cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract A6: A global sensitivity test for evaluating hypotheses with non- and weakly identifiable statistical models: An application to breast cancer outcomes

Background and objectives: Motivated from a study on breast cancer, we consider the problem of evaluating a statistical hypothesis when some model characteristics are potentially non or weakly identifiable from observed data. Such scenarios are common in longitudinal studies for evaluating a covariate effect when dropouts may be informative. The hypothesis related to treatment effects may not be testable nonparametrically, with untestable model restrictions necessary for inference. A popular approach is to assume a finite dimensional model and to fix a minimal set of parameters, called sensitivity parameters, conditional upon which hypothesized parameters are assumed identifiable. These profile models, viewed as a functional of the secondary or sensitivity parameters, form the basis of sensitivity analysis. In the current literature, however, inference regarding significance of the covariates is ad hoc, ignoring that multiple tests are conducted and that the working model may be misspecified. Methods and results: In this paper, we propose conservatively testing the null hypothesis of interest across the support of the sensitivity parameters using an infimum test statistic. The test must account for the facts that inferences are carried out simultaneously across the entire range of the sensitivity parameters and that the model may be misspecified under certain values of the sensitivity parameters, as might occur if a nonignorable model is fit, when, in reality, missingness is ignorable. We characterize the limiting distribution of the statistic as a functional of processes in the sensitivity parameters, which involves a careful theoretical analysis of its behavior under model misspecification. In practice, we suggest a simple yet flexible resampling procedure to implement the infimum test as well as to construct confidence bands for simultaneous pointwise tests across all values of the sensitivity parameters. The methodology9s practical utility is illustrated in simulations and an analysis of quality-of-life outcomes from a longitudinal study on breast cancer. Interestingly in this example, a covariate effect on cancer outcomes is detected over a wide range of the sensitivity parameter when a Wald test that assumes identifiability fails. Implications and next steps: The key implication of this work is that the hypothesis of interest can be conservatively evaluated across the support of the sensitivity parameters using an infimum test statistic over the space of these parameters. A key assumption of this paper is that the working model is finite dimensional although the full specification of distribution of the data is not required. The methodology should be broadly applicable to infinite dimensional models, such as survival models for censored data. This extension is the focus of current research work. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A6.
The Song, Morphology, Habitat, and Distribution of the Elusive North American Cicada Okanagana viridis (Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae)

The North American cicada Okanagana viridis Davis has been little reported in the literature for nearly 80 yr. We provide the first notes on the song and ecology of this elusive species, and we update its known range. O. viridis is unusual in a large genus of 60 otherwise arid- or cold-adapted, mostly western U.S. species, in that it is found in the temperate deciduous southern forests of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. It is the only almost solid bright green Okanagana Distant, and it calls from high in trees during daylight hours and occasionally at dusk, during the summer months. The song is a thin, dull, steady whine ≈30 s in duration; it is composed of irregular doublet or triplet pulses given at a mean rate of 127/s, with a mean peak sound frequency of 9.27 kHz. O. viridis is uncommon in collections, and it appears restricted to remaining small forest patches near lowland river deltas.
Bcl-2 promotes premature senescence induced by oncogenic Ras.

Abstract The expression of the apoptosis inhibitory protein, Bcl-2, is increased in naturally senescing human fibroblasts and upon induction of their senescence-like growth arrest by oxidative stress, implying its role in maintaining their extended viability. Oncogenic RasV12 protein induces signaling cascades that result in the premature senescence of primary fibroblast cells, which are insensitive to oncogene-dependent apoptosis. Here we show that constitutive expression of Bcl-2 accelerates selected features of the Ras-induced senescence program in primary human fibroblasts. Yet, Bcl-2 also inhibits fibroblast apoptosis induced by exogenous H2O2, while both signals induce an increased endogenous Bcl-2 expression in these cells. Together, these data suggest a context-dependent phenotypic function of Bcl-2 in the regulation of overlapping cell fate specification programs, with potential implications for both physiology and multistep tumorigenesis.
POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BENIGN HEPATOMAS AND ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

Abstract Seven cases of hepatic adenoma are presented, all in women on oral contraceptives. It seems likely that oral contraceptives play a role in the development of this lesion. Although benign, the tumour may cause serious or fatal haemorrhage. Hepatic arteriography allows prompt and precise diagnosis.
Coupled mass and energy transport phenomena in aerosol/vapor-laden gases-II. computer modeling of water vapor/droplet interaction and entrainment

Abstract A computer program has been developed to simulate vapor and heat transfer processes in multiphase flow in a tube. The primary purpose is to apply it to the respiratory conditions at which aerosol-laden air is inhaled in the human respiratory tract. The method of evaluating the analytical solution and the input needed to run the program are described. Aerosol-induced coupling between temperature and vapor concentration fields under different respiratory conditions is investigated. Simulation results for air-water vapor mixtures agree well with both simplified analytical solutions and with the results of Barrett and Clement [(1986) J. Aerosol Sci. 17 , 129–143] for an infinite plane. The effect of tube radius on temperature, relative humidity and particle size is also demonstrated.
A simple deflection-testing method to determine Poisson's ratio for MEMS applications

A method to determine Poisson's ratio of thin films employing a simple experimental deflection test and a simulation program has been developed. According to the method, knowing Young's modulus and measuring the deflection at an arbitrary point on the thin film, the Poisson's ratio can be determined using any mechanical finite element analysis (FEA) program. Two examples are considered to test the method, with both yielding the same results. Due to the relative simplicity involved with this procedure, it is believed that the method can be used by MEMS researchers to determine Poisson's ratios of their own thin films of interest. In addition, in the case that Poisson's ratio is known and Young's modulus is unknown, the method may be applied to find the Young's modulus.
Articulatory behaviors associated with stuttering: a cinefluorographic analysis.

High speed (150 fps) einefluorographie techniques were used to record articulatory movements during fluent and dis fluent speech from four stutterers and control utter- ances from one normal speake...
β-Blocker premedication does not increase the frequency of allergic reactions from coronary CT angiography: Results from the Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Consortium.

Abstract Background β-Blockers are often used for heart rate control during coronary CT angiography (CTA). Increased frequency and severity of allergic reactions to radiocontrast media (RCM) have been reported with concomitant use of β-blockers. Objectives The objectives of this study were to determine whether there is a higher incidence of allergic reactions to low-osmolar nonionic RCM in patients undergoing coronary CTA with concomitant β-blockers and to define the overall incidence and severity of allergic reactions in patients undergoing coronary CTA with and without a history of allergy to RCM. Methods Patients undergoing coronary CTA at 47 institutions participating in the Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Consortium registry were analyzed. The incidence and severity of allergic reactions were compared between those patients who did and those who did not receive β-blockers, as well as in subgroups of patients with and without a history of prior allergy to RCM. Results The incidence of allergic reaction in patients who received β-blockers was 45 of 23,867 (0.19%) compared with those who did not receive β-blockers, which was 9 of 5232 (0.17%; P = .84; odds ratio = 1.1). Of the patients with history of allergy to RCM, 4 of 706 patients (0.6%) on β-blockers experienced allergic reactions compared to 1 of 77 patients (1.3%) without β-blockers ( P = .40; odds ratio = 0.43). Conclusions β-Blocker pretreatment had no effect on the frequency or severity of allergic reaction in patients undergoing coronary CTA, even in patients with a past history of allergy to RCM.
Hypoxanthine and oxygen induced lung injury: a possible basic mechanism of tissue damage?

Summary: Lung injury was induced in young rats by a continuous infusion of hypoxanthine intravenously and breathing 100% oxygen for 48 h (group 1). Control animals were rats infused glucose and breathing 100% oxygen (group 2), rats infused hypoxanthine in room air (group 3), and untreated rats (group 4). In group 1 rats interstitial and alveolar edema was found with a tendency toward marked margination of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in small vessels (P < 0.025 compared with group 2). The main elastase inhibitor alpha,-antitrypsin (α-l-PI) was significantly elevated in group 1; 2-, 3− and 5-fold, respectively, when compared with groups 2, 3, and 4. The surfactant phopholipids from alveolar lavage were normal in all groups. The protein-rich fraction of the lavage fluid from group 1 rats inactivated, however, the surface properties of lung surfactant. Minimum surface tension in group 1 rats was 14.5 dyn/cm compared with 7.0 dyn/cm in group 2, 2.9 dyn/cm in group 3 and 3.5 dyn/cm in group 4 (P < 0.05, group 1 and 2 versus 4). We conclude that the combination of hypoxanthine and high levels of oxygen causes lung injury, possibly via free oxygen radicals. We discuss the possibility that these findings demonstrate a basic pathogenetic mechanism for the hypoxic-hyperoxic insult and can contribute to the understanding of pathogenesis of a variety of diseases both in pediatrics and adult medicine.
The luteotropic activity of rat placenta is not due to a chorionic gonadotropin.

Placentae or uteri from pregnant rats (days 12-21) contained no detectable a-subunit of the glycoprotein hormones (CG, TSH, FSH, and LH) when assayed in either a rat or human a-RIA. The heads of rat fetuses contained increasing concentrations of α-subunit when assayed from days 12-20 of gestation (7.2-46 ng/g). Human term placentacontained large quantities of α-subunit (16,000 ng/g). α-Subunit was synthesized by the cell-free translation of poly(A)-enriched mRNA from mouse TSH-secreting pituitary tumor and human term placenta,but not from rat placentae or uterine implantation sites (days 11-21 of gestation). In addition, α mRNA was detected in mouse TSH-secreting pituitary tumor, rat pituitary, and human term placenta by hybridization to a 32P-labeled mouse α cDNA probe although no α mRNA could be detected in rat placentae (days 13-21 of gestation). The luteotropic activity found in pregnant rodents must be caused by a substance with a structure substantially distinct from any known gonadotropin. (Endocri...
Postnatal follow-up of antenatal hydronephrosis: a health-care challenge

To examine our experience with ANH and to determine the success of our postnatal follow-up program. Charts of mothers and infants seen (2004 to 2008) at our Regional Perinatal Center were reviewed retrospectively. ANH was defined during the third trimester by anterior pelvic diameters as follows: mild 7 to 9, moderate 10 to 14 or severe ⩾15 mm. Fetuses with multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) were included. Screening of approximately 15 000 ultrasound (US) reports identified 268 fetuses with ANH. After prenatal US surveillance, 88 (33%) fetuses had resolved, while 180 (67%) required postnatal follow-up. These 180 fetuses were diagnosed with mild 38 (21%), moderate 83 (46%) and severe 19 (11%) ANH, uni or bilateral hydroureters 12 (7%), MCDK 19 (10%) and miscellaneous 9 (5%). Postnatal follow-up was successfully established for 75% of infants with hydroureters, 68% for those with MCDK and for 37% of infants with mild, 53% with moderate and 58% with severe ANH. Factors commonly known to influence compliance were not found more frequently among the 91 infants who were lost to follow-up. The only positive predictor for postnatal follow-up was a prenatal consultation with the pediatric urologist. Our antepartum program for diagnosis of ANH is accessible and efficient; however, there was an unacceptably high number of infants lost to follow-up. The absence of traditional barriers for compliance highlights the need to explore new ways of improving postnatal follow-up of infants with ANH.
“Parts” of perceived visual forms: New evidence

Using the methods for producing partial and total disappearance and reappearance of visual stimuli, evidence has been obtained that both angle and straight line “parts” of rectilinear outline forms disappear, and that when “part” stimuli are presented singly, straight line and acute and obtuse angle “parts” disappear with higher frequency than a right angle “part”. This evidence provides some support for the propositions that perceived outline forms are composed of both straight line and angle “parts” and that the high in toto disappearance of “spiky” forms may be related to the high disappearance of the “parts” composing such forms.
The Internet and Power in One-Party East Asian States

Authoritarian states and illiberal democracies do not all try to maximize their control of the Internet. In fact, one‐party regimes that welcome the Internet are not even more likely to fail than those that attempt to protect themselves from its influence.
Functional downregulation of GluR2 in piriform cortex of kindled animals.

We have previously shown kindling-induced downregulation of the AMPA receptor GluR2 subunit in piriform cortex, as measured by Western blotting. In the present studies, we performed whole-cell patch clamp analysis of AMPA receptor-mediated currents from kindled and control animals to determine if the downregulation observed previously had any functional significance. These experiments were done in the absence and presence of N-hydroxyphenylpropanoyl spermine (HPPS), a polyamine that blocks currents through AMPA receptors lacking GluR2. We report that AMPA receptor-mediated currents recorded from piriform cortex layer II pyramidal cells in slices from animals kindled to 10 fully generalized seizures were blocked by HPPS. In contrast, application of HPPS had no effect on current amplitude in control animals, or in animals that had not been fully kindled. Western blotting revealed that decreases in GluR2 were seen in animals that had experienced at least one fully generalized seizure, but were not observed at earlier stages of kindling development. The increased polyamine sensitivity of AMPA receptor-mediated currents in kindled animals is consistent with the hypothesis that kindling induces formation of AMPA receptors that lack GluR2 in piriform cortex pyramidal cells. It has been demonstrated that polyamine sensitivity is directly correlated with the calcium permeability of the AMPA receptor, suggesting that kindling results in the formation of AMPA receptors that are calcium-permeable. Increases in intracellular calcium through these receptors could act as a second messenger and play a role in the initiation of long-term changes that contribute to the pathogenesis of kindling-induced epilepsy. Synapse 38:489–498, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Where do we stand on measures of uncertainty, ambiguity, fuzziness, and the like?

Abstract It is argued in this paper that the theory of fuzzy sets involves at least four fundamentally different types of uncertainty. Each of these types requires a measure by which the degree of uncertainty of that type can be determined. Two main categories of uncertainty are connected with the terms ‘vagueness’ (or ‘fuzziness’) and ‘ambiguity’. In general, vagueness is associated with the difficulty of making sharp or precise distinctions in the world. Ambiguity, on the other hand, is associated with one-to-many relations, i.e., situations with two or more alternatives that are left unspecified. While the concept of a fuzzy set represents a basic mathematical framework for dealing with vagueness, the concept of a fuzzy measure is a general framework for dealing with ambiguity. Several classes of measures of vagueness, usually referred to as measures of fuzziness, have been proposed in the literature. Each class is based on some underlying conception of the degree of fuzziness. A general set of requirements for measures of fuzziness is formulated, followed by an overview of the measures proposed in the literature. Measures of ambiguity are discussed within the framework of plausibility and belief measures. Although it does not cover all fuzzy measures, this framework is sufficiently broad for most practical purposes, and represents a generalization of both probability theory and possibility theory. It is argued that three complementary measures of ambiguity should be employed. One of them is obtained by generalizing the Hartley measure of uncertainty; it measures the degree of nonspecificity in individual situations described by the various belief and plausibility measures. The other two are obtained by generalizing the well known Shannon measure of uncertainty; they measure the degree of dissonance and the degree of confusion in evidence, respectively. Basic mathematical properties of these measures are overviewed. It is also argued that each of the four types of uncertainty measures, which are fundamentally different from each other, can be used for measuring structural (syntactic) information in the same sense as the Hartley and Shannon measures have been used in this respect. As such, these measures are potentially powerful tools for dealing with systems problems such as systems modelling, analysis, simplification, or design.
Optical Properties of Eu-Doped and Eu−Gd Co-Doped CsMgCl3: Temperature Dependence of Rate Constants for 5D2 and 5D1 Cross Relaxation in Symmetric Eu(III)−Eu(III) Pairs

The luminescence properties of Eu in Eu-doped and Eu−Gd co-doped CsMgCl3 are reported. Emission is observed from Eu2+, Eu3+ in symmetric pairs and Eu3+ in what appears to be higher-order “clusters” of lanthanide ions. Rate constants for cross relaxation out of 5D1 and 5D2 are reported over the temperature ranges of 10−373 K and 10−298 K, respectively, for the symmetric Eu−Eu pair. The branching of 5D2 cross relaxation between 5D2→5D1 and 5D2→5D0 is also reported.
Bedside Rounding Strategies Used by Bedside Teachers

Authors’ Reply—We thank Drs. LeFrancois and Leung for their thorough review of our articles and for raising important issues in regards to the definitions of “bedside rounds.” We intentionally chose a purposeful rather than more extreme sampling of bedside teachers for two reasons. First, we sought an information-rich sample of locally identified bedside teachers who have incorporated bedside rounds into their routine, and thus, are most generalizable to academic teaching hospitals. Second, given the paucity of bedside rounds documented in past studies, we were uncertain if the more strict definition would allow for the identification of enough participants without enlisting an insurmountable number of institutions.1 Ultimately, however, despite the applied definition, most participants included bedside case presentations in their style, and subsequently fulfilled the more strict definition from our prior study.2 This group of bedside teachers, already in the minority in that they perform a significant degree of bedside rounds, was experienced with and dedicated to this care delivery method. They agree that patient engagement, progressive problem-solving, shared decision-making, and a collaborative thought process are vital to achieving patient-centered care.3 However, participants were clear that bedside rounds for all patients were neither possible nor optimal. Given the increasing demands of inpatient medicine, including duty hours, clinics, high census loads, increased turnover, high patient acuity etc., time management is not an option, but rather a necessity.4,5 Attending physicians modify their style (e.g. round on certain days, focus encounters on particular aspects, “read up” prior to encounters) and routinely triage patients for inclusion not because they want to be less patient-centered, but rather, because of the external pressures that require it. Their employed strategies reflect the tailoring and judgment required to integrate bedside rounds into the current structure of inpatient medicine. With 2 hours to round on a team with 14 patients and amidst all the external pressures, are the 15 min for bedside rounds on the clinically stable diabetic patient the best use of the team’s time? Our participants are telling us “no.” How can we transform inpatient care to achieve a shared decision-making model? The answer should focus on potentially modifiable systems or process factors that can be addressed at the unit-level, divisional-level, and hospital-level and promote bedside rounds for more patients, particularly with less experienced clinician–educators. As identified by Drs. LeFrancois and Leung, this qualitative work has generated numerous hypotheses, investigation of which could assist in the sought-after transformation.
Effect of surfactant hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) value on mineral oxide charging in apolar media.

The current work examines the role of surfactant hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) on the ability for surfactant reverse micelles to impart charge to particles dispersed in an apolar medium, a study motivated by a number of applications that seek to maximize particle charge in such systems. Previous investigations have shown that relative acid–base properties of the particles and surfactants, as well as surfactant concentration and trace water content, all play a major role in the particle charge obtained. However, the ability of a surfactant to stabilize charge in reverse micelles is also an important aspect of creating charge on a particle surface. It has been previously shown that surfactant HLB value is an important parameter in assessing the size of the polar core of the reverse micelles, thereby impacting the total charge that is generated in the bulk solution as determined by conductivity. In the current study, this theory is extended to investigate the impact on particle charging. To accomplish this, the electrophoretic mobility is determined for a series of mineral oxides dispersed in Isopar-L with either Span 20, Span 80, or Span 85. These three surfactants all have the same head group chemistry, but their HLB value ranges from 1.8 to 8.6. It is found that the maximum observed particle electrophoretic mobility does scale directly with the HLB of the accompanying surfactant. This indicates that there is a direct correlation between a surfactant’s ability to stabilize charge and its ability to impart charge to a particle. However, the largest HLB surfactant, Span 20, also exhibited a large amount of charge screening or neutralization at larger surfactant concentrations. This highlights the competition between particle charging and micelle–micelle charging that remains one of the largest obstacles to maximizing particle charge in apolar systems.
Influence of CPPU on Fruit Quality and Storage Potential of 'McIntosh' Apples

N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-Ni-phenylurea (CPPU) was applied to mature McIntosh apple trees at 0, 7.5, or 15 mg 1−1 at either late bloom or 19 days later when fruit size was 8 to 9 mm. It caused a small amount of thinning at both times of application but it did not influence return bloom. CPPU increased fruit weight by more than 25%. Flesh firmness at harvest was increased only when it was applied at the 8 to 9 mm fruit size stage, but this firmness increase was not sustained following regular air storage for 20 weeks. The fruit length-to-diameter ratio (L/D) ratio was increased when CPPU was applied during bloom, but it was decreased when applied later. Seed number was reduced and the reduction was more severe when CPPU was applied at the later timing. All treatments increased the number of irregularly shaped fruit. CPPU increased the number of fruit developing senescent breakdown following 20 weeks of air storage. Stored fruit that received an early application of CPPU developed less superficial scald than u...
Current Questions With Regard to Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Preparation and Role Implementation

The role of the acute care nurse practitioner is being implemented in acute and tertiary care settings. As the role evolves, questions arise. Some of these questions relate to: 1) whether a need for the role has been clearly established; 2) whether the scope of acute care nurse practitioner practice
Are Real Exchange Rates Non-Stationary? Evidence from a Panel-Data Test

It is well documented that real exchange rates between the United States and many industrialized countries in the post- Bretton Woods period are integrated. This result implies that purchasing power parity (PPP) does not hold even as a long-run relationship. This paper demonstrates that the failure to reject the unit-root hypothesis may result from the low power of existing univariate test procedures. I test for unit roots in real exchange rates by employing a more powerful panel-based procedure. Using both CPI and WPI real dollar exchange rate data, I strongly reject the null hypothesis of a unit root. My results provide overwhelming support for the long-run PPP under the current float.
A Pruned Tree Approach to Reliability Computation

This paper presents a new algorithm for computing network terminal reliability from a set of paths or cut-sets. Topics include the general problem, past approaches, the algorithm of this paper, efficiency comparisons with other methods, and extensions to s-dependent failures. An appendix contains a program listing with comments. The algorithm is based on selective generation of relevant states, via mechanisms for choosing and pruning branches of a binary tree. The method is easy to implement and to understand, and has proved in practice to be more efficient than the fastest methods published heretofore.
Xanthine oxidase inhibition does not limit canine infarct size.

BACKGROUNDEvidence supporting the role of xanthine oxidase in myocardial reperfusion injury is based on studies with pharmacological interventions used to inhibit enzyme function. Controversy exists, however, regarding the true role of xanthine oxidase in reperfusion injury. This study was performed to determine whether xanthine oxidase inhibition limits myocardial injury due to coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion.METHODS AND RESULTSAnesthetized dogs underwent coronary artery occlusion (90 minutes) and reperfusion (6 hours). Oxypurinol (28 mg/kg) or amflutizole (30 mg/kg), chemically unrelated inhibitors of xanthine oxidase, or vehicle was infused intravenously 15 minutes before and 3 hours after reperfusion. Regional myocardial blood flow was determined with radiolabeled microspheres. Infarct size was determined with the tetrazolium method. Myocardial infarct size (percent of risk region) was less in oxypurinol-treated dogs, 32 +/- 16%, compared with that of the control group, 46 +/- 15%. Infarct s...
Varicella Reinfection in a Seropositive Physician Following Occupational Exposure to Localized Zoster

A 32-year-old physician with a history of chickenpox at age 5 and seropositivity to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) at age 30 developed fever and vesicular rash 14 days after examining an immunocompetent patient with localized herpes zoster ophthalmicus. Vesicular viral culture grew VZV, and the physician was diagnosed with VZV reinfection.
Controlling research—the board's rôle

“Even when scientists do have a greater understanding of industrial conditions, the board will still not escape from its supervisory duties. These are to define policy, set targets, control finance, review projects, assess productivity and provide a suitable atmosphere and motivation.”
Of Dinosaurs and Barbecue Sauce: A Comment on King and Zeng

When I first encountered this article as a reviewer, I was reasonably enthusiastic about it. The methods are creative and, if one accepts the assertions of the authors, apply to a very broad class of models. However, as I looked more closely, I began to have doubts about both the scope and novelty of the work. While I still believe there is a small technical contribution here, I am now substantially less confident about the overall value in light of the exaggerated claims of applicability. The comic strip Dilbert has a character named “Topper” who insists on always being better than any of his coworkers. In a one such strip, the boss is telling a fish story, and Topper comes along to say “I once caught a dinosaur using only dental floss and a bent paper clip.” When the boss asks to see the dinosaur, Topper replies, “I can't show it to you because I also make the world's greatest barbecue sauce.” So it is with this article: it promises to deliver a whole lot more than it actually does, making claims for uniqueness and generality that simply do not hold. The authors confidently assert that their methods apply “for the class of nearly all models, whether or not they are formalized, enumerated, and run, and for the class of all possible dependent variables,” (p. 185). In fact, one can readily come up with counter-examples where the methods provide little if any comparative advantage over techniques that have been known for decades. There is nothing magic about the convex hull, and the paper is presenting “best possible case” examples. If the convex hull is fairly compact, and the models are well behaved inside them, as presented in the figures, then you get the results the authors claim. But it is …
Dancing hamsters and marble statues: characterizing student visualizations of algorithms

Algorithm visualization research for computer science education has primarily focused on expert-created visualizations. However, constructionist and situated theories of learning suggest that students should develop and share their own diverse understandings of a concept for deep learning. This paper presents a novel approach to algorithm learning by visualization construction, sharing, and evaluation. Three empirical studies in which students engaged in these activities are discussed. The resulting learning benefits are quantified, and student visualizations are characterized in multiple ways. Then another study that investigated how specific characteristics of such visualizations influence learning is described. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of having students create algorithm visualizations, identifies characteristics of student-created algorithm visualizations and illuminates the learning benefits derived from these characteristics.
Flicker Emission Coordination

A joint CIGRE/CIRED Working Group C4.103 has completed a revision of IEC Technical Report 61000-3-7 dealing with flicker in electric power systems. IEEE Standard 1453 has, in effect, adopted IEC Standard 61000-4-15 regarding flicker measurement but has not addressed the application concepts of the short-term flicker severity index Pst. The revised IEC Technical Report includes modifications of the application considerations including the coordination of flicker emissions from multiple customers across multiple voltage levels. This panel session paper is a synopsis of the coordination procedures included in the revised Technical Report 61000-3-7.
Human-aided computing: utilizing implicit human processing to classify images

In this paper, we present Human-Aided Computing, an approach that uses an electroencephalograph (EEG) device to measure the presence and outcomes of implicit cognitive processing, processing that users perform automatically and may not even be aware of. We describe a classification system and present results from two experiments as proof-of-concept. Results from the first experiment showed that our system could classify whether a user was looking at an image of a face or not, even when the user was not explicitly trying to make this determination. Results from the second experiment extended this to animals and inanimate object categories as well, suggesting generality beyond face recognition. We further show that we can improve classification accuracies if we show images multiple times, potentially to multiple people, attaining well above 90% classification accuracies with even just ten presentations.
Boundary-layer transition detection with infrared imaging emphasizing cryogenic applications

This paper reviews the technique of boundary-layer transition detection using infrared (IR) imaging, emphasizing cryogenic wind-tunnel testing. With the exception of the low-temperature effects on the IR radiation, the discussion is relevant to conventional wind-tunnel and flight testing as well. At low temperatures, IR imaging encounters a reduction in the radiated energy throughout the IR spectrum, combined with a shift to longer wavelengths of the bulk of the radiation. This radiation behavior affects the minimum resolvable temperature difference (MRTD) of the IR imaging system because of its fixed wave band sensitivity. In the absence of commercial long wavelength IR imaging systems, operating at wavelengths longer than 13 micron, some measures can be taken to alleviate the problem caused by the MRTD limitation. The thermal signature of transition can be enhanced by allowing a small and controlled temperature increase of the wind-tunnel flow that induces a transient heat transfer to the model. This action temporarily reveals the model area under the turbulent regime through its higher heating rate compared with the laminar regime. The contrast between the areas exposed to the two regimes can be enhanced by subtraction of thermograms (the equilibrium thermogram from the transient thermogram). Further visual improvement can be obtained through shade stretching or binary shading.
AN EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE “THREAT OF VICTIMIZATION:” CONSIDERING FEAR OF CRIME, PERCEIVED RISK, AVOIDANCE, AND DEFENSIVE BEHAVIORS

Rader (2004) has called for a reconceptualization in the study of fear of crime, arguing that fear is one of several dimensions of the “threat of victimization,” with fear of crime, perceptions of risk, and avoidance (i.e., limiting or changing activity) and defensive behaviors (i.e., performing a specific action to allay fear of crime) as interrelated pieces. We use data from adult residents of a midsouthern state to provide qualified support for the threat of victimization concept in a series of multivariate linear and logistic regression models. Implications for future fear of crime research are also discussed.
Crowd Analysis at Mass Transit Sites

We propose a novel method for detecting and estimating the count of people in groups, dense or otherwise, as well as tracking them. Using prior knowledge obtained from the scene and accurate camera calibration, the system learns the parameters required for estimation. This information can then be used to estimate the count of people in the scene, in realtime. There are no constraints on camera placement. Groups are tracked in the same manner as individuals, using Kalman filtering techniques. Results are provided for groups of various sizes moving in an unconstrained fashion in crowded scenes
The effectiveness of antiemetics in hyperemesis gravidarum

Nausea and vomiting occur in up to 80% of normal pregnancies. Hyperemesis gravidarum, resulting in dehydration and ketonuria, is a more severe and disabling condition affecting up to 1.5% of pregnancies. This condition is poorly understood and treatment strategies remain largely supportive with the aims of relieving symptoms and preventing complications of the disease. Treatment is supportive with intravenous hydration, antiemetics and correction of vitamin deficiency to minimize complications. There are good data to support the safety and usefulness of some kinds of antiemetics such as antihistamine, phenothiazines metoclopromide and specific HHT3 antagonists in hyperemesis gravidarum. But there is little evidence on which to choose the optimum therapy. This review discusses the diagnosis and management of hyperemesis gravidarum and the prevention, recognition and treatment of the serious complication.
Measuring inequality with asset indicators

This paper examines whether, in the absence of information on household income or consumption, data on household infrastructure, building materials, and ownership of certain durable assets can be used to measure inequality in living standards. Principal components analysis is used to obtain a relative measure of inequality, and a bootstrap prediction method is provided for use when auxiliary surveys are available. Mexican data is used to show that the inequality methods provided do provide reasonable proxies for inequalities in living standards. An application finds that after controlling for household income and demographics, school attendance of boys in Mexico is negatively related to state-level inequality.
Effects of hydrostatic pressure on (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase in gills of marine teleost fish

The effects of hydrostatic pressure on branchial NaK-ATPase and Mg-ATPase activities were studied in two species of marine teleost fish: the relatively shallow water Scorpaena guttata, collected from a depth of 20 m, and the deeper living Anoplopoma fimbria, collected from a depth of 310 m. Specific activities in gill microsomes, measured at 18oC, were similar in both species, with the NaK-ATPase usually comprising about 30–40% of the total ATPase activity. NaK-ATPase activity of S. guttata was activated by low hydrostatic pressure (68 atm) but activity was inhibited at pressures above 136 atm. The NaK-ATPase of A. fimbria showed a similar activation at low hydrostatic pressure but was less sensitive to a pressure of 340 atm than the enzymefrom S. guttata. At a pressure of 476 atm, the NaK-ATPase activity of both species was inhibited to the same extent. The Mg-ATPase of both species was activated by pressure (maximal activation occurred at 136 atm), but in contrast to the NaK-ATPase, remained activated at all pressures tested. Solubilization of the enzymes from gill microsomes of A. fimbria with Lubrol WX did not significantly alter the pressure responses. Inhibition of NaK-ATPase at high pressure was reversible upon release of pressure. Inhibition of branchial NaK-ATPase in both species occurred at pressures higher than the fish normally experience in their environment.
Single-dose ceftriaxone treatment of urinary tract infections

Single-dose antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infections in which no underlying structural or neurologic lesions are present holds the promise of greater patient compliance and convenience. We present the results of a study comparing a single intramuscular dose of a long-acting, third-generation cephalosporin, ceftriaxone, with a standard, five-day regimen of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMS). Fifty-two patients were entered into the study. After randomization, 26 were assigned to the TMS group and 26 were assigned to the ceftriaxone group. Of the patients who completed the study, 13 of the TMS group had positive cultures at the time of initial presentation, and 20 of the ceftriaxone group had positive cultures. There was no statistical difference between the groups in symptoms of dysuria, hematuria, frequency, flank pain, and nocturia (∝ = .05). The physical parameters of age, blood pressure, pulse, and temperature were similar in the two groups (∝ = .05), as were the types of infecting organisms (∝ = .05). When comparing the two regimens, the ceftriaxone group cure rate (18 of 20, 90%) was not found to be significantly different from that of the TMS-treated control group (13 of 13) (∝ = .05).
Origins of Large Rate Enhancements in the Nazarov Cyclization Catalyzed by Supramolecular Encapsulation

The self-assembled supramolecular host [Ga4L6](12-) (1; L=N,N-bis(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)-1,5-diaminonaphthalene) catalyzes the Nazarov cyclization of 1,3-pentadienols with extremely high levels of efficiency. The catalyzed reaction proceeds at a rate over a million times faster than that of the background reaction, an increase comparable to those observed in some enzymatic systems. A detailed study was conducted to elucidate the reaction mechanism of both the catalyzed and uncatalyzed Nazarov cyclization of pentadienols. Kinetic analysis and (18)O-exchange experiments implicate a mechanism, in which encapsulation, protonation, and water loss from substrate are reversible, followed by irreversible electrocyclization. Although electrocyclization is rate determining in the uncatalyzed reaction, the barrier for water loss and for electrocyclization are nearly equal in the assembly-catalyzed reaction. Analysis of the energetics of the catalyzed and uncatalyzed reaction revealed that transition-state stabilization contributes significantly to the dramatically enhanced rate of the catalyzed reaction.
A comprehensive aligned nifH gene database: a multipurpose tool for studies of nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

We describe a nitrogenase gene sequence database that facilitates analysis of the evolution and ecology of nitrogen-fixing organisms. The database contains 32 954 aligned nitrogenase nifH sequences linked to phylogenetic trees and associated sequence metadata. The database includes 185 linked multigene entries including full-length nifH, nifD, nifK and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences. Evolutionary analyses enabled by the multigene entries support an ancient horizontal transfer of nitrogenase genes between Archaea and Bacteria and provide evidence that nifH has a different history of horizontal gene transfer from the nifDK enzyme core. Further analyses show that lineages in nitrogenase cluster I and cluster III have different rates of substitution within nifD, suggesting that nifD is under different selection pressure in these two lineages. Finally, we find that that the genetic divergence of nifH and 16S rRNA genes does not correlate well at sequence dissimilarity values used commonly to define microbial species, as stains having <3% sequence dissimilarity in their 16S rRNA genes can have up to 23% dissimilarity in nifH. The nifH database has a number of uses including phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses, the design and assessment of primers/probes and the evaluation of nitrogenase sequence diversity. Database URL: http://www.css.cornell.edu/faculty/buckley/nifh.htm
Case study: experiences on SQL language fuzz testing

Fuzz testing has been known for almost two decades and it is a relatively well known and documented technique among security testers and researchers today. Fuzzing is a valuable and effective mechanism for finding security vulnerabilities.The case study described in this paper is intended to give DBMS testers ideas on how to apply fuzzing techniques for SQL language testing.
Parser visualizations for developing grammars with yacc

This paper describes Gyacc (graphical yacc), a tool we have developed to support a graphical approach to developing languages with parser generators such as yacc. Gyacc is an interactive environment which supports the construction of context-free grammars, and provides the user with the ability to study yacc-generated parsers. We are strongly convinced that to fully teach and understand the details of a generated parser, the user or student must see it in operation. Gyacc accomplishes this by providing a set of animations which the user can select to observe different aspects of the parser as it executes.
Second Language Learners' Coping Strategy in Conversations with Native Speakers

One of the many strategies that many international students employ to cope with their lack of English proficiency is to pretend to understand or not to understand the conversational content exchanged with native English speakers. Combining autoethnography and iterative interviews this research explores the pretending behavior profoundly from non-native speakers’ perspectives. During the iterative interviews, six students shared their personal experience specified in pretending behaviors. This study aims at informing the second language learning experience and promoting mutual understanding between native and non-native speakers in multi-lingual and multi-cultural societies. As a result, under the metatheme (Tesch, 1987) of pretending in conversation, pretending as a Communicative Strategy, eleven themes emerged. Non-native speakers’ pretending behaviors are attempts to (1) protect self-esteem, (2) respond to social pressure, (3) express concern for others’ feelings, (4) cope with anxiety, (5) keep conversation flowing, (6) keep conversation open, (7) avoid extra efforts, (8) fill in gaps, (9) make use of (an)other source(s), (10) elicit confirmation, and (11) take advantage of status.
Contextual contrast and perceived knowledge: Exploring the implications for persuasion☆

The present research tested the notion that perceived target knowledge can be aVected by the amount of information one has about other recently encountered stimuli—whether that information is relevant or not. Furthermore, the present research tested the implications of this eVect for persuasion. In 4 experiments, participants were presented with a persuasive message promoting a Wctitious department store, but Wrst received another message containing more or less information about something else (e.g., another store, a car, or a person). Regardless of the type or valence of initial information received, the initial message had a contrast eVect on perceived target knowledge, which inXuenced target attitudes. The less information the initial message contained, the more persuasive knowledge participants thought they received from the target message, and the more their attitudes agreed with that message. These Wndings suggest that the perceived amount of persuasive information one has about a target stimulus can be manipulated to increase persuasion, even when the actual amount of information about the target stimulus does not vary.
Effects of upstaging from PET scan on survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background. Stage migration occurs when new diagnostic modalities provide additional information, leading to reclassification of disease stage. Our objective was to examine whether stage migration occurs with inclusion of positron emis- sion tomography (PET) scans in staging head and neck squa- mous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods. In a retrospective cohort study, subjects were identified through university hospital and Veterans Affairs Medi- cal Center cancer registries with incident HNSCC from 2000 to 2003. American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC 6th edition) criteria were used for TNM staging with and without PET scan results. Five-year survival data were acquired from medical records and the Social Security Death Index. Results. Addition of PET changed TNM classification in 13/ 65 patients (20%) with stage reclassification in 5/65 patients (8%, p ¼ .03). Apparent stage-specific 5-year survival was altered, although these changes were not statistically significant. Conclusions. Although stage migration was documented by inclusion of PET scan information in this series, stage-spe- cific survival was not significantly changed. Prospective investi- gation of this phenomenon is necessary. V V C 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 32: 1283-1287, 2010