cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Music DOA estimation with compressive sensing and/or compressive arrays

This paper examines the pros and cons of compressed sensing in estimating the direction of arrival (DOA) of sparse signals impinging on an antenna array. The observed signal received by each antenna element may be compressed (temporally [2]) assuming that it is sparse (a valid assumption when dealing with real radar target signature), and the arrays receiving these signals may also be compressed (spatially) by compressing the array manifold from M antennas to Ms antennas according to some random sampling scheme [1,3]. The performance of both approaches is assessed via simulations involving real and synthetic radar scattering signatures obtained using stepped frequency radar. Of particular interest is the impact on array resolution and the ability of compressively sampled antenna array to resolve correlated arrivals.
Volume rendering algorithms for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging: Image quality and real-time performance analysis

One of the key additions to clinical ultrasound (US) systems during the last decade has been the incorporation of three-dimensional (3D) imaging as a native mode. These systems provide interactive volume rendering and display of 3D data. However, interactive volume rendering is challenging due to the large amount of data I/O and computation required. Many rendering techniques have been developed ranging from fast algorithms with lower image quality to sophisticated algorithms with better image quality, e.g., shear-warp, shear-image-order, pre-integration and direct ray casting. In this paper, we discuss pros and cons of each of these rendering algorithms in terms of algorithm complexity and image quality. We also discuss a new rendering algorithm that we have proposed: pre-integrated shear-image-order (PISIO). PISIO algorithm overcomes the image-quality limitations of other fast algorithms and provides a fine balance between computation and image quality. To demonstrate the interactive performance of these algorithms, we implemented them on a programmable multicore processor, i.e., IBM Cell processor. We present the results in this paper.
ScalaBenchGen: Auto-Generation of Communication Benchmarks Traces

Benchmarks are essential for evaluating HPC hardware and software for pet scale machines and beyond. But benchmark creation is a tedious manual process. As a result, benchmarks tend to lag behind the development of complex scientific codes. This work contributes an automated approach to the creation of communication benchmarks. Given an MPI application, we utilize Scala Trace, a loss less and scalable framework to trace communication operations and execution time while abstracting away the computations. A single trace file that reflects the behavior of all nodes is subsequently expanded to C source code by a novel code generator. This resulting benchmark code is compact, portable, human-readable, and accurately reflects the original application's communication characteristics and runtime characteristics. Experimental results demonstrate that generated source code of benchmarks preserves both the communication patterns and the wall clock-time behavior of the original application. Such automatically generated benchmarks not only shorten the transition from application development to benchmark extraction but also facilitate code obfuscation, which is essential for benchmark extraction from commercial and restricted applications.
TURBULENT HEATING OF THE DISTANT SOLAR WIND BY INTERSTELLAR PICKUP PROTONS

The solar wind heating observed in the outer heliosphere can be attributed to the turbulent dissipation of wave energy generated by the isotropization of interstellar pickup protons. We calculate the fluctuation energy provided by the pickup protons, assuming that the ambient fluctuations are dominated by turbulent processes. This assumption is in contrast to previous estimates of this energy, which obtained a bispherical result in the absence of turbulent interactions. We find that when turbulent processes dominate the wave generation, a more isotropic distribution of pickup protons is produced and less energy is injected into the solar wind fluctuations. When this form of the pickup proton energy source is used in a phenomenological model of turbulent evolution in the solar wind, we find good agreement with the solar wind temperature measurements by the Voyager 2 spacecraft available at present out to almost 70 AU. The efficient spectral smoothing by the turbulent transport may also explain the absence of observable pickup proton–generated waves in the outer heliosphere. Subject headings: solar wind — turbulence Neutral atoms that flow slowly into the heliosphere from the surrounding interstellar medium may become ionized by solar ultraviolet radiation or by charge exchange with ions in the outflowing solar wind. At that moment, the new ions stream toward the Sun with respect to the reference frame of the plasma with a speed close to the solar wind speed Vsw. These suddenly energetic ions, termed ‘‘ pickup ions,’’ then enter into an involved interaction with the solar wind particles and fields that is still not completely determined. In broad outline this interaction consists of several steps, which take place on distinct timescales when the solar wind
VIBRATION CONTROL OF A THIN PLATE WITH A HYBRID SANDWICH ACTUATING MECHANISM

The hybrid sandwich actuating mechanism composed of a piezoceramic actuator, a viscoelastic core, and an active constrained layer is proposed. The main objective of this mechanism is to increase the overall damping factor of the host structure while maintaining the ability to exert counter forces to it. The numerical analysis indicates that it can be highly effective in controlling the structural vibrations.
Membrane skeletal proteins and their integral membrane protein anchors are targets for tyrosine and threonine kinases in Euglena.

Proteins of the membrane skeleton of Euglena gracilis were extensively phosphorylated in vivo and in vitro after incubation with [ 32 P]-orthophosphate or γ-[ 32 P] ATP. Endogenous protein threonine/serine activity phosphorylated the major membrane skeletal proteins (articulins) and the putative integral membrane protein (IP39) anchor for articulins. The latter was also the major target for endogenous protein tyrosine kinase activity. A cytoplasmic domain of IP39 was specifically phosphorylated, and removal of this domain with papain eliminated the radiolabeled phosphoamino acids and eliminated or radically shifted the PI of the multiple isoforms of IP39. In gel kinase assays IP39 autophosphorylated and a 25 kDa protein which does not autophosphorylate was identified as a threonine/serine (casein) kinase. Plasma membranes from the membrane skeletal protein complex contained threonine/serine (casein) kinase activity, and cross-linking experiments suggested that IP39 was the likely source for this membrane activity. pH optima, cation requirements and heparin sensitivity of the detergent solubilized membrane activity were determined. Together these results suggest that protein kinases may be important modulators of protein assembly and function of the membrane skeleton of these protistan cells.
Speed versus reliability trade-offs in supplier selection

In many industries, order fulfillment speed is the most important competitive weapon for manufacturers. As such, supplier reliability and speed are crucial factors for success. In this paper, we explore the trade-offs among reliability, speed and price when selecting suppliers. We compare the costs of four types of suppliers categorised by their lead time and reliability characteristics: (1) slow and unreliable, (2) slow and reliable, (3) fast and unreliable, and (4) fast and reliable. Analytically, we perform a series of pairwise comparisons of these supplier types under both deterministic and stochastic demand environments. We follow that up with numerical sensitivity analysis that suggests when each of the four may become dominant based on changes in purchase price, demand uncertainty and required cycle service level. Finally, we suggest implications from this research for buyers and suppliers and for firms interested in pursuing tailored dual-sourcing strategies.
Preliminary data on an acceptance-based emotion regulation group intervention for deliberate self-harm among women with borderline personality disorder

Abstract Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and deliberate self-harm are clinically important conditions for which additional economically and clinically feasible interventions are needed. Literature on both the emotion regulating and experientially avoidant function of self-harm and the role of emotional dysfunction in BPD provided the rationale for developing a group intervention targeting emotion dysregulation among self-harming women with BPD. This study provides preliminary data on the efficacy of this new, 14-week, emotion regulation group intervention, designed to teach self-harming women with BPD more adaptive ways of responding to their emotions so as to reduce the frequency of their self-harm behavior. Participants were matched on level of emotion dysregulation and lifetime frequency of self-harm and randomly assigned to receive this group in addition to their current outpatient therapy (N = 12), or to continue with their current outpatient therapy alone for 14 weeks (N = 10). Results indicate that the group intervention had positive effects on self-harm, emotion dysregulation, experiential avoidance, and BPD-specific symptoms, as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Participants in the group treatment condition evidenced significant changes over time on all measures, and reached normative levels of functioning on most. While these preliminary results are promising, the study’s limitations require their replication in a larger-scale randomized controlled trial.
The role of race/ethnicity in the relationship between emergency department use and intimate partner violence: findings from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Objectives. We examined the relationship between intimate partner violence victimization among women in the general population and emergency department use. We sought to discern whether race/ethnicity moderates this relationship and to explore these relationships in race/ethnic–specific models.Methods. We used data on non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, and His-panic married or cohabiting women from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression.Results. Women who reported intimate partner violence victimization were 1.5 times more likely than were nonvictims to use the emergency department, after we accounted for race/ethnicity and substance use. In race/ethnic–specific analyses, only Hispanic victims were more likely than their nonvictim counterparts to use the emergency department (AOR = 3.68; 95% CI = 1.89, 7.18), whereas substance use factors varied among groups.Conclusions. Our findings sug...
Signal suppression effects in an ideal hard‐limiter for the many‐carrier case

An analytical expression, previously derived in a companion paper published in Volume 7, Issue No. 1 of the International Journal of Satellite Communications (pp. 3–6), was used to generate signal suppression data for 3, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 55 input signal scenarios in the presence of Gaussian noise assuming an ideal hard-limiter for a wide range of input signal ratios. Additionally, the signal suppression effect has been quantified for up to 200 input signals with input SNRs of ∞, 6 dB and 0 dB for the case in which a single higher-power input signal exists in the presence of lower, equal-powered signals. The data support the argument that the signal suppression effect is significantly reduced as the number of input signals is increased for the scenarios investigated. Also, the generated data show that the signal suppression effect decreases asymptotically to a value less than 1 dB for the case of a single higher-power signal in the presence of varying degrees of input Gaussian noise and up to 200 total signals. Finally, a Gaussian approximation of the input signal ensemble was verified for the full range of input signal sets investigated.
Management of data with uncertainties

Probabilistic databases, Query processing Since their invention in the early 70s, relational databases have been deterministic. They were designed to support applications s.a. accounting, inventory, customer care, and manufacturing, and these applications require a precise semantics. Thus, database systems are deterministic. A row is either in the database or is not; a tuple is either in the query answer or is not. The foundations of query processing and the tools that exists today for managing data rely fundamentally on the assumption that the data is deterministic. Increasingly, today we need to manage data that is uncertain. The uncertainty can be in the data itself, in the schema, in the mapping between different data instances, or in the user query. We find increasingly large amounts of uncertain data in a variety of domains: in data integration, in scientific data, in information extracted automatically from text, in data from the physical world. Large enterprises today can sometimes afford to cope with the uncertainty in their data by completely removing it, by using some expensive data cleaning or ETL tools. But increasingly today organizations or users need to cope directly with uncertain data, either because cleaning it is prohibitively expensive (e.g. in scientific data integration or in integration of Web data), or because it is even impossible to clean (e.g. sensor data or RFID data). It becomes clear that we need
Benthic flux of oxygen and nutrients across Oregon/California shelf sediments

Abstract A free vehicle benthic chamber has been used to define benthic nutrient fluxes on the Southern Oregon and Northern California shelf (90–200 m). We measured fluxes on two occasions, in the spring and fall of 2007, to assess variability in fluxes and bioirrigation rates. Chambers were also employed to assess the impact of changing oxygen content on benthic fluxes. Oxygen uptake rates are similar to within 30% between sites in Oregon, Northern California and Central California, suggesting that a large portion of the Western US continental shelf experiences the same oxygen demand. Oxygen uptake (−2 to −10 mmol m −2 d −1 ) at S. Oregon/N. California sites is likely responsible for org ) oxidized in these sediments as denitrification and other electron transport processes generate much of the observed TCO 2 flux (4 to 31 mmol C m −2 d −1 ). Much like other coastal regions, these sediments are generally a net sink of water column fixed N as nitrate uptake rates (−0.6 to −2.2 mmol N m −2 d −1 ) typically exceed ammonium effluxes (0 to 1.9 mmol N m −2 d −1 ). As chamber oxygen concentrations decline during incubation, the concentration vs. time trends in phosphate, nitrate, and silicate remain linear. We interpret this to signify that there is no short-term change in the flux of these species as a response to changing oxygen concentration. However, there is a non-linear response for ammonium, with some ammonium fluxes increasing non-linearly by as much as a factor of 14. This occurs after an incubation period of 5–15 h when oxygen levels are 50%–20% of their ambient values. This change in flux may be related to rather small changes in chamber oxygen concentration, suggesting that under hypoxic conditions, there could be an enhanced efflux of ammonia to the water column. This would provide a positive feedback leading to enhanced primary productivity and increasing hypoxia.
Density functional theory of polymer‐polymer phase separation behavior

Polyatomic density functional theory is applied to a binary polymer blend. The polymer reference interaction site model (PRISM) liquid state theory provides the homogeneous state correlation functions necessary for the application of density functional theory. An effective chi parameter can be recognized from the density functional expression; however, the phase separation criteria does not depend solely upon the chi parameter, rather it depends upon various combinations of the species-dependent direct correlation functions of the blend. The Flory-Huggins chi parameter along with the associated phase diagram is obtained when the monomer volumes of the blend species are equal and for a range of monomer-monomer attractive interactions. Calculations are performed both with and without the assumption of incompressibility. The density functional theory along with the PRISM determined “input” predict that an isotopic polymer blend shows an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) phenomena. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Evolution of High Visual Acuity in the Anthropoidea

Most definitions of the order primates make some reference to the importance of vision relative to the other special senses (Le Gros Clark, 1959; Martin, 1990; Napier and Napier, 1967). This characterization is particularly fitting for haplorhine primates, in which vision is unquestionably the dominant sensory modality. Anthropoids and tarsiers differ from strepsirrhines in exhibiting a derived reduction of the olfactory apparatus (Baron et al., 1983; Cave, 1973) and an elaboration of the visual sense to a degree that is unique among mammals (Rodieck, 1973; Walls, 1942). Visual adaptations, however, are divergent within the haplorhine suborder. While the tarsier visual system is primarily specialized for enhanced sensitivity in the context of nocturnal visual predation (Castenholz, 1984s), most living anthropoids are adapted for extremely acute diurnal vision.
Students' Freedom from Excessive Force by Public School Officials: A Fourth or Fourteenth Amendment Right?

In the more than thirty years since Ingraham v. Wright was decided, the Supreme Court has still not definitively resolved the question of whether the Fourth Amendment's Seizure Clause or the Fourteenth Amendment's Substantive Due Process applies to public school officials' use of excessive force to punish their students. Since the 1980s, a clear majority of the circuits has applied substantive due process to such claims under the Johnson v. Glick-Hall v. Tawney “shocks-the-conscience” model.This article makes a counter-majoritarian argument, contending the Fourth Amendment, rather than the Fourteenth, should determine such disputes. A number of strong arguments, based on guidance from the United States Supreme Court, support this view. These include: (1) The Court's declaration in Graham v. Connor and County of Sacramento v. Lewis that Fourth Amendment privacy interests encompass security from excessive force; (2) its direction in Graham v. Connor to find the locus of a constitutional right in a specific provision of the Bill of Rights before resorting to the amorphous substantive due process clause as a source of protection; (3) its message in cases like Regents of the University of Michigan v. Ewin and Collins v. City of Harker Heights, expressing reluctance to expand the concept of substantive due process because guideposts are scarce and open-ended; (4) nearly all applications of force upon public school students, even misguided uses of corporal punishment, fit neatly into custodial and tutelary functions described in the Court's New Jersey v. T.L.O. and Vernonia School District 47J v. Acton decisions; this makes them readily susceptible to the Fourth Amendment's “reasonable at the inception” and “in scope” tests, typically applied under that constitutional provision; (5) the trend in the circuits in the criminal procedure context is to apply the Fourth Amendment to excessive force claims against 36 executive branch officials, until judicial intervention occurs at the arraignment or indictment, at which point substantive due process is applied and, because all uses of force by public school officials emanate from executive branch powers, the Fourth Amendment should apply rather than the Fourteenth. Instrumental and justice-related concerns are also addressed in the article. These factors tilt heavily in favor of the Fourth Amendment over the Fourteenth as the appropriate analytic tool for examining students' excessive force claims against public schools and their officials.
Building “Our School”: Parental Perspectives for Building Trusting Family–Professional Partnerships

All educational stakeholders benefit when families and school staff have trusting partnerships as they work together to achieve mutual goals. Eleven focus groups were conducted with parents of children with and without disabilities in six schools, which had been selected as knowledge development sites by the Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation (SWIFT) Center. The purpose of this appreciative inquiry was to understand these parents' perspectives on the nature of trusting partnerships within their schools. The following four themes emerged: (a) communicating, (b) establishing a sense of belonging, (c) demonstrating professional competency and commitment, and (d) building family leadership. Multiple approaches are described for how professionals and families from the schools implemented these four themes. Implications for school practices, preservice education, and future investigation are addressed.
Longer Course of Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Chemoradiation Favors Better Survival Outcomes for Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.

Objectives At diagnosis, 30% of patients with pancreatic cancer are unresectable stage 3 locally advanced. The standard treatment for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is not defined. The current study was conducted to assess the roles of chemotherapy and chemoradiation for LAPC treatment. Materials and methods Between June 2006 and March 2011, 100 patients with LAPC were treated at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Retrospective analysis was performed to compare cumulative incidence of progression (CIP) and overall survival (OS) among different subgroups. Results For the 100 patients, the median OS was 15.8 months and the median CIP was 8.4 months. The combination of chemotherapy and chemoradiation before disease progression was significantly associated with improved CIP (P=0.001) and improved OS when compared with chemoradiation alone (median OS: 16.4 vs. 11.1 mo, P=0.03). Among patients receiving combination treatment, patients who received chemotherapy first followed by chemoradiation had a trend toward lower CIP (P=0.09) and improved OS (median OS: 18.1 vs. 11.0 mo, P=0.09). Patients who received >2 cycles of chemotherapy before chemoradiation had a significantly decreased CIP (P=0.008) and a trend toward better OS (median OS: 19.4 vs. 15.7 mo, P=0.10). On multivariate analysis, receiving >2 cycles of chemotherapy before chemoradiation was associated with improved CIP. Conclusions Although combination chemotherapy and chemoradiation is favored in the treatment of LAPC, longer induction chemotherapy may play a more important role in sensitization of tumors to subsequent chemoradiation. Our results support treating patients with induction chemotherapy for at least 3 cycles followed by consolidative chemoradiation. These results merit further validation by a prospective study.
Experimental Atherosclerosis and Soya Lecithin.

SummaryThe feeding of soya lecithin to rabbits receiving cholesterol restricts hypercholesterolemia and diminishes the incidence of experimental arteriosclerosis.
A Review of Taxation Regulatory Documents Issued in the Period of January-February 2014

New trends in Russia's fiscal legislation emerged and developed in the period under review, January thru February 2014. First of all, having adopted the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Russia is facing the challenge of approximating the existing schemes for the determination of tax bases provided for by the Tax Code of the Russian Federation to the rules for the calculation of revenues and expenditures provided for by the IFRS. There is a second factor which may have an effect on reforming the fiscal framework, i.e. the amendments to the Civil Code of the Russian Federation which were initiated by previous Russia's President D. A. Medvedev. The effect of the amendments to the Civil Code of the Russian Federation on fiscal relations (under a draft law "On Making Amendments to the Federal Law On Limited Liability Companies as Related to the Procedure for Distribution of Profits" which is being under discussion until 21.02.2014) needs extra studying. The new Common Reporting Standard (CRS) commissioned by G20 and prepared by the OECD is going to be an important measure to prevent tax evasion, i.e. instead of providing data by request of tax authorities, it will be provided automatically when certain criteria are met (for example, when the balance of an account has reached $250,000, etc.).
Reflections on the Development of School-based P.E. Curriculum

Based on the analysis and identification of relative definitions of school-based curriculum development, this paper is aimed to analyze and probes into the discipline bases, the feasibility and the significance of school-based P.E. curriculum development. Researches show that school-based P.E. curriculum development is a process in which schools and universities can design, organize, perform and evaluate the course according to their own situation, under the guidance of the national curriculum standards. It will contribute to realizing the objectives of P.E. curriculum, forming some unique features of running schools and universities, improving the professional knowledge of P.E. teachers and promoting the individual development of students.
The Alternative Theatre

The social upheaval in the United States during the 1960s and early 1970s not only gave rise to a new cultural movement outside the dominant culture; it also spawned an alternative theatre. Initially, the new theatre was expressive of those who aligned themselves with the various social movements of the time — civil rights, free speech, hippie, anti-nuclear, anti-Vietnam War, ecology, feminist, and gay. It was an alternative to the theatre of the dominant complacent middle-class society which tended to perpetuate the status quo in its aesthetics, politics, working methods, and techniques. The alternative theatre companies directed themselves to the new audiences, often a specific constituency such as intellectuals, artists, political radicals, workers, blacks, Chicanos, women, or gays. They explored new working methods, new techniques, and new aesthetic principles that would be in harmony with their convictions and could be used to express their new theatrical conceptions.
Painless Orbital Myositis: A Rare Manifestation of Dermatomyositis (P3.128)

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of painless bilateral orbital myositis as a manifestation of muscle biopsy proven dermatomyositis. BACKGROUND: Orbital myositis represents a subgroup of orbital inflammatory syndrome which presents as inflammation of the extraocular muscles. Clinical manifestations include eye pain, diplopia, conjunctival hyperemia and proptosis. This presentation has been described in thyroid disorders, SLE and sarcoidosis. This is the first case report of orbital myositis in biopsy proven dermatomyositis. DESIGN/METHODS: A 47 year old man presented with a one year history of progressively worsening painless orbital swelling, proptosis, conjunctival erythema and intermittent diplopia. Examination revealed limited abduction of both eyes, heliotrope rash on eyelids and knuckles without limb girdle weakness. RESULTS: Thyroid function tests, Myositis panel,RF, ACE and complement levels were normal. CPK 1171 U/L, aldolase 7.2 U/L, AST 109 U/L,ALT 103 U/L,ANA titer 1:80. Trop I and CK MB elevated.CT chest,abdomen and pelvis was normal.Echocardiogram,cardiac MRI revealed biatrial enlargement indicating cardiomyopathy. Orbital MRI showed prominent fusiform enlargement of the superior,lateral and inferior extraocular muscles sparing myotendinous insertion which is typical of thyroid opthalmopathy. Muscle biopsy of the right iliopsoas showed severe inflammation with perimyseal, perivascular involvement as seen in dermatomyositis.EMG showed chronic myopathic changes in the right iliopsoas.He was treated with a 3 day course of 1 gm IV solumedrol and azathioprine later switched to methotrexate with significant improvement. CONCLUSION: We present a case of painless orbital myositis as a manifestation of dermatomyositis in the absence of extremity weakness but with cardiomyopathy, heliotrope rash and tendon sparing of extraocular muscles on MRI.This presentation warrants further testing to rule out rare causes such as dermatomyositis. EMG and muscle biopsy should be considered irrespective of limb weakness followed by a trial of high dose steroids and immunosuppressants. Disclosure: Dr. Javed has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zisman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Thomas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kodi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tenner has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ahluwalia-Singh has nothing to disclose.
Why Is America So Fat

America is facing an obesity crisis, and it is growing bigger every year. It is estimated that 34–36 % of Americans are obese (BMI of 30 or higher) with a higher percentage of obese women than obese men. Since 1999, however, men are beginning to catch up with women. Among adolescents and children, the gender roles are reversed as almost 19 % of boys are obese compared with 15 % of girls. The USA has become one of the fattest countries in the world, but obesity is not just an American crisis. Obesity has surpassed hunger and starvation as the leading cause of concern among food-related issues. It is estimated that 34 % of the world’s population is either overweight or obese. Obesity is a concern because it is a factor in the development of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, and many other diseases.
Angiotensin II reduces the surface abundance of KV1.5 channels in arterial myocytes to stimulate vasoconstriction

Key points Several different voltage-dependent K+ (KV ) channel isoforms are expressed in arterial smooth muscle cells (myocytes). Vasoconstrictors inhibit KV currents, but the isoform selectivity and mechanisms involved are unclear. We show that angiotensin II (Ang II), a vasoconstrictor, stimulates degradation of KV 1.5, but not KV 2.1, channels through a protein kinase C- and lysosome-dependent mechanism, reducing abundance at the surface of mesenteric artery myocytes. The Ang II-induced decrease in cell surface KV 1.5 channels reduces whole-cell KV 1.5 currents and attenuates KV 1.5 function in pressurized arteries. We describe a mechanism by which Ang II stimulates protein kinase C-dependent KV 1.5 channel degradation, reducing the abundance of functional channels at the myocyte surface. Abstract Smooth muscle cells (myocytes) of resistance-size arteries express several different voltage-dependent K+ (KV ) channels, including KV 1.5 and KV 2.1, which regulate contractility. Myocyte KV currents are inhibited by vasoconstrictors, including angiotensin II (Ang II), but the mechanisms involved are unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Ang II inhibits KV currents by reducing the plasma membrane abundance of KV channels in myocytes. Angiotensin II (applied for 2 h) reduced surface and total KV 1.5 protein in rat mesenteric arteries. In contrast, Ang II did not alter total or surface KV 2.1, or KV 1.5 or KV 2.1 cellular distribution, measured as the percentage of total protein at the surface. Bisindolylmaleimide (BIM; a protein kinase C blocker), a protein kinase C inhibitory peptide or bafilomycin A (a lysosomal degradation inhibitor) each blocked the Ang II-induced decrease in total and surface KV 1.5. Immunofluorescence also suggested that Ang II reduced surface KV 1.5 protein in isolated myocytes; an effect inhibited by BIM. Arteries were exposed to Ang II or Ang II plus BIM (for 2 h), after which these agents were removed and contractility measurements performed or myocytes isolated for patch-clamp electrophysiology. Angiotensin II reduced both whole-cell KV currents and currents inhibited by Psora-4, a KV 1.5 channel blocker. Angiotensin II also reduced vasoconstriction stimulated by Psora-4 or 4-aminopyridine, another KV channel inhibitor. These data indicate that Ang II activates protein kinase C, which stimulates KV 1.5 channel degradation, leading to a decrease in surface KV 1.5, a reduction in whole-cell KV 1.5 currents and a loss of functional KV 1.5 channels in myocytes of pressurized arteries.
Online symbolic gradient-based optimization for factored action MDPs

This paper investigates online stochastic planning for problems with large factored state and action spaces. We introduce a novel algorithm that builds a symbolic representation capturing an approximation of the action-value Q-function in terms of action variables, and then performs gradient based search to select an action for the current state. The algorithm can be seen as a symbolic extension of Monte-Carlo search, induced by independence assumptions on state and action variables, and augmented with gradients to speed up the search. This avoids the space explosion typically faced by symbolic methods, and the dearth of samples faced by Monte-Carlo methods when the action space is large. An experimental evaluation on benchmark problems shows that the algorithm is competitive with state of the art across problem sizes and that it provides significant improvements for large factored action spaces.
Interplay Between Visual and Audio Scene Analysis

We have argued the necessity of joint audio-visual scene analysis to deal with the difficult problem of CASA. It is argued that the problem of CASA will benefit from computer audio-visual scene analysis (CAVSA). We also propose a generative probabilistic model on correlogram, the video representation of audio signal, to separate the audio sources.
Anti-Ro52 antibody level is an important marker of fetal congenital heart block risk in anti-Ro/SSA antibody positive pregnancy.

Objective: The aims of this study are to determine the incidence of congenital heart block (CHB) in the Japanese population and identify maternal factors predicting fetal CHB in anti-Ro/SSA antibod...
Assessment of components included in published societal perspective or QALY outcome economic analyses for antiepileptic drug treatment in chronic epilepsy

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Antiepileptic drug (AED) treatments seek to control seizures with minimal or no adverse effects, effects which can substantially impact costs and outcomes for patients, caregivers, and third party payers. The First and Second Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine recommend inclusion of a societal reference case, even in studies conducted from a healthcare sector perspective, for comparability of findings across studies. Cost and outcome evaluation components include direct medical, non-direct medical-related (e.g. patient-time and transportation costs for treatment) and non-healthcare sectors (e.g. lost productivity).Areas covered: Guided by Second Panel recommendations, this review developed an overall impact inventory and detailed adverse effect impact inventory to assess the scope and methods in published economic evaluations of AED treatments for adults with chronic epilepsy. Societal perspective evaluations or evaluations that utilized quality-adjusted life-years (Q...
The first course: C is not Pascal

It has for some time been a source of amusement to see the number of authors of successful Pascal books undergoing sudden "religious conversions" and becoming authors of books on C and C++, often with co-authors: Dale and Weems [1, 2]; Savitch [3, 4]; Koffman [5, 6]; Leestma and Nyhoff [7, 8]. In our opinion, a first course on C should be designed from the start as a first course on C, and not as an adaptation of a first course on Pascal, Ada, Fortran, Basic, or anything else. Where we teach, the various departments differ on the first course for their own students, and so we have three first courses, in Ada, C, and Fortran respectively. When we took over the first course on C, we added a few features of C++, such as comments, reference parameters, complex numbers, new and delete, default parameters, and most especially formatted input-output. Having taught C and C++ extensively for over ten years, and having described our strong criticisms of the usual introductory approach [9], we felt it necessary to redesign the course materials from the ground up. Our purpose here is to describe the resulting 13-week first course in C and C++, week by week.
Development Policy in the New Millennium and the Doha 'Development Round'

The WTO Doha negotiations are often referred to as a "development round." Yet that characterization is controversial, due to weaknesses in the Doha Declaration and limited progress in the early negotiations. This paper offers a comprehensive assessment of the Doha Round from the perspective of development policy. It draws on recent summit-level commitments on development, initiatives by development organizations, and policy analyses by scholars and NGOs. Together, these instruments establish a coherent and highly legitimate set of global norms on development. Trade negotiations like Doha are poorly suited to many aspects of development policy. Yet they can still make major contributions: e.g., by modifying trade rules that impede development, giving priority to issues of concern to developing countries (DCs), allowing DCs to implement market reforms gradually while developing appropriate social policies and institutions, and providing for full DC participation in WTO affairs. Thus, the WTO should not leave development policy to multilateral development banks and other specialized organizations, but rather should strengthen its collaboration with them to more effectively promote development. The paper identifies two schools of thought on reform of the trade regime among development specialists. (1) An "enlightened standard view" emphasizes access to Northern markets for DC exports, especially in sectors like labor-intensive manufactures and agriculture; complementary policy changes within DCs (including market reforms and social policies); aid for trade and reform; and improved WTO participation. (2) A more critical view also calls for rebalancing TRIPs and other agreements, enhancing special and differential treatment (SDT), exempting DCs from inappropriate institutional requirements, and acting on important issues like food security and access to medicines. The Doha Declaration authorized negotiations on some issues in both groups, while giving unprecedented rhetorical prominence to development. However, it failed to act on other issues, or did so only in limited ways, e.g., by requiring new DC concessions as the price of rule modifications. The first 18 months of negotiations have also been troubling: Stalemates on agriculture and other central issues have thrown the timetable of the Round into doubt, and governments appear reluctant to give concrete effect to the rhetoric of the Declaration, deadlocking on SDT, TRIPs and public health, and other development issues, mainly along North-South lines. The paper concludes by outlining strategies of political action that advocates might adopt to restore development concerns to the heart of the Round. These include hard bargaining at the Cancun ministerial meeting and in other settings, invocation of accepted norms and commitments, and public diplomacy.
Capturing the Complexity of Families Using Innovative Methods

Studying families poses unique challenges to researchers including the development and use of innovative methods, such as those outlined in this volume, to capture the complexity of family dynamics. Family research requires methods that capture family interactions and reciprocal influences among family members and between families and their environments. Rapid demographic changes require researchers to find new ways to define the family unit. In this concluding chapter, we review five related themes that emerged across the chapters in this volume: defining families, assessing variation and change in context, overcoming challenges, capturing the big picture, and conducting research with a translational and public health impact. We end by discussing the implications of new methods for the field of family studies. We argue that innovative methods are valuable tools in furthering our understanding of family dynamics, provided that researchers remain thoughtful in implementing methods best suited for answering meaningful theoretical questions.
Using Technology to Increase Opportunities to Respond

Delivering high rates of opportunities to respond (OTR) has been shown to improve student outcomes for students with challenging behavior. High rates of OTR can maximize student engagement while pr...
Rural health, telemedicine and access for pediatric surgery.

Purpose of reviewAccess to care for children requiring pediatric general or specialty surgery or trauma care who live in rural areas remains a challenge in the United States.Recent findingsThe expertise of specialists in tertiary centers can be extended to rural and underserved areas using telemedic
A Constant Envelope Phase Modulator for 2.4 GHz WLAN Radio Polar Transmitters in 0.18 um CMOS

This paper presents a digital phase modulator for a 2.4 GHz WLAN radio polar transmitter. It generates a constant envelope phase modulated signal suitable for a polar transmitter and supports a real-time wideband baseband digital signal. The phase modulator is based on an active vector-sum phase shifter with a 4 bit-DAC to generate binary weighted currents representing the digital input signal for I/Q branches and a 2-bit differential signed adder to vector-sum the quadrature currents and provide the phase at the output. With 6 control bits, 64 phase states with the resolution of 5.625$^{\mathbf{o}}$ is achieved to cover the entire 360$^{\mathbf{o}}$ phase range. To compensate for the output amplitude variations, I/Q currents are compensated for each phase state using a current correction block added to the DAC. The phase modulator is implemented in 0.18 um CMOS technology and measured with maximum baseband signal data rate for WLAN standard. The phase shifter output amplitude with the correction technique is approximately constant over the 64 states with maximum phase error of 1.45$^{\mathbf{o}}$ and a maximum DNL of 0.257.
Mothering Under Community Criminal Justice Supervision in the USA

The majority of women under criminal justice (CJ) supervision in the United States are in the community, not in prisons or jails. Most of them are mothers of minor children. Like incarcerated women, those under community supervision experience multiple health disparities relative to women without justice involvement. These include higher rates of mental illness, substance dependence, and trauma exposure, all of which have intergenerational consequences. They are also disproportionately women of colour living in poverty. A growing scientific literature describes incarcerated mothers and their children, and researchers are developing tailored interventions for this population. And yet, little has been written about community-supervised mothers, their children, the maternal-child relationship or their unique parenting challenges. Community supervision, as an alternative to incarceration, may keep women physically closer to their children, but can also hinder parenting and has not historically included parenting supports. In this chapter, we review the broader literature on community supervision to determine its potential impact on women and their children, with an emphasis on the intersectional issues of race, class, mental and physical health, trauma and substance use. We conclude with research and policy recommendations to inform our approach to this population of families.
Contextualizing the Positive Effects of the Well Elderly 2 Trial: A Response to Schelly and Ohl (2019).

Importance: A recent reanalysis of data from the Well Elderly (WE) 2 study purportedly indicated that the intervention did not achieve clinically meaningful or statistically significant effects; this article addresses these criticisms. Objective: To contextualize the WE 2 study as targeting a nonclinical population and demonstrate that the intervention produced substantively important, statistically significant effects. Design: Secondary analysis of WE 2 intervention-based pre–post change scores. Setting: The original trial occurred primarily in senior centers and senior housing facilities in greater Los Angeles. Participants: Independent-living older adults (N = 324) who were assessed before and after intervention. Intervention: The WE intervention, a version of the Lifestyle Redesign® (LR) approach, was administered by occupational therapists over 6 mo by means of group and individual sessions. Outcomes and Measures: The 36-item Short Form Health Survey, the Life Satisfaction Index–Z, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results: The WE intervention was associated with statistically significant improvement on 10 of 12 outcome variables that were examined. Conclusions and Relevance: Because the WE intervention was hypothesized to reduce age-related decline and followed a population-oriented approach, the expectation that average results would be clinically meaningful was inappropriate. The intervention produced positive effects across a wide array of outcome domains. In settings in which clinical meaningfulness is an appropriate index of intervention outcomes, evidence suggests that LR produces effects that are clinically meaningful. As an evidence-based intervention, LR should be considered useful both in population-oriented contexts and in addressing discrete health conditions. What This Article Adds: Valid analyses demonstrate that the positive experimental effects of the WE 2 study are, in fact, genuine and cost-effective, and LR in clinically oriented contexts has produced statistically significant, clinically meaningful results. Clearly and accurately representing the evidence base of occupational therapy in prevention and chronic care is of critical importance to advance the field as a whole.