cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tails of Bipartite Distance-regular Graphs

Abstract Let Γ denote a bipartite distance-regular graph with diameterD ≥ 4 and valency k ≥ 3. Let θ 0 > θ 1 > ⋯ > θD denote the eigenvalues of Γ and let E0, E1,⋯ , EDdenote the associated primitive idempotents. Fix s(1 ≤ s ≤ D − 1 ) and abbreviate E: = Es. We say E is a tail whenever the entrywise product E ∘ E is a linear combination of E0, E and at most one other primitive idempotent of Γ. Letqijσi + 1 h (0 ≤ h , i, j ≤ D) denote the Krein parameters of Γ and letΔ denote the undirected graph with vertices 0, 1,⋯ , D where two vertices i, j are adjacent whenever i ≠ = j andqijσi + 1s ≠ = 0. We show E is a tail if and only if one of (i)–(iii) holds: (i) Δ is a path; (ii) Δ has two connected components, each of which is a path; (iii) D = 6 and Δ has two connected components, one of which is a path on four vertices and the other of which is a clique on three vertices.
Evaluating Patterns of Nitrogen Supply Using Macroalgal Tissue Content and Stable Isotopic Signatures in Tomales Bay, CA

Through bioassay techniques and field collections of red macroalgae (Gracilariopsis sp.) and eelgrass (Zostera marina), we evaluated growth, tissue %Nitrogen (N) and N stable isotopic signatures as bioindicators of potential changes in N supply to Tomales Bay, CA (USA). Gracilariopsis sp. collected, cultured, and outplanted across a spatial gradient in Tomales Bay showed pronounced changes in N patterns from past studies in this system, and was superior to field collections in detecting spatial N signals. Rather than a single peak in N concentration near the oceanic source found in previous work, we detected two N peaks, one near the bay head and one near the bay mouth. This spatial pattern suggests two sources account for these discrete regions of increased N supply. The temporal N patterns showed marked seasonality, with greater tissue N concentration during the wet season and reduced N concentrations during the dry season. The spatial patterns presented here suggest shifting nutrient dynamics within To...
Major depression in individuals with chronic medical disorders: prevalence, correlates and association with health resource utilization, lost productivity and functional disability.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and odds of major depression and the incremental effect of major depression on utilization, lost productivity and functional disability in individuals with common chronic medical disorders. Method Data on 30,801 adults from the 1999 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed. The 12-month prevalence and age/sex-adjusted odds of major depression were calculated for adults with hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF), stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The association between chronic condition status (with and without major depression) and utilization, lost productivity and functional disability was determined by controlling for covariates. Results The 12-month prevalence and age/sex-adjusted odds of major depression by chronic conditions were as follows: CHF, 7.9% [odds ratio (OR)=1.96]; HTN, 8.0% (OR=2.00); DM, 9.3% (OR=1.96); CAD, 9.3% (OR=2.30); CVA, 11.4% (OR=3.15); COPD, 15.4% (OR=3.21); ESRD, 17.0% (OR=3.56); any chronic condition, 8.8% (OR=2.61). Compared to adults without chronic conditions, those with chronic conditions plus major depression had greater odds of ≥1 ambulatory visit [OR=1.50; 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.28, 1.77]; ≥1 emergency room visit (OR=1.94; 95% CI=1.55, 2.45); and ≥1 day in bed due to illness (OR=1.60; 95% CI=1.28, 2.00); and functional disability (OR=2.48; 95% CI=1.96, 3.15). Conclusion The 12-month prevalence and odds of major depression are high in individuals with chronic medical conditions, and major depression is associated with significant increases in utilization, lost productivity and functional disability.
Development and Evaluation of an Acoustic Device to Estimate Size Distribution of Channel Catfish in Commercial Ponds

AbstractAs one step in the continued effort to utilize acoustic methods and techniques to the betterment of catfish aquaculture, an acoustic “catfish sizer” was designed to determine the size distribution of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus in commercial ponds. The catfish sizer employed a custom-built 460 kHz piezoelectric transducer with a 20° beam angle. The sizer was built at the National Center for Physical Acoustics and tested in commercial catfish ponds in Mississippi and Arkansas in June and October. To test the system, fish were collected in seven different ponds using a cut seine. They were weighed and then sent through a pipe into the open pond. The transducer was mounted underwater at the end of the pipe. As the individual fish exited the pipe, they passed through the acoustic field created by the transducer and the echo detected by the transducer was recorded. In three of the seven ponds, calibration tests were run. For these calibration tests, the same process was used with the added step...
Observation of Unidirectional Amplified Spontaneous Emission Induced by Velocity-Dependent Light Shifts

Laser-induced velocity-dependent light shifts have been used to compensate the Doppler broadening of an atomic transition. The unidirectional feature of this technique allowed us to observe a forward/backward asymmetry in the amplified spontaneous emission from an excited sodium vapor, switched on by a pulse of laser light.
Termination handling in inter-organisational workflows-an exception management approach

The co-ordination of business processes across organisational boundaries requires assigning responsibility for costs to the involved business partners, in particular in case of termination of a sub process that is outsourced to another organisation. The circumstances in which business partners can terminate ongoing processes and the assignment of costs are usually specified in a contract. It defines who has to pay which amount in specific situations. In many organisations Workflow Management Systems (WfMS) are used to exact business processes, but current WfMS do not have means to specify and apply rules that define responsibility for costs or terms of termination. If WfMSs of outsourcing partners should be connected cost assignment and supervision has to be done manually. This paper proposes a formal approach to extend WfMSs by a framework for termination management and cost assignment. Such a mechanism reduces monitoring effort in cross-organisational workflow management.
Expression of a chicken ciliary neurotrophic factor in targets of ciliary ganglion neurons during and after the cell-death phase

Ciliary ganglion (CG) neurons, like other neuronal populations, become dependent on their targets for survival during development. We have previously purified and cloned a secreted ciliary neurotrophic factor that was called growth-promoting activity (GPA). We report here the expression and purification of a highly active form of recombinant GPA, the preparation of GPA-specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, and the use of these antibodies to investigate the cellular location and timing of GPA expression in tissues innervated by CG neurons. Virtually all of the trophic activity in extracts of embryonic eyes could be depleted by GPA-specific antibodies. GPA-like immunoreactivity was found in both targets of the CG: the arterial vasculature of the choroid layer and the ciliary body of the eye. In the choroid layer, GPA was localized to smooth muscle cells surrounding the choroid arteries. Staining in the choroid layer was first detectable at embryonic day (E) 10, or about 2 days after cell death has begun in the ganglion, then increased in intensity through E19. Quantification of trophic activity from whole eye extracts at various ages showed a small increase in activity observed between E9 and E12 and at least a 10-fold increase between E12 and E18. The presence of GPA protein in target cells of CG neurons during the specific developmental period when these neurons undergo cell death is consistent with its proposed function as a target-derived ciliary neurotrophic factor. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Scoring System for Human Figure Drawings as a Measure of Personality at Level III of the Leary Interpersonal Diagnostic System

back, 1968). This study attempted to devise such a scoring system, using the most valid and reliable DAP signs (Swensen, 1968) and to determine whether the DAP test, interpreted as a measure of private interpersonal attitudes, correlates with other measures of interpersonal attitudes such as the TAT. Leary's Interpersonal Diagnostic System (1957) was chosen as a framework for the scoring system since Leary had already developed and validated an interpersonal scoring system which could be applied to different personality tests, including projective techniques. His system includes eight categories (octants) of interpersonal behavior, each describing different personality traits on the Love-Hate, Dominance-Passivity axes. It postulates five levels of personality organization: (I) public communication, (11) conscious communication, (111) private perception, (IV) the unexpressed, and (V) che level of values. From the DAP literature signs were chosen which, as interpreted by Machover (1949), Hammer ( 1958) and Stone and Ansbacher (1965) would indicate S had certain interpersonal attitudes at the private perception level. Then, the signs were placed under the appropriate Leary's octants. For instance, since drawing small eyes is presumed to indicate self-absorption (Machover, 1949) the sign was placed under Octant 2 which includes people described as competitive-narcissistic. Ss were 47 male undergraduates enrolled in an introductory psychology course. They ranged in age from 19 to 27 yr., with a median age of 21. They were given the DAP and then the TAT in groups of five or six using written instructions. Protocols were scored by two independent raters. Agreement was defined as the case in which the scores of the two raters agreed within one 'A description of scoring procedures may be obtained as Document NAPS-00869 from ASIS National Auxiliary Publications Service, c/o CCM Information Corporation, 909 Third Ave., 21st Floor, New York, N. Y. 10022, remitting $1.00 for microfiche or $3.00 for photocopy. Sincere gratitude is expressed to Dr. James Baxter for his critical evaluation of this paper and to Charles Marsh for his assistance in developing the scoring system and collecting the data.
Comparison of the Neuropeptide Y Receptor in the Rat Brain and Intestinea,b

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems where it serves neuromodulator and neurotransmitter functions. NPY is contained within intrinsic nerves of the small intestine and can be demonstrated to inhibit intestinal secretion when added to the serosal side of intestine mucosa mounted in Ussing chambers. When injected centrally it has potent effects on food intake, blood pressure, sexual activity and circadian rhythms. Using NPY radiolabeled with iodogen, lactoperoxidase, or the Bolton-Hunter reagent, we have localized high-affinity NPY receptors on brain membranes and on the serosal laterobasal membranes of the rat intestinal epithelial cell. We have demonstrated that enzymatic degradation may limit the ability to demonstrate NPY binding to brush border membranes. In other experiments NPY was cross-linked to its receptors in brain and intestine using disuccinimido suberate and the resulting complexes analyzed on SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by radioautography. We identified two main NPY receptor species in the intestine with molecular sizes of 52-59 kDa and 37-39 kDa. The 37-39 kDa species may possess a disulfide bond which gives the receptor a fixed conformation, or it may be composed of two subunits (37-39 kDa and approximately 5 kDa subunits). This conclusion is based on the different migration of the smaller band in the presence of the reducing agent, dithiothreitol. The intestinal NPY receptor exhibits differences from the rat brain receptor previously characterized by us using similar techniques. The brain receptor has a molecular weight of approximately 58 kDa with a smaller species of about 35 kDa which shows no differences in migration after exposure to dithiothreitol. The localization of NPY receptors on laterobasal membranes and brain membranes is consistent with previous anatomic and physiologic findings. The different characteristics of each receptor type provides physical evidence of receptor heterogeneity. However, it is possible that the greater enzymatic degradation observed in intestinal membranes might explain the differences in receptor sizes in the two organs.
The role of personal therapy in psychiatric residency training: a survey of psychiatry training directors.

Objective The authors examine the current place of personal therapy for residents in U.S. training programs.
Complement does not mediate the febrile responses of guinea pigs to muramyl dipeptide and polyriboinosinic–polyribocytidylic acid

Abstract The complement (C) system and Kupffer cells (Kc) play critical roles in the febrile response of guinea pigs to i.p.-, but not i.v.-injected lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We have investigated whether C and Kc may also mediate this species’ febrile response to muramyl dipeptide (MDP) and polyriboinosinic–polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C), two other exogenous pyrogens. Both i.v. and i.p. injections of MDP (150 μg/kg) caused initial, transient falls (0.6°C after 90 min by both routes), then rises (0.8°C at 220 and 0.5°C at 200 min, respectively) in core temperature (Tc). Cobra venom factor (CVF)-induced reductions in C variably affected these courses, but the fever indices and the reductions in serum C activity were not correlated. In addition, neither the i.v. nor the i.p. injection of MDP per se induced a significant change in the serum C activity. The i.v. injection of poly I:C (30 μg/kg) caused a 0.6°C Tc rise which started within 30 min, peaked at 60 min, and recovered in 5 h. The i.p. injection of poly I:C (50 μg/kg) caused a fever similar to that produced by the i.v. injection, but with a later onset, starting at 90 min after drug administration. Again, C reduction did not affect the overall fever indices, although some individual responses were slightly attenuated. The i.v. injection of poly I:C per se also did not affect the serum C activity. These results indicate that, in contrast to its role in i.p. LPS-induced fever, C is not involved in the febrile responses of guinea pigs to both i.v. and i.p. MDP or poly I:C.
Genetic Tumor Profiling and Genetically Targeted Cancer Therapy

Objectives To discuss how understanding and manipulation of tumor genetics information and technology shapes cancer care today and what changes might be expected in the near future. Data Sources Published articles, web resources, clinical practice. Conclusions Advances in our understanding of genes and their regulation provide a promise of more personalized cancer care, allowing selection of the most safe and effective therapy in an individual situation. Implications for Nursing Practice Rapid progress in the technology of tumor profiling and targeted cancer therapies challenges nurses to keep up-to-date to provide quality patient education and care.
3d–4p Transitions in the zinclike and copperlike ions Y x, xi; Zr xi, xii; Nb xii, xiii; and Mo xiii, xiv

Lines occurring as satellites on the long-wavelength side of the 3d10–3d94p resonance lines of Ni-like ions have been investigated with a low-inductance vacuum spark and a 10.7-m spectrograph for the elements Y, Zr, Nb, and Mo. The lines are interpreted as 3d104s–3d94s4p and 3d104p–3d94p2 transitions in the Cu-like ions Y xi, Zr xii, Nb xiii, and Mo xiv and 3d104s2–3d94s24p transitions in the Zn-like ions Y x, Zr xi, Nb xii, and Mo xiii. The spectra of the Cu-like ions were interpreted by generalized least-squares fits for the energy levels of the sequence of four ions. Thirty-nine levels of 3d94s4p were interpreted simultaneously with a root-mean-square deviation of 122 cm−1; forty-four levels of 3d94p2 were interpreted in the same way with a root-mean-square deviation of 200 cm−1. Line identifications and energy levels were obtained for the 3d107p configuration of the Cu-like ions Y xi–Mo xiv.
Phase Equilibria for Binary Aqueous Systems from a Near-Critical Water Reaction Apparatus

For any valid study of reaction kinetics the phase equilibria involved must be known. We present an apparatus designed to measure both phase equilibria and kinetics for reactions in near-critical w...
THE NATIONAL FOOD IRRADIATION PROGRAM CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

This article reviews the history of the food irradiation program in the USA and gives the status and future plans for research and development in food irradiation as of August 1976.
Self-disclosure among police and college students.

The relationship between self-disclosure and Criminal Justice personnel was studied. The subjects were Criminal Justice, Arts and Science, and Business undergraduate students. All subjects were given Jourard's Self-disclosure Scale. Subjects were asked to indicate their disclosure to four target persons: mother, father, male friend, and female friend. When analyzed in three separate repeated measures of analyses of variance data suggested no significant differences between Criminal Justice majors and the other college groups on self-disclosure. However, Criminal Justice majors with no police experience or little police experience disclosed more than Criminal Justice majors with extensive police experience. Older respondents disclose significantly less than do younger respondents.
Fear appeals and information security behaviors: an empirical study

Information technology executives strive to align the actions of end users with the desired security posture of management and of the firm through persuasive communication. In many cases, some element of fear is incorporated within these communications. However, within the context of computer security and information assurance, it is not yet clear how these fear-inducing arguments, known as fear appeals, will ultimately impact the actions of end users. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of fear appeals on the compliance of end users with recommendations to enact specific individual computer security actions toward the mitigation of threats. An examination was performed that culminated in the development and testing of a conceptual model representing an infusion of technology adoption and fear appeal theories. Results of the study suggest that fear appeals do impact end user behavioral intentions to comply with recommended individual acts of security, but the impact is not uniform across all end users. It is determined in part by perceptions of self-efficacy, response efficacy, threat severity, and social influence. The findings of this research contribute to information systems security research, human-computer interaction, and organizational communication by revealing a new paradigm in which IT users form perceptions of the technology, not on the basis of performance gains, but on the basis of utility for threat mitigation.
Heuristic control of bipedal running: Steady-state and accelerated

The design, control, and actuation of legged robots that walk is well established, but there remain unsolved problems for legged robots that run. In this work, dynamic principles are used to develop a set of heuristics for controlling bipedal running and acceleration. These heuristics are then converted into control laws for two very different bipedal systems: one with a high-inertia torso and prismatic knees and one with a low-inertia torso, articulated knees, and mechanical coupling between the knee and ankle joints. These control laws are implemented in simulation to achieve stable steady-state running, accelerating, and decelerating. Stable steady-state running is also achieved in a planar experimental system with a semiconstrained torso.
Generic lamotrigine versus brand‐name Lamictal bioequivalence in patients with epilepsy: A field test of the FDA bioequivalence standard

OBJECTIVE To test the current U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bioequivalence standard in a comparison of generic and brand-name drug pharmacokinetic (PK) performance in "generic-brittle" patients with epilepsy under clinical use conditions. METHODS This randomized, double-blind, multiple-dose, steady-state, fully replicated bioequivalence study compared generic lamotrigine to brand-name Lamictal in "generic-brittle" patients with epilepsy (n = 34) who were already taking lamotrigine. Patients were repeatedly switched between masked Lamictal and generic lamotrigine. Intensive PK blood sampling at the end of each 2-week treatment period yielded two 12-h PK profiles for brand-name and generic forms for each patient. Steady-state area under the curve (AUC), peak plasma concentration (Cmax ), and minimum plasma concentration (Cmin ) data were subjected to conventional average bioequivalence (ABE) analysis, reference-scaled ABE analysis, and within-subject variability (WSV) comparisons. In addition, generic-versus-brand comparisons in individual patients were performed. Secondary clinical outcomes included seizure frequency and adverse events. RESULTS Generic demonstrated bioequivalence to brand. The 90% confidence intervals of the mean for steady-state AUC, Cmax , and Cmin for generic-versus-brand were 97.2-101.6%, 98.8-104.5%, and 93.4-101.0%, respectively. The WSV of generic and brand were also similar. Individual patient PK ratios for generic-versus-brand were similar but not identical, in part because brand-versus-brand profiles were not identical, even though subjects were rechallenged with the same product. Few subjects had seizure exacerbations or tolerability issues with product switching. One subject, however, reported 267 focal motor seizures, primarily on generic, although his brand and generic PK profiles were practically identical. SIGNIFICANCE Some neurologists question whether bioequivalence in healthy volunteers ensures therapeutic equivalence of brand and generic antiepileptic drugs in patients with epilepsy, who may be at increased risk for problems with brand-to-generic switching. Bioequivalence results in "generic-brittle" patients with epilepsy under clinical conditions support the soundness of the FDA bioequivalence standards. Adverse events on generic were not related to the small, allowable PK differences between generic and brand.
A Comparison of Resilient Overlay Multicast Approaches

Overlay-based multicast has been proposed as a key alternative for large-scale group communication. There is ample motivation for such an approach, as it delivers the scalability advantages of multicast while avoiding the deployment issues of a network-level solution. As multicast functionality is pushed to autonomous, unpredictable end systems, however, significant performance loss can result from their higher degree of transiency when compared to routers. Consequently, a number of techniques have recently been proposed to improve overlays' resilience by exploiting path diversity and minimizing node dependencies. Delivering high application performance at relatively low costs and under high degree of transiency has proven to be a difficult task. Each of the proposed resilient techniques comes with a different trade-off in terms of delivery ratio, end-to-end latency and additional network traffic. In this paper, we review some of these approaches and evaluate their effectiveness by contrasting the performance and associated cost of representative protocols through simulation and wide area experimentation.
Variable oxygenation response to inhaled nitric oxide in severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

The causes of variable responsiveness to inhaled nitric oxide (NO) in Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) are unknown. The changes in the severity of respiratory failure after the onset of inhaled NO (maximal dose 20 ppm) were studied in 13 consecutive neonates with severe PPHN. Response was defined as a sustained decrease of alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (AaDO2) by > 20%, or a decrease in oxygenation index (OI) by > 40%. Six neonates had a rapid response within 30 min, three had an intermediate response within 8 h, and three had a delayed response within 12 h after the onset of NO. Three infants with birth asphyxia responded rapidly to inhaled NO. One infant with sepsis did not respond, and two with suspected sepsis had a delayed response. The infants with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome and idiopathic PPHN had a variable response time. Twelve neonates required 4 to 14 days of mechanical ventilation and survived. Infants with PPHN may benefit from a trial of inhaled NO therapy that exceeds 30 min. The variability of the response time to inhaled NO is likely to be multifactorial and dependent on the disease process associated with PPHN.
Glutaredoxin 2 (Grx2) Gene Deletion Induces Early Onset of Age-dependent Cataracts in Mice *

Abstract Glutaredoxin 2 (Grx2) is an isozyme of glutaredoxin1 (thioltransferase) present in the mitochondria and nucleus with disulfide reductase and peroxidase activities, and it controls thiol/disulfide balance in cells. In this study, we investigated whether Grx2 gene deletion could induce faster age-related cataract formation and elucidated the biochemical changes effected by Grx2 gene deletion that may contribute to lens opacity. Slit lamp was used to examine the lenses in Grx2 knock-out (KO) mice and age-matched wild-type (WT) mice ages 1 to 16 months. In the Grx2 null mice, the lens nuclear opacity began at 5 months, 3 months sooner than that of the control mice, and the progression of cataracts was also much faster than the age-matched controls. Lenses of KO mice contained lower levels of protein thiols and GSH with a significant accumulation of S-glutathionylated proteins. Actin, αA-crystallin, and βB2-crystallin were identified by Western blot and mass spectroscopy as the major S-glutathionylated proteins in the lenses of 16-month-old Grx2 KO mice. Compared with the WT control, the lens of Grx2 KO mice had only 50% of the activity in complex I and complex IV and less than 10% of the ATP pool. It was concluded that Grx2 gene deletion altered the function of lens structural proteins through S-glutathionylation and also caused severe disturbance in mitochondrial function. These combined alterations affected lens transparency.
Mathematical Modeling of Liquid-Feed Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

A two-phase, multicomponent model has been developed for liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cells ~DMFC!. In addition to the anode and cathode electrochemical reactions, the model considers diffusion and convection of both gas and liquid phases in the backing layers and flow channels. In particular, the model fully accounts for the mixed potential effect of methanol oxidation at the cathode as a result of methanol crossover caused by diffusion, convection, and electro-osmosis. This comprehensive model is solved numerically using computational fluid dynamics. The transport phenomena and electrochemical kinetics in a liquid-feed DMFC are delineated and the effects of the methanol feed concentration on cell performance are explored. The model is validated against DMFC experimental data with reasonable agreement. The void fraction at the anode outlet is found to be as high as 95% at a cell current density of 0.45 A/cm 2 for a7c m longchannel. Increase in methanol feed concentration leads to a slight decrease in cell voltage and a proportional increase in the mass-transport limiting current density for a methanol concentration below 1 M. However, when the methanol feed concentration is larger than 2 M, the cell voltage is greatly reduced by excessive methanol crossover and the maximum current density begins to be limited by the oxygen supply at the cathode. The oxygen depletion results from excessive parasitic oxygen consumption by methanol crossing over.
Library classroom renovated as an active learning classroom

Purpose – Several books and articles about learning space design have recently been published, giving much needed attention to new types of informal learning spaces such as the library commons. This paper aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approach – This paper describes the redesign of a formal learning space: the general assignment classroom. In 2010, one of the University of Iowa's Main Library classrooms was converted to an “active learning” space. The library location was selected as home for this prototype TILE classroom – Transform, Interact, Learn, Engage. The university's goal is to create similar spaces in a variety of sizes and configurations across campus.Findings – The classroom is technologically rich, but was designed first and foremost for its pedagogical potential in fostering engaged learning. Ease of use was a primary focus, allowing the technology to fade into the background. Early adopters participated in a faculty institute on active learning and were provided with institu...
Noise Exposure, Characterization, and Comparison of Three Football Stadiums

Personal noise exposure samples were collected from five workers at a large-sized college football stadium and five workers at a medium-sized college football stadium in northern Colorado during three home football games, for a total of 30 personal noise exposures. In addition, personal noise exposure samples were collected from five fans at a National Football League (NFL) stadium, and from two fans at each of the college stadiums during three home football games, for a total of 27 personal noise exposure samples. None of the workers’ noise doses were above the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA. However, 11 of 28 (39%) workers’ noise doses exceeded the OSHA action level of 85 dBA that would require enrollment in a hearing conservation program. Following ACGIH® recommendations for noise exposure limits, 27 of 28 (96%) workers would be considered overexposed. In addition, 24 of 25 fans (96%) were also overexposed according to ACGIH and World Health Or...
Estimation of statistical translation models based on mutual information for ad hoc information retrieval

As a principled approach to capturing semantic relations of words in information retrieval, statistical translation models have been shown to outperform simple document language models which rely on exact matching of words in the query and documents. A main challenge in applying translation models to ad hoc information retrieval is to estimate a translation model without training data. Existing work has relied on training on synthetic queries generated based on a document collection. However, this method is computationally expensive and does not have a good coverage of query words. In this paper, we propose an alternative way to estimate a translation model based on normalized mutual information between words, which is less computationally expensive and has better coverage of query words than the synthetic query method of estimation. We also propose to regularize estimated translation probabilities to ensure sufficient probability mass for self-translation. Experiment results show that the proposed mutual information-based estimation method is not only more efficient, but also more effective than the synthetic query-based method, and it can be combined with pseudo-relevance feedback to further improve retrieval accuracy. The results also show that the proposed regularization strategy is effective and can improve retrieval accuracy for both synthetic query-based estimation and mutual information-based estimation.
The preparation and properties of chelates of transition metal ions with the homopolymer and copolymers of p‐vinylbenzoylacetone

p-Vinylbenzoylacetone (VBA) was prepared by the condensation of p-vinylacetophenone and ethyl acetate. This monomer was homopolymerized and copolymerized with acrylamide or maleic anhydride to produce polymers which would chelate substantial amounts of transition metal ions such as Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Eu3+, and VO2+. In the case of the Cu2+ and Ni2+ chelates, about 80–90% of the metal ion could be eluted by dilute mineral acids. The resulting eluted products apparently have a somewhat porous structure because they are capable of rechelating these ions from water solution, even though the solid homopolymer which had not been chelated and eluted is too hydrophobic to chelate very much metal ion from water solution. The eluted Cu2+ chelate readily reaccepted Cu2+ ions from water solution and discriminated against Ni2+ almost completely. However, the eluted Ni2+ chelate would reaccept both Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions, but exhibited a strong preference for Cu2+ ions in competitive batch experiments. The VO2+ chelate was an effective heterogeneous phase catalyst for the epoxidation of allyl alcohols such as geraniol with tert-butylhyroperoxide. The chelate was stable under these oxidative conditions and could be recovered unchanged and reused.
Effect of chlorpropamide on osmotic water flow across toad bladder and the response to vasopressin, theophylline and cyclic AMP.

ABSTRACT The effect of chlorpropamide on the osmotic water flow across the urinary bladder of the toad Bufo marinus was studied. Chlorpropamide concentrations of 3 or 6 mm caused a small increase in osmotic water flow. Lower concentrations of chlorpropamide had no effect. Chlorpropamide concentrations as low as 0.03 mm potentiated the submaximal increase in osmotic water flow caused by vasopressin or theophylline. Low concentrations of vasopressin which had no physiological effect when added to control bladders caused a significant increase in osmotic water flow in the presence of chlorpropamide. Chlorpropamide inhibited the maximal or submaximal increase in osmotic water flow caused by cyclic AMP. This effect occurred at chlorpropamide concentrations of 0.3 mm or greater. The difference in the chlorpropamide concentration required for potentiation of the response to vasopressin and for inhibition of the response to cyclic AMP indicates that these are separate effects. These data support the hypothesis th...
Pinhole SPECT With Different Data Acquisition Geometries: Usefulness of Unified Projection Operators in Homogeneous Coordinates

To further improve pinhole single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, there have been increasing interests in the use of nonstandard collimator designs and/or acquisition geometries. Homogeneous coordinates provide a compact and convenient framework to unify the geometric descriptions of the projection operators for these different imaging geometries, which may facilitate the implementation of iterative reconstruction algorithms and the investigation of crucial geometric calibration problems in pinhole SPECT. In this work, these advantages were demonstrated through three examples, namely, multipinhole SPECT, pinhole SPECT with a helical scanning orbit, and pinhole SPECT with dual detectors. Specifically, we showed adaptable implementations of iterative image reconstruction algorithms and translatable strategies for efficient geometric calibrations through unifying projection operators of the aforementioned imaging geometries. Notably, the unified geometric descriptions of multipinhole and single pinhole projection operators allowed us to derive that one can effectively calibrate a multipinhole geometry using only two point sources without measuring their distance. Experimental studies were performed to demonstrate the validity of our approaches, which may be extended to other pinhole SPECT and cone-beam X-ray computed tomography imaging geometries
Moderation of effects of AAC based on setting and types of aided AAC on outcome variables: An aggregate study of single-case research with individuals with ASD

Objective: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the potential moderating effects of intervention setting and type of aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) on outcome variables for students with autism spectrum disorders.Methods: Improvement rate difference, an effect size measure, was used to calculate aggregate effects across 35 single-case research studies.Results: Results indicated that the largest effects for aided AAC were observed in general education settings. With respect to communication outcomes, both speech generating devices (SGDs) and the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) were associated with larger effects than other picture-based systems. With respect to challenging behaviour outcomes, SGDs produced larger effects than PECS.Conclusion: This aggregate study highlights the importance of considering intervention setting, choice of AAC system and target outcomes when designing and planning an aided AAC intervention.
Modeling and analysis of multiconverter DC power electronic systems using the generalized state-space averaging method

This paper presents a modular approach for the modeling and simulation of multiconverter DC power electronic systems based on the generalized state-space averaging method. These systems may consist of many individual converters connected together to form large and complex systems. In addition to simplifying the analysis procedure, by using the proposed method, the time step for analysis of the system can be increased. Therefore, the required computation time and computer memory for complex systems can be reduced considerably. In this paper, after introducing the proposed approach, results of applying the method to a representative system are presented.
Analysis of heregulin symmetry by weighted evolutionary tracing

Heregulins are members of the protein family of EGF-like growth and differentiation factors. The primary cell-surface targets of heregulins are heterodimers of the EGF-receptor homolog HER2 with either HER3 or HER4. We used a weighted evolutionary trace analysis to identify structural features that distinguish the EGF-like domain (hrg) of heregulins from other members of the EGF family. In this analysis, each amino acid sequence is weighted according to its uniqueness and the variability in each position is assigned by an amino acid substitution matrix. Conserved residues in heregulin that are variable in other EGF-like domains are considered possible specificity-conferring residues. This analysis identifies two clusters of residues at the foot of the boot-shaped hrg domain. The residues in one cluster are recruited from the N-terminus; those in the other are from the ohm-loop region and show a weak sequence similarity to the N-terminal residues at the opposite side of the boot. The remaining residues with high conservation scores distribute themselves into these two distinct surfaces on hrg. This pseudo-twofold symmetry and the presence of two distinct interfaces may reflect the preference of hrg for heterodimeric versus homodimeric HER complexes.
Infectious complications in combined colon resection and ablation of colorectal liver metastases.

Abstract Background The multifactorial incidence of infectious complications carries considerable consequences for patients undergoing more extensive surgery with intent to cure metastatic colorectal cancer. Advances in ablation techniques have emerged as an efficacious method in regional control for liver metastasis from colorectal cancer; however, the degree of increased risk of infectious complications when ablation is performed in combination with colon resection has not been defined. Methods An analysis of a single institution's prospective database from August 1998 to December 2012 was performed for patients undergoing colon resection. Patients were stratified into a colon resection combined with either microwave ablation (MWA) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) compared to a colon resection only group. Variables included baseline clinicopathologic data, type of operation, complication grade, and infectious outcome. Fisher exact test, Student t test, and analysis of variance were used to detect significance levels of P values less than .05. Results A total of 132 patients with colon cancer of various origins were identified. The group of colon resection combined with RFA and/or MWA was 53 patients (34 male:19 female) and was compared to a matched group of 79 patients (40 male:39 female) who underwent colon resection alone. Median age (58 vs 60 years; P = .209), complication rate (60.7% vs 62.5%; P = .722), infection rate (28.7% vs 35.4%; P = 1.0), mean blood loss (352.7 vs 468.4 mL; P = .452), mean blood transfused (1.36 vs .76 U; P = .247), and receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (47.1% vs 51.85%; P = .724) were all similar between the ablation group and colon only group, respectively. Transfusion rate was higher in the ablation group (39.6% vs 18.9%; P = .016). Overall complication rate was 60.6%, with 32.6% infections. One mortality was observed in each group. High-grade (grade, III to V) complications (35.8% vs 18.9%; P = .0112) and liver-specific complications (n = 4; P = .024) were significantly increased in the combined ablation group. Conclusions Combining MWA or RFA techniques with colon resection for liver metastasis appears to have similar infectious and overall complication rates when compared to performing an isolated resection of the primary colon cancer alone, although there may be a higher degree of complication seen in the more aggressive approach for curative intent in patients with colorectal liver metastasis.
Comparison of a new mineral based hemostatic agent to a commercially available granular zeolite agent for hemostasis in a swine model of lethal extremity arterial hemorrhage.

Summary Background Gaining hemostatic control of vascular injuries sustained in combat using topical agents remains a challenge. We previously developed a new hemostatic agent consisting of a granular combination of a smectite mineral and a superabsorbent polymer (WoundStat™; WS) which demonstrated the ability to stop high pressure bleeding. We have since modified WS to contain only the smectite mineral and compared the performance of WS to QuikClot's™ zeolite granules (QCG) in a lethal vascular injury model. Methods Fourteen (seven per group) anesthetized swine (35–44 kg) had a lethal femoral artery injury produced by creating a 6 mm arteriotomy in the vessel. After 45 s of hemorrhage, animals were randomized to be treated with either WS or QCG for 3 min. A second application was provided if hemostasis failed. Fluid resuscitation was begun at the time of application to achieve a mean arterial blood pressure of 65 mmHg. Animals were observed for 120 min or until death. Primary endpoints were survival, survival time, post-treatment blood loss, and resuscitation fluid volume. Results WS resulted in 100% survival to 120 min. No animal in the QCG group survived ( p = 0.0005). Survival times for WS animals were significantly greater compared to QCG ( p = 0.0001). Post-treatment blood loss ( p = 0.0043) and post-resuscitation fluid volume ( p = 0.0043) was significantly less for animals treated with WS compared to QCG. Conclusion WS consisting of just the smectite mineral was superior to QCG tested in this model. Additional study is warranted to determine its potential for use in combat and civilian trauma.
KINETICS OF RADICAL TERMINATION IN IRRADIATED POLYAMIDES

The rate of decay of free radical concentration in irradiated polyamides was measured by observing the changes in transient optical density of polyamide films at the wavelength of maximum absorption. The dependence of initial radical concentration and of the initial rate constant for radical decay on radiation dose is interpreted as resulting from the nonhomogeneous placement of radical "spurs" at low doses. The results are consistent with a "spur" diameter of 30 to 40 A. (auth)
Nonlinear travelling waves in energetic particle phase space

An exact nonlinear solution is found for long-time behaviour of spontaneously formed phase space clumps/holes in dissipative plasmas with a population of energetic particles. This solution represents a Bernstein?Greene?Kruskal mode with slowly varying shape and velocity. It describes a continuous transformation of a plasma eigenmode excited just above the instability threshold into an energetic particle mode with a significantly different frequency. An electrostatic bump-on-tail instability is chosen to illustrate the analysis. However, generality of the resonant particle dynamics makes the described approach applicable to other resonance-dominated instabilities, including rapid frequency-sweeping events for Alfv?nic modes in tokamaks.
A Comparison Of Serial And Parallel Processing Simulation Models Of Pilot Workload

This paper discusses and evaluates several options for modeling a pilot while he performs normal cockpit duties. Using a queueing analogy, with the pilot modeled as the server and the pilot's tasks as customers, two discrete-event simulation models were developed. The main issue examined was the relative accuracy of a model which processes tasks in series versus one which processes tasks in parallel. Each of these models employed a priority system with preemption. The serial model processed one task at a time while the number of tasks that could be processed simultaneously in the parallel model was dependent on the mix of tasks currently demanding the pilot's resources. Three different measures from the simulation models were evaluated as workload surrogates: pilot idle time, task interrruption rate, and the simulataneous task rate. Workload model predictions were validated by comparison to workload measurements taken under identical conditions in a high-fidelity flight simulator. The models' validation process suggests that the technique has merit and continued investigation is warranted.
A total synthesis of magallanesine: DMF acetal mediated cyclodehydration of a methyl ketone thioimide

Abstract An amide acetal-mediated intramolecular condensation of a methylketone with a regioselectively activated unsymmetrical phthalimide resulted in the total synthesis of the isoindolobenzazocine alkaloid magallanesine ( 1 ).
Robot-Assisted Sensor Network Deployment and Data Collection

Wireless sensor networks have been widely used in many applications such as environment monitoring, surveillance systems and unmanned space explorations. However, poor deployment of sensor devices leads (1) bad network connectivity which makes data communication or data collection very hard; or (2) redundancy of coverage which wastes energy of sensors and causes redundant data in the network. Thus, in this paper, we propose using a mobile robot to assist the sensor deployment and data collection for unmanned explorations or monitoring. We assume that the robot can carry and deploy the sensor devices, and also have certain communication capacity to collect the data from the sensor devices. Given a set of interest points in an area, we study the following interesting problems: (1) how to decide minimum number of sensor devices to cover all the interest points; (2) how to schedule the robot to place these sensor devices in certain position so that the path of the robot is minimum; and (3) after the deployment of sensors, how to schedule the robot to visit and communicate with these sensor devices to collect data so that the path of the robot is minimum. We propose a complete set of heuristics for all these problems and verify the performances via simulation.