cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust sequence alignment for actor-object interaction recognition: Discovering actor-object states

In this paper, we address the problem of recognizing atomic human-object interactions from videos. Our method is based on the observation that, at the moment of physical contact with the object, both the motion and appearance (i.e., shape) of the interacting person are constrained by the target object. We introduce the concept of actor-object states as the instantaneous configuration of actor and object that usually corresponds to the moment of physical contact. We argue that the information content in frames belonging to the actor-object states is descriptive of the specific interaction. We use the actor-object state concept to propose an approach in which human-object interactions are represented by a combination of image patches and velocity information extracted along tracked body-point trajectories. However, determining the set of video frames corresponding to actor-object states is challenging as, before and after physical contact, human motion and appearance may vary significantly for the same interaction type. We address this issue by means of a robust sequence-matching algorithm that discovers actor-object states by matching pairs of misaligned sequences of features. We then show how these discovered actor-object states can be used for the recognition of basic interactions with objects. Finally, we evaluate the proposed concept on classification tasks performed on a new dataset of atomic human-object interactions.
Electronic calibration for indocyanine dye-dilution curves.

Abstract In order to circumvent the possibility of bacterial contamination during the standard method of calibrating the cuvette-densitometer system for cardiac output determinations, an electronic calibration procedure was tested. Because a solution of indocyanine green remained stable for four hours and the voltage output of the cuvette-densitometer for standard concentrations of dye in blood was reproducible, this procedure was feasible. The protocol for establishing calibration factors is outlined.
Chattering suppression methods in sliding mode control systems

Abstract The implementation of sliding mode control is often irritated by high frequency oscillations known as “chattering” in system outputs issued by dynamics from actuators and sensors ignored in system modeling. This paper provides analysis of chattering in such systems with unmodeled based on the Lyapunov theory and the describing function method. It also describes various approaches to reduce chattering including methods based on relay control gain adaptation. And for those systems to which the methods are not applicable, chattering frequency control using hysteresis loop will be provided.
Using prize-based incentives to enhance daily interactive voice response (IVR) compliance: A feasibility study

Abstract This study examined the feasibility of a prize-based contingency-management (CM) approach to encourage interactive voice response (IVR) compliance in a cocaine-treatment study and explored the association between IVR call rate and outcome during a cocaine abstinence-induction trial. Subjects called into the IVR system daily to complete a brief interview assessing cocaine use for the past 24hours. One group earned $1 for each call; the other earned one draw per call from a "prize bowl" with a range of awards. Abstinence was rewarded according to a high-value voucher incentive schedule, which was the same for both groups, and confirmed by thrice-weekly urine testing at clinic visits. Odds of calling were 4.7 times greater (95% CI: 1.23, 17.91) in the prize-CM group than in the fixed dollar CM group. In addition, the percentage of IVR calls was significantly associated with abstinence achievement, χ 2 (1)=5.147, p
Sudden changes in spectrum of an echo cause a breakdown of the precedence effect.

The effect of changing the frequency components of an echo relative to the sound source was examined in a two-choice discrimination task. Subjects sat in an anechoic chamber and discriminated the direction of the lag noise burst within a lead-lag pair presented over loudspeakers. The leading noise burst was broadband, and the lagging burst was either high- or low-pass filtered. On some conditions, this test burst pair was preceded by a conditioning train of burst pairs, which also had a broadband lead and either a high- or low-frequency lag. When the frequency content of the echo was held constant across the conditioning train and test burst pair, echo suppression that was built up during the repeating train was maintained for the test burst pair, shown by the subjects’ poor performance in detecting the location of the lagging burst. By comparison, subjects had little difficulty in localizing the lagging burst when the frequency content of the echo changed between the conditioning train and the test burst, indicating that any buildup of suppression during the train was broken when the lagging burst’s spectrum shifted. The data are consistent with an interpretation in which echo suppression is temporarily broken when listeners’ built-up expectations about room acoustics are violated.
Surprise! A unifying model of dorsal anterior cingulate function?

Few brain regions' functions have been debated as intensely as those of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. A computational model now suggests that seemingly diverse cingulate responses may be explained by a single construct, 'negative surprise', which occurs when actions do not produce the expected outcome.
An experiment on the MHD-driven rotating flow for a gas core nuclearrocket

Gas core nuclear rocket engine light and heavy species centrifugal separation by MHD-driven rotating flow, discussing fluid dynamic simulation results
Abstract 923: Interrelations between roles of phospholipase C-gamma 1 inhibition, mTOR and glycolytic enzymes in growth and survival of glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a deadly and a frequently occurring brain tumor in humans. Patients with this disease survive on an average for 12-14 months after diagnosis. Conventional approaches to treat the cancer are not effective in improving patient survival. Thus, it is imperative to seek new drug targets and therapies that could effectively treat brain tumors and enhance patient survival. Phospholipase C-gamma 1 (PLCα1) plays an important role in regulating intracellular calcium stores and acts as a point of convergence in several cell signaling cascades. Inhibition of PLCα1 is known to decrease cell differentiation, invasion and motility in several cancers. We previously demonstrated inhibition of PLCα1 blocks invasion of glioma cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of PLCα1 inhibition on cell viability, cell signaling and metabolism in brain tumor (U-87 MG) cells. We investigated the hypothesis that inhibition of PLCα1 blocks cellular progression of U-87 MG. U73122, an inhibitor of PLCα1, induced a dose-related decrease in survival of U-87 MG cells, with a maximal effect at 2 µM: this finding correlated with the U73122-induced decrease in expression of lactate dehydrogenase, a protein important in U-87 MG cell survival and metabolism. Moreover, U73122 was effective in enhancing the cytotoxic potential of temozolomide, a modestly effective drug used currently for the treatment of glioblastoma. Western blot analysis of U-87 MG cells treated with U73122 at concentrations between 0.5 and 2 µM showed biphasic effects on expression of phospho-ERK and mTOR, proteins involved in PLCα1 signaling as well as hexokinase II, an important glycolytic enzyme. Employing 1H-[13C]-NMR spectroscopy, we noted that treatment with 2 µM U73122 for 72 hours induced increased glycolytic flux in U-87 MG cells. Thus, our results suggest important mechanistic interrelations between PLCα1 signaling and roles of mTOR and glycolytic enzymes in regulating survival of brain tumor cells. Furthermore, our results also suggest that inhibition of PLCα1 may be exploited in combination with conventional therapies in treating patients with glioblastoma to improve their outcome. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 923. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-923
Comparative hepatotoxicity of deoxynivalenol in rat, mouse and human liver cells in culture

The present study was undertaken to assess, in vitro, the hepatotoxic potential of the food-borne mycotoxin, deoxynivalenol (DON), using rat (Clone9 and MH1C1), mouse (NBL CL2) and human (WRL68 and HepG2) liver cells in culture. The cells were treated with DON for 24 h at 37 °C in 5% CO2 at concentrations of 0–25 µg ml−1. Following the treatment period, the cells were assayed for biochemical markers of hepatotoxicity that included three independent cytotoxicity assays, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Concentration-dependent cytotoxicity of DON was observed in each of the five different liver cells derived from three different species (rat, mouse and human) over the entire concentration range studied, beginning at 0.1 µg ml−1. At these concentrations DON did not induce a biologically significant increase in oxidative stress in these liver cells, and showed a significant decrease in the mitochondrial function only in the rat liver MH1C1 cells compared with the control. The results of this in vitro study suggest that DON is a potential hepatotoxin for the rat, mouse and human liver cells in the concentration range tested in this study. The liver cells used in this study showed distinct endpoint-sensitivity to DON related to the species. Published in 2010 by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
A well-stirred-reactor investigation of the combustion of propane with vitiated air

A well-stirred-reactor investigation was conducted to determine the effect of partial air vitiation on propane-air blowout rates. A central-feed zirconia spherical reactor with a diameter of 7.6 cm was used to observe 158 fuel-lean blowouts and 98 fuel-rich blowouts. A propane-air slave burner produced the vitiated air in which the conversion of propane to carbon dioxide was found to be 98 to 100 percent complete. An analysis of recirculation patterns in the reactor was used to correct for the effect of deviations caused by imperfect mixing. The results show that the observed blowout limit decreases by a factor of about 2.6 for each 10 percent increase in air vitiation. An inlet temperature parameter was determined as a function of net equivalence ratio and air vitiation. An over-all correlation of the blowout data has been obtained by incorporating the degree of vitiation and the inlet temperature into a modified loading parameter which is a function of net equivalence ratio.
Endocarditis and Infections of Intravascular Devices Due to Eikenella corrodens

Eikenella corrodens, a microaerophilic gram-negative rod, is a normal inhabitant of human mucosal surfaces. Infections involving Eikenella have been reported with increasing frequency during the past 10 years. Despite a demonstrated ability to invade the blood stream, Eikenella has rarely been implicated in endocarditis or other vascular space infections. Two patients are reported with prolonged illness due to infection of peripheral vascular prostheses with E. corrodens and prior reports of Eikenella vascular space infections are reviewed. When Eikenella is the sole infecting organism, vascular space infections tend to be indolent. However, removal of vascular prostheses may be required for cure.
CONTROL OF OXIDATION-REDUCTION STATE OF NADH IN THE LIVER OF ANESTHETIZED RATS.

Abstract Simultaneous observations of fluorescence changes in the kidney and liver of the anesthetized rat are here interpreted in terms of oxidations and reductions of intracellular pyridine nucleotide. The pyridine nucleotide of the kidney only partially reduced in aerobiosis shows a large increase in reduction in anaerobiosis. In aerobiosis the level of reduction is sensitive to Amytal and it is concluded that the kidney is working under conditions of high energy drain in which phosphate and phosphate acceptor are in excess. The kidney shows a critical oxygen tension which corresponds to a small value of inspired air, probably less than 3 per cent. The oxidation-reduction status of NAD of the liver corresponds to that of a tissue in which the activity of oxidative phosphorylation sufficiently exceeds the energy demands upon the mitochondria so that the level of ADP and phosphate is sufficiently low to give a controlled state characterized by a high degree of reduction of NAD. The critical oxygen tension for the liver is high and corresponds roughly to about 5 per cent oxygen in the inspired air. In anoxia the kidney shows increased reduction of pyridine nucleotide while the liver shows a decreased reduction of pyridine nucleotide. Furthermore, in the oxygenation of the tissue following an interval of hypoxia, the liver mitochondria show increased reduction while those of the kidney show increased oxidation. A hypothesis which attempts to unify these apparently diverse conflicting observations is based upon the idea that the energy load in the kidney drops in hypoxia while that of the liver is constant.
Relaxation effects on the (110) surface of GaAs

A commonly assumed model for the relaxed GaAs (110) surface is considered. This model can account for the insensitivity of the empty cation-derived surface states to metal overlayers, and the lack of evidence for occupied anion surface states in recent photoemission measurements. With relaxation of the surface, we find that the empty cation-derived surface band becomes more dispersive. The center of mass lies above the conduction-band minimum; however, the threshold of the surface band remains within the bulk band gap.
Quadratic trajectories of brain myelin content: unifying construct for neuropsychiatric disorders

Abstract Myelin plays an essential but largely underappreciated role in human brain structure and function. The central challenge raised by the six commentaries is whether the developmental model of age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (Bartzokis, 2003, this issue) is applicable to a wider range of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. The model’s premise that the trajectory of myelin development and breakdown is essential to our very uniqueness as a species, directly addresses this issue. In its widest perspective, the model primarily delineates a myelin hypothesis of human brain evolution and normal development and is “secondarily” useful in conceptualizing a wide range of age-related neuropsychiatric diseases. The unique vulnerabilities of oligodendrocytes and the highly protracted and extensive developmental process of human brain myelination delineated in the model are directly pertinent to many uniquely human brain functions and neuropsychiatric diseases including late-life neurodegenerative disorders. This lifelong perspective classifies AD as a disorder likely to arise in old age after a normal trajectory of myelin development. Genetic and environmental factors causing deviations in the myelination trajectory at any point in the lifespan will contribute to differences in the manifestations of later-life degenerative diseases and/or be detected in epidemiologic studies as risk factors or risk mitigators (age, cholesterol, iron, gender, education, brain, trauma, etc.). Ultimately, these perturbations of the myelination process could result in divergent-appearing disorders, such as frontotemporal dementia, dementia pugilistica, AD, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Parkinson’s disease, that nonetheless have overlapping neuropathologic and/or clinical manifestations. Furthermore, the model’s developmental perspective suggests that dysregulation in the uniquely vulnerable myelination process also contributes to highly prevalent early-life psychiatric disorders such as autism, attention deficit, schizophrenia, addiction, as well as their striking male predominance. Eventually, the dysregulated myelination associated with such disorders may have a direct and predictable impact on the appearance and manifestations of the later-life dementias. By increasing the scientific focus on the process of myelination, this model may facilitate our understanding of the pathophysiology of multiple disorders and pathophysiologic processes that cut across our current classification of diseases. Ultimately, the model provides a rational framework for the development of novel, myelin-centered treatments that may have widespread efficacy across multiple disease states and could potentially be used in delaying or even preventing some of the most devastating of human disorders.
Coplanar waveguide phase shifter controlled by a spatially periodic optical illumination

The characteristics of a periodically-illuminated CPW phase shifter are investigated by the spectral domain approach combined with the cascaded transmission line matrix method. It is found that the phase shifter characteristics can be improved by appropriate use of periodic illumination instead of uniform illumination.
Reply to: Activation of BK channels may not be required for bitter tastant–induced bronchodilation

Reply to: Activation of BK channels may not be required for bitter tastant–induced bronchodilation
A Modified Photoperiod Control Device

For studies of the photoperiodic responses of the alfalfa weevil, Hypera positica (Gyllenhal), a device was developed which has general application to any research situation where it is desired to rear insects or other small arthropods under controlled photoperiods.
Need for a moratorium on percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in stable coronary artery disease

Available evidence suggests that medical treatment of low-risk patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) may be at least equivalent in efficacy to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in reducing the occurrence of myocardial ischemic events. Despite extensive use of this procedure, the superiority of PTCA over medical therapy for prolongation of life has not been demonstrated. In fact, use of PTCA in patients with stable CAD without first attempting to modify risk factors is currently considered by some experts to be suboptimal therapy. Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest that a moratorium be declared on the use of PTCA in the treatment of chronic stable angina in low-risk patients until such patients undergo an aggressive program to control modifiable risk factors, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, for a minimum of 6 weeks. This period of time will not unduly delay the effective use of invasive treatment, and, if patients are seen weekly, blood pressure and lipid levels can usually be controlled within this time frame. A moratorium on a procedure that occurs 1,300 times every day in the United States alone may appear to be a draconian measure, but a review of the who, what, where, when, why, and how of this moratorium suggests it is appropriate, if not overdue.
Dual roles of plcA in Listeria monocytogenes pathogenesis

Summary The plcA gene of Listeria monocytogenes encodes a secreted phosphatidylinositol-speciftc phospholi-pase C (PI-PLC). Recent studies have established that transposon mutations within plcA result in avirulence for mice and pleiotropic effects when examined in tissue-culture models of infection. Genetic analysis reveals that many of the effects of the transposon insertions are due to loss of readthrough transcription from plcA into the downstream gene prfA, which encodes an essential transcription factor of numerous L. monocytogenes virulence genes. Construction of an in-frame deletion within plcA had no effect on expression of prfA thus allowing direct assignment of a role of the PI-PLC in pathogenesis. PI-PLC was shown to play a significant role in mediating escape of L. monocytogenes from phagosomes of primary murine macrophages. Interestingly, this defect manifested itself in vivo in the liver but not in the spleen of infected mice.
The impacts of friendship groups’ racial composition when perceptions of prejudice threaten students’ academic self-concept

Literature on racially prejudiced stereotypes suggests that students’ academic self-concepts (ASC) can be damaged when a stereotype demeans the intelligence of their racial or ethnic group. There is little research on how students overcome this burden, but there is some evidence that the racial composition of friendship groups play a role. One argument suggests having racially diverse friends could help students see the inaccuracy of stereotypes and another points out that racially homogenous friends could collectively resist the stereotypes as a support group. In this study I analyze a nationally representative and racially diverse sample of United States adolescents to examine these hypotheses. After estimating multivariate regression models for four separate racial/ethnic groups (Asian, African-American, Hispanic, white), results show that although perceptions of prejudice do predict decreases in ASC for African-American students, racially homogenous friendship groups have the opposite effect which lends credibility to the support group hypothesis. In addition, racial diversity of friendship groups predicts decreased ASC for African-American students, suggesting diverse groups could make prejudice more salient. The implications for these findings include the reminder that prejudice is still a valid concern in American schools and that peers can be a significant source of racial tension and/or support. In terms of students’ ASC, it is important for educators to be aware of these social conditions and to continue to seek a better understanding of race relations in schools so that more students are not psychologically burdened by racial tension.
Management of isolated posterior cruciate ligament injuries

Abstract Isolated tears of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are actually a wide spectrum of injuries. Nonoperativetreatment is recommended for patients with grade I or grade II isolated PCL injuries. Early surgical reconstruction is indicated for patients with grade II PCL injuries. The surgical technique for arthroscopically assisted PCL reconstruction is described.
Further observations on the dependence of the electrochemical transfer coefficient upon the electrode potential

Abstract The electrooxidation kinetics of Craq2+, Euaq2+, and Vaq2+ have been studied over a wide range of anodic overpotentials at the mercury—aqueous interface in potassium hexafluorophosphate and sodium perchlorate supporting electrolytes in order to explore the possible dependence of the electrochemical transfer coefficient on the electrode potential. The differences in the oxidation rates in KPF6 and NaClO4 electrolytes were found to be in reasonable with the predictions of the Frumkin model. Substantial decreases in the anodic transfer coefficients for all three reactions were obtained with increasing anodic overpotential both before and after application of Frumkin double-layer corrections, in contrast to the linear Tafel plots observed at cathodic overpotentials. These results are compared with the predictions of theoretical harmonic oscillator models, and possible reasons for the differences seen between experiment and theory are discussed.
Modulation of response threshold in frog spinal cord: dependence upon descending influences.

Response thresholds to von Frey hair stimulation of intact and spinal frogs (Rana pipiens and Rana catesbeiana) were determined. While the response threshold of spinal frogs remained constant over test sessions, thresholds of intact frogs showed a progressive decline. This decline appears due to habituation to the testing procedure rather than to situational factors. Thus the intact frog, in contrast to the spinal preparation, is able to modulate segmental reflex activity. Implications of these behavioral findings for neuronal mechanisms are discussed.
N‐Nitrosamines from the Reaction of Sulfamoyl Chlorides with Sodium Nitrite

N,N-Dialkylsulfamoyl chlorides react smoothly with sodium nitrite in acetonitrile to afford the corresponding N-nitrosamines in nearly quantitative yields.
Quark mixing at finite temperature

Abstract We show that finite-temperature effects induce nontrivial quark mixing in the SU(2) × U(1)-symmetric phase of the standard model. The finite temperature mixing matrix is temperature-independent and is related to the zero temperature matrix V as V T = V † + O (λ 4 ), where λ ⋍ 0.22 is the sine of the Cabibbo angle. As a consequence, CP-violatating parameters in the symmetric phase differ in sign from their zero-temperature counterparts.
Analysis of pressure and pressure derivative without type-curve matching: Vertically fractured wells in closed systems

Abstract This paper discusses a new technique for interpreting log-log plots of pressure and pressure derivatives of vertically fractured wells in closed systems without using type curve matching. For the uniform flux fracture case, pressure derivative plots for various x e x f ratios reveal three dominant flow regimes. During early times the flow of fluids is linear and can be identified by a straight line of slope 0.5. The linear flow line is used to calculate the half-fracture length. The infinite acting radial flow regime, which can be identified by a horizontal straight line, is dominant for x e x f > 8 . This flow regime is used to calculate permeability and skin. The third straight line, which corresponds to the pseudosteady flow regime, has a unit slope. This line is used to calculate the drainage area and shape factor. For the infinite conductivity fracture case, pressure derivative plots reveal a fourth dominant flow regime, called here the bi-radial flow . This flow regime, which can be identified by a straight line of slope 0.36, also can be used to calculate the half-fracture length and permeability.
Sums of Divisors and Egyptian Fractions

Abstract We discuss the problem of representing a natural number n as a sum of certain of its distinct positive proper (≠n) divisors. If this is possible n is called semiperfect. We present a method which leads in certain cases to a verification that all abundant numbers with prime divisors limited to a fixed set of primes are semiperfect. We then discuss the Egyptian fraction representation of positive rational numbers (i.e., the representation as a sum of reciprocals of distinct integers > 1). In particular we obtain results relating the primes occurring in such representations to the primes occurring in the denominator of the rational being represented. This leads to further results concerning the existence of semiperfect numbers with certain prime factors.
Pilot Designs for Channel Estimation of MIMO OFDM Systems with Frequency-Dependent I/Q Imbalances

Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems facilitate high data rate wireless communications, and require reliable channel estimates to fully materialize their advantages. The semiconductor downscaling trend has exacerbated device impairments such as inphase and quadrature (I/Q) imbalances which cause inter-carrier interferences in OFDM systems which cannot be remedied by increasing signal power. Different RF chains of MIMO branches can cause different I/Q imbalances which further complicates MIMO OFDM channel estimation. This paper proposes several pilot designs for the estimation of the combined responses of MIMO frequency-selective channels and frequency-dependent I/Q imbalances. The proposed designs require much smaller pilot overhead than the existing designs, and also provide estimation mean-squares error optimality (under white noise) and general applicability to preamble as well as pilot-data-multiplexed symbols in MIMO systems with or without null guard tones. Performance analyses and simulation results corroborate advantages of the proposed designs.
Comparing interventions in older unpartnered adults after myocardial infarction.

Background: Older adults after myocardial infarction (MI) are a vulnerable group who may benefit from interventions to improve health outcomes. The use of a peer advisor or an advanced practice nurse (APN) to provide a self-efficacy intervention is a promising method of improving health outcomes after MI.Aims: The purpose of this paper was to compare the effect of two self-efficacy interventions, a peer advisor and an APN, to a group who received standard care after MI.Methods: The study was a three-group randomized clinical trial with a peer advisor intervention group, an APN intervention group, and a standard care group. Outcome data were collected in the hospital after MI and by telephone at 12 weeks after hospital discharge, after the interventions were completed.Results: At 12 weeks after MI, there were no significant differences between the 3 groups in health outcomes. There were similar changes in self-efficacy for performing recovery behaviors, the actual performance of recovery behavior, physical...
Disturbance Filtering and Identification on the Naval Postgraduate School 3-Axis Spacecraft Simulator

Abstract : This paper investigates spacecraft disturbance rejection filtering for both persistent and decaying disturbances. The current study both validates the previously developed dipole disturbance rejection filter on a realistic non-linear spacecraft model, and extends the results to a new class of decaying disturbances. Although not designed specifically for decaying disturbances, prior investigations have demonstrated that the traditional dipole disturbance rejection filter attenuates both persistent periodic disturbances and decaying disturbances. Here we introduce a new filter which we call the decaying disturbance rejection filter, which has greater attenuation than the traditional filter for decaying disturbances. The new filter is also based on the internal model principle like the traditional filter. Also, it is shown that both the traditional and the new filter are not robust to frequency uncertainty. As a result, new closed-loop system identification methods are introduced to experimentally identify the disturbance frequency to be used within the filter design for both filter types.
Comparison of productivity of colonies of honey bees, Apis mellifera, supplemented with sucrose or high fructose corn syrup

Honey bee colony feeding trials were conducted to determine whether differential effects of carbohydrate feeding (sucrose syrup (SS) vs. high fructose corn syrup, or HFCS) could be measured between colonies fed exclusively on these syrups. In one experiment, there was a significant difference in mean wax production between the treatment groups and a significant interaction between time and treatment for the colonies confined in a flight arena. On average, the colonies supplied with SS built 7916.7 cm2 ± 1015.25 cm2 honeycomb, while the colonies supplied with HFCS built 4571.63 cm2 ± 786.45 cm2. The mean mass of bees supplied with HFCS was 4.65 kg (± 0.97 kg), while those supplied with sucrose had a mean of 8.27 kg (± 1.26). There was no significant difference between treatment groups in terms of brood rearing. Differences in brood production were complicated due to possible nutritional deficiencies experienced by both treatment groups. In the second experiment, colonies supplemented with SS through the winter months at a remote field site exhibited increased spring brood production when compared to colonies fed with HFCS. The differences in adult bee populations were significant, having an overall average of 10.0 ± 1.3 frames of bees fed the sucrose syrup between November 2008 and April 2009, compared to 7.5 ± 1.6 frames of bees fed exclusively on HFCS. For commercial queen beekeepers, feeding the right supplementary carbohydrates could be especially important, given the findings of this study.
Clinical experience with vasovasostomy utilizing absorbable intravasal stent

A prospective series of vasovasostomies began in 1975 is reported. The technique used was exactly as described by Montie Stewart and Levin (1973) i.e. utilizing an intraluminal stent of catgut. All patients were consecutively operated utilizing the same technique without prior selection based on length of time or site of ligation. Utilizing optic magnification by 3.5X operating loupes the vasal ends were exposed through a short transverse scrotal incision with care being taken not to damage the superficial vasculature of the vasal wall. The ends were resected perpendicular to the axis of the vas until a patent lumen was observed. Then chromic catgut sutures (6-0) were placed in the outer 1/2 of the muscular wall on opposite sides. The average operative time for bilateral vasovasostomy was 80 minutes. Semen analysis was obtained at about 12 weeks postoperatively. The average age of the first 20 cases was 33.3 years. Of the 40 vasa reapproximated 11 were ligated at the level of the convoluted portion of the vas (27.5%). 3 patients had had bilateral vasal ligation at the level of the convoluted portion. Of the 3 2 effected a pregnancy while the 3rd patient was divorced 3 months postoperatively. 2 patients whose wives conceived within 2 months postoperatively would not return for semen analysis. 3 patients who had vasal ligations 10 years or longer were all able to effect a pregnancy. All patients either had a sperm count of at least 18.4 million/cc or effected a pregnancy. Improvement was noted in every instance in which the sperm count was repeated.
Impedance cardiography used to assess patterns of cardiovascular response to behavioral stressors

Abstract This paper presents two examples of how impedance cardiography may be used to interpret the hemodynamic influences on blood pressures measured during behavioral stress. In Study 1, blood pressure changes which were similar during two tasks were shown to have important differences in their cardiac output and vascular resistance components. During work on a reaction time task having aversive incentives compared with a neutral task, the blood pressure changes were seen to be associated with lowered vascular resistance and raised cardiac activity, a “fight-flight” pattern. In Study 2, blood pressure response differences between two subject groups working on an identical task were found to have blood pressure changes differing in their underlying cardiac and vascular components as measured by impedance. Such uses of impedance cardiography have widespread potential application in psychophysiological research with humans.
Hospitality Students in Two-Year Programs: A Comparison Study of Career Orientation:

This paper presents the findings of the investigation of the career orientation of students enrolled in hospitality management programs in associate degree granting colleges. Students seeking a deg...
The use of visual information in shared visual spaces: informing the development of virtual co-presence

A shared visual workspace is one where multiple people can see the same objects at roughly the same time. We present findings from an experiment investigating the effects of shared visual space on a collaborative puzzle task. We show that having the shared visual space helps collaborators understand the current state of their task and enables them to communicate and ground their conversations efficiently. These processes are associated with faster and better task performance. Delaying the visual update in the space reduces benefits and degrades performance. The shared visual space is more useful when tasks are visually complex or when actors have no simple vocabulary for describing their world. We find evidence for the ways in which participants adapt their discourse processes to their level of shared visual information.
Extent of variability in nutrient composition within selected by-product feedstuffs

Abstract The nutrient composition of nine by-product feedstuffs (BPF) was determined. BPF were selected based on economic importance to the dairy industry, nutritional value, and availability. Three to nine different samples for each BPF were obtained throughout California. A total of 51 samples were collected: nine beet pulp (BP), eight rice bran (RB), seven almond hulls (AH), four citrus pulp (CT), five bakery waste (BW), eight wheat mill run (WMR), four brewers grains (BG), three distillery grains (DG), and three soy hulls (SH) samples. Chemical analyses measured included dry matter, ash, crude protein (CP), fiber fractions, macrominerals, and microminerals. The average chemical analyses determined for each BPF were compared with average values reported by the National Research Council (NRC). Considerable variation within a given BPF was observed in the present study. For example, BP was found to contain 18.81% acid detergent fiber (ADF) while the NRC reported an average composition of 25% ADF. The ether extract content of RB was found to be 20.48% compared with 15.1% reported by NRC. Much of this variability was related to how the commodity was handled during or after processing. In the second part of this study, two theoretical diets were formulated to calculate the effect of nutrient variability on diet composition. The BPF compositions of the two diets were 27% and 50% in Diet 1 and Diet 2, respectively. Specific by-products sources of BP, RB, DG, and SH were compared with the NRC diet composition used in the initial diet formulation. As the proportion of BPF in the diet was increased (Diet 2) nutrient composition of the diet was more variable with CP content ranging from 14.30 to 15.20%. Similar changes to those observed for CP were observed for the other chemical components. The effect of variability in by-product composition was more evident when evaluated on a concentrate mix basis. Variability in the chemical component of BPF influenced the composition of both the total diet and the concentrate mix, and the magnitude of effect depended upon the contribution of BPF to the total ration and the nutrient of interest.
Interdependence of Signal Processing and Analysis of Urine 1H NMR Spectra for Metabolic Profiling

Metabolic profiling of urine presents challenges because of the extensive random variation of metabolite concentrations and the dilution resulting from changes in the overall urine volume. Thus statistical analysis methods play a particularly important role; however, appropriate choices of these methods are not straightforward. Here we investigate constant and variance-stabilization normalization of raw and peak picked spectra, for use with exploratory analysis (principal component analysis) and confirmatory analysis (ordinary and Empirical Bayes t-test) in 1H NMR-based metabolic profiling of urine. We compare the performance of these methods using urine samples spiked with known metabolites according to a Latin square design. We find that analysis of peak picked and logarithm-transformed spectra is preferred, and that signal processing and statistical analysis steps are interdependent. While variance-stabilizing transformation is preferred in conjunction with principal component analysis, constant normal...
Determination of Anesthetic Requirement in Rats

Estimates of anesthetic requirement based on inspired anesthetic gas concentrations assume equilibration with alveolar, and consequently brain, anesthetic gas tensions. This assumption may be rendered invalid by the solubility of the anesthetic agent and its effects on ventilation. To test this assumption, ED50 values of anesthesia using halothane and a less soluble anesthetic, isoflurane, were determined in rats with and without tracheostomies. Alveolar ED50 or MAC for halothane and isoflurane were 1.11 ± 0.03 per cent and 1.38 ± 0.02 per cent, respectively. Inspired ED50 values 2–3 hours after induction in non-tracheostomized rats were 14 and 17 per cent greater, respectively, than alveolar ED50 values 2–3 hours following tracheostomy during halothane and isoflurane anesthesia in the same animals. These data demonstrate that previous studies in which the anesthetic requirement for halothane was determined using inspired gas samples are inaccurate. Inspired ED50 values for halothane and isoflurane in rats without tracheostomies were 2 and 11 per cent greater, respectively, than inspired ED50 values in the same animals with tracheostomies. Even after 3 hours of anesthesia in tracheostomized rats, measurements of inspired-to-alveolar differences in anesthetic gas tension revealed 9 and 3 per cent differences for halothane and isoflurane, respectively. Thus, the use of inspired concentration for this purpose in rats should be limited to inhalation anesthetics with low blood–gas partition coefficients and with minimal effects on ventilation. A moderately or highly soluble anesthetic agent or one which results in significant respiratory depression necessitates the direct measurement of “alveolar” anesthetic gas tension to determine anesthetic requirement.
The rules of engagement for cyber-warfare and the Tallinn Manual: A case study

Documents such as the Geneva (1949) and Hague Conventions (1899 and 1907) that have clearly outlined the rules of engagement for warfare find themselves challenged by the presence of a new arena: cyber. Considering the potential nature of these offenses, operations taking place in the realm of cyber cannot simply be generalized as “cyber-warfare,” as they may also be acts of cyber-espionage, cyber-terrorism, cyber-sabaotge, etc. Cyber-attacks, such as those on Estonia in 2007, have begun to test the limits of NATO's Article 5 and the UN Charter's Article 2(4) against the use of force. What defines “force” as it relates to cyber, and what kind of response is merited in the case of uncertainty regarding attribution? In 2009, NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence commissioned a group of experts to publish a study on the application of international law to cyber-warfare. This document, the Tallinn Manual, was published in 2013 as a non-binding exercise to stimulate discussion on the codification of international law on the subject. After analysis, this paper concludes that the Tallinn Manual classifies the 2010 Stuxnet attack on Iran's nuclear program as an illegal act of force. The purpose of this paper is the following: (1) to analyze the historical and technical background of cyber-warfare, (2) to evaluate the Tallinn Manual as it relates to the justification cyber-warfare, and (3) to examine the applicability of the Tallinn Manual in a case study of a historical example of a cyber-attacks.
Western Influences on Chinese Educational Testing.

China has one of the oldest educational testing systems in the world, yet its modern form was influenced by various western educational modes borrowed during the twentieth century. This essay reviews the history of the Chinese traditional educational testing system: its origin, features, and its past impact on Chinese people's lives as well as on modern education. It then examines the western influence on the Chinese educational testing system in the twentieth century, focusing on two historical periods, from 1905 to 1949 and post‐1980, when western influences were most vigorous. It concludes with a discussion of the characteristics of Chinese assimilation to western educational models and the impact of such assimilation on Chinese people's lives.
Cache coherence for shared memory multiprocessors based on virtual memory support

This paper presents a software cache coherence scheme that uses virtual memory (VM) support to maintain cache coherency for shared memory multiprocessors. Traditional VM translation hardware in each processor is used to detect memory access attempts that would violate cache coherence and system software is used to enforce coherence. The implementation of this class of coherence schemes is very economical: it requires neither special multiprocessor hardware nor compiler support, and easily incorporates different consistency models. The authors evaluated two consistency models for the VM-based approach: sequential consistency and lazy release consistency. The VM-based schemes are compared with a bus based snoopy caching architecture, and the authors' trace-driven simulation results show that the VM-based cache coherence schemes are practical for small-scale, shared memory multiprocessors. >
The Synergistic Powers of AEM and GIS Geodatabase Models in Water Resources Studies

Comprehensive studies of water resources systems require integration of modeling tools and data associated with individual processes. An object-oriented approach is presented here that associates ground water models based upon the analytic element method (AEM) with geographic information system (GIS) geodatabase features using an AEM Model Interface. Each aquifer object contains a prescribed geometry, a mathematical representation in the AEM, and GIS hydrogeologic data. The synergistic understanding inherent in such an approach is illustrated by a study linking local AEM model predictions of water elevation with ground water geodatabase objects. This AEM Model Interface provides a key component in establishing a common object-oriented geodatabase modeling approach linking ground water to a variety of natural and social processes.
Towards modeling the behavior of physical intruders in a region monitored by a wireless sensor network

A priority task for homeland security is the coverage of large spans of open border that cannot be continuously physically monitored for intrusion. Low-cost monitoring solutions based on wireless sensor networks have been identified as an effective means to perform perimeter monitoring. An ad-hoc wireless sensor network scattered near a border could be used to perform surveillance over a large area with relatively little human intervention. Determining the effectiveness of such an autonomous network in detecting and thwarting an intelligent intruder is a difficult task. We propose a model for an intelligent attacker that attempts to find a detection-free path in a region with sparse sensing coverage. In particular, we apply reinforcement learning (RL) - a machine learning approach - for our model. RL algorithms are well suited for scenarios in which specifying and finding an optimal solution is difficult. By using RL, our attacker can easily adapt to new scenarios by translating constraints into rewards. We compare our RL-based technique to a reasonable heuristic in simulation. Our results suggest that our RL-based attacker model is significantly more effective, and therefore more realistic, than the heuristic approach.
SUPRPUMP: An Interactive Program for Well Test Analysis and Design

Abstract. We have developed a program which aids in the design and analysis of pumping tests and slug tests. In design mode, the program emphasizes calculation and plotting of the sensitivities of drawdown (or head) to well function parameters. In analysis mode, the program can analyze a given set of experimental data. For pumping tests, the program allows multiple observation wells and multiple variable-rate pumping wells. The program is written in a modular fashion, allowing easy addition of well functions to the currently existing library. An example based on a hypothetical pumping test illustrates the utility of sensitivity analysis for well test design.