cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Basic concepts for nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

The basic concepts necessary to understand the physical basis of NMR imaging are presented in this didactic article. It is intended as a starting point for the radiologist or medical physicist who is addressing the topic of NMR for the first time. The basic of the NMR phenomena is described with introduction of the concepts of magnetic moment, magnetic fields, magnetic resonance, net magnetic moment of a sample, NMR excitation and NMR emission. The equipment necessary to observe these NMR properties of matter is summarized as well as the procedures for basic pulsed NMR experiments. The physical concepts for spatial localization of NMR emissions are introduced with physical analogies to stringed musical instruments. Several alternative imaging modalities are compared with greatest emphasis on the inversion recovery technique which yields images weighted by tissue T values. The six subsystems of an NMR imaging device (primary magnet, computer, radio equipment, magnetic gradient, data storage and display subsystems) are described in an overview fashion. The paper is followed by a series of study questions to test the reader's comprehension of basic NMR imaging concepts.
Wave Propagation in Multi-Layered Elastic Beam

In this paper, a spectral finite element model (SFEM) is developed for an n-layered elastic beam and subsequently used to investigate its dynamic response and wave propagation characteristics. Each layer of the beam is idealized by a Timoshenko beam, in which shear deformation as well as rotational inertia are included. This higher order theory is critical to capture high frequency response of the multi-layered beam structures. Semi-analytical solutions were determined for the governing equations in order to construct the SFEM. Our frequency predictions were validated by the results of two and three-layer beams in the literature and good correlations were achieved. Fewer elements were used in our SFEM compared to conventional finite element based approaches, which substantially benefits the ultrasonic frequency simulations. Wave propagation responses were calculated for a two-layer beam, in which a notch in the top layer was assumed to represent the damage case. Wave reflection from the notch was observed to indicate the existence of damage. This newly developed SFEM can be served as a platform to conduct comprehensive simulations in order to capture wave propagation characteristics in multi-layered beam structures.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
New insights into the prehydration of cement and its mitigation

Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) prehydrates during storage or handling in moist environments, forming hydration products on or near its particles' surfaces. Prehydration is known to reduce OPC reactivity, but the extent of prehydration has not yet been quantitatively linked to reaction rate and mechanical property changes. A series of experiments are performed to develop a better understanding of prehydration, by intentionally exposing an OPC powder to either water vapor or liquid water, to investigate the extent to which premature contact of OPC with water and other potential reactants in the liquid and/or vapor state(s) can induce differing surface modifications on the OPC grains. Original results obtained using isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and strength measurements are correlated to a prehydration index, which is defined for the first time. The addition of fine limestone to a mixture formed using prehydrated cement is shown to mitigate the detrimental effects of prehydration.
A Hedonic Analysis of Fresh Tomato Prices among Regional Markets

This study uses the 2004 ACNielsen Homescan panel data to estimate the price premiums and discounts associated with fresh tomatoes among regional markets, focusing on the organic attribute. The results suggest that consumers paid $0.25/lb more for organic fresh tomatoes in the New York-Philadelphia market. The organic premiums are estimated to be $0.14/lb in the Chicago-Baltimore/Washington and Los Angeles-San Francisco markets and $0.29/lb in the Atlanta-San Antonio market. Furthermore, tomato prices consumers paid in 2004 varied by household characteristics, including income, age, and the race and ethnicity of the head of the household.
Influence of substrate and relative humidity on the efficacy of three entomopathogenic fungi for the hide beetle, Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera, Dermestidae)

Abstract Dermestes maculatus De Geer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) is a carrion feeder that is also a pest of poultry houses, museums, silkworm culture, and many stored foods. The Hypocreales, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff), and Isaria fumosorosea Wize, were tested for efficacy against D. maculatus larvae on concrete, plastic, leather, and wood surfaces. Only wood had a significant negative effect on efficacy, and B. bassiana was the most efficacious species. The conidia of all three species lost viability quickly on wood with various responses on the other surfaces. When beetle larvae were exposed to deposited B. bassiana and incubated at 43, 56, 75, or 82% relative humidity, mortality was greatest at the lowest humidity suggesting enhancement of fungal infection by desiccation stress. The results indicate that entomopathogenic Hypocreales, especially B. bassiana, may be useful for control of hide beetles when applied at a low dose to surfaces that do not impact...
Passband disturbance reduction in periodic active noise control systems

For narrowband active noise control (ANC), the filtered-X least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm with a sinusoidal reference signal forms an adaptive notch filter. Unfortunately, the effect of the secondary path on the uncorrelated noise is to introduce an undesired passband disturbance. To reduce this disturbance problem, this paper analyzes the passband amplification condition and develops an algorithm that consists of two interconnected adaptive filters using the same internally generated reference signal. The first adaptive filter eliminates the uncorrelated noise components in the residual error, and its output is used to update the second adaptive filter for noise control. Computer simulations were conducted to verify the analysis results and to demonstrate the disturbance reduction for periodic ANC while using a relatively large step size to improve the convergence rate.
Kinetics of {001} Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–35 mol% PbTiO3 Single Crystals Grown by Seeded Polycrystal Conversion

The kinetics of {001}-oriented Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–35 mol% PbTiO3 (PMN–35PT) single crystals grown by seeded polycrystal conversion were systematically quantified as a function of excess PbO liquid phase. The coarsening behavior of the corresponding matrix grains was similarly quantified. Single-crystal seed plates were embedded in a matrix of PMN-35PT with varying amounts of liquid phase (PbO) content in the range of 0 to 5 vol% and annealed at 1150°C for 0–10 h. Apparent maxima in the growth rates were observed at a PbO content of ∼3 vol% for both the single crystal and matrix grains. In both cases, the growth data were found to most closely follow cubic growth kinetics. Implications regarding the effect of PbO volume fraction on the matrix and single-crystal growth mechanisms are discussed.
Non-coherence in estimation and control

Control strategies for systems with information bottlenecks often follow an estimate-then-control paradigm. This paper presents a “non-coherent” system where this strategy cannot work and provides an alternative. The paper considers the estimation and control of a discrete-time linear system with continuous random observation gain, i.e. through a non-coherent channel. It is shown that such an unstable system is not mean-squared observable regardless of the density of the random observation gain: the mean-squared estimation error for any estimator must go to infinity. This is surprising in the context of threshold results for rate-limited estimation. In contrast to other results with rate-limited feedback, the paper shows that the system can be closed-loop mean-square stabilized in a certain parameter regime even though its open-loop counterpart is not mean-square observable. Finally, carry-free models (generalized deterministic models) provide an intuitive interpretation for the results.
Leisure time physical activity and early atherosclerosis: the Los Angeles Atherosclerosis Study

Abstract Purpose Some studies of leisure time physical activity find a cardiovascular benefit for moderate activity, whereas others find benefit only for regular vigorous activity. We examined the relation between physical activity and 3-year progression of carotid atherosclerosis. Methods Baseline examinations were conducted during 1995 to 1996 with two follow-up examinations at 1.5-year intervals. Intima-media thickness of the common carotid arteries was determined by B-mode ultrasound in a cohort of 500 randomly sampled women and men, aged 40 to 60 years, who were asymptomatic for cardiovascular disease. Sedentary leisure activity was defined as the lowest quartile of a general activity measure, whereas vigorous activity was defined as aerobic activity ≥3.5 times per week. The remainder defined the moderate activity group. Analyses were adjusted for confounding variables. Results The mean (± SE) age- and sex-adjusted rates of progression of intima-media thickness declined from 14.3 ± 1.7 microns per year in sedentary subjects, to 10.2 ± 1.0 microns per year in moderately active subjects, to 5.5 ± 1.5 microns per year in vigorously active subjects ( P for trend P for trend=0.0004). Compared with the moderate activity group, the vigorous activity group had lower body mass index and resting heart rate and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, whereas the sedentary group had an increased resting heart rate. Workplace activity was not protective. Conclusion Physical activity during leisure is inversely related to the progression of atherosclerosis in the carotid artery. This benefit appears to increase throughout the activity continuum.
The effects of thyroxine and certain metal ions upon oxidation and phosphorylation in vitro.

THE exact mechanism of action of the thyroid hormone on cellular metabolism has not been established. The addition of thyroxine or triiodothyronine to media containing portions of intact tissues does not accelerate the oxygen uptake of those tissues (1, 2). Under certain experimental conditions in vitro, however, thyroxine does influence respiration of cellular material and uncouples oxidative phosphorylation (3–8). It has been demonstrated readily that thyroxine and several analogues of thyroxine augment the oxygen utilization of a rat heart homogenate system (2, 9, 10, 11). The present report describes the actions on respiration and phosphorylation in this system of thyroxine, of magnesium and other cations and of combinations of thyroxine and cations. The homogenate was prepared by grinding approximately 620 mg. heart muscle obtained from a normal Sprague-Dawley rat in 9.0 ml. ice cold 0.1 M Na2HPO4 at pH 7.80 in a glass homogenizer; the material was then centrifuged at 600 g for five minutes.
Infantile manipulation and aggregate living in the rat: effect of electric shock on blood histamine levels.

SummaryExposure of young, adult rats to electric shock resulted in a significantly elevated level of blood histamine. The pattern of response was related to the animal's sex and pre-shock environment. Females were more sensitive to noxious stimulation than males, as reflected in a more rapid increase and subsequent fall in circulating levels. Post-weaning group living, compared to isolation, was associated with both greater sensitivity and a more pronounced total response. Infantile-manipulated rats had a numerically greater sensitivity and total response, in comparison with non-manipulated controls.
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy of Patients with Ptsd: Literature Review

Abstract Exposure therapy was the first one, which effectiveness was proved in psychological treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, studies have shown that this therapy was appropriate for some patients with PTSD, what caused the development of other models and therapies, among which the most important and effective are the theories of information processing and emotional processing. Studies have proved that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) effectively reduces PTSD symptoms and accompanying depression, anxiety, giving similar results. CBT is a short-term therapy, and the achieved results are maintained afterwards. The main purpose of the PTSD cognitive-behavioral therapy is to reduce discomfort and improve the patient life. According to the authors of contemporary models of PTSD cognitive therapy, the patients’ emotional involvement in traumatic memories makes a distorted cognitive content accessible and creates a base for its modification, using a combination of cognitive and behavioral techniques to help patients identify and modify distorted beliefs connected with PTSD. Lack of knowledge about change mechanisms, the most responsive to therapy symptoms, do not let to answer the question - whether PTSD cognitive-behavioral therapy will be the therapy of future. It depends on the fact if the current research results will help develop effective PTSD therapies methods. This presentation provides an overview of basic concepts, application principles, and research results on the effectiveness of PTSD cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections After Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Adolescent Females

Importance Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates among US females remain low, in part because of concerns that HPV vaccination may promote unsafe sexual activity by lowering perceived risks of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Objective To study whether HPV vaccination of females is associated with increases in STI rates. Design, Setting, and Participants Using a large, longitudinal insurance database of females aged 12 to 18 years insured from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2010, in the United States, we examined whether HPV vaccination was associated with an increase in incident STIs among females who were vaccinated compared with those who were not. We defined STIs as one or more medical claims for any of the following infections in a given quarter: chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, human immunodeficiency virus or AIDS, or syphilis. We used difference-in-difference analysis to compare changes in STI rates among HPV-vaccinated females before and after vaccination (index quarter) to changes among age-matched nonvaccinated females before and after the index quarter. We analyzed whether effects varied according to age and prior contraceptive medication use. Main Outcomes and Measures Rates of STIs. Results The rates of STIs in the year before vaccination were higher among HPV-vaccinated females (94 of 21 610, 4.3 per 1000) compared with age-matched nonvaccinated females (522 of 186 501, 2.8 per 1000) (adjusted odds ratio, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.09-1.71; P = .007). The rates of STIs increased for the vaccinated (147 of 21 610, 6.8 per 1000) and nonvaccinated (781 of 186 501, 4.2 per 1000) groups in the year after vaccination (adjusted odds ratio, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.25-1.79; P P = .74), implying that HPV vaccination was not associated with an increase in STIs relative to growth among nonvaccinated females. Similar associations held among subgroups aged 12 through 14 years and aged 15 through 18 years and among females with contraceptive use in the index quarter. Conclusions and Relevance Human papillomavirus vaccination was not associated with increases in STIs in a large cohort of females, suggesting that vaccination is unlikely to promote unsafe sexual activity.
Reticular Macular Disease

Purpose To present a unified description of reticular macular disease (RMD), a common clinical entity that includes reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) and confers high-risk of progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration. Design Population-based, retrospective, cross-sectional study. Forty-two patients with reticular findings in at least one imaging method, of whom 21 were followed up. Methods RMD was defined as RPD in color or red-free photography, in a reticular pattern on scanning laser ophthalmoscope imaging (autofluorescence scans, infrared photographs, or indocyanine green angiography), or both. Color and red-free images were contrast-enhanced, and color photographs were examined in green and blue channels. Image registration in different methods allowed comparison of areas involved and assessment of lesion colocalization. Results RMD generally was present in both photography and scanning laser ophthalmoscope imaging. When present in two image methods, areas of RMD either largely overlapped or one fell within the other. Individual lesions had high spatial correspondence. Serial imaging showed faded to absent findings in eyes in which choroidal neovascularization developed. Conclusions RMD is a single disease entity with stereotypical presentations in multiple imaging methods, of which RPD is one. Autofluorescence, infrared imaging, and indocyanine green angiography suggest that it involves the retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris, whereas photographic patterns implicate the inner choroid. Infrared imaging, unlike other methods, can demonstrate RMD in the central macula. RMD is associated with progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration, perhaps on an inflammatory basis. RMD deserves wider recognition among clinicians caring for elderly patients.
Production of Monascus-Pigment in a Submerged Culture

The production of pigment by the molds belonging to the genus Monascus in a submerged culture was examined. The extracellular pigment was mainly studied. Monascus sp. No. 2 was found to be the most potent pigment producer. The optimum cultural conditions were: pH of the medium, 6.5; the temperature, 25°C; carbon sources, glucose or ethyl alcohol; nitrogen sources, polypeptone, yeast extract, monosodium glutamate or casamino acids. Glycine, l-threonine, l-arginine, l-alanine and l-tyrosine were found to be the most effective substances promoting pigment production.Mycelial forms of this strain were correlated with pigment formation in submerged culture. As it grew into pellet type, the yield of pigment was at high level.The Monascus-pigment in the fermentation liquid seemed to be firmly bound to the protein-like substances which made the pigment apparently soluble.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and Graves disease.

A 31-year-old black woman was studied who, at the age of 12 years, underwent splenectomy for a bleeding disorder due to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). More than 20 years after the first signs of her bleeding disorder, the patient developed signs of Graves disease. This condition was treated with 131I with resulting hypothyroidism. The rare combination of ITP and Graves disease was considered to be a manifestation of two separate autoimmune diseases. For the second time in the literature, HLA typing was performed in a patient with such a disease combination, and it was found to be of the group A23, A28, and B17. This is different from B8, which is most frequently found in both isolated ITP and Graves disease. Possible racial factors may be involved. It is concluded that more cases of such combined disease need to be studied before possible genetic patterns can be established.
Multiple Climate Signals Characterize Cassiope Mertensiana Chronologies for a Site on Mount Rainier, Washington, USA

This study investigates the nature and strength of the climate signals that characterize an alpine dwarf-shrub, Cassiope mertensiana (mountain bell heather). For the first time, we present six new C. mertensiana chronologies (two growth, two reproduction, 1963-2004; δ13C, δ18O, 1975-2005) based on 14 plants from a subalpine meadow site on Mount Rainier, Washington, USA. Correlation, factor, and multivariate regression analyses revealed that multiple and different climate factors control the chronologies. Annual growth and leaf production are controlled by previous- and current- year growing season and previous-year February temperature. Warm growing season temperatures positively influence soil nutrient uptake rates, while winter temperatures may temporally alter moisture distribution resulting in reduced plant growth. Annual flower bud production is controlled by previous and current-year mean summer, growing season, and annual dewpoint temperature. Annual flower production is controlled by current-year ...
Determination of the Coefficient of Piezoresistivity in Aluminum Alloy Interconnect Structures

The resistance of Al thin film metallization interconnects has been measured during temperature cycling where thermal expansion mismatch between the Al and the substrate and passivation is used to induce interconnect strain. Both passivated and unpassivated interconnects were thermally cycled between 80K and 373K. The coefficient of piezoresistivity, defined as dp/dE, where ρ= resistivity and ev = volumetric strain, is measured to be 2.0 10−5Ω-cm in tension, consistent with previous results determined in bulk Al under hydrostatic pressure. We describe a model which incorporates the thermal, geometrical, and piezoresistance effects on the measured interconnect resistance during temperature changes. Thermal expansion mismatch strains and the degree of interconnect constraint by the rigid surrounding materials, which vary with interconnect aspect ratio, are considered. The application of piezoresistance analysis to measurement of local stresses and stress relaxation in advanced interconnects will be described.
Betting on news corporation: interactive media, gambling, and global information flows.

The desire by media companies in the United States to promote interactive television technologies despite the lack of success of previous interactive TV trials persists in the early twenty-first century. Multinational conglomerates are exploiting services like horse race wagering as a profitable platform for enticing users to sign up for interactive TV. News Corporation, for instance, offers interactive wagering services via the Television Games Network (TVG) in the United States, as well as services on its Sky Network in Australia and BSkyB in the United Kingdom, thus allowing wagering on races held across the world. The use of interactive wagering technology to create global information flows has proven highly successful for News Corp. Its role as part of conglomerates' global strategies to create and control interactive media users deserves serious attention and is examined in this article.
New Theory of Recharge to the Artesian Basin of the Dakotas

The artesian basin of the Dakotas has been studied for many years. The widely held concept has been that recharge enters the equivalents of the Dakota Sandstone, where they are exposed on the flanks of the Black Hills, and moves through this formation to the area of maximum development of the aquifer in eastern North Dakota and South Dakota. Some anomalies, difficult to explain by this concept, have remained unresolved. According to the theory here proposed, recharge enters the Lower Mississippian Pahasapa Limestone and the underlying Englewood Formation where they are exposed on the flanks of the Black Hills. The Pahasapa is in part the equivalent of the Lower and Upper Mississippian Madison Group. The limestones are very cavernous where exposed on the flanks of the Black Hills, and seemingly in the subsurface as well. Streams flowing east from the Precambrian core of the Hills lose virtually all their flow in crossing the cavernous limestones. Widespread karst topography was developed on the Madison during the erosion period which preceded deposition of the Pennsylvanian and Permian Minnelusa Formation. Water moves freely through the cavernous limestone with little head loss for more than 100 miles east of the Black Hills. Pre-Dakota erosion beveled all older rock units and removed many of the intervening beds younger than the Madison. Oil tests indicate that less than 200 feet of strata separate the Madison and Dakota in northern South Dakota east of the Missouri River; this is in marked contrast to the 1800 feet of intervening beds near Rapid City. It is believed that in a zone east of the Missouri River in northern South Dakota and adjacent North Dakota, water which has moved through the limestone more than 150 miles from the Black Hills moves upward into the basal part of the Dakota Sandstone. Much of the water developed in the area of major water use from the Dakota Sandstone has moved a relatively short distance through this formation. The chemical character and artesian pressure of water in the Dakota are influenced significantly by recharge from the Madison Group. West of the zone of recharge the water is highly mineralized and largely of a sodium chloride type. Along the zone of recharge and toward the southeast corner of South Dakota, an area of natural discharge, the water generally is of the calcium sulfate type. North of the Precambrian Sioux Quartzite and east of the calcium sulfate water is an area which has sodium sulfate water. It is inferred that this change results from natural base-exchange softening of the calcium sulfate water as it moves eastward through the Dakota Sandstone.
HPCS 2013 tutorials: Tutorial I: Globus online: Research data management as a service

These tutorials discuss the following: Globus Online: Research Data Management as a Service; State of the Art In Hardware Accelerators; PGAS Programming for the Masses; High Performance Computing and Private/Public Clouds in Biomedical Informatics; OpenACC Programming on GPGPUs; Usage and Customization of Infrastructure-as-a-Service Cloud Computing Toolkits; Flash-based Storage Systems Modelling, Simulation and IO Characterization.
Trust or Bust?: Questioning the Relationship Between Media Trust and News Attention

This article establishes the theoretical significance of media trust and explores the relationships between individuals' levels of media trust and news attention. Three distinct types of media trust are introduced: 1) trust of news information, 2) trust of those who deliver the news, and 3) trust of media corporations. The findings indicate that these different types of media trust relate to news attention in distinct ways, specifically when examined across medium. The theoretical significance of the findings are discussed and contextualized in light of an evolving media environment.
International workshop on authoring simulation and game-based intelligent tutoring

The use of scenario-based simulations and serious games for training has been well-accepted in many domains. Simulations require active processing and provide intrinsic feedback in an environment in which it is safe to make mistakes; however, reaping training benefits from this kind of training is often highly dependent on support from human instructors who select training scenarios, observe trainee behavior, and provide feedback, prompts, and reflective discussion. Applying the techniques of intelligent tutoring to simulation-based training could reduce reliance on human instructors. Schatz, Bowers, and Nicholson (2009) refer to this integration of intelligent tutoring strategies with simulation-based training as "advanced situated tutors." Advanced situated tutors include student models whose data are used to apply adaptive instructional strategies to selection of simulation events, instructional content, and instructional support. While a small collection of advanced situated tutors exist, similar to standard intelligent tutors, creation of these systems requires a wide range of expertise and substantial resources. Many organizations that use traditional multimedia training for their personnel recognize the potential benefits of adding simulation-based or game-based elements to training, and would readily accept advanced situated tutors were it not for the high upfront costs the creation of these systems currently entail. Authoring tools for advanced situated tutors could facilitate the development process and reduce cost. This workshop will help characterize the current state of the art and identify outstanding issues and future potential approaches to meeting this objective. The workshop will be a combination of presentations and discussion.
Reducing Data Movement Costs: Scalable Seismic Imaging on Blue Gene

We present an optimized Blue Gene/P implementation of Reverse Time Migration, a seismic imaging algorithm widely used in the petroleum industry today. Our implementation is novel in that it uses large communication bandwidth and low latency to convert an embarrassingly parallel problem into one that can be efficiently solved using massive domain partitioning. The success of this seemingly counterintuitive approach is the result of several key aspects of the imaging problem, including very regular and local communication patterns, balanced compute and communication requirements, scratch data handling, multiple-pass approaches, and most importantly, the fact that partitioning the problem allows each sub-problem to fit in cache, dramatically increasing locality and bandwidth and reducing latency. This approach can be easily extended to next-generation imaging algorithms currently being developed. In this paper we present details of our implementation, including application-scaling results on Blue Gene/P.
REVIEW OF THE DOLICHODERINE ANT GENUS IRIDOMYRMEX MAYR WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE NEW GENERA (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

The generic placement of species assigned to the dolichoderine ant genus Iridomyrmex Mayr is reviewed. Three new genera (Ochetellus, Papyrius, Philidris) are described, one genus (Doleromyrma Forel) is removed from synonymy, and two genera (Anonychomyrma Donisthorpe, Linepithema Mayr) are redefined and expanded, resulting in numerous new combinations. Worker-based characterisations are given for each genus.
Announced strategy types in multiagent RL for conflict-avoidance in the national airspace

The use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in the national airspace is of growing interest to the research community. Safety and scalability of control algorithms are key to the successful integration of autonomous system into a human-populated airspace. In order to ensure safety while still maintaining efficient paths of travel, these algorithms must also accommodate heterogeneity of path strategies of its neighbors. We show that, using multiagent RL, we can improve the speed with which conflicts are resolved in cases with up to 80 aircraft within a section of the airspace. In addition, we show that the introduction of abstract agent strategy types to partition the state space is helpful in resolving conflicts, particularly in high congestion.
Coefficient Elimination Algorithm for Low Energy Distributed Arithmetic DCT Architectures

An energy aware DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) architecture based on the distributed arithmetic concept is proposed. Architectures based on the distributed arithmetic concept are inherently low power as they are multiplication free algorithms. One characteristic of the DCT is that upon transformation signal energies are concentrated in only a few coefficients (less than 25%) with the rest (75%) of the coefficients being insignificant and negligible. One can skip the computation of these terms without seriously affecting the output signal quality. Exploiting this idea, we propose a low energy DCT architecture that can achieve 55% savings in the energy dissipation and 28 db in signal quality. In addition, we propose an adaptive energy aware DCT architecture that trades off energy consumption for signal quality. Using this adaptive architecture, we present a study of the effect of coefficient elimination on energy consumption and signal quality.
Free Market Experiments in the Laboratory of Democracy: The Long Decade of Policy Reform in New Zealand those risks

Books reviewd in this essay: Christine Cheyne, Mike O’Brien and Michael Belgrave, Social Policy in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Critical Introduction Brian Easton, The Commercialisation of New Zealand Paul Dalziel and Ralph Lattimore, The New Zealand Macroeconomy: A Briefing on the Reforms RC Mascarenhas, Government and the Economy in New Zealand Raymond Miller (ed.), New Zealand Politics in Transition Geoffrey Palmer and Michael Palmer, Bridled Power: New Zealand Government Under MMP
Regulated degradation of the APC coactivator Cdc20

Cdc20 is a highly conserved activator of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC), promoting cell-cycle-regulated ubiquitination and proteolysis of a number of critical cell-cycle-regulatory targets including securin and mitotic cyclins. APC-Cdc20 activity is tightly regulated, and this regulation is likely important for accurate cell cycle control. One significant component of Cdc20 regulation is thought to be Cdc20 proteolysis. However, published literature suggests different mechanisms and requirements for Cdc20 proteolysis. The degree to which Cdc20 proteolysis is cell-cycle regulated, the dependence of Cdc20 proteolysis on Cdc20 destruction boxes (recognition sequences for APC-mediated ubiqutination, either by Cdc20 or by the related Cdh1 APC activator), and the need for APC itself for Cdc20 proteolysis all have been disputed to varying extents. In animals, Cdc20 proteolysis is thought to be mediated by Cdh1, contributing an intrinsic order of APC activation by Cdc20 and then by Cdh1. One report suggests a Cdh1 requirement for Cdc20 proteolysis in budding yeast; this idea has not been tested further. We characterized Cdc20 proteolysis using Cdc20 expressed from its endogenous locus; previous studies generally employed strongly overexpressed Cdc20, which can cause significant artifacts. We analyzed Cdc20 proteolysis with or without mutations in previously identified destruction box sequences, using varying methods of cell cycle synchronization, and in the presence or absence of Cdh1. Cdc20 instability is only partially dependent on destruction boxes. A much stronger dependence on Cdh1 for Cdc20 proteolysis was observed, but Cdh1-independent proteolysis was also clearly observed. Cdc20 proteolysis independent of both destruction boxes and Cdh1 was especially detectable around the G1/S transition; Cdh1-dependent proteolysis was most notable in late mitosis and G1. Cdc20 proteolysis is under complex control, with different systems operating at different points in the cell cycle. This complexity is likely to explain apparent conflicts in previously published literature on this subject. A major mode of control of Cdc20 proteolysis occurs in late mitosis/early G1 and is Cdh1-dependent, as in animal cells; this mode may contribute to the known sequential activation of the APC by Cdc20 followed by Cdh1. An independent mode of Cdc20 proteolysis, independent of destruction boxes and Cdh1, occurs at G1/S; we do not know the mechanism or function of this mode of proteolysis, but speculate that it may contribute to sharpening and restricting activation of APC-Cdc20 to early mitosis.
The changing epidemiology of serious bacterial infections in young infants.

Background:Management of febrile young infants suspected of having serious bacterial infections has been a challenge for decades. The impact of changes in prenatal screening for Group B Streptococcus and of infant immunizations has received little attention in population-based studies.Methods:This s
An NMR study of ionic motion in ammonium ferrocyanide

Abstract A nuclear magnetic resonance study has been made of ionic motion in ammonium ferrocyanide, (NH4)4Fe(CN)6 · H2O. Narrowing of the 1H steady-state resonance line, corresponding to ionic diffusion, begins near 150°K. Above about 315°K the line is fully narrowed. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the line width gives an Arrhenius activation energy of 19 kJ/mole.
Comparison of thinning and prescribed fire restoration treatments to Sierran mixed-conifer historic conditions

Thinning and prescribed fire are widely used to restore fire-suppressed forests, yet there are few studies of their effectiveness in Sierran mixed-conifer forest. We compared stand conditions in re...
Children And Internet Use: Perceptions Of Advertising, Privacy, And Functional Displacement

Fourth-graders demonstrated the ability to identify the persuasive intent of commercial Web sites, and to distinguish between commercial, nonprofit, and government sites based on information-giving, entertainment, or persuasion functions.
DNA Evidence in Rape Cases and The Debbie Smith Act Forensic Practice and Criminal Justice Implications

The Debbie Smith or "Justice for All" Act was passed on November 1, 2004. The act addresses the problem of collecting and analyzing DNA evidence from backlogged rape kits sitting in crime laboratories around the country. Presently, no empirical data exist by which to assess the soundness of the legislation. However, the act clearly affects discrete operations within the forensic and criminal justice systems. This article explores the relative merits of the Debbie Smith law, highlighting changes in Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs, law enforcement, court administration, correctional treatment, and juvenile justice practices. Concerns linked to the likely impact of the "Justice for All" Act raise significant questions about its overall programmatic utility and treatment efficacy.
Personal Digital Branding as a Professional Asset in the Digital Age.

In recent years, society’s rapid adoption of social media has made the boundary between professional and private life nearly indistinguishable. The literature provides guidance on how to demonstrate professionalism via social media platforms. Social media policies within health professions education tend to be legalistic in nature, serving primarily to highlight behaviors students should avoid. One missing element in social media literature is the concept of online invisibility. In this paper, we define personal digital branding, discuss the professional implications of choosing to abstain from social media use, and urge educators to recognize that the personal digital branding may be an emerging asset for young professionals in the twenty-first century.
Inflammatory lesions of intervertebral discs in children.

Twenty cases of inflammatory lesions of the intervertebral disc in children have been reviewed. This is a benign condition of unknown but presumed infectious etiology. Serial roentgenograms have revealed a consistent pattern of vertebral involvement with later partial restoration of the disc height. Roentgenograms including laminagrams made at follow-up have demonstrated persistent cavitation and varying degrees of vertebral overgrowth. The management of this condition, including the controversial roles of biopsy, antibiotic therapy, and spinal immobilization, has been discussed.
Photoelectron spectroscopy of size-selected boron clusters: from planar structures to borophenes and borospherenes

Photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) in combination with computational chemistry has been used systematically over the past decade to elucidate the structures and chemical bonding of size-selected boron clusters. Small boron clusters have been found to be planar or quasi-planar, consisting of a monocyclic circumference with one or more interior atoms. The propensity for planarity has been found to be a result of both σ and π electron delocalisation over the molecular plane, giving rise to concepts of σ and π multiple aromaticity. In particular, the B36 cluster has been found to possess a highly stable planar structure with a central hexagonal vacancy. This finding provides the first indirect experimental evidence that single-atom layer boron-sheets with hexagonal vacancies, dubbed ‘borophene’, are potentially viable. Another exciting discovery has been the observation and characterisation of the first all-boron fullerenes. PES revealed that the cluster consisted of two isomers with very different electron bin...
Cyclic antidepressant overdoses. A review

Cyclic antidepressant drug toxicity is a common cause of death from prescription drug overdose in the United States. The pathophysiologic features include cardiac, neurologic, and gastrointestinal effects. Major signs of toxicity are identifiable in the emergency department. Treatment includes aggressive supportive care, activated charcoal, alkalinization therapy, and management of arrhythmias, hypotension, and seizures. Outcomes are generally good when early appropriate treatment is initiated.
High-altitude UAV-based military communications services

The development of high-altitude, long-endurance Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) provides a platform for communications equipment that can relay signals over a wide area. A recent ARPA study examined the military utility of such a UAV Communications Node (UCN) on board the Tier 2+ UAV. Communications needs were identified for contingency military operations that could work with existing military equipment to provide beyond lineof-sight relay, reach-back communications out of theater, and gateways between dissimilar equipment Services using new ground equipment were also identified. Implementation techniques are described for these various services, along with benefits to the users and technical challenges to be met The ARPA study concluded that a very useful communiction payload can be put on the Tier 2+ UAV, and that there are very good reasons for pursuing such a development program.
Action of Mammalian Sex Hormones in the Lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis:

With the discovery of an increasing number of estrogens and androgens in mammals, and an increasingly diverse series of physiological activities in which they are involved, it has become of great interest to examine the action of such substances in lower vertebrates. In adult frogs, injection of estrogens prevents atrophy of the oviduct after ovariotomy,1 and high doses (1,000 rat units) stimulate growth of the oviduct in rormal animals.2 In normal toads, however, dosages of estrone as high as 10,000 international units have little or no demonstrable action.3,4 A surprising result is ovulation in Xenopus laevis in response to progesterone, testosterone, and allied compounds, but not to estrogenic substances, such as estrone, estriol, and estradiol.5,6 In young alligators estrone stimulates the ovary and oviduct; testosterone also stimulates the oviduct.7,8 In lizards testosterone induces secretory activity in “sexual segments” of urinary tubules, and an increase in the size of the oviduct.9 Estrone, howev...
Pilot Study of Imaging-processing Method for Weighing Bulk Material on Belt Conveyor

Real-time weighing of bulk materials is based on computer vision theory,calibrating vidicon,gaining the inner and outer references and using digital image processing technology to get the bands of the images.By the gained data,it can compute the distances from objective points to the reference plain,then the weight of the materials can be obtained.The feasibility was proved through images taken by camera.
Validation of a peridynamic model for fatigue cracking

Abstract Fatigue cracking in homogeneous and in composite materials is studied using a peridynamic model. We introduce a set of critical damage factors that improve stability and efficiency of a recently introduced peridynamic model for fatigue cracking. We perform convergence studies in terms of the nonlocal region size for a modified compact tension test which leads to curved fatigue crack paths. The experimental crack paths are strongly influenced by the location of a hole in the specimen, and the peridynamic results capture this sensitivity well. Fatigue lifetimes obtained by the peridynamic model are in good agreement with experiments for different crack growth rates in different cycle ranges. Different from methods based on classical continuum mechanics, the peridynamic fatigue crack model does not require additional criteria to guide crack or damage growth. In particular, we use the peridynamic fatigue model, without any modifications, to simulate fatigue crack growth in a two-phase composite in which several crack initiation points exist and where fatigue crack paths interact in complex ways.
Pediatric aspects of atherosclerosis and hypertension.

There is a growing conviction that the only way to alter the course of atherosclerosis and hypertension is to attack the constitutional and environmental precursors long before the overt symptoms become manifest. Determinants of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, coronary risk factors, modification of cholesterol levels in children, and control of blood pressure in children are discussed.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Early Childhood

Forms of collaboration in early-childhood programs – largely between general and special educators – are examined in this article. Attention is given to research that has described essential skills for collaborative service-delivery models and that has highlighted key issues for practice, in addition to necessary directions for future research. Barriers relevant to collaborative models are noted. The role of teacher education in modeling and providing coursework for skills and knowledge in collaboration is discussed. Finally, note is made of promising directions for the future practice of interdisciplinary collaboration – including attention to diversity issues and the use of communities of practice.
Virtual radiology rounds: adding value in the digital era

To preserve radiology rounds in the changing health care environment, we have introduced virtual radiology rounds, an initiative enabling clinicians to remotely review imaging studies with the radiologist. We describe our initial experience with virtual radiology rounds and referring provider impressions. Virtual radiology rounds, a web-based conference, use remote sharing of radiology workstations. Participants discuss imaging studies by speakerphone. Virtual radiology rounds were piloted with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Congenital Cardiovascular Care Unit (CCVCU). Providers completed a survey assessing the perceived impact and overall value of virtual radiology rounds on patient care using a 10-point scale. Pediatric radiologists participating in virtual radiology rounds completed a survey assessing technical, educational and clinical aspects of this methodology. Sixteen providers responded to the survey; 9 NICU and 7 CCVCU staff (physicians, nurse practitioners and fellows). Virtual radiology rounds occurred 4–5 sessions/week with an average of 6.4 studies. Clinicians rated confidence in their own image interpretation with a 7.4 average rating for NICU and 7.5 average rating for CCVCU. Clinicians unanimously rated virtual radiology rounds as adding value. NICU staff preferred virtual radiology rounds to traditional rounds and CCVCU staff supported their new participation in virtual radiology rounds. Four of the five pediatric radiologists participating in virtual radiology rounds responded to the survey reporting virtual radiology rounds to be easy to facilitate (average rating: 9.3), to moderately impact interpretation of imaging studies (average rating: 6), and to provide substantial educational value for radiologists (average rating: 8.3). All pediatric radiologists felt strongly that virtual radiology rounds enable increased integration of the radiologist into the clinical care team (average rating: 8.8). Virtual radiology rounds are a viable alternative to radiology rounds enabling improved patient care and education of providers.
The growth effects of financial openness and exchange rates

Abstract This study examines the role of financial openness and international financial integration when choosing an exchange rate regime where the objective is to maximize productivity growth. The discussion begins with a simple generalization of a framework with credit constraints and concludes that the negative effects of exchange rate volatility on productivity growth are reduced the more financially integrated into the international capital flows a country is. Second, an empirical analysis of productivity growth provides thresholds and addresses potential endogeneity problems. Robust and significant results find that a high degree of financial openness can mitigate the negative effect of exchange rate flexibility on growth.