cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Free‐surface instability of liquids in steep channels

This paper reports observations and test results from experimental research concerned with the flow conditions under which the free surface of liquids in steep channels becomes unstable. The test results are presented through a graphical relation of a Reynolds number, a Froude number, and the inclination of the channel bottom to the horizontal.
A secondary analysis of a duration response association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use and the risk of acute myocardial infarction in the aging population.

Purpose We assessed the risk of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use on the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) based on duration of exposure. Methods A historical pooled cohort of all elderly, community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries not enrolled in health maintenance organizations from the 1997 to 2001 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey was constructed. SSRI users were compared with non-antidepressant users as well as other non-SSRI antidepressant users on their risk of AMI (ICD-9: 410 or 411). Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression models were used to assess differences between groups. Results There were 1,052 SSRI users compared with 762 other antidepressant users and 10,856 nonantidepressant users. Logistic regression models revealed that SSRI users were found to have significantly greater odds of AMI compared with nonantidepressant users when controlling for age, gender, race, smoking history and current status, body mass index, depression, anxiety and diabetes (odds ratio 1.85; 95% confidence intervals 1.13–3.04). Stratification by prescription counts revealed those with more than three prescriptions had greater odds of AMI compared with nonusers (odds ratio 2.02, 95% confidence intervals 1.11–3.66). Conclusions SSRI use leads to an increased risk of AMI in comparison with nonantidepressant use in an elderly population. The odds of AMI increased in those with more than three prescriptions in the preceding year, indicating a possible duration response relationship.
Comparison of Wikipedia and other encyclopedias for accuracy, breadth, and depth in historical articles

Purpose – This paper seeks to provide reference librarians and faculty with evidence regarding the comprehensiveness and accuracy of Wikipedia articles compared with respected reference resources.Design/methodology/approach – This content analysis evaluated nine Wikipedia articles against comparable articles in Encyclopaedia Britannica, The Dictionary of American History and American National Biography Online in order to compare Wikipedia's comprehensiveness and accuracy. The researcher used a modification of a stratified random sampling and a purposive sampling to identify a variety of historical entries and compared each text in terms of depth, accuracy, and detail.Findings – The study did reveal inaccuracies in eight of the nine entries and exposed major flaws in at least two of the nine Wikipedia articles. Overall, Wikipedia's accuracy rate was 80 percent compared with 95‐96 percent accuracy within the other sources. This study does support the claim that Wikipedia is less reliable than other referenc...
Biomedical application of immobilized enzymes

Reports on chemical immobilization of proteins and enzymes first appeared in the 1960s. Since then, immobilized proteins and enzymes have been widely used in the processing of variety of products and increasingly used in the field of medicine. Here, we present a review of recent developments in immobilized enzyme use in medicine. Generally speaking, the use of immobilized enzyme in medicine can be divided into two major categories: biosensors and bioreactors. A brief overview of the evolution of the biosensor and bioreactor technology, of currently existing applications of immobilized enzymes, of problems that researchers encountered, and of possible future developments will be presented.
Social community detection from photo collections using Bayesian overlapping subspace clustering

We investigate the discovery of social clusters from consumer photo collections. People's participation in various social activities is the base on which social clusters are formed. The photos that record those social activities can reflect the social structure of people to a certain degree, depending on the extent of coverage of the photos on the social activities. In this paper, we propose to use Bayesian Overlapping Subspace Clustering (BOSC) technique to detect such social structure. We first define a social closeness measurement that takes people's co-appearance in photos, frequency of co-appearances, etc. into account, from which a social distance matrix can be derived. Then the BOSC is applied to this distance matrix for community detection. BOSC possesses two merits fitting well with social community context: One is that it allows overlapping clusters, i.e., one data item can be assigned with multiple memberships. The other is that it can distinguish insignificant individuals and exclude those from the cluster formation. The experiment results demonstrate that compared with partition-based clustering approach, this technique can reveal more sensible community structure.
Influence of logjam-formed hard points on the formation of valley-bottom landforms in an old-growth forest valley, Queets River, Washington, USA

Abstract Field surveys and radiocarbon dating of buried logjams in the floodplain of an old-growth forest river demonstrate the formation of erosion-resistant “hard points” on the floodplain of the Queets River, Washington. These hard points provide refugia for development of old-growth forest patches in frequently disturbed riparian environments dominated by immature forest. Our surveys show that local bed aggradation associated with logjams not only influences channel patterns and profiles but leads to development of a patchwork of elevated landforms that can coalesce to form portions of the valley bottom with substantial (i.e., 1 to >4 m) relief above the bankfull elevation. In addition, logjam-formed hard points promote channel avulsion, anastomosing morphology, and growth of mature patches of floodplain forest that, in turn, provide large logs needed to form more logjam-formed hard points. Hence, our findings substantiate the potential for a feedback mechanism through which hard points sustain complex channel morphology and a patchwork floodplain composed of variable-elevation surfaces. Conversely, such a feedback further implies that major changes in riparian forest characteristics associated with land use can lead to dramatic simplification in channel and floodplain morphology.
Distinct alterations in chromatin organization of the two IGF-I promoters precede growth hormone-induced activation of IGF-I gene transcription

Many of the physiological actions of GH are mediated by IGF-I, a secreted 70-residue peptide whose gene expression is induced by GH in the liver and other tissues via mechanisms that remain incompletely characterized but depend on the transcription factor Stat5b. Here we investigate the chromatin landscape of the IGF-I gene in the liver of pituitary-deficient young adult male rats and assess the impact of a single systemic GH injection. Despite minimal ongoing transcription in the absence of GH, both IGF-I promoters appear to reside in open chromatin environments, at least as inferred from relatively high levels of acetylation of core histones H3 and H4 when compared with adjacent intergenic DNA and from enhanced trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4. This landscape of open chromatin may reflect maturation of the liver. Surprisingly, in the absence of hormone, IGF-I promoter 1 appears poised to be activated, as evidenced by the presence of the transcriptional coactivator p300 and recruitment of RNA polymerase (Pol) II into a preinitiation complex. By contrast, chromatin surrounding IGF-I promoter 2 is devoid of both p300 and RNA Pol II. Systemic GH treatment causes an approximately 15-fold increase in transcription from each IGF-I promoter within 60 min of hormone administration, leading to a sustained accumulation of IGF-I mRNA. The coordinated induction of both IGF-I promoters by GH is accompanied by hyperacetylation of histones H3 and H4 in promoter-associated chromatin, a decline in monomethylation at lysine 4 of histone H3, and recruitment of RNA Pol II to IGF-I promoter 2. We conclude that GH actions induce rapid and dramatic changes in hepatic chromatin at the IGF-I locus and activate IGF-I gene transcription in the liver by distinct promoter-specific mechanisms: at promoter 1, GH causes RNA Pol II to be released from a previously recruited paused preinitiation complex, whereas at promoter 2, hormone treatment facilitates recruitment and then activation of RNA Pol II to initiate transcription.
Visually customizing inference rules about apples and oranges

We have been working on a unit system for end-user spreadsheets that is based on the concrete notion of units instead of the abstract concept of types. In previous work, we defined such a system formally. In this paper we describe a visual system to support the formal reasoning in two ways. First, it supports communicating and explaining the unit inference process to users. Second and more important, our approach allows users to change the system's reasoning by adding and customizing the system's inference rules.
Functional gene diversity of oolitic sands from Great Bahama Bank

Despite the importance of oolitic depositional systems as indicators of climate and reservoirs of inorganic C, little is known about the microbial functional diversity, structure, composition, and potential metabolic processes leading to precipitation of carbonates. To fill this gap, we assess the metabolic gene carriage and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) development in microbial communities associated with oolitic carbonate sediments from the Bahamas Archipelago. Oolitic sediments ranging from high-energy ‘active’ to lower energy ‘non-active’ and ‘microbially stabilized’ environments were examined as they represent contrasting depositional settings, mostly influenced by tidal flows and wave-generated currents. Functional gene analysis, which employed a microarray-based gene technology, detected a total of 12 432 of 95 847 distinct gene probes, including a large number of metabolic processes previously linked to mineral precipitation. Among these, gene-encoding enzymes for denitrification, sulfate reduction, ammonification, and oxygenic/anoxygenic photosynthesis were abundant. In addition, a broad diversity of genes was related to organic carbon degradation, and N2 fixation implying these communities has metabolic plasticity that enables survival under oligotrophic conditions. Differences in functional genes were detected among the environments, with higher diversity associated with non-active and microbially stabilized environments in comparison with the active environment. EPS showed a gradient increase from active to microbially stabilized communities, and when combined with functional gene analysis, which revealed genes encoding EPS-degrading enzymes (chitinases, glucoamylase, amylases), supports a putative role of EPS-mediated microbial calcium carbonate precipitation. We propose that carbonate precipitation in marine oolitic biofilms is spatially and temporally controlled by a complex consortium of microbes with diverse physiologies, including photosynthesizers, heterotrophs, denitrifiers, sulfate reducers, and ammonifiers.
Deterministic pivoting algorithms for constrained ranking and clustering problems

We introduce new problems of finding minimum-cost rankings and clusterings which must be consistent with certain constraints (e.g. an input partial order in the case of ranking problems); we give deterministic approximation algorithms for these problems. Randomized approximation algorithms for unconstrained versions of these problems were given by Ailon, Charikar, and Newman [2] and by Ailon and Charikar [1]. Finding deterministic approximation algorithms for these problems answers an open question of Ailon et al. [2].In particular, we give deterministic algorithms for constrained weighted feedback arc set in tournaments, constrained correlation clustering, and constrained hierarchical clustering related to finding good ultrametrics. Our algorithms follow the paradigm of Ailon et al. [2] of choosing a particular vertex as a pivot and partitioning the graph according to the pivot; unlike their algorithms, we do not choose the pivot randomly but rather use an LP relaxation to choose a good pivot deterministically. Additionally, the use of the LP relaxation allows us to impose constraints easily and analyze the results. In several cases we are able to find approximation factors for the constrained problems that improve on the factors they obtained for the unconstrained cases. We also give a combinatorial algorithm for constrained weighted feedback arc set in tournaments with weights satisfying probability constraints. This algorithm improves on the best known factor given by deterministic combinatorial algorithms for the unconstrained case.
Invasive Temperate Species are a Threat to Tropical Island Biodiversity

To protect the remaining biodiversity on tropical islands it is important to predict the elevational ranges of non-native species. We evaluated two hypotheses by examining land snail faunas on the eastern (windward) side of the island of Hawaii: (1) the latitude of a species’ native region can be used to predict its potential elevational range and (2) non-native temperate species, which experience greater climatic fluctuations in their native range, are more likely to become established at higher elevations and to extend over larger elevational ranges than non-native tropical species. All non-native tropical species were distributed patchily among sites � 500 m and occupied small elevational ranges, whereas species introduced from temperate regions occupied wide elevational ranges and formed a distinct fauna spanning elevations 500–2000 m. Most native land snail species and ecosystems occur 4 500 m in areas dominated by temperate non-native snail and slug species. Therefore, knowing the native latitudinal region of a non-native species is important for conservation of tropical island ecosystems because it can be translated into potential elevational range if those species are introduced. Because temperate species will survive in tropical locales particularly at high elevation, on many tropical islands the last refuges of the native species, preventing introduction of temperate species should be a conservation priority.
Acute administration of individual optimal dose of physostigmine fails to improve mnesic performances in alzheimers presenile dementia

Eight patients affected by Alzheimer's Presenile Dementia (AD) received acute administration of physostigmine individual optimal dose per os (n = 4) or subcutaneously (n = 4). The individual physostigmine dose was assessed by means of serum cholinesterase activity monitoring. The possible beneficial effects after treatment were evaluated by using two memory tests: Reys' 15 words and Digit Span from Wechsler memory scale. Although a slight behavioral activation was noted in all patients after treatment, the comparison between mean scores obtained by AD patients in mnesic tests before and after the acute physostigmine administration, with either therapeutic modality, failed to reach the level of statistical significance. Some implications of these disappointing results are briefly discussed.
Demand Shifting, Optimal Firm Growth, and Rule-of-Thumb Decision Making

It is well known that firms in oligopolistic market structures prefer to compete by demand-shifting strategies like new product development, advertising, and the like, rather than trying to influence demand directly by price. The reasons that firms avoid price competition in this situation are captured neatly in the competitive response patterns of the "kinked" demand curve model. On the other hand, outlays for product development and advertising have the character of investment decisions in that they produce a stock of assets, often intangible, which are less vulnerable to immediate imitation by rivals. Moreover, since these outlays directly influence the real and perceived quality of a firm's products, they can serve as a powerful means for its rapid advancement forward or backward in an oligopolistic setting. Therefore, rival demand-shifting outlays will usually be a central mode of competition in such market structures. In this paper, demand-shifting behavior will be analyzed using a capital-theoretic model with oligopolistic interdependence. A model of the advertising decision under monopolistic conditions analyzed previously by M. Nerlove and K. J. Arrow has been adapted for this purpose to a duopolistic market situation.' The present inquiry will focus on equilibrium steady growth solutions and will consider in particular how a firm's growth in demand-shifting activity is affected by different factors, including various parameters relating to its rival's situation. The equilibrium steady-growth paths analyzed here will be shown to be solutions for a Cournot type model as well as for a rule-of-thumb decision-making approach commonly alluded to in the business trade literature. Most of the formal results obtained for the duopoly situation can be extended directly to the more general oligopoly model. I. THE BASIC MODEL
Extracting a valid boundary representation from a segmented range image

A new approach is presented for extracting an explicit 3D shape model from a single range image. One novel aspect is that the model represents both observed object surfaces, and surfaces which bound the volume of occluded space. Another novel aspect is that the approach does not require that the range image segmentation be perfect. The low-level segmentation may be such that the model-building process encounters topology versus geometry conflicts. The model-building process is designed to be "fail soft" in the face of such problems. The portion of the 3D model where a problem presents itself is "glued" together in a manner meant to minimize the disturbance in the 3D shape. The goal is to produce a valid boundary-representation which can be processed by higher-level routines. A third novel aspect of this work is that the implementation has been evaluated on over 200 real range images of polyhedral objects, with no operator intervention and all parameters held constant, and obtained a 97% success rate in creating valid b-reps. >
Growth Hormone Stimulates Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis and Antagonizes Insulin's Antiproteolytic Action in Humans

We examined the effects of a combined, local intra-arterial infusion of growth hormone (GH) and insulin on forearm glucose and protein metabolism in seven normal adults. GH was infused into the brachial artery for 6 h with a dose that, in a previous study, stimulated muscle protein synthesis (phenylalanine Rd) without affecting systemic GH, insulin, or insulinlike growth factor I concentrations. For the last 3 h of the GH infusion, insulin was coinfused with a dose that, in the absence of infused GH, suppressed forearm muscle proteolysis by 30-40% without affecting systemic insulin levels. Measurements of forearm glucose, amino acid balance, and [3H]phenylalanine and [14C]leucine kinetics were made at 3 and 6 h of the infusion. Glucose uptake by forearm tissues in response to GH and insulin did not change significantly between 3 and 6 h. By 6 h, the combined infusion of GH and insulin promoted a significantly more positive net balance of phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine, and valine (all P less than 0.05). The change in net phenylalanine balance was due to a significant increase in phenylalanine Rd (51%, P less than 0.05) with no observable change in phenylalanine Ra. For leucine, a stimulation of leucine Rd (50%, P less than 0.05) also accounted for the change in leucine net balance, with no suppression of leucine Ra. The stimulation of Rd, in the absence of an observed effect on Ra, suggests that GH blunts the action of insulin to suppress proteolysis in addition to blunting insulin's action on Rd.
Solid phase and solution synthesis of NvocLys(CO(CH2)5NH–NBD)OCH2CN, a trifunctional fluorescent lysine derivative

Herein, we describe a general strategy for the facile synthesis of a multifunctional amino acid derivative bearing both fluorescent and photolabile groups such as the lysine derivative NvocLys(CO(CH2)5NH–NBD)OCH2CN (1) that can be used as a biophysical tool for studying protein structure. The synthetic strategy involves functionalization of the amine groups while the amino acid is attached to a solid support, followed by esterification of the carboxylic acid in solution. The solid support protects the caboxylic acid, preventing a side reaction associated with the synthesis in solution and obviating the need for chromatographic purification of several intermediates. This synthetic strategy can be used for the preparation of a variety of amino acid derivatives with unusual α-amine and side chain functionalities.
Influence of Soil Temperature, Rainfall, and Planting and Harvest Dates on Chaetocnema confinis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Damage to Sweetpotato Roots

A study was carried out in 10 counties of North Carolina from 2004 to 2006 to determine the effect of planting and harvest times on flea beetle, Chaetocnema confinis Crotch (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), damage to sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.), storage roots. Planting and harvesting of sweetpotatoes later in the season resulted in less damage than early planting and harvesting. Regression analysis was done to study the relationship of weather parameters with the flea beetle damage. Weather parameters included air temperature (Celsius), soil temperature at 5- and 10-cm depth (Celsius), rainfall (millimeters), and soil moisture (volume:volume) at 0-10-, 10-40-, and 40-100-cm depth. The best regression model included mean soil temperature at 10-cm depth, total rainfall, and number of adults caught on yellow sticky traps as independent variables (all between 1 August and harvest date of each field). Soil temperature and adult catches on yellow sticky traps of C. confinis were positively related to damage, whereas rainfall was negatively correlated. The model explained 45% of the total variation in the flea beetle damage. Soil temperature alone accounted for 32% of the total variation in flea beetle damage followed by rainfall (9%) and adult catches (4%). When the time interval was limited to 30 d before harvest, soil temperature was still the best explanatory variable accounting for 23% of the total variation in flea beetle damage followed by rainfall (7%) and adult catches (4%). Understanding the effects of planting/harvesting and weather factors on flea beetle damage will be useful in predicting the time when the sweetpotato crop is at greater risk from high levels of damage by C. confinis.
Interactive effects of an antifeedant used with Bacillus thuringiensis var. san diego delta endotoxin on Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae)

The effects of citrus limonoid antifeedants used alone and in sequence with a Bacillus thuringiensis var. san diego delta endotoxin product against the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), were examined in laboratory and field tests. In the laboratory, prior exposure to citrus limonoid did not alter Colorado potato beetle mortality in response to the endotoxin. Larval development time was significantly slower among larvae treated with limonoid or endotoxin; the most delayed development occurred among larvae receiving endotoxin following limonoid treatment. In field tests, rates of Colorado potato beetle adult colonization and oviposition were significantly lower in plots treated with endotoxin following treatment with limonoid compared with plots treated with either compound alone. Bioassays and chemical analyses of residues indicate that limonoids persist on potato foliage for ≈6-8 d under field conditions. The tests indicate that citrus limonoid antifeedants may be effectively used in conjunction with B. thuringiensis var. san diego endotoxin in an integrated approach to Colorado potato beetle management.
Synthesis and Structure of Platinum Bis(phospholane) Complexes Pt(diphos*)(R)(X), Catalyst Precursors for Asymmetric Phosphine Alkylation

The complexes Pt((R,R)-Me-DuPhos)(Ph)(Cl) (1) and Pt((R,R)-i-Pr-DuPhos)(Ph)(Cl) (2) have been used as catalyst precursors in Pt-catalyzed asymmetric alkylation of secondary phosphines. To investiga...
Mating behavior in four strains of Metaseiulus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Detailed observations of mating behavior for 15 pairs each of virgin males and females of four different colonies of Metaseiulus ( Typhlodromus or Galendromus ) occidentalis (Nesbitt) were analyzed to determine if intraspecific variability exists. Behavioral sequences varied significantly among and between colonies. This variability contrasts with the highly repetitive patterns reported previously for M. occidentalis and other phytoseiid species
Plasma Unesterified Fatty Acid Concentration in Fetal and Neonatal Life.

SummaryConcentration of UFA in blood plasma of fetal sheep and newborn man was consistently much lower than in plasma obtained simultaneously from their mothers. The levels were comparable to those found in man after administration of glucose or insulin. In both species the plasma level of UFA rose rapidly within 2 hr of birth with an associated hypoglycemia. These findings support previous studies which suggested the occurrence of a rapid shift from carbohydrate to fat catabolism in the neonatal period.
Preparation and use of mosaic target for the deposition of ferroelectric bismuth titanate thin films

Ion beam sputter deposition using a Kaufman source is a well-established technique for fabricating thin films. This method has the capability for yielding smooth surfaces and depositing uniform films over a large area. We have used this technique, in the past, with a 5” diameter target to deposit smooth ferroelectric bismuth titanate (Bi4Ti3O12) films. One of the major obstacles was fabricating the large target with the desired composition. To reduce cost by simplifying the target preparation process we developed a ‘mosaic’ target to deposit ferroelectric Bi4Ti3012 films. Films were deposited at different substrate temperatures. Measurements show that the post-annealing of the deposited films results in measurable ferroelectric properties and enhanced low field dielectric behavior in the films. The discussion will include the target fabrication, the observed properties of the resultant films, and the effect of the deposition and post-annealing temperatures on the film properties.
Micro-Topography Enhances Directional Myogenic Differentiation of Skeletal Precursor Cells

Skeletal muscle tissues were constructed using an in vitro model, by differentiating skeletal myoblasts using an array of linear microstructures with the medium aspect ratios. The adaptation of skeletal myoblasts has been characterized with immunoflurescence microscopy during cell proliferation and differentiation. In particular, the dependence of the alignment efficiency on the dimensions of the microstructures was studied. The morphology difference of the myotubes in the three-dimensional tissues was reported. This paper holds the promise of efficient on-chip fabrication of skeletal muscle tissues and has an important implication in direct muscle repair and muscular mechanics.
Preparation for and response to the flood of 2008 in Cedar falls, Iowa

The purpose of this paper is to examine the preparation for, and responses to, the 2008 flood in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The analysis of this study was based on qualitative research methodology that includes interviews of key personnel (e.g., emergency planners) who were involved in emergency planning, decision making, response, and recovery efforts during and after the 2008 flood in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Cedar Falls had adequate emergency plans and took proper initiative in terms of warnings, evacuations, and rescue operations during this flood, introduced notification service for emergency severe weather or important community notices, and adopted effective recovery efforts (property buy out and a new floodplain regulation). After the flood, Cedar Falls adopted new 500-year floodplain regulations, thereby creating Iowa's first floodplain ordinance. Such floodplain ordinance could be a model for other cities in the USA.
Intravenous administration of ionophores in ruminants: effects on metabolism independent of the rumen.

The effect of i.v. administration of ionophores on metabolism in ruminants was investigated in two experiments. In Exp. 1, four Angus heifers were assigned randomly to receive i.v. monensin (18 mg, n = 2) or vehicle (control, n = 2). Samples were collected from indwelling vena cava cannulas from -60 to 240 min. Concentrations of K, Mg (P less than .05) and P (P less than .10) were lower and glucose (GLU) and free fatty acids (FFA) were higher (P less than .05) in monensin-treated than in control heifers. Serum insulin (INS) initially declined and subsequently increased (P less than .05) following monensin administration. A second experiment was conducted to determine the effect of a higher dose of monensin and the effect of lasalocid on minerals and metabolites. Angus (n = 3) and Hereford (n = 3) steers were randomly assigned to treatments in two 3 x 3 latin square designs. Treatments were i.v. administration of monensin, lasalocid or vehicle (ethanol) administered on three consecutive days. Administration of monensin, but not vehicle or lasalocid, resulted in ataxia, hypernea, polyuria and anorexia for approximately 2 h. Plasma concentrations of K, P and Mg were suppressed (P less than .05) by monensin, but not by vehicle or lasalocid administration. The decrease in K was preceded by a transient increase in K 15 min after administering monensin. Concentrations of GLU and FFA increased (P less than .05) following monensin administration. Concentrations of INS were lower from 60 to 120 min and greater at 180 and 240 min compared with -60 to 0 min from monensin administration (P less than .05). These results provide first evidence of an effect of monensin on metabolism in ruminants independent of alterations in ruminal microbial metabolism.
Efficient trajectory planning for two manipulators to deform flexible materials

Coordinating two robot manipulators to handle flexible materials has a wide range of applications in the manufacturing industry. The two robot manipulators have to follow a complicated trajectories to maintain a minimum interaction force with the flexible beam. These trajectories are very complicated and not suitable for real time systems. In this paper, three approximation methods of the optimal trajectories are introduced. The first one uses a piecewise linear approximation of the optimal trajectories, while the second one uses adaptive piecewise linear approximation. The third method utilizes the behavior of the optimal trajectories and applies a continuous approximation of the optimal trajectories using an ellipsoid. The interaction force under these approximation is investigated. We found that the first method produces a peak in the interaction force which can damage the object. The second method controls the peaks in the force to a prescribed limit. In the third method, the force is very close to the optimal force. >
Solar Heating and Cooling

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the use of solar energy in heating and cooling. Solar energy for heating and cooling has the advantages of a large resource base and widespread distribution. Its disadvantages are that it is spread rather thinly and thus must be collected over relatively large areas, and is erratic, fluctuating day to night and with weather conditions. Solar energy is a “free” fuel, but since it requires such a large collection area it often requires a large capital investment to make use of it. Solar energy is the only large resource among the renewable fuels and will steadily become more important as the technology of collection, storage, and use advances, and as other sources of heat become more scarce and expensive. There is no pollution to discharge. In a heavily solar-dependent urban area there may develop problems over solar access, shading, etc., as well as aesthetic consequences. The major environmental impact is apt to be indirect. A lot of conventional energy with its associated environmental impact will be required if a nation were to undertake the manufacture of a large number of active solar systems.
A framework for investigating optimization of service parts performance with big data

As national economies continue to evolve across the globe, businesses are increasing their capacity to not only generate new products and deliver them to customers, but also to increase levels of after-sales service. One major component of after-sale service involves service parts management. However, service parts businesses are typically seen as add-ons to existing business models, and are not well integrated with primary businesses. Consequently, many service parts operations are managed using ad-hoc practices that are often subordinated to primary businesses. Early research in this area has been instrumental in assisting organizations to begin optimizing some aspects of service parts management. However, performance goals for service parts management are often ill-defined. Further, because these service parts businesses are often subordinated to primary businesses within a firm, the use of newer big data applications to help manage these processes is almost completely absent. Herein, we develop a framework that seeks to define service parts performance goals for the purpose of outlining where scholars and practitioners can further examine where, how, and why big data applications can be employed to enhance service parts management performance.
Revising State Post-Conviction Relief Statutes to Cover Convictions Resting on Subsequently Invalidated Expert Testimony

Over 300 prisoners have already been exonerated by postconviction DNA testing. In many of these cases, the subsequent DNA testing demonstrated the invalidity of expert testimony that had been relied on as the basis for the prior conviction. Given the disturbing revelations of the weaknesses in many traditional types of forensic science, in the future there will probably be many more requests for postconviction relief on the ground that later scientific research has eroded confidence in the expert testimony that served as the basis for an earlier conviction. Some jurisdictions such as California and Texas have recently adopted new legislation to regulate granting postconviction relief on this ground. Initially, this article delimits its topic. The article differentiates between two issues: (1) the question of whether the prior expert testimony has been invalidated; and (2) the question of the impact of the prior expert testimony on the earlier conviction. This article focuses on question (1). The article then attempts to distinguish between situations in which subsequent research merely raises doubts about the validity of the prior expert testimony and those in which the research undermines the testimony so seriously that postconviction relief is warranted. After critiquing the new California and Texas statutes, the article offers guidance for reformers drafting legislation to govern setting aside convictions on the ground that new scientific research has overtaken the expert testimony that the prosecution relied on in the earlier conviction.
Long-Term Effects of Orthoses Use on the Changes of Foot and Ankle Joint Motions of Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Abstract Background Orthoses commonly are prescribed to children with cerebral palsy (CP) to provide foot correction and to improve ambulatory function. Immediate effects of ankle foot orthosis (AFOs) have been investigated, but long-term kinematic effects are lacking clinical evidence. Objective To determine changes in 3-dimensional ankle and foot segment motion in pediatric patients with CP between initial and follow-up visits (18-month average time differences) in both barefoot gait and gait with their AFO. We also investigated intravisit changes between barefoot and AFO gait. Design A prospective cohort study. Setting Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin. Patients A total of 23 children with CP, mean age 10.5 years (6.2-18.1 years) were clinically prescribed either a solid ankle foot orthotic (SAFO), hinged ankle foot orthotic (HAFO), or supramalleolar orthotic. Methods Holes were cut in the study orthoses so that electromagnetic markers could be directly placed on the skin. A 6-foot segment model was used. Outcome Measurements Kinematic and kinetic data were recorded for each patient's initial and follow-up visit (18-month follow-up average, 15-20 months range). Results For the SAFO group (gait with AFO), a significant decrease in dorsiflexion was found between the initial and third visit ( P = .008). Furthermore, the SAFO group (barefoot gait) had an increased eversion at the midfoot for most of the gait cycle ( P Conclusion The use of AFOs long term either maintained or improved foot deformities or dysfunction. Level of Evidence Level II.
Stress Promotes Drug Seeking Through Glucocorticoid-Dependent Endocannabinoid Mobilization in the Prelimbic Cortex.

Abstract Background Clinical reports suggest that rather than directly driving cocaine use, stress may create a biological context within which other triggers for drug use become more potent. We hypothesize that stress-induced increases in corticosterone “set the stage” for relapse by promoting endocannabinoid-induced attenuation of inhibitory transmission in the prelimbic cortex (PL). Methods We have established a rat model for these stage-setting effects of stress. In this model, neither a stressor (electric footshock) nor stress-level corticosterone treatment alone reinstates cocaine seeking following self-administration and extinction, but each treatment potentiates reinstatement in response to an otherwise subthreshold cocaine priming dose (2.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). The contributions of endocannabinoid signaling in the PL to the effects of stress-level corticosterone on PL neurotransmission and cocaine seeking were determined using intra-PL microinfusions. Endocannabinoid-dependent effects of corticosterone on inhibitory synaptic transmission in the rat PL were determined using whole-cell recordings in layer V pyramidal neurons. Results Corticosterone application attenuated inhibitory synaptic transmission in the PL via cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB 1 R)– and 2-arachidonoylglycerol–dependent inhibition of gamma-aminobutyric acid release without altering postsynaptic responses. The ability of systemic stress-level corticosterone treatment to potentiate cocaine-primed reinstatement was recapitulated by intra-PL injection of corticosterone, the CB 1 R agonist WIN 55,212-2, or the monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor URB602. Corticosterone effects on reinstatement were attenuated by intra-PL injections of either the CB 1 R antagonist, AM251, or the diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, DO34. Conclusions These findings suggest that stress-induced increases in corticosterone promote cocaine seeking by mobilizing 2-arachidonoylglycerol in the PL, resulting in CB 1 R-mediated attenuation of inhibitory transmission in this brain region.
Family-centered decision making.

The clinical staff's frustration with their inability to cure and locate a patient's infection can influence how they interpret treatment goals expressed by the patient and patient's family. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
The Recrystallization and Grain Growth Behavior of Magnesium

Magnesium is an important structural material due to its attractive properties including having a low density and an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Grain refinement is used as a method to increase the strength and ductility of Mg and therefore knowing the recrystallization and grain growth kinetics is important. The experimental results showed that inhomogeneous nucleation created a two-stage nucleation process during recrystallization and that alloying slowed down grain growth significantly in Mg. A complete article on this work can be seen in a future issue of Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A.
Cross-modal attentional entrainment: Insights from magicians

Recently, performance magic has become a source of insight into the processes underlying awareness. Magicians have highlighted a set of variables that can create moments of visual attentional suppression, which they call “off-beats.” One of these variables is akin to the phenomenon psychologists know as attentional entrainment. The current experiments, inspired by performance magic, explore the extent to which entrainment can occur across sensory modalities. Across two experiments using a difficult dot probe detection task, we find that the mere presence of an auditory rhythm can bias when visual attention is deployed, speeding responses to stimuli appearing in phase with the rhythm. However, the extent of this cross-modal influence is moderated by factors such as the speed of the entrainers and whether their frequency is increasing or decreasing. In Experiment 1, entrainment occurred for rhythms presented at .67 Hz, but not at 1.5 Hz. In Experiment 2, entrainment only occurred for rhythms that were slowing from 1.5 Hz to .67 Hz, not speeding. The results of these experiments challenge current models of temporal attention.
Optimal Coloanal Reconstruction: J-pouch, Straight, Stapled, and Hand Sewn

Creation of a coloanal anastomosis is a technically challenging procedure with potential morbidity. Knowledge of the literature is important as surgeons who perform proctectomy should combine clinical judgment with evidence-based literature on coloanal anastomoses to determine the most appropriate anastomotic approach for each patient. This chapter will outline the different sphincter-preserving coloanal anastomotic techniques as well as discuss stapled and hand-sewn anastomoses. Moreover, it will review the different outcomes such as postoperative morbidity and bowel function for each technique by comparing them to see which approach is best.
A visual analytics approach for pattern-recognition in patient-generated data

Objective To develop and test a visual analytics tool to help clinicians identify systematic and clinically meaningful patterns in patient-generated data (PGD) while decreasing perceived information overload. Methods Participatory design was used to develop Glucolyzer, an interactive tool featuring hierarchical clustering and a heatmap visualization to help registered dietitians (RDs) identify associative patterns between blood glucose levels and per-meal macronutrient composition for individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Ten RDs participated in a within-subjects experiment to compare Glucolyzer to a static logbook format. For each representation, participants had 25 minutes to examine 1 month of diabetes self-monitoring data captured by an individual with T2DM and identify clinically meaningful patterns. We compared the quality and accuracy of the observations generated using each representation. Results Participants generated 50% more observations when using Glucolyzer (98) than when using the logbook format (64) without any loss in accuracy (69% accuracy vs 62%, respectively, p = .17). Participants identified more observations that included ingredients other than carbohydrates using Glucolyzer (36% vs 16%, p = .027). Fewer RDs reported feelings of information overload using Glucolyzer compared to the logbook format. Study participants displayed variable acceptance of hierarchical clustering. Conclusions Visual analytics have the potential to mitigate provider concerns about the volume of self-monitoring data. Glucolyzer helped dietitians identify meaningful patterns in self-monitoring data without incurring perceived information overload. Future studies should assess whether similar tools can support clinicians in personalizing behavioral interventions that improve patient outcomes.
ETHOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR SEARCH IMAGES IN PREDATORY BEHAVIOR

Publisher Summary Prey abundance changes over time. Many prey species, perhaps in part in response to predator pressures, emerge in sudden population bursts. The expected proportion of such prey in the predator's diet can be calculated as it varies with absolute density, all else being constant. However, it has been found that at low and high prey densities, fewer are caught than expected while at medium densities, the birds are very efficient in catching the particular prey. At low prey densities, the predator underperforms and at increasing densities, the predator begins to catch up and soon over-performs; at high densities, there is a levelling off. In 1971, Murton studied the grain for aging behaviour of wild pigeons in clover and stubble fields. Rigorous testing of the phenomenon of search image formation has been restricted to birds. However, there are a large number of experiments on other animals indicating the possibility that it may be a widespread phenomenon and not just restricted to birds or vertebrates, to visual modality, and to predator–prey relationships. Switching odor preferences has been shown in the large predatory tuna, Thunnus albacares. This fish has exhibited its greatest feeding excitement in response to the odor of the local prey species of anchovy. When fed on a different anchovy species, maximal excitement shifted over the course of about three weeks to the new prey odor. It is possible that pea crabs and tuna form chemical search images; however, the mechanism involved is uncertain.
Families and Parameter Spaces

Next, we will give a definition without much apparent content, but one that is fundamental in much of algebraic geometry. Basically, the situation is that, given a collection {V b } of projective varieties V b ⊂ ℙ n indexed by the points b of a variety B, we want to say what it means for the collection {V b} to “vary algebraically with parameters.” The answer is simple: for any variety B, we define a family of projective varieties in ℙ n with base B to be simply a closed subvariety V of the product B × ℙ n . The fibers V b = (π1)-1(b) of V over points of b are then referred to as the members, or elements of the family; the variety V is called the total space, and the family is said to be parametrized by B. The idea is that if B ⊂ ℙ m is projective, the family V ℙ m × ℙ n will be described by a collection of polynomials F α (Z, W) bihomogeneous in the coordinates Z on ℙ m and W on ℙ n , which we may then think of as a collection of polynomials in W whose coefficients are polynomials on B; similarly, if B is affine we may describe V by a collection of polynomials F α (z, W), which we may think of as homogeneous polynomials in the variables W whose coefficients are regular functions on B.