cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Model-based Variant Management in Automotive Systems Engineering

The upcoming trends of autonomous driving and electrification in the automotive sector lead to an increasing amount of electronic and software. Highly interconnected and cross-domain functionalities with sophisticated algorithms pose a significant challenge on the automotive systems engineering process, which needs to cope with the added complexity. Managing and handling the variants of different Electric/Electronic (E/E) systems throughout the entire development is one of the key factors to achieve traceability from requirements phase until production. In this paper, we propose an approach for variant management of E/E-systems within a model-based engineering process. The presented hybrid characteristics model combines different variant management concepts such as the feature- oriented domain analysis (FODA) and orthogonal variability modeling. It is divided into three submodels and allows the model-based expression of variants for all perspectives within concept and development of E/E systems, reaching from functional aspects of the system to generic product characteristics. Therefore, it enhances a consistent and formalized description of variants throughout the entire development process and supports the configuration of product variants in an early systems engineering phase. Additionally, configuration of derivatives and reuse of early system and conceptual design decision and models is enhanced. The approach was integrated within an E/E architecture development tool and is evaluated in productive use. A showcase for an exemplary system is demonstrated.
4 – NUMERATION SYSTEMS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses numeration systems. A numeration system is a scheme in which basic symbols are combined, in a systematic way to name numbers. To have a numeration system, at least two symbols are needed. A numeration system uses the additive principle if the number named by a combination of basic symbols is determined by finding the sum of the numbers named by each of the basic symbols in the combination. A numeration system uses the positional principle if the number named by a basic symbol depends on its position in a combination of basic symbols. A numeration system employs the multiplicative principle if some method exists whereby the number named by a basic symbol is multiplied by some number. A numeration system employs the subtractive principle if it contains a method, whereby the number named by a combination of symbols is determined by subtracting the number named by one symbol from that named by another.
Top Tens in 2013: Patent, Trademark, Copyright and Trade Secret Cases

This paper discusses notable intellectual property law caselaw in the United States in 2013. The Supreme Court decided four patent cases, holding that isolated human DNA is not patentable; that lawsuits alleging legal malpractice in patent cases are to be litigated in state, not federal, court; that seeds grown from genetically modified patented seeds cannot be resold; and that reverse-payment settlements between brand name and generic pharmaceutical companies are subject to scrutiny under the anti-trust laws. The one trademark case the Court decided addressed an issue with more impact in the patent area: whether a rights holder can destroy jurisdiction in a declaratory judgment case, by promising not to sue.First sale, or exhaustion, proved to be a pressure point. In all areas, courts looked at how much control a rights holder has on authorized products released to the market. The Supreme Court held that copyright is not infringed, where books printed overseas with the permission of the copyright holder (intended for foreign markets) are imported to the US. Other copyright cases addressed whether first sale authorized resale of digital works, whether a digital clipping service violated copyright, and whether an artist’s adaptation of authorized photo prints qualified for fair use. In patent law, the Court considered the application of exhaustion to works in code. Looking to another form of control of information, an increasing split appears with respect to how the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act protects information in computer systems, especially where the information is protected less by security measures than by contracts, such as employment contracts or web site terms of use.On cross-border issues, the Supreme Court held that, in effect, a copyright holder does not have the right to create separate foreign and domestic markets. In patent law, the Federal Circuit held that International Trade Commission procedures may be not be used to exclude infringing products, where no real domestic production or patent licensing program exists to protect, as opposed to simply putting leverage for settlement of a dispute.
Early Evaluation and the Effect of Socioeconomic Factors on Neurodevelopment in Infants with Tetralogy of Fallot

Neurodevelopmental sequelae are prevalent among patients with congenital heart defects (CHD). In a study of infants and children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), we sought to identify those at risk for abnormal neurodevelopment and to test associations between socioeconomic and medical factors with neurodevelopment deficits. Single-center retrospective observational study of patients with repaired TOF that were evaluated at the institution’s Cardiac Kids Developmental Follow-up Program (CKDP) between 2012 and 2018. Main outcomes included neurodevelopmental test scores from the Bayley Infant Neurodevelopmental Screener (BINS), Peabody Developmental Motor Scale (PDMS), and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III). Mixed effects linear regression and marginal logistic regression models tested relationships between patient characteristics and outcomes. Sub-analyses were conducted to test correlations between initial and later neurodevelopment tests. In total, 49 patients were included, predominantly male (n = 33) and white (n = 28), first evaluated at a median age of 4.5 months. Forty-three percent of patients (n = 16) had deficits in the BINS, the earliest screening test. Several socioeconomic parameters and measures of disease complexity were associated with neurodevelopment, independently of genetic syndrome. Early BINS and PDMS performed in infancy were associated with Bayley-III scores performed after 1 year of age. Early screening identifies TOF patients at risk for abnormal neurodevelopment. Socioeconomic factors and disease complexity are associated with abnormal neurodevelopment and should be taken into account in the risk stratification and follow-up of these patients. Early evaluation with BINS and PDMS is suggested for detection of early deficits.
Memory Technology: Innovations needed for continued technology scaling and enabling advanced computing systems

An increasing demand for data generation, storage, and intelligence generation from data is driving advances in memory technology and advanced computing applications. Memory performance is starting to define modern day computing in both mobile and server environments. There is an absolute need to continue the tremendous pace of memory technology improvements to deliver performance gains while managing the associated economics of scaling. In this paper, we present the current status of primary memory technology (DRAM and NAND) and their scaling path while highlighting the importance of emerging memory options – their shortcomings and advantages. We will also discuss the economics of scaling and need for continued innovation in memory technology and system enablement to deliver to diverse end application requirements.
Gender differences in the associations of multiple psychiatric and chronic conditions with major depressive disorder among patients with opioid use disorder

Purpose The study examined the associations of multiple psychiatric and chronic conditions with the self-reported history of major depressive disorder (MDD) among patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) and tested whether the associations differed by gender. Methods We conducted a secondary data analysis of baseline data from a clinical trial including 1,646 participants with OUD, of which 465 had MDD. A variable cluster analysis was used to classify chronic medical and psychiatric conditions. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate their associations with MDD in subjects with OUD. Results Nine variables were divided into three clusters: cluster 1 included heart condition, hypertension, and liver problems; cluster 2 included gastrointestinal (GI) problems and head injury, and cluster 3 included anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The overall prevalence of MDD in participants with OUD was 28.3% (22.8% for males and 39.5% for females). Gender, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, liver problems, heart condition, GI problems, and head injury were significantly associated with MDD. Gender-stratified analyses showed that bipolar disorder, liver problems and individuals with one chronic condition were associated with MDD only in males, whereas heart condition, hypertension, and GI problems were associated with MDD only in females. In addition, anxiety disorder, head injury, individuals with one or more than two psychiatric conditions, and individuals with more than two chronic conditions were associated with MDD regardless of gender. Conclusions Treatment plans in patients with OUD should not only address MDD but also co-morbid psychiatric and chronic medical conditions that occur with MDD.
Simulations and Experiments on Magnetically Insulated Line Oscillators at the University of Michigan

The magnetically insulated line oscillator (MILO) is a compact source of high power microwaves (HPM) that creates a self-generated magnetic field for crossed field interaction. At the University of Michigan, multiple efforts in simulation and experiment are underway to improve MILO operation in different ways. A new pulsed power test bed BLUE (Bestowed LTD from the Ursa-Minor Experiment) is under development, capable of generating different output voltages. BLUE will be used to drive a GW-class MILO, testing operation at various injected voltages. Simulations of the MILO in CST-Particle Studio have demonstrated accurate predictions of output power and current across a range of input voltages that BLUE is projected to generate. Investigations in simulation and experiment of a planar MILO are also underway. A planar MILO could enable operation at higher efficiencies than possible in the more conventional cylindrical geometry.
Pectin lyase originating from Erwinia chrysanthemi with a low maceration potential

A mechanistic investigation of the maceration of mitsumata (Edgeworthia papyrifera Sieb. et Zucc) bast by pectinolytic enzymes from Erwinia chrysanthemi GIR 2002 was performed. Of the two maceration factors, endo-pectate lyase and endo-pectin lyase (endo-PNTE), endo-PNTE showed only a slight maceration potential in spite of possessing high enzyme activity. The isoelectric point and affinity toward partially esterified pectins of this enzyme were considerably lower than those of endo-PNTE from E. carotovora FERM P-7576. In the presence of Ca2 +, an ion which is supposed to screen the negative charges on pectic substances, PNTE of strain GIR 2002 improved as to this affinity and the maceration potential, the same levels as those in the case of the enzyme from FERM P-7576 almost being attained. It was strongly suggested that the low maceration activity of the enzymes from GIR 2002 was due to the malfunctioning of endo-PNTE due to ionic repulsion between the negative charges on the enzyme molecule and those o...
Carbides of Group VI: Chromium, Molybdenum, and Tungsten Carbides

This chapter provides a review of the characteristics and properties of the interstitial carbides formed by the metals of Group VI: chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten. These three carbide systems have similar atomic bonding, composition, and crystallography. Their properties and characteristics are also similar. The carbides of Group VI are important industrial materials, particularly tungsten carbide and chromium carbide. The density of these carbides increases considerably with the increasing atomic number of the metal. The carbides of Group VI have melting points that are lower than those of their respective host metals but are relatively close to those of the borides. Like the other interstitial carbides, the carbides of Group VI are good thermal conductors, thus, reflecting their metallic character. This is especially true of tungsten carbide (WC) that has the highest thermal conductivity of any of the transition-metal carbides and can be considered as an excellent thermal conductor. The Group VI carbides are chemically stable and have a chemical resistance similar to that of the Group IV carbides.
REDUCTION OF O-LINKED N-ACETYLGLUCOSAMINE-MODIFIED ASSEMBLY PROTEIN-3 IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Abnormal protein processing and modification is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. The role of phosphorylation in AD has been studied extensively because the presumed abnormal phosphorylation of tau protein is believed to play a role in the formation of paired helical filaments. Glycosylation with O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) to serine and threonine residues is a dynamic protein modification of intracellular proteins, and it shares similar features with protein phosphorylation. In this study, O-GlcNAc glycosylation of proteins from autopsied human brains with confirmed AD and non-AD age-matched controls was examined. O-GlcNAcylation was demonstrated by labeling protein extracts with [3H]galactose in the presence of galactosyltransferase and subsequent analyses of saccharide-protein linkage and saccharide structure. The number of O-GlcNAc-containing proteins and the overall O-GlcNAc level do not appear to be different between AD and control brain tissues. The only significant change observed is a marked reduction of O-GlcNAcylated clathrin assembly protein-3 (AP-3) in AD. The reduction is more evident in brain neocortical regions, and there appears to be a negative correlation between O-glycosylated AP-3 and the density of neurofibrillary tangles. These data suggest a possible association between the O-glycosylated AP-3 and AD pathology.
A wide range analog MMIC attenuator with integral 180/spl deg/ phase shifter

A circuit topology is discussed for achieving a wide-range analog attenuator in MMIC form using enhancement mode FET's by combining it with a 90/spl deg/ phase shift network. By switching the phase shift network between a 90/spl deg/ phase lead high-pass structure and a 90/spl deg/ phase lag low-pass structure, a dual-purpose circuit is formed comprising both a variable attenuation and 180/spl deg/ phase shift function. The approach requires only a single control voltage for the attenuator and achieves an attenuation range of over 30 dB in L-band with less than 10/spl deg/ of phase imbalance over the range. In the low-loss state, the phase shifter achieves a 10/spl deg/ phase balance over a 250 MHz bandwidth with less than 0.3 dB of amplitude imbalance. >
A Technique for Compiling Execution Graph Expressions for Restricted and Parallelism in Logic Programs

An efficient model of and-parallel execution of logic programs has been described; this model is called the Restricted And-Parallelism model. It uses a compile-time data-dependence analysis to generate single execution graph expressions for the clauses in a Prolog program. These execution graph expressions use simple run-time tests to determine the possibilities of parallelism. An algorithm has been presented which automatically produces these execution graphs. The algorithm can be significantly improved by using the results of program-level data-dependence analysis; these improvements are currently the focus of additional research in this area.
Cigarette smoking and semen quality

Objective To determine whether cotinine levels provide stronger evidence for an association between smoking and semen quality than the number of cigarettes smoked per day or years smoked controlling for potential confounders and effect modifiers. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Male volunteers at the Reproductive Endocrinology-Fertility Laboratory. Participants Eighty-eight men (ages 18 to 35 years) provided a semen, urine, and blood specimen and completed a self-administered questionnaire concerning smoking and demographic information as well as caffeine and alcohol consumption. Urine, blood, and semen cotinine levels were analyzed via RIA. Main Outcome Measure Standard clinical semen analysis. Results Number of cigarettes smoked per day, years smoked, and log-transformed cotinine levels were associated negatively with semen quality (density, total count, and motility). The association was evident among men age ≥22 years. For example, the correlation coefficient for the overall association between logged urine cotinine and logged sperm density was -0.23; those stratified by age were 0.13 (age Conclusions Smoking is associated with lowered semen quality.
Cloning, sequencing, and genetic characterization of regulatory genes, rinA and rinB, required for the activation of staphylococcal phage phi 11 int expression.

The int gene of staphylococcal bacteriophage phi 11 is the only viral gene responsible for the integrative recombination of phi 11. To study the regulation of int gene expression, we determined the 59 end of the transcript by S1 mapping. The presumed promoter is located just 22 nucleotides upstream of the int open reading frame in a region which is conserved between phi 11 and a closely related staphylococcal phage, L54a. To clone the possible regulatory gene, a vector which contained the reporter gene, xylE, of Pseudomonas putida under the control of the phi 11 int promoter was constructed. Subsequently, a 2-kb DNA fragment from the phi 11 genome, which mapped distal to the int gene, was shown to increase the XylE activity from the int promoter. Sequencing and subsequent deletion analysis of the 2-kb fragment revealed that two phi 11 regulatory genes, rinA and rinB, were both required to activate expression of the int gene. Northern (RNA) analysis suggested that the activation was, at least partly, at the transcriptional level. In addition, one of these regulatory genes, rinA, was capable of activating L54a int gene transcription. Images
The Gender Gap in NIH Grant Applications

Many qualified women scientists stop applying for NIH grants in the late postdoctoral and early faculty years.
An Empirical Analysis of Non-Competition Clauses and Other Restrictive Post-Employment Covenants

Employment contracts for most employees are not publicly available, leaving researchers to speculate on whether they contain post-employment restrictions on employee mobility, and if so, what those provisions look like. Using a large sample of publicly available CEO employment contracts, we are able to examine these noncompetition covenants, including post-employment covenants not to compete (“CNCs” or “noncompetes”), non-solicitation agreements (“NSAs”), and non-disclosure agreements (“NDAs”). What we find confirms some long-held assumptions about restrictive covenants, but also uncovers some surprises. We begin by discussing why employers use restrictive covenants and examining how the courts have treated them. We then analyze an extensive sample of CEO employment contracts drawn from a large random sample of 500 S&P 1500 companies. We find that 80% of these employment contracts contain CNCs, often with a broad geographic scope, and that these generally last only one to two years. Similarly, we find that NSAs routinely appear in these contracts, barring solicitation of the firm’s employees and customers or clients. We demonstrate that NDAs are prevalent and prohibit the CEOs from disclosing unspecified “confidential information.” In addition, we note that there is a strong “California effect,” whereby firms from that state are less likely to put CNCs in employment contracts. Our research also uncovers several previously undocumented trends. First, we see a robust trend in these contracts of more and more restrictive covenants appearing over time and with greatly expanded enforcement rights for the firm. Second, we find clear path dependence for these clauses, with a prior CNC being a convincing predictor of their use in future employment contracts. Third, longer-term contracts are more likely to have CNC clauses than short-term contracts, most probably because the firm has more confidence in making investments in CEOs that are committed to staying for longer periods. We argue that this shows that for some firms the risk of harm from a departing executive may simply be more acute than with other firms.
The effect of selective contracting on hospital costs and revenues.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of selective contracting on California hospital costs and revenues over the 1983-1997 period. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: Annual disclosure data and discharge data sets for 421 California general acute care hospitals from 1980 to 1997. ANALYSIS: Using measures of competition developed from patient-level discharge data, and financial and utilization measures from the disclosure data, we estimated a fixed effect multivariate regression model of hospital costs and revenues. FINDINGS: We found that hospitals in more competitive areas had a substantially lower rate of increase in both costs and revenues over this extended period of time. For-profit hospitals lowered their costs and revenues after selective contracting was initiated relative to the cost and revenue levels of not-for-profit hospitals. The Medicare PPS has also led high-cost hospitals to lower their costs. CONCLUSIONS: The more competitive the hospital's market, the greater degree to which it has had to lower the rate of increase in costs. A similar pattern exists with regard to hospital revenues. Both of these trends appear to result from the growth of selective contracting. It remains unclear to what extent these cost reductions were the result of increased efficiency or of reduced quality. Since hospital cost growth is sensitive to the competitiveness of its market, antitrust enforcement is a critical element in any cost containment policy.
Reagent Strips and Conventional Tests for Acid Production from Mannitol and Coagulase Activity of Staphylococcus: a Comparative Study

A total of 244 Staphylococcus strains were tested simultaneously for acid production from mannitol and for coagulase activity with reagent-impregnated paper strips and with their conventional counterparts. Significant correlation was obtained with 97.9% of the strains for mannitol and with 95% for the coagulase test. The paper strip method is a combined test for both mannitol and coagulase tests, thus making it more convenient and simpler than conventional methods. The results are obtained rapidly within 6 hr by the paper strip method. However, as the paper strip method is designed for the aerobic system, the conventional tests were also carried out under aerobic conditions to compare the results.
Interaction between the autokinase EpsE and EpsL in the cytoplasmic membrane is required for extracellular secretion in Vibrio cholerae

Vibrio cholerae secretes a number of proteins important for virulence, including cholera toxin. This process requires the products of the eps genes which have homologues in genera such as Aeromonas, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas and are thought to form a membrane-associated multiprotein complex. Here we show that the putative nucleotide-binding protein EpsE is associated with and stabilized by the cytoplasmic membrane via interaction with EpsL. Analysis of fusion proteins between EpsE and the homologous ExeE from Aeromonas hydrophila demonstrates that the N-terminus of EpsE contains the EpsL binding domain and determines species specificity. An intact Walker A box, commonly found in ATP-binding proteins, is required for activity of EpsE in vivo and for autophosphorylation of purified EpsE in vitro. These results indicate that both the kinase activity of EpsE as well as its ability to interact with the putative cytoplasmic membrane protein EpsL are required for translocation of toxin across the outer membrane in Vibrio cholerae.
Dynamic range enhancement for cochlear implants.

Hypothesis: The addition of a continuous, unmodulated, high-rate pulse train to sinusoidal stimuli presented by the cochlear implant to implant recipients will result in increases in the psychophysical dynamic range. Background: The hearing dynamic range of cochlear implant patients is markedly reduced compared with that of normal-hearing individuals. This has negative implications for both speech perception and sound quality in these patients. It has been suggested that the addition of an unmodulated high-rate pulse train to deafened auditory nerves could create spontaneous-like neural activity, similar to that recorded from normal ears, of which one significant benefit would be an increase in the dynamic range of cochlear implant users. Methods: Twenty-nine patients who underwent implantation with the Clarion CII device participated in this single-blinded prospective study. The psychophysical dynamic range of 28 of these subjects was measured with sinusoidal stimuli in response to various levels of an additional unmodulated high-rate pulse train. Results: All the tested subjects (n = 28) demonstrated an increase in dynamic range in response to an appropriate level of unmodulated high-rate pulse train. The largest increase in dynamic range for each subject had a mean value of 6.7 dB. Conclusion: The addition of an unmodulated high-rate pulse train to the electric signal presented to cochlear implant patients results in significant increases in dynamic range for sinusoidal stimuli.
Paradise Threatened: Land Use and Erosion on St. John, US Virgin Islands

/yr, respectively. Geomorphic evidence indicates that plantation agriculture during the 18th and 19th centuries did not cause severe erosion. Since about 1950 there has been rapid growth in roads and development due to increasing tourism and second-home development. Our field investigations identified the approximately 50 km of unpaved roads as the primary source of anthropogenic sediment. Field measurements of the road network in two catchments led to the development of a vector-based GIS model to predict road surface erosion and sediment delivery. We estimate that road erosion has caused at least a fourfold increase in island-wide sediment yields and that current sedimentation rates are unprecedented. Paving the dirt roads and implementing standard sediment control practices can greatly reduce current sediment yields and possible adverse effects on the marine ecosystems surrounding St. John.
The L Series Spectra of the Elements from Calcium to Zinc

Using the first inside order of a plane grating (600 lines per millimeter) $L$ lines of the elements Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cr, V, Ti and Ca have been measured. Separation of the ${L}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ and ${L}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ lines as well as the ${L}_{l}$ and ${L}_{\ensuremath{\eta}}$ is attained by adjusting the grating so that the angle between the inside order and the plane of the grating is small. Under this condition the angular dispersion is given by $(\frac{d\ensuremath{\alpha}}{d\ensuremath{\lambda}})=(\frac{1}{D\ensuremath{\beta}})$, where $D$ is the grating space and $\ensuremath{\beta}$ the small angle between the plane of the grating and the first inside order. The results obtained are somewhat higher than those obtained by crystal measurements but are entirely consistent with the work of other experimenters. The failure of the ${L}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ and the ${L}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ lines to appear in the case of calcium is in accord with Foote's extension of Stoner's arrangement of the electrons. All measurements are absolute.
TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR α mRNA IN FETAL LUNG DIFFERS IN OLIGOHYDRAMNIOS COMPARED TO EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR. • 296

TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR α mRNA IN FETAL LUNG DIFFERS IN OLIGOHYDRAMNIOS COMPARED TO EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR. • 296
Network Theory and the Formation of Groups Without Evolutionary Forces

This paper presents a modified random network model to illustrate how groups can form in the absence of evolutionary forces, assuming groups are collections of entities at any level of organization. This model is inspired by the Zero Force Evolutionary Law, which states that there is always a tendency for diversity and complexity to increase in any evolutionary system containing variation and heredity. That is, in the absence of evolutionary forces, the expectation is a continual increase in diversity and complexity at any level of biological hierarchy. I show that, when modeled, this expectation of increasing variation results not only in the formation of groups, but also in a higher probability of group formation than is found in a model that is purely random.
Effect of low-dose radiation therapy when combined with surgical resection for Ewing sarcoma.

Background As an alternative to high-dose irradiation, limited surgery and low-dose irradiation have been investigated as a means to achieve local control. We retrospectively examined the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome for 25 patients with Ewing sarcoma treated with limited surgery and low-dose irradiation. Procedure The records of 25 patients (age 4–48 years) were reviewed who were treated between 1979 and 1996 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. At the time of diagnosis, 21 of the 25 patients had prognostically unfavorable tumors including the presence of metastatic disease (n = 12), an axial primary (n = 17), and a tumor measuring greater than 8 cm (n = 18). The primary tumor was completely resected (wide local excision) in 13 patients, incompletely resected (marginal excision) in 7 patients, and biopsied only in the remaining 5 patients. The median dose of irradiation to the primary site was 30 Gy. Results With a median follow-up of 67 months (range 16–189 months) for the surviving patients, 28% failed distantly, and an additional 28% suffered from the progression of previously established metastatic disease. No patient failed locally. The median overall survival was 43 months. The actuarial overall survival at 5 years was 39% (±11%) for all patients and 60% (±14%) for patients with localized disease. Conclusions Limited surgery and postoperative irradiation are one strategy that promises to balance the goal of achieving local control with the goal of diminishing late effects. Apart from the scenario in which radiation therapy is absolutely unnecessary, low-dose irradiation may be appropriate after considering the risk for local recurrence and overall prognosis. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 33:65–70, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Statistical Analysis of Heart Rate: A Review Emphasizing Infancy Data

Heart rate is a dependent variable used widely in psychological and psychophysiological research. Several statistical problems arise in the analysis of heart rate data, many of them specific to infancy research. The present paper discusses the problems of a statistically appropriate cardiac measure, the Law of Initial Values, the problem of differential variability in heart rate scores, and the use of multivariate statistical methods in analyzing heart rate data. Special attention is given to those problems and solutions which have potential application to the analysis of infant heart rate data. A flowchart is presented which may guide the researcher in the appropriate use of the several statistical techniques reviewed in this paper.
Passage of Uranium Fission Fragments Through Matter

The ranges and rates of energy loss of the fission fragments of uranium are calculated on the basis of a model in which the charge of the fragment is obtained from its energy and its successive ionization potentials. The energy loss cross section for protons of the same velocity is then used to calculate the ranges of the two groups of fragments. For (${Z}_{1}=42$, ${A}_{1}=100$) and (${Z}_{2}=50$, ${A}_{2}=136$) these are found to be 2.42 cm and 2.08 cm, respectively, for a total assumed kinetic energy of 188 Mev and a final kinetic energy of the lighter fragment of 5 Mev (corresponding to ionization-chamber background). These are in fair agreement with the observed ranges of 2.2 cm and 1.5 cm. The experimental and theoretical range-energy relations are also in fair agreement. The validity of the model is discussed in detail, and it appears that it should be fairly good for fragments above 5 Mev. The initial charges of the fission fragments are found to be 17 and 13, respectively, and these are given as a function of the fragment energy in Table I. The density of ionization is found to decrease along the track, in marked contrast to the behavior for protons and alpha-particles.
Treating primary headaches in the ED: can droperidol regain its role?

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to describe the use and efficacy of low-dose (≤2 mg) droperidol for the treatment of primary headaches (ie, migraine, cluster, tension-type headache and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, and other primary headaches) in the emergency department (ED). Methods A report was generated from a pharmacy database to identify all adult patients who received low-dose droperidol in the ED over a 7-month period; a subsequent retrospective chart review was conducted. Low-dose droperidol was defined as a cumulative dose of ≤2 mg. Patients who received droperidol for any other reason than the treatment of a headache were excluded. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results Seventy-three cases in which droperidol was administered for the treatment of a headache were identified over the 7-month period. Most doses (92%) administered were 1.25 mg or less. Fifty-three patients (73%) had complete resolution or significant improvement of headache symptoms as subjectively or objectively (eg, numerical pain scale) documented by the treating physician. Eight patients (11%) had minimal improvement in their headaches symptoms; 12 patients (16%) received no relief after the administration of droperidol. The average time to discharge from the ED was 94.8 ± 67.2 minutes. No cardiac arrhythmias were noted. Other adverse events included 2 cases of extrapyramidal side effects; one patient reported restlessness/anxiousness and the other patient had dystonia. Conclusion The administration of low-dose (≤2 mg) droperidol may be safe and effective for the treatment of primary headaches in the ED.
Robust multi-drug therapy design and application to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes

SUMMARY Single-drug therapies often fail in the treatment of complex diseases, such as diabetes, because they act on a specific target, and are often by-passed by the redundant mechanisms that confer robustness to biological systems, both in health and in disease. On the other hand, multi-drug therapies (MDTs) show greater efficacy, but efficient methodologies for their design are needed to handle the high number of combinatorial possibilities. In this paper, we describe a methodology for MDT design based on the structured singular value, a tool from the robust control theory. The procedure can be applied to a mathematical model of the biological system under consideration, and it includes medical performance robustness as a design requirement. This aspect is of primary importance because robustness has been recognized as an intrinsic property of biological systems that maintain performance despite a variety of environmental conditions and the subject-to-subject variability of response. Furthermore, the development of a mathematical model always includes a certain level of uncertainty, due to the inevitable assumptions involved in its development, and the often scarce availability of experimental data. The methodology is here applied to the insulin resistance condition, a primary impairment in the development of type 2 diabetes. Results from simulations confirm that the performance and robustness objectives are achieved under different input dynamics, and suggest potentially powerful therapeutic vector targets. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Limit cycles with stability of the first level

Abstract Dynamic systems with a limit cycle are considered. The nature of the stability of the system in the neighborhood of a limit cycle is the subject of the investigation. Comparison of the analysis effected in state space and in velocity space yields the desired result.
SU-FF-J-80: Clinical Procedures for Daily Patient Setup Verification Using On-Board Imager (OBI)

Purpose: The newly installed OBI system consists of a kilo-voltage (KV) X-ray source and a flat- panel detector mounted orthogonally to the megavoltage portal imager (MV) in Varian 21EX machine. These devices are linked to the OBI workstation which provides a platform for acquisition/analysis of images and auto couch motion for repositioning the patient. This paper presents our clinical procedures for patient setup verification using OBI. Method and Materials: In phase I, two sets of orthogonal MV/MV and KV/KV images were acquired to confirm the accuracy of the KV system by comparing daily KV images to traditional MV images and corresponding Digital Reconstructed Radiographs (DRRs). The phase II study acquired only one set of orthogonal MV/KV portal images for daily patient setup verification. An anterior MV and lateral KV images were obtained without gantry rotation. The OBI workstation provided the tools to match the images with DRRs and to analyze the shifts to be made for patient setup correction based on either implanted and/or anatomical markers. The treatment couch was moved automatically based on this analysis. Post-shift MV/KV images were acquired to reconfirm patient positioning. All images and positioning data were electronically saved and reviewed. Results: Four prostate IMRT patients were included in phase I study. The isocenter alignment of the two sets of images (MV/MV and KV/KV) was found within 2mm relative to DRRs during the entire treatment courses. The phase II study included 30 prostate IMRT patients. The review of post-shift MV/KV images showed an average of 2 mm deviation relative to DRRs. All procedures could be completed within 3–5 minutes. Conclusion: Phase I study proves that KV images are as reliable as MV portal images with better image quality. Phase II study verifies that matching/analysis tools and auto-couch motion provide fast and accurate patient positioning.
Pollution performance of firms from pulp and paper industries

The water pollution emissions by 13 of the largest pulp and paper companies, developed on the basis of monthly reports filed with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by these companies, indicate a wide disparity in the amount of pollution discharged by them into the nation's waterways. Furthermore, the net discharge of pollution in waterways by all firms is positive, which indicates that all the firms in the study pollute the nation's waterways to some degree. Information presented in this study will be useful for public issues, such as evaluating the effectiveness of the Clean Water Act, government's water pollution policy and abatement strategy, and management's effectiveness in abating water pollution.
Encomienda, hacienda y orden rural en el norte argentino: Jujuy 1850-1900

This paper is aimed at studying the relationship between large rural estates (haciendas) and encomiendas in northern Argentina (Jujuy) and the establishment of order in the countryside by te State in the second half of the nineteenth century. Even though encomiendas had been abolished in Argentina by Republican legislation at the beginning of that century, an interesting and anachronistic debate developped in Jujuy on the continuity of encomienda and the rights it bestowed upon land ownership. This debate was resolved by the Federal Justice which gave to the provincial State the chance of exerting its control on vast rural areas as well as benefitting from the eventual sale of fiscal lands. The State’s policies favoured the reconstitution of haciendas and, with few exceptions, hindered the peasants’ access to land ownership.
Deficiency of LRP8 in mice is associated with altered platelet function and prolonged time for in vivo thrombosis

Introduction Our group has previously reported genetic studies associating polymorphisms in the low density lipoprotein receptor related protein 8 (LRP8) gene with myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to define the role of platelet surface LRP8 in thrombosis.
Plaque Neovascularization Is Increased in Ruptured Atherosclerotic Lesions of Human Aorta: Implications for Plaque Vulnerability

Background— Growth of atherosclerotic plaques is accompanied by neovascularization from vasa vasorum microvessels extending through the tunica media into the base of the plaque and by lumen-derived microvessels through the fibrous cap. Microvessels are associated with plaque hemorrhage and may play a role in plaque rupture. Accordingly, we tested this hypothesis by investigating whether microvessels in the tunica media, the base of the plaque, and the fibrous cap are increased in ruptured atherosclerotic plaques in human aorta. Methods and Results— Microvessels, defined as CD34-positive tubuloluminal capillaries recognized in cross-sectional and longitudinal profiles, were quantified in 269 advanced human plaques by bicolor immunohistochemistry. Macrophages/T lymphocytes and smooth muscle cells were defined as CD68/CD3-positive and α-actin–positive cells. Total microvessel density was increased in ruptured plaques when compared with nonruptured plaques (P=0.0001). Furthermore, microvessel density was incr...
Influence of age and long-term dietary restriction on plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IGF-1 gene expression, and IGF-1 binding proteins

The purpose of these studies was to determine more accurately the relationship between IGF-1 and life span, and to determine whether moderate dietary caloric restriction alters the age-related changes in IGF-1. Studies included an assessment of plasma IGF-1, hepatic IGF-1 mRNA, and plasma IGF-1 binding proteins (IGF-1-BP). Rats (6, 12, 22, and 28 months of age) were fed ad libitum or maintained on a diet 60% of ad libitum. In ad libitum fed animals, plasma IGF-1 decreased by 20% between 6 and 28 months of age. Similar age-related declines were observed in dietary restricted animals but levels were generally 14-25% lower at each age group. IGF-1 mRNA levels demonstrated similar decreases with age in ad libitum fed animals, but in dietary restricted animals, levels plateaued at 22 and 28 months. IGF-1 binding protein analysis revealed 3 bands at approximate molecular weights of 40k, 30k, and 24k. All bands demonstrated a decrease in relative IGF-1-BP concentration with age, as well as a decrease in the 40k and 30k binding proteins after dietary restriction. These results indicate that (a) aging in ad libitum fed animals is associated with decreases in plasma IGF-1, IGF-1-BP, and IGF-1 mRNA levels; and (b) long-term dietary restriction decreases plasma IGF-1 and IGF-1-BP levels in each age group although the age-associated decreases in IGF-1 mRNA levels are prevented by dietary restriction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Geriatric Home Assessment After Hospital Discharge

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility of an intervention involving post-discharge geriatric home assessment and follow-up and to describe the spectrum of significant clinical problems identified during the home assessment. DESIGN: Prospective observational study nested within a randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Inpatient service of a large academic medical center in Southern California. PATIENTS: There were 152 adults aged 65 or greater who had one or more specific risk factors for functional decline or increased mortality, who were awaiting discharge from the hospital, and who were assigned to the intervention arm of a randomized controlled trial of post-discharge comprehensive geriatric home assessment. MAIN RESULTS: During the home assessment, the gerontologic nurse practitioner (GNP) identified new or worsening problems in 150 patients (99%); 61 problems (eg, serum sodium 125 mg/dL; severe orthostatic hypotension) were considered by a reviewing physician to require urgent medical attention. Older age, non-white race, and new incontinence were associated independently with a greater number of findings (P < 0.05). Based on the findings, an interdisciplinary team made an average of 3.4 recommendations per patient; only two of 111 requests for written approval of recommendations were rejected. CONCLUSIONS: Post-discharge visitation by a GNP to patients at high risk is capable of detecting a high yield of important and potentially reversible clinical problems. This multidisciplinary approach is acceptable to physicians. Research is needed to identify additional links between short hospital stays, impairment or instability at discharge, and adverse outcomes.
Sound source localization for video surveillance camera

While video analytics used in surveillance applications performs well in normal conditions, it may not work as accurately under adverse circumstances. Taking advantage of the complementary aspects of video and audio can lead to a more effective analytics framework resulting in increased system robustness. For example, sound scene analysis may indicate potential security risks outside field-of-view, pointing the camera in that direction. This paper presents a robust low-complexity method for two-microphone estimation of sound direction. While the source localization problem has been studied extensively, a reliable low-complexity solution remains elusive. The proposed direction estimation is based on the Generalized Cross-Correlation with Phase Transform (GCC-PHAT) method. The novel aspects of our approach include band-selective processing and inter-frame filtering of the GCC-PHAT objective function prior to peak detection. The audio bandwidth, microphone spacing, angle resolution, processing delay and complexity can all be adjusted depending on the application requirements. The described algorithm can be used in a multi-microphone configuration for spatial sound localization by combining estimates from microphone pairs. It has been implemented as a real-time demo on a modified TI DM8127 IP camera. The default 16 kHz audio sampling frequency requires about 5 MIPS processing power in our fixed-point implementation. The test results show robust sound direction estimation under a variety of background noise conditions.
An Early Manifestation of Differential Behavior toward Children of the Same and Opposite Sex

Summary Three- to five-year-old children (N = 134) approached each other in two experiments investigating age, sex, and dyadic sex composition differences in a social manifestation of the awareness of the sex of self and of others. Children of both sexes and at all ages both stopped and oriented their bodies farther away from opposite-sex peers than from same-sex peers, regardless of age-status or familiarity. A nonverbal technique, which is readily reproducible and experimentally manipulatable, is presented which measures an aspect of early awareness of one's own sex and that of others in an obviously meaningful interpersonal context.