cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oversampling parallel delta-sigma modulator A/D conversion

Conventional delta-sigma analog-to-digital converters (/spl Delta//spl Sigma/ADC's) are widely used in low-bandwidth applications such as high-fidelity audio processing because they offer high-precision conversion yet are amenable to implementation using fine-line VLSI processes optimized for digital circuitry. However, their oversampling requirement so far has prevented their widespread application to higher bandwidth applications such as video processing. This paper extends a recently developed delta-sigma ADC architecture called the pi-delta-sigma ADC (/spl Pi//spl Delta//spl Sigma/ADC) that consists of multiple /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ modulator channels operating in parallel without time-interleaving. The extension developed in this paper allows for oversampling to be combined with parallelism such that an M-channel system with an oversampling ratio of N can achieve a conversion performance close to that of a conventional /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ADC with an oversampling ratio of M/spl times/N. Thus, for a given conversion precision, the architecture offers relaxed oversampling relative to conventional /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ADCs in return for increased analog circuit area. Moreover, as will be shown, the /spl Pi//spl Delta//spl Sigma/ADC retains much of the robustness of conventional /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ADC's with respect to nonideal circuit behavior.
Pose estimation from multiple cameras based on Sylvester's equation

In this paper, we introduce a method to estimate the object's pose from multiple cameras. We focus on direct estimation of the 3D object pose from 2D image sequences. Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) is used to extract corresponding feature points from adjacent images in the video sequence. We first demonstrate that centralized pose estimation from the collection of corresponding feature points in the 2D images from all cameras can be obtained as a solution to a generalized Sylvester's equation. We subsequently derive a distributed solution to pose estimation from multiple cameras and show that it is equivalent to the solution of the centralized pose estimation based on Sylvester's equation. Specifically, we rely on collaboration among the multiple cameras to provide an iterative refinement of the independent solution to pose estimation obtained for each camera based on Sylvester's equation. The proposed approach to pose estimation from multiple cameras relies on all of the information available from all cameras to obtain an estimate at each camera even when the image features are not visible to some of the cameras. The resulting pose estimation technique is therefore robust to occlusion and sensor errors from specific camera views. Moreover, the proposed approach does not require matching feature points among images from different camera views nor does it demand reconstruction of 3D points. Furthermore, the computational complexity of the proposed solution grows linearly with the number of cameras. Finally, computer simulation experiments demonstrate the accuracy and speed of our approach to pose estimation from multiple cameras.
A Domain-Specific Statistical Surface Realizer

We present a search-based approach to automatic surface realization given a corpus of domain sentences. Using heuristic search based on a statistical language model and a structure we introduce called an inheritance table we overgenerate a set of complete syntactic-semantic trees that are consistent with the given semantic structure and have high likelihood relative to the language model. These trees are then lexicalized, linearized, scored, and ranked. This model is being developed to generate real-time navigation instructions.
Modeling and analysis of fast handoff algorithms for microcellular networks

In urban microcellular environments, fast handoff algorithms are needed to react to sudden changes in path loss characteristics that typically occur when the mobile turns around street corners. We introduce a class of fast handoff algorithms based on a local averaging technique that removes only the fast fading component from the received signal strength. By exploiting the fact that local averaging does not substantially alter the path loss characteristics, we are able to develop an efficient and accurate numerical procedure for analyzing the performance of this new class of fast handoff algorithms. Numerical results demonstrate that the use of local averaging significantly reduces handoff delay in the presence of corner effects compared with conventional handoff algorithms. Consequently, the outage probability is reduced for the entire range of mobile speeds. Our analytical approach can be used as a tool for dimensioning fast handoff algorithms that optimize network performance in the presence of both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight handoffs.
Parallel Implementation of the Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) for Radio Transmission Loss Prediction Using GPU and Cell BE Processors

The Irregular Terrain Model (ITM), also known as the Longley-Rice model, predicts long-range average transmission loss of a radio signal based on atmospheric and geographic conditions. Due to variable terrain effects and constantly changing atmospheric conditions which can dramatically influence radio wave propagation, there is a pressing need for computational resources capable of running hundreds of thousands of transmission loss calculations per second. Multicore processors, like the NVIDIA Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and IBM Cell Broadband Engine (BE), offer improved performance over mainstream microprocessors for ITM. We study architectural features of the Tesla C870 GPU and Cell BE and evaluate the effectiveness of architecture-specific optimizations and parallelization strategies for ITM on these platforms. We assess the GPU implementations that utilize both global and shared memories along with fine-grained parallelism. We assess the Cell BE implementations that utilize direct memory access, double buffering, and SIMDization. With these optimization strategies, we achieve less than a second of computation time on each platform which is not feasible with a general purpose processor, and we observe that the GPU delivers better performance than Cell BE in terms of total execution time and performance per watt metrics by a factor of 2.3x and 1.6x, respectively.
Digital Relationships in the "MySpace" Generation: Results From a Qualitative Study

A qualitative study was conducted to explore how subjects use social networking sites and instant messenger to engage in interpersonal relationships. The results were used to develop a preliminary framework that models how attitudes towards privacy and impression management, when mediated by technology, translate into social interactions. This paper begins with a review of relevant literature, then describes the experimental design, summarizes the results, introduces the framework, and finishes with a discussion of conclusions and implications for future research. This paper describes the collection and analysis of qualitative data, and its use to inform a preliminary theoretical framework that can support future research into the design of systems that support social interactions
CL1-SR39: A Noninvasive Molecular Imaging Model of Prostate Cancer Suicide Gene Therapy Using Positron Emission Tomography

ABSTRACTPurpose: We developed a prostate cancer tumor model capable of being noninvasively imaged using positron emission tomography (PET) based on expression of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk) reporter gene.Materials and Methods: The androgen independent, metastatic prostate cancer cell lines CL1 and CL1-GFP were stably transfected with the mutant HSV1-tk gene pcDNA3.1/pCMV-sr39tk, which has increased ability to phosphorylate penciclovir. The presence of the sr39tk gene product was analyzed by Western blot analysis and relative thymidine kinase enzyme activity was assessed by a functional thymidine kinase enzyme activity assay. Subcutaneous and orthotopic CL1 and CL1-SR39 tumor xenografts were established in SCID mice. The ability to image CL1-SR39 was assessed using fluorodeoxyglucose and 18F-penciclovir (18F-FHBG) micro-PET (a rodent PET scanner). To investigate the systemic distribution of intratumoral sr39tk injections established CL1 tumors were transiently injected with first ge...
AVERAGE PLASMA-SHEET CONFIGURATION NEAR 60 EARTH RADII.

Nearly three years of Ames magnetometer data from Explorer 35 are used to establish plasma-sheet configurations in the geomagnetic tail at the lunar orbit. The plasma sheet is defined either as a region with different field orientations from normal magnetic-field directions in the tail, or as a region where the magnetic field variance is greater than elsewhere in the tail. The plasma-sheet configuration at the lunar orbit derived in this manner is found to be similar to the distribution at 18 earth radii observed by Vela satellites. The seasonal dependence and variations with geomagnetic activity are also presented.
Pollution Control and Suggested Disposal Guidelines for Clinical Chemistry Laboratories

Pollutants generated by clinical chemistry laboratories of two cities (Buffalo, N. Y. and Rochester, N. Y.) are described. A stepwise procedure is suggested on how to deal with the toxic liquid wastes from such laboratories. A brief guideline of chemical procedures for the decontamination of selected toxic elements and compounds is included.
Toward a constraint-satisfaction framework for evaluating program-understanding algorithms

Different program understanding algorithms often use different representational frameworks and take advantage of numerous heuristic tricks. This situation makes it difficult to compare these approaches and their performance. The paper addresses this problem by proposing constraint satisfaction as a general framework for describing program understanding algorithms, demonstrating how to transform a relatively complex existing program understanding algorithm into an instance of a constraint satisfaction problem, and showing how this facilitates better understanding of its performance.
Blood Lactate Measurements and Analysis during Exercise: A Guide for Clinicians

Blood lactate concentration ([La(-)](b)) is one of the most often measured parameters during clinical exercise testing as well as during performance testing of athletes. While an elevated [La(-)](b) may be indicative of ischemia or hypoxemia, it may also be a "normal" physiological response to exertion. In response to "all-out" maximal exertion lasting 30-120 seconds, peak [La(-)](b) values of approximately 15-25 mM may be observed 3-8 minutes postexercise. In response to progressive, incremental exercise, [La(-)](b) increases gradually at first and then more rapidly as the exercise becomes more intense. The work rate beyond which [La(-)](b) increases exponentially [the lactate threshold (LT)] is a better predictor of performance than V O2max and is a better indicator of exercise intensity than heart rate; thus LT (and other valid methods of describing this curvilinear [La(-)](b) response with a single point) is useful in prescribing exercise intensities for most diseased and nondiseased patients alike. H(+)-monocarboxylate cotransporters provide the primary of three routes by which La(-) transport proceeds across the sarcolemma and red blood cell membrane. At rest and during most exercise conditions, whole blood [La(-)] values are on average 70% of the corresponding plasma [La(-)] values; thus when analyzing [La(-)](b'), care should be taken to both (1) validate the [La(-)](b)-measuring instrument with the criterion/reference enzymatic method and (2) interpret the results correctly based on what is being measured (plasma or whole blood). Overall, it is advantageous for clinicians to have a thorough understanding of [La(-)](b) responses, blood La(-) transport and distribution, and [La(-)](b) analysis.
Layered construction for deformable animated characters

A methodology is proposed for creating and animating computer generated characters which combines recent research advances in robotics, physically based modeling and geometric modeling. The control points of geometric modeling deformations are constrained by an underlying articulated robotics skeleton. These deformations are tailored by the animator and act as a muscle layer to provide automatic squash and stretch behavior of the surface geometry. A hierarchy of composite deformations provides the animator with a multi-layered approach to defining both local and global transition of the character's shape. The muscle deformations determine the resulting geometric surface of the character. This approach provides independent representation of articulation from surface geometry, supports higher level motion control based on various computational models, as well as a consistent, uniform character representation which can be tuned and tweaked by the animator to meet very precise expressive qualities. A prototype system (Critter) currently under development demonstrates research results towards layered construction of deformable animated characters.
The Solubility of Hydrogen Sulfide in Acetonitrile at 25°C

Abstract The solubility of hydrogen sulfide in acetonitrile at 25°C has been determined both gravimetrically and titrimetrically to be 0. 528 M. The effects of the presence of water and an electrolyte (LiClO4) on this parameter are reported.
Has the Time Come to Abandon the Concept That “Pulmonary Vein Isolation Is the Cornerstone of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation”?

During the past decade, catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has emerged as an important treatment option for patients with symptomatic AF refractory to antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Electric isolation of the pulmonary vein (PV isolation [PVI]) musculature has been identified as the primary end point for both catheter and surgical AF ablation procedures.1 In fact, both the 2007 and the 2012 Heart Rhythm Society/European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)/European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society (ECAS) Consensus Documents have both concluded that PVI is the cornerstone for most AF ablation procedures.1 Article see p 310 In the present issue of Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology , Zhao et al2 report the results of a prospective randomized multicenter clinical trial examining the relative efficacy and safety of a novel non-PVI-based ablation strategy, referred to as pulmonary antrum radial-linear ablation (PAR) as compared with standard circumferential PVI for treatment of patients with paroxysmal AF. Forty-two patients underwent PAR ablation and 42 underwent PVI. These patients were followed closely at 3-month intervals using 3-day event and 24-hour Holter monitors. Ablation success was defined in accordance with the Heart Rhythm Society/EHRA/ECAS Consensus Document as freedom from AF, flutter, tachycardia lasting 30 seconds or longer after a 3-month blanking period.1 At 14 months of follow-up after a single procedure, 31 of 42 patients (74%) in the PAR ablation group had experienced no AF recurrence as compared with 22 of 44 patients …
Development of a computer supported information system for measuring pollution prevention progress

Basic elements and concepts of information systems are presented. The report also deals with the information system and its underlying theory and design. Examples of the application of information systems for solving primarily environmental problems are presented. Aspects of measuring pollution prevention progress are discussed. The application of system analysis and the definitions of system inputs and outputs are analyzed. Types of pollution prevention measurement and the usage of normalization as well as financial and management issues are briefly addressed. A framework for an industrial production and waste generation tracking system is outlined. A model of the system is presented and parameters are precisely defined. A cost analysis of the system is carried out and examples of cost analyses suggested for selection of industrial technologies are discussed.
PROBABILISTIC SEGMENTATION OF BRAIN TUMORS BASED ON MULTI-MODALITY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES

In this paper, multi-modal magnetic resonance (MR) images are integrated into a tissue profile that aims at differentiating tumor components, edema and normal tissue. This is achieved by a tissue classification technique that learns the appearance models of different tissue types based on training samples identified by an expert and assigns tissue labels to each voxel. These tissue classifiers produce probabilistic tissue maps reflecting imaging characteristics of tumors and surrounding tissues that may be employed to aid in diagnosis, tumor boundary delineation, surgery and treatment planning. The main contributions of this work are: 1) conventional structural MR modalities are combined with diffusion tensor imaging data to create an integrated multimodality profile for brain tumors, and 2) in addition to the tumor components of enhancing and non-enhancing tumor types, edema is also characterized as a separate class in our framework. Classification performance is tested on 22 diverse tumor cases using cross-validation.
Who will help prevent sexual violence: Creating an ecological model of bystander intervention

Given the prevalence of sexual and relationship violence in communities, innovations in prevention are sought. One promising line of inquiry directs efforts not at victims or perpetrators but at community members who are potential witnesses to high-risk events along the continuum of violence or who may need to support victims after an assault. To date, the main organizing framework for understanding bystander behavior is the work of Latane and Darley (1970), who described a series of stages that lead to an individual’s decision to intervene or not when someone needs help. Yet this model focuses mainly on factors within the individual or his or her immediate context. In the current review, I use ecological models by Bronfenbrenner (1977, 2005) and Kelly (2006) to expand our view of key factors that help promote and may serve as barriers to helpful bystander intervention. For example, ecological theories suggest important community-level variables, such as campus size or cultural values, that may influence the degree of helping and may, in some instances, be leverage points for creating change.
Growing Fields of Interest - Using an Expand and Reduce Strategy for Domain Model Extraction

Domain hierarchies are widely used as models underlying information retrieval tasks. Formal ontologies and taxonomies enrich such hierarchies further with properties and relationships but require manual effort; therefore they are costly to maintain, and often stale. Folksonomies and vocabularies lack rich category structure. Classification and extraction require the coverage of vocabularies and the alterability of folksonomies and can largely benefit from category relationships and other properties. With Doozer, a program for building conceptual models of information domains, we want to bridge the gap between the vocabularies and Folksonomies on the one side and the rich, expert-designed ontologies and taxonomies on the other. Doozer mines Wikipedia to produce tight domain hierarchies, starting with simple domain descriptions. It also adds relevancy scores for use in automated classification of information. The output model is described as a hierarchy of domain terms that can be used immediately for classifiers and IR systems or as a basis for manual or semi-automatic creation of formal ontologies.
Optimum multiflow DMT with cyclic prefix

We consider the design of optimum discrete multitone (DMT) systems supporting multiple services with potentially differing quality of service (QoS) requirements. With the knowledge of channel and colored interference at the receiver input of the DMT system, our goal is to minimize the transmitted power while holding QoS specifications for different users. With redundancy in the form of a cyclic prefix, an optimum bit loading scheme, subchannel assigning scheme and transceiver design are found for DMT systems. As with our previous study involving zero padding redundancy, the key conclusions are: (i) the optimum transceiver is unaffected by changing service characteristics, and depends only on the channel and interference conditions; (ii) the QoS requirements, the number of users and the number of subchannels assigned to the different users only affect bitloading and subchannel assignment.
QUANTITATIVE (GIS) AND QUALITATIVE (BPE) ASSESSMENTS OF LIBRARY PERFORMANCE

This article accounts for the methodological approach used in the creation of the Facilities Master Plan for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County in the United States. Libraries are undergoing significant changes with regards to their advancing functions. They have become community centers for learning, whether for children, teens, adults, or seniors. This study uses an approach combining GIS- Geographic Information System with BPE-Building Performance Evaluation to score and categorize branch libraries based on their level of performance. A number of recommended strategies are derived to achieve greater cost-effectiveness and improved service.
A Critical Approach to the Subprime Mortgage Crisis in the United States: Rethinking the Public Sector in Housing

The subprime crisis rests on three pillars: the dependence on profit–making in the provision of housing; the absence of adequate public regulation; and the myths of home ownership. Fourteen recomme...
Tethered and Untethered Flight by Lygus hesperus and Lygus lineolaris (Heteroptera: Miridae)

Abstract We compared the flight behavior of Lygus hesperus Knight and Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) relative to age, sex, and time of day by using tethered (flight mills) and untethered flight (vertical flight chamber) assays. Both species and sexes initiated flights throughout the day, and flight mill assays recorded flights throughout the night. For both species and flight systems, most flights were 5 min) that were of longer cumulative duration compared with L. hesperus. The longest flights were obtained with flight mills and were 17–18 times longer than the longest flight (22 min) in the flight chamber. Determination of flight periodicity, throughout the day and night, was onl...
Time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy as probe of structure, dynamics, and reactivity in hemoglobin.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the use of time-resolved resonance Raman scattering as a tool to address specific questions pertaining to how hemoglobin (Hb) functions. Multichannel detectors have replaced photomultiplier tubes as the detectors of choice for most time-resolved Raman studies. These detectors allow for monitoring an entire segment of the Raman spectrum at a single setting of a spectrograph. Intensified diode array detectors can be gated on the 5-nsec and slower time scale. The gating capability allows for discrimination between two temporally distinct signals, including Raman or luminescence generated from the excitation pulse and the probe pulse. Geminate recombination plays a pivotal role in understanding how structure controls ligand binding in Hb. This significance stems both from the relative simplicity of the process and from the indications that protein control of ligand binding occurs primarily at the level of the bond-forming. The chapter discusses the technology connected with this form of spectroscopy and how this technology is being applied to specific Hb-related problems.
Erratum to ‘‘Image-based three-dimensional conformal brachytherapy for medically inoperable endometrial carcinoma’’ Brachytherapy 13 (2014) 542–547

Erratum to ‘‘Image-based three-dimensional conformal brachytherapy for medically inoperable endometrial carcinoma’’ Brachytherapy 13 (2014) 542e547 Beant S. Gill, Hayeon Kim, Chris Houser, Adam C. Olson, Joseph Kelley, Robert P. Edwards, John Comerci, Paniti Sukumvanich, Alexander B. Olawaiye, Marilyn Huang, Madeleine Courtney-Brooks, Sushil Beriwal* Department of Radiation Oncology, Magee-Womens Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Magee-Womens Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Epitaxy of PbTio3 on (100) SrTio3 and Vicinal (100) SrTio3 by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Epitaxial PbTiO3 films have been grown on (100) SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates pure c-axis oriented PbTiO3 films with a rocking curve FWHM of 0.25° for the 002 reflection. Thicker films (˜ 2000 A) grown on 4° miscut SrTiO3 show mixed aaxis and c-axis PbTiO3 due to twinning along {1011} planes. The [100] axis of the a-axis domains are misoriented by 3.4° - 3.8° toward substrate directions with respect to the substrate normal. In contrast to growth on well-oriented (100) SrTiO3 surfaces where the four equivalent tilts of the [100] axis of the a-axis domains are equally likely, on vicinal SrTiO3 the a-axis domains are preferentially oriented (˜ 90 vol. %) in an uphill direction with respect to the miscut substrate.
Exploring the Opportunities for Integrating New Digital Technologies in Tanzania’s Classrooms

The growth of information and communication technology (ICT) have influenced the method of delivering content in higher learning institutions world wide (Tella, 2011). As many Sub-Sahara African countries, however, Tanzania still struggles with the use of ICT in teaching and learning due to the technological challenges, such as the lack of power/energy (Bitew, 2008; Masters, 2004). To better understand the utilization of ICT in Tanzania, this study applies qualitative techniques to explore the opportunities of integrating new digital technologies by teachers and students. Both students and instructors in Tanzanian higher learning institutions were interviewed, and the data were analyzed using open coding techniques in MAXQDA 11. Four themes were generated: (1) familiar and utilized digital tools, (2) technologies integrated in learning and teaching, (3) reasons learners/instructors use some digital tools in learning, and (4) recommended digital tools for learning and teaching. In all, the present study provides useful suggestions for ICT integration in Tanzanian classrooms and Africa at large.
Impact and Crashworthiness Characteristics of Venera Type Landers for Future Venus Missions

In this paper an in-depth investigation of the structural design of the Venera 9-14 landers is explored. A complete reverse engineering of the Venera lander was required. The lander was broken down into its fundamental components and analyzed. This provided in-sights into the hidden features of the design. A trade study was performed to find the sensitivity of the lander's overall mass to the variation of several key parameters. For the lander's legs, the location, length, configuration, and number are all parameterized. The size of the impact ring, the radius of the drag plate, and other design features are also parameterized, and all of these features were correlated to the change of mass of the lander. A multi-fidelity design tool used for further investigation of the parameterized lander was developed. As a design was passed down from one level to the next, the fidelity, complexity, accuracy, and run time of the model increased. The low-fidelity model was a highly nonlinear analytical model developed to rapidly predict the mass of each design. The medium and high fidelity models utilized an explicit finite element framework to investigate the performance of various landers upon impact with the surface under a range of landing conditions. This methodology allowed for a large variety of designs to be investigated by the analytical model, which identified designs with the optimum structural mass to payload ratio. As promising designs emerged, investigations in the following higher fidelity models were focused on establishing their reliability and crashworthiness. The developed design tool efficiently modelled and tested the best concepts for any scenario based on critical Venusian mission requirements and constraints. Through this program, the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the Venera-Type landers were thoroughly investigated. Key features identified for the design of robust landers will be used as foundations for the development of the next generation of landers for future exploration missions to Venus.
Three-Dimensional Computerized Tomographic Scanning of Craniofacial Anomalies

AbstractThree-dimensional images were reconstructed from conventional CT scans with the use of special software. These reconstructed images did not exhibit magnification nor superimpositioning of structures. Quantitative measurements of three-dimensional craniofacial structures were very precise, and their form and continuity could be evaluated. The application of this technique will be demonstrated in three cases involved with craniofacial anomalies.
Postoperative Evaluation of Grice Subtalar Arthrodesis in Cerebral Palsy Children

We evaluated the Grice subtalar arthrodesis which had been performed in cerebral palsy children for treatment of 22 planovalgus feet. We performed Grice subtalar arthrodesis with lengthening of the Achilles tendon and soft tissue release with internal fixa-tion using K-wires in order to correct planovalgus foot deformity. Postoperatively the feet were immobilized with a plaster cast for 6 weeks.The average age at surgery was 9.9±3.9 years, the average duration of follow-up was 22.3±15.5 months. Of the 22 planovalgus feet, 21 achieved excellent and satisfactory results but one foot with a varus deformity had unsatisfactory results. Two feet in one patient resulted in graft failure. The Grice subtalar arthrodesis was an effective surgical procedure for treatment of planovalgus feet in cerebral palsy children.
DEVELOPMENT OF A STOCHASTIC MODEL OF PAVEMENT DISTRESS INITIATION

Pavement deterioration models provide useful predictions of distress initiation, for purposes of pavement design and management. A common problem in modeling the initiation is the inappropriate treatment of data censoring. If the censoring is not accounted for properly, the model may suffer from statistical biases. In this paper, an analysis of pavement crack initiation data based on the duration modeling techniques is presented. Duration models enable the stochastic nature of pavement crack initiation to be represented as well as censored data to be incorporated in the statistical estimation of the model parameters. The results show that the model predictions are more accurate than those obtained with the original AASHO model.
Diplomat in Chief? Assessing the Influence of Presidential Evaluations on Public Diplomacy Outcomes Among Foreign Publics

The current study builds on previous knowledge of international public opinion by examining the role that the evaluation of a nation’s leader may have on evaluations of the nation by a foreign publ...
Research on dynamics modeling method of rigid-flexible coupling based on experiment

Let the mixed coordinate's method of multi-bodied dynamics be combined with the elastomer described by the modified Craig-bampton modality synthetical method to establish the pre-modified rigid-flexible coupling dynamics model,which could let the linear elasticity deformation of components be coupled with the movement of rigid-body while carrying out the dynamics simulation.For the sake of further enhancing the precision of theoretical analysis model,choose the modality damping ratio as the modification factor,let the motion parameters of dynamics simulation be regarded as the object of study of comparison analysis,which made the result of simulation progressively approaches to the experiment during the adjustment courses of modification factors,there by established even more high precision rigid-flexible coupled dynamics model.Finally,the experiment and simulation result of the crank-slider mechanism showed the effectiveness of this kind of modeling method.
SURVEILLANCE ON DISINFECTION QUALITY OF HOSPITALS IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE

Objective To evaluate the disinfection quality of hospitals in Guangdong province,find out the problems in disinfection surveillance and strengthen the quality of disinfection surveillance.Methods Field sampling and bacteria detection method were used.The surveillance data were collected and analyzed of disinfection quality of hospitals in Guangdong province from 2007 to 2009,in order to get the conclusion about the disinfection quality.Results From 2007 to 2009,584 018 samples from hospital in Guangdong Province were detected.The overall qualified rate was 91.04%.The qualified rate in three consecutive years is 91.22%,90.59 % and 91.32 % respectively.The qualified rates of hospitals in municipal,county and town level in 3 years were 93.84 %,94.03% and 89.92% respectively.The qualified rates in all municipal and county hospital were higher than in town health centers.Among the surveillance items,the qualified rate of sterile instrument fluids,pressure steam sterilizing and sterilizing medical instruments is 96.08%,95.87% and 95.33% respectively.Conclusion The quality of disinfection surveillance in hospitals in Guangdong province is well,but the qualified rate of pressure steam sterilization and s medical instrument sterilization is lower than the demand of standard.The problem in disinfection surveillance in medical agencies at town level is prominently.
Effects of Directing Sowing Density on Yield and Characters of Early Rice

The changes of seedling number,yield,yield components and lodging resistance of Xiangzaoxian No.45 with different directing sowing densities were studied through field experiment.The results showed that there was little difference in effect of different sowing densities on maximum seedling number in direct sowing production of early rice;suitable decrease of sowing density is beneficial to increase panicle rate;seeding rate with medium density of 97.5~120 kg/hm2 can obtain higher effective panicles of 4.8~5.25 million/hm2,seeding rate of 75% and yield of 6 300~6 750 kg/hm2,which had higher economic coefficient and the strongest lodging resistance.Therefore,it suggested that the suitable seeding rate should be 97.5~120 kg/hm2 in directing sowing production of early rice.
On the Counselor's Assistant System in Higher Vocational Colleges

Because of the fast development of higher vocational colleges and the requirement of the society to the students,it is quite necessary to adopt the counselor's assistant system.The thesis analyzes the importance of the system,and the method of selecting and training the assistant.Moreover,by analyzing the problems existing in the practice of the system,and the responsibilities of the counselors,it raises the construction of the effective integration of school,counselor and counselor assistant.
Flow Cytometry of Ethanol-Fixed Versus Fresh Bladder Barbotage Specimens

AbstractSaline bladder barbotage specimens were obtained from 99 patients for comparison of flow cytometric deoxyribonucleic acid analyses using fresh versus ethanol-fixed cell preparation techniques. The analyses were consistent for the 2 methods in 87 (88 per cent) of the 99 cases (p less than 0.0001, Kappa statistic for agreement). Since accurate, reproducible results are obtainable on fixed bladder washings, samples may be sent to flow cytometry centers for analysis.
Interfaces in Ceramic Fiber Composites

Fiber/matrix interface properties in frictionally bonded ceramic composites are examined. Relations between the sliding resistance of the interface and the mechanical properties of the composite are discussed. Then measurements of interface sliding, obtained using an indentation technique, are presented. Experiments in the presence of transverse compressive stress and measurements of reverse sliding provide further insight into the nature of the interface. The range of composite properties for which the indentation method can be used to measure frictional stresses is assessed.
Jump the Q: A fast jitter tolerance measurement method using Q-statistical model

With high-speed receivers and clock data recovery (CDR) blocks operating at speeds in excess of 10 Gbps, stringent CDR jitter tolerance test criteria are necessary to qualify device reliability. A robust CDR jitter tolerance test should accommodate test criteria with extremely low bit error rate (BER) values, usually 10−12 or lower for typical industrial protocols. Using conventional methods, the time required to measure a complete set of CDR jitter tolerance values can stretch into weeks depending on the data rate. In general, measurement time increases tenfold for a similar tenfold reduction in BER. This translates to prohibitively long measurement times for BER values of 10−15 and lower. Statistical extrapolation for low BER measurement such as Q scale has been widely used in the industry, but this is only applied for transmitter measurements, specifically jitter measurements. This paper introduces a novel, fast measurement method for receiver testing based on the Q-statistical method to predict the BER for high-volume data transmission based on small sample data sets. Experimental data using this method show that extrapolated jitter tolerance values for BER values down to 10−15 can achieve an accuracy of 1.25 mUI. This innovative method improves the efficiency of jitter tolerance tests by significantly reducing measurement time. Furthermore, the method allows for the extension of measurement scope to cover previously unattainable jitter tolerance values for lower BER values. With these advantages, full jitter tolerance characterization on Altera Stratix® IV GX devices successfully meets very aggressive product rollout and time-to-market schedule, even with measurements for 24 protocols and support for BER of 10−12 and lower.
The Past, Present, and Future of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Quality Measure SEP-1: The Early Management Bundle for Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock

SEP-1, the new national quality measure on sepsis, resulted from an undertaking to standardize care for severe sepsis and septic shock regardless of the size of the emergency department where the patient is being treated. SEP-1 does not necessarily follow the best current evidence available. Nevertheless, a thorough understanding of SEP-1 is crucial because all hospitals and emergency providers will be accountable for meeting the requirements of this measure. SEP-1 is the first national quality measure on early management of sepsis care. This article provides a review of SEP-1 and all its potential implications on sepsis care in the United States.
Effects of discussion representation: comparisons between social and cognitive diagrams

An online discussion facilitates students’ higher order thinking in online classes, especially when adopted with the instructor’s guidance. The current experimental study examined the effects of two different discussion representation tools (social and cognitive diagrams) on students’ discussion behaviors. The social diagram emphasized interactivity of participants by illustrating who posted messages and who replied. The cognitive diagram described how discussion topic evolved by summarizing main topics discussed. Thirteen graduate students enrolled in an online graduate course participated in the study. While analyzing five instructional cases, students were asked to discuss each case in a group that the instructor assigned randomly. For each case, one group was provided with the social diagram whereas the other with the cognitive diagram. Major findings revealed both tools facilitated online discussion activities as the instructor intended: the social diagram turned out to promote socially desirable responses while the cognitive diagram produced more cognitively desirable responses. Further studies on how the two types of discussion diagrams can be integrated in online discussions will be needed.
Iron Supplementation, Response in Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Analysis of Five Trials

Abstract Background Oral iron-replacement therapy is the mainstay of treatment for iron-deficiency anemia, but it is often poorly tolerated or ineffective. Hemoglobin response at day 14 of oral iron may be useful in assessing whether and when to transition patients from oral to intravenous (IV) iron. Methods Pooled data from 5 randomized trials were analyzed to compare oral and IV iron-replacement therapy for iron-deficiency anemia. Treatment criteria and assignment to oral versus IV iron were defined per protocol; this analysis included only subjects receiving oral iron. Responders were subjects with ≥1.0-g/dL increases in hemoglobin at day 14, and nonresponders were those with smaller increases. Demographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated for association with hemoglobin response at multiple timepoints. Results Most subjects (72.8%) were classified as responders. The proportion of subjects with hemoglobin increases ≥1.0, ≥2.0, and ≥3.0 g/dL was greatest among those with postpartum anemia, intermediate among those with heavy uterine bleeding or gastrointestinal-related causes of anemia, and lowest among those with other causes; this proportion was also significantly greater among responders than nonresponders. A ≥1.0-g/dL increase in hemoglobin on day 14 most accurately predicted satisfactory overall hemoglobin response to oral iron on day 42/56 (sensitivity 90.1%; specificity 79.3%; positive and negative predictive values of 92.9% and 72.7%, respectively). Iron-replacement therapy improved quality of life and reduced fatigue. Conclusion Hemoglobin responses
Dinoxyleborus Smith, a new genus of Neotropical xyleborine ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera, Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

An ongoing review of Neotropical Xyleborini (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) has revealed a new genus, Dinoxyleborus gen. nov. (type species Dinoxyleborus cognatoi sp. nov.), from South America. Two new species are described and one new combination is proposed: Dinoxyleborus cognatoi , sp. nov., D. infernus sp. nov., and D. sexnotatus (Schedl), 1970. A modification of Wood’s 2007 key to Neotropical Xyleborini genera and a key to Dinoxyleborus species are given.
Teaching Climate Change to Adolescents: Reading, Writing, and Making a Difference

CO-PUBLISHED BY ROUTLEDGE AND THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF ENGLISH Teaching Climate Change to Adolescents is THE essential resource for middle and high school English language arts teachers to help their students understand and address the urgent issues and challenges facing life on Earth today. Classroom activities written and used by teachers show students posing questions, engaging in argumentative reading and writing and critical analysis, interpreting portrayals of climate change in literature and media, and adopting advocacy stances to promote change. The book illustrates climate change fitting into existing courses using already available materials and gives teachers tools and teaching ideas to support building this into their own classrooms. A variety of teacher and student voices makes for an appealing, fast-paced, and inspiring read. Visit the website for this book for additional information and links. All royalties from the sale of this book are donated to Alliance for Climate Education.
From ships to robots: The social relations of sensing the world ocean.

The dominant practices of physical oceanography have recently shifted from being based on ship-based ocean sampling and sensing to being based on remote and robotic sensing using satellites, drifti...
Antibiotic Combinations That Enable One-Step, Targeted Mutagenesis of Chromosomal Genes.

Targeted modification of bacterial chromosomes is necessary to understand new drug targets, investigate virulence factors, elucidate cell physiology, and validate results of -omics-based approaches...
Duvel: Enabling Context-driven, Multi-profile Apps on Android through Storage Sandboxing

We present a novel technique to achieve a dynamic, context-driven, multiple-profile manager for individual apps on stock Android. Our system allows users to use a single app with any number of accounts, allows incognito modes for every app, and allows a context-driven dynamic switching between the profiles (e.g., based on geolocation). Our technique achieves this by creating a sandboxed storage environment within each app through byte-code instrumentation. This allows for a clean separation of profile specific data and allows users to run personal and business accounts on the same phone, or sandbox an app in incognito mode without sharing any data between them. We present many more use cases where our solution can be used to improve user experience on mobile systems. In contrast to many of the existing solutions, our solution eliminates any modifications to the platform, does not require any special SDK to develop apps, and can use a context-driven policy to dynamically switch between profiles. We realize a storage sandbox environment called Duvel on Android, based on our previous work BlueMountain, and show how Duvel can enable using multiple accounts and incognito mode in popular apps.
Two fools: Comedy as dialectical tension in mid-century Chinese cinemas

This paper will trace the complex lineage of Brother Wang and Brother Liu in Taiwanese cinema, beginning with the emergence of a ‘two fools’ (兩傻) genre in imported cinema from Hollywood and Hong Ko...
COMPARISON PRINCIPLE AND THEORY OF NONLINEAR BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the comparison principle and the theory of nonlinear boundary value problems (BVPs). The comparison principle for the initial value problems has been very useful in the theory of differential equations. It is also natural to expect that a corresponding comparison result for BVPs would play an equally important role in the theory of BVPs. Such a comparison principle was lacking till recently. The chapter presents a general comparison principle for systems of BVPs and discusses the employment of the result for proving existence and uniqueness of solutions, stability, and existence of periodic solutions for nonlinear BVPs. It also presents a few theorems and their proofs.
Point of Care Products in Health Science Classes

Point of Care products (POCs) provide health professionals with access to digital information on medications, diseases, and the recent research results. These products are searchable on tablets, smartphones, and computers. Most health science libraries provide access to at least one POC. A survey of 138 Medical Library Association members, however, shows that most librarians rarely mention or incorporate POCs into health science classes. In the Fall of 2017, after reviewing the results of a survey, librarians at the University of Toledo, incorporated POCs, patient cases, and group activities into classes taught to first-year medical students hoping to see changes in student practices.
Accumulation of Marcellus formation oil and gas wastewater metals in freshwater mussel shells.

For several decades, high-salinity water brought to the surface during oil and gas (O&G) production has been treated and discharged to waterways under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. In Pennsylvania, USA, a portion of the treated O&G wastewater discharged to streams from 2008 to 2011 originated from unconventional (Marcellus) wells. We collected freshwater mussels, Elliptio dilatata and Elliptio complanata, both upstream and downstream of a NPDES-permitted facility, and for comparison, we also collected mussels from the Juniata and Delaware Rivers that have no reported O&G discharge. We observed changes in both the Sr/Cashell and 87Sr/86Srshell in shell samples collected downstream of the facility that corresponded to the time period of greatest Marcellus wastewater disposal (2009–2011). Importantly, the changes in Sr/Cashell and 87Sr/86Srshell shifted toward values characteristic of O&G wastewater produced from the Marcellus Formation. Conversely, shells collected upstrea...