cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-way adaptation for robust input interpretation in practical multimodal conversation systems

Multimodal conversation systems allow users to interact with computers effectively using multiple modalities, such as natural language and gesture. However, these systems have not been widely used in practical applications mainly due to their limited input understanding capability. As a result, conversation systems often fail to understand user requests and leave users frustrated. To address this issue, most existing approaches focus on improving a system's interpretation capability. Nonetheless, such improvements may still be limited, since they would never cover the entire range of input expressions. Alternatively, we present a two-way adaptation framework that allows both users and systems to dynamically adapt to each other's capability and needs during the course of interaction. Compared to existing methods, our approach offers two unique contributions. First, it improves the usability and robustness of a conversation system by helping users to dynamically learn the system's capabilities in context. Second, our approach enhances the overall interpretation capability of a conversation system by learning new user expressions on the fly. Our preliminary evaluation shows the promise of this approach.
Novel Technique to Determine SparkJet Efficiency

E NERGY deposition has recently received significant interest as a powerful technique in a variety of high-speed flow-control applications [1–5]. To achieve energy deposition, an electromagnetic local flow/flight control (ELFC) device generates pulsed electromagnetic fields. A wide variety of ELFC devices have been developed, including, for example, laser and/or microwave discharge, electron beam, and surface dc/ac discharge [2,3,6] and the nanosecond pulse mode of dielectric barrier discharge operation [7]. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory has developed a unique ELFC device denoted the SparkJet for flow and flight control [8–14]. Figure 1 illustrates schematically the three stages of energy deposition by a SparkJet device. A spark is discharged within a typical volume of several cubic centimeters (stage 1). The high-pressure gas discharges through a converging nozzle, thereby generating an impulse (stage 2). Provided there is a mechanism for recharging the gas in the cavity (stage 3), the sequence can be repeated. Research has been conducted on the SparkJet by different groups. Narayanaswamy et al. [15] have performed experiments to investigate the effect of a SparkJet discharged at different frequencies and locations upstream of a 30 deg wedge on the separation induced by a shock/boundary-layer interaction. Caruana et al. [16] have carried out numerical and experimental research on a plasma synthetic jet generated by a similar device. They have shown that this method can be applicable for separation control and noise reduction. Anderson and Knight [17] have performed analytical and numerical studies to predict the impulse from the jet and the temporal pressure and temperature inside the cavity upon discharge. They have shown that an array of SparkJets can effectively replace a flap and hence be practical in flight control. The objective of this note is the determination of the electromechanical efficiency of a particular design of a SparkJet. The electromechanical efficiency is the fraction of the electrical energy that results in the generation of the SparkJet mechanical impulse based upon a perfect gas model. The spark discharge generates a plasma with excited electronic, rotational, and vibrational states. A portion of the energy dissipated across the spark gap is channeled into heating of the gas (i.e., increasing the translational–rotational temperature), which leads to a high pressure and subsequent jet exiting through the converging nozzle, thus creating the mechanical impulse. Various definitions of the SparkJet efficiency have been published. Haack et al. [13] have experimentally found an efficiency of 35% based on the measured peak pressure inside the SparkJet. In a later study, Haack et al. [14] have experimentally shown an average efficiency of 20–30% in different operating conditions based on the measured pressure and voltage. In this paper, a novel method for determining the electromechanical efficiency is proposed based upon comparison of predictions of a theoretical model and experimental measurements.
Upward mobility: A typology of tactics and strategies for career advancement

Purpose – The purpose of this investigation is to identify and examine the tactics and upward mobility strategies utilized by individuals who advanced into leadership positions. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on both narrative, consensual qualitative research (CQR) and empirical research, the authors conducted in‐depth interviews with 187 leaders from 136 organizations. Findings – This study offers an elaboration on the interrelatedness of career tactics and presents a typology based upon the ranking, bundling and utilization of selected tactics by organization leaders. The analysis produced a framework of four strategic categories: foundation strategies, building self‐brand, being centered and seizing opportunity. The results suggest that the utilization of these strategies is likely to influence career advancement. Research limitations/implications – This study was confined to individuals who had achieved high level positions which may limit the ability to generalize. Practical implications – Organization players will benefit by leveraging the upward mobility typology and recognizing the value of proactive preparedness and career self‐management. Inclusion of this tactical framework will also enhance the effectiveness of organization leadership, mentoring and career counseling programs. Originality/value – The value of this study is twofold. First, it contributes to understanding of advancement tactics in the limited, and often inconclusive, research on upward mobility and predeterminants. Second, it underscores the importance of career tactics in the thought processes of career aspirants faced with a hypercompetitive market.
Cosine-modulated multitone for very-high-speed digital subscriber lines

In this paper, the use of cosine-modulated filter banks (CMFBs) for multicarrier modulation in the application of very-high-speed digital subscriber lines (VDSLs) is studied. We refer to this modulation technique as cosine-modulated multitone (CMT). CMT has the same transmitter structure as discrete wavelet multitone (DWMT). However, the receiver structure in CMT is different from its DWMT counterpart. DWMT uses linear combiner equalizers, which typically have more than 20 taps per subcarrier. CMT, on the other hand, adopts a receiver structure that uses only two taps per subcarrier for equalization. This paper has the following contributions. (i) A modification that reduces the computational complexity of the receiver structure of CMT is proposed. (ii) Although traditionally CMFBs are designed to satisfy perfect-reconstruction (PR) property, in transmultiplexing applications, the presence of channel destroys the PR property of the filter bank, and thus other criteria of filter design should be adopted. We propose one such method. (iii) Through extensive computer simulations, we compare CMT with zipper discrete multitone (z-DMT) and filtered multitone (FMT), the two modulation techniques that have been included in the VDSL draft standard. Comparisons are made in terms of computational complexity, transmission latency, achievable bit rate, and resistance to radio ingress noise.
Ultraviolet light- and ozone-induced changes in pyridinoline, a trisubstituted 3-hydroxypyridinium crosslink of collagen.

Abstract Pyridinoline photo-degraded with the formation of photoproducts absorbing diffusely around 260–290 nm (pH 7) and sharply at 232 nm (pH 1). Subsequent heating partially regenerated the original pyridinoline, also producing new products absorbing at 417/440 nm (pH 7) and at 300/412 nm (pH 1). Pyridinoline (pH 7) and its new products (pH 7 and pH 1) also underwent ozone-induced degradation.
Modeling and generation of AVC and SVC-TS mobile video traces for broadband access networks

We propose a simple model that is capable of capturing the statistical characteristics of mobile video traces encoded using MPEG4-Part2, AVC and SVC-TS encoding standards. The model can be adjusted to adapt to diverse workload configurations, which gives fellow researchers a great flexibility to evaluate different network traffic scenarios. We also discuss the model-based trace generator and the challenges of its implementation. Moreover, we present the simulation results validating the model using different encoding settings. In addition to that, we provide several insights about our video modeling approach. This will help in testing, simulating and validating mobile video transmission and resource scheduling strategies over broadband wireless networks such as WiMAX and LTE.
A randomized clinical trial of the effects of supplemental calcium and vitamin D3 on markers of their metabolism in normal mucosa of colorectal adenoma patients

In cancer cell lines and rodent models, calcium and vitamin D favorably modulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in colonic epithelia. These effects may be modulated by local expression of the calcium receptor (CaR), the vitamin D receptor (VDR), and the P450 cytochromes, CYP27B1 and CYP24A1; however, they have yet to be investigated in humans. To address this gap, we conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial. Patients with at least one pathology-confirmed colorectal adenoma were treated with 2 g/d elemental calcium and/or 800 IU/d vitamin D 3 versus placebo over 6 months ( n = 92; 23 per group). CaR, VDR, CYP27B1, and CYP24A1 expression and distribution in biopsies of normal appearing rectal mucosa were detected by standardized, automated immunohistochemistry and quantified by image analysis. In the calcium-supplemented group, CaR expression increased 27% ( P = 0.03) and CYP24A1 expression decreased 21% ( P = 0.79). In the vitamin D 3 -supplemented group, CaR expression increased 39% ( P = 0.01) and CYP27B1 expression increased 159% ( P = 0.06). In patients supplemented with both calcium and vitamin D 3 , VDR expression increased 19% ( P = 0.13) and CaR expression increased 24% ( P = 0.05). These results provide mechanistic support for further investigation of calcium and vitamin D 3 as chemopreventive agents against colorectal neoplasms, and CaR, VDR, CYP27B1, and CYP24A1 as modifiable, preneoplastic risk biomarkers for colorectal neoplasms. Cancer Res; 71(2); 413–23. ©2010 AACR .
The effect of phytohemagglutinin on ribonucleic acid synthesis and histone acetylation in equine leukocytes.

It is well known that peripheral lymphocytes rarely divide in tissue culture; indeed, they have usually been considered to be the end cell in the pathway of differentiation. However, in the presence of certain mitogenic agents, of which phytohemagglutinin (PHA) is the best known example, a striking transformation occurs; the cells increase their over-all metabolic activity, enlarge, and divide. This response of the small lymphocyte, widely studied since its discovery in 1960 (1, 2), is now known to involve an increased synthesis of ribonucleic acids (3-5). It has also been observed that histone metabolism is altered very early in the process of gene activation for RNA synthesis (5). The acetylation of arginine-rich histones, in particular, is increased very soon after exposure of the cells to the mitogenic agent. Relatively little attention has been paid to the effect of PHA on other cell types. Recently Andrew and Gabourel (6) described cytotoxic effects of PHA on rapidly growing cells in vitro and in vivo. On the other hand, Ioachin (7), found increased mitotic indexes in cell lines in tissue culture under the effect of PHA; Gamble also observed a stimulatory response in all cell types in mouse spleen in vivo (8). Ameba growth was also stimulated by PHA (9). In polymorphonuclear leukocytes, only vacuolization has been found after some hours in tissue culture in the presence of PHA (10, 11), and Razari found fluorescence in the polymorphonuclear cell cytoplasm as soon as 15 min after exposure to fluorescent PHA (12). In a previous publication (5), the correlation between RNA synthesis and histone acetylation was studied in lymphocytes stimulated by PHA. We also observed that PHA inhibited both processes in equine granulocytes. A detailed account of these effects in equine lymphocytes and granulocytes (with special reference to RNA synthesis and histone acetylation) will be reported here.
Patterns of drug abuse.

A great deal of interest and debate has focused on the tendency of drug abusers to progress from one drug to another (e.g., the relationship between marijuana and heroin abuse). This paper presents methods and results from three types of analysis: (1) correlation between pairs of drugs, without regard for order of abuse; (2) measurement of the order in which pairs of drugs are abused; and (3) determination of what holistic patterns or sequences of drugs tend to be followed. Results indicate that patterns of abuse are not random, and that distinctions should be made between drugs on nonpharmacological grounds. The suggestion is made that the pattern of abuse may be useful in generating typologies of drug abusers.
Non-criteria anti-phospholipid antibodies and cognitive impairment in SLE

The pathogenesis of cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is unknown. Anti-phospholipid antibodies (APL) have been implicated. The APL which have been evaluated have variably included anti-cardiolipin (ACL) antibodies, lupus anticoagulant (LAC), and antibodies to beta-2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI). Few studies have examined other APL (so-called non-criteria APL). We evaluated the association of CI with a broad spectrum of non-criteria APL. Subjects meeting SLE classification criteria were recruited from three different patient populations. Cognitive function was assessed with the Automated Neuropsychologic Assessment Metrics (ANAM), a validated computer-based assessment tool. The total throughput score (TTS = number of correct responses/time) was used as the primary outcome measure. The following APL of all three isotypes were assessed by ELISA using standardized techniques: anti-β2GPI, anti-phosphatidyl ethanolamine (aPE), anti-phosphatidyl choline (aPC), anti-phosphatidyl inositol (aPI), anti-phosphatidyl serine (aPS), anti-phosphatidyl glycerol (aPG), anti-phosphatidic acid (aPA). Fifty-seven (57) patients were evaluated. Of the 57, 12 had definite CI (>1.5 SD below the mean of an age-, sex-, and race-matched RA population). The two groups were significantly different with regard to age, ethnicity, and family income. There was no significant difference between groups with regard to the presence of any non-criteria APL. When titers of specific non-criteria APL were compared with TTS, no significant correlations were found. Using multiple linear regression and adjusting for relevant covariates including age, ethnicity, and family income, neither the presence nor the titer of any non-criteria APL significantly influenced TTS. In this cross-sectional study, non-criteria APL were not associated with CI.
Assessing Individual Learning Styles: An Analysis of Five Instruments

Individual learning styles, their complex mechanisms and their elusive physiognomies, have become the focus of increased experimentation in many subject matter areas. This article describes the salient features of five testing instruments which, though dissimilar in scope and emphases, illustrate the direction of recent trends. Included are Harry Reinert's ELSIE (Edmonds Learning Style Identification Exercise) with its major emphasis on the learner's preferred method of adopting and internalizing words; Joseph Hill's Cognitive Style Interest Inventory, a broad-base instrument which examines the interacting influences of communicative symbols, sensory experiences, and programmatic cues; Anthony Papalia's Learning Modalities and Individual Differences Inventories, a comparative approach in which the student's self-assessment of his cognitive preferences is juxtaposed with the teacher's observations; David E. Hunt's Paragraph Completion Method, which probes into the learner's conceptual maturity level; and the Dunn, Dunn, and Price Learning Style Inventory which is designed to analyze the influences of environmental, emotional, sociological, and physical stimuli in determining individual learning patterns.
Multiuser detection based on a deterministic error specification: theory and low-complexity adaptive solutions

This paper proposes a new strategy for multiuser detection in DS/CDMA systems. The detectors are designed to meet a deterministic worst-case error performance measure. Formulations with and without the use of training signals are considered and a solution for each is presented. Further, they are shown to be near-far resistant. An advantage in posing the multiuser detection problem this way is that computationally efficient adaptive algorithms can be derived for both the blind and non-blind cases, whose performance is very comparable to that of traditional RLS-like algorithms. It is also shown that sharing of detectors across users is possible, leading to significant reduction in hardware requirements.
Control system design for a robotic autoloader

Control system design for a robot operating in a constrained work volume is addressed. The controllers must be designed so that the resultant trajectories do not violate these boundary constraints. Furthermore, the trajectories must be near minimum time and have minimum fluctuation to satisfy the spatial constraints, as well as minimum overshoot for endpoint accuracy. The most stringent requirements are that the controllers must be implementable using state of the art computer components and they must have adequate robustness to allow for robot parameter variations and disturbances. To meet these requirements one is restricted to somewhat classical controllers such as PID, nonlinear feedback laws with integrators and for certain tasks, minimum time strategies are applicable. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate and compare these strategies subject to the above constraints.
Asymmetric Volatility in Emerging and Mature Markets

In his Nobel Laureate lecture Engle notes that asymmetric volatility has a significant impact on risk. In this article equity market volatility is estimated using an asymmetric power-GARCH model which nests many other popular models. We estimate the magnitude of asymmetric volatility for several emerging and mature markets for three sub-periods. Many mature markets exhibit large magnitudes of asymmetric volatility and several emerging markets do so as well. The magnitude of asymmetry varies by sub-period and is consistent with the suggestion in Campbell and Hentschel (1992) that asymmetry is greater when markets are more volatile.
The coronin-like protein POD-1 is required for anterior–posterior axis formation and cellular architecture in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Establishment of anterior–posterior (a-p) polarity in the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo depends on filamentous (F-) actin. Previously, we isolated an F-actin-binding protein that was enriched in the anterior cortex of the one-cell embryo and was hypothesized to link developmental polarity to the actin cytoskeleton. Here, we identify this protein, POD-1, as a new member of the coronin family of actin-binding proteins. We have generated a deletion within the pod-1 gene. Elimination of POD-1 from early embryos results in a loss of physical and molecular asymmetries along the a-p axis. For example, PAR-1 and PAR-3, which themselves are polarized and required for a-p polarity, are delocalized in pod-1 mutant embryos. However, unlike loss of PAR proteins, loss of POD-1 gives rise to the formation of abnormal cellular structures, namely large vesicles of endocytic origin, membrane protrusions, unstable cell divisions, a defective eggshell, and deposition of extracellular material. We conclude that, analogous to coronin, POD-1 plays an important role in intracellular trafficking and organizing specific aspects of the actin cytoskeleton. We propose models to explain how the role of POD-1 in basic cellular processes could be linked to the generation of polarity along the embryonic a-p axis.
Fuzzy logic rules in low and mid level computer vision tasks

Humans have excelled at the complex perceptual tasks involved in visual interpretation. Progress has been consistent but fairly slow in performing vision related problems by computer. In an effort to bring more human-like processing into computer vision activities, rule-based systems have been utilized. The uncertainty and vagueness present in image analysis suggest fuzzy logic is a natural paradigm. This presentation is based on a publication exploring the application of fuzzy rule-based systems in various computer vision tasks (Keller et al., 1996). The paper discusses a few of the efforts in this growing field of activity in the areas of low and intermediate level vision.
To Tap or Not To Tap What Are the Best Indicators for Performing a Lumbar Puncture in an Outpatient Child

A survey of the signs and symptoms of 709 children subjected to lumbar puncture on the suspicion of meningitis did not permit construction of a pattern which could identify the existence of meningitis in a suspected case. The predictive value for the symptoms of lethargy, headache, and convulsion associated with fever became meaningful only when the symp toms were associated with one or more signs of meningeal irritation.
Incorporating [3H]Thymidine into Hydra by Microinjection

To label hydra by injecting [3H]thymidine into the gastric cavity (Campbell, 1965; David and Campbell, 1972).
A Refutation of the Hypothesis of the Superfidelity of Caricatures Relative to Photographs

The experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that caricatures, relative to photographs, are ‘superfaithful’ carriers of information for facial recognition. Subjects were shown fifteen pictures of people's faces and were then asked to pick those same people out of a set of fifty-four pictures. There were three sets of pictures: caricatures, profile-view photographs, and three-quarter-view photographs. There were nine groups of subjects: for three groups the exposure and test stimuli were in the same medium, for six groups the test stimuli were in one of the media not previously seen. Points were scored for the number of people correctly identified and the number of false positives. Facial recognition within medium was very good, but was seriously disrupted by any medium shift, especially those involving caricatures. It is argued that the superfidelity of caricature may be manifest only when the task involves recognition of actual persons rather than their pictures.
Rapid profiling via stratified sampling

Sophisticated binary translators and dynamic optimizers demand a program profiler with low overhead, high accuracy, and the ability to collect a variety of profile types. A profiling scheme that achieves these goals is proposed. Conceptually, the hardware compresses a stream of profile data by counting identical events; the compressed profile dam is passed to software for analysis. Compressing the high-bandwidth event stream greatly reduces software overhead. Because optimizations can tolerate some profiling errors, we allow the stream compressor to be lossy, thereby enabling a low-cost sampling-based hardware design. Because the hardware compressor is insensitive to the event content, it supports various profile types and can process multiple types simultaneously.Basic components of our framework are periodic and random samplers, counters, and hash functions. These components are composed to form a variety of stream compressors. One design is both simple and very effective: the input stream is hash-split into multiple substreams, each of which is fed into a simple periodic sampler that selects every kth event. This stratified periodic sampler performs better than conventional random sampling because it biases each substream towards a small number of unique events, thereby reducing sampling error, and allowing faster convergence to an accurate profile. For example, convergence to a given level of accuracy is about twice as fast for gcc. When sampling overhead is considered, the stratified periodic profiler achieves less than 3% error while incurring an overhead of only 3.5% for gcc.
Electrical Conductivity and Elastic Properties of MWCNT-PP Nanocomposites

Electrical and elastic properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) reinforced polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites were studied experimentally and theoretically. The MWCNT-PP nanocomposites samples with a range of 0 to 12 wt% MWCNT were injection molded using different injection velocities. These nanocomposites were characterized for their electrical resistance using 2-Probe measurement and their tensile properties. Parallel to the experimental investigation, a percolation theory was applied to study the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite system in terms of content of nanotubes and injection rate. Both Kirkpatrick [1] and McLachlan [2] models were used to determine the transition from low conductivity to high conductivity which designates as percolation threshold. Both experimental and modeling results have shown that the electrical conductivity increased suddenly as the content of MWNTs was close to percolation threshold of 3.8 wt%. The injection speed also showed an effect on electrical conductivity of the composites. In addition, several micromechanical models were applied to elucidate the elastic properties of the nanocomposites. The results indicate that the interphase between the carbon nanotubes and polymers plays an important role in determining elastic modulus of the system.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Incremental utility of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis and preoperative assessment of cleft mitral valve in adults

Cleft mitral valve is a rare congenital anomaly that may present in isolation or accompany other cardiac malformations. Our illustrative case series highlights the advantages of three-dimensional over conventional two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis and morphologic assessment cleft mitral valve in adults.
The Failed Utopia of a Modern African Vernacular: Hassan Fathy in New Gourna

My research on Hassan Fathy's New Gourna project in Egypt will try to set the appropriate history and the relevant principles on which this key project is based. The main body of the paper consists of a critical analysis of some of Fathy's theories and practices, as we understand they are essential to reevaluate the architect's work. Concentrating on this specific part could encourage some interesting new discussions of a legacy that dealt with the transitional relationship between modern and vernacular in Egypt. Through the text, I will try to synthesize Fathy's achievements and rediscover what his ideas have meant to the architectural discourse in a postmodern context. The exploration of a critical case study in Fathy's architectural work leads us to question his practice of architecture under economical and social circumstances within a nation that was dealing with its own identity.
Individual Differences in Nonsymbolic Ratio Processing Predict Symbolic Math Performance

What basic capacities lay the foundation for advanced numerical cognition? Are there basic nonsymbolic abilities that support the understanding of advanced numerical concepts, such as fractions? To date, most theories have posited that previously identified core numerical systems, such as the approximate number system (ANS), are ill-suited for learning fraction concepts. However, recent research in developmental psychology and neuroscience has revealed a ratio-processing system (RPS) that is sensitive to magnitudes of nonsymbolic ratios and may be ideally suited for supporting fraction concepts. We provide evidence for this hypothesis by showing that individual differences in RPS acuity predict performance on four measures of mathematical competence, including a university entrance exam in algebra. We suggest that the nonsymbolic RPS may support symbolic fraction understanding much as the ANS supports whole-number concepts. Thus, even abstract mathematical concepts, such as fractions, may be grounded not only in higher-order logic and language, but also in basic nonsymbolic processing abilities.
What Learnability Issues Do Primary Care Physicians Experience When Using CPOE

Objective: To determine learnability gaps between expert and novice primary care physicians when using a computerized physician order entry (CPOE). Method: Two rounds of lab-based usability tests using video analyses with triangular method approach were conducted to analyze learnability gaps between ten novice and six expert physicians. Results: There was a 14 percent point increase in novice physicians’ task success rate (p = 0.29) and an 11 percent point increase in expert physicians’ task success rate between round one and round two (p = 0.64). There was an 8 % decrease in novice physicians’ time on task between round one and round two (p = 0.83) and a 12 % decrease in expert physicians’ time on task between round one and round two (p = 0.47). There was a 17 % decrease in novice physicians’ mouse clicks between round one and round two (p = 0.97) and a 20 % decrease in expert physicians’ mouse clicks between round one and round two (p = 0.80). There was a 5 % increase in novice physicians’ mouse movements between round one and round two (p = 0.67) and an 8 % decrease in expert physicians’ mouse movements between round one and round two (p = 0.99). Conclusion: Future directions include identifying usability issues faced by physicians when using the EHR through subtask analysis.
Acoustic and Mating Behavior of Dalbulus Leaf hoppers (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

The acoustic repertoire and mating behavior of Dalbulus leafhoppers were studied in the laboratory. Acoustic signals were recorded via microphone and tape recorder, and analyzed sonographically and oscillographically. Male common calls of 10 Dalbulus spp. were compared using duration and rate measurements of call parts (sections, phases, and pulses), amplitude ratios of pulses, and dominant frequencies. Call types were characteristic based on repeated measures analysis of variance followed by Scott-Knott mean separation. Common calls had significant variations among species but no one acoustic variable uniquely identified a species. A multivariate hierarchical cluster analysis of calls partitioned Dalbulus species into three groups: 1) D. quinquenotatus DeLong & Nault and D. chiapensis Triplehorn & Nault; 2) D. longulus DeLong, D. guevarai DeLong, and D. elimatus (Ball); 3) D. maidis (DeLong & Wolcott), D. chariest Triplehorn & Nault, D. tripsacoides DeLong & Nault, D. gelbus DeLong, and D. guzmani DeLong & Nault. With the exception of D. guzmani, groupings of species based on male common calls are similar to groupings of species based on cladistic analysis of morphological characters. Beside common calls, Dalbulus males produce courtship calls, copulatory calls, rivalry calls, and distress calls. Courtship calls were recorded from Dalbulus females. The basic pattern of courtship and copulation for Dalbulus leafhoppers is described
Technique for Temporary or Chronic Vascular Occlusion or Narrowing In Intact Animals.

SummaryDetails are given for construction of small polyethylene snares for chronic implantation for the purpose of producing subsequent permanent or temporary vascular narrowing or complete occlusion in intact awake or anesthetized animals.
Embedded Thin-Film Sensor for Crack Detection and Monitoring in Fracture Critical Turbine Engine Components

The development and implementation of an integrated health management system has the potential to significantly enhance the reliability and readiness of high-value assets, while concurrently decreasing sustainment costs. A key aspect of this approach is on-board sensing to provide continual feedback on the evolving damage state at the material and component level. This paper summarizes the development and status of an embedded, thin-film, wireless, sensor for detecting and monitoring material damage state (i.e., cracking) in critical turbine engine components at elevated temperature. The potential benefits of on-board detection and monitoring of defects, as compared to periodic depot inspections, were previously assessed using probabilistic simulations. These results provided target sensitivities for the development of the thin-film sensor. The status of the sensor system is summarized including its ability to generate elastic waves and detect/monitor fatigue cracks in engineering materials at temperatures to 500°F (260°C). Crack detection sensitivities with and without load application are compared, as well as those for wired versus wireless signal transmission.© 2006 ASME
MELANIN-TARGETED NONLINEAR MICROSCOPY FOR LABEL-FREE MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS AND STAGING

Nonlinear pump-probe microscopy differentiates cutaneous, vulvar and conjunctival melanomas from less dangerous lesions, and can be used to assess metastatic potential. Applications in vivo (knockout mouse models) and in human biopsy are presented.
Edge chipping resistance and flexural strength of polymer infiltrated ceramic network and resin nanoceramic restorative materials.

Abstract Statement of problem Two novel restorative materials, a polymer infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) and a resin nanoceramic (RNC), for computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD-CAM) applications have recently become commercially available. Little independent evidence regarding their mechanical properties exists to facilitate material selection. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to measure the edge chipping resistance and flexural strength of the PICN and RNC materials and compare them with 2 commonly used feldspathic ceramic (FC) and leucite reinforced glass-ceramic (LRGC) CAD-CAM materials that share the same clinical indications. Material and methods PICN, RNC, FC, and LRGC material specimens were obtained by sectioning commercially available CAD-CAM blocks. Edge chipping test specimens (n=20/material) were adhesively attached to a resin substrate before testing. Edge chips were produced using a 120-degree, sharp, conical diamond indenter mounted on a universal testing machine and positioned 0.1 to 0.7 mm horizontally from the specimen's edge. The chipping force was plotted against distance to the edge, and the data were fitted to linear and quadratic equations. One-way ANOVA determined intergroup differences (α=.05) in edge chipping toughness. Beam specimens (n=22/material) were tested for determining flexural strength using a 3-point bend test. Weibull statistics determined intergroup differences (α=.05). Flexural modulus and work of fracture were also calculated, and 1-way ANOVA determined intergroup differences (α=.05) Results Significant ( P LRGC=FC>PICN; flexural strength: RNC=LRGC>PICN>FC; flexural modulus: RNC LRGC=PICN>FC. Conclusions The RNC material demonstrated superior performance for the mechanical properties tested compared with the other 3 materials.
Luminescence Processes in Nb Doped YV04

Impurities like Nb5+ or Ta5+ (1) and Tb3+ (2) in minor or trace quantities in the lattice of YV04(Eu) are known to increase the efficiency of Eu3+ emission under 3650A but not under 2537A. Efforts have been made to explain the luminescence processes associated with the said impurities without systematically investigating the effect of these minor impurities on the luminescence characteristics of self activated YV04 In this paper, the absorption, excitation and emission spectra as well as life time of Nb doped YVO4 will be presented to discuss the role played by these impurities in the luminescence processes of self-activated YV04.
Reconstruction after mastectomy.

Advances in materials and techniques, especially those involving transposition of muscle and skin flaps, have made breast reconstruction possible for most women who undergo mastectomy for breast cancer. It is essential that the reconstructive surgeon be part of the management team from the beginnng of treatment planning. The patient’s clinical status and the type of local treatment will be significant determinants of the reconstructive options. The promise of attractive, symmetriC, and natural-appearing breasts, complete with a symmetric nipple-areolar complex, has somewhat reduced the diminishment of selfesteem and threat to feminity that can accompany the loss of a breast. Thus, it may encourage earlier seeking of treatment for breast disease.
Special Article: ICD-10: The Time is Now

Abstract Introduction The mandated conversion to ICD-10 is immediately on the horizon. Methods The history, rationale, costs and benefits of, and opposition to the new coding system are presented. Results Successful implementation requires a teamwork approach. Billing and coding systems that are in place must be thoroughly assessed. Conversion is expensive and a budget must be created. Training is a crucial part of moving forward and a test period is needed after training is complete. Conclusions ICD-10 has arrived and adopting it is the only option.
Privacy and Gender in Household Orders

In 1953, W. G. Hoskins profoundly shaped our current understanding of early modern privacy when he identified the Great Rebuilding, a boom in residential remodeling of the 1570s to 1640s, as an effect of a new desire for privacy that had filtered down from the aristocracy to yeomen farmers. A massive remodeling of England, the Great Rebuilding replaced medieval halls, large spaces for communal living and dining, with two-storied houses of many smaller, specialized rooms. Such small rooms, according to Hoskins, enabled a “withdrawal from communal life,” first for the master of the family and later for everyone else.1 This concept suits our modern sense that privacy involves freedom from others’ surveillance or knowledge; it also implies that prior to the Great Rebuilding, privacy had not been valued in the same way. Lena Cowen Orlin revises this narrative by arguing that the desire for privacy competed with an equally strong value placed on surveillance as a guarantor of order. Some of the changes in domestic architecture characteristic of the Great Rebuilding, she convincingly demonstrates, enhanced opportunities to observe others.2 This chapter examines domestic privacy from a new point of view: the relations between masters (or mistresses) and servants represented by household orders, or manuscript lists of directions to servants.
Bioreductively activatable prodrug conjugates of phenstatin designed to target tumor hypoxia.

Abstract A variety of solid tumor cancers contain significant regions of hypoxia, which provide unique challenges for targeting by potent anticancer agents. Bioreductively activatable prodrug conjugates (BAPCs) represent a promising strategy for therapeutic intervention. BAPCs are designed to be biologically inert until they come into contact with low oxygen tension, at which point reductase enzyme mediated cleavage releases the parent anticancer agent in a tumor-specific manner. Phenstatin is a potent inhibitor of tubulin polymerization, mimicking the chemical structure and biological activity of the natural product combretastatin A-4. Synthetic approaches have been established for nitrobenzyl, nitroimidazole, nitrofuranyl, and nitrothienyl prodrugs of phenstatin incorporating nor -methyl, mono -methyl, and gem -dimethyl variants of the attached nitro compounds. A series of BAPCs based on phenstatin have been prepared by chemical synthesis and evaluated against the tubulin-microtubule protein system. In a preliminary study using anaerobic conditions, the gem -dimethyl nitrothiophene and gem- dimethyl nitrofuran analogues were shown to undergo efficient enzymatic cleavage in the presence of NADPH cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase. Each of the eleven BAPCs evaluated in this study demonstrated significantly reduced inhibitory activity against tubulin in comparison to the parent anti-cancer agent phenstatin (IC 50 = 1.0 μM). In fact, the majority of the BAPCs (seven of the eleven analogues) were not inhibitors of tubulin polymerization (IC 50 > 20 μM), which represents an anticipated (and desirable) attribute for these prodrugs, since they are intended to be biologically inactive prior to enzyme-mediated cleavage to release phenstatin.
Risk Factors for Delayed Referral to a Craniofacial Specialist for Treatment of Craniosynostosis.

Objective To assess the impact of age at referral on treatment options in craniosynostosis and to identify risk factors for referral delays in this population. Study design A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients with an abnormal head shape diagnosis treated at a single academic medical center between January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2014. Newly diagnosed patients with craniosynostosis were identified and referral patterns were examined. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors associated with the range of ages at initial referral. Results A total of 477 patients were evaluated at our institution, 197 of whom were subsequently diagnosed with craniosynostosis. The median age at initial appointment was 5.6 months (mean 8.2 months). Only 28% of children were referred within 3 months of birth. Patients referred within 3 months of birth were less likely to have had preappointment imaging than those patients referred slightly later (OR 2.53, CI 1.07-5.98, P = .035). Several variables were associated with referral after 12 months of age including multiple suture involvement (OR 4.21, CI 1.06-16.68, P = .041), minority race (OR 4.96, CI 1.91-12.9, P ≤ .0001), and referral by a nonpediatrician (OR 6.9, CI 1.73-27.49, P = .006). Conclusions Obtaining imaging before referral to a specialist for abnormal head shape was associated with a delay in evaluation and potentially increases radiation exposure and limits treatment options in patients with craniosynostosis. In addition, children from minority groups, children referred from someone other than a pediatrician's office, and those with multiple suture craniosynostosis are at increased risk of delayed referral. Further studies into the cause of these delays are warranted.
Promoting Actively Aging: Advancing a Framework for Social Work Practice with Older Adults:

The United States is experiencing a growing aging population, and the profession will need to increase the number of gerontological social workers. However, the social work profession has been relatively quiet in the debate on theories of aging as well as the development of approaches to social work practice with older adults. This article aims to further advance social work practice by critiquing existing aging theories or frameworks against social work values and ethical principles and by presenting the development of actively aging as a framework to guide practice with older adults. Actively aging considers the interplay between individuals' experiences; their meanings of aging; and their social, environmental, political, and cultural structures. The five principles of actively aging are presented, as well as considerations for future research and theory development on aging.
Effects of Extinction of an Instrumental Response on Stereotyped Body Rocking in Severe Retardates

Effects of extinction of a well-learned instrumental response were examined in relation to stereotyped rocking behaviors of severely retarded patients. The results indicated that one of the behavioral concomitants of nonreward of an instrumental response is an increase in nonadaptive stereotyped movements among some severely retarded individuals.
Group based learning among caregivers: assessing mothers' knowledge before and after an early childhood intervention in rural Guatemala.

Background:The first three years of a child’s life are a critical period for brain growth and development. Caregiver interventions during this period that improve early childhood health and develop...
Using arts-based materials to explore the complexities of clinical decision- making in a social work methods course

High-impact educational practices through use of arts-based materials (ABM) enrich student learning by deepening emotional and cognitive understanding of others, providing new perspectives on issues, and engaging students in critical reflection. As a form of multimodal learning, using ABM in the classroom engages students in visual, verbal, nonverbal, and experiential learning, which has been shown to contribute to improved learning outcomes. This article describes a high-impact, whole-minded, project in an MSW clinical practice course that involved ABM. The authors provide recommendations for others who are interested in incorporating high-impact ABM projects into their teaching.
Spatial dynamics of habitat use informs reintroduction efforts in the presence of an invasive predator

Islands experience major impacts from introduced species, especially nocturnal predators. The brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) extirpated almost the entire native avifauna on Guam after introduction. Reintroductions from neighbouring islands can restore bird communities but will take place in heavily managed units where snake populations can be controlled. Yet, reintroductions often proceed without relevant biological information such as habitat and space use when nocturnal predators are present. To guide efforts, we studied the avian frugivore community's diurnal and nocturnal habitat and space use on the island of Saipan, where the snake is absent. Using radiotelemetry and a Bayesian framework, we compared data typically accessible to resource managers (diurnal home range [DHR] and habitat selection), which often form the basis of reintroduction plans. We contrasted this with data on nocturnal habitat use that is often not available but relevant when nocturnal predation threat is high. Diurnal home range size varied within and among species with Micronesian Starlings (Aplonis opaca) having DHRs at least 45 ha larger than other species. For all species, night roost locations were generally spatially clustered within a DHR and covered a smaller spatial extent. Two species had higher probabilities of roosting outside DHR boundaries but, when outside, roosts were often within 200 m of the DHR boundary. All species selected forested habitats during day and night, with some species choosing native forest over non‐native habitat. Synthesis and applications. If individuals roosted randomly throughout diurnal home ranges (DHRs), landscape‐level suppression of the brown tree snake on Guam might be the only viable option for reintroductions. However, we found that all species showed clustered roosting and high site fidelity. If site fidelity is common, then individuals that roost within fenced areas where snake populations are severely reduced will experience high survival even if diurnal home ranges extend into the surrounding unprotected matrix. There was a large overlap in habitat selection during day and night, indicating managed areas should be composed of native forest with non‐native forests of secondary importance. In systems with nocturnal predators, understanding variability in diurnal and nocturnal habitat use could lead to better informed management decisions.