cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
End User Perception of Online Risk under Uncertainty

In this paper we leverage a canonical nine dimensional model of offline risk perception to better understand online risk perceptions. Understanding risk perception facilitates the development of better risk communication and mitigation technologies. We conducted a classic off-line survey to identify the dimensions of online risk perceptions of end users. These results were different from those observed for offline risks. When investigating the original nine dimensional model we found that severity of a risk was the biggest factor in shaping risk perception. We note that technically similar dimensions were not clustered together by participants. We further reduced the nine dimensional model to a four dimensional framework. The variance explained by the original framework was 13.76%. This increased to 83.6% under the reduced model. Under the new model time was the most significant determinant of perceived risk. We found that risks that had a physical analogue were considered more risky and were much better understood. Finally, we discuss the experimental challenges in using offline risk models for online risks.
Nitric oxide triggers a switch to growth arrest during differentiation of neuronal cells

Arrest of cell division is a prerequisite for cells to enter a program of terminal differentiation. Mitogenesis and cytostasis of neuronal cell precursors can be induced by the same or by different growth or trophic factors. Response of PC12 cells to nerve growth factor (NGF) involves a proliferative phase that is followed by growth arrest and differentiation. Here we present evidence that the cytostatic effect of NGF is mediated by nitric oxide (NO), a second messenger molecule with both para- and autocrine properties that can diffuse freely and act within a restricted volume. We show that NGF induces different forms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in neuronal cells, that nitric oxide (NO) acts as a cytostatic agent in these cells, that inhibition of NOS leads to reversal of NGF-induced cytostasis and thereby prevents full differentiation, and that capacity of a mutant cell line to differentiate can be rescued by exogenous NO. We suggest that induction of NOS is an important step in the commitment of neuronal precursors and that NOS serves as a growth arrest gene, initiating the switch to cytostasis during differentiation.
A Comparison of Cavitation Inception Index Measurements to the Spatial Pressure Distribution Within a 2D Cavity Shear Flow

Direct cavitation inception index measurements and observation on occurrence of cavitation are compared to results of novel spatial pressure distribution measurements in a 2D cavity shear flow. This non-intrusive technique utilizes four-exposure PIV to measure the distribution of material acceleration, and integrating it by means of omni-directional virtual boundary integration algorithm to obtain the pressure distribution (Liu and Katz, 2006). Consequently, it provides the instantaneous spatial distributions of velocity, material acceleration and pressure over a sample area along with their statistics. The present Reynolds numbers based on the cavity length vary from 1.7×105 to 3.4×105 . High-speed imaging of cavitation inception, recorded at 30,000 fps, indicates that for this 2D cavity flow, the onset of cavitation always occurs on the top of the cavity trailing edge, regardless of the free stream speed. With decreasing pressure cavitation intermittently expand to the region located just in front of the cavity. The time-averaged spatial pressure distribution has a minimum just above the trailing edge due to the interaction of the impinging shear layer with the trailing wall. Around the cavity trailing edge, the mean flow first decelerates due to the impingement, but then accelerates right above the trailing edge, creating a local pressure minimum there. RMS values and PDFs of pressure fluctuations show that the highest fluctuations occur around the cavity trailing edge, and that the pressure peaks are consistent with the measured cavitation inception indices. There is also agreement between pressure statistics and conditions of appearance of cavitation in front of the trailing edge. The paper also provides the first directly measured experimental data on pressure-velocity correlation and pressure diffusion terms that appear in the evolution equation for turbulent kinetic energy. Results compared to other terms that act as sources and sinks in the turbulent kinetic energy balance. It is evident that near the trailing edge of the cavity, the contribution of pressure diffusion is comparable to that of turbulent kinetic energy production rate, and is much larger than the turbulent diffusion rate. Trends and spatial distribution of pressure diffusion also differs from those of turbulence diffusion.© 2007 ASME
A solid state switched power supply for simultaneous capacitor recharge and railgun operation

A capacitive power supply for driving a railgun load has been developed using solid-state electronic switchgear and computer-grade electrolytic capacitors. These choices provide relative ease of component orientation and insensitivity to field conditions. The circuit is constructed so that half the bank capacitance is initially charged while the other half is uncharged. both halves are connected in series with the load, and diodes across each prevent voltage reversal. When the discharge is initiated, the current passing through a railgun simultaneously charges the uncharged section of the capacitor bank. Modeled and actual circuit performance results from a four-module supply, with 7500 J and 30 kA per module, are presented. It is concluded that this type of supply is ideal for use with augmented and multiturn railguns. In these configurations the pulse-shaping inductance becomes part of the railgun itself. A feature of this arrangement which may be exploited is zero current crossing with projectile exit; this is required for flashless firing and reducing tip-off of the projectile upon launch. >
1/ n-Expansion of the scaling function for critical scattering

Abstract The zero-field two-point correlation function of an n-vector system in d dimensions is calculated to order n− for T ⩾ Tc. The scaling function is obtained as a closed, cutoff-independent integral. The behavior at q→0 and at t→0 is discussed.
ARTSI robotics roadshow-in-a-box: turnkey solution for providing robotics workshops to middle and high school students (abstract only)

In this half-day tutorial, we will introduce the ARTSI "Robotics Roadshow-in-a-Box (RRIB)", a single point resource for those getting started in robotics outreach. The RRIB is a kit which contains robots, software and prepared materials for providing robotics workshops for middle and high school students that focuses on showing computer scientists as problem solvers and not just programmers through activities with a larger context. The RRIB fills a need for materials that are accessible to those who may have limited knowledge of robotics or limited experience in middle school outreach, whether that is undergraduate students or faculty researchers who might have limited outreach experience or preparation time. Laptop Required.
Experimental evaluation of microsurgical repair of the lingual nerve.

Abstract Epineural microsurgical repair of the lingual nerve has been shown to be effective in leading to return of sensation in an animal model. Cadaver dissections have provided information regarding surgical access to the operative site, some possible anatomic variations that may be encountered, and a method for nerve repositioning to allow a gain in length.
The Generalization of the Effects of a Cognitive- Behavioral Treatment Program for Aggressive Children

A cognitive-behavioral treatment program for aggressive children was assessed using 12 outcome measures classified into five categories which reflected a continuum of generalization of treatment effects. From a summer daycamp 41 children, ages 7 through 12, were selected based on aggressive behavior displayed during the first week of camp. They were randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a nontreatment control group. Treatment consisted of four weeks of coping-skills training using behavioral rehearsal and self-instruction training. Considering all 12 measures, treatment was found effective (F=2.90, p < .01). The most meaningful results included improved interpersonal problem-solving skills and a decrease in being disciplined for fighting. No changes were found, however, in physical or verbal aggression and in peer rating of aggression. Modest support for the effectiveness of these treatment procedures was identified, although caution is needed in considering their clinical utility. Further research and application appear justified.
Interpretation of Photoejection Experiments and the Well Depth of Electronic Bubbles in Liquid Helium

A calculation of the optical-absorption cross section of electronic bubbles in liquid helium is presented as a function of energy and pressure for various assumed values of the zero-pressure well depth ${V}_{0}(0)$. It is shown that a simple interpretation of the Northby-Zipfel-Sanders experiments on "photoejection" can be based on a value of ${V}_{0}(0)$ of 0.95 eV, varying with pressure (i.e., density) according to either the optical or the Wigner-Seitz approximation. We suggest an interpretation in which the electron is not necessarily released from the bubble, and predict that these experiments performed at 12 $\ensuremath{\mu}$ (zero pressure) to 25 $\ensuremath{\mu}$ (15 atm) would show a ${10}^{2}$-larger effect.
Forced Planetary Waves in the Northern Hemisphere Winter: Wave-Coupled Orographic and Thermal Forcings

Abstract A more complete and new formulation of the orographic forcing and new thermal forcings are included in a steady state model of the Northern Hemisphere planetary waves. When both forcings are included, the simulation produces excellent results which are compared in detail with observations. In particular, the Siberian high, the tropospheric East Asian trough and subtropical tropospheric East Asian jet stream maxima are well reproduced even though the forcing is primarily extratropical in origin. The modes uses a lower boundary condition in which the orographic forcing is determined by the effects of the total flow, not just the zonal mean basic state. Consequently, the net orographic forcing changes when thermal forcing is added and the tow solution is not equal to the linear sum of the solutions with orographic and thermal forcings separately. The thermally induced orographic forcing is found to be very significant and, in the troposphere, there is strong interaction between the two forcings with...
The zygotic mutant tailless affects the anterior and posterior ectodermal regions of the Drosophila embryo.

Abstract The recessive zygotic lethal mutation tailless maps to region 100A5,6-B1,2 at the tip of the right arm of chromosome 3, and results in shortened pharyngeal ridges in the head skeleton of the mature embryo and the elimination of the eighth abdominal segment and telson. Although they have a normal body length, tailless embryos have a smaller number of abdominal segments, some of which are larger than normal. The mutant phenotype is seen as early as 8 hr post-fertilization, when tailless embryos are observed to have fewer tracheal pits than wildtype. At 9 hr, tailless embryos appear to be missing segments A8, A9, and A10 and have an abnormal clypeolabrum, optic lobes, and procephalic lobe. Segments A4, A5, A6, and A7 appear larger in tailless embryos than wildtype at this stage. The tailless mutation, although affecting anterior and posterior ectodermal structures in the mature embryo, does not affect the formation of pole cells, the posterior midgut, or the proctodeum, which arise from the most posterior region of the embryo. The mutation does result, however, in the failure of Malpighian tubule formation. Consistent with its effect on ectodermal segments, tailless leads to a reduction in the number of segmented, paired ganglia in the ventral nerve cord as well as to an abrupt alteration in the posterior region of the tracheal system. The role the tailless gene may play in the formation of the most anterior and posterior regions of the embryo's ectodermal body plan is discussed.
A direct approach to the constituent matrices of an arbitrary matrix with multiple eigenvalues

A direct approach for computing the constituent matrices of an arbitrary square constant matrix is presented. The technique, which involves finding the partial fraction expansion coefficients, requires only straightforward matrix multiplications.
Biogenesis of ornithine transcarbamylase in spfash mutant mice: two cytoplasmic precursors, one mitochondrial enzyme

Extracts of liver from hemizygous affected mice with the X-linked spfash mutation have 5 to 10 percent of normal ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) activity, yet the homogeneous enzyme isolated from these extracts is identical to that in controls. The OTC messenger RNA from mutant livers programs the synthesis of two distinct OTC precursor polypeptides--one normal in size, the other distinctly elongated. Both precursors are imported and proteolytically processed by mitochondria, but only the normal one is assembled into active trimer. This novel phenotype may result from a mutation in the structural gene for OTC leading, primarily, to aberrant splicing of OTC messenger RNA and, secondarily, to formation of a structurally altered precursor whose posttranslational pathway is ultimately futile because its mature mitochondrial form is not capable of assembly and functional expression.
PREDICTING ATTITUDES TOWARD AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN ADVANCEMENT

The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which women and minorities may refuse to actively pursue positions which provide the chance to exercise more authority and responsibility because they perceive that the opportunities are really phantom (that is, the officially announced openings have already unofficially been filled). It also examines the impact of this phenomenon and other factors on employees' attitudes towards affirmative action.
Metababble: a clash of metadata cultures

A tension exists between making digitized resources available to users quickly and providing detailed, item-level metadata and semantic markup that make those resources more discoverable. The Our Americas Archive Partnership (OAAP) project, funded by IMLS in the fall of 2007, is facing these challenges as the project progresses. This poster presents a summary of our approach and future thoughts about descriptive approaches for digital resources.
Role of lung surfactant in phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages in rats

Two of the common features of inflammatory lung diseases are the increased production of pulmonary surfactant and the induction of lung cell apoptosis. However, the relationship between these two events has not been addressed. To investigate the role of surfactant in pulmonary inflammation and apoptosis, we instilled natural lung surfactant (Survanta) (1.6-12.5 mg) into the rat lungs and determined the number of alveolar macrophages (AMs) and apoptotic lung cells. High-dose treatments of Survanta (>6.25 mg/rat) caused an increase in macrophage cell influx and lung cell apoptosis at 4 weeks post-treatment. In vitro studies using lavaged macrophages showed Survanta did not cause apoptosis. We then examined the role of Survanta on ability of macrophages phagocytizing apoptotic cells. This study demonstrated that macrophages were able to eliminate apoptotic cells more efficiently in the absence of surfactant than in its presence. In vivo, high doses of Survanta decreased the ability to clear exogenously instilled apoptotic cells or bacteria. Taken together, our results suggest that excessive accumulation of lung surfactant by Survanta treatment can impair or overwhelm the phagocytic clearance function of AMs and that this impairment may lead to increased presence of apoptotic cells in the lung and bacterial survival.
Quantitative junctional permeability measurements using the confocal microscope

This paper describes the use of a photobleach method and confocal microscopy to compare the cell-to-cell transfer rate of 5,6 carboxyfluorescein in dissociated embryonic chick lens cells with those in the anterior epithelium of the whole embryonic chick lens. The average cell-to-cell transfer rates obtained were 7.9 × 10−3 sec−1 in the dissociated cells and 2.6 × 10−3 sec−1 in the anterior epithelium in an intact lens. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Implications of Geodetic Strain Rate for Future Earthquakes, with a Five-Year Forecast of M5 Earthquakes in Southern California

sensus in the recent years that the earthquake process is partially stochastic, and it is more appropriate to take a probabilistic approach to forecasting earthquakes. Because the interseismic, preseismic, and postseismic processes are considered to be mechanically different, different stochastic models may have to be adopted for earthquake forecast models during these different time periods in an earthquake cycle. In this study we attempt to develop a probabilistic earthquake forecast model of intermediate to long times during the interseismic time period, constrained by geodetically derived crustal strain rates. Earthquakes take place along faults that rupture under stress and release elastic energy accumulated in the neighborhood over the interseismic time period. Active faults are weak zones in the crust and tend to accumulate higher strains than the surrounding regions. Therefore regions with higher strain concentration are often the locations of seismogenic faults and more prone to be the source of future earthquakes. From the Kostrov formula (Kostrov 1974) we know that the seismic moment release on a fault is proportional to the slip. The detailed conditions that result in earthquakes may be very complicated, but over a large region and long time scale, plate tectonic theory implies that, except at some creeping plate boundaries, the tectonic moment increase should equal the moment released in earthquakes. Kostrov’s formula expresses that moment balance, and it may hold only in a statistical sense as we consider smaller regions and shorter time intervals. An implication of Kostrov’s formula is that the earthquake rate should be related to strain rate, rather than strain itself. At higher resolution, the actual strain level and other variables may also be important. In any case we adopt the hypothesis that earthquake rate is proportional to strain rate and proceed to test that hypothesis against future earth
Hierarchical video indexing based on changes of camera and object motions

Since an entire video stream is too coarse as a level of abstraction, it is decomposed into a number of shots in general. A shot, which is defined as a collection of frames recorded from a single camera operation, is a basic unit for indexing video data. The existing video indexing models try to index these shots using either low-level (i.e., color, motion), or high-level (i.e., human interpretations) features. Recently, hybrid approach to combine these low-level and high-level features for indexing purpose has been proposed to take advantages from both of them. In this paper, we extend our previous works for shot boundary detecting and indexing, and propose a new shot indexing technique to be fit into the hybrid environment. It supports in-depth classification of various kinds of shots according to camera motions and object movements. The results from preliminary experiments can confirm the effectiveness of the proposed techniques.
Natural Evil as a Test of Faith in the Abrahamic Traditions

This paper critically examines what I call the ‘testing theodicy,’ the widely held idea that natural evil exists in order to test our faith in God. This theodicy appears numerous times in the scriptures of all three Abrahamic faiths. After examining some of these scriptural passages, we will argue that in light of these texts, the notion of faith is best understood as some type of commitment such as trust, loyalty or piety, rather than as merely a belief in God’s existence. After carefully showing the form this theodicy must take, I argue that the testing theodicy suffers from serious difficulties and fails to adequately account for the existence of natural evil.
TQM: why is its impact in higher education so small?

Despite still having many supporters and much use outside higher education, total quality management (TQM) has had a remarkably small impact on colleges and universities. While numerous institutions of higher education have sponsored “quality” initiatives, nearly all of these have focused on non‐academic activities. Thus, higher education TQM has concentrated on processes such as registration, physical plant, bill paying, and purchasing. It has ignored the most critical questions facing the academy such as faculty tenure, curriculum, tuition and fee levels vis‐a‐vis scholarship assistance. TQM has had virtually nothing to say about these matters. Two‐thirds of institutions that began TQM projects in the 1990s abandoned them because the vast majority have been failures. Why? Because TQM has failed to address the most important issues. Nor, because of the nature of academic culture and the difficulty of defining the precise nature of higher education, is it ever likely to do so. TQM’s time has come and passed in higher education.
An atom probe characterization of carbon-doped NiAl

Abstract The atom probe field ion microscope has been used to characterize stoichiometric NiAl doped with 300 ppm (0.1 at%) carbon. Field ion images of grain boundaries showed no decoration indicative of segregation. This observation was consistent with atom probe analyses which did not detect carbon at the grain boundaries. Matrix analyses revealed that only a small percentage (3–6%) of the carbon was in solid solution the remainder being in the form of ultrafine MC precipitates ranging from less than 1 nm to ∼ 20 nm in diameter. Atom probe composition measurements revealed that the metallic component of the precipitates consisted of Ti, V, W and Cr which are present as trace impurities in the alloy. The enormous increase in the yield stress of carbon-doped over the undoped alloy is predominantly due to precipitation hardening from the carbide precipitates.
Characterization of gamma-irradiated polyethylene terephthalate by liquid-chromatography–mass-spectrometry (LC–MS) with atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI)

Abstract Low-molecular-weight (low-MW) constituents of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), irradiated with 60Co gamma rays at 25 and 50 kGy, were analyzed by HPLC–MS with atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI). Consistent with earlier results, the concentrations of the major compounds that are present in the non-irradiated PET do not change perceptibly. However, we find a small but significant increase in terephthalic acid ethylester, from less than 1 mg/kg in the non-irradiated control to ca. 2 mg/kg after 50 kGy, which has not been described before. The finding is important because it gives an impression of the sensitivity of the analytical method. Additionally, it shows that even very radiation-resistant polymers can form measurable amounts of low-MW radiolysis products. The potential and limitations of LC–MS for the analysis of radiolysis products and unidentified migrants are briefly discussed in the context of the question: How can we validate our analytical methods for unknown analytes?
Identification of two new terpene alcohols from frass produced by Ips confusus in ponderosa pine

Abstract Two new terpene alcohols have been isolated from frass produced by Ips confusus feeding in ponderosa pine. They are (−)-2-methyl-6-methylene-7-octen-4-ol and trans-2-methyl-6-methylene-3,7-octadien-2-ol as determined by spectral analyses; they serve as internal markers in the isolation of the sex pheromone.
Voicing Duration and Vocal SPL Changes Associated with Stuttering Reduction During Singing

This study was conducted to determine if stuttering reduction during singing is associated with increased voicing duration and increased vocal SPL. Eight moderate to severe stutterers comprised the...
Location and corporate decisions in a truly profit maximizing model

Abstract This paper reexamines the relation between location and corporate decisions in the context of profit maximization. Importantly, output is endogenous in this context, else the model is reduced to a special case of cost minimization. The analysis shows that an internal solution is not assured by assuming that the utility function is quasi-concave and the production function is concave. It also shows that as the manager's share rises, the manager may not choose a location closer to the location of the profit maximizer because increasing the share may have opposing income and substitution effects.
Optimizations generating Armstrong numbers

This article explores various optimizations that can be used to speed the discovery of Armstrong numbers (also known as Narcissistic numbers), which are n-digit numbers that are the sum of the nth powers of their digits. Optimizations include comparing the parity of the least-significant digit of the number and that of the sum of its digits, using a dynamic programming approach for the powers of digits, examining the parity of the sum of digits excluding the least-significant digit, and computing forward bounds on the possible numbers and on the possible sums of dn. The final optimization completes in about 2% of the time of the initial implementation.
Silver nanostructures for plasmonics and nanophotonics

Silver nanostructures are containers for surface plasmons - the collective oscillation of conduction electrons in phase with incident light. By controlling the shape of the container, one can control the ways in which electrons oscillate, and in turn how the nanostructure scatters light, absorbs light, and enhances local electric fields. With the help of discrete dipole approximation (DDA) calculations, it is possible to understand how shape control can be used to tailor the plasmonic properties of silver nanostructures. The calculated predictions are then validated by experimental measurements performed on nanocubes and nanoplates with controllable corner truncation, as well as nanowires with pentagonal cross-sections. Controlling the shape of silver nanostructures allows optimization of plasmon resonance properties for improved molecular detection and spectroscopy and in plasmonic waveguiding.
Lattice and electronic specific heat of YBa2Cu3O7

Abstract We report specific heat measurements on YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 (YBCO) from 78 to 284K. The higher temperature data are well-represented as the sum of a term proportional to T and a harmonic lattice contribution. These data show no evidence of an anomaly in the temperature region 200–230K. The data near T c are consistent with the specific heat of a BCS superconductor that has a contribution from 3-dimensional Gaussian fluctuations.
On a Zero-Sum Generalization of a Variation of Schur’s Equation

Let $$m\geqslant 3$$be a positive integer, and let $$\mathbb{Z}_m$$denote the cyclic group of residues modulo m. Furthermore, let $$R(L_m; 2)(R(L_m;\mathbb{Z}_m))$$denote the minimum integer N such that for every function $$\Delta: \{1,2,\ldots,N\}\rightarrow \{0,1\}\,(\Delta: \{1,2,\ldots,N\}\rightarrow \mathbb{Z}_m)$$there exist m integers $$x_1< x_2<\cdots< x_m$$satisfying $$\sum_{i=1}^{m-1}x_i< x_m$$and $$\Delta(x_1)=\Delta(x_2)=\cdots=\Delta(x_m)$$(and $$\sum_{i=1}^{m}\Delta(x_i)=0$$). It is shown that $$R(L_{m};2)=R(L_m;\mathbb{Z}_m)$$for every odd prime m.
Reflections from across the Atlantic: What Can We (and the U.S. Governors) Learn from the U.K. Education Reform Experience?

(1998). Reflections from across the Atlantic: What Can We (and the U.S. Governors) Learn from the U.K. Education Reform Experience? Curriculum Inquiry: Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 259-262.
Dose-response differences in the ability of ramipril to improve retention in diabetic mice

Abstract Ramipril blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to II. The literature indicates that diabetes is often associated with mild impairment of learning and memory. The study reports the effects of ramipril on memory retention in diabetic and non-diabetic mice. Mice were made diabetic by an injection of streptozocin. After overt signs of diabetes were present, diabetic or vehicle-treated mice were partially trained on a footshock active avoidance task. Immediately after training, ramipril (0.5–1.5 mg/kg s.c.) was administered and retention was tested by continuing training one week later until mice avoided footshock on five out of six trails. The results indicate that ramipril enhanced retention of both diabetic and control mice but it required about 5 times as much ramipril in diabetic as control mice to achieve the same effect on retention. Increased sensitivity to angiotensin II may play a role in cognitive impairment in diabetes.
Robot navigation functions on manifolds with boundary

This paper concerns the construction of a class of scalar valued analytic maps on analytic manifolds with boundary. These maps, which we term navigation functions, are constructed on an arbitrary sphere world-a compact connected subset of Euclidean n-space whose boundary is formed from the disjoint union of a finite number of (n - l)-spheres. We show that this class is invariant under composition with analytic diffeomorphisms: our sphere world construction immediately generates a navigation function on all manifolds into which a sphere world is deformable. On the other hand, certain well known results of S. Smale guarantee the existence of smooth navigation functions on any smooth manifold. This suggests that analytic navigation functions exist, as well, on more general analytic manifolds than the deformed sphere worlds we presently consider.
Source Parameters and Excitation in a Spark Discharge

Experiments are reported for two key lines of aluminum, sparked in nitrogen against graphite for a variety of discharge current waveforms, that suggest that changes in spark source parameters do not fundamentally change the excitation processes in the spark. A straightforward, "either-or" excitation condition is imposed on a simple mass transport model, calculated from measured velocities of electrode vapor in the spark, to predict the time dependence of a primary feature of radiation emitted in the Al II spectrum. The data combine to suggest that parameter-dependent excitation indices require re-examination in terms of the manner in which radiation emitted from the discharge is viewed by the spectrometer.
GAUGUIN: generating art using genetic algorithms and user input naturally

This paper outlines an undergraduate research project demonstrating an application of evolutionary computation in the context of computer art. The project combines the visual impact of modern computer graphics with the computational power of genetic algorithms. GAUGUIN allows the user to become a creator of art, without requiring any technical or artistic training. By using an intuitive and easily comprehensible process like evolution to create the composition, all the user needs to do is evaluate a number of possible "solutions", which trains the system to recognize his or her specific taste. The act of evaluating and scoring is inherent in all of us; this project simply takes advantage of that behavior in a creative way.
Possible relationship between birth weight and cancer incidence among young adults.

Abstract PURPOSE: Fetal and early life events have been associated with diseases that develop later in life. Low birth weight and the adult onset of hypertension, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and non-insulin dependent diabetes have been identified. As well, associations with breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer to high birth weight have been found. An assessment of birth weight and cancer incidence was conducted in a cohort of black and white residents under the age of 46 years. METHODS: Cases were obtained from the Savannah River Region Health Information System cancer registry incident cases (1991–1995) and were limited to South Carolinians born in 1950 and later. Controls were obtained from birth certificate records by choosing the next two records after a cancer case record that matched on year of birth, race, and sex. Results were obtained for 117 cancer cases and 238 controls. RESULTS: After examining the birth distribution, the births were split into two groups based on mean birth weight among controls (3215 grams). Conditional logistic regression (CLR) showed that individuals with higher birth weights (> = 3215 g) were 1.65 (95% CI = 1.03–2.64) times more likely to be cancer cases than those with lower birth weights. When weights were categorized into 500 g increments, a CLR Score statistic showed there was a significant trend (p = 0.0006) of increasing proportion of cancer cases with increasing birth weight. Eight out of the eight cases of lymphoma had birth weights greater than 3579 g. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this preliminary study suggest that cancer incidence among the young may be associated with higher birth weights. One possible reason for this finding, which requires further investigation, might be that larger infants are exposed to higher levels of hormones and/or growth factor than smaller infants in utero that might increase the risk of certain cancers later in life. This may be suggestive of possible environmental factors affecting early growth. These findings support the need for additional study of this association.
Machine Maintenance with Multiple Maintenance Actions

A maintenance model under Markovian deterioration is developed in which maintenance and replacement actions are permitted and states are completely observable. The optimal policy for the case where the effect of maintenance actions is stochastic is shown to have a monotonic control limit structure. The special case where maintenance actions are deterministic is also discussed and the effect of alternate modeling assumptions is considered.
Corticosterone and ACTH as Treatments for Escherichia Coli Infection in Chickens

Abstract PREVIOUS work from our laboratory (Gross and Colmano, 1967Gross and Colmano, 1969) has shown that social interaction among chickens alter their susceptibility to some bacterial and viral diseases. Placing 6–10 week old chickens among unfamiliar individuals, induces a high degree of social interaction which results in an increase in resistance to some bacterial infections (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus fecalis) and a decrease in resistance to some viral infections (Newcastle disease, hemorrhagic enteritis). A low degree of social interaction is obtained by placing birds either singly or in pairs in visually isolated cages for three weeks prior to experimentation. This result in a decreased resistance to bacterial infections and an increased resistance to viral infections. In a series of experiments, 84% (51/61) of the low social interaction and 19% (19/102) of the high social interaction birds developed pericarditis when infected with E. coli via the air sac route. We have determined…
The Role of Graphic Organizers and Social Structure in Content Area Instruction.

This study investigated the effectiveness of three techniques for informing sixth-grade students of content area information. Students were taught content area information through either a graphic ...
FDA, Labels and Labeling for Medical Products

FDA-approved labels of prescription drugs and biologicals are very important to doctors and are written primarily to help doctors use the agent safely and effectively. Recognizing that labeling should also help patients, in 1970 FDA first required the now commonly used Patient Package Insert to help patients better understand the benefits and risks of prescription drugs. Prescription drug labels are also referred to as the prescribing information. Package inserts, package circulars and other associated written materials are all considered part of the product label. The information on the label will also guide and limit advertising and promotion. Broadly, the label is a compilation of information about the product which, while written by the manufacturer, must be approved by FDA. The label is, of course, based on the information submitted to FDA in the new drug application, biological license application or other relevant application. FDA’s analysis of and conclusions about this information determine what gets printed on the label.
Temperature dependence of FET properties for Cr-doped and LEC semi-insulating GaAs substrates

The temperature dependence of carrier concentration and mobility profiles is measured on Schottky-barrier gate FET's formed by Si implantation into intentionally Cr-doped Czochralski-grown semi-insulating GaAs substrates and LEC semi-insulating GaAs substrates. The effective depth of the channel implant is at least 100 nm shallower for Cr-doped substrates than it is for LEC substrates. Carrier mobilities are higher for LEC substrates; at low temperature, mobility is higher at the channel-substrate interface than it is nearer the surface. Devices on both types of substrates show free-carrier trapping effects between 160 and 225 K. For LEC substrates, traps are on the channel side of the active channel-substrate interface. For Cr-doped substrates, observation of traps depends on biasing the FET beyond pinchoff; traps are on the substrate side of the channel-substrate interface.
Practical and effective sandboxing for non-root users

MBOX is a lightweight sandboxing mechanism for nonroot users in commodity OSes. MBOX's sandbox usage model executes a program in the sandbox and prevents the program from modifying the host filesystem by layering the sandbox filesystem on top of the host filesystem. At the end of program execution, the user can examine changes in the sandbox filesystem and selectively commit them back to the host filesystem. MBOX implements this by interposing on system calls and provides a variety of useful applications: installing system packages as a non-root user, running unknown binaries safely without network accesses, checkpointing the host filesystem instantly, and setting up a virtual development environment without special tools. Our performance evaluation shows that MBOX imposes CPU overheads of 0.1-45.2% for various workloads. In this paper, we present MBOX's design, efficient techniques for interposing on system calls, our experience avoiding common system call interposition pitfalls, and MBOX's performance evaluation.
Sampling and Recovery of Pulse Streams

Compressive sensing (CS) is a new technique for the efficient acquisition of signals, images and other data that have a sparse representation in some basis, frame, or dictionary. By sparse we mean that the N-dimensional basis representation has just K <;<; N significant coefficients; in this case, the CS theory maintains that just M = O( K log N) random linear signal measurements will both preserve all of the signal information and enable robust signal reconstruction in polynomial time. In this paper, we extend the CS theory to pulse stream data, which correspond to S -sparse signals/images that are convolved with an unknown F-sparse pulse shape. Ignoring their convolutional structure, a pulse stream signal is K = SF sparse. Such signals figure prominently in a number of applications, from neuroscience to astronomy. Our specific contributions are threefold. First, we propose a pulse stream signal model and show that it is equivalent to an infinite union of subspaces. Second, we derive a lower bound on the number of measurements M required to preserve the essential information present in pulse streams. The bound is linear in the total number of degrees of freedom S + F, which is significantly smaller than the naive bound based on the total signal sparsity K = SF. Third, we develop an efficient signal recovery algorithm that infers both the shape of the impulse response as well as the locations and amplitudes of the pulses. The algorithm alternatively estimates the pulse locations and the pulse shape in a manner reminiscent of classical deconvolution algorithms. Numerical experiments on synthetic and real data demonstrate the advantages of our approach over standard CS.
Pathological examination of sentinel lymph node in breast cancer: Potential problems and possible solutions

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has emerged during the last few years as a viable option for staging the axilla in the treatment of breast carcinoma. This procedure can potentially identify patients who would be helped by full axillary lymph node dissection (the SLN-positive cases), and those who would not (the SLN-negative cases). Review of the literature confirms the promise of SLN; however, the possible problems in the pathological handling of SLN, including the microscopic misinterpretation of benign structures and "spurious" immunohistochemical staining, need wider recognition.
The Stylistic Significance of Consonantal SanaThi in Trukese and Ponapean

T HIS paper' examines consonantal sandhi in Trukese and Ponapean and proposes possible differences in its stylistic significance as between these two related Micronesian languages. It also considers the implications for phonological change of such stylistic preferences and of the underlying cultural attitudes toward speech. Trukese and Ponapean are mutually unintelligible but have rather similar structures. The degree of their relationship may be roughly gauged by the fact that they share about 40% of the Swadesh hundred-word basic vocabulary list. The inventories of consonant phonemes are quite similar. For purposes of this paper we may note that both languages have the same number of genetically equivalent and phonetically quite similar stops and nasals.
Simulation of two-dimensional nonlinear envelope pulse dynamics by a two-step spatiotemporal angular spectrum method

We present an extension of our previous nonlinear beam-simulation method to the propagation and interaction of pulse envelopes. The extra time dimension is applied in the context of a dispersive nonlinear medium that is described by a Klein–Gordon equation with an added cubically nonlinear, self-focusing term. Pulse propagation in this medium is modeled as the evolution of a spatiotemporal spectrum—i.e., the frequency-dependent angular spectrum of the pulse envelope—traversing a sequence of self-induced, thin, weak phase filters. Preliminary simulation experiments show agreement with known behavior in the absence of nonlinearity, confirm the existence of an (apparently unstable) stationary solution, and demonstrate mutual pulse attraction with subsequent destruction, initial survival following oblique collision, and mutual repulsion of out-of-phase pulses.
Coherent Time-Stretch Transform for Near-Field Spectroscopy

The coherent time-stretch transform enables high-throughput acquisition of complex optical fields in single-shot measurements. Full-field spectra are recovered via temporal interferometry on waveforms dispersed in the temporal near field. Real-time absorption spectra, including both amplitude and phase information, are acquired at 37 MHz.
Coordination of opposing sex-specific and core muscle groups regulates male tail posture during Caenorhabditis elegans male mating behavior

To survive and reproduce, animals must be able to modify their motor behavior in response to changes in the environment. We studied a complex behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans, male mating behavior, which provided a model for understanding motor behaviors at the genetic, molecular as well as circuit level. C. elegans male mating behavior consists of a series of six sub-steps: response to contact, backing, turning, vulva location, spicule insertion, and sperm transfer. The male tail contains most of the sensory structures required for mating, in addition to the copulatory structures, and thus to carry out the steps of mating behavior, the male must keep his tail in contact with the hermaphrodite. However, because the hermaphrodite does not play an active role in mating and continues moving, the male must modify his tail posture to maintain contact. We provide a better understanding of the molecular and neuro-muscular pathways that regulate male tail posture during mating. Genetic and laser ablation analysis, in conjunction with behavioral assays were used to determine neurotransmitters, receptors, neurons and muscles required for the regulation of male tail posture. We showed that proper male tail posture is maintained by the coordinated activity of opposing muscle groups that curl the tail ventrally and dorsally. Specifically, acetylcholine regulates both ventral and dorsal curling of the male tail, partially through anthelmintic levamisole-sensitive, nicotinic receptor subunits. Male-specific muscles are required for acetylcholine-driven ventral curling of the male tail but dorsal curling requires the dorsal body wall muscles shared by males and hermaphrodites. Gamma-aminobutyric acid activity is required for both dorsal and ventral acetylcholine-induced curling of the male tail and an inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor, UNC-49, prevents over-curling of the male tail during mating, suggesting that cross-inhibition of muscle groups helps maintain proper tail posture. Our results demonstrated that coordination of opposing sex-specific and core muscle groups, through the activity of multiple neurotransmitters, is required for regulation of male tail posture during mating. We have provided a simple model for regulation of male tail posture that provides a foundation for studies of how genes, molecular pathways, and neural circuits contribute to sensory regulation of this motor behavior.
Utility of screening for diabetes in a burn center: Hemoglobin A1c, Diabetes Risk Test, or simple history?

Abstract Objective Rates of diabetes mellitus (DM) are increasing. Early identification and treatment of hyperglycemia in the critical care setting can decrease morbidity and mortality. Many burn centers measure hemoglobin A1c (A1c). This study evaluates the prevalence of pre-existing DM and the utility of using A1c for identifying DM compared with a non-invasive risk assessment. Methods Adult patients admitted to our regional ABA-verified burn center from July 2008 to July 2009 had A1c levels evaluated and were asked to complete the American Diabetes Association Diabetes Risk Test (DRT). Results Forty-one patients consented to participate: 24 patients with burn (19 male) and 17 patients with non-burns (10 male). Non-burn patients had greater BMIs (BMI 32 vs. 28, p = 0.093) and had a higher rate of DM prior to admission (35% vs. 17%, p = 0.159) than the burn patients. These differences were not statistically significant. Most patients (23/41) were at high risk for developing DM based on the DRT. Patients with pre-existing DM were significantly more likely to have elevated A1c levels (>6.5%) compared with those without pre-existing DM (60% vs. 0%, p Conclusion DM and obesity were more common in non-burn patients than in burn patients. A history of DM provides a simple, accurate method for identifying patients with DM. Use of A1c in the ICU provides little additional data for diagnosis of DM and does not impact patient management.