cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human SERCA2a levels correlate inversely with age in senescent human myocardium

Objectives. This study sought to characterize functional impairment after simulated ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) or Ca2+bolus in senescent human myocardium and to determine if age-related alterations in myocardial concentrations of SERCA2a, phospholamban, or calsequestrin participate in senescent myocardial dysfunction. Background. Candidates for elective cardiac interventions are aging, and an association between age and impairment of relaxation has been reported in experimental animals. Function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum resulting in diastolic dysfunction could be dysregulated at the level of cytosolic Ca2+uptake by SERCA2a, its inhibitory subunit (phospholamban), or at the level of Ca2+binding by calsequestrin. Methods. Human atrial trabeculae from 17 patients (45–75 years old) were suspended in organ baths, field simulated at 1 Hz, and force development was recorded during I/R (45/120 min). Trabeculae from an additional 12 patients (53–73 years old) were exposed to Ca2+bolus (2–3 mmol/L bath concentration). Maximum ± dF/dt and the time constant of force decay (tau) were measured before and after I/R or Ca2+bolus and related to age. SERCA2a, phospholamban, and calsequestrin from 12 patients (39–77 years old) were assessed by immunoblot. Results. Functional results indicated that maximum ±dF/dt and tau were prolonged in senescent (>60 years) human myocardium after I/R (p < 0.05). Calcium bolus increased the maximum ±dF/dt and decreased tauin younger, but not older patients (p < 0.05). SERCA2a and the ratio of SERCA2a to either phospholamban or calsequestrin were decreased in senescent human myocardium (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Senescent human myocardium exhibits decreased myocardial SERCA2a content with age, which may, in part, explain impaired myocardial function after either I/R or Ca2+exposure.
The impact of sildenafil on molecular science and sexual health.

Abstract Objective: Sexual medicine has evolved greatly in the past several years, to a large extent because of the introduction of the phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor, Viagra (sildenafil citrate), as a highly effective oral therapy for erectile dysfunction. Methods: Recent literature pertaining to the development and clinical applications of sildenafil citrate was reviewed. Results: The emergence of PDE5 inhibitor therapy for erectile dysfunction represents a major scientific and clinical breakthrough, and it has impacted on the field in such prominent areas as scientific discovery, clinical management, and public health awareness of sexual health disorders. Conclusion: The development of sildenafil citrate has had a major role in advancing the field of sexual medicine.
Effects of afternoon naps on physiological variables performance and self-reported activation.

Fluctuations in physiological variables resulting from naps and the relationship of these to previously studies changes in performance and subjective activation associated with napping were examined. The subjects were eighteen healthy male university students who habitually slept 1/2-2 hr in the afternoon. Measurements were obtained of our physiological variables, from a continuous 10-min auditory reaction time task and two factors of an Activation. Deactivation Adjective Checklist 20 min before and after a control condition and two electroencephalographically recorded afternoons of sleep. The experimental conditions comprised a 2-hr period of wakefulness, a 1/2 hr nap from 4.35-5.05 p.m., and a 2-hr nap from 3.05-5.05 p.m. Following each sleep treatment, when compared with the control condition, there were statistically significant shifts of improved reaction time performance, and elevated activation as reflected by the two self-report scales, inceased EEG frequency, heart rate, and electrodermal responses. The shifts of increased behavioral efficiency, subjective and physiological activation were approximately equivalent in extent between 2-hr and 1/2-hr naps. These findings indicate that besides the previously reported facilitation by naps of performance and mood, physiological activation is increased following accustomed episodes of afternoon sleep.
Arthritis prevalence and activity limitations in older adults

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of arthritis and activity limitations among older Americans by assessing their demographic, ethnic, and economic characteristics. Methods Data from the Asset and Health Dynamic Survey Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD), a national probability sample of community-dwelling adults born before 1924, were analyzed cross-sectionally. Arthritis that resulted in a physician's visit or a joint replacement not associated with a hip fracture was ascertained by self-report. Results The prevalence of arthritis in older adults ranged from 25% in non-Hispanic whites to 40% in non-Hispanic blacks to 44% in Hispanics. A higher prevalence of arthritis was associated with less education as well as lower income and less wealth. The prevalence of limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) among non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic adults who reported arthritis only was 29%, 30%, and 37%, respectively, and increased to 48%, 57%, and 56%, respectively, among those reporting arthritis plus other chronic conditions, after adjustment for age and sex. Conclusion Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic older adults reported having arthritis at a substantially higher frequency than did non-Hispanic whites. In addition, Hispanics reported higher rates of ADL limitations than did non-Hispanic whites with comparable disease burden. Further study is needed to confirm and elucidate the reasons for these racial and economic disparities in older populations.
Attenuation of Microwaves by Spherical Hail

Abstract Calculations have been made of the radar backscattering and attenuation cross sections of dry and spongy ice spheres. One set of calculations was the cross sections of spheres with diameters exponentially distributed. As expected, attenuation cross sections are greater at a wavelength of 3.21 cm than at 5.05 and 10.0 cm. Calculations were also made of attenuation by monodisperse distributions of spheres composed of spongy ice and having diameters as large as about 8 cm. Attenuation of 3-cm radiation by dry ice and spongy ice spheres can be very large. At most diameters and water volume fractions, the one-way attenuation of 10-cm radiation by monodisperse spheres, in concentrations giving a radar reflectivity of 60 dBZ, is negligibly small (i.e., <0.1 dB km−1), but at a few diameters and water fractions, attenuation can be substantially larger. Although in most circumstances attenuation increases as wavelength decreases, there are exceptions at some diameters and water volume fractions. These calc...
Henri Lefebvre: Spatial Politics, Everyday Life and the Right to the City

Chris Butler. London and New York: Routledge, 2012. ix and 183 pp., notes, bibliography, index. $48.95 paper (ISBN 978-0-415-53415-4); $145.00 cloth (ISBN 978-0-415-45967-9); $44.95 electronic (ISB...
Excitons in Biological and Non-Biological Nano-Structured Systems: Progress Towards Bio-inspired Photodetectors

An exciton, an elementary excitation formed from a bound electron-hole pair, is the lowest optically excited state in semiconductors, and plays a prominent role in condensed matter physics. In reduced dimensional materials, including biological structures, excitonic transitions should dominate due to carrier confinement. Here, I will first describe excitonic transitions in the photocurrent spectra of carbon nanotube diodes as a model system to describe optical absorption in ID semiconductors. The sharp narrow peaks are associated with excitonic transitions, and peak # 1 corresponds to the lowest optically allowed exciton state. The observation of sharp narrow absorption peaks at room temperature in a semiconductor is unprecedented, and is due to strong optical transitions of excitons as compared to band-to-band transitions normally seen for bulk materials.
VEGF is critical for spontaneous differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes.

Abstract Cardiomyocyte regeneration is limited in adult life and is not sufficient to compensate for cell loss with myocardial infarction. Hence, the identification of a useful source of cardiomyocyte progenitors is of great interest for possible use in regenerative therapy. In this study, we isolated stem cells derived from human subcutaneous adipose tissue. The expression of Nkx2.5 and GATA-4 can be observed by PCR directly after extraction and during cultivation in some of these cells. Cardiac Troponin T and myosin light chain-2v become positive after 12 days of cultivation. To define respective factors responsible for spontaneous differentiation, we measured VEGF level in ADSC conditioned medium. Our data showed that ADSC secrete significant amount of VEGF (283.5 pg per microgram DNA) and that anti-VEGF receptor antibodies blocked the cardiac differentiation. In conclusion, we demonstrated the spontaneous differentiation of human subcutaneous adipose-derived stem cells into a cardiomyocyte phenotype under standard culturing conditions.
Evaluation of Technetium Pertechnetate as a Radionuclide Marker of Pulmonary Aspiration of Gastric Contents in Rabbits

At present, there is no sensitive and specific test to confirm the clinical impression that a respiratory disorder is due to aspiration of gastric contents. Since intravenous technetium pertechnetate ( 99m TcO 4 − ) has been shown to be safe, actively concentrated in the gastrointestinal tract, and secreted into gastric juice, we sought to determine whether 99m TcO 4 − , when given intravenously, is suitable to detect pulmonary aspiration of small amounts of gastric contents in rabbits. Biodistribution studies over 24 h revealed that 99m TcO 4 − persistently appeared in the stomach, thyroid, and salivary glands and did not appear in the lungs. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that 99m TcO 4 − was rapidly picked up by the stomach wall and secreted promptly into the stomach lumen and that the stomach wall persistently secreted 99m TcO 4 − into stomach contents for 24 h. By injecting 99m TcO 4 − through an intratracheal catheter in order to simulate aspiration, the radioactive threshold for imaging intrapulmonary 99m TcO 4 − was determined to range between 99m TcO 4 − , we were able to calculate the amount of aspirated stomach contents that our technique should reveal at various time points. We concluded from this preliminary feasibility study that 99m TcO 4 − , when given intravenously, is suitable to detect pulmonary aspiration of small amounts (≤4 ml for 8 h after an intravenous dose of 2 mCi) of gastric contents in human patients. Since our biodistribution studies show that saliva as well as stomach contents are potential sources for any aspirated 99m TcO 4 − , how to distinguish aspiration of oropharyngeal from stomach contents remains to be determined. It also remains to be determined how long 99m TcO 4 − remains in the lungs after it has been instilled; clearance that is too rapid significantly decreases the ability of this agent to reveal aspiration.
Play games or study? Computer games in eBooks to learn English vocabulary

This study investigated how Chinese undergraduate college students studying English as a foreign language learned new vocabulary with inference-based computer games embedded in eBooks. The investigators specifically examined (a) the effectiveness of computer games (using inferencing) in eBooks, compared with hardcopy booklets for vocabulary retention, and (b) the relationship between students' performance on computer games and performance on a vocabulary test. A database recorded students' game playing behaviors in the log file. Students were pre- and post-tested on new vocabulary words with the Vocabulary Knowledge Scale. Participants learned significantly more vocabulary (p < .0005) in the computer game condition (web-based text and computer games) than in the control condition (their usual study method, hardcopy text, lists of words and multiple-choice questions). Students' scores in the games correlated significantly with their vocabulary post-test scores (r = .515, p < .01).
Power measurements of a saturated yttrium x-ray laser

We report on measurements of the output power from the J = 2–1 (λ = 15.5 nm) neonlike yttrium soft-x-ray laser. The results show peak powers of 32 MW in an output pulse width of 200 ps (FWHM) and an integrated energy of 7 mJ. The output is consistent with the expected saturation intensity of this laser and makes this system one of the brightest XUV sources available.
Comparison of Waste Composition in a Continuing-Care Retirement Community

Abstract Objective To determine the composition of wastes generated in a continuing-care retirement community (CCRC) and to analyze the effects of source-reduction activities and meal-delivery system change on the amount of waste generated in the facility. Design A waste stream analysis was conducted at the same CCRC during spring 1994 (period 1: baseline), spring 1995 (period 2: source reduction intervention), and fall 1995 (period 3: service delivery intervention). Weight, volume, and collapsed volume were determined for food and packaging wastes. Setting Tray service and waitstaff service are provided to 70 residents in a health care unit, and family-style service is an optional service available to 130 residents in the independent-living units. A mean of 229 meals are served per day. Intervention Intervention included the implementation of source-reduction activities and a change in a service-delivery system in periods 2 and 3, respectively. Statistical analysis performed Descriptive statistics were used to determine the composition of waste. Analysis of variance and a multiple comparison method (least significant difference) were used to compare mean weight and volume of waste generated in period 1 with data collected during periods 2 and 3. Results Mean waste generated per meal by weight and volume ranged from 0.93 to 1.00lb and 1.44 to 1.65 gal, respectively. Significantly less production waste by weight (0.18lb/meal) and volume (0.12gal/meal) was generated in period 2 than in period 1 (0.32lb/meal and 0.16 gal/meal, respectively). Significantly less service waste by weight (0.31lb/meal) and volume (0.05gal/meal) was discarded in period 3 than in period 1 (0.37lb/meal and 0.15gal/meal, respectively). Significantly less total waste and plastic by weight was disposed of after the interventions. The study conclusions indicated that implementing source-reduction practices and changing the meal-delivery system affected the composition of waste generated. Applications Knowledge of waste stream composition can help other foodservice professionals and consulting dietitians identify waste-reduction activities and recycling opportunities. The quantity and type of waste generated should be considered when operational decisions are made relative to market form of food, menu choices, service-delivery systems, and production forecast and controls. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997;97:396–400 .
THE NATURE OF THE COLICIN K RECEPTOR OF ESCHERICHIA COLI CULLEN

Cell walls of E. coli strains B and Cullen contain specific receptors for colicin K and for the T2, T6, and C16 phages. The receptors for the bacteriocin and the T6 virus are located in the outer layers of the cell wall of these microorganisms and are absent in their cytoplasmic membrane. The receptors for colicin K, phage T2, and the T6 and C16 viruses differ in their stability toward enzymes and chemical reagents. Their specificity must therefore be determined by different chemical groupings. The colicin K receptor is inactivated by certain proteolytic enzymes and by reagents which combine with tryptophan. It is concluded therefore that proteins or peptides containing this amino acid are essential for biological activity of the receptor.
Can electronic medical images replace hard-copy film? Defining and testing the equivalence of diagnostic tests.

Electronic medical images are an efficient and convenient format in which to display, store and transmit radiographic information. Before electronic images can be used routinely to screen and diagnose patients, however, it must be shown that readers have the same diagnostic performance with this new format as traditional hard-copy film. Currently, there exist no suitable definitions of diagnostic equivalence. In this paper we propose two criteria for diagnostic equivalence. The first criterion (‘population equivalence’) considers the variability between and within readers, as well as the mean reader performance. This criterion is useful for most applications. The second criterion (‘individual equivalence’) involves a comparison of the test results for individual patients and is necessary when patients are followed radiographically over time. We present methods for testing both individual and population equivalence. The properties of the proposed methods are assessed in a Monte Carlo simulation study. Data from a mammography screening study is used to illustrate the proposed methods and compare them with results from more conventional methods of assessing equivalence and inter-procedure agreement. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Completely Bounded and Ideal Norms of Multiplication Operators and Schur Multipliers

We estimate the completely bounded norms, the completely p-nuclear norms, and the completely p-summing norms of certain multiplication operators and Schur multipliers.
Cutaneous larva migrans associated with water shoe use

It has been long suspected that footwear is protective against cutaneous larva migrans. This case report describes a woman who developed cutaneous larva migrans despite wearing 'protective' footwear. We forward a hypothesis by which recently popular water shoes may actually be conducive to the development of cutaneous larva migrans rather than having a protective function.
Behavioral contracting within the families of delinquents

Summary-The technique of behavioral contracting is used to strengthen the control of family and school over the behavior of delinquents. A behavioral contract is a means of scheduling the exchange of positive reinforcements among two or more persons. The use of these contracts is predicated upon four assumptions: (I) receipt of positive reinforcements in interpersonal exchanges is a privilege rather than a right; (2) effective interpersonal agreements are governed by the norm of reciprocity; (3) the value of an interpersonal exchange is a direct function of the range, rate and magnitude of the positive reinforcements mediated by that exchange; and (4) rules create freedom in interpersonal exchanges. The use of a behavioral contract with one delinquent girl is described and analyzed using Markovian methods. ANY INTERVENTION program intended for use with delinquents must first define a specific subpopulation as a target group. Delinquents may be subdivided according to whether their predominant offenses are or are not classifiable as adult crimes, whether they are initial or chronic offenders, and whether or not they reside in environments replete with constructive resources which can be mobilized to their advantage. For many delinquents [e.g., for 24 per cent of the adolescent male wards of one Michigan county juvenile court (Huetteman, Briggs, Tripodi, Stuart, Heck and McConnell, 1970)], violations of parental authority and other uniquely juvenile offenses (e.g., possession of alcoholic beverages and failure to attend school) constitute the only “crimes” ever recorded. Many engage in chronically dysfunctional interactions with their families and schools, both of which settings contain the rudiments of effective behavioral controls. A continuum of short- to intermediate-term dispositional goals is available for working with
TH-C-12A-12: Veritas: An Open Source Tool to Facilitate User Interaction with TrueBeam Developer Mode

Purpose: To address the challenges of creating delivery trajectories and imaging sequences with TrueBeam Developer Mode, a new open-source graphical XML builder, Veritas, has been developed, tested and made freely available. Veritas eliminates most of the need to understand the underlying schema and write XML scripts, by providing a graphical menu for each control point specifying the state of 30 mechanical/dose axes. All capabilities of Developer Mode are accessible in Veritas. Methods: Veritas was designed using QT Designer, a ‘what-you-is-what-you-get’ (WYSIWIG) tool for building graphical user interfaces (GUI). Different components of the GUI are integrated using QT's signals and slots mechanism. Functionalities are added using PySide, an open source, cross platform Python binding for the QT framework. The XML code generated is immediately visible, making it an interactive learning tool. A user starts from an anonymized DICOM file or XML example and introduces delivery modifications, or begins their experiment from scratch, then uses the GUI to modify control points as desired. The software automatically generates XML plans following the appropriate schema. Results: Veritas was tested by generating and delivering two XML plans at Brigham and Women's Hospital. The first example was created to irradiate the letter ‘B’ with a narrow MV beam using dynamic couch movements. The second was created to acquire 4D CBCT projections for four minutes. The delivery of the letter ‘B’ was observed using a 2D array of ionization chambers. Both deliveries were generated quickly in Veritas by non-expert Developer Mode users. Conclusion: We introduced a new open source tool Veritas for generating XML plans (delivery trajectories and imaging sequences). Veritas makes Developer Mode more accessible by reducing the learning curve for quick translation of research ideas into XML plans. Veritas is an open source initiative, creating the possibility for future developments and collaboration with other researchers. I am an employee of Varian Medical Systems.
Health literacy and the readability of written information for hormone therapies.

Introduction Health education and counseling are important elements of the care provided by clinicians. Counseling efforts may involve helping women to understand their options for symptom management related to various reproductive life transitions. In light of this, the need for information during the menopausal transition is critical for assisting women with their health care decisions. Yet the Institute of Medicine estimates that approximately half the adult population in the United States has difficulty understanding and using health information. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates the distribution of written information for estrogen-containing products; however, the readability of information for these pharmaceutical products has not been widely studied. To address this gap, this study examined the readability of written information for FDA-approved prescription menopausal hormone therapies (N = 31). Methods Readability of the written information about hormone therapies from 31 hormone therapy products was assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formulas. Results The reading level ranged from 6.70 to 12.30, with an average grade level of 9.33 (ninth-grade reading level). All but one of the hormone therapy products evaluated in this study exceeded the recommended sixth-grade reading level for written health information. In addition, only 48% of the written information instructions in the study sample (n = 15) included illustrations. Discussion Assessment of written information about menopausal hormone therapies showed that the majority of the materials are written at a high reading level. These findings have implications for health literacy and counseling efforts when helping women to understand their options for menopausal symptom management. Midwives, nurses, and other health care providers may need to supplement written information with additional consumer-friendly written information, utilize illustrations, and use verbal instructions more frequently to help support women in evaluating their treatment options.
Computer techniques used in industrial robots

The term ‘Flexible Automation’ is used by Cincinnati Milacron to describe their Industrial Robots. Many aspects of this flexibility have occurred because of the computer control being used and the introduction of computer software techniques into the system. Not only has the computer enabled major improvements in the operation of today's robots, but many extra application techniques have benefitted from methods of programming decision making routines. Both system operation and software routines are discussed in the paper.
Temperature dependence of impurity resistivity due to hydrogen in metals

Abstract Using a self-consistent calculation, we show that the impurity resistivity of metals containing hydrogen or deuterium decreases as temperature increases . We also predict a significant isotope effect that is largest at O K and vanishes at high temperatures. These effects should be common to all metal-hydrogen systems and could be detected by precision experiments.
Determinants of the Higher Order Association of the Restriction Factor TRIM5α and Other Tripartite Motif (TRIM) Proteins

Many tripartite motif (TRIM) proteins self-associate, forming dimers and higher order complexes. For example, dimers of TRIM5α, a host factor that restricts retrovirus infection, assemble into higher order arrays on the surface of the viral capsid, resulting in an increase in avidity. Here we show that the higher order association of different TRIM proteins exhibits a wide range of efficiencies. Homologous association (self-association) was more efficient than the heterologous association of different TRIM proteins, indicating that specificity determinants of higher order self-association exist. To investigate the structural determinants of higher order self-association, we studied TRIM mutants and chimeras. These studies revealed the following: 1) the RING domain contributes to the efficiency of higher order self-association, which enhances the binding of TRIM5α to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) capsid; 2) the RING and B-box 2 domains work together as a homologous unit to promote higher order association of dimers; 3) dimerization is probably required for efficient higher order self-association; 4) the Linker 2 region contributes to higher order self-association, independently of effects of Linker 2 changes on TRIM dimerization; and 5) for efficiently self-associating TRIM proteins, the B30.2(SPRY) domain is not required for higher order self-association. These results support a model in which both ends of the core TRIM dimer (RING-B-box 2 at one end and Linker 2 at the other) contribute to the formation of higher order arrays.
SU‐E‐I‐51: Estimating Effective Dose from Phantom Dose Measurements in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Procedures

Purpose: The purpose of this study was three‐fold: (a) to estimate organ doses and effective dose (ED) for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation from clinical fluoro times, (b) to estimate carcinogenic risks for organ doses, and (c) to derive the dose conversion coefficient (DCC) for estimating the ED from the DAP. Method and Materials: A biplane fluoroscopic system was used for the AF ablation procedures (RAO 30°, LAO 45°). ED was measured for low dose and normal dose modes. For acquisition of organ dose measurements, 20 diagnostic MOSFET detectors were placed at selected organs in a male anthropomorphic phantom. The DAP was recorded from the system console and validated independently. Biplane fluoroscopy was performed for 10 minutes to measure the dose rate for each organ.Organ doses were computed by multiplying organ dose rate and the average fluoro time. The ED was computed by summing the product of each organ dose and the corresponding tissue weighting factor (ICRP 103). Age and gender specific carcinogenic risks (life‐time attributable risks and relative risks) for stomach, colon, liver,lung, breast, and bone marrow were computed by BEIR VII report (2006). Results: The ED was computed for an average AF ablation fluoroscopic time of 88 minutes. ED were 28 mSv and 46 mSv for low and normal modes respectively. The corresponding DAP were 49 Gy cm2 and 89 Gy cm2 and derived DCC were 0.57 and 0.58 mSv Gy‐1 cm‐2 for low and normal mode respectively. Relative risk (RR) for leukemia were 1.086 and 1.091 for male and female at age 30. RR for lungcancer incidence were 1.022 and 1.073 for male and female at age 30. Conclusions: The ED for AF ablation procedure can easily be estimated by multiplying the derived DCC by the console‐displayed DAP. &#8195;
The Need For Physical And Psychophysical Measures Of System Performance

Division of Nuclear MedicineThe Johns Hopkins Medical InstitutionsBaltimore, MarylandThe major goal of medical imaging sys-tems should be the production of an image,which affords maximum diagnostic accuracywhile staying within acceptable radiationdose levels as well as acceptable economicand practical constraints. The ultimate testof an imaging system is not its aestheticappearance, nor necessarily the specificationof a particular physical measurement, butrather its diagnostic efficacy within theclinical setting.It seems unreasonable however, that eachnew medical imaging system should undergo aprocess of trial and error on the patientpopulation without system designers havingfirst made every possible effort to optimizetheir system for the detection of the parti-cular diagnostic signal(s) under considera-
A Depth Control Stand for Improved Accuracy with the Neutron Probe

The neutron thermalization method for soil water content measurement is well established as being accurate for deep soil profile measurements. However, the method has been criticized as inaccurate for shallow measurements ( 0.98 and RMSE values of calibration <0.01 m3 m−3. The stand is also useful for elevating the gauge high enough above the surface so that standard counts are not influenced by the water content or nature of the surface, thus enhancing accuracy of both the calibration and subsequent water content readings, both of which depend on standard count values. Also, the stand serves to prevent repetitive strain injuries to backs and knees caused by bending and kneeling to place the gauge on top of access tubes, but without additional occupational exposure to radiation.
The development of an assessment tool for the mobility of lightweight autonomous vehicles on coastal terrain

This study focuses on developing an assessment tool for the performance prediction of lightweight autonomous vehicles with varying locomotion platforms on coastal terrain involves three segments. A table based on the House of Quality shows the relationships - high, low, or adverse - between mission profile requirements and general performance measures and geometries of vehicles under consideration for use. This table, when combined with known values for vehicle metrics, provides information for an index formula used to quantitatively compare the mobility of a user-chosen set of vehicles, regardless of their methods of locomotion. To study novel forms of locomotion, and to compare their mobility and performance with more traditional wheeled and tracked vehicles, several new autonomous vehicles - bipedal, self-excited dynamic tripedal, active spoke-wheel - are currently under development. While the terramechanics properties of wheeled and tracked vehicles, such as the contact patch pressure distribution, have been understood and models have been developed for heavy vehicles, the feasibility of extrapolating them to the analysis of light vehicles is still under analysis. wheeled all-terrain vehicle and a lightweight autonomous tracked vehicle have been tested for effects of sand gradation, vehicle speed, and vehicle payload on measures of pressure and sinkage in the contact patch, and preliminary analysis is presented on the sinkage of the wheeled all-terrain vehicle. These three segments - development of the comparison matrix and indexing function, modeling and development of novel forms of locomotion, and physical experimentation of lightweight tracked and wheeled vehicles on varying terrain types for terramechanic model validation - combine to give an overall picture of mobility that spans across different forms of locomotion.
Delayed teratogenic effect of methylmercury on hepatic cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase systems of rats.

Hepatic cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase systems were depressed in adult male rats which had been exposed prenatally to methylmercury. The effect was not seen in immature male or female rats or in adult female rats. This latent teratogenic effect of methylmercury appeared only when exposure occurred during early fetal development. These studies demonstrate that the expression of a chemically induced teratogenic effect may be considerably delayed in the rat and that the stage of development of the fetus at the time of exposure to the chemical agent may be a determining factor.
Artificial and biological color band design as spectral compression

The incredibly complex spectral information available to animals is far too detailed to be measured or used by those animals. What nature has evolved is a way of compressing the spectral information into a few signals that are easily detected and readily used for robust discrimination among objects or events of importance to the animal. The spectral discriminants human brains compute from those measurements and attribute to perceived objects in the world are what we call colors. Artificial Color uses the same approach to accomplish machine perception. In both Artificial and Biological Color, the number and spectral details of the spectral bands used to compress the available spectral information represent a complex tradeoff among multiple factors: Domain Coverage, Band Number, Discrimination Utility, and Manufacturability. In Biological Color, there are multiple objectives (from the viewpoint of population survival of a species) and those objectives are not equally weighted; so no single number can be defined as a figure of merit to be optimized. Artificial Color nearly always has the advantage of having very narrowly defined objectives, so it can often be much better for that purpose than the general Biological Color. We explore the criteria used to compare choices of spectral bands and the tradeoffs among those choices. We then discuss some of the solutions nature has evolved and some of the means open to Artificial Color that are not open to Biological Color.
Perceptions of Crime, Racial Attitudes, and Firearms Ownership

It is argued that, because of a prevailing public image of criminals as young black males, racial prejudice leads to aggressive attitudes toward criminals, which increases the likelihood of gun ownership. Concern about crime, in turn, produces a greater increment in gun ownership among highly prejudiced than among less prejudiced white males. These expectations are supported by data from white males in the Detroit area. The model is also supported by patterns of ownership of more passive forms of household protection. Language: en
Optic nerve glioma: The role of radiation therapy

Sixteen patients with optic nerve gliomas were treated with radiation therapy between 1962 and 1975. Surgical extirpaton was not attempted. Fifteen patients had biopsies with histologic confirmation: one had a craniotomy without biopsy. With a follow-up of 1 to 14 years, mean 6.3 years, 12 of the 16 patients are alive without evidence of disease. Vision was preserved or improved in all surviving patients. No patients who received 5000 rad or greater had a recurrence of his tumor, whereas four of seven patients receiving doses less than 5000 rad had recurrences and eventually died. We currently recommend 5000-rad megavoltage photon irradiation, delivered with standard fractionation, for all patients with optic nerve gliomas.
Population connectivity and genetic diversity of American marten ( Martes americana ) in the United States northern Rocky Mountains in a climate change context

Climate change is likely to alter population connectivity, particularly for species associated with higher elevation environments. The goal of this study is to predict the potential effects of future climate change on population connectivity and genetic diversity of American marten populations across a 30.2 million hectare region of the in the US northern Rocky Mountains. We use a landscape resistance model validated from empirical landscape genetics modeling to predict the current and expected future extent and fragmentation of American marten dis- persal habitat under five climate change scenarios, corre- sponding to climatic warming of between 0.7 and 3.3 C, consistent with expected climate change by year 2080. We predict the regions of the current and future landscapes where gene flow is expected to be governed by isolation by distance and the regions where population fragmentation is expected to limit gene flow. Finally, we predict changes in the strength and location of predicted movement corridors, fracture zones and the location of dispersal barriers across the study area in each scenario. We found that under the current climate, gene flow is predicted to be limited primarily by distance (isolation), and landscape structure does not significantly limit gene flow, resulting in very high genetic diversity over most of the study area. Projected climatic warming substantially reduces the extent and increases the fragmentation of marten populations in the western and northwestern parts of the study area. In con- trast, climate change is not predicted to fragment the extensive higher elevation mountain massifs in central Idaho, the northern U.S. continental divide, and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In addition, we show locations in the study area that are important corridors in the current landscape that remain intact across the climate change scenarios.
Electron microprobe analysis of juvenile walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma, otoliths from Alaska: a pilot stock separation study

The incorporation of dissolved oceanic constituents in the otoliths of fish has potential as a chemical tracer for reconstructing the early life history of marine fish. Wavelength dispersive spectrometers on an electron microprobe were used to measure Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, and Sr concentrations on the outer margins of 57 juvenile walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma, otoliths from five locations in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. Discriminant analyses that used various combinations of Na, P, K, Sr, and fish standard length and/or age showed that 60–80% of the samples could be assigned to the correct capture locality. While the concentrations of some of the measured elements correlated with standard length or age of the fish, there are measurable differences among localities when concentrations are length or age corrected, mainly due to differences in Na and K concentrations. Elemental composition of otoliths potentially could be used to assign fish from a mixed stock fishery to original stocks, information that is greatly needed for the effective management of fish stocks.
Coarse Aspheric Metrology

Precision scanning of fringes between a concave test plate and a convex aspheric mirror brought the mirror from a sphere to within λ/4 of its final figure. This was achieved while maintaining control of the vertex radius. Description of hardware and data reduction techniques will be presented.
Ethical Orientation as an Influence Upon Leadership Style

Effective leadership is driven by clear ethical thinking. This paper presents the results of a study which compares and assesses the ethical orientation of three groups vested with the responsibility of leadership and/or leadership development: undergraduate education majors, undergraduate business majors and practicing educators. The study addresses a number of ethical positions, all defined in the paper. The well regarded Forsyth Ethical Position Questionnaire (1980) was employed to develop the data. The paper closes with conclusions and suggestions for further research based on the findings described.
Simulation based architectural power estimation for PLA-based controllers

We present an architectural power simulation technique for PLA-based controllers. The contributions of this work are (1) a simple but efficient power characterization of PLAs; and (2) a strategy for developing a simulatable power model from the input description. Node Switching Capacitance (NSC) of a sub-component (such as AND plane) in a PLA is the average capacitance switched by a node in the sub-component, when the node undergoes a power consuming transition (0/spl rarr/1). Power characterization involves extracting NSC equations for different sub-components as a function of input size, output size and number of terms. Prototype PLAs whose are employed to derive NSC equations for a given technology. The input description is modified for power simulation by adding NSC equations with dependent variables instanced to the controller's parameters. For a given input sequence, the modified VHDL description is simulated to estimate the total power consumption. Experimental Results are obtained with average estimation error of 10.48% with a minimum error of 0.19% and maximum error of 21.90%.
ARtifact: Tablet-Based Augmented Reality for Interactive Analysis of Cultural Artifacts

To ensure the preservation of cultural heritage, artifacts such as paintings must be analyzed to diagnose physical frailties that could result in permanent damage. Advancements in digital imaging techniques and computer-aided analysis have greatly aided in such diagnoses but can limit the ability to work directly with the artifact in the field. This paper presents the implementation and application of ARtifact, a tablet-based augmented reality system that enables on-site visual analysis of the artifact in question. Utilizing real-time tracking of the artifact under observation, a user interacting with the tablet can study various layers of data registered with the physical object in situ. Theses layers, representing data acquired through various imaging modalities such as infrared thermography and ultraviolet fluorescence, provide the user with an augmented view of the artifact to aid in on-site diagnosis and restoration. Intuitive interaction techniques further enable targeted analysis of artifact-related data. We present a case study utilizing our tablet system to analyze a 16th century Italian hall and highlight the benefits of our approach.
Impact of adolescent nicotine exposure on adenylyl cyclase-mediated cell signaling: enzyme induction, neurotransmitter-specific effects, regional selectivities, and the role of withdrawal.

Recent animal studies indicate that the adolescent brain is especially vulnerable to nicotine-induced alterations in synaptic function, echoing the increased susceptibility to nicotine dependence and withdrawal noted for adolescent smokers. We administered nicotine to adolescent rats via continuous minipump infusions from PN30 to PN47.5, using 6 mg/kg/day, a dose rate that replicates the plasma nicotine levels found in smokers, and examined the effects on cell signaling mediated through adenylyl cyclase (AC) and its response to catecholamines. Studies were conducted during nicotine administration (PN45) and in the posttreatment, withdrawal period (PN50, 60, 75). Adolescent nicotine augmented AC activity as evidenced by increased responsiveness to the direct AC stimulants, forskolin and Mn2+. The effects on AC were equally noted in brain regions enriched (striatum) or sparse (cerebellum) in cholinergic projections, implying that the effects are secondary to activation/repression of neural circuits, rather than representing direct effects on AC mediated by nicotinic cholinergic receptors. AC responses to dopaminergic and noradrenergic stimulants were also enhanced by nicotine exposure. However, in contrast to earlier work with serotonin-mediated responses, the effects on catecholaminergic stimulation were smaller and did not display the sex-dependence noted for serotonin. An alternate administration paradigm that maximizes episodic withdrawal (twice-daily nicotine injections) induced AC more rapidly at lower nicotine doses. Our results indicate that adolescent nicotine exposure elicits lasting alterations in synaptic signaling that intensify and persist during withdrawal. These findings support the concept that the adolescent brain is especially susceptible to persistent nicotine-induced alterations.
Graduate Social Work Education and Cognitive Complexity: Does Prior Experience Really Matter?.

This study examined the extent to which age, education, and practice experience among social work graduate students (N = 184) predicted cognitive complexity, an essential aspect of critical thinking. In the regression analysis, education accounted for more of the variance associated with cognitive complexity than age and practice experience. When age and direct practice experience were controlled for, education accounted for 6% of the variance in cognitive complexity. Results suggest that education experience may play a more important role in social work student cognitive complexity than age or practice experience. Implications for social work education and assessing student cognitive development are discussed.
Shear Strength Characteristics of Recycled Glass

A comparison of the California bearing ratio (CBR) for recycled glass (RG) with other recycled materials and a basaltic virgin aggregate, all having similar gradations, revealed that the CBR of RG is superior to that of recycled asphalt pavement but less than that of recycled concrete and virgin aggregate. Direct shear tests were then run on the as-received gradation to derive strength parameters for RG prepared at very high and very low relative densities. For "dense" RG, the peak failure envelope was nonlinear with secant friction angles varying from 50° to 61°. For "loose" RG, the peak and critical state failure envelopes were linear with friction angles of 41° and 38°, respectively. Bolton's postulate that the peak friction angle is approximately equal to the critical friction angle plus 0.8 times the maximum angle of dilation works well for the RG tested in direct shear. A friction angle of 38° at critical state is significant, implying that RG has the potential to be used in even more foundation and...
Mobility impairment in the elderly: Challenges for biomechanics research

The problems of mobility impairment in the elderly constitute new and major challenges for biomechanics research. This paper outlines what some of the important problems are, discusses the relevance of biomechanics research to these problems, and reviews some of the current state of knowledge about factors related to the biomechanics of mobility impairments in the elderly. The population of old adults is growing rapidly and the incidence of mobility impairments in old adults is high. Mobility impairment biomechanics research is needed to make the assessments of impairments more precise, to design therapeutic programs that are more effective and to learn more about how mobility impairments can be prevented.
Validity and Reliability of a Novel Slow Cuff-Deflation System for Noninvasive Blood Pressure Monitoring in Patients With Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device

Background—Doppler ultrasound is the clinical gold standard for noninvasive blood pressure (BP) measurement among continuous-flow left ventricular assist device patients. The relationship of Doppler BP to systolic BP (SBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) is uncertain and Doppler measurements require a clinic visit. We studied the relationship between Doppler BP and both arterial-line (A-line) SBP and MAP. Validity and reliability of the Terumo Elemano BP Monitor, a novel slow cuff-deflation device that could potentially be used by patients at home, were assessed. Methods and Results—Doppler and Terumo BP measurements were made in triplicate among 60 axial continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (HeartMate II) patients (30 inpatients and 30 outpatients) at 2 separate exams (360 possible measurements). A-line measures were also obtained among inpatients. Mean absolute differences (MADs) and correlations were used to determine within-device reliability (comparison of second and third BP measures) and...