cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Contolled Experiment: Evolution for Learning Difficult Image Classification

The signal-to-symbol problem is the task of converting raw sensor data into a set of symbols that Artificial Intelligence systems can reason about. We have developed a method for directly learning and combining algorithms that map signals into symbols. This new method is based on evolutionary computation and imposes little burden on or bias from the humans involved. Previous papers of ours have focused on PADO, our learning architecture. We showed how it applies to the general signal-to-symbol task and in particular the impressive results it brings to natural image object recognition. The most exciting challenge this work has received is the idea that PADO's success in natural image object recognition may be due to the underlying simplicity of the problems we posed it. This challenge implicitly assumes that our approach suffers from many of the same afflictions that traditional computer vision approaches suffer in natural image object recognition. This paper responds to this challenge by designing and executing a controlled experiment specifically designed to solidify PADO's claim to success.
Pupil size varies with word listening and response selection difficulty in older adults with hearing loss.

Listening to speech in noise can be exhausting, especially for older adults with impaired hearing. Pupil dilation is thought to track the difficulty associated with listening to speech at various intelligibility levels for young and middle-aged adults. This study examined changes in the pupil response with acoustic and lexical manipulations of difficulty in older adults with hearing loss. Participants identified words at two signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) among options that could include a similar-sounding lexical competitor. Growth Curve Analyses revealed that the pupil response was affected by an SNR × Lexical competition interaction, such that it was larger and more delayed and sustained in the harder SNR condition, particularly in the presence of lexical competition. Pupillometry detected these effects for correct trials and across reaction times, suggesting it provides additional evidence of task difficulty than behavioral measures alone.
A reliability appraisal of semiconductor devices

The current problems of assessing the reliability of semiconductor devices are discussed, and reference is made to the order of reliability required in typical applications.The evidence from life tests carried out on devices drawn from production lines of transistors and diodes shows how variations in operating conditions and assessment levels affect the apparent reliability of the devices. This type of appraisal gives a useful guide to the reliability of semiconductor devices in typical service use.The incidence of inoperative failures, the trends shown by measurements of major characteristics during life, and the form of life-survival curves are discussed, and a brief reference is made to the equipment used in carrying out the tests.
Past Time Revisited: Jules Tygiel Testimonial

I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO ADD MY THOUGHTS on Jules Tygiel’s Past Time: Baseball as History, which appeared in publication in 2000. But I would be remiss in this essay if I did not preface those remarks with some about my own relationship with our friend and colleague. My relationship with Jules was not a close one on a routine basis, but one of quality each time we crossed paths. His name first came to my attention prior to the release of Baseball’s Great Experiment when one of my graduate advisors, who had been a graduate peer of Jules while at University of California at Los Angeles, advised me to contact him at San Francisco State. Jules, a considerate and kind person, unbeknownst to me, attended my presentation when the North American Society for Sport History (NASSH) convened in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1984 and, afterwards, introduced himself already knowing of my work. Through the years, we exchanged pleasantries at NASSH, the Organization of American Historians (OAH), and other conferences. We enjoyed minor league baseball at Spartanburg, South Carolina and Stockton, California. We shared research ideas at the Library of Congress, participated in seminars, and rode the Metro system in Washington, D.C. Jules read my dissertation, my Viva Baseball! (1998) manuscript, had me over to his home, and came to mine. He loved his family, loved life, absolutely loved baseball, and loved being a scholar; and this was clearly reflected in Past Time: Baseball as History.
Galaxy Formation with Neutrinos and cosmic strings

Galaxy and structure formation in a neutrino dominated universe with cosmic strings are investigated. Unlike in the usual adiabatic scenario strings survive neutrino free streaming to seed galaxies and clusters. The effective maximal Jeans mass is about 1.5 x 1014h50 -4Mo. Hence cluster formation is only marginally different than in the cola dark matter (COM) and strings model. Galaxy masses are lower than with strings and COM. The mass spectrum is flatter and the density profile about an individual loop is less steep, in better agreement with observations.
Exploring the Networked Worlds of Popular Music: Milieu Cultures

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Peter Webb Year: 2007 Pages: 288 Publisher: Routledge ISBN: 978-0-415-95658-1 (hard cover). Prices: $99.00 USD(hard cover).
Double canonical bases

Abstract We introduce a new class of bases for quantized universal enveloping algebras U q ( g ) and other doubles attached to semisimple and Kac–Moody Lie algebras. These bases contain dual canonical bases of upper and lower halves of U q ( g ) and are invariant under many symmetries including all Lusztig's symmetries if g is semisimple. It also turns out that a part of a double canonical basis of U q ( g ) spans its center and consists of higher Casimirs which suggests physical applications.
I/O options for MCNC multichip package

A strategy for signal and power connections to the MCNC multichip module is formulated. The module structure is described in detail. System trends and scaling theory are used to define requirements for three generations of multichip module technology extending to the year 2000. The state of the art of computer manufacturers and development activities of connector vendors is discussed. Pin, pinless, and flexible circuit technologies are described, with specific combinations of technologies being fitted to the MCNC substrate. The intent is to generate a menu of compatible technologies and applications. >
The dependence of melting temperature on the volume of a solid

An extremely simple equation of state has been found to relate the volume of the solid phase of a substance to its melting temperature. This relationship has been tested and found to hold for approximately 50 different elements and compounds to within the accuracy of the available experimental data, even when the pressure is great enough to double the density of the solid phase. Eine auserordentliche einfache Gleichung wurde fur die Beziehung des Volumens der festen Phase einer Substanz zu ihrer Schmelztemperatur gefunden. Eine Prufung dieser Beziehung ergab, das sie fur etwa 50 verschiedene Elemente und Verbindungen innerhalb der Genauigkeit der verfugbaren experimentellen Daten gilt, selbst wenn der Druck so gros ist, das die Dichte der festen Phase verdoppelt wird.
Diagnostic utility of PAX8 and PAX2 immunohistochemistry in the identification of metastatic Müllerian carcinoma in effusions

Morphologic distinction of Mullerian carcinomas from non-Mullerian carcinomas in effusion specimens by cytomorphology alone can be diagnostically challenging. Therefore, immunohistochemical adjuncts can be useful in differentiating Mullerian from non-Mullerian metastases. In this study, we evaluated the expression of PAX8 and PAX2 in malignant effusions collected from patients with known Mullerian and non-Mullerian carcinomas. Sections from cell blocks prepared from 152 effusion specimens (54 and 98 cases representing metastases from Mullerian and non-Mullerian primaries, respectively) were immunostained with rabbit polyclonal antibodies against PAX8 and PAX2. Immunopositivity was defined as the presence of strong nuclear staining in at least 25% of the tumor cells. Fifty-two (96%) and 13 (24%) of the 54 Mullerian carcinomas were positive for PAX8 and PAX2, respectively. PAX8 positivity was seen in only four (4%) of 98 non-Mullerian carcinomas; these represented metastasis from a large cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, and acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland. PAX2 positivity was not seen in any of the non-Mullerian carcinomas. The results demonstrate that both PAX8 and PAX2 are highly specific markers for metastatic Mullerian carcinomas in cell block preparations from effusion specimens (96% and 100%, respectively). PAX8, however, is more sensitive than PAX2 in identifying Mullerian carcinomas in fluids (96% versus 24%). Overall, immunohistochemistry for PAX8 and PAX2 represent diagnostically useful adjuncts in identifying a Mullerian carcinoma as a source of a malignant effusion. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Bayesian Technique to Discriminate between Stochastic Models of Brand Choice

This paper describes a Bayesian model-discrimination procedure which determines for each consumer the stochastic model of brand choice which is best supported by his purchasing behavior. The Bayesian technique is illustrated by means of two Markov models and two Bernoulli models. We first discuss in some detail how we set priors for the four models. Then we use simulated consumer panel data to demonstrate that the Bayesian technique is a good discriminator among the four models. The technique is then applied to some actual aluminum foil purchase data. We provide estimates of the proportion of aluminum foil consumers in each of the four model segments and the degree to which the size of each segment changes over time. We also show that model discrimination at the individual consumer level has important implications for market segmentation, pricing, and promotion.
Collision Damping of Plasma Oscillations

Assuming alternatively that a plasma may be composed of electrons and ions, or of an electron gas in a uniform positive background, calculations are made of the rate of collision damping (i.e., of plasmon decay into a two-particle final state). Collision damping is found to be the main damp:ng mechanism for all but very short wavelengths. (T.F.H.)
Leptin Regulates Gallbladder Genes Related to Gallstone Pathogenesis in Leptin-Deficient Mice

Background Little is known about the genetic factors that cause alterations in gallbladder motility, cholesterol crystal nucleation, biliary lipids, and, ultimately, cholesterol gallstones. Obese, leptin-deficient (Lepob) mice have large gallbladder volumes with decreased contraction in vitro and are predisposed to cholesterol crystal formation. Leptin administration to these mice causes weight loss and restores gallbladder function. We hypothesize that administration of leptin to Lepob mice would cause weight loss, decrease gallbladder volume, and change gallbladder genes related to gallbladder motility, nucleating factors, and lipid metabolism. Study Design Twenty-four 8-week-old Lepob mice were fed a nonlithogenic diet for 4 weeks. Twelve mice received daily IP saline injections, and 12 received 5 μg/g recombinant leptin. Gallbladder mRNA was pooled and analyzed on murine genome microarray chips. Selected genes were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a second group of mice treated by the same protocol. Results Leptin-deficient mice given leptin had significant weight loss and reductions in gallbladder volume. These mice had upregulation of the leptin receptor (p = 0.007; PCR=1.1-fold increase) but downregulation of leptin (p = 0.003; PCR=13.5-fold decrease). Leptin upregulated the cholecystokinin A receptor (p Conclusions Leptin modulates obesity and regulates gallbladder genes related to cholesterol gallstone pathogenesis.
Synthesis of squalene and sterols by isolated segments of human and pigeon arteries.

Abstract The ability of isolated arterial segments from man and pigeon to synthesize squalene and sterols from dl -mevalonate-2-14C has been studied by an in vitro perfusion technique. Following a 4-hour perfusion, more than 99% of the lipid radioactivity was contained in two major fractions after chromatography on alumina. The less polar fraction, accounting for 30–60% of the total lipid radioactivity in arterial segments from pigeon and man respectively, was shown to be more than 95% squalene. Squalene synthesis in the pigeon was positively and significantly correlated with the severity of atherosclerosis. Because of the highly variable postmortem interval, no such correlation was attempted for human arterial segments. The polar fraction from the alumina column, although possessing properties similar to cholesterol, contained on the order of 1% cholesterol when purified through the dibromide. The identity of the major portion of radioactivity in this fraction remains unknown.
Determinants of Overconfidence and Miscalibration: The Roles of Random Error and Ecological Structure☆

Abstract Previous authors have attributed findings of overconfidence to psychological bias or to experimental designs unrepresentative of the environment. This paper provides evidence for an alternative explanation. A model is presented in which reported confidence is a function of the validity of information used by the subject, and a random error component. The model predicts greater overconfidence for question sets in which informational cues are less valid. This result corresponds to the well-known hard/easy effect. The model also predicts that unrepresentative design (Gigerenzer, Hoffrage, & Kleinbolting, 1991) is sufficient but not necessary for overconfidence to occur. These predictions are tested, and results provide support for the model. Subjects are overconfident according to usual measures such as calibration, even though on average they report the diagnosticity of informational cues correctly. Furthermore, overconfidence is greater for harder sets of questions, even when those sets are representative of the environment. A post hoc analysis reveals some intriguing individual differences among subjects. Some people appear to have a true psychological bias toward reporting high levelsof confidence, whereas others have a psychological bias in the direction of underconfidence.
Fusion-fission in nuclear systems with 40 <= ACN <= 80.

The process of heavy-ion fusion followed by compound-nucleus fission is explored in the context of light nuclear systems. Spin- and mass-asymmetry-dependent saddle-point energies are calculated for several nuclei with 40{le}{ital A}{sub CN}{le}80 using the diffuse-surface, finite-nuclear-range model. A simple, double-spheroid approximation to the macroscopic-energy calculation is developed for determining fission barriers and fragment total kinetic energies. Fission cross sections are calculated within a statistical model and compared to experimental results. These comparisons support the idea that nuclear fission is the dominant process responsible for the fully energy-damped yields observed in this mass region.
On Markov Chain Monte Carlo Algorithms for Computing Conditional Expectations Based on Sufficient Statistics

Much work has focused on developing exact tests for the analysis of discrete data using log linear or logistic regression models. A parametric model is tested for a dataset by conditioning on the value of a sufficient statistic and determining the probability of obtaining another dataset as extreme or more extreme relative to the general model, where extremeness is determined by the value of a test statistic such as the chi-square or the log-likelihood ratio. Exact determination of these probabilities can be infeasible for high dimensional problems, and asymptotic approximations to them are often inaccurate when there are small data entries and/or there are many nuisance parameters. In these cases Monte Carlo methods can be used to estimate exact probabilities by randomly generating datasets (tables) that match the sufficient statistic of the original table. However, naive Monte Carlo methods produce tables that are usually far from matching the sufficient statistic. The Markov chain Monte Carlo method us...
The economic damages of groundwater contamination in small rural communities: an application to nitrates.

Procedures are developed for estimating the economic damages imposed on small rural communities when groundwater becomes contaminated. Net economic damages are the sum of producer and consumer surplus. In the case of nitrate contamination, annual damages for communities typical of rural Michigan range from $40 to $330 per household. Damage levels within this range depend on nitrate level, average household income, community size, climatic characteristics, and the selected treatment alternative.
High-precision lane-level road map building for vehicle navigation

Lane relative vehicle navigation and control requires accurate lane-relative positioning of the vehicle. This relative position can be computed by comparing the vehicle absolute position with analytic roadway maps, which requires both high-accuracy positioning of the vehicle and high-accuracy lane maps. Carrier Phase Differential GPS (CPDGPS) aided INS or CPDGPS aided encoders is capable of estimating vehicle absolute position (relative to earth center) with centimeter level accuracy; however, to the best of the author's knowledge, the accuracy of lane level maps is currently not sufficient. In this paper, we first consider the structure of lane level maps that are compatible with standard practices of GIS road modeling. Then, various analytic lane definition are discussed. We also present a method of building lane level maps from high-accuracy positioning data along the lane center. The data is segmented according to road intersections. Shape points (vertices) as a function of arclength are located based on changes in estimated curvature. For each segment, the parameters are estimated by least-square criteria and can be refined as new datasets become available. This process is shown by an example.
Primary tibial adamantinoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration.

Adamantinoma is one of the rarest primary bone tumors and is almost exclusively found in the tibia. Because of its scarcity, there are only a handful of reported cases of adamantinoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA). We report a case of a 30-year-old woman seen at The Johns Hopkins Hospital for a 2.5-cm lytic lesion in the distal diaphysis of the tibia. A computed tomography-guided FNA of the lesion revealed a moderately cellular lesion consisting of a biphasic admixture of epithelioid cells seen singly and in fragments. These cells had round to oval nuclei with pale chromatin and well-formed nuclear grooves. The other population had more elongated nuclei and spindled appearance. An immunostain for cytokeratin was positive, supporting the diagnosis of adamantinoma. Due primarily to its rarity, the diagnosis of adamantinoma on FNA can be challenging and must be made in the context of its characteristic clinical and radiographic setting. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Contributions of hippurate, indoxyl sulfate, and o-hydroxyhippurate to impaired ligand binding by plasma in azotemic humans.

Abstract We have evaluated pH, chloride, calcium and several endogenous aromatic acids as possible causes of the impaired binding of drugs by plasma albumin in renal failure. Changes in pH, chloride and calcium over the range found in renal failure had minimal or no effects on the binding of [ 14 C]salicylate, a model probe which binds to both of the major drug-binding loci of human albumin. Hippurate and indoxyl sulfate were weak inhibitors of binding by normal plasma. Ortho-hydroxyhippurate was undetectable or minimally elevated, except among patients with elevated plasma salicylate concentration. Although plasma hippurate and indoxyl sulfate concentrations were elevated markedly in patients with renal failure, inhibition of salicylate binding was significantly correlated only with the concentration of indoxyl sulfate. Addition of hippurate and indoxyl sulfate separately and together to normal plasma showed that these ligands could account for only 15% of the impaired binding of salicylate by azotemic plasma. The retained solutes which account for most of this binding defect remain to be identified. This uremic disorder (and perhaps others) is due not to a single chemical but to the additive effect of a family of chemicals.
Vertical winds: a tutorial

Vertical winds in the thermosphere exist at far greater speeds than expected from a first-principles modelling approach. Early observations by ground-based high resolution Doppler spectroscopy and tracking of vapor trails indentified the phenomenon but there was little understanding of how the thermosphere could be stably stratified and yet sustain upward and downward winds of up to 100 m s−1. It is clear that such strong vertical motions must have important dynamic and thermodynamic coupling effects as well as inevitable disruption of diffusive equilibrium. Up to the present, little has been done to study such activity in thermospheric models. More recent observations show that regions of large vertical winds tend to be restricted in time and space and some can be qualitatively understood in terms of adjacent upward and downward moving air columns driven directly by localized heating or indirectly by gravity waves emanating from some distant disturbance. The horizontal scale of these motions is thought to be tens to a few hundred kilometers and the time scale tens of minutes to a few hours. They are not well represented in global-scale models because they are small compared to the grid size. Some attempts have been made to describe vertical winds in local and in nested-grid models. However, a full description of the nature of vertical winds and their comprehensive and self-consistent inclusion in thermospheric models remains to be done.
Desmethionine-bombesin receptor antagonist blocks bombesin-induced inhibition of alcohol intake

[D-Phe6,Des-Met14]bombesin(6-14), ethyl amide (D-BN) is a specific, competitive receptor antagonist of bombesin, a neuropeptide that inhibits alcohol and food intake. We tested the effects of IP injected D-BN (4-400 micrograms/kg) on bombesin-induced (4 micrograms/kg) reduction of caloric intake. In the first experiment, ad lib-fed female and male rats (Ns = 18) were deprived of water for 23 h, injected with peptides or saline in randomized sequences of doses, and immediately given access to 5% w/v ethanol for 30 min, followed by 30 min of water. In a second experiment, male rats (N = 10) were injected with the antagonist at 10 or 20 min prior to bombesin injection and alcohol access, and behaviors were observed and quantified once a minute with an instantaneous time-sampling technique. D-BN injection blocked the bombesin-induced reduction in alcohol intake (> or = 40 micrograms/kg) and food intake (> or = 200 micrograms/kg). When injected 20 min prior to access, D-BN alone (200 micrograms/kg) initially elevated alcohol drinking and later increased feeding behaviors and decreased resting, relative to saline injection. Results indicate bombesin-induced reduction of alcohol intake depends on a specific peptidergic receptor process, and endogenous bombesin-like peptide could act physiologically to elicit satiation with ethanol and food.
Pleistocene population expansions of Antarctic seals

We sequenced a portion (c. 475 bp) of the mitochondrial control region of three species of Antarctic phocid carnivores (Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddellii, N = 181; crabeater seal, Lobodon carcinophaga, N = 143; and Ross seal, Ommatophoca rossii, N = 41) that live seasonally or permanently in the fast ice and seasonal pack ice of the western Amundsen and Ross seas of western Antarctica. We resolved 251 haplotypes with a haplotype diversity of 0.98 to 0.99. Bayesian estimates of from the program LAMARC ranged from 0.075 for Weddell seals to 0.576 for crabeater seals. We used the values of theta to estimate female effective population sizes (N), which were 40 700 to 63 000 for Weddell seals, 44 400 to 97 800 for Ross seals, and 358 500 to 531 900 for crabeater seals. We used mismatch distributions to test for historical population size expansions. Weddell seals and crabeater seals had significant, unimodal mean pairwise difference distributions (P = 0.56 and 0.36, respectively), suggesting that their populations expanded suddenly around 731 000 years ago (Weddell seals) and around 1.6 million years ago (crabeater seals). Both of these expansions occurred during times of intensified glaciations and may have been fostered by expanding pack ice habitat.
Correlates of Higher-Dose Opioid Medication Use for Low Back Pain in Primary Care

Abstract Factors associated with high-dose opioid therapy for noncancer pain are poorly understood. We documented the prevalence of high-dose opioid use as well as associated demographic, clinical, and health service utilization correlates among low back pain patients. Patients prescribed higher doses of opioids (≥100 mg/day morphine equivalent at last dispensing; n=453) and receiving opioids for 90+ consecutive days were compared to 2 groups: lower-dose opioid group (1–99 mg/day; n=4,815) or no-opioid group (n = 10,184). Higher-dose opioid use occurred in 2.9% of patients who received any opioids and in 8.6% of patients who received opioids long-term. The median dose in the higher-dose group was 180.0 mg/day. Compared to the no-opioid group, higher-dose users reported poorer health. Compared to either comparison group, patients in the higher-dose group had higher rates of mental health and substance use disorders, concurrent sedative-hypnotic use (60.5%; n=274), and health service utilization. After adjusting for select covariates, male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37–2.06), higher comorbidity, Medicare coverage (OR = 1.65, 95% CI=1.22–2.23), any mental health or substance use diagnosis (OR = 1.58, 95% CI=1.28–1.95), co-prescriptions of sedative-hypnotics (OR = 1.75, 95% CI=1.42–2.16), and more emergency department and specialty pain clinic visits were associated with higher likelihood of high-dose prescriptions. Perspective Higher-dose opioid therapy is being prescribed to 8.6% of back pain patients who receive long-term opioids. These patients had higher mental health and medical comorbidities and co-prescriptions of sedative-hypnotics, raising potential safety concerns.
Body Mass Index and Outcomes in Critically Injured Blunt Trauma Patients: Weighing the Impact

Background The influence of increased body mass index (BMI) on morbidity and mortality in critically injured trauma patients has been studied, with conflicting results. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between stratified BMI and outcomes in blunt injured patients. Study Design Consecutive adult trauma patients from July 2001 to November 2005 with Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 16 and blunt mechanism were evaluated using the National Trauma Registry of the American College of Surgeons. Demographics, injury severity, hospital course, complications, and mortality were compared among standard BMI strata. Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals and evaluate BMI as an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Statistical significance was set at p Results The study group consisted of 1,543 patients. Controlling for age, gender, Injury Severity Score, and Revised Trauma Score, and using BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m 2 as the reference category, morbid obesity (BMI≥40 kg/m 2 ) was associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR 3.675, 95% CI, 1.237 to 10.916), acute respiratory failure (OR 2.793, 95% CI, 1.633 to 4.778), acute renal failure (OR 13.506, 2.388 to 76.385), multisystem organ failure (OR 2.639, 95% CI, 1.085 to 6.421), pneumonia (OR 2.487, 95% CI, 1.483 to 4.302), urinary tract infection (OR 2.332, 95% CI, 1.229 to 4.427), deep venous thrombosis (OR 4.112, 95% CI, 1.253 to 13.496), and decubitus ulcer (OR 2.841, 95% CI, 1.382 to 5.841). Morbid obesity was not associated with increased mortality (OR 0.810, 95% CI, 0.353 to 1.856). Conclusions This is the largest study to date evaluating the relationship between BMI and outcomes in critically injured trauma patients. Increasing BMI increases morbidity while having no proved influence on mortality.
Avian Hematology and Related Disorders

Hematology is an essential component of veterinary practice. The interpretation of avian blood cells provides many challenges. Practitioners must be able to recognize normal morphology and function of cells to interpret changes in those cells. This article describes the normal morphology of avian erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes. Changes observed in erythrocytes and leukocytes during disease and major differential diagnoses are discussed. A brief overview of avian blood parasites is also presented.
Relativistic kinematics of deformable continua-I

In this paper the relativistic kinematics of the motion of a continuum is studied by establishing certain invariant derivatives of measures of deformation. Rigid body motion of the continuum in theBorn sense is discussed.
Test order effects of computerized dynamic posturography and calorics.

Purpose To determine whether there is a test order effect of the caloric subtest of videonystagmography on the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) of computerized dynamic posturography, and to assess t...
Nuclear factor-kappaB- and glucocorticoid receptor alpha- mediated mechanisms in the regulation of systemic and pulmonary inflammation during sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Evidence for inflammation-induced target tissue resistance to glucocorticoids

To test the hypothesis that the interaction between nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and glucocorticoid receptor alpha (GRalpha) is a key pathogenetic mechanism regulating the progression of systemic and pulmonary inflammation in sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), we used an ex vivo model of systemic inflammation. Naive peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) were exposed to longitudinal (days 1-10) plasma samples from ARDS patients divided into three groups based on physiological improvement and clinical outcome by days 7-10: improvers, nonimprovers-survivors, and nonimprovers-nonsurvivors. In a separate group of nonimprovers-survivors, we correlated the severity of lung histopathology with the intensity of NF-kappaB and GRalpha nuclear staining in immunohistochemistry analysis of lung tissue obtained by open lung biopsy. We found that exposure of naive cells to longitudinal plasma samples led to divergent directions in NF-kappaB and GRalpha activation that reflected the severity of systemic inflammation. Plasma samples from improvers with declining cytokine levels over time elicited a progressive increase in all measured aspects of glucocorticoid (GC)-induced GRalpha-mediated activity (p = 0.0001) and a correspondent reduction in NF-kappaB nuclear binding (p = 0.0001) and transcription of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta (regulated, GRalpha-driven response). In contrast, plasma samples from nonimprovers with sustained elevation in cytokine levels over time elicited only a modest longitudinal increase in GC-GRalpha-mediated activity (p = 0.04) and a progressive increase in NF-kappaB nuclear binding over time (p = 0.0001) that was most striking in nonsurvivors (dysregulated, NF-kappaB-driven response). By days 3-5, no overlap was observed between groups for NF-kappaB and GC-GRalpha nuclear binding. In immunohistochemistry analyses, lung tissues of patients with severe versus mild ARDS had a higher intensity of NF-kappaB nuclear staining (13 +/- 1.3 vs. 7 +/- 2.9; p = 0.01) and a lower ratio of GRalpha:NF-kappaB in nuclear staining (0.5 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.2; p = 0.007). In conclusion, we demonstrated that the ability of GC-GRalpha to downregulate NF-kappaB activation is critical for the resolution of systemic and pulmonary inflammation in ARDS. The findings provide a rationale for the use of prolonged GC treatment in early ARDS.
Design and Analysis of the Aerodynamic Components for a Kilowatt Scale VAWT Optimized for Low Altitude Implementation in Remote Rural Villages

The ideal operating conditions for traditional horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) are generally described by high velocity, steady winds, and undisturbed, laminar air flow. In the direct vicinity of populated areas, these conditions can only be achieved at altitudes significantly above or beyond the built-up area, typically twice the height of the tallest surrounding obstruction. The cost of tower material and transmission lines makes placing turbines at optimal operating heights cost-prohibitive in low-income, remote villages. Though not ideal for HAWT operation, the wind close to the earth’s surface and in proximity of residences can be utilized with an appropriately designed vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). These turbines, while having a lower theoretical maximum efficiency, can survive and utilize the turbulent multidirectional winds in this operating region while still providing usable power. This paper highlights the design and analysis work performed by the authors to increase the aerodynamic efficiency of a unique and patented VAWT design in order to optimize it for implementation in remote rural villages. The final product is a kW capacity VAWT of unique geometry based on the previous successful testing of a 100W prototype. Specifically, the authors explored the aerodynamic effects of varying the geometry of the radial arms and center hubs of the turbine using CFD and wind tunnel testing. The design goal was to develop arms with aerodynamic properties that complemented the function of the blades at the appropriate phases of a single revolution. While the previous prototype focused mainly on minimizing drag, this effort sought to design an arm profile that develops high drag in one airflow direction and minimizes drag in the opposite direction. Implementation of these results was realized in a fully functioning drag VAWT. Furthermore, the system was designed to keep the turbine affordable for remote populations with limited resources. This data is compared to theoretical performance calculations, existing wind turbine designs, and against predictions made using scaling factors on preexisting data from the smaller prototype.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Prevention and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in the school setting

Trauma has the potential to undermine both the educational and personal achievement of students. This article will provide a review and an integration of theoretical and empirical literature on the prevention and treatment of stress disorders, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and teens. An initial review of the biopsychosocial factors related to the development of stress disorders is followed by a comprehensive model of preventive intervention. Recommendations for best practices to prevent and treat PTSD in the school setting are guided by existing treatment-outcome literature. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 461–470, 2006.
Creating an Environment for Venture Capital in India

Abstract The institution of venture capitalism is a difficult one to initiate through policy intervention, particularly in developing countries with unstable macroeconomic environments and histories of state involvement in the use of national capital and in the composition of production. India has all these constraints. The emergence of a thriving software services industry after 1985 created the raw material that venture capital could finance, thus achieving a critical precondition for venture capital's growth. It was followed by efforts to create a venture capital industry. After several setbacks, some success has been achieved largely due to a slow process of moulding the environment of rules and permissible institutions. The process was assisted by the role of overseas Indians in Silicon Valley's success in the 1990s. Yet, in terms of what is needed, most of the work remains to be done. Inevitably, this will be the result of joint work by policymakers and practitioners.
Electrodeposition of Permalloy in Deep Silicon Trenches Without Edge-Overgrowth Utilizing Dry Film Photoresist

An electrodeposition process for embedding NiFe alloys in deep silicon trenches (100 ?m) without edge-overgrowth was developed by utilizing dry film photoresist as a sacrificial trench top. The dry film photoresist prevented high concentration of current flux at the trench edges during electrodeposition leading to planar deposition topographies. In addition, the effect of the applied current density on material composition of the electrodeposited NiFe film was investigated, and the composition for permalloy (Ni 80 Fe 20 ) was obtained with a current density of 100 mA/cm2. Furthermore, the B-H response of the electrodeposited permalloy films exhibited a saturation magnetic flux density and relative permeability of 1.23 Tesla and 82, respectively. The electrodeposition technique developed in this work was utilized to fabricate a free-standing MEMS electromagnetic linear actuator composed of silicon and permalloy structures.
Resource‐Dependent Dispersal and the Speed of Biological Invasions

Abstract: Many mobile organisms exhibit resource‐dependent movement in which movement rates adjust to changes in local resource densities through changes in either the probability of moving or the distance moved. Such changes may have important consequences for invasions because reductions in resources behind an invasion front may cause higher dispersal while simultaneously reducing population growth behind the front and thus lowering the number of dispersers. Intuiting how the interplay between population growth and dispersal affects invasions is difficult without mathematical models, yet most models assume dispersal rates are constant. Here we present spatial‐spread models that allow for consumer‐resource interactions and resource‐dependent dispersal. Our results show that when resources affect the probability of dispersal, then the invasion dynamics are no different than if resources did not affect dispersal. When resources instead affect the distance dispersed, however, the invasion dynamics are stron...
Almost all minimal idempotent varieties are congruence modular

We show that, up to term equivalence, the only minimal idempotent varieties that are not congruence modular are the variety of sets and the variety of semilattices. From this it follows that a minimal idempotent variety that is not congruence distributive is term equivalent to the variety of sets, the variety of semilattices, or a variety of affine modules over a simple ring.
Quality of acute myocardial infarction care and outcomes in 33,997 patients aged 80 years or older: findings from Get With The Guidelines-Coronary Artery Disease (GWTG-CAD).

Objectives To determine the adherence to national guidelines and in-hospital mortality of older patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using a national database. Background Prior studies have demonstrated that older patients are less likely to receive evidence-based therapies. Methods Using data from the GWTG-CAD, we examined care and in-hospital outcomes among AMI patients treated at 416 US centers from 2000 to 2009. Evidence-based medical therapy, other quality measures, and in-hospital post-AMI mortality were analyzed. Results A total of 156,677 patients were included in the study; 21.7% (n = 33,997) were aged ≥80 years, 33.0% (n = 51,773) 65 to 79 years, and 45.3% (n = 70,907) 18 to 64 years. Older patients had higher prevalence of comorbidities compared to younger patients. Overall, compliance with evidence-based medical treatment upon admission and discharge was high, but age-related differences in care were seen for most measures. After multivariate adjustment, the mortality of the patients aged ≥80 years was substantially higher compared to the youngest cohort (adjusted OR 3.4, 95% CI 3.2-3.8, P Conclusions Among AMI patients aged ≥80 years, the use of evidence-based therapies was high and significant improvements over time have been observed in a national quality improvement program. Nevertheless, there remain important age-related gaps in care and outcomes, suggesting opportunities exist to improve prognosis in this high-risk population.
Repression of tax-mediated human t-lymphotropic virus type 1 transcription by inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) protein in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection causes adult T-cell leukemia and is characterized by long periods of clinical latency with low levels of viral production. Transcription of HTLV-1 is controlled through sequences in the promoter and enhancer regions of the long terminal repeat of the integrated provirus. Important among these sequences are three 21 bp imperfect repeats responsive to the viral oncogenic protein Tax (TRE). Members of the CREB/ATF-1/CREM family of transcription factors bind to TRE-1 and are critical for HTLV-1 transcription. Other less studied family members include the inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) proteins. ICER proteins lack phosphorylation and activation domains and are potent inhibitors of transcription. The ability of ICER to bind TRE-1 and its effects on HTLV-1 Tax mediated transcription have not been studied in the natural cell targets of the virus, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). We show that ICER mRNA levels are low in quiescent PBMC, but rise and remain elevated for up to 18 hr after mitogenic stimulation of these cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays using recombinant Tax and ICER demonstrate that ICER binds TRE-1 and that binding is increased in the presence of Tax. Furthermore, over expression of ICER IIgamma suppressed Tax-mediated transcription whereas an anti-sense ICER II plasmid designed to block endogenous ICER enhanced Tax-mediated transcription in activated PBMC. Together our data indicate that ICER inhibits Tax-mediated transcription in activated PBMC and suggest a role for ICER in maintenance of HTLV-1 persistence.
Raman spectroscopy of metals, high-temperature superconductors and related materials under high pressure

An overview is presented of recent Raman scattering measurements in metals under conditions of high static pressure in the diamond anvil cell. Also discussed are the practical improvements of the traditional technique that have made these measurements possible. We present the results of several studies including those of hexagonal close-packed (hcp) e-Fe and its solid solutions Fe(1−x)Nix (x ≤ 0.2) over a wide temperature range, and also of high-temperature superconductors (YBCO) and their prototypes, i.e. materials with strong electronic correlations such as the 3d metal oxides CoO and FeO. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A transient triggered bipolar clamp for electrostatic discharge protection in SiGe BiCMOS technologies

An active ESD supply clamp for mixed voltage RF applications developed in advanced SiGe BiCMOS process is introduced. The clamp is designed using a three-stage architecture consisting of transient-detection, timing and beta-multiplication. The proposed design ensures the clamp has very low leakage even when circuits operate at supply voltages that are equal to or beyond the breakdown voltage of the core SiGe bipolar devices. The clamp's turn-on characteristics spans the full duration of the actual ESD events making it fully capable to effectively protect the sensitive devices in the core circuit.
Lab system design in support of manufacturing engineering curricula

Abstract The changing manufacturing environment characterized by aggressive competition on a global scale and rapid changes in manufacturing processes and related technologies requires creation of education systems that are easily upgradable and into which new syllabi and functions can be readily integrated, according to a report on next-generation manufacturing. This new environment calls for hands-on experiences in laboratories that have modularity, integrability, customization, and “open architecture” as key features. There is also an emphasis on teamwork, innovation, and leadership as a part of new curricula in manufacturing engineering education. This paper discusses these concepts and presents ideas for the design of courses and labs to support new curricula.
Organic Treatments for Control of Pepper Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major pest of pepper (Capsicum spp.; Solanales: Solanaceae) in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Feeding and oviposition cause flower and fruit abscission and internal fruit damage resulting in serious yield losses. Females lay eggs in flower buds and small fruits, shielding larvae from contact pesticides, leaving only the adult stage vulnerable. The purpose of this study was to investigate low-risk and organic products for use against the pepper weevil to provide both organic and conventional growers with more control options. A neem product (Ecozin® 1.2% ME), kaolin clay (Surround® WP), diatomaceous earth (Red Lake Earth®) and a product based on plant terpenes (Requiem®), were tested in lab and field trials for efficacy against pepper weevil. The neem product did not reduce feeding or oviposition in lab choice and no choice tests, so it was not tested in the field. Kaolin clay, diatomaceous earth and Requiem reduced feeding and oviposition in lab trials. Spring and fall field tests of these products were conducted in small plots along with a standard pesticide rotation of Actara and Vydate and an untreated control. The only treatment to increase marketable yield was the standard pesticide rotation. In the spring field trial, the standard treatment doubled yield per plant compared to the untreated controls but the yield was not different from those in the kaolin clay and surround plots. While the organic products did not increase marketable yield significantly, they did decrease overall damage, indicating possible usefulness in combination with conventional insecticides or in low population pressure by spraying early and following appropriate cultural practices such as adequate fallow periods and crop destruction. We recommend further testing of diatomaceous earth in particular in combination with conventional and organic insecticides as part of future IPM program research.
The Afrocentric Perspective in African Journalism: A Case Study of the Ashanti Pioneer: 1939-1957

More precisely than most, the term Afrocentric depicts the unique worldview of African people and provides historians with a tool for examining the intellectual history of African nationalism. Scholars in other fields (Myers, 1985, 1986; Semmes, 1981; Spira, 1983) developed the philosophy of Afrocentricity and applied it to the study of psychology, religiosity, and rhetoric. Molefi K. Asante (1987) has codified an analytical methodology based on the premise that "all analysis is culturally centered and flows from ideological assumptions" (p. 189) and that "human actions cannot be understood apart from the emotions, attitudes, and cultural definitions of a given context" (p. 164). Asante observed that African people have developed their own perspective of history and culture, distinct from the perspectives of other people. But the interpretation of African historical data has been mainly written from a Eurocentric perspective, with the result being intellectual conflict based on wrong premises. This author maintains that the Eurocentric perspective of African history has seriously distorted the analysis of the African past and has negatively affected modem African historiography. African intellectuals, including African nationalists, have been torn by the dual perspectives they developed in their formative years as products of their own cultures and of the European education system that gave them access to such institutions as the newspapers and to