cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Data Over-Compression Method for 3D Object Reconstruction using Multi-modal Variational Autoencoder

For effective human-robot teaming, it is important for the robots to be able to share their visual perception with the human operators. In a harsh remote collaboration setting, however, it is especially challenging to transfer a large amount of sensory data over a low-bandwidth network in real-time, e.g., for the task of 3D shape reconstruction given 2D camera images. To reduce the burden of data transferring, data compression techniques such as autoencoder can be utilized to obtain and transmit the data in terms of latent variables in a compact form. However, to overcome the lower-bandwidth limitation and achieve faster transmission, an adaptive and flexible over-compression method is necessary that can exploit only partial elements of the latent variables. To handle these cases, we propose a method for imputation of latent variables whose elements are partially excluded for additional compression. To perform imputation with only some dimensions of variables, exploiting prior information of the category- or instance-level is essential. In general, a prior distribution used in variational autoencoders is achieved from all of the training datapoints regardless of their labels. This type of flattened prior makes it difficult to perform imputation from the category- or instance-level distributions. We overcome this limitation by exploiting a category-specific multi-modal prior distribution in the latent space. By finding a modal in a latent space according to the remaining elements of the latent variables, the missing elements can be sampled. Based on the experiments on the ModelNet and Pascal3D datasets, the proposed approach shows a consistently superior performance over autoencoder and variational autoencoder up to 50\% data loss.
Supersaturation, buoyancy, and moist convective dynamics

Abstract. Motivated by recent discussions concerning differences of convective dynamics in polluted and pristine environments, the so-called convective invigoration in particular, this paper provides an analysis of factors affecting convective updraft buoyancy, such as the in-cloud supersaturation, condensate and precipitation loading, and entrainment. We use the deep convective period from simulations of daytime convection development over land discussed in our previous publications. An entraining parcel framework in used in the theoretical analysis. We show that for the specific case considered here finite (positive) supersaturation noticeably reduces pseudo-adiabatic parcel buoyancy and cumulative CAPE in the lower troposphere. This comes from keeping a small fraction of the water vapor in a supersaturated state and thus reducing the latent heating. Such a lower-tropospheric impact is comparable to the effects of the condensate loading and entrainment in the idealized parcel framework. For the entire tropospheric depth, loading and entrainment have a much more significant impact on the total CAPE. For instance, an increase in the fractional entrainment rate from 0.05 km−1 to 0.3 km−1 reduces the theoretical level of neutral buoyancy from the upper to the middle troposphere and CAPE by a factor of 4. For the cloud model results, we compare ensemble simulations applying either a bulk microphysics scheme with saturation adjustment or a more comprehensive double-moment scheme with supersaturation prediction. The diagnosed bulk fractional entrainment rate, independent of the microphysics scheme applied in the simulations, is either 0.13 or 0.20 km−1 depending on whether we consider profiles of the upper end of the percentile range or of the mean in-cloud equivalent potential temperature. We compare deep convective updrafts, buoyancies, and supersaturations from all ensembles. In agreement with the parcel analysis, the saturation adjustment scheme provides noticeably stronger updrafts in the lower troposphere. For the simulations predicting supersaturation, there are small differences between pristine and polluted conditions below the freezing level that are difficult to explain by standard analysis of the in-cloud buoyancy components. By applying the piggybacking technique, we show that the lower-tropospheric buoyancy differences between pristine and polluted simulations come from a combination of temperature (i.e., latent heating) and condensate loading differences that work together to make polluted buoyancies and updraft velocities slightly larger when compared to their pristine analogues. Overall, the effects are rather small and contradict previous claims of a significant invigoration of deep convection in polluted environments.
DOSAGE: generating domain-specific accelerators for resource-constrained computing

Integrating low-overhead domain-specific accelerators with low-energy general-purpose processors can improve the processors' performance efficiency in resource-constrained systems (e.g., embedded systems). However, current function-based approaches for designing domain-specific accelerators require substantial programmer efforts for hardware/software partitioning and program modifications to access the best available hardware accelerators. This paper presents DOSAGE, an LLVM compiler-based methodology to generate domain-specific accelerators for resource-constrained computing systems. Given a set of applications, DOSAGE automatically identifies and ranks the recurrent and similar code blocks that would benefit the most from hardware acceleration, based on the code blocks' composition. We illustrate the benefits of the proposed approach using a case study that involves generating domain-specific accelerators for a diverse set of healthcare applications and evaluate the accelerators via FPGA-based prototyping. Compared to a base low-resource RISC-V processor, DOSAGE accelerators improved the system's performance and energy by 24.85% and 8.54%, respectively. Furthermore, compared to a state-of-the-art function-based accelerator generation approach, DOSAGE eliminated the function-level granularity constraint of the generation process and reduced the number of required accelerators---and, in effect, the interfacing overhead---by 33.33%, while achieving equal or better program coverage and performance/energy results.
Poisoning Attack for Inter-agent Transfer Learning.

In reinforcement learning, high sample complexity is a big challenge to deal with. Inter-agent transfer learning is one solution to this challenge that can leverage the experience of other more competent agents. In this paradigm, a student can make a query to the teacher and the teacher will give some action advice given the current state. However, most previous works ignored the instruction reliability problem. In this work, we investigate the instruction reliability issue based on the one-to-one teaching framework and formulate the poisoning attack as an optimization problem. By solving the optimization problem, the attacker can significantly influence the performance of the student in three different query models. Evaluation highlights that we need to consider the instruction reliability when using teacher-student frameworks in reinforcement learning.
Predicting the Need to Perform Life-Saving Interventions in Trauma Patients by Using New Vital Signs and Artificial Neural Networks

Previous work in risk stratification of critically injured patients involved artificial neural networks (ANNs) of various configurations tuned to process traditional vital signs and demographical, clinical, and laboratory data obtained via direct contact with the patient. We now report "new vital signs" (NVSs) that are superior in distinguishing the injured and can be derived without hands-on patient contact. Data from 262 trauma patients are presented, in whom NVSs derived from electrocardiogram (EKG) analysis (heart-rate complexity and variability) were input into a commercially available ANN. The endpoint was performance of life-saving interventions (LSIs) such as intubation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, chest-tube placement, needle chest decompression, and blood transfusion. We conclude that based on EKG-derived NVS alone, it is possible to accurately identify trauma patients who undergo LSIs. Our approach may permit development of a next-generation decision support system.
GOALS AND PRINCIPLES OF THE INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSFER OF THE FAMILY FARM

The intergenerational transfer of family farms was studied by means of semi-structured interviews with husbands and wives of both the senior generation and the junior generation of farm families. Particular attention was paid to the goals and the principles of the transfer. Responses to the interviews suggested respondents selected among three goals for the transfer process-- 1) preservation of the family farm, 2) ma i ntenance of the financial viability of the fami l y farm, and 3) use of the family farm as a retirement package . Respondents also selected among six pr i nciples to guide the transfer process- 1) control of participation in the decision-making process , 2) equality in the treatment of the members of the junior generation, 3) commitment to the family farm, 4) provision of choice to the members of the junior generation to allow them to determine their own future, 5) allocation of the farm to the most senior male offspring , and 6) protect i on of the family from itself . The potential for conflict between and among these goals and principles is discussed . Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
Becker Meets Braverman

What are the potentials and limits of culture (in the sense of arts) to mitigate the alienation of manual work? How are these potentials and limits different in contrasting modes of production? Dud...
Scientific visualization in the circuits curriculum: enhancing student insight

Scientific visualization techniques translate large and/or multidimensional numerical data sets into images. Properly prepared images enable the user to more readily correlate information, determine cause-and-effect relationships, and gain insight into the underlying principles embodied in the data. Concepts from scientific visualization have been used to develop CircuitViz, a tool for visualizing the behavior of dynamic circuits. This circuit visualization technique places a 2D circuit schematic in a 3D coordinate system. The third spatial dimension displays circuit variables (current, voltage, power, stored energy) directly on the schematic diagram, and animation displays the temporal dimension. The visual cues are designed to be intuitively appealing and to reinforce understanding of device operation. The technique, implemented as a Mathematica package, was pilot-tested for two weeks in a second-quarter sophomore circuits class studying the transient response of first- and second-order circuits. The animated imagery stimulated student interest in the material, and students made insightful observations about how circuits work as a result of viewing the global operation of the circuits.
Pinterest as a Resource for Health Information on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Social Media Content Analysis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how Pinterest group pinboards are used to communicate health information on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Method A nonprobability census sampling method retrieved 399 pins from the 10 most followed COPD group pinboards. Pins were coded according to COPD information categories, visual communication tools, and sources of self-efficacy. Chi-square analyses explored whether COPD information categories varied by visual communication tools and sources of self-efficacy. Mann-Whitney Wilcoxon tests determined whether or not differences existed in the number of repins/likes of visual communication tools by COPD information categories. Results: Half of the pins included COPD self-management information (n = 214; 45.92%). Photographs of real people included more women than men (P = .032), more patients than providers (P = .001), and more self-management information than general COPD information (P = .021). Infographics were repinned (Mdn = 107.8; P = ...
School System (Re)design: Developing Educational Infrastructures to Support School Leadership and Teaching Practice.

A central challenge for local education agencies (i.e., school districts in the United States) undergoing reform is to design systems that facilitate instructional improvement. At the core of these systems are educational infrastructures that bolster capacity building efforts and support teaching and leadership practices. Our goal for this special issue is to apply infrastructure as a framework to understand educational change processes across a variety of contexts and levels of the education system (i.e., state, district, school, classroom). Taken together, the articles in this issue reveal how infrastructure can support and/or constrain educational change to the extent that it is deeply connected to, taken up in, and/or transformed by teaching and leadership practice.
Exploration of Incarcerated Men's and Women's Attitudes of Smoking in the Presence of Children and Pregnant Women: Is There a Disparity Between Smoking Attitudes and Smoking Behavior?

Introduction A major health challenge facing persons who are incarcerated is tobacco smoking. Upon reentry to the community, concerns regarding smoking cessation may be less likely to receive needed attention. Many individuals have partners who are pregnant and/or reside in households where children and pregnant women live. We explored incarcerated adults' attitudes of smoking in the presence of children and pregnant women and how post-release smoking behaviors are influenced by their attitudes. Methods Two hundred forty-seven incarcerated adults participated in a smoking cessation randomized clinical trial in a tobacco-free prison. An instrument was developed to examine smoking attitudes and behaviors around children and pregnant women. Moderating effects of smoking factors on post-release abstinence were examined by evaluating interactions between smoking factors and treatment group. Results Four factors were defined using factor analysis: smoking around children; impact of smoking on child's health; awareness of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) risk for pregnant women; and importance of smoking avoidance during pregnancy. We found moderation effects of smoking factors on smoking outcomes which included: treatment group by smoking behavior around children (β = 0.8085; standard error [SE] = 0.4002; P = .04); treatment group by impact of smoking on child's health (β = 1.2390; SE = 0.5632; P = .03) and for those smoking 50% fewer cigarettes post-release, treatment group by smoking impact on child's health (β = 1.2356; SE = 0.4436; P Conclusions Concern for smoking around children and pregnant women and awareness of ETS risk for pregnant women was not found to be significantly associated with smoking outcomes and requires additional investigation. Among individuals who continue to smoke post-release, effective ETS interventions are needed aimed at protecting children and pregnant women with whom they live.
Photoinduced covalent crosslinkage, in situ, of Escherichia coli 50 S ribosomal proteins to rRNA

Abstract Irradiation of aqueous solutions of Escherichia coli 50 S ribosomal subunits with 253.7 nm light results in the covalent crosslinkage of the rRNA and protein components. Neither peptide bond cleavage nor protein-protein crosslinkage accompanies the crosslinkage reaction. In addition, substantial photoinduced modifications in the primary structure of the ribosomal proteins, other than crosslinkage to rRNA, are not detected. The crosslinkage of the ribosomal proteins to the rRNA proceeds in two discrete, dose-dependent steps. The first step, requires an input of up to 3 · 10 20 Quanta of 253.7 nm radiation, and results in the crosslinkage of less than half of the ribosomal proteins to the rRNA. The second step requires an input of greater than 3 · 10 20 Quanta of 253.7 nm radiation, and results in the crosslinkage of the remaining ribosomal proteins to the rRNA. The possible relationship of the nature of the crosslinkage reaction to the spatial orientations of the rRNA and protein molecules in the intact 50 S ribosomal subunits is discussed.
Identity and Institutional Imperatives: The Socialization of the Student Actress*

(1968). Identity and Institutional Imperatives: The Socialization of the Student Actress. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 47-63.
The economic lot and delivery scheduling problem: common cycle, rework, and variable production rate

The economic lot and delivery scheduling problem is to simultaneously determine the production sequence of several assembly components at a supplier and the delivery interval of those components to the customer. The customer, an assembly facility, is assumed to use the components at a constant rate. The objective is to find the production sequence and delivery interval that minimize the holding, setup, and transportation cost for the supply chain. Previous solutions to the problem assume a constant production rate for each component and that all components are of acceptable quality. These assumptions ignore volume flexibility and quality cost. Volume flexibility permits a system to adjust the production rate upwards or downwards within wide limits. Also, component quality may deteriorate with larger lot sizes and decreased unit production times. In this paper, we develop an algorithm for solving the economic lot and delivery scheduling problem for a supplier using a volume flexible production system where component quality depends on both lot sizes and unit production times. We test the performance of the algorithm and illustrate the models with numerical examples.
The Indiana Speech Training Aid (ISTRA) II: Training curriculum and selected case studies

A new approach to computer-based speech training is described. The ISTRA system is being developed as a training aid, intended for use by speech-language pathologists and teachers of the deaf. The system consists of a microcomputer equipped with a low-cost, speaker-dependent speech recognizer, and a series of programs for use in various phases of speech training. On-line feedback is evaluative and reflects the quality of whole words, based on the level of agreement between stored templates and new utterances. A variety of software to conduct speech drills has been developed, which includes several modes of training recommended for use in a training curriculum. Clients are able to run their speech drills independently. Three case studies are presented to demonstrate the use of ISTRA in speech training with hearing-impaired and normal-hearing, misarticulating children. Improvement of the quality of words trained, as well as generalization to non-trained words, in some cases, was demonstrated.
Heparin binding to lipoprotein lipase and low density lipoproteins

Abstract Heparin was fractionated on an affinity column of bovine milk lipoprotein lipase (LpL) immobilized to Affi-Gel-15. The bound heparin, designated high-reactive heparin (HRH), enhanced LpL activity, presumably by stabilizing the enzyme against denaturation. The unbound heparin fraction had no observable effect on the initial rate of enzyme activity. However, at longer times of incubation there was inhibition of LpL activity. LpL-specific HRH also showed a high, Ca2+-dependent precipitating activity towards human plasma low density lipoproteins (LDL). Since LpL and LDL both bind to heparin-like molecules at the surface of the arterial wall, we suggest that their similar heparin-binding specificity may have physiological consequences as it relates to the development of atherosclerosis. Heparin bindingLipoprotein lipaseLDLApolipoproteinLipolysis
Congruence and Career Change in Employed Adults

Abstract Holland's theory of congruence was applied to adults changing careers. Forty-two nontraditional students attending college to attain a new occupation were surveyed. The group's average experience in the work force was 14.5 years, and their average age was 34.4 years. Using theCindex (Brown & Gore, 1994) and Kwak and Pulvino's (1982) K-P index to measure congruence, data supported the hypothesis that employed adults in the process of changing their careers move in a direction of greater congruence. Further, job satisfaction was correlated significantly with congruence as operationalized by theCindex (r= .33,p
DAILY VARIATIONS OF SERUM DIAMINE OXIDASE AND THE INFLUENCE OF H1 AND H2 BLOCKERS : A CRITICAL APPROACH TO ROUTINE DIAMINE OXIDASE ASSESSMENT

Objective and Design: Histamine in food has been shown to induce intolerance reactions mimicking food allergy. These reactions seem to be due to impaired histamine metabolism caused by reduced diamine oxidase activity. To validate routine serum diamine oxidase assessment, daily variations of diamine oxidase were evaluated.¶Methods: Blood was drawn from each of 20 healthy volunteers (10 female, 10 male; mean age 32.5 years) every 2 h from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and diamine oxidase activity was measured using the C14 putrescine method. To assess possible influences of H1 and H2 blockers on diamine oxidase activity, diphenhydramine, ketotifen, cimetidine, and ranitidine were incubated at pharmacologic concentrations with human placental diamine oxidase (identical to neutrophilic and eosinophilic diamine oxidase). Inhibition of diamine oxidase activity was calculated as the percentage of inhibition versus control. In addition, the known diamine oxidase inhibitors, dihydralazine and aminoguanidine, were used as positive controls.¶Results: Serum diamine oxidase levels showed no significant daily variations (0.041 ± 0.025; 0.037 ± 0.022; 0.041 ± 0.023; 0.040 ± 0.023; 0.038 ± 0.025 nKat/l) and no significant sex differences (female 0.040 ± 0.028 nKat/l versus male 0.039 ± 0.019 nKat/l). Antihistamines had no influence on diamine oxidase activity except for cimetidine, which caused 25% inhibition at the highest dose tested (p < 0.0002) (positive control: aminoguanidine 85% inhibition (p < 0.0001), dihydralazine 68% inhibition (p < 0.0001)) and diphenhydramine, which caused 19% increase (p < 0.0001) of enzyme activity.¶Conclusion: Serum diamine oxidase levels do not show daily variations allowing assessment anytime during office hours. However, diagnostic interpretation of serum diamine oxidase levels may be difficult.
Erweiterung dreigliedriger Heterocyclen zu fünfgliedrigen cyclischen Carbenen - neue Reaktionen von Aziridin, Oxiran und Thiiran mit den CO- und CS-Liganden in Eisen-, Ruthenium- und Mangankomplexen

Das vollstandige Manuskript dieser Zuschrift erscheint in: Angew. Chem. Suppl. 1983, 184. DOI: 10.1002/ange.198301840
Outcome of lower-extremity revascularization in patients younger than 40 years in a predominately diabetic population

Abstract Objective Incidence of perioperative complications is increased and outcome is poor in young patients undergoing vascular surgery. We extensively reviewed results of lower-extremity procedures in this group of patients to further define the extent of short-term and long-term morbidity. Methods Results from our vascular registry were retrospectively reviewed for 76 lower-extremity revascularization procedures performed between January 1990 and May 2000 in 51 patients younger than 40 years. This represents 1.88% of 4052 lower-extremity bypass procedures performed during this period. Perioperative cardiac complications, long-term survival, graft patency, and limb salvage were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated, and their significance was determined with the Cox-Mantel test. Results Forty-nine percent of patients were male, and 51% were female; mean age at presentation was 35.9 years (range, 27.5-39.8 years). Preoperative morbidity included diabetes mellitus (96.1%), smoking (70.6%), hypertension (78.4%), coronary artery disease (37.3%), hyperlipidemia (33.3%), and renal dysfunction (52.9%). Overall rate for 30-day postoperative mortality was 0.0%, for myocardial infarction was 0.0%, and for congestive heart failure was 1.32%. Thirty-day graft failure was 11.1% (n = 9). At 1 year, primary patency was 71.0%, secondary patency was 82.5%, and limb salvage was 87.1%; and at 5 years these rates were 51.9%, 63.4%, and 77.2%, respectively. After the initial surgery 11.8% (n = 6) of patients required at least one additional ipsilateral revascularization procedure, 31.3% (n = 16) required a bypass graft in the contralateral limb, and 23.5% (n = 12) ultimately required amputation. In patients who required additional ipsilateral procedures, 1-year primary patency rate was 66.7%, secondary patency rate was 62.5%, and limb salvage rate was 77.8%, compared with 5-year rates of 44.4%, 41.7%, and 64.8%, respectively, representing a decrease in patency compared with primary revascularization procedures. Overall survival at 1 year was 88.2%, compared with 73.3% at 5 years. Patients with preexisting renal disease had significantly decreased survival at 5 years compared with those without renal dysfunction (64.5% vs 82.6%; P = .019). Conclusions Our data suggest that age younger than 40 years is not associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. However, these patients have a significant rate of early graft failure and dismal long-term survival, especially in patients with preexisting renal dysfunction. In addition, ipsilateral repeat operations have a marginal success rate.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens T-DNA integrates into multiple sites of the sunflower crown gall genome

We analyzed the integration of a tumor inducing (Ti) plasmid into an octopine producing crown gall tumor of sunflower, line PSCG 15955. A continuous Ti plasmid segment (T-DNA) of about 19.5 kilo base pairs (kbp) is transferred and integrated into a small number of sites of the plant DNA.
Reframing graduate student writing strategies from an Activity Theory perspective

This study adopts a sociocultural approach, more specifically, an Activity Theory (Leont'ev, 1978, 1981; Engestr?m, 1987, 1999) framework, to explore an international graduate student’s use of writing strategies. Using a case study design, we investigate how an MA student from Nepal learns to write academic papers that meet the academic norms of a US graduate school. Through the analysis of course materials, the participant’s written work, stimulated recall, and interview, we examine what strategies the participant used, and how she developed them over her first semester in graduate school. Findings indicate that the participant used various tool-mediated, rule-mediated, and community-mediated strategies. Her mediated actions were driven by her goals and motives that were understood within her social and cultural environments, and interacted with each other in a dynamic and constructive manner. In addition, contradictions between the strategies used by the participant and between the participant and the contextual factors were found; these contradictions, in turn, acted as sources of the development and the change of her writing activity.
Effects of uneven-aged management on diameter distribution and species composition of northern hardwoods in Upper Michigan

Abstract Uneven-aged management using single-tree or group selection has been in practice for many decades, especially in northern hardwood forests. Use of stocking regulation tools is thought to produce and maintain specific stand structures that upon regulation, are sustainable over time. We evaluated stand structures in northern hardwoods in Upper Michigan across three ownerships that practice different approaches toward uneven-aged management. Industry land (MeadWestvaco—MWV) uses primarily diameter limit cutting combined with a sawyer-select harvest method, retaining a maximum diameter of 45.7 cm (18 in.) with a residual basal area of 16.1 m2/ha (70 ft2/ac) and a cutting cycle of 10 years. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) uses a crop tree release technique with a residual basal area of 18.4 m2/ha (80 ft2/ac) and a cutting cycle of 20 years. Both ownerships view regeneration of new cohorts as inevitable given the intensity of disturbance and the forest type. The third ownership (the Ford Forestry Center School Forest at Michigan Technological University—FFC) employs strict stocking regulation using the BDq method (residual basal area of 16.1 m2/ha (70 ft2/ac), maximum diameter of 50.8–55.9 cm (20–22 in.), and a q-ratio of 1.3) with a cutting cycle ranging from 12 to 15 years. Stand structure on a total of 25 stands was characterized for these ownerships to assess the impact of management strategy on stand structure and species composition. Differences in species composition and lower diversity indices were found where increasing sugar maple dominance was an objective (FFC ownership). All ownerships showed reduced relative importance values of mid-tolerant species such as yellow birch in their stands as compared to values reported for old-growth or unmanaged stands. Diameter distributions were classified into one of three shape categories (negative exponential, increasing q-ratio, and rotated sigmoid) using the regression of DBH, DBH2, and DBH3 on the log10 of trees per hectare. The best model in terms of adjusted-R2 and root mean square error (RMSE) was selected for each stand. All management strategies resulted in similar occurrences of distribution shapes, despite some evidence of a trend toward a rotated sigmoid distribution. These trends suggest that several different diameter distribution shapes in uneven-aged northern hardwoods in the Lake States are possible following a variety of management approaches, with sugar maple increasing in dominance with strict adherence to certain stocking regulation guidelines.
Confusions in recognizing phonemes spoken by esophageal speakers: I. Initial consonants and clusters

A methodology was developed to determine the patterns of phonemic errors that listeners would make in receiving the terminal consonants and clusters of monosyllables spoken by esophageal speakers. Analyses of the features preserved in the errors were performed. The identified phonemic error patterns and the features found to be poorly preserved in the errors were used to structure multiple choice intelligibility practice materials for esophageal speakers.
Changes over time in kindergarten holding out: Parent and school contexts

Abstract This study examined the prevalence of holding age-eligible children out of kindergarten in a single Northern California county, and the changes in this phenomenon over time. The sample included 861 boys and 843 girls in 1988 to 1989 and 975 boys and 894 girls in 1991 to 1992, from 30 schools. In 1988, approximately 19.3% of kindergarten boys and 9.1% of kindergarten girls throughout the county were older than their classmates as a result of having been held out of school. In 1991, the corresponding figures were 11.4% and 3.7% for boys and girls respectively. Parental soeioeconomic status (SES) was associated with holding out boys, but not girls, in both 1988 and 1991. Specifically, schools with higher SES parents overall had a higher percentage of boys held out. A significantly greater percentage of parents in 1988 were concerned about the appropriateness of the kindergarten classroom for their child than parents in 1991. This study was unable to identify relationships between holding-out and teacher reports of change in kindergarten expectations, practices, and enrollment policies.
Substituent effects on methane activation and elimination by high-valent Zr complexes

A computational study of substituent effects on methane activation and elimination by high-valent zirconium complexes is reported. Substituent (Z) effects (in a structural, electronic, and enthalpic sense) are substantially less important for the imido(L{sub n}Zr=NZ) and imidolike TS than the amido (L{sub n}M-NHZ). For the microscopic reverse reaction, methane CH activation, it suggests that tailoring imido reactivity through electronic modification of nitrogen substituents will be difficult. Analysis of the earliest part of the reaction coordinate for methane elimination entails structural deformation of the Zr-amido to assume an appropriate geometry for elimination, which, in some cases, is directly reflected in substantially higher elimination barriers. Lower elimination barriers correlate with stronger agostic bonding, providing further support for the crucial importance of agostic bonding in facilitating alpha-elimination processes for high-valent transition-metal complexes. 18 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.
On the note emitted from a mug while mixing instant coffee

We have recently observed a curious phenomenon, undoubtedly well known, while mixing instant coffee in a mug. If the bottom of the mug was tapped repeatedly with the spoon as the powder was stirred into the water, the note emitted could be heard to rise in pitch by over an octave. This rise occurred in a matter of seconds, about the same time as it took the mug to heat up. Further experimentation showed that almost any powder could produce the effect in cold or hot water, but water alone would not. Vigorous stirring did not seem essential. A full mug showed as pronounced an effect as a half-filled one.
Grey matter changes associated with host genetic variation and exposure to Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV1) in first episode schizophrenia

Abstract Background We previously reported reduced prefrontal cortex (PFC) grey matter volume among first episode, antipsychotic-naive schizophrenia subjects (SZ) exposed to HSV1 but not among healthy subjects (HS) (Prasad et al., 2007). Independently, rs1051788, an exonic polymorphism of the MHC Class I polypeptide-related sequence B ( MICB ) gene was associated with HSV1 seropositivity, as well as SZ risk. In this study, we examined whether PFC grey matter changes associated with HSV1 exposure varied against the background of MICB genotypes. Methods We examined Caucasian individuals from the sample we studied in our previous report (Prasad et al., 2007) (SZ, n = 21 and HS, n = 19). Whole brain voxelwise analysis of structural MRI scans was conducted using Statistical Parametric Mapping, ver 5 (SPM5). The impact of rs1051788 variation and HSV1 seropositivity on grey matter volumes was examined using regression models on the combined sample of cases and controls, and then within each diagnostic group. Results In the combined sample of cases and controls, we observed the main effects of HSV1 seropositivity and genotypes, and a significant joint effect of HSV1 seropositivity and genotype mainly in the PFC. The joint effect was more prominent among cases than among controls. Discussion Our observations suggest that rs1051788 and HSV1 seropositivity are associated individually and jointly with reduced PFC grey matter volume. The patterns of these associations differ by diagnostic status, and these factors explain only a “small” portion of the variance in the grey matter volume reductions.
Planar Schottky Diodes on High Quality A-plane GaN

We report on the fabrication and characterization of Schottky diodes on a-plane GaN layers grown by epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELOG) over r-plane sapphire. An unintentional electron doping concentration of 2.4×1017 cm-3 with an electron mobility value of 400 cm2/Vs and a hole diffusion length of 2.8 µm was measured for the ELOG a-plane GaN film, confirming its high quality. Planar Schottky diodes located in the lateral overgrowth region show an ideality factor as low as 1.1. The demonstrated feasibility of Schottky barriers and ohmic contacts to ELOG a-plane GaN opens up the possibility of fabricating non-polar electron devices.
Whisker growth in reduction of oxides

Cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) was reduced in CO-CO2 gas mixtures at 1173 K at total pressure between 6.6 × 103 and 3.3 × 104 Pa, and at CO/CO2 ratios between 2.9 and 11.8. The reduction led to the formation of metal whiskers. The experiments and analysis emphasized the behavior of the whisker diameter during reduction. Impurities such as calcium and potassium stimulate metal nucleation but appear to inhibit catalysis of gas reactions at the metal/gas/oxide triple junction. The steady state whisker diameter was found to be inversely proportional to the total gas pressure at constant CO/CO2 ratio. A new model is proposed to explain whisker development. It considers metal/oxide interface diffusion coupled with a metal/oxide/gas triple junction reaction at the whisker base as the process determining the whisker diameter.
Optimization with unary functions

Most nonlinear programming problems consist of functions which are sums of unary functions of linear functions. Advantage can be taken of this form to calculate second and higher order derivatives easily and at little cost. Using these, high order optimization techniques such as Halley's method can be utilized to accelerate the rate of convergence to the solution. These higher order derivatives can also be used to compute second order sensitivity information. These techniques are applied to the solution of the classical chemical equilibrium problem.
Measuring human aversion to sound without verbal descriptors

High school students tapped rapidly on a telegraph key to reduce the intensity of a continuous acoustic stimulus presented through earphones. Failure to respond resulted in an intensity increase of 1 dB every 4 sec. In Experiment 1, a group of 19 students responded to three pure tones (125, 1,000, and 8,000 Hz) and a white noise. The different asymptotic levels observed after 4 min were taken as a measure of equal aversion levels for the stimuli. In Experiment 2, the effect of the starting intensity level (45, 70, and 90 dB SPL) was determined for a 1,000-Hz tone. Differences in the asymptotic intensity levels observed after 6 rain were not significant. In Experiment 3, no significant effect was found upon varying the number of responses required to produce a 1-dB intensity decrement in a 1,000-Hz tone. Together, the experiments demonstrated the feasibility of determining equal-aversion levels for sounds.
Engineering Economy: An Economist's Perspective

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to provide an economist's perspective as to those problems that are currently capturing the attention of engineering economy, and those problems that should be capturing its attention, as well as to indicate some recent advances in economic theory of which engineering economy might well take advantage.
An Ambiguous Citation in Hannah Arendt's The Human Condition

Hannah Arendt's concept of natality is by common consent one of her most numinous contributions to political philosophy. Arendt introduces the idea in the course of her attempt to draw out the significance of the ever-present possibility that someone, somewhere, sometime might say or do something that makes possible a fresh start in the realm of human affairs (Arendt 1958, 247). She characterizes this ineradicable possibility as nothing less than “the miracle that saves the world” from the ruin to which it is otherwise subject. The greatest symbol of this possibility—“its most glorious and succinct expression,” Arendt says—is the Christian Gospels’ announcement of “glad tidings”: “A child has been born unto us.” It is this Christian figuration of the miraculous through the image of the newborn that gives Arendt the term “natality.”
Career choices of 135 cardiology trainees at Duke University Medical Center from 1970 to 1984

Abstract Alarm has been expressed at recently presented evidence showing that diminishing numbers of physicians are entering academic careers. The experience of the cardiology training program at a university medical center between 1970 and 1984 was reviewed to determine the career paths chosen by its trainees. During the study period, 135 physicians received training. Between 1970 and 1978 the percentage of trainees nuking academic medicine their initial career choice fluctuated considerably. Beginning in 1978, the percentage entering academic medicine steadily increased; in the most recent class, 8 of 9 trainees accepted academic faculty positions. Among 72 former trainees who joined an academic faculty after finishing training, approximately 7 % per year left academic medicine for clinical practice. The median length of an academic career was 10 years. individual institutions may be able to reverse the national trend of trainees making clinical practice their initial career choice. However, physicians who leave academic medicine for clinical practice may continue to deplete faculty ranks.
Gender role, sexual orientation and suicide risk

Abstract Background There has been interest in the relationship between homosexuality, gender role and suicide risk. Though homosexuals are more likely to identify as cross-gender, research has not simultaneously examined sexual orientation and gender role in assessing suicide risk. In the current study, the unique and interactive effects of sexual orientation and gender role were assessed in regard to suicidal ideation, related psychopathology and measures of coping. Methods 77 participants were recruited from an undergraduate psychology subject pool ( n = 47) or from gay, lesbian and transgender student organizations ( n = 30) and assessed on measures of gender role, homosexuality, and psychopathology. Results Consistent with expectations, cross-gender role (i.e., personality traits associated with the opposite sex) is a unique predictor of suicidal symptoms. Moreover, gender role accounted for more of the overall variance in suicidal symptoms, positive problem orientation, peer acceptance and support, than sexual orientation. After accounting for gender role, sexual orientation contributed little to the variance in suicidal symptoms, associated pathology and problem-solving deficits. There was no support for gender role by sexual orientation interaction effects. Limitations The cross-sectional nature of the data limits statements regarding causality. Conclusions Cross-gendered individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, appear to have higher risk for suicidal symptoms. Researchers and clinicians should assess gender role in evaluations of youth samples.
Competition-Based Induction of Decision Models from Examples

Symbolic induction is a promising approach to constructing decision models by extracting regularities from a data set of examples. The predominant type of model is a classification rule (or set of rules) that maps a set of relevant environmental features into specific categories or values. Classifying loan risk based on borrower profiles, consumer choice from purchase data, or supply levels based on operating conditions are all examples of this type of model-building task. Although current inductive approaches, such as ID3 and CN2, perform well on certain problems, their potential is limited by the incremental nature of their search. Genetic algorithms (GA) have shown great promise on complex search domains, and hence suggest a means for overcoming these limitations. However, effective use of genetic search in this context requires a framework that promotes the fundamental model-building objectives of predictive accuracy and model simplicity. In this article we describe COGIN, a GA-based inductive system that exploits the conventions of induction from examples to provide this framework. The novelty of COGIN lies in its use of training set coverage to simultaneously promote competition in various classification niches within the model and constrain overall model complexity. Experimental comparisons with NewID and CN2 provide evidence of the effectiveness of the COGIN framework and the viability of the GA approach.
Identifying and managing infrastructure corridor access for economic development, safety, and land use decision making

The performance, cost effectiveness, and safety of trillions of dollars of transportation corridors are both enhanced and threatened by adjacent land uses. These corridors are critical to manufacturing, communications, energy, and the movement of people and goods. State transportation agencies, including the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are responsible for mobility and access on thousands of miles of multimodal corridors. This paper demonstrates methods to automate the collection of access data and prioritize vulnerable sections of the corridors, using sections of the Virginia Statewide Mobility System. The corridor trace analysis methodology described in this paper compares the placement and density of access points to safety metrics, road size, location of traffic management features, and area demographics for hypothesis testing and correlation studies. The results of this study can be used to prioritize the allocation of funding by VDOT, as well as other agencies and regions to minimize risk of land use. The methods can be applied at multiple geographic scales and planning horizons.
A two-year follow-up study of a preventive mental health program for preschoolers.

The long-term effects of a preschool intervention program for high-risk experimental children were assessed and compared to a high-risk placebo control group and low-risk “normal” controls. Seventy first-grade children were involved in this 2-year follow-up. The experimental treatment group was superior to that of the placebo control group at follow-up on the criteria measures of behavioral adjustment and achievement. The low-risk “normal” control group was significantly different from that of the placebo control groups, but generally not significantly different from that of the experimental groups, suggesting that the intervention had boosted the high-risk experimental treatment children to the point where their performance was comparable to that of children who had not experienced behavioral or learning difficulties.
Affiliation, xenophobia, and the behavioral organization of the young domestic chicken

Evidence was reviewed that the social mediation of responses (variously labeled contagion, imitation, or synchrony, among other terms) is an important factor in the behavioral organization of young precocial birds, and the question was raised as to whether or not specific social affiliations are a prerequisite for such an influence. Experiments were conducted with young chickens to determine if there was more matching of responses among companions (cagemates) than among strangers (noncagemates). In the first study, groups of test naive birds were observed, while, in the second study, naive subjects were confronted with conspecific models that had been prepared to exhibit high rates of particular responses (food pecking or tonic immobility). While there was certain evidence that the chickens were disturbed by the presence of strangers (that is, showed a kind of xenophobia), there was as much matching of peck responses observed in combinations of strangers as was observed in combinations of companions. Correlation coefficients expressing matching of food pecking were positive, large, and highly significant under all social conditions. However, social mediation of the immobility reaction was not consistently obtained. The results were discussed in terms of requirements for a theory of social motivation in this species that takes into account both gregarious and xenophobic tendencies.