cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the validity of the Ego-Grasping Orientation Scale.

The validity of the Ego-Grasping Orientation Scale (EGO) was tested. Theoretically, the EGO is a measure of mental health based on Taoistic (i.e., Ancient Chinese) philosophy. A total of 68 research participants completed the EGO along with measures of Eastern/Western orientation, self-esteem, assertiveness, desire for control, social interest, anxiety, and depression. Results indicated that the EGO may be a better measure of Taoistic mental health when combined with scales of Eastern/Western orientation, depression, self-esteem, and social interest. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 53: 621–627, 1997.
Wrinkle structures: Microbially mediated sedimentary structures common in subtidal siliciclastic settings at the Proterozoic-Phanerozoic transition

Sedimentary structures produced by microbial activity are well known from ancient carbonate facies, but little is known about equivalent microbial structures in ancient siliciclastic facies. Wrinkle marks and Kinneyia ripples are closely related sedimentary structures that are commonly found in ancient siliciclastics, and they may represent microbial activity. To evaluate this possibility, these structures were studied in Vendian–Cambrian strata of North America and compared to structures formed by modern microbial mat communities in Redfish Bay, Texas. Striking similarities in sedimentologic, petrographic, and morphologic characteristics of modern and ancient occurrences suggest that the enigmatic but widespread ancient structures could have been formed by microbial processes. The relative abundance of these structures in siliciclastic facies of this interval further suggests that prior to the onset of relatively intense bioturbation in the Ordovician, microbial mats could have played a significant role in the evolution and diversification of early life in a broad variety of sea-floor environments.
Scintigraphic evaluation of left ventricular aneurysm

Gated cardiac blood pool scintigraphy is a noninvasive method to assess regional and global left ventricular function in the patient with suspected true or false left ventricular aneurysm after a myocardial infarction. The procedure is easy to perform and provides reproducible, high resolution images that can accurately distinguish from diffuse contractile abnormalities often present after myocardial infarction. An overall accuracy rate of 96 percent for detection of left ventricular aneurysm can be obtained with gated cardiac blood pool scintigraphy as compared with contrast left ventriculography. The procedure also permits assessment of functional reserve of the noninvolved myocardium and thus can provide valuable information on whether enough viable myocardium will remain after aneurysmectomy. The addition of thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy may aid in the separation of viable from scarred myocardium at the edge of the aneurysm. Both radionuclide techniques are well suited for screening the patient after infarction with persistent congestive heart failure, malignant arrhythmia or systemic emboli in whom a left ventricular aneurysm may have developed.
Flow Structures in the Wakes of Tandem Piezoelectric Flapping Wings

Dragonflies are considered to be some of the most agile and maneuverable insects known to man. With current emphasis in research into the area of Nano Air Vehicles (NAV), bio inspired methods such as the use of tandem wings as seen in nature could greatly improve the performance of such systems. It is highly likely that piezoelectric materials would be used as a means of propulsion used in future NAVs owing to their ability to generate high wing beat frequencies, small size and high efficiency. In the current study, piezoelectric fans placed in a tandem configuration are used to study the wake structures generated by the tandem wings at a wing beat frequency of 60Hz. Flow field measurements were carried out at various advance ratios to simulate different flow conditions an NAV could experience during their operation. A digital Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique was used to perform flow field measurements in the wake region of the piezoelectric wings and thus obtaining the vortex structures. The results obtained in this study is aimed at providing a deeper understanding of the aerodynamics of tandem wings at high wing beat frequencies and thereby providing an insight into their underlying aerodynamic phenomena, which would prove useful in the development of future NAV systems.
The effects of applied stress on the martensitic transformation in TiNi

The deformation behavior of TiNi at 20°C has been investigated as a function of composition and of the prior heat treatment. Wide mechanical property variation and significant differences between the effects of tensile and of compressive loading were observed. Under some conditions anelastic behavior, characterized by a broad hysteresis loop, was reproducibly obtained. The effects of heating the deformed materials aboveA f on the subsequent stress-strain behavior indicate the anomalies observed to be directly related to the martensitic transformation. The effects of stress application on the martensitic transformation are discussed. It is shown that, under some conditions, the stress-assisted transformation structures may be unstable on the removal of the stress. At test temperatures outside theM f toA f range, this can result in anelastic behavior. More complex behavior expected at temperaturesM f < T < Af, is discussed in some detail. It is shown that both the anelastic behavior and the “shape memory” can be accounted for by the effects of applied stress. It is also shown that the mechanical properties in this temperature range can vary markedly with the prior heat treatment, even at temperatures not normally considered of significance. Though based on observations made on TiNi, the phenomena discussed are inherent in materials undergoing a martensitic transformation over a narrow range of temperatures.
High Temperature Endurance of FRP Composites With Polymeric Thermal Barrier Coatings

High Temperature exposure and the corresponding thermo-mechanical behavior of cylindrical polymer composite pipe using CFD simulation has been investigated in this study. The software FLUENT was employed for the analysis of heat transfer, by coupling equations of energy and motion. Analysis was done based on applied external boundary temperature profile, change in internal energy, the total surface heat flux and surface heat transfer rate in order to evaluate the extent of thermal damage. FLUENT compatible program written in C++ language in the form of user define functions (UDF) has been developed and used to specify the time dependent heat flux generated temperature as well as temperature dependent thermal properties of density, thermal conductivity and specific heat. Available furnace test experimental data from (ASTM 1173-95) database were used as outer surface boundary condition in the model setup by developing it into UDF correlation equations. The outputs of the FLUENT simulations are predictions of transient temperature distribution through the thickness of the pipe wall that were then used in evaluating the thermal stresses of the composite pipe. Validation of the simulation results is done with existing data available in the literature. Using the wall generated temperatures, internal energy, the rate of change of the temperature dependent properties and the heat transfer rate, the thermal endurance of each of the coatings materials has been predicted in this work. At the same time knowledge of the thermal performance of these materials is essential for the optimum design of protection based on the composite application.© 2010 ASME
Direct identification and expansion of damping matrix for experimental–analytical hybrid modeling

Abstract The theory of direct experimental identification of damping matrix based on the dynamic stiffness matrix (DSM) method is further developed in this work. Based on the relationship between the DSMs of the smaller experimental model and larger analytical model, the mathematical relationship between the damping matrices of the two models is established. Examining the relationship, two methods are developed that can be used to expand the experimental damping matrix to the size of the analytical model. Validity of the expansion methods is demonstrated with numerical examples. The expanded damping matrix is intended to be combined with analytically formulated stiffness and mass matrices to build an experimental–analytical hybrid model. To find the frequency range, in which such a hybrid modeling is valid, a simple but effective method is developed.
The use of a single volar locking plate for AO C3-type distal radius fractures.

A single volar locking plate (VLP) is now frequently used for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of many types of distal radius fractures. Comminuted intra-articular distal radius fractures (AO C3-type) are typically the most challenging to surgically treat. No studies directly address the adequacy of a VLP alone for maintaining reduction of AO C-type fractures. We hypothesized that a single VLP provides an effective method for maintaining reduction for these fractures. We retrospectively evaluated radiographs of a series of AO C-type fractures. Seventy-seven patients with 77 AO C3-type fractures were identified from billing records and were eligible for the study. All patients were treated by fellowship-trained hand surgeons. Radiographs at the time of union were compared to those from immediately postoperatively. Sixty-nine of 77 (89.6 %) fractures treated with VLP fixation alone for AO C3-type distal radius fractures united without loss of reduction. Eight of 77 (10.4 %) patients treated with VLP for AO C3 fractures lost reduction. The most common fracture fragment to lose reduction was the lunate fossa (5 of 8); loss of reduction of the scaphoid fossa die-punch fragment (2 of 8) and the radial styloid (1 of 8) were also seen. The majority (89.6 %) of AO C3-type fractures treated with a single volar locking plate come to union without loss of reduction. Level of evidence: Level IV.
Application of the method of moments to acoustic scattering from fluid-filled cylinders using three different formulations

Abstract In this work, we present three different formulations, namely the pressure field integral equation formulation (PFIE), the velocity field integral equation formulation (VFIE), and the combined field integral equation formulation (CFIE) for solving acoustic scattering problems associated with two-dimensional fluid-filled bodies of arbitrary cross-section. In particular using the boundary conditions on the surface of the body, two equivalent problems, each valid for the outside and inside regions of the scatterer, are derived. By properly selecting the associated equations for these equivalent problems, the three different formulations are derived. The PFIE, VFIE, and CFIE are then solved by approximating the cylindrical cross-section by linear segments and employing the method of moments. Further, it is shown that the moment matrices generated by the PFIE and VFIE are ill-conditioned at resonant frequencies of the cylinder, whereas the CFIE generates a well-conditioned matrix at all frequencies. The solution techniques presented in this work are simple, efficient and applicable to truly arbitrary geometries. Numerical results are presented for certain canonical shapes and compared with other available data.
Identification and Validation of Soy Peptides with In-vitro Hemagglutination Activity

We previously demonstrated that different enzyme hydrolysates of soybean agglutinin (SBA), β-conglycinin and glycinin-rich fractions had in-vitro hemagglutination activities. In the present study, the three proteins were subjected to trypsin hydrolysis, and N-acetyl-d-galactosamine (GalNAc)-agarose beads were used to isolate the active peptides. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI−TOF) Mass Spectrometry (MS) was used to determine the mass of the peptides and the molecular weights were compared to the peptide profiles given by theoretical cleavage of the proteins, so that the peptide sequence could be identified. Two peptides from SBA, 24 peptides from β-conglycinin and 16 peptides from glycinin were identified from the active peptide extracts. The two SBA peptides, three peptides from β-conglycinin having strong MS signal intensity and three peptides from glycinin with strong MS intensity were synthesized and their activities were assessed by using the in-vitro hemagglutination assay. These peptides were proven to have hemagglutination activity, whereas a synthesized control peptide from SBA did not. These results validated our previous observation of various soy protein fractions having hemagglutination activities.
Building better vaccines: how apoptotic cell death can induce inflammation and activate innate and adaptive immunity

The immunological consequences of apoptosis have been hotly debated. Apoptosis was originally described as a set of cellular morphological changes that occur in the absence of inflammation but the term has been redefined on the basis of a set of conserved molecular events that include the activation of caspases. Though the apoptosis occurring during normal development is immunologically bland or even tolerizing, the apoptotic death after viral infection or after the ligation of Fas can trigger powerful innate and adaptive immune responses. The molecular machinery at the nexus of apoptosis and inflammation includes caspase-1 --an activator of IL-1beta and IL-18 - as well as the double-stranded-RNA-dependent protein kinase pathway and RNaseL pathway, which are key effectors of antiviral immunity. New proapoptotic vaccines induce immune responses that may be able to prevent or treat infectious disease and cancer.
Breast Cancer and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: Issues for the 21st Century

Background: As we enter the 21st century, AIDS and breast cancer are two pressing issues in women's health. The spread of AIDS continues unabated. More than 21.8 million people have died of AIDS, and it is estimated that as of December 2000 an additional 36.1 million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. In addition, women now constitute almost one half of all AIDS cases. With the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy in the United States, the overall health and survival of HIV+ individuals has improved dramatically. Thus, as the HIV+ population matures, we will be called on to diagnose and treat more cases of breast cancer in seropositive women. What can we expect as the incidence of these two diseases begins to overlap? Methods: Medline search, and review of the relevant literature. Results: Forty-six published cases of breast cancer in HIV+ individuals identified. Conclusions: Based on epidemiologic data from Western countries and Af...
Reproductive Health and Social Development in Developing Countries: Changes and Interrelationships

Thepurposeofthisstudyistoidentifyinterrelationshipsbetweensocialdevelopmentand reproductivehealthindevelopingcountries.Growthinsocialdevelopmentisexpectedto improve reproductive health over time. In addition,improvements in socialdevelopment are anticipated from increases in reproductive health. Economic development is seen as a prime force influencing growth processes in both social development and reproductive health. While confirmatory factor analysis methods are used to develop a measure of reproductive health, latent growth curve and latent score difference modelling methods areusedtoestimatethereciprocalnatureoftherelationshipbetweensocialdevelopment andreproductivehealth.Itisfoundthatsocialdevelopmenthasapositiveeffectonreproductivehealth.Reproductivehealthgainsovertimewereaccompaniedbystrongandsignificant advances in social development levels. At high levels of social development, the rate of reproductive health changes declined. Social workers have for long depended onsocialdevelopmentstrategiestoimprovereproductivehealthindevelopingcountries. The role of reproductive health in improving social development was either neglected or perceivedasunimportant.Theempiricalevidencefromthisstudysuggeststhatstrategies for programmes and policies for improving social development and reproductive health may be undertaken simultaneously.
The EU Battle Groups in Sweden and the Czech Republic: What National Defense Reforms Tell Us about European Rapid Reaction Capabilities

Abstract This article fills an important empirical gap concerning a key building block of the EU's Headline Goal 2010, the EU Battlegroups. It asks whether the Battlegroup concept has been robust enough to drive significant changes in two smaller EU member state militaries. We find that it has, though with important qualifications, in the Swedish case, but much less in the Czech case. We stress the importance of linkages between the Battlegroup concept and the prevailing defense reform ideas in each state. We argue that Battlegroup deployment would lead to even greater transformation but that European leaders currently have not faced powerful incentives to deploy the kinds of precise assets the Battlegroups provide. The article also addresses both the fiscal priorities that hamper military readiness and delay deployments and the substantial and enduring gap between word and deed for which EU military efforts have become known.
Ambits of Moral Judgement: Of Pain, Empathy and Redemption in J.M. Coetzee's Age of Iron

Summary This article explores the structure of empathy in Age of Iron, and argues that the novel exposes the horrors of oppression constructed solely on the idea of the victims’ perceived difference to the self-appointed master race or class. Coetzee not only raises awareness of the dilemma of morally conscious individuals in our increasingly fractured and violent society; more particularly he sketches the problem of pain and the challenge it poses to the individual. While it is impossible for an individual to stop pain or suffering entirely, she can redeem herself from its Medusan face by a leap of empathy, and by keeping the memory of the oppressed alive. In this way she not only bears testimony for the victims, but also becomes one with them.
Transverse kinking of BCC fibers in drawn FCC(matrix)-BCC(dispersoid) in situ composites

Abstract The transverse kinking of bcc ribboned fibers in drawn fcc(matrix)-bcc(dispersoid) systems has been attributed to the development of deformation bands within the bcc crystals during the initial stages of drawing and the subsequent plane strain deformation which ensues after attainment of stable 〈110〉 end orientations. Though compatibility constraints do cause some transverse curving, as in the grains of bcc aggregates, their contribution is less dominant when bcc crystals are embedded in a softer, more compliant fcc matrix.
The Sociopolitical Organization of Pre‐Columbian Cultures on the Gulf Coastal Plain

F OR many years the idea has been generally accepted that the strongly classstratified social organization of the seventeenth-century Natchez was a unique, even ephemeral, phenomenon in North America. In opposition to this, notes by Swanton (1911:84-382), Steward (1947:97-98), Willey (1949:10612), and others have indicated a wider occurrence in both time and space. It now seems probable that this type of social organization was found among groups other than the Natchez in historic times, and that at an earlier level, perhaps A.D. 1100-1300, it was the prevailing mode of social organization characteristic of a culture area roughly coincident with the lower Gulf Coastal Plain from East Texas to Tampa Bay in Florida. It may be well to first indicate the salient features of this type of social organization as documented for the Natchez, and to point out seemingly related features in the cultures of other historic groups. We will then outline the culture area as defined archeologically in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and indicate specific cases in which there is archeological evidence for the existence of this social system. It will then be possible to discuss its origins and its breakdown in late prehistoric times. In briefest outline, the data for the Natchez and Taensa indicate the existence of a type of social organization having as major features clearly defined social classes, each with specific sociopolitical functions. These ranged from a near sacred ruling class, the "Suns," through a not too readily separable class of specially privileged nobles, closely related to the Suns. At the bottom of the pile was the bulk of the population, the "Stinkards" (Swanton 1911:138-81). Physical demonstrations of the privileged position of the upper classes were numerous. And, in retrospect at least, certain of these demonstrations might be expected to leave traces archeologically recoverable. These would include special ornaments, dwelling places on mounds, movement in litters, and mortuary ceremonialism which included retainer sacrifice, sacrifice of wives, and interment of these in graves whose locations were patterned with respect to the grave of the key individual whose death started the cycle. There seems to have been a rather rigid placement of graves according to rank, after rites and ceremonies involving the use of a scaffold or platform. It is entirely possible to see in these mortuary ceremonies physical demonstration of the rigidly stratified social system. There are scattered references in the literature of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, assembled by Swanton (1911), which indicate the existence of a preeminent, near sacred position for the chief, movement in litters, and dwellings on a mound in interior Alabama (pp. 152-234), among the Apalachee of the Florida Northwest Coast and Southwest Georgia (pp. 116-18) and
Experimental and Clinical Data on the Insertion of the Levator Palpebrae Superioris Muscle

Radiographic and electron microscopic evidence showed that the upper eyelid skin crease is formed by the insertion of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle into the septa between the orbicularis muscle into the septa between the orbicularis muscle bundles and not into the skin itself. Experiments on monkeys showed that the insertions of the aponeurosis and of Muller's muscle both contribute to normal eyelid elevation. No histologic evidence was found for a disinsertion of Muller's muscle in 20 cases of blepharoptosis. This, with other evidence discussed, supports the functional importance of the human aponeurotic insertions in eyelid elevation.
Effects of two-phase flow in a model for nitramine deflagration

Methods of asymptotic analysis are employed to extend an earlier model for the deflagration of nitramines to account for the presence of bubbles and droplets in a two-phase layer at the propellant surface during combustion. Two zones are identified in the two-phase region: one, at higher liquid volume fractions, maintains evaporative equilibrium, whereas the other, at lower liquid volume fractions, exhibits nonequilibrium vaporization. By introducing the most reasonable estimates for two-phase behavior of nitramines, the steady burning rates are found to be close to those obtained for models with a sharp liquid-gas interface. Good agreement with measured burning rates and pressure and temperature sensitivities are achieved through reasonable approximations concerning overall chemical-kinetic parameters.
The role of the dorsal dentate gyrus in object and object-context recognition

The aim of this study was to determine the role of the dorsal dentate gyrus (dDG) in object recognition memory using a black box and object-context recognition memory using a clear box with available cues that define a spatial context. Based on a 10 min retention interval between the study phase and the test phase, the results indicated that dDG lesioned rats are impaired when compared to controls in the object-context recognition test in the clear box. However, there were no reliable differences between the dDG lesioned rats and the control group for the object recognition test in the black box. Even though the dDG lesioned rats were more active in object exploration, the habituation gradients did not differ. These results suggest that the dentate gyrus lesioned rats are clearly impaired when there is an important contribution of context. Furthermore, based on a 24 h retention interval in the black box the dDG lesioned rats were impaired compared to controls.
Detection of Tracks and Stars in Nuclear Track Plates

Tracks and stars in nuclear track plates are usually found by ordinary bright-field microscope procedures affording limited field of view and requiring continual focusing up and down. Standard dark-field illumination schemes fail due to background scattering by fog grains. A rotating-azimuth, planar, dark-field, illumination scheme has been developed which provides sufficient contrast so that low magnification (50 to 100 times) may be used. The field of view is thereby increased to 2 to 4 mm and the depth of field becomes comparable to the total thickness of the emulsion.
Recent trends in early outcome of adult patients after heart transplantation: a single-institution review of 251 transplants using standard donor organs.

Older age, prior transplantation, pulmonary hypertension, and mechanical support are commonly seen in current potential cardiac transplant recipients. Transplants in 436 consecutive adult patients from 1994 to 1999 were reviewed. There were 251 using standard donors in 243 patients (age range 18–69 years). To emphasize recipient risk, 185 patients who received a nonstandard donor were excluded from analysis. The indications for transplant were ischemic heart disease (n = 123, 47%), dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 82, 32%), and others (n = 56, 21%). One hundred and forty-nine (57%) recipients were listed as status I; 5 and 6% were supported with an intra-aortic balloon and an assist device, respectively. The 30-d survival and survival to discharge were 94.7 and 92.7%, respectively; 1-year survival was 89.1%. Causes of early death were graft failure (n = 6), infection (n = 4), stroke (n = 4), multiorgan failure (n = 3) and rejection (n = 2). Predictors were balloon pump use alone (OR = 11.4, p = 0.002), pulmonary vascular resistance > 4 Wood units (OR = 5.7, p = 0.007), pretransplant creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL (OR = 6.9, p = 0.004) and female donor (OR = 8.3, p = 0.002). Recipient age and previous surgery did not affect short-term survival. Heart transplantation in the current era consistently offers excellent early and 1-year survival for well-selected recipients receiving standard donors. Early mortality tends to reflect graft failure while hospital mortality may be more indicative of recipient selection.
Assessing the Athlete’s Heart

The initial report of the athlete’s heart dates back to the late 1890s. The concept that endurance-based exercise and strength-based exercise lead to distinctly different changes in left ventricular (LV) structure was proposed in the 1970s and has been confirmed by more recent studies. Advances in cardiac imaging, particularly echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, have allowed for more precise characterization of the structural changes that develop in the hearts of athletes engaged in different sporting disciplines. Despite our improved understanding of exercise-induced cardiac remodeling, the findings of: 1) increased LV chamber dimension, 2) increased LV wall thickness, and 3) increased right ventricular (RV) chamber dimension continue to be accompanied by significant diagnostic uncertainty in clinical practice. Determining whether these entities arise from exercise-induced cardiac remodeling or represent pathologic cardiomyopathy requires the integration of a number of diagnostic techniques, including evaluations with echocardiography and/or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Ambiguous cases require additional testing, such as cardiopulmonary exercise testing and assessing the response to a period of prescribed detraining. Novel imaging techniques coupled with physiologic provocation that assess regional LV and RV function may make the distinction between physiologic adaptation and pathology more clear in the future.
Governing the Japanese economy

List of Tables List of Figures and Charts List of Material Appearing in the Appendix Introduction: The Past and Potential Role of Government in Japanese Economic Life 1. Feudalism and Modernisation, 1800-1880 2. Deciding the Principles of Japanese Capitalism, 1881-1900 3. Capital Accumulation and Economic Growth, 1901-1936 4. Social Policy in Economic Policy, 1901-1936 5. Economic Conduct of the Pacific War, 1937-1945 6. Reconstruction, 1946-1955 7. High-Speed Economic Growth, 1956-1972 8. A Decelerated Economy, 1973-1990 9. Explanations: The Nature and Government of Japanese Capitalism, 1868-1990 10. Neglected Producers Appendix: Statistical Tables Bibliography Index.
A NEW SUBCELLULAR PARTICLE SECRETED BY THE STARFISH.

Electron microscopic observations reveal a new ultrastructural component located in the walking surface of the tube foot of starfish ( Asterias forbesi ). These components are fibrous-ellipsoidal structures (0.5 × 0.75 μ ) which are PAS and alcian blue positive. Elaborated in cells and secreted via canals to the walking surface, it is suggested that they function as an adhesive. The cellular synthesis of these secretory packets has been observed.
Prejudice, internalization, and the accessibility of personal standards for responding to gay men.

Heterosexual participants who were very low, moderately low, moderately high and very high in prejudice toward gay men reported their personal standards for responding to gay men (i.e., how they believed they should feel or think in an imagined scenario involving a gay man) via computer. As expected, the standards of very low-prejudice individuals were the least prejudiced, the most internalized (i.e., most important and central to the self), and the most accessible (i.e., reported most quickly). Regression analyses revealed the predicted relation between accessibility and internalization, such that the more internalized the standard the greater its accessibility. A significant quadratic trend for prejudice revealed that accessibility decreases with increasing prejudice, except that at very high levels of prejudice accessibility begins to increase. Implications for prejudice reduction for both low- and high-prejudice individuals are discussed.
Self-Directed Learning A Tool for Lifelong Learning

A meta-analytic review of self-directed learning (SDL) research over 30 years, five countries, and across multiple academic disciplines is used to explore its relationships with five key nomologically related constructs for effective workplace learning. The meta-analysis revealed positive relationships between SDL and internal locus of control, motivation, performance, self-efficacy, and support. The use of an actual SDL project in an undergraduate sales management course and an MBA selling and sales management course is used to provide supporting evidence and practical advice for educators seeking to use SDL to promote lifelong learning skills in students.
A unified approach to camera fixation and vision-based road following

Both camera fixation and vision-based road following are problems that involve tracking or fixating on 3-D points and features. This paper presents a unified theoretical approach to analyzing camera fixation and vision-based road following. The approach is based on the concept of equal flow circles (EFCs) and zero flow circles (ZFCs). Using EFCs it is possible to locate points in space relative to the fixation point, and predict the behavior. The camera's instantaneous direction of translation and the fixation point determine the plane on which the EFCs can be found. We show that points on an EFC inside the ZFC produce optical flow that is opposite in sign to that produced by points outside the ZFC. When a point in space crosses a ZFC it produces zero flow. For explanation purposes we analyzed a special case of motion. However, a similar approach can be taken for a more general motion of the camera. The analysis for the current motion can also be extended to find equal flow curves. >
How to perform parathyroid 4D CT: Tips and traps for technique and interpretation

Parathyroid four-dimensional (4D) computed tomography (CT) is an imaging technique for preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas that involves multidetector CT image acquisition during two or more contrast enhancement phases. Four-dimensional CT offers an alternative or additional tool in the evaluation of primary hyperparathyroidism. The purpose of this article is to describe the 4D CT technique and provide a practical guide to the radiologist for imaging interpretation. The article will discuss the rationale for imaging, approach to interpretation, imaging findings, and pitfalls.
Automatic ray-surface intersection method.

A vector ray-tracing method has been incorporated into programs which automatically select correct ray–surface intersections with both conventional and unusual surface configurations.
Steam distribution and energy delivery optimization using wireless sensors

The Extreme Measurement Communications Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) explores the deployment of a wireless sensor system with a real-time measurement-based energy efficiency optimization framework in the ORNL campus. With particular focus on the 12-mile long steam distribution network in our campus, we propose an integrated system-level approach to optimize the energy delivery within the steam distribution system. We address the goal of achieving significant energy-saving in steam lines by monitoring and acting on leaking steam valves/traps. Our approach leverages an integrated wireless sensor and real-time monitoring capabilities. We make assessments on the real-time status of the distribution system by mounting acoustic sensors on the steam pipes/traps/valves and observe the state measurements of these sensors. Our assessments are based on analysis of the wireless sensor measurements. We describe Fourier-spectrum based algorithms that interpret acoustic vibration sensor data to characterize flows and classify the steam system status. We are able to present the sensor readings, steam flow, steam trap status and the assessed alerts as an interactive overlay within a web-based Google Earth geographic platform that enables decision makers to take remedial action. We believe our demonstration serves as an instantiation of a platform that extends implementation to include newer modalities to manage water flow, sewage and energy consumption.
Holy superheroine: a comic book interpretation of the Hindu Devī Māhātmya scripture

Amar Chitra Katha (Immortal Picture Stories) is India's leading comic book series, featuring hundreds of mythological titles about the Hindu gods. Founder Anant Pai initially eliminated all miracles, believing them to be unscientific interpolations. But while producing Tales of Durga (no. 176, 1978), he declared that the comic must be an “authentic” recreation of the Devī Māhātmya scripture, and that all miracles in the classical Sanskrit text must be faithfully rendered in the comic. This article examines the discourse of authenticity that surrounds the production of Tales of Durga in particular and this comic book series more generally. Through a careful reading of the Devī Māhātmya, content analysis of Tales of Durga, a consideration of the unique characteristics of the comic book medium, and interviews with comic book producers, this study provides insight into modern interpretations of the Devī Māhātmya and evolving Hindu attitudes towards the martial goddess Durga.
Efinaconazole Topical Solution, 10%: Efficacy in Patients with Onychomycosis and Coexisting Tinea Pedis.

Background: We sought to evaluate the efficacy of efinaconazole topical solution, 10%, in patients with onychomycosis and coexisting tinea pedis. Methods: We analyzed 1,655 patients, aged 18 to 70 years, randomized (3:1) to receive efinaconazole topical solution, 10%, or vehicle from two identical multicenter, double-blind, vehicle-controlled 48-week studies evaluating safety and efficacy. The primary end point was complete cure rate (0% clinical involvement of the target toenail and negative potassium hydroxide examination and fungal culture findings) at week 52. Three groups were compared: patients with onychomycosis and coexisting interdigital tinea pedis on-study (treated or left untreated) and those with no coexisting tinea pedis. Results: Treatment with efinaconazole topical solution, 10%, was significantly more effective than vehicle use irrespective of the coexistence of tinea pedis or its treatment. Overall, 352 patients with onychomycosis (21.3%) had coexisting interdigital tinea pedis, with 215...
Counterterrorism in Brazil: Preparedness to Host the World Cup and Olympics

Brazil “appears set on a course that could make it a major player among the great powers by the 2030s.” In fact, Brazil could become a major player even sooner. In addition to its growing economic strength, Brazil will host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. Brazil continues to emerge as a world leader, but its laws lag behind, particularly in the arena of national security.There has never been a major, widespread terrorist attack in Brazil. While this may help explain why Brazil does not have special counterterrorism procedures or even a defined crime of terrorism in their criminal code, it does not immunize Brazil from attack. A similar instance lies in the 2003 bombings in Turkey. Despite being neutral towards the war in Iraq, al- Qaeda operatives bombed two synagogues, an embassy, and a bank all within a two-week span, killing several people and injuring hundreds. One of the terrorists responsible for the HSBC Bank bombing allegedly told Epoca, a Brazilian news magazine, that he committed the attack because Istanbul was the easiest and nearest place to retaliate against those responsible for the Iraqi War. Terrorists attack indiscriminately and without regard for the innocent and inculpable.This comment will highlight and analyze the weaknesses in Brazil’s counterterrorism policy. Brazil relies heavily upon the United States to account for its seeming lack of will to enact effective legislation. The first section of this comment will show that, while Brazil has not been the target of international terrorist acts, its emergence as a great Western power will lead to an increased likelihood of attack. This is especially true due to the problem of surrounding countries with terrorist activity. Next, this comment explores Brazil’s counterterrorism framework, with particular focus on Brazil’s lack of both a counterterrorism bill and a bill geared towards combating terrorist financing. Additionally, the adequacies of Brazil’s recently improved anti-money laundering bill will by analyzed. Finally, this comment will briefly look into past and future Olympic hosts in an effort to show the preparation and skill required in hosting the Olympic Games. While Brazil hosted the Pan American Games in 2007, the challenges its government will face in hosting the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics will be like nothing they have dealt with before. As the upcoming host of these major worldwide events, Brazil must be prepared to not only fight illegal smuggling across its borders and its inner-city drug gangs, but they must also ensure the attractiveness of its country to tourists by providing a safe environment for its visitors.
Stability and Change in Rhythmic Patterning Across a Composer’s Lifetime

Historical trends in the rhythm of Western European instrumental classical music between ∼1650 and 1950 have recently been studied using the nPVI equation. This equation measures the average degree of durational contrast between adjacent events in a sequence (such as notes in a musical theme). These historical studies (e.g., Daniele & Patel, 2013, Hansen et al., in press) have relied on assigning each composer’s music a mean nPVI value in order to search for broad historical trends across composers. Here we address how mean nPVI might vary across different compositional periods within a composer’s lifetime, focusing on four famous composers whose lives have been demarcated into different epochs by historical musicologists, and who were part of Daniele and Patel’s original study: J. S. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. For these composers, we find that the mean nPVI does not vary dramatically across compositional periods. Nevertheless, there are interesting trends within the lifetime of each composer which reflect the larger ‘rising nPVI’ trend seen across all Austro-German composers studied by Daniele and Patel (2013). These findings demonstrate the utility of studying historical patterns in musical rhythm at two distinct timescales: within the lifetimes of individual composers, and across composers from divergent musical eras.
A review of: Fouling in hollow fiber membrane microfilters used for household water treatment (2015) Murray, A., Goeb, M., Stewart, B., Hopper, C., Peck, J., Meub, C., Asatekin, A. & Lantagne, D. J. WASHDEV 5 (2), 220–228 doi:10.2166/washdev.2015.206

Over the past 5 years, hollow fiber membrane microfilters have been introduced into much of the developing world to combat waterborne illness stemming from microbially compromised water sources. One such filter, the PointONE™ Filter (Sawyer Corporation) has performed well in laboratory trials, in the 5 and 6 log reductions of protozoan parasites and bacteria, respectively (Hydreion LLC 2005). In a field study conducted in Cochabamba, Bolivia and recently published by Lindquist et al. (2014), households using PointONE filters had significantly less diarrheal disease compared with the control arm during the intervention period. Diarrheal prevalence ratios of 0.21 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.15–0.30) were observed for the filter arm and 0.27 (95% CI = 0.22–0.34) were observed for the filter and WASH BCC (education) arm. These diarrheal disease reductions occurred in only a 3-month intervention period, and showed marked improvement in the health of children under the age of 5 years old. An in situ study on long-term filter performance has been an important need for organizations that are currently using or are considering using these filters in the developing world. The relatively new introduction of the PointONE filter has precluded long-term study of its performance before this time. In this issue of Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development , Murray et al. (2015) endeavor to contribute to this needed body of information. …
EFFECT OF ACUTE EDEMA ON LEFT VENTRICULAR FUNCTION AND CORONARY VASCULAR RESISTANCE IN THE ISOLATED RAT HEART

The impact of acute myocardial edema on coronary flow and left ventricular performance was studied in isolated isovolumic rat hearts. After 15 min of aortic perfusion with Krebs-Henseleit buffer, h...
Thyrotoxicosis in Pregnancy

A 27-year-old woman presents for evaluation of abnormal thyroid function tests; she is currently 10 weeks pregnant. She has previously been healthy and is taking no medications except a prenatal multivitamin. A serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was obtained and was <0.01 mIU/l. Follow-up peripheral thyroid hormone tests were: total thyroxine (T4) 18 μg/dl (nonpregnancy reference range 4.5–10.5 μg/dl), free thyroxine index (FT4I) 6.2 (nonpregnancy reference range 1.0–4.0), and total triiodothyronine (T3) 390 ng/dl (nonpregnancy reference range 60–181 ng/dl). She complains of nausea with frequent emesis that started about 3 weeks ago. She also complains of fatigue, anxiety, occasional palpitations, and heat intolerance. She has lost 2 lbs. over the past 3 weeks. Her family history is significant for hypothyroidism in a maternal grandmother. She has no lid lag, exophthalmos, or stare. Her thyroid is easily palpable, without nodules or tenderness.
Bayesian network models for generation of crisis management training scenarios

We present a noisy-OR Bayesian network model for simulation-based training, and an efficient search-based algorithm for automatic synthesis of plausible training scenarios from constraint specifications. This randomized algorithm for approximate causal inference is shown to outperform other randomized methods, such as those based on perturbation of the maximally plausible scenario. It has the added advantage of being able to generate acceptable scenarios (based on a maximum penalized likelihood criterion) faster than human subject matter experts, and with greater diversity than deterministic inference. We describe a field-tested interactive training system for crisis management and show how our model can be applied offline to produce scenario specifications. We then evaluate the performance of our automatic scenario generator and compare its results to those achieved by human instructors, stochastic simulation, and maximum likelihood inference. Finally, we discuss the applicability of our system and framework to a broader range of modeling problems for computer-assisted instruction.
Computational methods for integrated analysis of omics and pathway data

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2. A COMPUTATIONAL PLATFORM TO MAINTAIN AND MIGRATE MANUAL FUNCTIONAL ANNOTATIONS FOR BIOCYC DATABASES 9 Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Results and Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Use Case: MaizeCyc and CornCyc GO Term Annotation Migration . . . . . . . 17 Use Case: Creating Strain-specific EcoCyc Databases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 3. THE QUALITY OF METABOLIC PATHWAY RESOURCES DEPENDS ON INITIAL ENZYMATIC FUNCTIONAL ASSIGNMENTS AND LEVEL OF MANUAL CURATION: A CASE FOR MAIZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Engaging Parents to Promote Children’s Nutrition and Health: Providers’ Barriers and Strategies in Head Start and Child Care Centers

Purpose:Using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics benchmarks as a framework, this study examined childcare providers’ (Head Start [HS], Child and Adult Care Food Program [CACFP] funded, and non-CACFP) perspectives regarding communicating with parents about nutrition to promote children’s health.Design:Qualitative.Setting:State-licensed center-based childcare programs.Participants:Full-time childcare providers (n = 18) caring for children 2 to 5 years old from varying childcare contexts (HS, CACFP funded, and non-CACFP), race, education, and years of experience.Methods:In-person interviews using semi-structured interview protocol until saturation were achieved. Thematic analysis was conducted.Results:Two overarching themes were barriers and strategies to communicate with parents about children’s nutrition. Barriers to communication included—(a) parents are too busy to talk with providers, (b) parents offer unhealthy foods, (c) parents prioritize talking about child food issues over nutrition, (d) provid...