cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A mechanistic model on feeding-directional cutting force in surface grinding of CFRP composites using rotary ultrasonic machining with horizontal ultrasonic vibration

Abstract In surface grinding of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites, cutting force is a key factor that controls surface damage, tool wear, cutting temperature, delamination, etc. Surface grinding of CFRP composites using rotary ultrasonic machining (RUM) with vertical ultrasonic vibration has been proven to be an effective method to reduce cutting force. However, the machined surface quality is lowered due to the knocking effects on the machined surface resulted from up-and-down vertical vibration. It has been proven that to decrease cutting force and simultaneously improve surface quality, ultrasonic vibration aligning with surface generation direction (feeding direction) is needed. However, there are limited investigations on RUM surface grinding of CFRP composites with horizontal ultrasonic vibration, and the mechanistic model on cutting force in such a process is not explored. This paper, for the first time, establishes a mechanistic model on feeding-directional cutting force in RUM surface grinding of CFRP composites with horizontal ultrasonic vibration. This modeling development is based on the assumption of brittle fracture material removal mechanism, which is the dominant removal mechanism in such a process. The predicted trends in this model agree well with those in experimentally measured results. This modeling will provide a guidance for the mechanistic modeling development to predict other output variables through the cutting force in RUM surface grinding of CFRP composites.
Audio-visual TED corpus: enhancing the TED-LIUM corpus with facial information, contextual text and object recognition

We present a variety of new visual features in extension to the TED-LIUM corpus. We re-aligned the original TED talk audio transcriptions with official TED.com videos. By utilizing state-of-the-art models for face and facial landmarks detection, optical character recognition, object detection and classification, we extract four new visual features that can be used for Large-Vocabulary Continuous Speech Recognition (LVCSR) systems, including facial images, landmarks, text, and objects in the scenes. The facial images and landmarks can be used in combination with audio for audio-visual acoustic modeling where the visual modality provides robust features in adverse acoustic environments. The contextual information, i.e. extracted text and detected objects in the scene can be used as prior knowledge to create contextual language models. Experimental results showed the efficacy of using visual features on top of acoustic features for speech recognition in overlapping speech scenarios.
Abiola Irele and the publicness of African letters

In his book, Little Magazine, World Form, Eric Bulson restates a widely held view about a change in editorial vision for the famous literary magazine, Black Orpheus, once, Ulli Beier, the founder o...
Active cooling temperature required to achieve therapeutic hypothermia correlates with short-term outcome in neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.

KEY POINTS Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) affects 2-4/1000 live term births. Treatment with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) improves the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of neonates with moderate to severe HIE. However, early prediction of outcome still remains challenging, and no reliable and easily obtainable biomarker has been identified to date. Neonates with HIE display impaired thermoregulation, resulting in spontaneous hypothermia. The degree of cooling required to achieve TH may therefore act as a biomarker of injury severity. The present study demonstrates a correlation between servo-controlled mattress temperature during TH and short-term outcome. Neonates with an unfavourable outcome require less cooling to maintain a core temperature between 33 and 34°C during TH compared to neonates with a favourable outcome. The degree of impaired temperature regulation was strongly associated with a high magnetic resonance imaging injury score and death. Cooling device output temperature is a potential and easily obtainable early physiological biomarker of outcome in infants with HIE undergoing TH. ABSTRACT Neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a leading cause of death and disability in children. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) at 33.5°C for 72 h is the only therapy to date shown to improve outcome in moderate to severe HIE; however, assessment of severity and prediction of outcome remains challenging. Infants with HIE display significant physiological perturbations, including spontaneous hypothermia. We hypothesized that neonates with more severe brain injury on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would exhibit a greater degree of spontaneous hypothermia, and thus require less active cooling to attain TH. Twenty-eight neonates with moderate or severe HIE treated with TH were included in the present study. MRI images obtained on day of life 4-7 were scored according to standardized injury criteria. Unfavourable outcome was defined as death or significant grey matter injury on MRI according to a previously validated scoring system. A significantly higher cooling device output temperature was seen in infants with an unfavourable outcome. All neonates who required the mattress to provide a temperature ≥32°C to maintain their core body temperature at 33.5°C had a high likelihood of unfavourable outcome (likelihood ratio = 14.4). By contrast, infants who never required a device output temperature ≥32°C had a low likelihood of an unfavourable outcome (likelihood ratio = 0.07, P < 0.001). Infants with significant grey matter injury on MRI require less active cooling to maintain target temperature during TH. The cooling device output temperature has the potential to be an easily accessible physiological biomarker and predictor of injury and mortality in neonates with moderate or severe HIE.
Esophagogastric Junction Morphology on Hill's Classification Predicts Gastroesophageal Reflux with Good Accuracy and Consistency.

Hill’s classification provides a reproducible endoscopic grading system for esophagogastric junction morphology and competence, specifically whether the gastroesophageal flap valve (GEFV) is normal (grade I/II) or abnormal (grades III/IV). However, it is not routinely used in clinical practice. We report a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine association between abnormal GEFV and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE and Scopus databases was conducted to identify studies that reported the association between abnormal GEFV and GERD. The search and quality assessment were performed independently by two authors. Fixed- and random-effects meta-analyses were conducted using symptomatic GERD and erosive esophagitis as outcomes. A total of 11 studies met inclusion criteria that included a total of 5054 patients. In the general population, patients with abnormal GEFV had greater risk of symptomatic GERD compared to patients with a normal GEFV (risk ratio [RR] 1.88, 95% CI 1.57–2.24). Further, in patients with symptomatic GERD, patients with abnormal GEFV had greater risk of erosive esophagitis compared to patients with normal GEFV (RR 2.17, 95% CI 1.40–3.36). Finally, the specificity of abnormal GEFV for symptomatic GERD was 73.3% (95% CI 69.3–77.0%) and 75.7% (95% CI 65.9–83.4%) for erosive esophagitis in symptomatic GERD. Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed consistent association between abnormal GEFV indicated by Hill’s classification III/IV and symptomatic GERD and erosive esophagitis. Our recommendation is to include Hill’s classification in routine endoscopy reports and workup for GERD.
1749-P: The TNFa Inhibitor Infliximab Decreases Inflammation in High-Fat Fed Mice but Does Not Alleviate Insulin Resistance

The insulin resistance of diet-induced obesity (DIO) is accompanied by inflammation. Previous studies suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of infliximab, an anti-TNFα chimeric monoclonal antibody, decreases DIO-associated inflammation in mice fed a 60% fat diet. The effectiveness of infliximab at 10 mg/kg Infliximab (IF10) and 100 mg/kg infliximab (IF100) in C57Bl/6J DIO mice was studied in comparison to C57Bl/6J DIO mice administered chimeric IgG (IgG; 10 mg/kg). Treatment consisted of IP injections of infliximab or IgG once per week for 4 weeks. Body weight and fasting arterial glucose was not different in IF10, IF100, and IgG. IF10 and IF100 mice had a decreased presence of crown-like structures in white adipose tissue compared to IgG treated mice. Infliximab resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in macrophage F4/80 staining in white adipose tissue (4.3±0.7% and 1.8±0.2% in IF10 and IF100, respectively) compared to 8.1±1.6% in IgG, validating the anti-inflammatory effect. Insulin action was measured in mice with arterial and venous catheters using the hyperinsulinemic, euglycemic clamp method (insulin dose of 4 mU/kg/min) combined with [3-3H]glucose in conscious, unstressed mice. Glucose infusion rates (GIR) in IgG mice were higher (25±3 mg/kg/min) as compared to IF10 (17±2 mg/kg/min) and IF100 (19±2 mg/kg/min). The greater GIR in IgG as compared to IF10 was due to changes in hepatic endogenous glucose production (suppression of 12±3 mg/kg/min and 5±1 mg/kg/min, respectively) without a difference in glucose utilization. IF100 exhibited small reductions in both hepatic and peripheral insulin action, neither of which reached significance. Mice treated with saline alone were used as an additional control, but neither IF10 nor IF100 had significant effects on insulin action compared to saline controls. In summary, despite profound anti-inflammatory effects of the anti-TNFα drug, Infliximab causes a paradoxically greater hepatic insulin resistance. Disclosure D.A. Roby: None. C. Guan: None. F. James: None. D. Bracy: None. L. Lantier: None. D. Wasserman: None.
News Credibility: Adapting and Testing a Source Evaluation Assessment in Journalism

This paper discusses the development of a source evaluation assessment, and presents the results of using this instrument in a one-semester information literacy course for journalism students. The assessment was developed using the threshold concept perspective, the “authority is constructed and contextual” frame, and an established source evaluation rubric. As formative assessment, the instrument showed that students’ source evaluations lacked evidence and included ritualized language. As summative assessment, it showed that students used a greater range of indicators of authority than they used initially, and used evidence more frequently. The assessment can measure students’ source evaluations across the disciplines.
Honouring Rob Gray’s CSEAR Legacy

Like so many in our CSEAR community, I continue to struggle with the loss of our CSEAR founder, Dr Rob Gray. He was an inspiration, a mentor, and a good friend. In this personal essay, I use quotes...
Historical Considerations and Surgical Quality Improvement in Robotic Prostatectomy

Laparoscopic prostatectomy was technically challenging and not widely adopted. Robotics led to the widespread adoption of minimally invasive prostatectomy, which has been used heavily, supplanting the open and traditional laparoscopic approach. The benefits of robotic prostatectomy are disputed. Data suggest that robotic prostatectomy outcomes have improved over time.
Neuro-Positionality in User-Centered Design:: The Case of Student Disability Services

This study examines the principles of universal design and neurodiversity theory as they interact during the onboarding processes of Student Disability Services departments. Finding fundamental conflicts between these two schools of thought, particularly in terms of self-identification and disability negotiation, I advance a novel framework of neuro-positionality in user-centered design.
Cerebral Cavernous Malformations: Viewpoint—Surgery

Cerebral cavernous malformations are one of the more common subtypes of vascular malformations and represent an important cause of hemorrhagic stroke, particularly in young adults and children. Understanding the etiology, confirming the diagnosis, and initiating appropriate treatment are essential, as this form of stroke accounts for a 2–3-fold greater risk of death or dependency as compared with stroke from ischemic origins. This updated review details the epidemiology, clinical presentation, natural history, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options, focused mainly on when and how to intervene, as this is typically considered a surgical disease. The outcomes data from the most up-to-date clinical series are described, which confirm overall excellent clinical results with microsurgical resection with a low complication rate. This chapter also concisely details the current knowledge regarding the molecular pathogenesis, genetic basis, and how the aberrant molecular signaling pathways interact to express the clinical phenotype. It further outlines clinical algorithms and special techniques that can be employed in the even rarer instances when these vascular lesions are located in the deepest parts of the brain parenchyma. For the neurologist, neurosurgeon, or basic scientist, this chapter offers an introduction into the relevant issues for patients with this disease and provides an extensive reference list for further reading.
Global Ethics: An Integrative Framework For MNEs

Global ethics has recently emerged as a popular concept among researchers in the field of international management and is of immediate concern among managers of multinational enterprizes (MNEs). This paper presents an integrative framework covering a range of factors and issues relevant to multinationals with respect to ethical decision making. The paper provides an overview of the existing literature on the topic, and framework is aimed at providing the managers of multinationals with a basis for relating and synthesizing the perspectives and prescriptions that are available for incorporating ethics into the strategic decision-making process.
Properties of the cyanobacterial coupling factor ATPase from Spirulina platensis: II. Activity of the purified and membrane-bound enzymes

Abstract Cyanobacterial ( Spirulina platensis ) photosynthetic membranes and isolated F 1 ATPase were characterized with respect to ATP activity. The following results indicate that the regulation of expression of ATPase activity in Spirulina platensis is similar to that found in chloroplasts: (a) the ATPase activity of Spirulina membranes and isolated F 1 ATPase is mostly latent, a characteristic of chloroplast ATPase activity; (b) treatments that elicit ATPase activity in higher plant chloroplast thylakoids and isolated chloroplast coupling factor (CF 1 ) greatly stimulate the activity of Spirulina membranes and F 1 , and (c) the cation specificity of chloroplast ATPase activity, e.g., light-induced membrane activity that is magnesium dependent and trypsin-activated CF 1 activity that is calcium dependent, is also observed in Spirulina . Thus, an 8- to 15-fold increase in specific activity (to 13–15 μmol P i min −1 mg chl −1 ) is obtained when Spirulina membranes are treated with trypsin (CaATPase) or with methanol (MgATPase); a light induced, dithiothreitol-dependent MgATPase activity is also found in the membranes. Purified Spirulina F 1 is a CaATPase when activated with trypsin (endogenous activity increases from 4 to 27–37 μmol P i min −1 mg protein −1 ) or with dithiothreitol (5.6 μmol P i min −1 mg −1 ), but a MgATPase when assayed with methanol (18–20 μmol P i min −1 mg −1 ). The effects of varying calcium and ATP concentrations on the kinetics of trypsin-induced CaATPase activity of Spirulina F 1 were examined. When the calcium concentration is varied at constant ATP concentration, the velocity plot shows a marked sigmoidicity. By varying Ca-ATP metal-nucleotide complex concentration at constant concentrations of free calcium or ATP, it is shown that the sigmoidicity is due to the effect of free ATP, which changes the Hill constant to 1.6 from 1.0 observed when the free calcium concentration is kept constant at 5 m m . Therefore not only is ATP an inhibitor but it is also an allosteric effector of Spirulina F 1 ATPase activity. At 5 m m free calcium, the K m for the Ca-ATP metal-nucleotide complex is 0.42 m m .
Quality in medical translations: a review.

Despite a growing number of U.S. citizens who do not speak English fluently, little literature attends to issues of accurate translation of medical documents. We conducted a systematic review of the World Wide Web and electronic library resources to identify sources on translating clinical and medical research documents. We identified and care - fully examined 44 relevant articles. Each article was coded with 5 to 10 key words that were used as a guide when we searched the articles for issues salient to assuring quality in medical translations. We divided these into two major categories, mechanics/practicalities of translating medical documents and extrinsic factors influencing medical translations. The results of this review confirm that medical translation is a complex process involving far more than mechanically converting one language to another. Attention to translation procedures can improve the quality of care for limited English proficient patients.
VISUAL SEARCH BEHAVIOR WHILE VIEWING DRIVING SCENES UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND MARIHUANA

Two experiments were performed to determine the effects of alcohol and marihuana on visual scanning patterns in a simulated driving situation. In the first experiment 27 male heavy drinkers were divided into three groups of nine, defined by three blood alcohol levels produced by alcohol treatment: 0.0%, 0.075%, and 0.15% BAC's. Significant changes in visual search behavior including increased dwell duration, decreased dwell frequency, and increased pursuit duration and frequency were found under alcohol. In the second experiment, 10 male social users of marihuana were tested under both 0 mcg and 200 mcg tetrahydrocannabinol per kilogram bodyweight. Marihuana was found to have no effect on visual search behavior. The results are related to previous studies of alcohol and marihuana effects on information processing.
Bactericidal and Anticorrosion Properties in PVK/MWNT Nanocomposite Coatings on Stainless Steel

A PVK/MWNT nanocomposite coating on stainless steel is developed and tested for antimicrobial and anticorrosion properties. The coating is prepared via electrochemical deposition onto SS surfaces and is monitored using cyclic voltammetry. High-resolution XPS measurements of the C 1s and N 1s regions are used to estimate the film composition. AFM shows a homogeneous thin film of several mm thickness with well-defined globular domains. The bactericidal functionality of the electrodeposited film is demonstrated by its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, even with low MWNT loading (� 6%). The excellent anticorrosion property of the coating is demonstrated after 7d of exposure to NaCl (0.5 M) solution.
The generalization function is determined by one subject's probability learning data

Abstract In his recent review of probability learning, Estes (1972, p. 96) notes that “the chief limitation on effective application” of the models for learning with a continuum of responses to have emerged from the linear and pattern learning models is the failure to specify the smearing or generalization function. He notes that “a useful technique has been developed by Levine for estimating this function from individual data.” This paper describes, gives the rationale, and proves the validity of the previously unpublished technique.
Erythroid Differentiation of Fetal, Newborn and Adult Haemopoietic Stem Cells

Erythroid regeneration was studied in lethally irradiated mice given transplants containing equivalent numbers of haemopoietic stem cells (i.e. CFU) from fetal liver, neonatal marrow or adult marrow. Adult marrow was taken from normal control mice, whose CFU for the most part were not in active cell cycle, as well as from phenylhydrazine-treated groups whose CFU were in similar state of proliferation (i.e. approximately 40-50% in DNA SYNTHESIS) AS THOSE DERIVED FROM FETAL LIVER AND NEONATAL MARROW. Splenic and femoral radioiron (59Fe) incorporation were measured at intervals after transplantation and were found to begin earliest in mice given fetal liver, then in animals given neonatal marrow and latest in recipients of adult marrow. Peripheral reticulocytes showed a similar pattern of recovery. The data reported herein suggest that the differences in erythroid regeneration evoked by transplants of fetal liver, neonatal marrow or adult marrow, are not solely attributed to the degree of proliferation in the pluripotential stem cell compartment. These data may, however, suggest a shorter doubling time for cells comprising the fetal and newborn committed erythroid compartments.
Combustion characteristics of crystalline oxidizers.

Abstract : Various modifications to the monopropellant solid oxidizer ammonium perchlorate are described. Cation replacement, or 'doping' of AP by Sr(++) ion and deuteration to provide ND4ClO4 did not alter the burning rate from that of pure NH4ClO4 at 14.7 psia. Hydrated aluminum sulfate shows an ability to extinguish AP combustion at the 5% level, whereas 2% does not even alter the burning rate at atmospheric pressure. The theoretical adiabatic combustion species for AP and dihydroxy glyoxime (DHG) at 1, 34 and 68 atmospheres are given. DHG produces fuel rich rather than oxygen rich monopropellant combustion species.
SYNOROGENIC EXTENSION AND EXHUMATION OF THE TAIWAN HINTERLAND

Structural data from two transects across the active Taiwan arc-continent collision indicate that normal faulting is an important mechanism in the exhumation of the hinterland. The normal faulting extends to at least the brittle-ductile transition, records extension at a high angle to the topographic grain of the orogenic belt, and is responsible for the regional-scale rotation of ductile fabrics. These results are supported by a recent GPS survey of southern Taiwan that reveals extension in the hinterland contemporaneous with shortening in the foreland and collided arc.
Lucibufagins, IV. New defensive steroids and a pterin from the firefly, Photinus pyralis (coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Two new defensive steroids (lucibufagins6 and7) and a fluorescent pterin (8) have been isolated and characterized from the fireflyPhotinus pyralis.
Channel compression in subcarrier-multiplexed lightwave systems

In frequency-division subcarrier-multipiexed (SCM) systems using intensity modulation, although the channel-carrying capacity is large, it is fundamentally limited by the fact that if the product of the number of channels and the modulation-current depth per channel exceeds the laser threshold current, the input current will occasionally drop below the threshold current, turning the laser off.1 Since the power of each subcarrier channel is proportional to the modulation depth, in an effort to maximize the number of channels transmitted by a single laser, some amount of clipping distortion is usually tolerated.
More on Shortest Confidence Intervals

Abstract Confidence intervals for a single unknown parameter are often derived by using a pivotal quantity. We present an elementary method for deriving the shortest such interval. The method yields intervals in several cases which have previously required separate analyses using more advanced techniques. In addition, it is suitable for introduction in a senior undergraduate level course in mathematical statistics.
Visual and tactile guidance of dexterous manipulation tasks: an fMRI study.

Models of motor guidance that dynamically adjust to the availability and quality of sensory information are based on the observation that dexterous tasks are routinely performed using various combi...
Ordering in the quenched two-dimensional axial next-nearest-neighbor Ising model

Monte Carlo simulations of ordering in the two-dimensional axial next-nearest-neighbor Ising model following a quench were performed using nonconserved dynamics for a wide range of frustration parameters, kappa, and temperatures. It was found that in quenches from T>>T/sub c/ to T phase (i.e., striped phase). Quenches to higher temperatures show the presence of a finite glass-transition temperature. Discontinuous changes in the value of the frustration parameter from the ferromagnetic to the -phase region of the phase diagram at low temperature yields a phase change which occurs via classical nucleation and growth. A simple energetic or growth model is proposed which accounts for all of the temperatures at which the ordering kinetics undergoes transitions
A laboratory investigation of Paulinia acuminata (DeGeer) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) as a biological control agent for Salvinia molesta

The feeding rate of nymphs of Paulinia acuminata (Deg.) on Salvinia molesta was studied in the laboratory using single nymphs on different numbers of Salvinia leaves. Each successive instar ate more plant tissue, but at population densities likely to occur in nature it was unlikely that consumption rate could match the natural Salvinia growth rate. The controlling effect of Paulinia on Salvinia in Lake Kariba, Rhodesia, may therefore be negligible.
The effect of chest wall restriction on exercise capacity.

Objective: Subjects with restrictive pulmonary disease exhibit a decreased exercise capacity compared to non-diseased subjects, as do subjects in certain workplace situations, for example when wearing bullet-proof vests. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of varying degrees of chest wall restrictive loading on exercise performance. We have designed and validated a chest wall restrictor that mimics the elastic loading occurring in some disease states and some occupational situations. Methodology: In this study, 18 subjects performed five graded maximal cycling tests while wearing the device at four different inflation pressures (0, 20, 40, and 60 mmHg). Results: Maximal values of oxygen uptake (VO2max), minute ventilation (VImax), tidal volume (VT at max) and breathing frequency (fB at max) were monitored, as was the time to maximal exercise (TTM). VO2, VI, VT, and fB were also measured at three submaximal loads. The results showed that VO2max, VImax, TTM, and VT at max were significantly decreased, while fB at max was maintained. At submaximal loads, the ventilatory parameters VT, and fB were altered with load, but VI and VO2 were not affected by load. Conclusions: These results indicate that the wearing of this device decreases variables associated with maximal exercise, and that the decreases are related to the degree of chest wall restriction. Furthermore, submaximal exercise ventilation was minimally altered, with an increase in fB and a decrease in VT associated with increasing restrictive loads. Submaximal oxygen uptake was not affected by breathing restriction.
A Solar Minimum Irradiance Spectrum for Wavelengths below 1200 Å

NRLEUV represents an independent approach to modeling the Sun's EUV irradiance and its variability. Our model utilizes differential emission measure distributions derived from spatially and spectrally resolved solar observations, full-disk solar images, and a database of atomic physics parameters to calculate the solar EUV irradiance. In this paper we present a new solar minimum irradiance spectrum for wavelengths below 1200 A. This spectrum is based on extensive observations of the quiet Sun taken with the CDS and SUMER spectrometers on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the most recent version of the CHIANTI atomic physics database. In general, we find excellent agreement between this new irradiance spectrum and our previous quiet-Sun reference spectrum derived primarily from Harvard Skylab observations. Our analysis does show that the quiet-Sun emission measure above about 1 MK declines more rapidly than in our earlier emission measure distribution and that the intensities of the EUV free-bound continua at some wavelengths are somewhat smaller than indicated by the Harvard observations. Our new reference spectrum is also generally consistent with recent irradiance observations taken near solar minimum. There are, however, two areas of persistent disagreement. Our solar spectrum indicates that the irradiance measurements overestimate the contribution of the EUV free-bound continua at some wavelengths by as much as a factor of 10. Our model also cannot reproduce the observed irradiances at wavelengths below about 150 A. Comparisons with spectrally resolved solar and stellar observations indicate that only a small fraction of the emission lines in the 60-120 A wavelength range are accounted for in CHIANTI.
Optical properties and aging of gasochromic WO3

Abstract The limits of WO 3 as an optical gas sensor were derived by establishing the change in optical constants induced by 2% H 2 in Ar. Using Langmuir's adsorption equation, it was found that at low H 2 concentrations a high sensitivity is predicted, but the coloration could saturate at 57.9% of the material's maximum ion adsorption. The air poisoning problem observed in these devices was shown to be remedied by coating with a permeable polydimethylsiloxane layer, thus eliminating common atmospheric gases as the possible poisoning agents.
Moving multi-agent systems from research to practice

The state of the art in multi-agent research and engineering is insufficiently reflected in the state of the practice in complex distributed systems because the community has yet to demonstrate the significant benefits of using agent-oriented approaches to solve complex problems. The practitioner's view that multi-agent approaches are not technically superior to traditional approaches is understandable; for every successful multi-agent system, it is possible to envision a non-agent approach that is equally suited for the task. Agent-oriented software engineering lies directly at the heart of this problem. In order to be accepted, the agent community needs to demonstrate that they can build reliable complex, distributed systems using agent-oriented approaches that are repeatable and sound. This paper identifies three obstacles that hamper progress towards such a demonstration: the lack of a common understanding of key multi-agent concepts, the lack of a common set of notations and models, and the lack of flexible, industrial strength methods and techniques for developing multi-agent systems.
WE-E-134-08: Characterization of Carotid Plaque with Histology and Quantitative Ultrasound

Purpose: To compare and correlate localization and registration of calcified, fibrous and lipid regions within heterogeneous plaque using histology and ultrasound quantitative imaging, and to better characterize carotid plaque. Methods: Atherosclerotic plaque excised after carotid endarterectomy, was imaged ex vivo using a VisualSonics Vevo 770 ultrasound system. Attenuation coefficient images were obtained from the three‐dimensional radiofrequency data collected and rendered into a 3D volume. Fixed plaque tissue was then longitudinally sectioned in increments of 5 um, and sections separated by 100 um were acquired. The thickness of each section of the sample was 5 um. Histopathology images were digitized using a PathScan Enabler IV. The two‐dimensional histology information obtained were registered using Matlab and reconstructed into a 3D volume. Different regions such as the lumen, calcified, fibrous and lipid region were segmented by a pathologist and digitally color‐coded into the 3D histology data. We then compared similar tissue types from the 3D histology volume to the estimated 3D attenuation coefficient using quantitative ultrasound methods. Results: Our results indicate that calcified, fibrous and lipid regions in the two volumes showed a good correlation. Calcified regions delineated on the histology volume correspond to the high attenuation coefficient region (2.48 dB/cm/MHz) in the 3D attenuation coefficient volume, while lipid regions tend to have lower attenuation coefficient values (1.47 dB/cm/MHz). Fibrous regions in histology, correlate to the lowest attenuation coefficient value (0.86 dB/cm/MHz). Conclusion: Most plaques are heterogeneous and difficult to characterize precisely. This work demonstrates a direct correlation between pathology and ultrasound quantitative imaging characterization of plaque. It provides a promising way for direct localization of plaque regions and structures, and for improved determination of plaque composition. This work was supported in part by NIH grants R21 EB010098‐02, R01 NS064034‐04, and 2R01 CA112192‐06.
The adsorption of nitrogen on W(100)

Abstract The adsorption of nitrogen on W(100) has been studied by means of flash-desorption, mass-spectroscopy and LEED measurements. Adsorption of nitrogen at room temperature on to a clean W(100) surface produces a single binding state, corresponding to the formation of a C(2 × 2) array of nitrogen atoms; the saturation coverage is θ = 0.5 monolayer of atoms. After room temperature adsorption, the dimensions of the new diffraction features indicate a considerable disorder in the adsorbate structure. Markedly different behavior is found for different ranges of coverage. In the range θ = 0 to 0.2, nitrogen is adsorbed with sticking probability of 0.32 to form islands elongated in the surface 〈11〉 directions. Because of the substrate symmetry there are two orthogonal island orientations, and for each orientation there are two anti-phase placements. At these low coverages, θ 0.2 the sticking probability falls as interference between islands deactivates the hitherto active sites at island ends. In the range θ = 0.3 to 0.4, annealing the crystal to 900°K after room temperature adsorption results in a poorly ordered superstructure consisting of an array of out-of-phase islands. In the range θ = 0.4 to 0.5, annealing to 900°K causes inter-island coalescence, giving large domains of perfect C(2 × 2) structure. The nature of the adsorbate-substrate binding is briefly considered.
Ethanol and nitrous oxide produce withdrawal-induced convulsions by similar mechanisms in mice.

Twenty generations of selective breeding were used to produce lines (strains) of mice which differ markedly from one another in ethanol physical dependence development as indexed by handling-induced convulsions (HIC) induced by withdrawal from ethanol. These withdrawal seizure prone (WSP) and withdrawal seizure resistant (WSR) selection lines now differ by over 10-fold in HIC scores after equivalent exposure to intoxicating levels of ethanol via inhalation. Since handling-induced convulsions can be readily elicited following withdrawal from nitrous oxide, the authors sought to determine if the very large differences in ethanol withdrawal-induced HIC bred into these selection lines would generalize to nitrous oxide. Following a 60 min exposure to 75% nitrous oxide (in O/sub 2/), a greater than 10-fold difference in HIC scores, and a 2-fold difference in tremor incidence was seen upon withdrawal in WSP vs. WSR mice. These finding closely parallel those seen with ethanol, and demonstrate that a large degree of commonality exists in the genes and the mechanisms determining these withdrawal signs. HIC elicited by nitrous oxide withdrawal were readily suppressed by ethanol, and HIC elicited by ethanol withdrawal were promptly suppressed by 75% nitrous oxide in WSP mice. Nitrous oxide also suppressed HIC and tremor associated withmore » nitrous oxide withdrawal. 19 references, 1 figure, 4 tables.« less
Procedure-related abdominal discomfort in patients undergoing colorectal cancer screening: a comparison of colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Abstract OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine if there was a difference in procedure-related abdominal discomfort or willingness to return for subsequent screening examinations between patients undergoing colonoscopy and those undergoing flexible sigmoidoscopy. METHODS: Two groups were compared: patients referred for screening flexible sigmoidoscopy and patients referred for screening colonoscopy. All patients were asymptomatic for colorectal cancer. Four university-based gastroenterologists performed all procedures. Patients received conscious sedation for colonoscopy but not for flexible sigmoidoscopy. A research nurse blinded to the procedure performed and the study purpose administered a standardized telephone questionnaire assessing and quantifying peri-procedural discomfort. RESULTS: A cohort of 466 patients underwent screening examinations, and 87% were contacted subsequent to their examination. Procedure-related discomfort, postprocedural discomfort, or discomfort at either of these two times (“peri-procedural discomfort”) occurred in 28% (68/243), 14% (34/243), and 36% (88/243) of patients undergoing colonoscopy, respectively. Procedure-related discomfort, postprocedural discomfort, or discomfort at either of these two times occurred in 58% (94/162), 16% (26/162), and 62% (100/162) of patients undergoing flexible sigmoidoscopy, respectively. Peri-procedural discomfort was significantly more common in patients undergoing flexible sigmoidoscopy than with colonoscopy (p CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing screening colonoscopy with conscious sedation are less likely to experience peri-procedural discomfort than those undergoing screening flexible sigmoidoscopy. Although most patients are willing to undergo subsequent screening examinations, patients undergoing screening colonoscopy are significantly more willing to undergo a subsequent examination than those undergoing screening flexible sigmoidoscopy.
Factorization in finitely generated domains

Abstract Let D be a Noetherian domain. Then it is well known that D is atomic, i.e. every non-zero non-unit a ∈ D possesses a factorization a=u 1 ·…·u n into irreducible elements u i of D . The integer n in this equation is called the length of the factorization. In general, elements of Noetherian domains have many (essentially) different factorizations. In this article we study the non-uniqueness of factorizations in domains which are finitely generated Z -algebras. We investigate several arithmetical invariants (such as the catenary degree, tame degrees and sets of lengths) which are well studied in the one-dimensional case. We prove that these invariants behave similar in the higher-dimensional case if certain (natural) finiteness conditions are fulfilled. As a by product of our investigations it turns out that there exists a “transfer” homomorphism β from our domain D to a certain block monoid B of some finite semigroup C . We are able to show that the finiteness of all arithmetical invariants we study carries over from B to D . Moreover, the system of sets of lengths of D coincides with that of B .
Monotonicity Properties of the Moments of Truncated Gamma and Weibull Density Functions

Moments of truncated Weibull and gamma density functions exhibit monotonicity properties with respect to the parameters of these density functions under the assumption of a known truncation value. Using these properties, we then apply the melhod of moments criterion to get estimates of the parameter of the truncated exponential density function.
Fleet Sizing under Production Cycles and Uncertain Travel Times

This paper develops a model for sizing a fleet of containers used to ship parts from a single manufacturing plant to a group of assembly plants. Parts are produced in a deterministic production cycle, but container travel times are stochastic. Based on results for an infinite-channel service process, equations are developed relating fleet size to the probability of a container shortage. An example illustrates this fleet size-shortage probability trade-off and shows the impact of uncertainty level and the number of plants on fleet size.
Stability of values during medical school

Background: Medical students’ values represent an understudied area of research in medical education research. No known studies have investigated how medical students’ values change over time from matriculation to graduation.Aim: Values are thought to remain relatively stable over the life course. However, little research supports this claim. Therefore, we examined the extent to which values change or remain the same during medical school.Method: Forty-six first-year medical students completed the Physician Values in Practice Scale (PVIPS) during their first and fourth years of medical school. The PVIPS contains 38 statements of values about medical practice and comprises six scales: Prestige, Service, Autonomy, Lifestyle, Management, and Scholarly Pursuits.Results: Matched pair t-tests (p < 0.05) indicated significant differences between students’ PVIPS scores pretest (first year of medical school) and posttest (fourth year of medical school) for 2 of the 6 values (Autonomy: t(45) = −4.12, p < 0.001 and ...
A Microstructure Study on an AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Tube after Hot Metal Gas Forming Process

An AZ31 magnesium alloy tube has been deformed by the hot metal gas forming (HMGF) technique. Microstructures before and after deformation have been investigated by using Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) and Electron Microscopy. Due to the inhomogeneous distribution by induction heating, there is a temperature gradient distribution along the tube axis. Accordingly, the deformation mechanism is also different. In the middle area of deformation zone where the temperature is ∼410 °C, almost no twinning has been found, whereas at the edge areas of deformation zone where the temperature is ∼200 °C, a high density of twins has been found. EBSD experiments show a weak (0001) fiber texture along the radial direction of the tube before and after deformation in the high-temperature zone. EBSD experiments on the low temperature deformation region were not successful due to the high stored energy. Schmid factor analysis on the EBSD data shows that, despite the (0001) fiber texture, there are still many grains favoring basal slip along both the axis direction and hoop direction.
Intervehicle Spacings and Queue Characteristics

The lengths of queues of stopped vehicles are important in the design of storage bays for left- and right-turning traffic, for timing signal phases to clear queues, for simulation of traffic operations, and for other purposes. Queue lengths depend on the numbers and types of vehicles stored, the lengths of vehicles, and the spacings allowed by drivers between vehicles. The lengths of both trucks and passenger vehicles have been changing over the past two decades. On the basis of recent observations of queue component lengths, guidance was developed for estimating queue lengths for the current vehicle fleet. It was found that the 7.6 m (25 ft) per vehicle, including an intervehicle gap that is often assumed for design, and 0.915 m (3 ft) between vehicles used by CORSIM, are severe under-estimations for determining queue lengths. From observations measured at a variety of sites, intervehicle spacings were found to average 3.66 m (12 ft) and were not found to differ significantly at different sites. Models w...
Development of slip bands in a nickel-based metallic glass

The initiation and development of slip bands were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by bending resistance tests. The results of the SEM analysis and the bending resistance tests indicate that the generation of slip bands and their subsequent development are responsible for an erratic increase in resistance due to plastic deformation. A physical argument is presented that this increased resistance is the result of restricted electron motion due to the deformation processes. To facilitate slip band development, a generation of free volume is believed to occur at the base of a slip band. Finally, it is considered that slip nucleates due to a decreased shear resistance resulting from a disordered structure at the base of a slip band.
Shoulder-arm pain from cervical bands and scalene muscle anomalies

Fourteen patients were identified with (1) pain and sensory changes in a brachial plexus distribution, (2) aggravation of pain with use of the affected extremity, and (3) pain on palpation over the brachial plexus. All patients had minimal or no intrinsic hand muscle atrophy. Only one patient had cervical ribs. Nerve conduction studies were normal, and electromyography (EMG) showed mild chronic neuropathic changes in 2 patients. None of the patients responded to conservative therapy over a prolonged period (7-12 months). A compressive brachial plexopathy from abnormally attached or enlarged scalene muscles that affected both upper and lower trunks of the brachial plexus was found at surgery in all patients. In 13 patients, at least one fibrous band compressed the lower trunk of the brachial plexus. Therefore, neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome can occur from cervical bands and scalene muscle anomalies without intrinsic hand muscle atrophy, cervical ribs, enlarged C7 transverse processes, or EMG abnormalities.
Analyzing grid independency and numerical viscosity of computational fluid dynamics for indoor environment applications

Abstract Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been introduced to indoor environment study for decades. Analysis of CFD results will first require the reach of a grid-independent CFD solution to eliminate the false information induced by numerical causes, e.g., grid and numerical scheme. Judging a grid-independent solution has been mostly experience-based, leading the necessity of developing an objective and easy-to-use criterion for grid independency evaluation. This paper presents a new approach to assessing the grid independency of CFD modeling for indoor environment applications. A normalized root mean square error (RMSE) index is developed from the grid convergence index (GCI) concept in literature to evaluate the overall differences of predicted results with varying grid resolutions. The paper further introduces the use of numerical viscosity analysis method to verify the grid-independent solution of a CFD analysis, which also provides fundamental insight into the grid-induced error in numerical solutions. Although initially developed for indoor environment applications, the proposed RMSE index along with the numerical viscosity analysis method can be applied to most general CFD studies and has great potential of being incorporated into commercial CFD software to provide user a more accurate and objective alternative of checking grid independency of CFD simulation.
Puncture resistance of pre-strained geotextiles and its relation to uniaxial tensile strain at failure

Abstract The principal focus of this study is the puncture resistance of geotextiles under uniform radial pre-strain. A test frame which can apply preset radial strain and measure puncture resistance of geotextiles has been developed. A number of commercially available woven and nonwoven geotextile materials have been evaluated for puncture resistance while held under a preset radial strain. The test results show lower failure strain in puncture if the test sample is pre-strained. The failure strain measured in wide width tensile tests are much higher than calculated strains in puncture.
Heat Semigroup Bounds on BV(Ω) and Related Estimates

Let \(\overline{\Omega}\) be a compact Riemannian manifold with nonempty boundary. We note that if \(f\in C^\infty(\overline{\Omega})\) does not vanish identically on the boundary, then the heat semigroup \(e^{t\Delta_D}\) (with the Dirichlet boundary condition) acting on f produces a family bounded in \(H^{1,p}(\overline{\Omega})\) if and only if p = 1. This observation motivates the main result of this paper, which is that the heat semigroup is uniformly bounded on BV(Ω), the space of functions on Ω with bounded variation.