cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A multi-locus assessment of connectivity and historical demography in the bluehead wrasse ( Thalassoma bifasciatum )

The pelagic larval stage of most coral reef fishes might allow extensive dispersal or, alternatively, some level of local recruitment might be important. Molecular markers can be used to obtain indirect estimates of dispersal to evaluate these alternatives, yet the extent of gene flow among populations is known for only a small number of species. The use of such markers must take into account the properties of the markers and the demographic history of the population when making inferences about current gene flow. In the Caribbean bluehead wrasse, Thalassoma bifasciatum, previous studies have found both substantial levels of local recruitment, in studies interpreting otolith microchemistry and, conversely, a lack of genetic differentiation inferred from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction-fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) data and allozymes. However, if subtle differentiation exists, larger sample sizes and highly variable markers may be required to discern it. Here we present results from mitochondrial control region sequence and microsatellite data that indicate a lack of genetic differentiation at both small and large spatial scales. However, historical processes, such as changes in population size, may have affected the current distribution of genetic variation.
Computer-assisted validation and verification of cybersecurity requirements

Errors in requirements are often a contributing cause of the failure of critical infrastructure and their underlying information systems to adequately guard against cyber intrusions and withstand cyber attacks. However, detecting errors in the cybersecurity requirements, and for requirements in general, is a challenging task. In this paper we describe how computer-aided formal verification and validation can be leveraged to address the challenge of correctly capturing natural language cybersecurity requirements, converting the natural language statements into formal requirements specifications, and then checking the formal specifications to ensure that they match the original intent of the stakeholders. Our approach centers on creating a one-to-one mapping between natural language requirements and UML statechart assertions. Statechart assertions are Boolean statements about the expected behavior of the system, expressed as UML statecharts. The set of assertions created by the security or software engineer is a formal model of the system's requirements. We demonstrate our approach using examples of formally specifying and validating requirements for correct cyber system behaviors and the detection of illegal business schemes in choreographed web services.
Motion Layer Based Object Removal in Videos

This paper proposes a novel method to generate plausible video sequences after removing relatively large objects from the original videos. In order to maintain temporal coherence among the frames, a motion layer segmentation method is applied. Then, a set of synthesized layers are generated by applying motion compensation and region completion algorithm. Finally, a new video, in which the selected object is removed, is plausibly rendered given the synthesized layers and the motion parameters. A number of example videos are shown in the results to demonstrate the effectiveness of our method
Opioid G protein-coupled receptors: signals at the crossroads of inflammation

Abstract The analgesic property of opiates has been known since ancient times. Only recently has an appreciation of the broad effects of opioids on the inflammatory response emerged. Acting largely through μ-, κ- and δ-opioid G protein-coupled receptors on T lymphocytes and macrophages, cognate ligands modulate many activities of these cells, including cytokine production. In addition to acting as chemotactic stimuli, opioids can, through the process of heterologous cross-desensitization, act as stop signals in leukocyte trafficking. When administered into the central nervous system, certain chemokines can cross-desensitize to the analgesic effect of opioids. We propose that opioids should be considered members of the cytokine family and that future research on opioids could yield new therapies for inflammatory and infectious diseases, including HIV-1 infection.
Canine cerebral cortical blood flow and vascular resistance post cardiac arrest

Seven dogs were anesthetized and instrumented for determination of central venous pressure (CVP), arterial pressure, intracranial pressure (ICP), left atrial pressure (LAP), and frontal cerebral cortical blood flow by the thermal method. A catheter was introduced into the venous return of the cerebral confluence to allow determination of cerebral A–V oxygen saturation differences. The animals were placed on cardiac bypass using a circuit from the right atrium to the pulmonary artery, and a second circuit from the left ventricular apex to the left femoral artery. A heat exchanger was used to maintain a constant blood temperature of 37 C in the output of the left-side bypass circuit. All animals were heparinized during bypass. Ventricular fibrillation was induced after completion of the bypass surgery. Two dogs served as controls for stability of the measured parameters on prolonged bypass. Pre-arrest determinations of hemoglobin, cerebral cortical blood flow, and cerebral A–V oxygen saturation differences were taken. Full circulatory arrest was carried out for 20 minutes in 5 dogs by shutting off the cardiac bypass. Resuscitation was achieved by resumption of bypass perfusion. Acid-base balance was corrected and pre-arrest perfusion pressures were achieved and maintained for 90 minutes. All pressure parameters were monitored continuously. Pre-arrest determinations were repeated at 20, 40, 60, and 90 minutes post resuscitation. A 50% reduction in cerebral cortical blood flow 20 minutes post resuscitation progressed to near zero flow 90 minutes post resuscitation. The changes in net cerebral perfusion pressure produced by the slowly rising intracranial pressure do not account for this flow reduction. Calculation of cerebral vascular resistance reveals a ten-fold increase in resistance post-arrest and -resuscitation.
State-to-state rotational relaxation rate constants for the CO+X series (X=CO, He, and Ne) using IR-IR double resonance experiments: comparing theory to experiment

ABSTRACT IR-IR double resonance experiments were used to study the state-to-state rotational relaxation of CO with CO, He, and Ne as collision partners. Individual rotational lines of the (2 - 0) vibrational overtone band were pumped by a pulsed IR laser and the subsequent rotational relaxation was monitored using a cw source. The resulting data sets were analyzed by fitting to numerical solutions of the master equation. State-to-state rate constant matrices were generated using fitting law functions. Fitting laws based on the modified exponential gap (MEG) and statistical power exponential gap (SPEG) and energy corrected sudden with exponential power (ECS-EP) models were used. Rate constant matrices for CO+He and CO+Ne were generated from scattering calculations that employed the appropriate ab initio potential energy surfaces. These theoretical rate constant matrices yiel ded kinetic simulations that agreed with the data nearly as well as the fitted MEG model and were unique in their ability to reproduce both the rotational energy transfer and pressure broadening data for CO+He and CO+Ne. Keywords: IR-IR double resonance, state-to-state rotational relaxation
Using Multivariate Methods to Incorporate Environmental Variables for Local and Global Efficiency Performance Analysis

Abstract Enterprises typically referred to as decision making units (DMUs) seldom operate in similar environments. Within a relative performance point of view, if DMUs operating in different environments are compared, the units that operate in less desirable environments are at a disadvantage. In order to ensure that the performance comparison is reasonable within an efficiency measurement approach, a two-stage framework is presented in this research. The first stage uses multivariate methods (robust PCA, fuzzy clustering, and discriminant analysis) to group the DMUs based on the values of the environmental (non-discretionary) variables. The second stage incorporates one of the several efficiency measurement models to carry out relative performance analysis. The concept of local and global frontiers is explored and its significance towards making strategic resource allocation decisions is addressed. The approach proposed in this research is used to evaluate the efficiency performance of Greek municipaliti...
A triple ‘S’ for sustainability: Credit ratings agencies and their influence on the ecological modernization of an electricity utility

Abstract A new biomass fueled electricity generation plant is now under construction in Gainesville, Florida and serves as an excellent subject as it demonstrates the surprising ways the credit ratings agencies influence ecological modernization. Through content analysis, participant observation, and document analysis I will illustrate how credit ratings agencies have influenced the ecological modernization of one of the United States' approximately 2000 municipal electricity utilities.
Strabismus in craniosynostosis.

Purpose of review To present peer-reviewed articles related to strabismus in craniosynostosis. Recent findings Improved neurosurgical treatment has resulted in amblyopia replacing optic atrophy as the main cause of visual impairment in Apert's and Crouzon syndromes. Patients with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis have an increased incidence of significant refractive error and horizontal strabismus similar to syndromic craniosynostosis. Imaging of the orbit and extraocular muscles continues to be recommended as helpful for presurgical planning. Surgical techniques continue to be explored in order to improve outcomes for craniosynostosis patients. Summary Attention to diagnosis and treatment of amblyopia and strabismus is necessary to preserve vision in craniosynostosis patients. Orbital imaging may aid in planning for these patients whose strabismus surgery remains a challenge.
Preparation and study of a fluorescent sugar analog competitive inhibitor of yeast hexokinase.

Abstract The preparation of 2-deoxy-2-amino-N-(5-dimethylamino-l-naphthalene sulfonyl)-glucose (III) designed as a fluorescent competitive inhibitor of hexokinase was achieved after reacting 2-deoxy-2-aminoglucose and l-dimethylamino-5-naphthalene sulfonyl chloride. (III) showed fluorescence excitation and emission maxima in water at 330 and 507 nm, respectively. (III) was found to competitively inhibit hexokinase and a value of Ki = 3.0 × 10−3 M was obtained for the system hexokinase B + Mg. ATP + glucose at pH 8.4.
Evolving Markov chain models of driving conditions using onboard learning

This paper describes simple and suitable for real-time implementation algorithms for on-board learning of Markov Chain models of driving conditions (e.g., driver wheel torque request, vehicle speed, surrounding traffic speed, road grade, road curvature etc.). The use of Kullback-Liebler (KL) divergence is proposed as a stopping and re-initialization criterion for learning, permitting an evolving set of Markov Chain models to be generated for different route segments. Examples based on learning models of road grade and vehicle speed are reported. Assuming that a set of learned Markov Chain models and of associated control policies is available onboard of the vehicle, the use of KL divergence is also advocated for selecting the control policy that matches the current driving conditions. Potential applications of this approach include optimal energy management in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) and fuel efficient Adaptive Cruise Control.
Melatonin protects against lipid peroxidation induced by δ-aminolevulinic acid in rat cerebellum, cortex and hippocampus

The in vitro and in vivo effect of melatonin on delta-aminolevulinic acid-induced lipid peroxidation in rat cerebellum, cortex and hippocampus was determined. The concentration of malonaldehyde and 4-hydroxyalkenals was assayed as an index of induced membrane oxidative damage. The rise in malonaldehyde+4-hydroxyalkenals concentrations induced by delta-aminolevulinic acid in cerebellar homogenates was concentration-dependent (P < 0.001) and also time-dependent in cerebellar, cortical and hippocampal homogenates (P < 0.01). In vitro melatonin and vitamin E protected, in a concentration-dependent manner, against delta-aminolevulinic acid-induced lipid peroxidation in cortical, cerebellar and hippocampal homogenates. In in vivo experiments it was demonstrated that delta-aminolevulinic acid-induced lipid peroxidation (40 mg/kg) in cerebellum and hippocampus was reduced by acute melatonin (10 mg/kg) treatment (P < 0.05). The results show that both in vitro and in vivo melatonin confers protection against delta-aminolevulinic acid-induced oxidative toxicity in brain regions. The findings suggest that melatonin may be useful in reducing neural damage in individuals suffering from acute intermittent porphyria.
Exploring Alternative Splicing Features Using Support Vector Machines

Alternative splicing is a mechanism for generating different gene transcripts (called isoforms) from the same genomic sequence. Finding alternative splicing events experimentally is both expensive and time consuming. Computational methods, in general, and machine learning algorithms,in particular, can be used to complement experimental methods in the process of identifying alternative splicing events. In this paper, we explore the predictive power of a rich set of features that have been experimentally shown to affect alternative splicing. We use these features to build support vector machine (SVM) classifiers for distinguishing between alternatively spliced exons and constitutive exons.Our results show that simple linear SVM classifiers built from a rich set of features give results comparable to those of more sophisticated SVM classifiers that use more basic sequence features. Furthermore, we use feature selection methods to identify computationally the most informative features for the prediction problem considered.
Joint Pulse and Symbol Level Acquisition of UWB Receivers

Synchronization is a key issue for ultra-wideband (UWB) radios. Most UWB receivers require a sub-nanosecond level synchronization accuracy for pulse detection, usually leading to a very long acquisition time. In this paper, we propose a novel acquisition algorithm for UWB receivers, which jointly achieves pulse acquisition (PA) and symbol timing in a short time. Novel and practical error-resistant approaches are developed to keep the false alarm (FA) rate under a desired low level. Detailed analysis based on finite state machine and flow graph theory is carried out to evaluate its acquisition performance. Comparison with the PA-only case is made, illustrating the effectiveness of our joint approach. Simulations corroborate our theoretical results.
The PhysioNet/computing in cardiology challenge 2010: Mind the gap

Participants in the 11th annual PhysioNet/CinC Challenge were asked to reconstruct, using any combination of available prior and concurrent information, 30-second segments of ECG, continuous blood pressure waveforms, respiration, and other signals that had been removed from recordings of patients in intensive care units.
EVIDENCE FOR X-LINKAGE OF STEROID SULFATASE IN THE MOUSE: STEROID SULFATASE LEVELS IN OOCYTES OF XX AND XO MICE

The steroid sulfatase (STS) levels in mature oocytes of XX and XO mice were assayed along with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an autosomal marker, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), a known X-linked gene. LDH levels in XX and XO oocytes were equal, whereas STS and G6PD levels were approximately twice as high in XX oocytes as in XO oocytes. These results indicate that the STS gene is X-linked in the mouse just as it is in humans. Assays of STS in kidney tissue of XX and XO mice indicated dosage compensation for the gene, which is different from that observed in humans.
Convolutionally coded multicarrier DS-CDMA systems in a multipath fading channel. I. Performance analysis

This paper presents a multicarrier asynchronous direct-sequence code-division multiple-access (DS-CDMA) system wherein the output of a convolutional encoder modulates multiple band-limited DS-CDMA waveforms, which are transmitted in parallel at different carrier frequencies. The receiver detects and combines signals for the desired user and feeds a soft-decision Viterbi decoder. The performance of this system is compared to that of a conventional single-carrier DS-CDMA system with a RAKE receiver, assuming a slowly varying frequency-selective Rayleigh fading channel and assuming the presence of additive white Gaussian noise and multiple-access interference. Results will demonstrate similar performance at roughly equal receiver complexity.
Control Surface Interaction Effects of the Active Aeroelastic Wing Wind Tunnel Model

This paper presents results from testing the Active Aeroelastic Wing wind tunnel model in NASA Langley s Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. The wind tunnel test provided an opportunity to study aeroelastic system behavior under combined control surface deflections, testing for control surface interaction effects. Control surface interactions were observed in both static control surface actuation testing and dynamic control surface oscillation testing. The primary method of evaluating interactions was examination of the goodness of the linear superposition assumptions. Responses produced by independently actuating single control surfaces were combined and compared with those produced by simultaneously actuating and oscillating multiple control surfaces. Adjustments to the data were required to isolate the control surface influences. Using dynamic data, the task increases, as both the amplitude and phase have to be considered in the data corrections. The goodness of static linear superposition was examined and analysis of variance was used to evaluate significant factors influencing that goodness. The dynamic data showed interaction effects in both the aerodynamic measurements and the structural measurements.
Alterity: Learning Polyvalent Selves, Resisting Disabling Notions of the Self.

Within dominant U.S. popular and psychiatric culture, adults who experience more than one distinct consciousness—that is, those who experience alterity, or the presence of “alters” or other personalities—are often pathologized as suffering from dissociative identity disorder (formerly multiple personality disorder).
c-di-GMP heterogeneity is generated by the chemotaxis machinery to regulate flagellar motility

Bacterial populations have traditionally been assumed to be made up of identical cells. However, while the bacteria within a population may be genetically identical, individual cells have different growth rates, metabolisms and motilities, among other things. This ‘phenotypic heterogeneity’ has been observed in many different species of bacteria, and in some cases it can be attributed to changes in the concentration of molecules called second messengers that help to relay signals from the external environment to targets within the cell. It can be challenging to monitor changes in the concentration of specific molecules inside cells, but researchers recently developed a form of microscopy based on FRET (short for Forster resonance energy transfer) that can measure the levels of a second messenger molecule called cyclic di-guanylate (c-di-GMP) inside individual cells. This technique was used to study P. aeruginosa, a bacterium that has a single corkscrew-shaped propeller that enables it to swim through liquid. P. aeruginosa divides to form two daughter cells—one with a propeller and one without. Although the daughter cell that does not have a propeller quickly grows one, FRET-based microscopy revealed that the daughter cell with a propeller had less c-di-GMP than the daughter without a propeller, but the reasons underlying this difference and its effects on bacterial behavior were not clear. Now Kulasekara et al. show that the cell that inherits the propeller contains an enzyme that degrades c-di-GMP, and that the low levels of this second messenger molecule—caused by the enzyme being concentrated near the base of the propeller, and the presence of a protein (CheA) that enables the bacteria to swim towards sources of nutrients—result in faster swimming speeds and increased responsiveness to nutrients. In other words, although the two daughter cells are genetically identical, they behave quite differently because of the different levels of this second messenger molecule. The existence of heterogeneity within a bacterial population likely leads to increased success and survival within changing diverse environments, and this work sets the stage for similar investigations into what establishes heterogeneity in other bacterial populations.
An empirical study of conservative scheduling

It is well known that the critical path provides an absolute lower bound on the execution time of a conservative parallel discrete event simulation. It stands to reason that optimal execution time can only be achieved by immediately executing each event on the critical path. However, dynamically identifying the critical event is difficult, if not impossible. In this paper, we examine several heuristics that might help to determine the critical event, and conduct a performance study to determine the effectiveness of using these heuristics for preferential scheduling.
In vivo identification of the outer membrane protein OmcA-MtrC interaction network in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 cells using novel hydrophobic chemical cross-linkers.

Outer membrane (OM) cytochromes OmcA (SO1779) and MtrC (SO1778) are the integral components of electron transfer used by Shewanella oneidensis for anaerobic respiration of metal (hydr)oxides. Here the OmcA−MtrC interaction was identified in vivo using a novel hydrophobic chemical cross-linker (MRN) combined with immunoprecipitation techniques. In addition, identification of other OM proteins from the cross-linked complexes allows first visualization of the OmcA−MtrC interaction network. Further experiments on omcA and mtrC mutant cells showed OmcA plays a central role in the network interaction. For comparison, two commercial cross-linkers were also used in parallel, and both resulted in fewer OM protein identifications, indicating the superior properties of MRN for identification of membrane protein interactions. Finally, comparison experiments of in vivo cross-linking and cell lysate cross-linking resulted in significantly different protein interaction data, demonstrating the importance of in vivo cross...
Predators and parasitoids of egg sacs of the widow spiders, Latrodectus geometricus and Latrodectus hesperus (Araneae: Theridiidae) in southern California

Abstract The brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus C. L. Koch 1841, is non-native to North America and has experienced an explosive range expansion in the first decade of the 21st century. Previously restricted to peninsular Florida, it is now well established in the southeastern United States and southern California. In southern California, brown widow spiders have become ubiquitous around urban homes and are well known to the general public because of their high numbers and distinctive spiked egg sacs. Several insects attack egg sacs of the native western black widow, L. hesperus Chamberlin & Ivie 1935, as either parasitoids or egg predators. We investigated whether and to what degree these insects would attack brown widow egg sacs. We dissected 3,739 brown widow egg sacs finding evidence of the chloropid fly, Pseudogaurax signatus (Loew 1876) in 2.0% and wasp parasitoids in 0.4% of the sacs. For comparison, we also dissected 263 western black widow egg sacs with P. signatus showing a higher level...
Neuropeptide Y Y2 receptors in hypothalamic neuroendocrine areas are up-regulated by estradiol and decreased by progesterone cotreatment in the ovariectomized rat

Central neuropeptide Y (NPY) systems are known to stimulate, via the Y1 subtype of NPY receptor, the release of LHRH that leads to surges of LH. Levels of NPY receptors in relation to the above modulation have not been assessed. This study, therefore, examined profiles of NPY receptors in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats and in Ovx rat treated with estradiol (E2) with or without cotreatment with progesterone (P4). [125I]Human PYY containing proline in position 34 [(Pro 34 )hPYY] was used as the Y1 receptor ligand, and [125 I]human peptide YY-(3-36) [hPYY-(3-36)] was used as the Y2 site ligand. Treatment with E2 over 3 days increased Y2 binding in the preoptic hypothalamus and the medial basal hypothalamus, whereas no changes were found in the lateral anterior hypothalamus or the piriform cortex. Administration of P4 (1.5 mg/animal) on the third day of E2 treatment reduced Y2 binding in both the preoptic hypothalamus and the medial basal hypothalamus to or below the density found in Ovx controls. The Y1 receptor ...
The Effects of Peer-Mediated Instruction in Mathematics for Students with Learning Problems: A Research Synthesis

The purpose of this synthesis is to summarize the effectiveness of peer-mediated interventions on the mathematics performance of both students with disabilities and those at risk for mathematics disabilities. Meta-analytic techniques were used to calculate mean effect sizes for 17 studies that met inclusion criteria. Results indicate that peer-mediated interventions in mathematics are moderately effective for improving students' mathematics performance. Also, findings are strongest for students at risk for mathematics disabilities, elementary-aged participants, and mathematics computation content. Recommendations for future research and practical implications are discussed.
Performance analysis of binary coded systems over Rician block fading channels

This paper considers the performance analysis of binary coded systems over Rician block fading channels. In the transmitter, the coded bits are interleaved prior to transmission to spread burst errors resulting from deeply faded blocks. The union bound on the bit error probability (BEP) is derived assuming uniform interleaving prior to transmission over the channel and using the weight enumerator of the code. To compute the union bound, the pairwise error probability (PEP) is derived for coherent detection with perfect and imperfect channel side information (SI) at the receiver. The bound is evaluated for convolutional codes with different values of specular power and results show that the bound predicts the performance degradation due to channel memory. Channel estimation/diversity tradeoff is investigated assuming imperfect SI.
Demonstration of a Metadatabase

A metadatabase prototype based on the basic elements described in chapter 5 has been developed to verify the metadatabase model and illustrate the concepts. The prototype supports enterprise information management at all three levels (file transfer, global query, and data and knowledge management), plus the management of information model resources themselves. A detailed description of the operation of the system is provided in this chapter, which in essence is a simulated demonstration. Some advanced functionalities such as adaptability and scalability are also shown in Section 9.4 of Chapter 9. A viable EIM is, therefore, presented.
Elastic scaling of data parallel operators in stream processing

We describe an approach to elastically scale the performance of a data analytics operator that is part of a streaming application. Our techniques focus on dynamically adjusting the amount of computation an operator can carry out in response to changes in incoming workload and the availability of processing cycles. We show that our elastic approach is beneficial in light of the dynamic aspects of streaming workloads and stream processing environments. Addressing another recent trend, we show the importance of our approach as a means to providing computational elasticity in multicore processor-based environments such that operators can automatically find their best operating point. Finally, we present experiments driven by synthetic workloads, showing the space where the optimizing efforts are most beneficial and a radioastronomy imaging application, where we observe substantial improvements in its performance-critical section.
Do Minority or White Patients Respond to Brief Alcohol Intervention in Trauma Centers? A Randomized Trial

Study objective The current study evaluates whether the effectiveness of brief alcohol intervention in reducing 6- and 12-month risk of injuries in a large Level I urban trauma center varies according to trauma patients' ethnicity. Methods Eligible white, Hispanic, and black trauma patients aged 18 years or older were randomized to brief alcohol intervention or treatment as usual. The intervention was a "non-confrontational, patient-centered conversation" focused on patients' drinking pattern, with the purpose of encouraging them to change risky drinking. Study outcomes were patient-reported 6- and 12-month incidence of all-type injuries, alcohol-related injuries, and serious injuries (ie, injuries requiring emergency department visit or hospital admission). Results A total of 1,493 trauma patients (668 whites, 537 Hispanics, 288 blacks) participated in this study. After 1 year of follow-up, we were not able to detect any important association between brief intervention and the risk of all-type injuries, alcohol-related injuries, or serious injuries among study participants. In addition, the association between brief intervention and the outcomes of interest was not modified by patients' ethnicity. Conclusion Our study, congruent with some recent publications, implies that there are some patient- and provider-related impediments that could restrict the effectiveness of brief intervention programs in trauma centers, regardless of patient ethnicity. Unless those impediments are identified and eliminated, assuming that brief intervention will be an effective strategy for controlling future alcohol-related injuries among trauma patients and should be provided under any circumstances might not be reasonable.
Protecting Health Care Workers From Ebola: Personal Protective Equipment Is Critical but Is Not Enough

The authors of this commentary discuss how so many health care workers in West Africa could have become infected with Ebola despite the known effectiveness of barrier protection in blocking its tra...
Periodic Response of a General Yielding Structure

A general nonlinear hysteretic force-deflection relation for a one degree-of-freedom structure is presented. The relation is a continuous, smooth function and describes yielding behavior varying between the limits of the linear and elasto-plastic cases. The steady-state response to sinusoidal excitation of a structure having these properties is investigated, and the resonant amplitude and frequency response curves are obtained. A typical family of these curves is verified by numerical integration of the equation of motion. The equivalent viscous damping factor for the general structure is determined. It is concluded that the relation is sufficiently general to be useful as a model for dynamic behavior of yielding structures. Comparison of dynamic test results to the analytical results can furnish approximations to the dynamic force-deflection relations of many real structures.
Health Care Quality and Satisfaction: The Challenge of Evaluation Processes and the Credence GAP

In this paper the current quality and satisfaction models currently in use in health care marketing with emphasis on the "credence" gap are evaluated. The objective is to propose the addition of using nurse evaluation of treatment protocol adequacy into the overall evaluation of health care quality and satisfaction.
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance of Intrinsic Defects in III-V Semiconductors

The use of electron paramagnetic resonance to investigate intrinsic defects in the III-V semiconductors is reviewed. Particular attention is given to lattice vacancies, antisites and their complexes in GaP, GaAs, and InP. The role of EPR in arriving at an understanding of these defects is emphasized and the interplay between experiment and theory is discussed.
Glycosaminoglycans of Normal Human Prostate

SummaryCrude extracts of normal human prostate glands obtained after papain digestion contained 4.83±4.04 mg of hexuronic acid/g of dry tissue. Aliquots of the extracts were fractionated on columns of Dowex-1 ×2 with solutions of increasing NaCl concentrations. Electrophoresis of the chromatographic fractions showed the presence of a band migrating like hyaluronic acid (HA) in Fractions III to ×. The component of this band in Fractions III and IV A is considered to be HA because it was depolymerized by streptococcal hyaluronidase. The corresponding band in Fraction IV B to × is referred to the HA-like component because it was depolymerized by testicular hyaluronidase but not by streptococcal hyaluronidase.Additional aliquots of the crude extracts were separated into fibrous-like (FP) and flocculent (FPS) precipitates by the addition of ethanol. FPS contained 5 times more GAG than FP. In both precipitates, dermatan sulfate was the most abundant GAG. Spectrophotometric measurements indicated the presence of...
Piracy Behavior of Wintering Bald Eagles

Etude quantitative du kleptoparasitisme inter- et intra-specifique chez Haliaeetus leucophalus hivernant pres de Keokuk, Iowa et d'Hamilton, Illinois (1978-79, 1979-80)
Evaluation of the Painful Dual Taper Modular Neck Stem Total Hip Arthroplasty: Do They All Require Revision?

Although dual taper modular-neck total hip arthroplasty (THA) design with additional neck-stem modularity has the potential to optimize hip biomechanical parameters by facilitating adjustments of leg length, femoral neck version and offset, there is increasing concern regarding this stem design as a result of the growing numbers of adverse local tissue reactions due to fretting and corrosion at the neck-stem taper junction. Implant factors such as taper cone angle, taper surface roughness, taper contact area, modular neck taper metallurgy, and femoral head size play important roles in influencing extent of taper corrosion. There should be a low threshold to conduct a systematic clinical evaluation of patients with dual-taper modular-neck stem THA using systematic risk stratification algorithms as early recognition and diagnosis will ensure prompt and appropriate treatment. Although specialized tests such as metal ion analysis and cross-sectional imaging modalities such as metal artifact reduction sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MARS MRI) are useful in optimizing clinical decision-making, overreliance on any single investigative tool in the clinical decision-making process for revision surgery should be avoided.
Experience of Service Expanding for Certified Health Laboratories and Related Paperwork's Design and Application

The paper focus on those laboratories that been certified by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment(CNAS)or have have passed metrology accreditation. The objective is to find a viable solution in service expanding. The topics covered service expanding preparation, design of related paperwork, expanding application, and accreditation or conformity assessment.
Comparison of Poor Sights among Primary and Secondary School Students in Langfang City between 2006 and 2010

[Objective]To compare the poor sights of primary and secondary school students of Langfang between 2006 and 2010,and provide reference for effectively preventing poor sights and promoting quality education.[Methods]The SPSS software was employed to make statistical analysis on the monitoring result of the poor sights of the students in the monitoring points of Langfang urban area in 2006 and 2010.[Results]From 2006 to 2010,the rate of poor sight of the primary and secondary school students had risen from 42.79% to 49.11%;the rate of poor sight of the secondary school students had risen from 44.75% to 59.85%;that of the high school students had risen from 72.79% to 78.07%;the rate of poor sight of key primary school students had risen from 51.73% to 53.84%;and that of key high school students had risen from 87.12% to 90.05%.The rate of poor sight of primary and secondary school students in 2010 was significantly higher than that in 2006(all P0.0001);in the same year,the key high school students had the obviously higher rate of poor sight than that of non-key school students,with significant difference(all P0.01);compared with the rate of poor sight of the students in the schools of same kind in 2006 and 2010,the students of non-key primary school,the key high school,and the non-key high school had obviously higher rate of poor sight,with the difference of statistical significance(all P0.01);the rate of poor sight of the students of key primary school students had no significant difference(P0.05);the rate of poor sight of the female students was obviously higher than that of the male students,with the difference of statistical significance(all P0.001).[Conclusion]The poor sight of the students is mainly attributable to heavy schooling burden,lack of sleep and outdoor exercise,and bad learning environment caused by the excessive number of students due to the rate of admission into the key higher schools,as well as the incorrect posture of reading and writing.The whole society is suggested to focus on the quality education of students,to protect the vision of students,and improve the physical health of students.
INVESTIGATION ON RHAMNOLIPID BIOSURFACTANT USED IN ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY OF DAQING OILFIELD

The experimental study of rhamnolipid (RH) biosurfactant was conducted under conditions of Daqing oil reservoir (such as crude oil, formation water and temperature). Results have shown that the interfacial tension between RH brine and crude oil has not reach 10 -3 mN/m. but it can reach the ultra-low interfacial tension of 10 -3 ～10 -4 mN/m when RH is added into the alkali sulfonate PSD-2 (in the presence of 1.0% NaOH) which was prepared by sulfonating Daqing fraction oil. Further investigation indicates that when 0.1% RH fermentative solution is added in the system of sulfonate surfactant B-100 (containing 1.2% Na 2CO 3), not only the interfacial tension is lowered to 10-4mN/m but also the maximum adsorption of B-100 on Daqing reservoir sandstone is decreased from 0.62 mg/g sand to 0.44 mg/g sand. Results of oil displacement on Daqing reservoir cores show that an oil bank is formed in the flooding process and water cut is decreased from 98% to 50%. The oil recovery is increased around 20% OOIP.
The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Attention and Rumination

Mindfulness meditation (MM) has grown in popularity over the recent years, becoming a way in which to achieve awareness of the present moment. Benefits of MM include decreased rates of mind wandering, depression, and anxiety, as well as improvements in well-being and attention. However, MM researchers using novice meditators usually compare them to a passive control group or a control group that completes relaxation training. The present study used a cognitively active control group as a comparison group to examine the way attention, rumination, and mind wandering are affected by a short-term MM training. Participants were randomly assigned to complete one week of MM training or one week of poetry analysis. Participants completed measures before and after training, as well as seven days of experience sampling following the completion of training. Results indicated that all participants showed improvements in mindfulness and attention and declines in rumination, and that the two groups did not differ in the magnitude of these effects. Additionally, our longitudinal results indicated that attention did not mediate the relationship between mindfulness and rumination, but our experience sampling results suggested that state mind wandering mediated the relationship between state mindfulness and state rumination. These results suggest that individuals may need to reach intermediate levels of MM training before seeing effects distinct to MM practice.
Geometrical insights into proportional derivative control of synchronous buck converters with constant power loads

Power electronics dominated systems, in particular systems including cascaded regulated converters, include converters that feed instantaneous constant power loads. To provide stable operation of buck converters with constant power loading, appropriate control of converter switching is required. In this work, the application of boundary control to buck converters with constant power loading is reviewed with a renewed focus on the synchronous topology, and the analysis and design of PD control for the same application is considered using geometrical insights from boundary control. The region of stable operation for the converter is verified using numerical simulation with ideal mathematical and switching models.
Evaluation of Alternative, “Low-intensity” Induction Regimens in Elderly Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Abstract Abstract 2066 Poster Board II-43 From 1999 to 2009, 298 adults, age 60 yrs and above, received initial induction therapy for untreated AML at Weill-Cornell Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital. Based on physician/patient preference and/or protocol eligibility, patients received either a traditional cytosine arabinoside/anthracycline-based induction regimen (n= 103) or an alternative, low-intensity regimen(n=195); either low-dose ara-C +/- arsenic trioxide (n=88) or tipifarnib +/- oral etoposide (n=107). Overall the median age was 72 yrs (range 60-89), 47% had an antecedent hematological disorder (AHD) and 42% had an unfavorable karyotype. Patients treated with low-intensity regimens were significantly older compared to those given standard induction (median age 75 vs 67 yrs) and had a higher percentage of unfavorable karyotypes (46% vs 33%). Complete remissions (CR) were achieved in 23% of patients receiving low-intensity regimens and 53% of patients treated with standard therapy. Thirty and 60 day mortality rates were 9.7% and 20.5% versus 14.5% and 25% for low-intensity and standard regimens respectively (p=0.29). Seventy two of the initial 195 patients (37%) treated with a low-intensity regimen received a second induction regimen for primary resistance or relapse; either a standard ara-C-anthracycline regimen (n=38) or a second non-intensive regimen (decitabine +/- gemtuzumab ozogamicin, low-dose ara-c, SGN-33,) (n=34). Overall 25/72 (35%) achieved a CR with salvage therapy; 16/38 CR's (42%) with standard induction and 9/34 CR's (26%) with a second low-intensity regimen. Median overall survival for all 298 patients was 6.7 months. By univariate analysis, no significant difference in survival was seen for patients initially treated with a low-intensity regimen compared to those receiving standard induction (median 6.2 vs 7.7 months; p=0.82 by log-rank test). By multivariate analysis, age over 75, prior AHD, unfavorable karyotype, ECOG performance status > 2, and male gender all predicted for shorter survival, whereas intensity of initial treatment did not. These results suggest that older patients with AML may receive initial therapy with a non-traditional, low-intensity induction regimen and have similar survival outcomes compared to patients given standard induction. A comparison of the quality of life of patients, as manifested by the percentage of days spent in hospital, frequency of transfusion support, and number of outpatient visits, will be presented. Death due to resistant disease remains the major problem for older patients with AML Disclosures: Off Label Use: arsenic trioxide to be used to enhance the effects of low-dose ara-C as part of a clinical trial.
A Review of Frequency Response Solution for Type - 3 Wind Turbines Using Energy Storage Device

This paper identifies the current approaches to provide the frequency response from type 3 (Doubly Fed Induction Generator based) wind turbines to support the grid during power imbalance. It discusses the use of energy storage devices for providing support during frequency deviation. The paper mainly focuses on the approach to connect the energy storage with the wind turbine through the DC coupling capacitor and use the already available wind turbine AC/DC/AC converter for power conversion. The process to choose an energy storage device and appropriately sizing it for desired support is stated. It also discusses the wind turbine controller strategy modification to properly operate the energy storage device and provide required support. Finally, the study shows simulation results indicating the validation of connecting energy storage through DC coupling capacitor and the updated control algorithm method in different operating condition.
Dual-fiber optic microcantilever proximity sensor

Microcantilevers are key components of many Micro-Electro- Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and Micro-Optical-Electro- Mechanical Systems (MOEMS) because slight changes to them physically or chemically lead to changes in mechanical characteristics. An inexpensive dual-fiberoptic microcantilever proximity sensor and model to predict its performance are reported here. Motion of a magnetic- material-coated cantilever is the basis of a system under development for measuring magnetic fields. The dual fiber proximity sensor will be used to monitor the motion of the cantilever. The specific goal is to sense induction fields produced by a current carrying conductor. The proximity sensor consists of two fibers side by side with claddings in contact. The fiber core diameter, 50 microns, and cladding thickness, 10 microns, are as small as routinely available commercially with the exception of single mode fiber. Light is launched into one fiber from a light-emitting diode (LED). It emerges from that fiber and reflects from the cantilever into the adjacent receiving fiber connected to a detector. The sensing end is cast molded with a diameter of 3 mm over the last 20 mm, yielding a low profile sensor. This reflective triangulation approach is probably the oldest and simplest fiber proximity sensing approach, yet the novelty here is in demonstrating high sensitivity at low expense from a triangular microstructure with amorphous magnetic coatings of iron, cobalt, permalloy, etc. The signal intensity versus distance curve yields an approximate Gaussian shape. For a typical configuration, the signal grows from 10% to 90% of maximum in traversing from 6 to 50 microns from a coated cantilever. With signal levels exceeding a volt, nanometer resolution should be readily achievable for periodic signals.