline and minocycline were more active than tetracycline against methicillin-susceptible organisms. Tetracycline and doxycycline had no activity against methicillin-resistant staphylococci, whereas minocycline at 2 μg/ml inhibited six of 13 strains and, at 3 μg/ml, 10 of 13 strains.
Waterbot: exploring feedback and persuasive techniques at the sink

This paper presents an exploration of user interfaces, persuasive interfaces and feedback techniques in the domain of the sink. Waterbot is a system to inform and motivate behavior at the sink for the purpose of increasing safety and functionality and ultimately motivating behavior change. Waterbot can be adapted to many current sink scenarios and demonstrates the breadth of interaction possible at the point of use of water. It functions as a platform for experimenting with safety, hygiene and water conservation in a sink. This paper presents the feedback and persuasion techniques of augmented physical interfaces with value-added design, automation, just-in-time prompts, positive and negative reinforcement, social validation and adaptive interfaces. Four design iterations are presented to affect behavior at the increasing cognitive levels of safety, functionality and behavior change.
Numerical Study of a Non-Linear Model for the Heat Flux Vector for Granular Materials

The two important constitutive relations needed for the study of flow and heat transfer in granular materials, where the effects of radiation are ignored, are the stress tensor and the heat flux vector. Massoudi [1, 2] derived a constitutive model that reflects the dependence of the heat flux vector on the temperature gradient, the density gradient and the velocity gradient, in an appropriate frame-invariant formulation. In this paper we use a simplified version of this model and consider the one dimensional fully developed flow of granular materials down a heated inclined plane, subject to a constant temperature boundary condition. The equations are made dimensionless and a parametric study is performed in order to examine the effects of the additional parameters on the heat flux vector. The derived governing equations are coupled non-linear second order ordinary differential equations which are solved numerically and the results are shown for the temperature, volume fraction and velocity profiles.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Operation of a CCHP System Using an Optimal Energy Dispatch Algorithm

The Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power (CCHP) systems have been widely recognized as a key alternative for thermal and electric energy generation because of the outstanding energy efficiency, reduced environmental emissions, and relative independence from centralized power grids. Nevertheless, the total energy cost of CCHP systems can be highly dependent on the operation of individual components and load balancing. The latter refers to the process of fulfilling the thermal and electrical demand by partitioning or “balancing” the energy requirement between the available sources of energy supply. The energy cost can be optimized through an energy dispatch algorithm which provides operational/control signals for the optimal operation of the equipment. The algorithm provides optimal solutions on decisions regarding generating power locally or buying power from the grid. This paper presents an initial study on developing an optimal energy dispatch algorithm that minimizes the cost of energy (i.e., cost of electricity from the grid and cost of natural gas into the engine and boiler) based on energy efficiency constrains for each component. A deterministic network flow model of a typical CCHP system is developed as part of the algorithm. The advantage of using a network flow model is that the power flows and efficiency constraints throughout the CCHP components can be readily visualized to facilitate the interpretation of the results. A linear programming formulation of the network flow model is presented. In the algorithm, the inputs include the cost of the electricity and fuel and the constraints include the cooling, heating, and electric load demands and the efficiencies of the CCHP components. This algorithm has been used in simulations of several case studies on the operation of an existing micro-CHP system. Several scenarios with different operational conditions are presented in the paper to demonstrate the economical advantages resulting from optimal operation.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Bottom-up synthesis of gold octahedra with tailorable hollow features.

Gold octahedra with hollow features have been synthesized in high yield via the controlled overgrowth of preformed concave cube seeds. This Ag+-assisted, seed-mediated synthesis allows for the average edge length of the octahedra and the size of the hollow features to be independently controlled. We propose that a high concentration of Ag+ stabilizes the {111} facets of the octahedra through underpotential deposition while the rate of Au+ reduction controls the dimensions of the hollow features. This synthesis represents a highly controllable bottom-up approach for the preparation of hollow gold nanostructures.
A set of parallel, implicit methods for a reconstructed discontinuous Galerkin method for compressible flows on 3D hybrid grids

A set of implicit methods are proposed for a third-order hierarchical WENO reconstructed discontinuous Galerkin method for compressible flows on 3D hybrid grids. An attractive feature in these methods are the application of the Jacobian matrix based on the P1 element approximation, resulting in a huge reduction of memory requirement compared with DG (P2). Also, three approaches — analytical derivation, divided differencing, and automatic differentiation (AD) are presented to construct the Jacobian matrix respectively, where the AD approach shows the best robustness. A variety of compressible flow problems are computed to demonstrate the fast convergence property of the implemented flow solver. Furthermore, an SPMD (single program, multiple data) programming paradigm based on MPI is proposed to achieve parallelism. The numerical results on complex geometries indicate that this low-storage implicit method can provide a viable and attractive DG solution for complicated flows of practical importance.
The use of amniotic membrane transplantation for ocular surface reconstruction: a review and series of 58 equine clinical cases (2002–2008)

Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) is an effective clinical therapy for reconstruction of the ocular surface in human and veterinary patients. Amnion is avascular and strong, contains antiangiogenic and antiinflammatory properties and growth factors, and has properties that prevent or decrease fibrosis in healing tissue. Indications for its use are steadily growing and include grafting to replace diseased, missing or excised tissue, patching to support diseased tissue during the healing process and as a substrate for the expansion of epithelial cells for transplantation to the cornea. AMT through a combination of mechanical and biologic factors can preserve the integrity of the globe, optimize the visual outcome, and minimize scarring in severely diseased corneas.
Structural fluctuations and randomness in GaAsAlxGa1−xAs superlattices

Abstract We discuss the use of X-ray and Raman scattering to probe structural disorder in aperiodic GaAsAl x Ga 1−x As superlattices, including random and quasiperiodic examples. Evidence is found for the presence of monolayer-thick steps at the interfaces. The X-ray data appear far more sensitive to this type of disorder than the acoustic phonon spectra obtained by Raman scattering.
Abnormal connectivity of the visual pathways in human albinos demonstrated by susceptibility‐sensitized MRI

We studied activation of the human visual cortex (VC) using susceptibility-sensitized MRI at 1.5 Tesla. Three albinos and six healthy controls underwent a series of monocular and binocular photic flash stimulation. Monocular stimulation in albinos caused predominant contralateral activation with a small, well-delineated area in the anterior part of the VC in the ipsilateral hemisphere. This finding was consistent with a chiasmal crossing anomaly in albinism. All controls had symmetric patterns of activation during monocular stimulation. Functional MEI represents a promising method for evaluation of the visual pathways in humans.
Patient Education and the Hospital Library: Opportunities for Involvement

Medical librarians have long played a role in the provision of patient education materials, and over time they have witnessed how the Internet has significantly changed the way patient education ma...
Feasibility of In-car Wireless Sensor Networks: A Statistical Evaluation

Statistical characterization of in-car wireless communication channels has recently gained significance, mainly due to the possibility of deploying a wireless sensor network in the vehicle. In this paper, we report different aspects of a statistical analysis of four representative in- car wireless channels based on the received power data collected from a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) transmission experiment. It is shown that the communication channel between the base station and a sensor placed under the engine compartment is the worst in terms of stability, average fade duration, and fade proportion, while the channel between the base station and a sensor placed in the trunk and the channel between the base station and a sensor placed on the hood are the best. We also show that the 4 representative in-car wireless channels can satisfy the maximum packet delay requirement of less than 500 ms and the trunk channel and the in-the-engine-compartment channels can satisfy the requirement of up to 98% packet reception rate. These statistical characteristics of the in- car wireless channels provide important guidelines for the designer of an in-car sensor system.
Oriented Polycrystalline Films for Infrared Spectroscopic Studies

Polarized infrared spectra obtained from oriented samples are very useful for determining vibrational assignments and/or crystal structure information. The technique of growing highly oriented polycrystalline films for such studies has been used for some time to obtain mid-infrared data of organic compounds. This paper summarizes the important factors in the growth of such films and describes extensions of the technique to organometallic and inorganic compounds and to the far-infrared spectral region. Implications of the technique with respect to crystal orientation and polymorphism are also considered.
Control of certain aspects of the infective process by progeny viral DNA.

Abstract When rabbit kidney cells infected with pseudorabies virus are incubated with 5-fluorouracil (FU) and 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUDR), approximately 80% of the thymidine in the progeny viral DNA is replaced by BUDR. These conditions do not affect the initial increase of enzymatic activity and of DNA synthesis in the infected cells. However, the drug prevents the normal cutoff of enzyme synthesis which occurs by 6 hours after infection. BUDR also delays the loss of enzymatic activity that takes place between 10 and 14 hours after infection. The loss of enzyme activity, which occurs during the late stages of the infective process, seems to result from the leakage of cellular constituents, including enzymes, from the cells. Specific proteins, which are synthesized by the infected cells between 4 and 7 hours after infection, are responsible for this leakage. BUDR interferes with the formation, not with the function, of these proteins. The results of the experiments presented are consistent with the idea that incorporation of BUDR into progeny viral DNA interferes with some of the aspects of the infective process controlled by this DNA.
Predicting Consumers' Preferences for and Likely Buying of Local and Organic Produce: Results of a Choice Experiment

Data from consumer intercept surveying and a hypothetical choice experiment conducted in 11 Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA grocery stores were used to predict consumers' preferences for and likely buying of local and organic produce. Results indicate that consumers strongly prefer produce with local and/or organic attributes, but are generally less likely to buy produce with these attributes. Consumers' sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of different produce types, distance traveled for food shopping, and metro-area location affected preferences and likely buying behavior. These results will help local farmers in New Mexico and other states improve their competitiveness, preserve agricultural traditions, and contribute to economic development.
Rate of Maturity of Dairy Females

Abstract Mature equivalent lactation yields of 18,869 Pennsylvania Holstein cows were analyzed for changes with age. Each record was a deviation from herdmates, and the difference between a later deviation and the first lactation deviation of the same cow was used to measure change to maturity. Five definitions of maturity, approximating changes to 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 yr-old cows, were examined. Sire effect was highly significant in 9 of the 10 analyses with fat yield at the oldest age being the exception. An analysis of first lactation deviations of milk and fat yields of cows in each maturity study was parallel. All ten analyses indicated a highly significant sire effect. Heritabilities were generally one-third to one-half as large for any maturity analysis as for the corresponding first lactation data.
Stereoscopic vision in the cat.

STEREOPSIS is the perception of relative depth by means of the disparate retinal stimulation which occurs when horizontally separated eyes are fixed on a common point. The stimulus conditions which produce stereopsis in humans have been studied thoroughly, but only recently has it been possible to study the neural mechanisms1–4. We have been able to demonstrate stereoscopic vision in the cat, a result which complements neurophysiological data demonstrating the presence of cells in cat visual cortex with receptive field geometry which is specialized for the detection of retinal disparity1,2.
Conformational mutation in human mtDNA detected by direct sequencing of enzymatically amplified DNA

Restriction enzyme analysis of 241 human mtDNAs revealed polymorphism in the electrophoretic mobility of a fragment corresponding to part of the ND4 gene. Enzymatic amplification and direct sequencing of this fragment demonstrates that a single T--C transition correlates with the faster mobility exhibited by the fragment in seven mtDNAs from Papua New Guinea. The enhanced mobility caused by this transition could result from disrupting an AT-rich region near the middle of the fragment that might make it curve. An analogous mutation at an adjacent position in a European mtDNA causes a similar but more pronounced alteration in mobility. The seven New Guineans with this substitution are all from the Eastern Highlands Province and constitute one clade in a genealogical tree based upon restriction analysis. The additional information provided by sequencing allows refinement of the genealogical tree but does not require modification of higher order branching structure.
Arc tolerances in shortest path and network flow problems

This paper studies one aspect of the “robustness” of optimal solutions to shortest path and, more generally, network flow problems. Specifically, we characterize the maximum increase and the maximum decrease in an arc's cost that can be tolerated without changing optimality of the current solution. Calculation of these quantities is quite simple for nonbasic arcs, and somewhat more involved for basic arcs. When such tolerances are to be determined simultaneously for all arcs in the network, considerable duplication of effort can be avoided through the use of specialized algorithms. Several algorithms for calculating all arc tolerances are presented, one of which is shown to have complexity order n2 for general networks with n nodes.
Melting behaviour and metastability of yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) and YAlO3 determined by optical differential thermal analysis

The melting point of yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG), reinvestigated by optical differential thermal analysis (ODTA), was found to be 1940±7° C. Above this temperature YAG liquids are opaque, suggesting the presence of two immiscible liquids. In the composition range 10.0 to 47.5 mol% Y2O3, crystallization of the equilibrium phases can only occur in the presence of YAG nuclei; otherwise solidification of YAlO3 and Al2O3 will take place. A metastable phase diagram has been defined with a metastable eutectic at 23 mol% Y2O3-77 mol% Al2O3 and 1702±7° C. YAlO3 (perovskite) was found to melt incongruently with a peritectic temperature of 1916±7° C and a liquidus temperature of 1934±7° C. YAlO3 formed during metastable solidification transforms to YAG in the presence of Al2O3 at 1418±7° C. It is suggested that the metastability arises from the difficulty of the aluminium to attain four-fold co-ordination in the YAG structure.
Vibration-rotation intensities of SiO

Dipole moment matrix elements have been computed for a large number of transitions of astrophysical interest for the more abundant isotopes of SiO. The wave functions utilized were obtained from a direct solution of the Schroedinger equation with an accurate RKR potential. The dipole moment function, in the form of a Pade approximant, was chosen to reproduce the experimental measurements near equilibrium, to have the proper united and separated atom limits, and to have the correct long-range asymptotic dependence on internuclear separation. Because of the large number of transitions involved, and to facilitate applications, the squares of the dipole moment matrix elements were fitted by a least-squares procedure to polynomials in v and J. In addition, Einstein A coefficients are given for observed maser transitions and for selected vibrational bands. These latter are compared with previous calculations, and it is concluded that for the higher Delta v transitions, the present results represent a significant improvement.