cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relative uniformity of sources and the comparison of optimal code costs

Conditions on the probability distributions of two sources that describe their relative uniformity are shown to be sufficient for inequalities on their minimum average codeword lengths and entropies. The Huffman coding problem and variants involving Renyi entropy are addressed. >
Effect of explicit problem solving instruction on high school students' problem-solving performance and conceptual understanding of physics

In this study a two-sample, pre/posttest, quasi-experimental design was used to investigate the effect of explicit problem-solving instruction on high school students' conceptual understanding of physics. Eight physics classes, with a total of 145 students, were randomly assigned to either a treatment or comparison group. The four treatment classes were taught how to use an explicit problem-solving strategy, while the four comparison classes were taught how to use a textbook problem-solving strategy. Students' problem-solving performance and conceptual understanding were assessed both before and after instruction. The results indicated that the explicit strategy improved the quality and completeness of students' physics representations more than the textbook strategy, but there was no difference between the two strategies on match of equations with representations, organization, or mathematical execution. In terms of conceptual understanding, there was no overall difference between the two groups; however, there was a significant interaction between the sex of the students and group. The explicit strategy appeared to benefit female students, while the textbook strategy appeared to benefit male students. The implications of these results for physics instruction are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 34: 551–570, 1997.
Extinction near-field optical microscopy

This work presents a novel approach for apertureless, near-field scanning optical microscopy based on extinction of the incident beam for samples illuminated in evanescent fields and scanned with non-contact atomic force methods. The scheme exploits shot-noise limited detection of changes in reflected light intensity due to near-field interactions between the sample and a sharp atomic force microscope (AFM) tip as a function of probe–sample geometry, providing both high sensitivity (<0.1 ppm Hz 0:5 ) and absolute cross-section data for comparison with near-field model predictions. Extinction cross-section data for a Si probe in an evanescent field is measured as a function of excitation laser wavelength, which compare qualitatively well with Mie and Rayleigh theory for an effective ellipsoid model of the AFM tip. Extinction methods are then used to image single Au-nanoparticles (radius � 7 nm), with the signal magnitudes interpreted via simple electrostatic near-field models for the probe–sample interaction. 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Marijuana Exposure Among Children Younger Than Six Years in the United States

This study investigates marijuana exposures among children <6 years old in the United States using data from the National Poison Data System. From 2000 through 2013, there were 1969 marijuana exposures among children <6 years old and an exposure rate of 5.90 per million children. The mean age of an exposed child was 1.81 years (median = 1.58 years). The majority of the children were exposed through ingestion (75.0%), and 18.5% of exposures required admission to a health care facility. The rate of marijuana exposure was significantly (2.82 times) higher in states where its use was legalized prior to 2000 compared with states where its use is not legal. Because more states are likely to pass legislation legalizing medical and recreational use of marijuana, increased efforts to establish child-focused safety requirements regarding packaging of commercially sold marijuana products are needed to help prevent more children from being exposed to this schedule I substance.
Poly(ADP-ribose) degradation by glycohydrolase starts with an endonucleolytic incision.

Abstract We have recently shown that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase forms poly(ADP-ribose) by adding ADP-ribose residues to the polymerase-proximal end of an enzyme-bound nascent chain. In this light we have reexamined the mode of hydrolysis of enzyme-bound poly(ADP-ribose) by poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase. When the substrate has been labeled by a pulse-chase protocol, soluble glycohydrolase releases a significant amount of labeled oligomer which can only come from the enzyme-distal (2') end of the polymer. This constitutes additional evidence for the proximal growth of chains. Oligomer is infrequently released from the proximal (1") end of enzyme-bound chains. Rather, the bulk of the poly(ADP-ribose) is digested directly to ADP-ribose monomers. We conclude that poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase starts digestion with an endonucleolytic incision and then removes ADP-ribose residues processively in the 2'----1" direction. Therefore, in contrast to earlier models of polymer growth and hydrolysis, a single poly(ADP-ribose) chain may be extended at one end and simultaneously degraded at the other end. The balance between synthesis and degradation may control the quantity and distribution of polymer around the DNA break which occasions its synthesis.
Misdiagnosis and undiagnosis due to pattern similarity in Chinese medicine: a stochastic simulation study using pattern differentiation algorithm

Whether pattern similarity causes misdiagnosis and undiagnosis in Chinese medicine is unknown. This study aims to test the effect of pattern similarity and examination methods on diagnostic outcomes of pattern differentiation algorithm (PDA). A dataset with 73 Zangfu single patterns was used with manifestations according to the Four Examinations, namely inspection (Ip), auscultation and olfaction (AO), inquiry (Iq) and palpation (P). PDA was applied to 100 true positive and 100 true negative manifestation profiles per pattern in simulation. Four runs of simulations were used according to the Four Examinations: Ip, Ip+AO, Ip+AO+Iq and Ip+AO+Iq+P. Three pattern differentiation outcomes were separated, namely correct diagnosis, misdiagnosis and undiagnosis. Outcomes frequencies, dual pattern similarity and pattern-dataset similarity were calculated. Dual pattern similarity was associated with Four Examinations (gamma = -0.646, P < 0.01). Combination of Four Examinations was associated (gamma = -0.618, P < 0.01) with decreasing frequencies of pattern differentiation errors, being less influenced by pattern-dataset similarity (Ip: gamma = 0.684; Ip+AO: gamma = 0.660; Ip+AO+Iq: gamma = 0.398; Ip+AO+Iq+P: gamma = 0.286, P < 0.01 for all combinations). Applied in an incremental manner, Four Examinations progressively reduce the association between pattern similarity and pattern differentiation outcome and are recommended to avoid misdiagnosis and undiagnosis due to similarity.
Spectroscopic Detection of Hydrogen Atom Spillover from Au Nanoparticles Supported on TiO2: Use of Conduction Band Electrons

The spillover of atomic hydrogen from supported Au particles on TiO2 has been studied. IR spectroscopy detects trapped electrons in the TiO2 lattice produced by the atomic H delivered from the Au. ...
Biogeography of mammals on tropical Pacific islands

Aim We examine the influence of geography on species richness and endemism of mammals on tropical Pacific archipelagos to determine the importance of intra- and inter-archipelago speciation in promoting local and regional species richness. Location Thirty tropical Pacific archipelagos. Methods A distributional list of mammals on 30 archipelagos was compiled, and values for 10 geographical variables were estimated for each archipelago. Mammal species were placed in three different categories (continental, Pacific and endemic) based on their distribution. The total number of species and numbers of species within each category were related to the geographical variables using Poisson regression analysis. Results Species richness was related positively to variables describing land area, numbers of large islands and elevation; and negatively to variables describing isolation. Levels of endemism did not differ between volant and non-volant species, but differed between mega- and microchiropterans. Main conclusions Variation in species richness of mammals in the tropical Pacific region can be accounted for by a combination of intra-archipelago speciation within archipelagos composed of large islands, and inter-archipelago speciation, particularly among more isolated archipelagos. Mammals were less widely distributed throughout the study area than previously found for butterflies, skinks or birds. However, the level of endemism was similar to that of skinks and birds on the same archipelagos, and was higher than that of butterflies.
Surgical treatment of advanced pellucid marginal degeneration

Abstract Purpose To determine the efficacy of simultaneous peripheral crescentic lamellar keratoplasty (LK) and central penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for advanced pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD). Design Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Participants Five patients with advanced PMD. Method Simultaneous peripheral crescentic LK and central PK followed by selective suture removal and astigmatic keratotomy in the postoperative period. Main outcome measures These included interval of time required for visual rehabilitation, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity achieved, and amount of corneal astigmatism, as measured by videokeratography. Measuring the change in corneal astigmatism by videokeratography over the subsequent follow-up period after spectacle correction had been prescribed assessed stability of the achieved refraction. Results Visual acuity results were 20/40 in three eyes, 20/80 in one eye, and 20/400 in one eye. The latter two had decreased acuity from posterior subcapsular cataract formation, which may have been caused by topical steroid use. The time required for visual rehabilitation ranged from 5.13 to 10.93 (mean, 9.92) months, and the amount of corneal astigmatism at the end of this period ranged from 0.3 diopters (D) to 5.3 D. A tendency for an increase in “with the rule astigmatism” after the rehabilitation period was noted. Two patients had elevations of intraocular pressure that responded to reduction in topical steroid dose. Conclusions The short-term results with this technique are excellent in that it provides early and stable visual rehabilitation in patients with advanced PMD. Low to moderate levels of postkeratoplasty astigmatism were achieved in all the eyes treated. The usual tendency of an increase in “against the rule astigmatism” that occurs when PK alone is done for PMD was eliminated.
MLN64 Mediates Mobilization of Lysosomal Cholesterol to Steroidogenic Mitochondria

Abstract This study demonstrates that the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein-related lipid transfer (START) domain-containing protein, MLN64, participates in intracellular cholesterol trafficking. Analysis of the intracellular itinerary of MLN64 and MLN64 mutants tagged with green fluorescent protein showed that the N-terminal transmembrane domains mediate endocytosis of MLN64 from the plasma membrane to late endocytic compartments. MLN64 constitutively traffics via dynamic NPC1-containing late endosomal tubules in normal cells; this dynamic movement was inhibited in cholesterol-loaded cells, and MLN64 is trapped at the periphery of cholesterol-laden lysosomes. The MLN64 START domain stimulated free cholesterol transfer from donor to acceptor mitochondrial membranes and enhanced steroidogenesis by placental mitochondria. Expression of a truncated form of MLN64 (ΔSTART-MLN64), which contains N-terminal transmembrane domains but lacks the START domain, caused free cholesterol accumulation in lysosomes and inhibited late endocytic dynamics. The ΔSTART-MLN64 dominant negative protein was located at the surface of the cholesterol-laden lysosomes. This dominant negative mutant suppressed steroidogenesis in COS cells expressing the mitochondrial cholesterol side chain cleavage system. We conclude that MLN64 participates in mobilization and utilization of lysosomal cholesterol by virtue of the START domain's role in cholesterol transport.
Comorbidity and outcomes after surgery among women with breast cancer: analysis of nationwide in-patient sample database

To examine the effect of comorbidity on risk of postoperative complications, prolonged hospitalization (defined as above median length of stay), non-routine disposition, and in-patient death among women with breast cancer after surgery. Nationwide in-patient sample is a nationwide clinical and administrative database. Discharges of patients aged 40 years and older who underwent surgery for breast cancer from 2005 to 2009 were identified. Information about patients and hospitals characteristics were obtained. Comorbidities were identified and used to calculate Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score. We divided patients based on these scores into four groups: 0, 1, 2, and ≥3. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine risk adjusted association between CCI score and the aforementioned outcomes. We identified 70,536 patients’ discharges. Compared to a CCI score of zero as a reference group, CCI scores of 1, 2, and ≥3 increased the risk of post-operative complications by 1.7-fold, 2.6-fold, and 4.6-fold, respectively (p < 0.001). Patients with CCI scores of 1, 2, and ≥3 had higher risk of non-routine disposition by 1.3-folds, 1.7-folds, and 2.2-folds, respectively (p < 0.001). Patients with CCI scores of 1, 2, and ≥3 had higher risk of prolonged hospitalization by 1.2-folds, 1.6-folds, and 2.3-folds, respectively (p < 0.001). Similarly, CCI scores of 1, 2, and ≥3 increased risk of in-patient death by 3.1-folds (p 0.05), 5.4-folds (p 0.008), and 15.8-folds (p < 0.001), respectively. Comorbidity associated with worse in-hospital outcomes among women with breast cancer after surgery. Effective control of comorbidity in breast cancer patients may reduce post-operative morbidity and mortality.
Tropical Cyclone Intensity Estimation in the North Atlantic Basin Using an Improved Deviation Angle Variance Technique

AbstractThis paper describes results from an improvement to the objective deviation angle variance technique to estimate the intensity of tropical cyclones from satellite infrared imagery in the North Atlantic basin. The technique quantifies the level of organization of the infrared cloud signature of a tropical cyclone as an indirect measurement of its maximum wind speed. The major change described here is to use the National Hurricane Center’s best-track database to constrain the technique. Results are shown for the 2004–10 North Atlantic hurricane seasons and include an overall root-mean-square intensity error of 12.9 kt (6.6 m s−1, where 1 kt = 0.514 m s−1) and annual root-mean-square intensity errors ranging from 10.3 to 14.1 kt. A direct comparison between the previous version and the one reported here shows root-mean-square intensity error improvements in all years with a best improvement in 2009 from 17.9 to 10.6 kt and an overall improvement from 14.8 to 12.9 kt. In addition, samples from the 7-y...
Modeling of surface hairline-crack detection in metals under coatings using an open-ended rectangular waveguide

A surface-breaking hairline crack or a narrow slot in a metallic specimen when scanned by an open-ended rectangular waveguide probe influences the reflection-coefficient properties of the incident dominant mode. Subsequent recording of a change in the standing-wave pattern while scanning such a surface results in what is known as the crack characteristic signal. Since microwave signals penetrate inside dielectric materials, this methodology is capable of detecting cracks under dielectric coatings of various electrical thicknesses as well. To electromagnetically model the interaction of an open-ended rectangular waveguide with a surface-breaking hairline crack under a dielectric coating, the dielectric-coating layer is modeled as a waveguide with a large cross section. Thus, the problem is reduced to a system of three waveguides interacting with each other while the location of the crack is continuously changing relative to the probing waveguide aperture (a dynamic scanning problem). An analysis of modeling the dielectric-coating layer as a dielectric-filled waveguide with a large cross section is given, and its comparison with radiation into an unbounded medium is presented. For obtaining the reflection coefficients of the dominant and higher order modes, the electromagnetic properties of the probing waveguide-dielectric-coating layer junction and the dielectric-coating layer-crack junction are separately analyzed. For each junction, a magnetic-current density M is introduced over the common aperture. Subsequently, the junction formed by the two respective waveguide sections is separated into two systems. A numerical solution employing the method of moments is obtained, and the properties of the junctions are expressed by their respective generalized scattering matrices. Consequently, the generalized scattering matrix for the total system can be evaluated. The convergence behavior of the system is studied to determine an optimal set of basis functions and the optimal number of higher order modes for a fast and accurate solution. Finally, the theoretical and measured crack characteristic signals are compared.
Ultralow-power analog front-end circuits and system design for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

This paper proposes some novel ultralow-power system and circuit designs and trade-offs on the analog front-end integrated circuit (IC) for an implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD). The major front-end analog IC components include low-power pre-amplifier, filters, a variable-gain-amplifier (VGA) and an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC). We avoided the use of clock signals in the analog IC design (except in the ADC) to reduce the common-mode and switching noise as much as possible. Therefore, the pre-amplifier is designed with low-noise bipolar transistors, rather than using chopper or auto-zero techniques; the filters are designed with the gm-C topology. The VGA includes a high-pass filter (HPF) and a DC shifter designed with a differential difference amplifier (DDA). An ultralow-power successive-approximation-register (SAR) ADC with a novel DAC design is used to digitize signals and to reduce SAR ADC's input capacitance by half. SPICE simulation results of each circuit block and of the entire front-end IC demonstrate that the ultralow-power analog front-end circuitry can effectively filter out the undesired T-wave in patients' electrogram (EGM) to enable proper heartbeat detection in the ICD.
Second generation teletext and viewdata decoders

The architecture of second generation hardware for teletext and viewdata decoding, System 12, is shown as an evolutionary progression of industry's experience and needs. The new architecture is described with emphasis on its application to data sources other than teletext, e.g. viewdata and cassette text. The (AI2L) technology strength which allowed such a system is also described, together with some commercial and technical reasons for its choice. Speed-power products in the order of 0.5 pJ, and delays of about 15 ns for a 5-collector gate, are achieved in production at a circuit density, and process complexity comparable to the most up-to-date m.o.s. processes in industry without the complexity of iterative design. Two of the newer devices that greatly increase system capability are described in greater detail. The remote control interface chip, SN76926, integrates System 12 to Texas Instruments Ltd.'s Mistic family of t.v. peripherals, which includes a low cost, 64-channel remote control. The bus system used also allows communication with Texas Instruments microprocessors. The other circuit described in detail is the system controller, i.e. SN76924, which allows microprocessors handling data to delegate to it a large proportion of the total task of communicating with System 12. Two-way interchange of information with System 12 is so far eased as to allow very low cost, 4-bit microcomputers to cope with major data handling functions. The technical and commercial maturity of product reached by this system gives UK teletext and Prestel services a substantial leadership which should be difficult to ignore if other factors do not retard the speedy development of the market
Pain as Human Experience: An Anthropological Perspective

Pain as Human Experience: An Anthropological Perspective. Mary-Jo Delvecchio Good. Paul E. Brodwin. Byron J. Good. and Arthur Kleinman. eds. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1992. vlii. 214 pp., notes, references, contributors, Index.
Functional plasticity of the venom delivery system in snakes with a focus on the poststrike prey release behavior

Abstract We explored variations in the morphology and function of the envenomation system in the four families of snakes comprising the Colubroidea (Viperidae, Elapidae, Atractaspididae, and Colubridae) using our own prey capture records and those from the literature. We first described the current knowledge of the morphology and function of venom delivery systems and then explored the functional plasticity found in those systems, focusing on how the propensity of snakes to release prey after the strike is influenced by various ecological parameters. Front-fanged families (Viperidae, Elapidae, and Atractaspididae) differ in the morphology and topographical relationships of the maxilla as well as in the lengths of their dorsal constrictor muscles (retractor vomeris; protractor, retractor, and levator pterygoidei; protractor quadrati), which move the bones comprising the upper jaw, giving some viperids relatively greater maxillary mobility compared to that of other colubroids. Rear-fanged colubrids vary in maxillary rotation capabilities, but most have a relatively unmodified palatal morphology compared to non-venomous colubrids. Viperids launch rapid strikes at prey, whereas elapids and colubrids use a variety of behaviors to grab prey. Viperids and elapids envenomate prey by opening their mouth and rotating both maxillae to erect their fangs. Both fangs are embedded in the prey by a bite that often results in some retraction of the maxilla. In contrast, Atractaspis (Atractaspididae) envenomates prey by extruding a fang unilaterally from its closed mouth and stabbing it into the prey by a downward-backwards jerk of its head. Rear-fanged colubrids envenomate prey by repeated unilateral or bilateral raking motions of one or both maxillae, some aspects of which are kinematically similar to the envenomation behavior in Atractaspis . The envenomation behavior, including the strike and prey release behaviors, varies within families as a function of prey size and habitat preference. Rear-fanged colubrids, arboreal viperids, and elapids tend to hold on to their prey after striking it, whereas atractaspidids and many terrestrial viperids release their prey after striking it. Larger prey are more frequently released than smaller prey by terrestrial front-fanged species. Venom delivery systems demonstrate a range of kinematic patterns that are correlated to sometimes only minor modifications of a common morphology of the jaw apparatus. The kinematics of the jaw apparatus are correlated with phylogeny, but also show functional plasticity relating to habitat and prey.
Writing Culture Doctrine: Public Anthropology, Military Policy, and World Making

I concur with Michael Mosser that bridge-building between academic and military policy communities should be an important priority. I also agree that this is a challenging task. But my sense of why this is both important and challenging differs from Mosser's in some key respects. Despite qualifications along the way, Mosser's account suggests that academia has a particular responsibility to make itself legible and available to military policy makers, but not the other way around. As he explains, his topic grew from a project concerned about “whether the academy is asking militarily interesting questions.” And he proceeds by thinking about how academic scholarship might be “more tightly integrated” with the doings of military policy and planning. Undertaking bridge-building by firstly asking how the US academy can be more effectively leveraged to support national security goals sets up a largely one-sided and unilateral engagement, where the burden is primarily on academia to explain itself to the military policy community, and probably to do so within a frame of reference sensible to the policy crowd but not necessarily vice-versa. This sets up, in short, a scenario making it less likely for policy makers to listen to what academics might be saying, particularly whenever this appears to complicate established agendas. From my point of view, the best mutual outcomes flow from a more balanced dialogue. This includes policy makers taking academic frames at least as seriously when talking with them, so that greater clarity can be reached about how, and under what circumstances, scholarship might contribute to policy concerns, but also when academic contributions might be inappropriate, irrelevant, or even impossible.
Habituation to scenes of violence.

This study in early 1971 deals with the effects of “set” (labeling of a picture) and Advanced Army ROTC membership on subjects' cognitive and physiological responses. A laboratory analog of the habituation process was suggested as a parallel to some of the attitudes toward the war in Viet Nam. Subjects were significantly more aroused by an auto accident scene than by the massacre and neutral slides (larger amplitude skin conductance changes). Across all series, there were significant trials effects (a decrease in amplitude of skin conductance changes), indicative of habituation. The set “Viet Cong massacre of civilians” produced higher self report ratings of agitation than the same slide with the caption “American …” There was cardiac deceleration to the Viet Cong label, but generally cardiac acceleration to the American label on the massacre presentations. ROTC cadets habituated more rapidly on the “agitated” - “calm” ratings to repeated presentations of the massacre and to an auto accident scene than nonROTC male students.
Design and Characterization of Enhanced Angle Sensitive Pixels

Stacks of metal gratings placed above a photodiode have been demonstrated to show a strong sinusoidal response to angle. Although these devices, called angle sensitive pixels (ASPs), enable new imaging modalities on CMOS, such as light field capture, their optical sensitivity is limited by the metallic gratings. In this paper, we provide a detailed characterization of the angular response of ASPs and report on a new set of optically efficient structures for angle detection. By analyzing the properties of the Talbot effect, we present a quantitative model for the angular sensitivity, $\beta $ , of an ASP and qualitatively describe the dependence of modulation depth, $m$ , on the grating parameters. We then describe structures that employ phase gratings and interleaved diffusion diodes to provide angle sensitivity while improving the quantum efficiency by $4\times $ . A post-CMOS process flow for the fabrication of phase gratings is described. Finally, we show that ASPs that use p+ diffusion diodes embedded in an n-well diode improve their modulation efficiency by over 50% compared with interleaved diodes that share the p-substrate.
Adam Smith on Uncertainty, Degrees of Uncertainty and Public Policy Impacts

Smith was the first economist and/or philosopher to understand how uncertainty; (a) was different from risk calculations based on fair/unfair lotteries where there was a large amount of evidence; (b) would have to be represented mathematically by intervals; (c) that uncertainty came in degrees or gradations; (d) that the mathematical theory of probability would at best be a limiting case that could be used only when there was a stable, highly repeatable phenomenon being investigated; and (e) that uncertainty would have negative impacts on an economy.Smith and Keynes both understood the negative impacts that could result from constantly changing/attempting to change the tax code in order to generate increased government tax revenue and/or spending. Uncertainty about future tax rates would negatively impact future levels of capital investment and output.Keynes‘s support for using an activist, expansionary fiscal policy, centered on increased government spending, was limited to the case of a depression where the Smith Keynes injunction against allowing the banking system to make loans to speculators for debt leverage had not been properly enforced.
Masticatory Muscle Response to Neuromuscular Diseases and Specific Pathologies

The masticatory muscles are a complex bilateral set of four muscles (masseter, temporalis, medial, and lateral pterygoid muscles) that control movement of the temporomandibular joint, between the maxillae and the only moveable bone in the human skull, the mandible. These muscles are capable of fine-tuned gradients of force and movement, as they are required for production of large forces often needed in crushing of hard food items, and finer movements needed for chewing and human speech production. As with other craniofacial muscles, the masticatory muscles have unique phenotypes distinct from limb muscle due to their specialized function and unique developmental origin. Their characteristics include small myofiber cross-sectional area, fiber-type specific grouping (Eriksson and Thornell 1983), and a wide range of myosin that allow for a spectrum of force and contraction speeds (Stal et al. 1994; Korfage et al. 2000).
Reliability-Based Global Design of Self-Adaptive Marine Rotors

Advanced composite materials are becoming more prevalent in marine applications, including marine rotors. Traditional rigid metallic marine rotors are highly optimized for a specific loading condition, away from which they tend to become sub-optimal. When properly designed, an adaptive composite marine rotor can provide improved performance through increased flexibility and hydroelastic tailoring of the structural deformations, allowing the blades to passively adapt to changing inflows through fluid-structure interactions. Because of the load-dependent deformations that an adaptive marine rotor will undergo, considerations must be made for variations in both propeller advance speed and rotational frequency that will affect hydrodynamic and structural performance. Through development of a probabilistic operational space, various rotor designs are considered herein in an effort to determine the appropriate loading condition to optimize the geometry and material configuration such that it maximizes the performance improvements. A sample set of geometries with varying material configurations and design speeds within the predicted design space are presented and analyzed over the probable range of operating conditions. A reliability-based global optimization technique is then presented to determine the optimal design point, geometry, and material configuration that maximizes hydroelastic performance over the range of anticipated flow conditions.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Models of Electron-Hole Screening and Exciton Binding in Conjugated Polymers

The use of semi-empirical quantum chemistry to calculate the exciton binding energy of conjugated polymers is discussed. Both the Pariser−Parr−Pople (PPP) model with Ohno parameterization and the models present in the MOPAC program overestimate the exciton binding energy relative to that observed in solid-state materials. Inclusion of Coulomb screening from adjacent chains may correct this overestimation. The solvation energy of a point charge in polyacetylene is calculated as 0.9eV, using Hartree-Fock theory to describe the polarization induced in the solvent chains. It is argued that including screening by modifying the electron-electron interaction energy of the PPP model introduces physically unreasonable side effects and is not consistent with the 0 9eV solvation energy of a point charge. Electron−hole screening models are then discussed along with the need to consider the relative time scales of the electron-hole motion and the dielectric response.
Etiological Analysis and Prevention and Control Experience of the Rural Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Acute Exacerbation Situation

Objective:By analyzing the cause of exacerbations in rural patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,we aim to know deeply about the disease and strength the prevention and control of it.Method:To analyze the precipitating factor and prevention and control of 268 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in acute exacerbation situation.Result:Infection,fatigue,and emotion were the major causes of the acute exacerbation of the chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.Conclusion:To effectively avoid the high risk factor,the induced factor of the acute exacerbation of the disease are significant to prevent and control chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Crystal structures of two unusual, high oxidation state, 16-electron irida­benzenes

Treatment of carbon­yl(1,2-diphenylpenta-1,3-dien-1-yl-5-yl­idene)bis­(tri­phenyl­phosphane)iridium, [IrCO(—C(Ph)=C(Ph)—CH=CH—CH=)(PPh3)2], with either bromine or iodine produced di­bromido­(1,2-diphenylpenta-1,3-dien-1-yl-5-yl­idene)(tri­phenyl­phosphine)iridium(III), [IrBr2{—C(Ph)=C(Ph)—CH=CH—CH=}(PPh3)], (I), and (1,2-diphenylpenta-1,3-dien-1-yl-5-yl­idene)di­iodido­(tri­phenyl­phosphane)iridium(III), [IrI2{—C(Ph)=C(Ph)—CH=CH—CH=}(PPh3)], (II), respectively, which are two rare examples of 16-electron metalla­benzenes. Structural elucidation of (I) and (II) reveals that these isotypic irida­benzenes are unusual, not only in their electron count, but also in their coordination sphere of the IrIII atom where they contain an apparent open coordination site. The crystal structures of (I) and (II) confirm that the mol­ecules are complexes containing five-coordinated IrIII with only one tri­phenyl­phosphine group bound to the iridium atom, unambiguously proving that the mol­ecules are indeed 16-electron, high-oxidation-state irida­benzenes. The coordination geometry of the IrIII atom in both structures can be best described as a distorted square pyramid with the P, two Br (or I) and one C atom in the basal plane and another C atom in the apical position.
Does where you live influence how your vestibular schwannoma is managed? Examining geographical differences in vestibular schwannoma treatment across the United States.

The management of small- to medium-sized vestibular schwannoma (VS) remains controversial. Despite a lack of compelling evidence supporting one treatment modality over others, many providers and institutions remain highly biased toward one particular therapy—microsurgery, radiation, or primary observation. The objective of the current study was to estimate the impact of geography on disease presentation and initial treatment of VS in the United States. An analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database identified 9761 patients with VS that were managed across the 16 SEER geographic registry areas. Univariate analyses demonstrated strong associations between geographic location and tumor size at diagnosis (P < 0.0001). When analyzing the 6115 subjects with tumors between 0 and 3 cm in size, multivariable models identified strong associations between place of residence and treatment modality (P < 0.0001). These multivariable models demonstrated that in many cases the impact of place of residence on treatment selection was greater than other established variables such as tumor size and age. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate geographic trends in VS patient demographics, tumor size and management in the United States. These data suggest that disease presentation and treatment modality are significantly influenced by regional referral patterns, provider or institutional treatment preferences, and regional availability of subspecialty expertise. Understanding geographic bias is important for patients, referring physicians, and treatment providers alike. Until there is clear evidence supporting one therapy over others, multidisciplinary consultation with a minimum of a neurotologist, neurosurgeon, and radiation oncologist or radiosurgeon should be offered in order to provide balanced counseling and accurate informed consent.
Developmental restoration of LTP deficits in heterozygous CaMKIIα KO mice.

CaMKIIα+/− mice were described previously to have a schizophrenia-related phenotype. While the long-term potentiation (LTP) deficits seen here in young CaMKIIα+/− mice are restored during developme...
Using micro-ct to investigate nanofluid droplet sorption in dry powder beds

Abstract Liquid droplet sorption in dry porous media is an important process for a wide range of scientific and engineering applications. However, visualizing droplet sorption is difficult due to the opacity of the porous media used in most of the applications. In this study, micro-CT technology is used to characterize the sorption profiles of nanofluid droplets in PMMA powder beds. Scan results reveal that the region of the powder bed wetted by the nanofluid has substantially higher pixel index values than the dry powder, thus enabling visualization of the sorption profile. The wetted regions themselves consistently have semi-spheroid shapes with craters on the top surface. The craters may be induced by powder repacking rather than droplet inertia ejecting well-settled powder particles. The sorption of multiple droplets maintains the features of a single droplet granule but increases the lateral spreading more than the penetration in the vertical direction. The inhomogeneous distribution of the pixel index value suggests accumulation of the nanofluid near the wetting front due to inhomogeneous porosity in the wetted region of the powder bed. It is considered that droplet sorption and capillary force may cause the powder particles to repack to generate a low porosity in the center of the wetted region. Nanoparticle distribution in the powder bed after complete evaporation of the nanofluid was also visualized. In conclusion, nanoparticle-enhanced micro-CT imaging has demonstrated the feasibility to visualize three-dimensional sorption profiles of a fluid in dry porous powder beds and thus provided an efficient means to study the sorption process in an opaque porous medium. We also envision that micro-CT can be utilized to characterize nanoparticle distribution in porous media in applications where nanomaterials are introduced for additional functionality of the final products.
SDF-1α Induced NF-κB Activation Promotes Adhesion and Trans-Endothelial Migration of Prostate Cancer Cells by Enhancing the Expression of the Chemokine Receptor CXCR4.

Abstract Although androgen ablative therapy can suppress growth of localized prostate cancer (PC) cells that are androgen receptor positive, skeletal metastases and tumor relapse ultimately dictate PC related morbidity and mortality. Bone metastasis of PC cells results from a complex cascade of events that involves PC cell intravasation into blood or lymphatic vessels, followed by recruitment by bone marrow microvascular endothelial cells and trans-endothelial migration (TEM) in the bone marrow microenvironment. We have tested the hypothesis that enhanced expression of the chemokine receptor, CXCR4 in PC cells plays a crucial role in their adhesion to the endothelium followed by TEM into the bone microenvironment. To test this hypothesis, PC3 (bone metastatic PC cell line) and LnCaP (lymph node metastatic PC cell line) cells were treated with stromal derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1α, 100 ng/ml) for 6 or 24 hr and RT-PCR amplification of both CXCR4 and GAPDH mRNAs was carried out. Within 6 hr CXCR4 levels of mRNA expression were increased (3–4 fold) in PC3 cells but not in LnCaP cells. By 24 hr the CXCR4 mRNA levels in PC3 cells returned back to normal and remain unchanged in LnCaP cells. The treatment of PC3 cells with SDF-1α (100 ng/ml) for 6 hr showed a significant (p
Advantages of interaction-based readout for quantum sensing

Detection noise poses a challenge for achieving Heisenberg-limited phase estimation. We discuss a "twisting echo" protocol1 that addresses this problem by using interactions to amplify a spectroscopic signal. The echo protocol enables phase sensitivity near the Heisenberg limit while permitting detection noise on the order of the quantum noise of an unentangled state. For comparison with conventional schemes requiring direct detection of entangled states, we calculate the dependence of metrological gain on detection noise in Ramsey spectroscopy with squeezed, twin Fock, and GHZ states. The twisting echo outperforms all of these alternatives if the detection uncertainty is at or above the single-atom level.
The roles of the nuclear pore complex in cellular dysfunction, aging and disease

The study of the Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC), the proteins that compose it (nucleoporins), and the nucleocytoplasmic transport that it controls have revealed an unexpected layer to pathogenic disease onset and progression. Recent advances in the study of the regulation of NPC composition and function suggest that the precise control of this structure is necessary to prevent diseases from arising or progressing. Here we discuss the role of nucleoporins in a diverse set of diseases, many of which directly or indirectly increase in occurrence and severity as we age, and often shorten the human lifespan. NPC biology has been shown to play a direct role in these diseases and therefore in the process of healthy aging.
A Hybrid Computer Terminal as a Teaching Aid in Process Control

Abstract A combined analog/digital or hybrid computer provides opportunities for studying process control at the undergraduate level where relatively large numbers of students are involved. This paper is based on the uses of a seventeen terminal hybrid computer system used in this environment. This system is used in conjunction with actual laboratory control experiments to not only emphasize the concepts of process control, but to introduce students to the value of simulation as a tool for analyzing the response of real-world systems.
Permitted to Build? Moral Foundations in Newspaper Framing of Mosque-Construction Controversies:

Recent proposals by American Muslims to build mosques have been met with technical and ideological opposition during the permitting process. This article examines the framing of these debates in ne...
The influence of robot design on acceptance of social robots

Human-robot interaction (HRI) is a rapidly growing area of research and the important factors of the relationship between robots and the people who use them are still being determined. In the present research, we tried to ascertain if robot appearance influenced people's preference for, interest in, and communication with particular robots. To this aim, 18 college students were asked to interact with 5 different robots, answer an investigator-designed questionnaire, and complete an adapted PHIT-40 scale for each robot. Results suggest that regardless of the actual interaction with robots, participants seem to prefer robots that resemble animals or humans over those that are intended to represent an imaginary creature or do not resemble a creature at all. Results are discussed based on social-robot application and design features.
Real-time time-dependent electronic structure theory

Real-time time-dependent electronic structure theory is one of the most promising methods for investigating time-dependent molecular responses and electronic dynamics. Since its first modern use in the 1990s, it has been used to study a wide variety of spectroscopic properties and electronic responses to intense external electromagnetic fields, complex environments, and open quantum systems. It has also been used to study molecular conductance, excited state dynamics, ionization, and nonlinear optical effects. Real-time techniques describe non-perturbative responses of molecules, allowing for studies that go above and beyond the more traditional energy- or frequency-domain-based response theories. Recent progress in signal analysis, accurate treatment of environmental responses, relativistic Hamiltonians, and even quantized electromagnetic fields have opened up new avenues of research in time-dependent molecular response. After discussing the history of real-time methods, we explore some of the necessary mathematical theory behind the methods, and then survey a wide (yet incomplete) variety of applications for real-time methods. We then present some brief remarks on the future of real-time time-dependent electronic structure theory. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Intelligent microgrid power management using the concept of Nash bargaining solution

In this paper, we propose a decision model for multiobjective power management of a generic MicroGrid (MG). The concept of Nash Bargaining Solution (NBS) from game theory is used by the central MG control unit to dispatch different resources within the MG. Using NBS, the MG is guaranteed to reach a solution on the Pareto-front of the multiobjective power management optimization problem. This solution is "unique" and introduces a "fair" balance among the different objective functions of the MG. Hence, through NBS, a multiobjective power management procedure is designed for MGs that can be implemented efficiently in real-time. Simulation results show the applicability of the proposed method to multiobjective MG power management.
Urban heat wave hazard and risk assessment

Abstract Heat waves are one of the largest causes of environmentally-related deaths globally. The intensification of the effects of heat waves by the urban heat island during extended periods of extreme heat, combined with urban demographics, are key elements leading to these disasters and are likely to become more numerous as a result of climate change. Climatological weather station data, moderate resolution thermal imagery from Earth-orbiting satellites, and demographic information for selected cities were use in this research to develop a heat wave risk product as a potential warning tool for public health decision makers and the general public.
Studies in Mathematical Economics. Stanley Reiter, editor

(1988). Studies in Mathematical Economics. Stanley Reiter, editor. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 95, No. 3, pp. 268-272.
Evaluation of Fetal Renal Function: Unreliability of Fetal Urinary Electrolytes

AbstractIn the fetus with bilateral hydronephrosis it has been reported that a normal volume of amniotic fluid, absence of renal cortical cysts, urinary sodium less than 100mEq./l., chloride less than 90mEq./l. and osmolarity less than 210mOsm. are prognostic factors indicative of good renal function, whereas oligohydramnios, cortical cysts and higher urinary levels of sodium, chloride or osmolarity suggest irreversible renal dysplasia. We report 5 cases in which the fetal urinary electrolytes were not predictive of ultimate renal function. In 3 instances fetal urinary electrolytes and osmolarity were abnormally elevated but the infants survived without ventilatory support. In 2 of these 3 patients the volume of amniotic fluid was normal. Diagnoses included posterior urethral valves, prune belly variant and bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction. In 2 cases with oligohydramnios fetal urinary electrolytes were suggestive of satisfactory renal function but the infants died of pulmonary hypoplasia and ...
Kula Ring, Anthropology of

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by N.D. Munn, volume 12, pp. 8176–8179, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.