cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thymus‐dependent lymphocyte levels in bronchogenic carcinoma: Correlations with histology, clinical stage, and clinical course after surgical treatment

The in vitro spontaneous lymphocyte rosette (T cell) assay was used to determine cellular immunologic competence in 112 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Among preoperative patients with localized tumors. T cell levels were significantly lower than in 237 normal controls. With advanced stages of disease, T cell levels declined progressively among patients with squamous cell carcinoma, oat cell carcinoma, and undifferentiated carcinoma, but not among patients with adenocarcinoma. Squamous carcinoma patients considered cured had persisting low T cell levels, but cured adenocarcinoma patients had normal levels. Serial determinations that showed a fall in T cell levels preceded the development of clinically evident metastases by an average of 2.5 months. Postoperative patients with rising T cell levels have remained clinically free of disease. The data indicate that T cell levels correlate with extent of tumor and clinical course of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. The assay may, therefore, provide a rational basis for the selection of patients who are at high risk for the development of recurrence after surgical resection and who may benefit from the early institution of adjunctive therapy.
Modification of oxide layer in plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings

Abstract Formation of Ni(Cr,Al)2O4 and NiO in plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) is believed to be detrimental to the durability of TBC systems. Therefore, a heat treatment to the as-sprayed TBC in a low-pressure oxygen environment is developed to produce a uniform thin alumina (Al2O3) layer at the ceramic/bond coat interface, which suppresses the growth of Ni(Cr,Al)2O4 and NiO during later thermal exposure in air.
Giant cell reparative granuloma: a comparative clinicopathologic study of lesions in gnathic and extragnathic sites

This study attempts to define the clinicopathologic aspects of extragnathic giant cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) by contrasting it with the much better recognized GCRG of jaw bones and highlights the manifestations that are unique to the extragnathic localization. Ninety-one GCRGs of 89 patients, 22 in jaw bones and 69 in the extragnathic bones, were examined. Females were affected twice as frequently as males in both groups. The age distribution of extragnathic GCRGs overlaps that of gnathic counterparts. Small bones of the hands (17 lesions) and feet (16 lesions) were the most common sites for extragnathic lesions. The radiographic findings were nonspecific. Histology of extragnathic lesions was closely similar to that of lesions affecting the jaw. These giant cell lesions should be distinguished from giant cell tumors. Int J Surg Pathol 9(3):189-200, 2001
Analysis of sea-surface polarization imagery of Hawaii environs obtained by the space shuttle

Polarimetric images of the earth have been obtained for the first time by means of the Space Shuttle. These depict the environs of Hawaii in three visible bands of polarized light. A transect drawn on each image, crossing only cloud-free ocean areas, has both positive and negative polarization values along its path. These results are compared with those of several models, and with aircraft measurements of a haze-free, hydrosol-free ocean area, regarded as `air truth.' Based on the models and the air truth, the negative percent polarization values are attributed to haze, even though haze is not visible in a photograph taken from space. This haze obscures the effects of wind-generated surface roughness, and suspended hydrosols, so that they cannot be separately distinguished. The Hansen-Travis radiative transfer model predicts that the haze must have a large optical depth. The air truth shows that in the absence of haze, the wind velocity can be characterized by polarimetric measurements. The effect of hydrosols on polarization is not yet clear.
Salivary duct carcinoma: a clinical and histologic review with implications for trastuzumab therapy.

Background. Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is an aggressive tumor of the head and neck with a poor prognosis. The objective was to study SDC and recommend the use of tras- tuzumab as adjuvant therapy. Methods. A retrospective chart review of patients seen between 1993 and 2006 was performed. Tumor specimens were examined for HER-2 protein overexpression via immunohisto- chemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methods. Results. Of the 7 patients with SDC, 57% had tumors arising in the parotid gland, the majority having facial nerve paralysis, 71% with nodal disease, and 43% having recurrence. All sam- ples were HER-2 positive on IHC. Three patients had FISH-posi- tive tumors, recurrent disease, and recieved trastuzumab ther- apy; 1 of the 3 died after 20 months and a second has shown disappearance of metastatic disease. Conclusions. Trastuzumab is effective in treating HER-2-posi- tive breast cancer. Given immunohistochemical similarities between SDC and ductal carcinoma of the breast, patients with FISH-positive HER-2/neu SDC should be considered for trastuzumab therapy. V C 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 29: 907-912, 2007
First-principles perturbative computation of dielectric and Born charge tensors in finite electric fields

We present a perturbative treatment of the response properties of insulating crystals under a dc bias field, and use this to study the effects of such bias fields on the Born effective charge tensor and dielectric tensor of insulators. We start out by expanding a variational field-dependent total-energy functional with respect to the electric field within the framework of density-functional perturbation theory. The second-order term in the expansion of the total energy is then minimized with respect to the first-order wave functions, from which the Born effective charge tensor and dielectric tensor are easily computed. We demonstrate an implementation of the method and perform illustrative calculations for the III-V semiconductors AlAs and GaAs under finite bias field.
Influence of Potassium Fertility on Soybean Aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Population Dynamics at a Field and Regional Scale

Soybean aphid populations have been hypothesized to respond to nutrient availability in soybean plants. We examined how soil potassium (K) deficiency affects soybean aphid population at both regional and field level scales. First, we measured soil and leaf nutrient levels and monitored soybean aphid populations in 34 production soybean fields throughout Wisconsin. A principle component analysis (PCA) was used to examine the relationship between soil and leaf nutrients and soybean aphid population growth. Results showed that aphid population growth rate was negatively correlated with soil K and P and leaf K, N, P, and S, whereas peak aphid densities were positively correlated with the same suite of soil and leaf nutrients. In a manipulative field experiment, we established low, medium, and high K fertility soybean plots and determined life table parameters of soybean aphids. Aphids developing within clip-cages showed a significantly greater intrinsic rate of population increase and net reproductive rate in the low K treatments in comparison with the medium and high K treatments. In these same plots, naturally colonizing populations of soybean aphids also had significantly higher peak abundance and rate of population increase in the low K treatment compared with medium and high K treatments. In general, these findings indicate that soil K availability and leaf K levels affect plant quality and may play an important role in soybean aphid population dynamics.
Characterization of the upstream mouse Cbfa1/Runx2 promoter.

Cbfa1 (or Runx2/AML-3/PEPB2alpha) is a transcriptional activator of osteoblastic differentiation. To investigate the regulation of Cbfa1 expression, we isolated and characterized a portion of the 5'-flanking region of the Cbfa1 gene containing its "bone-related" or P1 promoter and exon 1. We identified additional coding sequence in exon 1 and splice donor sites that potentially give rise to a novel Cbfa1 isoform containing an 18 amino acid insert. In addition, primer extension mapping identified in the Cbfa1 promoter a minor mRNA start site located approximately 0.8 kb 5' upstream of the ATG encoding the MASN/p57 isoform and approximately 0.4 kb upstream of the previously reported start site. A luciferase reporter construct containing 1.4 kb of the mouse Cbfa1 promoter was analyzed in Ros 17/2.8 and MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cell lines that express high levels of Cbfa1 transcripts. The activity of this construct was also examined in non-osteoblastic Cos-7 and NIH3T3 cells that do not express Cbfa1 and mesenchymal-derived cell lines, including CH3T101/2, C2C12, and L929 cells, that express low levels of mature Cbfa1 transcripts. The 1.4 kb 5' flanking sequence of the Cbfa1 gene directed high levels of transcriptional activity in Ros 17/2.8 and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts compared to non-osteoblasts Cos-7 cells, but this construct also exhibited high levels of expression in C310T1/2, L929, and C2C12 cells as well as NIH3T3 cells. In addition, Cbfa1 mRNA expression, but not the activity of the Cbfa1 promoter, was upregulated in a dose-dependent manner in pluripotent mesenchymal C2C12 by bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). These data indicate that Cbfa1 is expressed in osteogenic as well as non-osteogenic cells and that the regulation of Cbfa1 expression is complex, possibly involving both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Additional studies are needed to further characterize important regulatory elements and to identify additional regions of the promoter and/or post-transcriptional events responsible for the cell-type restricted regulation of Cbfa1 expression.
Hybrid PIC-Vlasov method

Summary form only given. The proposed hybrid numerical method for kinetic simulation of plasmas combines best features of discrete and continuous approaches. The PIC method suffers from statistical noise. Truly stationary solution can not be found in practice. Poor resolution of energetic tail makes it extremely difficult to accurately calculate high moments of the distribution function. For the same reason calculation of certain functions of the distribution (elementary plasma chemistry reaction rates or floating potential of any plasma facing surface element) may be inaccurate for a limited number of particles per computational cell. Another set of problems emerges when an adaptive grid is introduced. In this case the volume of an individual cell may become small, driving statistical error to infinity for a common PIC scheme. Vlasov method on the contrary suffers from large numerical diffusion. Existing methods, which artificially control gradients (aka flux-control methods), require various artificial correcting procedures. It may also lead to negative values of the distribution function and violation of conservation laws of plasma evolution. But Vlasov method guarantees that the grid in which distribution function is defined evenly covers whole phase space. Required mesh, however, might be huge due high dimensionality of the problem complicated by large numerical diffusion. New scheme includes dual representation of distribution function by grid function and by particles, which are typical for Vlasov and PIC methods, respectively. This combination allows to lower required grid sizes and drastically reduces numerical diffusion of the scheme. Relative efficiency of the hybrid scheme versus pure PIC as well pure Vlasov methods is demonstrated for a set of model problems described with any of the following equations. /spl part/f//spl part/t+v/spl part/f//spl part/x-E/spl part/f//spl part/v=0.../spl part/f//spl part/t+v/spl I.oarr//spl part/f//spl part/x/spl I.oarr/-(E/spl I.oarr/+v/spl I.oarr//spl times/B/spl I.oarr/)/spl part/f//spl part/v/spl I.oarr/=C. Method is applicable to important cases with non-zero collisional integral C. Finally, we discuss possibility of using moving adaptive grids in space and/or phase space bundled with new hybrid procedure.
Improved algorithms for multi-area reliability evaluation using the decomposition-simulation approach

Algorithms are presented for improving the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the decomposition-simulation approach for multi-area reliability evaluation. An algorithm for developing a multi-area load model is first described. This algorithm is based on clustering concepts and captures correlation between area loads. Next, algorithms for simplifying frequency calculations are described. These algorithms provide substantial reductions in the computational time requirement, thus alleviating one of the drawbacks of the decomposition-simulation approach. System studies are presented to demonstrate the relative merits of all the algorithms introduced here. >
Integrated Nanostructure–Semiconductor Molecular Complexes as Tools for THz Spectral Studies of DNA

The study of the THz spectral properties of DNA is facilitated by the use of integrated nanostructure-biomolecule structures since they provide: 1) a means of monitoring correlations in DNA THz spectra with molecular conformation; 2) a means of identifying specific DNA molecules in samples being characterized via THz signatures; and 3) a means of single-molecule detection. Specifically, molecular beacons, based on single strands of DNA, are used as hybridization probes that can potentially detect single nucleotide polymorphisms. This technique combines the use of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) that fluoresce and the gold nanoparticles as a quencher moiety. This QD-oligonucleotide complex can recognize and pair with its complementary DNA strand. This high affinity of DNA oligonucleotides for its complementary strand has been used to form a simple semiconductor probe for ultra sensitive DNA detection. MicroRaman (?Raman) signatures of DNA self-assembled on a variety of substrates will be discussed in terms of the THz spectra of DNA. This study will highlight the fabrication of the substrates, AFM and Raman analyses of these DNA-functionalized substrates and the use of these substrates to understand THz spectra of DNA under a variety of conditions, as well as the photoluminescence spectra of the DNA-nanoparticle complexes to study the molecular conformation changes and study of single polynucleotide polymorphism.
Behavior of an Unsteady Turbulent Boundary Layer

Measurements on an unsteady turbulent boundary layer with well-defined initial and boundary conditions are reported in this paper. The test boundary layer is a standard, steady, flat-plate turbulent boundary layer at the entrance to the unsteady region, and is subjected to a linearly decreasing freestream velocity in a time-dependent manner. The experiments were conducted in a specially designed water tunnel with the frequency of the imposed oscillations ranging from quasisteady (/"^O) up to the "bursting frequency" in turbulent boundary layers. It was found that the mean velocity and turbulence intensity profiles were unaffected by the imposed oscillations. The amplitude ratio of the periodic component, although as much as 1.7 for quasisteady oscillations, becomes unity over the outer region of the boundary layer at higher frequencies. Both the boundary-layer thickness and the Reynolds stress distribution across the boundary layer become frozen over the oscillation cycle at high frequencies.
Instrumentation for recording microclimatological factors

The objectives, means, and some of the results of intensive studies of the thermal aspects of microclimatological environment are discussed. The proposed Table 1 of weather types is believed in general to combine rather effectively the European classification, depending on air mass, and the American description by cloud cover. The latter is the more specific for insolation, but the former is most significant for nocturnal heat rates, for moisture, and for air “quality.” The special instrumentation described has been developed in studies of heat transfer from animals and plants, particularly for measuring conduction and radiation. Such electric sensing elements seem to have use in the overall measurement of agricultural climatic environment. The recording potentiometers needed for the micro studies made possible the automatic recording of all the regular weather-station observations described. It is hoped that discussion will lead to some general agreement on minimum instrumentation. Any such agreement would encourage the establishment of many more environment stations and constitute an important step from qualitative toward quantitative experiments. Examples of the usefulness of the instrumentation are described and a heat balance between solar and sky radiation and the ground is discussed. With adequate understanding of heat balance, we believe that agricultural research findings at one station can be extended to other areas of somewhat different climate.
Content pricing in peer-to-peer networks

We provide a game theoretic model of content production and sharing in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. We characterize two benchmark outcomes: Nash equilibrium (NE) without any incentive scheme and social optimum. We show that the P2P network is not utilized at an NE outcome, whereas social optimum in general requires the utilization of the P2P network. In order to obtain a socially optimal (SO) outcome among self-interested peers, we introduce a pricing scheme where downloading peers compensate uploading peers for content provision. For any SO outcome, we can find a pricing scheme with link-dependent linear prices that achieves the SO outcome as an NE. We illustrate our results with several examples. Our illustration shows that the structures of social optimum and optimal prices vary depending on the characteristics of peers such as cost parameters and connectivity.
Character correspondences in solvable groups

Our concern in this paper is with the ordinary (complex number) character theory of solvable groups. If the lengths of some of the earlier papers on this subject [ l-3,8] are a reliable indication, this is a surprisingly complicated and nontrivial theory. Nevertheless, some of the important results are considerably less deep than one would be led to believe by the number of pages involved. This paper contains no new theorems and few new ideas. It is addressed to the reader who, while familiar with character theory, has not mastered the literature on characters of solvable groups. Its purpose is to give such a reader a feeling for the subject and to provide him with accessible proofs for a few of the main results. Although we certainly do not attempt to prove the strongest or most general results possible (or known), nevertheless, the paper does contain a few items which have application outside of solvable groups. In particular, we have included (in Section 4) a brief exposition of tensor induction. Although our main result could have been proved using an ad hoc argument in place of this general technique, the author is now convinced (after considerable initial resistance) that tensor induction is valuable and deserves further exposure. Naturally, a key idea in the study of characters of solvable groups is to consider the relationships between characters and chief sections. In particular, suppose that K/L. is an abelian chief section of G and let ~9 E Irr(K) be invariant in G. Then according to the “going down” theorem (Theorem 6.18 of [9]), one of the following must occur:
Motion extrapolation of car-following scenes in younger and older drivers.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether distortions occur in motion extrapolation of car-following scenes in younger and older drivers. BACKGROUND: Drivers cannot see an entire traffic scene clearly with one glance. They must extrapolate the motion of surrounding vehicles while scanning other parts of the scene. Further, abilities relevant to motion extrapolation decline with age. Thus, it is important to evaluate age differences in motion extrapolation. METHOD: Displays simulated car-following scenes. After an interruption, the scene reappeared at the correct position in its trajectory or at a position that was more advanced or less advanced than the correct position. Drivers reported whether the scene reappeared at the correct position. RESULTS: When the virtual self moved faster than the lead car, older drivers' judgments were biased toward less advanced reappearance positions. Younger drivers' judgments were biased toward more advanced positions. The implication is that older drivers extrapolated the motion slower than did younger drivers. CONCLUSION: Distortions occurred in motion extrapolation of car-following scenes, and age differences occurred in such distortions. APPLICATION: Potential applications of this research include traffic safety. Age differences in motion extrapolation are useful to consider in differential accident patterns of younger and older drivers. Future research should investigate the relationship between accidents and the ability to extrapolate motion, particularly during driver distractions. Keywords: Driver distraction Language: en
Activity of topical antimicrobial agents against multidrug-resistant bacteria recovered from burn patients

Background: Topical antimicrobials are employed for prophylaxis and treatment of burn wound infections despite no established susceptibility breakpoints, which are becoming vital in an era of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. We compared two methods of determining topical antimicrobial susceptibilities. Methods: Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumanii-calcoaceticus (ABC) from burn patients were tested using broth microdilution and agar well diffusion to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and zones of inhibition (ZI). Isolates had systemic antibiotic resistance and clonality determined. MDR included resistance to antibiotics in three or more classes. Results: We assessed 22 ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae, 20 ABC (75% MDR), 20 P. aeruginosa (45% MDR), and 20 MRSA isolates. The most active agents were mupirocin for MRSA and mafenide acetate for the gram-negatives with moderate MICs/ZI found with silver sulfadiazene,silver nitrate, andhoney.MDRand non-MDR isolates hadsimilar topical resistance. There was no clonality associated with resistance patterns. Conclusion: Despite several methods to test bacteria for topical susceptibility, no defined breakpoints exist and standards need to be established. We recommend continuing to use silver products for prophylaxis against gram-negatives and mafenide acetate for treatment,
How a Bill Becomes a Law and How Physicians Can Influence the Process

of Medical Ethics includes twelve Principlesof Medical Ethics. Principle III states, "Aphysician shall respect the law and also rec-ognize a responsibility to seek changes inthose requirements which are contrary tothe best interests of the patient." PrincipleVII states, "A physician shall recognize aresponsibility to participate in activities con-tributing to the improvement of the com-munity and the betterment of publichealth."
Optical Properties of Ta2O5/SiO2 Antireflection Coating System

The Ta2O5/SiO2 Multi-layer Antireflection Coating Is Prepared on K9 Glass by RF Magnetron Sputtering Technology in the Experiment. the Growth Parameters Are Changed to Get Multi-layer Antireflection Film with Good Optical Properties. in the Technical Research, the Influence of Various Growth Parameters, Including Working Pressure, Oxygen Content, Substrate Temperature, Etc., on the Optical Properties and Structures of the Coatings Are Studied. Optical Properties and Morphological Features such as Surface, Structure Are Investigated by UV-VIS Spectrophotometer and AFM, Respectively. the Detecting Results Further Verify the Important Influences of Proper Growth Parameters on Optical Properties of Antireflection Coating.
How Mediated Immersion Shapes Learning

Summary form only given, as follows. Over the next decade, three complementary interfaces will shape how people learn: (1) the familiar webpages-and-windows "desktop," (2) multi-user virtual environments (including sensory immersion via virtual reality), and (3) augmented realities based on mobile wireless devices and infused in real world settings. The "millennial" learning styles ascribed to the Net Generation stem primarily from the desktop interface; however, the growing use of virtual environments and augmented realities is fostering new forms of mediated learning in users of all ages. The crucial factor leading to this ?neomillennial? learning is that the desktop interface is not psychologically immersive, while in contrast virtual environments and augmented realities induce a strong sense of "presence." Psychological immersion enables a powerful pedagogy, situated learning, which is based on authentic contexts, activities, and assessment coupled with guidance from expert mentoring as well as tacit learning through collaborative activities. Through situated learning enabled by psychological presence, virtual environments and augmented realities is shaping participants' learning styles beyond what using sophisticated computers and telecom-munications has fostered thus far, with multiple implications for education and training.
“Unleashing the Fury”: The Cultural Discourse of Rural Violence and Land Rights in Paraguay

In February 1989, General Alfredo Stroessner, Paraguay's longtime dictator, was deposed in a coup led by one of his top generals. During the first days after the coup, hundreds of rural Paraguayans swept onto unused lands claimed by the state, the Stroessner family and its cronies, and foreign investors, to set up ramshackle huts and clear plots to grow manioc and corn. They were soon followed by thousands more. By mid-1990, observers and representatives of the occupants estimated that roughly 19,000 families had claimed lands totaling over 360,000 hectares.These figures are derived from information provided by several organizations involved with the occupants and from data collected by the Centro de Documentacion y Estudios and published in its monthly Informativo Campesino. For more information, see note 4. Most of the occupations occurred in the eastern and northern border departments, a frontier zone that had been rapidly developed for commercial agriculture during the preceding decades. But small farmers and rural workers throughout the nation mobilized to demand direct participation in their new government, more favorable agricultural policies, and restitution for past abuses. For Paraguay, then a nation of only 4.1 million persons, 2.06 million of them rural, this mobilization represented a considerable proportion of the population. Although land occupations were not new to Paraguay, his wave of rural activism was exceptional. Coinciding with Paraguay's first hesitant steps toward democracy, the occupations expressed the hopes of the rural poor for a more democratic rural society and for their own voice in the new political system.
AUGMENTATION OF PARASITOIDS FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF CITRUS BLACKFLY IN SOUTHERN TEXAS

Two parasitoid species, Amitus hesperidum Silvestri and Encarsia opulenta (Silvestri), were released in an augmentative program to control citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, in the citrus growing areas of southern Texas. Releases were made with laboratory-reared and field insectary parasitoids. Six citrus groves were closely monitored, and evaluations made during and after releases suggested that both parasitoid species became reestablished and exerted control over pest populations. Dissection of citrus blackfly immatures led us to suggest that E. opulenta increased in larger numbers than A. hesperidum, and that a stable host-natural enemy relationship became established.
The Relationship of Seniority to Job Performance Following Reinstatement

In a seminal study, Ross (1957) found that high seniority employees who were discharged but subsequently reinstated by arbitrators were significantly better performers than reinstated low seniority...
50 GBaud 16-QAM Transmission Over 2125 km Based on an Injection-Locked Fabry-Perot Laser Transmitter

We propose a transmitter based on injection locking a low-cost Fabry-Perot laser to a reference Optical Frequency Comb. We demonstrate transmission of 50 GBaud 16-QAM over 2125 km relying on Digital Back Propagation.
Effect of prostaglandin F2A (PGF2a) on venous contractility and 45Ca uptake.

BS>PGF2a enhanced the contractile responses of superfused helical strips of canine cutaneous venous smooth muscle to norepinephrine and the ionic stimulant, barium chloride, in the absence of any significant effect of PGF2 on venous tone. PGF2a also enhanced norepinephrine-induced 45Ca uptake as well as the rate of 45Ca exchange. It was concluded that PGF2a acts to enhance smooth muscle membrane perrmeability to calcium ion. In addition, it appears that PGF2 may act within the smooth muscle cell to enhance the rate of transcellular calcium exchange.
Embedded and conventional ultrasonic sensors for monitoring acoustic emission during thermal fatigue

Acoustic emission is widely used for monitoring pressure vessels, pipes, critical infrastructure, as well as land, sea and air vehicles. It is one of dominant approaches to explore material degradation under fatigue and events leading to material fracture. Addressing a recent interest in structural health monitoring of space vehicles, a need has emerged to evaluate material deterioration due to thermal fatigue during spacecraft atmospheric reentry. Thermal fatigue experiments were conducted, in which aluminum plates were subjected to localized heating and acoustic emission was monitoring by embedded and conventional acoustic emission sensors positioned at various distances from a heat source. At the same time, surface temperature of aluminum plates was monitored using an IR camera. Acoustic emission counts collected by embedded sensors were compared to counts measured with conventional acoustic emission sensors. Both types of sensors show noticeable increase of acoustic emission activity as localized heating source was applied to aluminum plates. Experimental data demonstrate correlation between temperature increase on the surface of the plates and increase in measured acoustic emission activity. It is concluded that under particular conditions, embedded piezoelectric wafer active sensors can be used for acoustic emission monitoring of thermally-induced structural degradation.
The dynamic relationship between CEO duality and firm performance: The moderating role of board independence

Abstract For a panel of U.S. firms, we employ system GMM to estimate a dynamic model of the relationship between firm performance and governance characteristics including board leadership structure. Our results provide convincing evidence that a joint leadership structure, i.e., CEO duality has statistically significant negative impacts on firm performance. We also document that this effect is positively moderated by board independence. The results are robust across a number of sensitivity tests. The findings are consistent with arguments advanced by both agency theorists and some management scholars that though duality might reduce firm performance through managerial entrenchment, it can provide benefits to the firm in the presence of board vigilance.
Machine learning strategies for systems with invariance properties

In many scientific fields, empirical models are employed to facilitate computational simulations of engineering systems. For example, in fluid mechanics, empirical Reynolds stress closures enable computationally-efficient Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes simulations. Likewise, in solid mechanics, constitutive relations between the stress and strain in a material are required in deformation analysis. Traditional methods for developing and tuning empirical models usually combine physical intuition with simple regression techniques on limited data sets. The rise of high performance computing has led to a growing availability of high fidelity simulation data. These data open up the possibility of using machine learning algorithms, such as random forests or neural networks, to develop more accurate and general empirical models. A key question when using data-driven algorithms to develop these empirical models is how domain knowledge should be incorporated into the machine learning process. This paper will specifically address physical systems that possess symmetry or invariance properties. Two different methods for teaching a machine learning model an invariance property are compared. In the first method, a basis of invariant inputs is constructed, and the machine learning model is trained upon this basis, thereby embedding the invariance into the model. In the second method, the algorithm is trained on multiple transformations of the raw input data until the model learns invariance to that transformation. Results are discussed for two case studies: one in turbulence modeling and one in crystal elasticity. It is shown that in both cases embedding the invariance property into the input features yields higher performance at significantly reduced computational training costs.
A New Technology to Concentrate and Extract Furfural in Transformer Oil

Furfural content is one of the important criteria to judge aging extent of power transformer's solid insulation, however too low furfural concentration in transformer oil brings great difficulty in the detection of furfural content. A new method to extract furfural in transformer oil is designed and on this basis two schemes to achieve the enrichment are put forward: one of them is by changing the ratio of the extract liquor to the transformer oil sample, and the another is by multiple extraction. Experimental results show that the operation of the first scheme is simple and only short extraction time is needed, so the affects of operating errors can be reduced effectively, however under the requirement on high degree of enrichment both its extraction efficiency and concentration effect are not satisfied; although the time for the extraction is longer, the extraction efficiency of the second scheme is higher than 90%, so it can offer a better enriching effect and the desired degree of enrichment can be implemented, thus the second scheme can satisfy the accuracy requirement on the analysis of low concentration furfural in transformer oil.
The Role of Elastic Compression Stockings in Prevention of Venous Dilatation Induced by a Reverse Trendelenburg Position

Objective:To evaluate the response of the deep veins of the leg to an inclination from supine (reverse Trendelenburg) and assess the influence of gradient elastic compression stockings on such resp...
The Pedagogical Potential of Memoir in an Interdisciplinary Context

ABSTRACTThis essay examines the memoir as a viable educational tool. By means of a case study of an undergraduate interdisciplinary seminar, the author argues that a self-conscious assessment of disciplinary assumptions and an awareness of the affective aspects of the practice of life writing are important factors to consider for memoir pedagogies.
Social Evolution: The Force of the Market

Biological market forces shape patterns of cooperation typical of small-scale human societies that are organized by division of labor based on age and gender. Labor specialization promotes trade, while supply and demand affect the amount individuals exchange for commodities.
Normalized cutswith soft must-link constraints for image segmentation and clustering

Segmentation and clustering are common pre-processing tasks in many image understanding and computer vision applications. In some of these applications, expert users can often provide knowledge about which pixels or regions in an image should be grouped together, guiding the clustering or segmentation process to yield more meaningful results than could be achieved by fully automatic algorithms. In this paper, we discuss a popular clustering algorithm, Normalized Cuts, and we show that with a simple modification, it can be generalized to incorporate expert knowledge in the form of soft must-link constraints that give partial information about how pixels or regions should be grouped. By illustrating how our proposed algorithm performs on the tasks of clustering synthetic data, segmenting real photographic images, and classifying regions in hyperspectral imagery, we show that incorporating expert knowledge can significantly improve results in many settings.
Resistances in Group Music Therapy With Women and Men With Substance Use Disorders

In this paper, we explore client resistances in group music therapy with women and men in residential treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). We describe how we have encountered resident resistances on women's and men's units within a gender-specific treatment facility and offer suggestions for pre-empting and addressing such resistances, offering both nonmusical and musical strategies and techniques. We emphasize a person-centered approach and an experience orientation, in which we view our primary responsibility as providing opportunities for the men and women to engage meaningfully with music, self, therapists, and other residents in order to identify problems and explore alternatives and personal resources.
Early recognition of chemical dependence.

SUMMARY Chemical dependence is a leading cause of morbidity and death in the United States. At least 20% of patients seen by primary care physicians in both the outpatient and inpatient setting are chemically dependent. Up to 90% of these patients go undiagnosed by their primary physicians. Chemical dependence is defined as a chronic, progressive illness characterized by the repeated and persistent use of alcohol or drugs despite negative health, family, work, financial, or legal consequences. Primary care physicians are in an ideal position to detect chemical dependence at its earliest stages, when irreversible medical consequences and death are most likely preventable. Alcohol is the most common drug of abuse. Improving the rate of recognition of chemical dependence depends on being familiar with the constellation of physical, mental, and social indicators. Early medical manifestations of alcoholism common in the primary care setting include: gastric complaints, elevated blood pressure, palpitations, traumatic injuries, headaches, impotence, and gout. Early psychosocial manifestations common in both alcohol and drug dependence include anxiety, depression, insomnia, persistent relationship conflicts, work or school problems, and financial or legal problems. Particularly useful laboratory indicators of alcoholism include elevated levels of GGT and MCV, both displaying high specificity, with the GGT level being the most sensitive. Similarly specific laboratory tests for drug dependence are not available. Any patient presenting with any of the above medical, psychosocial, or laboratory manifestations should be screened for chemical dependence. The CAGE questionnaire for alcoholism, a four-question test, is particularly well suited to the primary care setting, where it can be administered in fewer than 60 seconds. The CAGE has demonstrated high sensitivity (in the 80% range) and specificity (approximately 85%) for alcoholism. Comparably convenient instruments do not yet exist for drug dependence, although a 28-item instrument, the DAST (Drug Abuse Screening Test), has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for drug abuse.
The flame is almost extinguished

“I can’t take it anymore.” “I don’t know how I can go on.” “I don’t want to go to work.” “I think I’m done.” These words could represent a patient’s distress, but they were uttered by a physician colleague and friend. My friend didn’t have clinical depression; he was experiencing burnout. Physician burnout has become ubiquitous. It is …
Cryogenic test fixture for two-port calibration at 4.2 K and above

A test fixture for full 2-port-calibrated, error-corrected measurements at cryogenic temperatures has been built and tested. Through-reflect-line (TRL) calibrations have been demonstrated at frequencies up to 4.5 GHz and at temperatures as low as 4.2 K. Calibrated measurements of both passive filters and active devices, amplifiers have been demonstrated. The calibration standards are collocated with the device under test. The calibration and device measurement can be accomplished in a single cooldown. Mechanical switches at the cold stage are used to switch in the TRL standards and the device under test. Measurements of the repeatability of the calibration will be discussed. The amplitude accuracy is approximately ± 0.03 dB.
A General Algorithm for Assessing Product Architecture Performance Considering Architecture Extension in Cyber Manufacturing

Abstract In modern manufacturing, the product architecture design options are usually restricted to those that can be produced with 100% confidence using those proven technologies to satisfy the existing customer requirement. As a result, the inefficiencies of architecture design are considerable due to such limitations. This issue is of particular interests in cyber manufacturing when exploring the tradeoff between generality and feasibility in product design and manufacturing. It can be expected that the improvement and extension of the existing product architecture may be required to meet new customer requirement when new technologies become available. An effective system performance assessment algorithm is necessary to facilitate the extension of existing product architecture. Though there has been a lot of research on architecture assessment, there is no well-defined model for level by level architecture assessment considering architecture extension. In this paper, we propose a general architecture assessment model considering the integration of additional functionality requirements and performance metrics to evaluate the architecture performance along its value pathway to meet stakeholder’s requirements. A numerical case study focusing on a hypothetical auto cooling system is used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Prediction of Sparse User-Item Consumption Rates with Zero-Inflated Poisson Regression

In this paper we address the problem of building user models that can predict the rate at which individuals consume items from a finite set, including items they have consumed in the past and items that are new. This combination of repeat and new item consumption is common in applications such as listening to music, visiting web sites, and purchasing products. We use zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression models as the basis for our modeling approach, leading to a general framework for modeling user-item consumption rates over time. We show that these models are more flexible in capturing user behavior than alternatives such as well-known latent factor models based on matrix factorization. We compare the performance of ZIP regression and latent factor models on three different data sets involving music, restaurant reviews, and social media. The ZIP regression models are systematically more accurate across all three data sets and across different prediction metrics.
Direct Democracy and Debt

The constitutions of numerous states require municipalities to obtain electoral approval prior to issuing debt. When the electorate rejects debt proposals, however, officials may proceed with the proposed project through an alternative financing mechanism that does not require a vote. There are two sets of competing explanations for this phenomenon. The first, benign, explanations suggest either that the alternative forms of financing do not implicate the concerns that underlie debt election requirements, or that those who vote in bond elections do not represent residents' preferences. Thus, circumvention of bond election results by local officials does not contravene the interests of the community. If that is the case, then bond election requirements may be superfluous or harmful. The second, more malign, explanations suggest that local officials who pursue rejected projects seek to avoid constraints on agenda-setting authority, or to serve limited interests that do not reflect the general welfare of the municipality. If that is the case, then election requirements may reduce agency costs and should arguably be extended to alternative financing mechanisms that are currently excluded. While it is difficult to determine which of these effects dominates, I speculate that the Ultimatum Game structure of bond elections may generate a result that approximates an optimal level of debt for municipalities.
Numerical Solution of a Class of Integral Equations Arising in a Biological Laboratory Procedure

We discuss a numerical method for certain integral equations of the form $$I(t) = \int^L_0 k(x, t)\rho(x)dx, \quad 0\leq t\leq T,$$ (15.1) where I is a smooth increasing function with I(0) = 0, L and T are positive constants, and the kernel k(·, ·) satisfies the following assumptions:
Some Drug-Drug Interactions Involving Psychotropic Agents

The idiosyncracies of drug response and drug-drug interaction are often secondary to the idiosyncracies of individual organ systems because they are affected by such factors as age, youth, disease, or genetically transmitted characteristics. With the multiplicity of psychopharmacologic agents now available, and with the tendencies of many psychiatrists toward prescription of poly-pharmacy, the frequency and variety of psychotropic drug interactions are increasing faster than our ability to discover and adequately analyze the causative components. Our knowledge of the genetic factors influencing these activities is particularly deficient, and the necessary body of animal data upon which to base careful human studies has not yet been suitably developed. Reports of unanticipated psychotropic drug-drug interactions in which genetic factors appear to figure significantly are few and tentative. Some cases of genetically influenced responses involving singly administered agents interacting with organ systems have been reported (Kalow, 1971). Well documented instances of one drug altering the activity of another as a result of genetic factors, such as the inhibition of diphenylhydantoin metabolism by iproniazid in slow acetylators (Kutt and McDowell, 1968) are particularly scarce. Rather than attempt a compendium of annecdotal reports of such cases here, we will devote this brief chapter to an outline of some of the broader mechanisms which we can state with some assurance are fairly consistent components in the interactivity of multiple drugs within living organisms. As further information concerning the role of genetics in these processes is developed in the future, it will probably have to be done with reference to the patterns with which we have thus far seen drug-drug interactions occur when they are influenced by advanced age, disease or trauma to effected organs and tissues, or matters of biochemical compatibility. The following information is presented, therefore, as a construct of both established and theoretically possible occurrences.
Kinetic studies of the origin of apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 in low density lipoproteins of normal and Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits.

Numerous studies in humans, as well as in experimental animals, support the general conclusion that low density lipoproteins (1.02 <d<1.06 g/ml; LDL) are a product of the metabolism of hepatogenous triglyceride-rich precursor particles of lower density, mainly by the action of lipolytic enzymes (lipoprotein lipase and, perhaps, hepatic lipase) on component triglycerides and phospholipids (1). From kinetic studies in humans, the concept has developed that this process occurs progressively, by conversion of large very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) to lipoproteins of progressively higher density in a lipolytic cascade (2).