cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of virtual character animation on spatial judgments

Inaccurate perception of distances is a known problem within virtual environments. We hypothesize that the inclusion of virtual characters within these environments can improve an observer's ability to judge distances and achieve accurate spatial understanding. We have conducted an empirical study using a desktop display of a small scale environment to evaluate the validity of this concept. We investigated whether the presence and quantity of virtual human characters, as well as the naturalness of their locomotion animations, could improve egocentric and exocentric distance estimations. Preliminary results suggest that static or properly animated characters could improve exocentric estimations, and properly animated characters could reduce egocentric distance compression errors.
Observations of suprathermal electron conies in an interplanetary coronal mass ejection

Solar wind suprathermal electron velocity distributions measured by the SWEPAM experiment aboard ACE were studied to determine the internal magnetic structure of the coronal mass ejection (CME) that passed 1 AU on 4–5 February, 1998. Pitch-angle distributions range from symmetric counter-streaming to complex distributions that include conics. Identification of suprathermal electron conies in interplanetary CMEs (ICMEs) is reported here for the first time. The origin of these conies is highly uncertain. We suggest, however, that the conics may originate in transient electron heating associated with magnetic reconnection within the magnetic legs of the CMEs. Such reconnection generates large, complex magnetic loops that have enhanced anti-solar electric fields at their solar edge to maintain charge neutrality. This field must be sufficiently strong to bind electrons with high pitch angles to the bottom of the loops as they propagate away from the Sun.
TRFolder-W

Summary: TRFolder-W is a web server capable of predicting core structures of telomerase RNA (TR) in yeast genomes. TRFolder is a command-line Python toolkit for TR-specific structure prediction. We developed a web-version built on the django web framework, leveraging the work done previously, to include enhancements to increase flexibility of usage. To date, there are five core sub-structures commonly found in TR of fungal species, which are the template region, downstream pseudoknot, boundary element, core-closing stem and triple helix. The aim of TRFolder-W is to use the five core structures as fundamental units to predict potential TR genes for yeast, and to provide a user-friendly interface. Moreover, the application of TRFolder-W can be extended to predict the characteristic structure on species other than fungal species. Availability: The web server TRFolder-W is available at http://rna-informatics.uga.edu/?f=software&p=TRFolder-w. Contact: cai@cs.uga.edu Supplementary information:http://rna-informatics.uga.edu/?f=software&p=TRFolder-w-supplement.
In vivo measurement of tumor conductiveness with the magnetic bioimpedance method

A noninvasive electromagnetic method has been developed that can effectively measure the in-vivo conductivity difference between rat tumor lines having a low and high metastatic potential. These tumor lines are used in the study of human prostate tumor.
Using linked federal and state data to study the adequacy of workers' compensation benefits

BACKGROUND: We combined federal and state administrative data to study the long-term earnings losses associated with occupational injuries and assess the adequacy of workers' compensation benefits. METHODS: We linked state data on workers' compensation claims from New Mexico for claimants injured from 1994 to 2000 to federal earnings records from 1987 to 2007. We estimated earnings losses up to 10 years after injury and computed the fraction of losses replaced by benefits. RESULTS: Workers with lost-time injuries lost an average of 15% of their earnings over the 10 years after injury. On average, workers' compensation income benefits replaced 16% of these losses. Men and women had similar losses and replacement rates. Workers with minor injuries had lower losses but also had lower replacement rates. CONCLUSION: Earnings losses after an injury are highly persistent, even for comparatively minor injuries. Income benefits replace a smaller fraction of those losses than previously believed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:1165-1173, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
Fetal and Early Life Determinants of Hypertension in Adults: Implications for Study

In this issue of Hypertension , Fagerudd et al present results describing the significant association of early life factors and adult blood pressure levels.1 The concept that adult-onset diseases may have a fetal and/or early life origin has been advanced since the 1980s.2 This school of thought, also referred to as the “Barker Hypothesis,” was initiated by identifying ecological associations of fetal and early life health indicators (infant mortality, birth size, etc) and adult diseases, such as ischemic heart disease.2 This epidemiological approach was used to assess the geographic patterns of birth weight and adult-onset stroke in the United States and the United Kingdom, identifying similar associations.3 The results prompted the expansion to numerous cohort and epidemiological studies that identified the direct association of birth weight and various disease outcomes, indicating greater disease risk and accelerated disease progression among individuals with adverse fetal and early life events. For example, risk for hypertension-related end-stage renal disease was greater among individuals with a birth weight <2500 grams.4 Similar findings were reported for hypertension and other hypertension-related outcomes.5 Clearly, indicators such …
Limits on the Constitution of the Lower Mantle

Summary The limits on the constitution of the lower mantle which can be inferred from currently available data are investigated. The density and elasticity of the mantle are compared to those of various model mineral assemblages at zero pressure and at high pressures, the former case using extrapolations of mantle properties. The models are based on equations of state of MgO (periclase), SiO2 (stishovite) and FeO (wustite), and of the Twin Sisters and Mooihoek dunite high-pressure phases. The bounds on the elastic properties of mixtures are discussed. The properties of hypothetical phases denser than their isochemical simple oxide mixtures are estimated relative to those of the oxide mixtures. The uncertainties in all quantities are discussed and the interdependence of some inferred mantle characteristics is considered. The inferred silica content, temperature and phase assemblage are strongly interdependent. The inferred FeO content depends to a small extent on the phase assemblage and temperature corrections and more strongly on the presence of iron in the ‘low spin’ electronic state. Models which best fit the data used range between (1) an oxide mixture, or phase assemblage with similar properties, with pyroxene composition and 9 mole per cent FeO, and (2) a phase assemblage about 5 per cent denser than an isochemical simple oxide mixture with olivine composition and 6 mole per cent FeO. Combining all uncertainties and interdependences allows the FeO content to vary between about 3 and 14 mole per cent, and the temperature to vary beyond the independently estimated bounds of 2000 °K and 6000 °K. The possibilities of an isentropic temperature gradient, chemical homogeneity, or some iron enrichment in the lower mantle relative to the upper mantle are allowed, but not required, by the data.
Minireview: Finding the Sweet Spot: Peripheral Versus Central Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Action in Feeding and Glucose Homeostasis

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is both a gut-derived hormone and a neurotransmitter synthesized in the brain. Early reports suggested that GLP-1 acts in the periphery to promote insulin secretion and affect glucose homeostasis, whereas central GLP-1 reduces food intake and body weight. However, current research indicates that in fact, GLP-1 in each location plays a role in these functions. This review summarizes the evidence for involvement of peripheral and brain GLP-1 in food intake regulation and glucose homeostasis and proposes a model for the coordinated actions of GLP-1 at multiple sites.
Solvent extraction of cesium and rubidium triphenylcyanoboron

Abstract Sodium triphenylcyanoboron has been studied for the solvent extraction of cesium and rubidium ions for aqueous salt solutions. A comparison has been made with sodium tetraphenylboron, and the nature of the extracted species has been deduced by the method of equilibrium shift. The effect of the following parameters on the distribution coefficient was studied: metal ion concentration, equilibrium pH of the aqueous phase, reagent concentration and o-nitrotoluene concentration. Stripping of the metal ions from the organic phase was accomplished with ammonium nitrate solutions.
Theory of second-harmonic generation with high-conversion efficiency

We analyze second-harmonic generation (SHG) with focused pump beams in the high-conversion regime where pump depletion is significant. Numerical solutions of the coupled equations for pump and harmonic fields are obtained for the cylindrically symmetric case of collinear phase matching. The optimum values of phase mismatch and confocal parameters σ and b found by Boyd and Kleinman are very nearly independent of pump power to above 95 percent conversion. When phase mismatch is not optimized, the best confocal parameter depends upon the input power. The conversion efficiency versus input power is determined numerically for optimum \sigma, b , and approximate analytical formulas are given for this relation.
Faculty-perceived barriers and benefits to teaching tobacco cessation.

Abstract Aim. The study explored nurse faculty beliefs regarding patient tobacco use and the promotion of patient tobacco cessation. The second aim explored perceived barriers and benefits in teaching baccalaureate students about patient tobacco use and cessation. Background. Nurse faculty have a role in ensuring that graduates entering the nursing profession are knowledgeable, skillful, and have the self-efficacy needed to take action regarding patient tobacco use and cessation. Method. Four 90-minute focus group interviews were taped, transcribed, and analyzed. Results. Two major themes were identified: barriers and opportunities. Barriers included a knowledge deficit about patient tobacco use and cessation, which lagged behind published evidence. Opportunities included perceptions that providing patient tobacco cessation should occur throughout the nursing process during nurse-patient interactions. Conclusion. Nursing faculty development regarding patient tobacco use and cessation needs to occur as wel...
Influence of fractal kinetics on molecular recognition

Molecular recognition is a central issue for nearly every biological mechanism. The analysis of molecular recognition to date has been conducted within the framework of classical chemical kinetics, in which the kinetic orders of a reaction have positive integer values. However, recent theoretical and experimental advances have shown that the assumptions inherent in this classical framework are invalid under a variety of conditions in which the reaction environment may be considered nonideal. A good example is provided by reactions that are spatially constrained and diffusion limited. Bimolecular reactions confined within two-dimensional membranes, one-dimensional channels or fractal surfaces in general exhibit kinetic orders that are noninteger. An appropriate framework for the study of these nonideal phenomena is provided by the Power-Law formalism, which includes as special cases the Mass-Action formalism of chemical kinetics and the Michaelis-Menten formalism of enzyme kinetics. The Power-Law formalism is an appropriate representation not only for fractal kinetics per se, but also for other nonideal kinetic phenomena, provided the range of variation in concentration is not too large. After defining some elementary concepts of molecular recognition, and showing how these are manifested in classical kinetic terms, this paper contrasts the implications of classical and fractal kinetics in a few simple cases. The principal distinction lies in the ability of fractal kinetics to nonlinearly transform, rather than proportionally transmit, the input S/N ratio. As a consequence, fractal kinetics create a threshold for the input signal below which no recognition occurs and above which amplified recognition takes place.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effects of Castration and Chronic Steroid Treatments on Hypothalamic Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Content and Pituitary Gonadotropins in Male Wild-Type and Estrogen Receptor-α Knockout Mice

Testicular androgens are integral components of the hormonal feedback loops that regulate circulating levels of LHbeta and FSH. The sites of feedback include hypothalamic areas regulating GnRH neurons and pituitary gonadotropes. To better define the roles of androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha), and estrogen receptor-beta (ERbeta) in mediating feedback effects of sex steroids on reproductive neuroendocrine function, we have determined the effects of castration and steroid replacement therapy on hypothalamic GnRH content, pituitary LHbeta and FSHbeta messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, and serum gonadotropins in male wild-type (WT) and estrogen receptor-alpha knockout (ERKO) mice. Hypothalami from intact WT and ERKO males contained similar amounts of GnRH, whereas castration significantly reduced GnRH contents in both genotypes. Replacement therapy with estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) restored hypothalamic GnRH content in castrated (CAST) WT mice; only the androgens were effective in CAST ERKOs. Analyses of pituitary function revealed that LHbeta mRNA and serum LHbeta levels in intact ERKOs were 2-fold higher than those in intact WT males. Castration increased levels of LHbeta mRNA (1.5- to 2-fold) and serum LHbeta (4- to 5-fold) in both genotypes. Both E2 and T treatments significantly suppressed LHbeta mRNA and serum LH levels in CAST WT males. However, E2 was completely ineffective, and T was only partially effective in suppressing these two indexes in the CAST ERKO males. DHT treatments stimulated a 50% increase in LHbeta mRNA and serum LH levels in WT males, whereas serum LH was significantly suppressed in DHT-treated ERKO males. Although the pituitaries from intact ERKO males contained similar amounts of FSHbeta mRNA, serum FSH levels were 20% higher than those in the intact WT males. Castration increased FSHbeta mRNA levels only in WT males, but significantly increased serum FSH levels in both genotypes. Both E2 and T treatments significantly suppressed serum FSH in CAST WT males, whereas only E2 suppressed FSHbeta mRNA. DHT treatments of CAST WT mice stimulated a small increase in serum FSH, but failed to alter FSHbeta mRNA levels. None of the steroid treatments exerted any significant effect on FSHbeta mRNA or serum FSH levels in CAST ERKOs. These data suggest that hypothalamic GnRH contents can be maintained solely through AR signaling pathways. However, normal regulation of gonadotrope function requires aromatization of T and activation of ERalpha signaling pathways in the gonadotrope. In addition, serum FSH levels in male ERKOs appear to be regulated largely by nonsteroidal testicular factors such as inhibin. Finally, these data suggest that hypothalamic ERbeta may not be involved in mediating the negative feedback effects of T on serum LH and FSH in male mice.
Stealthy dissemination in intruder tracking sensor networks

Many sensor networks are deployed to detect and track intruders. If the existence and location of sensor nodes is disclosed to the opponent, the nodes can be easily disabled or compromised. Wireless transmissions in the presence of the opponent are an important source of disclosure. In this paper, we first describe a way to quantify the stealthiness of the sensor node, with a numerical stealthiness metric. Then, we introduce a local model based dissemination protocol, Try and Bounce (TAB) which takes into account stealth considerations while reporting and forwarding observation reports.
Simulation of electrically tunable semiconductor nanopores for ion current/single bio-molecule manipulation

We show that a semiconductor membrane made of two thin layers of opposite (n- and p-) doping can perform electrically tunable ion current rectification and filtering in a nanopore. Our model is based on the solution of the 3D Poisson equation for the electrostatic potential in a double-cone nanopore, combined with a transport model. It predicts that for appropriate biasing of the membrane-electrolyte system, transitions from ohmic behavior to sharp rectification with vanishing leakage current are achievable. Further more, ion current rectifying and filtering regimes of the nanopore correspond to different charge states in the p–n membrane which can be tuned with appropriate biasing of the n- and p-layers.
Animal models of narcolepsy: Development, findings and perspectives

Two of the primary symptoms of narcolepsy, cataplexy and sleep attacks, have been amenable to study in canine and rodent models of narcolepsy. The canine model has proved to be an important research tool in the pathophysiology since the disorder was first identified in this species in 1973. Neurotransmitter differences in the narcoleptic canines, combined with evaluation of compounds that can both decrease and increase the incidence of cataplectic episodes, have provided insight into possible brain changes associated with the disorder, and suggested new treatment regimes. Since canine narcolepsy was found to be transmissible in at least two breeds, this model also provided a feasible tool for a genetic study of the disorder. A decade-long positional cloning effort eventually resulted in the identification of the gene that was mutated in dogs: a receptor for the orexin (also called hypocretin) neuropeptides. Coincidentally, but independently, a mouse line was created with the orexin gene deleted. In a remarkable concordance of results, the discovery of both the canine gene and the narcoleptic phenotype of the orexin knockout mouse occurred within weeks, if not days, of each other. These studies resulted in an unequivocal linkage between the pathophysiology in the orexin system and the narcolepsy symptoms. Studies on these models are continued to understand how orexin might normally prevent the dysregulated transitions between different vigilance states, which appear to be at the core of the narcoleptic symptomatology. The etiology of the disorder, and the nature and mechanism of cataplexy remain important issues that are amenable to research with the animal models.
DECOMPOSITION BASED IMAGING WITH FIBER AND CCD CAMERA DETECTIONS

We generalize a previously proposed imaging scheme to situations for which the set of hidden objects embedded in the highly scattering medium can take arbitrary shapes. We compare the accuracy of images obtained from optical detection fibers with those from a ccd camera. The latter approach is more efficient and can be applied to non-contact geometries, but it requires an a priori linearization of the obtained digitized images. We discuss some details of this calibration for the camera and establish its potential as a new tool for decomposition based imaging.
Adaptability and Reliability of Yield for Four Bell Pepper Cultivars Across Three Southeastern States

Four bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars were evaluated for yield (total weight of marketable fruit) performance over 41 environments as combinations of 3 years, three planting dates, and seven locations across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Cultural practices, including trickle irrigation and double rows planted on black- plastic-covered beds, were uniform across all environments, except for fertilization, which was adjusted at each location based on soil tests. Comparing production over 3 years between the mountain location and the Coastal Plain location in North Carolina, yields were lower on the Coastal Plain. Spring plantings provided higher yields than summer plantings at both locations. Yield increases were obtained from hybrid cultivars over that of the open-pollinated (OP) standard ('Keystone Resistant Giant #3' (KRG#3)) in the summer planting in the mountains compared to the Tidewater Coastal Plain. Across the three-state region, hybrid cultivar yields were higher than those of the OP cultivar for the second spring planting date in 1986 and 1987. Although the hybrid yields were higher than that of the OP standard, the hybrid 'Skipper' yielded less than the other hybrids ('Gator Belle' and 'Hybelle'). 'Gator Belle' generally out-yielded 'Hybelle' at all locations, except in Fletcher, N.C. This difference may be related to the relative sensitivity of these two cultivars to temperature extremes, rather than soil or geographic factors, because there was a tendency for 'Hybelle' yields to exceed 'Gator Belle' in the earliest planting date. Based on the reliability index, the chance of outperforming KRG#3 (the standard) was 85% for 'Hybelle', 80% for 'Gator Belle', but only 67% for 'Skipper'.
Electro-Optic Tunable Filter Structures

Several electro-optic tunable filter structures which are currently being studied will be described. These include polarization conversion devices as well as interference filters. Transmission characteristics of these filters are electronically controllable. Some important properties of these devices will be discussed and compared.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Correlated signals and causal transport in ocean circulation

This article presents a framework for interpreting the time-lagged correlation of oceanographic data in terms of physical transport mechanisms. Previous studies have inferred aspects of ocean circulation by correlating fluctuations in temperature and salinity measurements at distant stations. Typically, the time lag of greatest correlation is interpreted as an advective transit time and hence the advective speed of the current. In this article, we relate correlation functions directly to the underlying equations of fluid transport. This is accomplished by expressing the correlation functions in terms of the Green's function of the transport equation. Two types of correlation function are distinguished: field–forcing correlation and field–field correlation. Their unique relationships to the Green's function are illustrated in two idealized models of geophysical transport: a leaky pipe model and an advective–diffusive model. Both models show that the field–forcing correlation function converges to the Green's function as the characteristic (time- or length-) scale of forcing autocorrelation decreases. The leaky pipe model provides an explanation for why advective speeds inferred from time-lagged correlations are often less than the speed of the main current. The advective–diffusive model reveals a structural bias in the field–field correlation function when used to estimate transit times.
Statistical Methods for Reconstructing Infection Curves

The objective of this paper is to consider statistical issues for reconstructing infection curves. We investigate the method of back-calculation using a nonstationary incubation period distribution to account for recent treatment advances. A spline methodology based on a penalized likelihood is used for estimating historical infection rates. Estimates can be obtained through iteratively reweighted least squares. Some theoretical calculations to investigate mean square error are presented. There is tradeoff between bias and variance when choosing the smoothing parameter. An approach for choosing a range of sensible smoothing parameters is suggested. Some of the methods are illustrated with the U.S. AIDS epidemic.
Hewlett-Packard's approach to creating a life cycle (product stewardship) program

Hewlett Packard (HP) view product stewardship as a philosophy and practice of designing products and their associated accessories and processes to prevent and/or minimize adverse health, safety and ecological impacts throughout their life cycle, i.e., design, manufacture, distribution, use, take-back, disassembly, reuse, recycling and ultimate disposition of constituent parts and materials. Thus, HP's environmental program has expanded its focus beyond manufacturing facilities to also consider product shipment, use by the customer and eventual disposition at the end of the product's useful life. Also taken into account are the possible environmental impacts that may occur "upstream" with respect to HP's suppliers' manufacture of materials, parts and components used in HP's products. This new product stewardship philosophy represents a major change in perspective and is bringing attention to the fact that much, and often most, of the environmental impacts associated with products occur beyond manufacturing facilities. >
Learning geoscience categories in Situ: implications for geographic knowledge representation

This paper explores the development of categories shared in the field logging of a region by a team of geologists. Visualization, neural networks and spatial statistical tools are employed to gain insight into the complex space of attributes observed, and into the categories developed. Background material and a discussion of results examines the findings in the light of research into category development, and specifically how categories are thought to be formed and modified as part of the (geo)scientific process and the situations encountered. Results show that (1) category discrepancy exists between individuals; (2) category development or revision is evident among individuals; and (3) that some categories do not seem to be totally defined by observed data alone. The results imply that contextual factors should also be considered when adopting ontological approaches to information representation.
Effects of addition of bacterial inoculants to the diets of lactating dairy cows on feed intake, milk yield, and milk composition

Forty-eight lactating Holstein cows (38 multiparous, 10 primiparous) were used in a 10-wk randomized block trial to determine the effect of 2 supplemental bacterial inoculants on DMI, milk yield, and milk composition. Experimental diets were top dressed with ground corn plus one of 2 bacterial inoculant mixtures. Treatments were control (no bacterial inoculant); 2 × 109 cfu/d of Propionibac-terium freudenreichii strain NP24 plus 1 × 109 cfu/d of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain NP51 (B1); and 2 × 109 cfu/d of P. freudenreichii strain NP24 plus 5 × 108 cfu/d each of L. acidophilus strain NP51 and strain NP45 (B2). Cows fed bacterial inoculants had greater yields of milk fat (P = 0.02), FCM (P = 0.007), and energy-corrected milk (P = 0.03) than did controls. Efficiency of milk production (defined as energy-corrected milk yield per unit of DMI) was greater (P = 0.03) for cows fed bacterial inoculants compared with control cows. There was no effect of treatment on DMI, milk fat percentage, or milk protein yield or percentage. There was a tendency (P = 0.08) for increased milk yield with inoculant supplementation compared with the control treatment. Serum urea N concentrations were greater for control cows compared with those receiving inoculants, and there was a tendency for B2 cows to have greater serum urea N concentrations compared with B1 cows. Results of this trial suggest that supplemental bacterial inoculants containing P. freudenreichii and L. acidophilus can improve milk yield and apparent efficiency of nutrient utilization.
SKULL CHANGES IN EIGHTEEN CASES OF DYSTROPHIA MYOTONICA

Dystrophia myotonica (myotonica atrophica) is a heredofamilial disorder which is inherited as an autosomal dominant. When the disease first appears in a family, it presents with cataract. This may be the only detectable evidence of the disease in one or two or maybe three generations. Usually, however, in the second or so-called dystrophic generation, the cataract develops at an earlier age and other features of the fully developed disorder appear, such as myotonia, muscle wasting, gonadal atrophy, frontal baldness, and cardiac abnormalities of conduction and rhythm. Few authors have referred to the radiographic changes in the skull in these patients. SCHARNKE and FULL (1920) reported in one case large frontal sinuses with a normal pituitary fossa. ROUQUES (1931) described the skull roentgenographic findings in four patients with dystrophia myotonica but did not emphasize this as an aspect of the disorder. In his cases there was thickening of the calvaria in three, in two the sella turcica was small, in two the frontal sinuses were large, and in two there was a bridged sella. FAGIN (1946) reported hyperostosis frontalis in one male patient. One of us (CAUGHEY & BROWN 1950) in an endocrine study of nine cases of dystrophia myotonica reported on the radiographic skull changes and suggested that these should come to be
A Gas Turbine Dynamic Model for Simulation and Control

The useful life of gas turbines and the availability of power after start-up depend on their transient response. For this reason, several articles have been written on the dynamic simulation of gas turbine systems in electrical generation, cogeneration, and marine applications. The simulations typically rely on performance maps and time lags extracted from manufacturer’s specifications. This work was undertaken to increase the generality of turbine models over what can be obtained from performance maps. The paper describes a mathematical computer model developed to investigate the dynamic response of a simple single-shaft gas turbine system. The model uses design parameters normally incorporated in gas turbine design (e.g. load coefficient, flow coefficient, and deHaller Number) as well as compressor and turbine stage geometry and compressor and turbine material properties. A dynamic combustion chamber model is also incorporated. Other input parameters are included to enable the model to be adaptable to various system sizes and environments.The model was formulated in a graphical interface, and the results of several trials are displayed. The influence of important parameters (e.g. fuel-air ratio, IGVs, load, efficiencies) on turbine response from a “cold” start and from steady-state is studied. To gain further insights into the response, a start-up procedure similar to that reported in the literature for an industrial gas turbine system is simulated. Because of the approach used, the computer model is easily adaptable to further improvements and combined simulation of turbines and control systems.Copyright © 1998 by ASME
Factors influencing serial measurements of cardiac volumes by count-based methods: effects of elevated catecholamines, position, and exercise on technetium-99m-blood radioactivity concentration.

Most radionudidemethodsfor measuringcardiacvolume requirea determination of the bloodradioactivity concentra tion. Thus, changesin blood radioactivityover time or during interventions mightleadto spuriousvolumeestimatesunless blood radioactivity is serially measured.The effects of ele vated epinephrine, posture and exercise on @â€œTc-labeled blood radioactivity concentration were studied in 15 young (meanage= 28 yr)and14 older(meanage= 68 yr)healthy males.Anepinephrine infusionof 50 ng/kg/minresultedin a 4.1% Â±1 @A˜ID/@ increase in @â€˜Tc-bIood radioactivity (p @ 0.001) comparedto baseline.Sittingincreasedbloodradioactivity concentrationby 12.3% Â±3.0% (p < 0.0002) compared to thesupinepositionandpeaksupinebicydeexercisecaused an 11.0% Â±1.7% increase(p @ 0.0001)comparedto supine rest.Therewasa significantly greaterincreaseduringpeak supineexerasein theyoungcompared to theoldersubjects (15.0% Â±2.3% versus6.3% Â±2.0%, p @ 0.01). The mech anismof the increasein bloodradioactivity concentration is uncertain,but presumablyreflects the addition of hemocon centratedredbloodcellsfromthe spleenand/orthe lossof plasma volume. Failure to correct for the increased blood radioactivity concentration duringexercise orpharmacological interventionswill result in a significanterror in serialmeasure mentsof cardiacvolumesby methodsrequiringRBCradio activitymeasurements. J NucIMed 1992;33:1324â€”1329
Factors Affecting Bleeding and Stent Thrombosis in Clinical Trials Comparing Bivalirudin With Heparin During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background— Patients treated with bivalirudin in randomized clinical trials of percutaneous coronary intervention generally have less bleeding but more acute stent thrombosis (ST) than do patients treated with heparin, but differences have varied among trials. Methods and Results— We modeled the risk of major hemorrhage and ischemic outcomes 30 days after percutaneous coronary intervention by treatment assignment and the use of adjunctive therapies in 18 randomized clinical trials enrolling 41 871 patients. Overall bivalirudin caused less major bleeding (odds ratio [OR], 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53–0.76), more ST (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.19–2.09), and no difference in mortality (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.77–1.14) than heparin. A risk–benefit analysis identified 19 fewer bleeds and 5 more STs for every 1000 patients treated with bivalirudin in place of heparin. No significant bleeding advantage of bivalirudin over heparin could be identified in randomized clinical trials when transradial access (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.57–1.41) and planned glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were used with bivalirudin in the majority of patients (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.87–1.31). The use of prasugrel or ticagrelor eliminated bleeding differences (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.63–1.03) but did not reduce the risk of ST after bivalirudin (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.48–3.27). Conclusions— Substituting bivalirudin for heparin conferred a tradeoff between bleeding and ST. Transradial access, adjunctive glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and potent P2Y12 inhibitors attenuated the bleeding advantage of bivalirudin over heparin but had no apparent effect on early ST. New approaches to reduce bleeding and ischemic complications during percutaneous coronary intervention warrant further investigation.
Treatment of leukemia with radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies

Despite a number of active chemotherapeutic agents, only a small fraction of adults with leukemia are cured by chemotherapy alone. The 30–40% success rate that has been achieved by combining chemotherapy with external beam whole-body irradiation and bone marrow transplantation in a small number of eligible patients is based on eradicating virtually all normal and neoplastic hematopoietic cells. Such an approach implicitly acknowledges that selective targeting of leukemic cells is not possible with current chemotherapeutic regimens. The substantial recurrence rate in patients that have undergone donor bone marrow transplantation suggests that a significant number of clonogenic cells escape eradication, even when exposed to the combined toxic effects of chemotherapy and whole-body external beam irradiation. This is particularly disappointing since it indicates that even when specific targeting of clonogenic cells is abandoned, the effectiveness of nonspecific cell eradication remains inadequate. Improvements are clearly needed both in terms of targeting clonogenic cells and in the potency (relative to a given rate of normal tissue morbidity) of the cytotoxic agent. Radioimmunotherapy offers the potential for improvement on both fronts.
Decentralised hybrid workflow scheduling algorithm for minimum end-to-end delay in heterogeneous computing environment

This paper considers a decentralised hybrid algorithm for scheduling scientific workflow applications onto an underlying distributed computing environment with heterogeneous resources for minimum end-to-end delay EED. Distributed scientific workflow applications modelled as directed acyclic graphs DAGs are widely applied to various research areas to enable efficient knowledge discovery by automated data processing. Owing to the NP-hardness of this problem, heuristic algorithms are commonly proposed to achieve the EED. Our algorithm combines iterative critical path search and layer-based priority techniques HICPP to achieve the minimum EED. Four representative mapping and scheduling algorithms for minimum EED are compared with HICPP. Our simulation results illustrate that HICPP consistently achieves the smallest EED with a low algorithm running time observed from many different scales of simulated test cases.
Impact of reducing the level of wet distillers grains fed to cattle prior to harvest on prevalence and levels of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in feces and on hides.

Cattle fed finishing diets with wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) have been shown to harbor increased Escherichia coli O157:H7 populations in the feces and on the hides. To determine if feeding a lower level of WDGS at the end of the feeding period reduces E. coli O157:H7 load at harvest, 608 heifers were sorted into one of five treatments and fed 0, 40, or 70% WDGS (dry matter basis). For three of the treatments, WDGS was reduced midway through the study. Treatment 0W0W heifers (positive control) were fed a corn grain–based diet continuously, and 40W40W heifers (negative control) were fed 40% WDGS continuously. Heifers subjected to treatments 40W0W, 40W15W, and 70W15W were fed either 40 or 70% WDGS for the first 56 days and switched to 0 or 15% WDGS, respectively, for the last 56 days. Prior to the switch in diets, animals fed diets with 40 or 70% had higher prevalence and percent enumerable fecal samples for E. coli O157:H7. After the dietary switch, animals fed 40W0W, 40W15W, and 70W15W diets ...
Deontology and Natural Hazards

In this chapter, I explore some fundamental moral questions about how we should evaluate disaster policy. I offer a challenge to the dominant approach, namely cost-benefit analysis, arguing that we need to give weight to some crucial moral distinctions that this approach ignores, such as the difference between doing and allowing harm. In place of cost-benefit analysis, I defend an alternative “deontological” approach, which incorporates these distinctions. But I also show that more work is needed to fully develop a deontological theory of disaster policy. There are fruitful new avenues in this area for both policy analysts and moral theorists.
Study on Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Levels of Rice with Mechanization

In order to make organic combined of the tray grown rice seeding transplanter technique and nitrogen fertilizer application method,taking rice variety Longjing 30 as material,taking new type 2ZB-633 the tray grown rice seeding transplanter machine as test object,after studying the plant density,under different nitrogen fertilizer condition the high-quality rice varieties in Heilongjiang province main growth traits and yield components were studied,the most suitable application levels of nitrogen fertilizer for rice planting machine were explored.The results showed that by using 2ZB-633 machine in the process of practical production,total nitrogen content in the whole stages was 127.5kg·hm-2 under the 23.1cm×10.0cm of the optimal planting density,the important traits of rice population,production factors and yield could achieve the maximum.
First-order open-universe POMDPs

Open-universe probability models, representable by a variety of probabilistic programming languages (PPLs), handle uncertainty over the existence and identity of objects—forms of uncertainty occurring in many real-world situations. We examine the problem of extending a declarative PPL to define decision problems (specifically, POMDPs) and identify non-trivial representational issues in describing an agent's capability for observation and action—issues that were avoided in previous work only by making strong and restrictive assumptions. We present semantic definitions that lead to POMDP specifications provably consistent with the sensor and actuator capabilities of the agent. We also describe a variant of point-based value iteration for solving open-universe POMDPs. Thus, we handle cases—such as seeing a new object and picking it up—that could not previously be represented or solved.
Dicloxacillin absorption and elimination in children.

We determined the apparent bioavailability of dicloxacillin in 26 children between the ages of 0.24 and 143 months by comparing the area under the serum concentration versus time curve following intravenous and oral administration of 25 mg/kg. With intravenous infusion the overall mean half-life of elimination was 0.53 +/- 0.20 h, the AUC was 70.15 +/- 32.18 mg.min/l and the apparent volume of distribution was 0.29 +/- 0.09 l/kg. The overall average bioavailability was 59.89%. Children less than 6 months old had a shorter time to peak concentration (1.39 +/- 0.49 h) and the lowest oral bioavailability (64.35 +/- 13.62%) in comparison to children more than 60 months old. In children older than 60 months the time to peak was 1.79 +/- 1.16 h and the average oral bioavailability was 79.38 +/- 32.87%. However, children less than 6 months old had the least variability in absorption, the coefficient of variation (CV) of oral bioavailability was 13.62%, while in children between 6 and 40 months old the CV was 60.4%: children older than 60 months had the most variability in absorption, a CV of 32.87%. This variability was not dependent on the formulation administered. After 5 years of age the bioavailability increased with increasing age.
Endothelin stimulates chloride secretion across canine tracheal epithelium

The endothelins (ET) are a group of isopeptides produced by a number of cells, including canine tracheal epithelial cells. Because these compounds are endogenous peptides that may activate eicosanoid metabolism, we investigated the effects of ET on Cl secretion in canine tracheal epithelium. Endothelin 1 (ET-1) was found to produce a dose-dependent change in short-circuit current (Isc) that increased slowly and reached a maximal value within 10-15 min. When isopeptides of ET were compared, 300 nM ET-1 and ET-2 produced comparable maximal increases in Isc, whereas ET-3 produced smaller changes in Isc (half-maximal concentrations of 2.2, 7.2, and 10.4 nM, respectively). Ionic substitution of Cl with nontransported anions, iodide and gluconate, reduced ET-1-induced changes in Isc. Furthermore, the response was inhibited by the NaCl cotransport inhibitor, furosemide. In paired tissues, ET-1 significantly increased mucosal net 36Cl flux without significant effect on 22Na flux. The increase in Isc induced by ET was diminished by pretreatment with indomethacin. The second messengers mediating the increase in Isc were investigated in cultured canine tracheal epithelial cells. ET-1 stimulated the release of [3H]arachidonate from membrane phospholipids, increased intracellular Ca2+ (occasionally producing oscillations), and increased adenosine 39,59-cyclic monophosphate accumulation. The latter was diminished by indomethacin. Thus ET is a potent agonist of Cl secretion (with the isopeptides having the following potency: ET-1 greater than or equal to ET-2 greater than ET-3) and acts, in part, through a cyclooxygenase-dependent mechanism.
Abnormal plasminogen Maywood I.

Maywood I is a dysfunctional plasminogen. It is described in a patient (W.Y.) with a reduced plasma functional activity and with a low normal antigen level. Plasminogen was isolated from the patients plasma by affinity chromatography with L-lysine-substituted Sepharose. The protein yield was 86 mg/l, which was 88% of the plasma Plg antigen level; the specific activity was 24.4 IU/mg protein compared to 28.5 IU/mg protein for the native molecule. The protein was the Glu-form determined by SDS-PAGE and by isoelectric focusing. Six major isoelectric forms were found with isoelectric points between pH's 6.40 and 5.45. Titration of the equimolar plasminogen.streptokinase complex with p-nitrophenyl-p-guanidinobenzoate gave 85% active-sites indicating a homogenous population of molecules; therefore, the propositus is a homozygote. Four different plasminogen activators: a) streptokinase, b) urokinase c) the plasmin-derived light (B) chain-streptokinase complex, and d) tissue plasminogen activator (with soluble fibrin/CNBr-fibrinogen fragments) generated little plasmin from the variant plasminogen (4.5 to 45 nM), 5% or less than that generated from normal plasminogen. At 45 nM plasminogen, the molar ratio of plasminogen:activator was 3.0 for streptokinase, 3.9 for urokinase, 7.1 for the light (B) chain-streptokinase complex, and 155 for tissue plasminogen activator. In the equimolar variant plasminogen.streptokinase complex, the active-site was slowly developed, to a maximum of 85% in 40 min; in the normal complex, 100% active-sites were developed in 15 min. The variant plasminogen forms two equimolar complexes with streptokinase (I and II), with different mobilities in PAGE, in about equal amounts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Endoscopic Ampullectomy: Who, When, and How

Endoscopic ampullectomy has emerged as the primary means for therapeutic management of ampullary adenomas, a precancerous lesion of the duodenal papilla. Appropriate staging of these lesions with increasingly available modalities such as endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography can help guide management therapy. While surgery remains the preferred curative procedure for ampullary adenocarcinoma, the role of endoscopy continues to expand and endoscopic resection of lesions displaying high-grade dysplasia and, in selected cases, intraductal involvement continues to be explored. Special consideration is given for adenomas that arise in the setting of familial adenomatous polyposis as this impacts treatment and surveillance decisions. This chapter reviews the role of imaging and endoscopy in the evaluation and treatment of ampullary adenomas. An overview of endoscopic resection techniques and surveillance recommendations is provided.
Developing a National Strategic Plan for Consumer Horticulture

Consumer horticulture encompasses a wide array of activities that are practiced by and of interest to the gardening public, garden-focused nongovernmental organizations, and gardening-related industries. In a previous publication, we described the current lack of funding for research, extension, and education in consumer horticulture and outlined the need for a strategic plan. Here, we describe our process and progress in crafting a plan to guide university efforts in consumer horticulture, and to unite these efforts with stakeholders’ goals. In 2015, a steering committee developed a first draft of a plan, including a mission statement, aspirational vision, core values, goals, and objectives. This draft was subsequently presented to and vetted by stakeholders at the 2015American Society forHorticultural Science Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardeners (CHMG) working group workshop, a 2015 Extension Master Gardener Coordinators’ webinar, and a 2015 meeting inWashington,DC. Feedback received from these events is being used to refine and focus plan goals and objectives. The most recent working draft of the plan can be found on the website, where stakeholders and other interested parties can register to receive updates and to provide input into the process.