cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New Tests for Assessing Non-Inferiority and Equivalence from Survival Data

We propose a new nonparametric method for assessing non-inferiority of an experimental therapy compared to a standard of care. The ratio μE/μR of true median survival times is the parameter of interest. This is of considerable interest in clinical trials of generic drugs. We think of the ratio mE/mR of the sample medians as a point estimate of the ratioμE/μR. We use the Fieller-Hinkley distribution of the ratio of two normally distributed random variables to derive an unbiased level-α test of inferiority null hypothesis, which is stated in terms of the ratio μE/μR and a pre-specified fixed non-inferiority margin δ. We also explain how to assess equivalence and non-inferiority using bootstrap equivalent confidence intervals on the ratioμE/μR. The proposed new test does not require the censoring distributions for the two arms to be equal and it does not require the hazard rates to be proportional. If the proportional hazards assumption holds good, the proposed new test is more attractive. We also discuss sample size determination. We claim that our test procedure is simple and attains adequate power for moderate sample sizes. We extend the proposed test procedure to stratified analysis. We propose a “two one-sided tests” approach for assessing equivalence.
A continuously monitored respiration chamber for fish

Abstract An apparatus that provides a continuous recording of the respiration rates of fishes is described. The respirometer uses the flowing water technique and provides extremely reliable determinations of respiration rates to be made on small to medium sized fish.
Energy Transfer of Excitons Between Quantum Wells Separated by a Wide Barrier

We present a microscopic theory of the excitonic Stokes and anti-Stokes energy transfer mechanisms between two widely separated unequal quantum wells with a large energy mismatch ({Delta}) at low temperatures (T). Exciton transfer through dipolar coupling, photon-exchange coupling and over-barrier ionization of the excitons through exciton-exciton Auger processes are examined. The energy transfer rate is calculated as a function of T and the center-to-center distance d between the two wells. The rates depend sensitively on T for plane-wave excitons. For located excitons, the rates depend on T only through the T-dependence of the localization radius.
Beyond Models: Forecasting Complex Network Processes Directly from Data

Complex network phenomena -- such as information cascades in online social networks -- are hard to fully observe, model, and forecast. In forecasting, a recent trend has been to forgo the use of parsimonious models in favor of models with increasingly large degrees of freedom that are trained to learn the behavior of a process from historical data. Extrapolating this trend into the future, eventually we would renounce models all together. But is it possible to forecast the evolution of a complex stochastic process directly from the data without a model? In this work we show that model-free forecasting is possible. We present SED, an algorithm that forecasts process statistics based on relationships of statistical equivalence using two general axioms and historical data. To the best of our knowledge, SED is the first method that can perform axiomatic, model-free forecasts of complex stochastic processes. Our simulations using simple and complex evolving processes and tests performed on a large real-world dataset show promising results.
Effect of the metastatic defect on the structural response and failure process of human vertebrae: An experimental study

Abstract Background Pathologic vertebral fractures are associated with intractable pain, loss of function and high morbidity in patients with metastatic spine disease. However, the failure mechanisms of vertebrae with lytic defects and the failed vertebrae's ability to retain load carrying capacity remain unclear. Methods Eighteen human thoracic and lumbar vertebrae with simulated uncontained bone defects were tested under compression-bending loads to failure. Failure was defined as 50% reduction in vertebral body height. The vertebrae were allowed to recover under load and re-tested to failure using the initial criteria. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to test for changes in strength and stiffness parameters. Findings Vertebral failure occurred via buckling and fracture of the cortex around the defect, followed by collapse of the defect region. Compared to the intact vertebrae, the failed vertebrae exhibited a significant loss in compressive strength (59%, p 2 = 0.63), both compressive and anterior-posterior shear strengths were weakly correlated with their stiffness parameters (r 2 = 0.24 and r 2 = 0.31). By contrast, in the failed vertebrae, these parameters were strongly correlated, (r 2 = 0.91, r 2 = 0.86, and r 2 = 0.92, p Interpretation Failure of the vertebral cortex at the defect site dominated the initiation and progression of vertebral failure with the vertebrae failing via a consolidation process of the vertebral bone. Once failed, the vertebrae showed remarkable loss of load carrying capacity.
Six degree-of-freedom haptic rendering of complex polygonal models

This paper describes a haptic rendering algorithm for arbitrary polygonal models using a six degree-of-freedom haptic interface. The algorithm supports activities such as virtual prototyping of complex polygonal models and adding haptic interaction to virtual environments. The underlying collision system computes local minimum distances between the model controlled by the haptic device and the rest of the scene. The haptic rendering computes forces and torques on the moving model based on these local minimum distances.
Differentiated Domain Protection Algorithm Based on Virtual Topology Graph in Multi-Domain Optical Networks

This paper proposes a novel Differentiated Domain Protection (DDP) algorithm to address survivability in multi-domain optical networks. In order to ensure the principle of transparent management in multi-optical domains, DDP abstracts the multi-domain optical networks to Virtual Topology Graph (VTG) to solve the inter-domain routing. In order to satisfy the survivable requirements of different domains, DDP considers the differentiated protection in different domains. Compared with traditional algorithms, DDP not only has the performance trade-off ability but also has the better resource utilization ratio. Simulation results are shown to be promising.
Asymmetrical perception of body rotation after unilateral injury to human vestibular cortex.

Vestibular information plays a key role in many perceptual and cognitive functions, but surprisingly little is known about how vestibular signals are processed at the cortical level in humans. To address this issue, we tested the ability of two patients, with damage to key components of the vestibular network in either the left or right hemisphere, to perceive passive whole-body rotations (25–125 ◦ ) about the yaw axis. In both patients, the posterior insula, hippocampus, putamen, and thalamus were extensively damaged. The patients’ responses were compared with those of nine ageand sex-matched neurologically intact participants. The body rotations were conducted without vision and the peak angular velocities ranged from 40 ◦ to 90 ◦ per second. Perceived rotation was assessed by open-loop manual pointing. The right hemisphere patient exhibited poor sensitivity for body rotations toward the contralesional (left) hemispace and generally underestimated the rotations. By contrast, his judgments of rotations toward the ipsilesional (right) hemispace greatly overestimated the physical rotation by 50–70 ◦ for all tested magnitudes. The left hemisphere patient’s responses were more appropriately scaled for both rotation directions, falling in the low-normal range. These findings suggest that there is some degree of hemispheric specialization in the cortical processing of dynamic head rotations in the yaw plane. In this view, right hemisphere structures play a dominant role, processing rotations in both directions, while left hemisphere structures process rotations only toward the contralesional hemispace.
Elderly Residents' Perspectives on Filial Piety and Institutionalization in Shanghai

The purpose of this study is to understand elder Chinese residents' decision-making processes around institutionalization and the concept of filial piety during this process. This qualitative study entailed 11 semistructured interviews with elderly residents in an institution in Shanghai. Results show that negotiations occurred between generations about coping with family caregiving crises prior to institutionalization and residents' acceptance of changing caregiving patterns. Elder parents display a more reciprocal understanding, and their children prefer culturally approved caregiving pattern changes. Results reveal that urbanization may socially and culturally reconstruct the concept of filial piety. More information from both generations is needed.
Theoretical framework for managing the front end of innovation under uncertainty

A growing body of research suggests that the fuzzy front-end of product development should not be managed with a one-size-fits-all standard process. Instead, projects with different market and technical uncertainties should be managed with one of five different processes (linear, recursive, evolving, selectionism, trial-and-error). Based on a review of the literature, the paper develops a theoretical framework for frontend management which provides the foundation for ongoing empirical research.
Synthesis and photoluminescence studies on ZnO nanowires

ZnO nanowires were grown in gram quantities on graphite flakes (as collector) using the vapour transport and condensation approach. The yield, defined as the weight ratio of ZnO nanowires to the original graphite flakes, has been studied thoroughly by tuning the various growth parameters such as pressure and temperature inside the tube furnace, the amount of graphite powder in the original source, the source to collector ratio, etc. A yield as high as 200% has been achieved, equivalent to a 40% conversion of the ZnO powder in the original source. A study comparing the photoluminescence spectra of the ZnO nanowires grown on both graphite flakes and substrates with commercially available ZnO powder has been carried out.
A resonance dynamical approach to faster, more reliable micromechanical switches

The resonance and nonlinear dynamical properties of micromechanical structures have been harnessed to demonstrate an impacting micromechanical switch with substantially higher switching speed, better reliability (even under hot switching), and lower actuation voltage, all by substantial factors, over conventional RF MEMS switches. The particular resoswitch implementation demonstrated in this work comprises a wine-glass mode disk resonator, driven hard via a 2.5V amplitude ac voltage at its 61-MHz resonance frequency so that it impacts electrodes along an orthogonal switch axis, thereby closing a switch connecting a signal through switch axis electrodes. The 61-MHz operating frequency corresponds to a switching period of 16ns with an effective rise time of ~4ns, which is more than 50 times faster than the mus-range switching speeds of the fastest conventional (non-resonant) RF MEMS switches. Furthermore, with the signal on during switching, a capacitive version of the switch has hot switched for more than 16.5 trillion cycles without failure, which is substantially more than the 100 billion cycles normally posted by conventional RF MEMS switches. The reliability of the present resoswitch benefits from the high stiffness of its actuating disk resonator, which provides a large restoring force with which to overcome sticking forces; and from the energy stored via resonance vibration that provides a momentum that further increases the effective restoring force. Resonance operation in turn allows the actuation voltage amplitude to be a mere 2.5V, despite the large spring restoring force. Such mechanically resonant switches (dubbed ldquoresoswitchesrdquo) used in place of the switching transistors in switched-mode power converters and power amplifiers stand to greatly enhance efficiencies by allowing the use of much higher power supply voltages than allowable by transistors.
Pb VOLATILIZATION EFFECT ON DIELECTRIC AND PIEZOELECTRIC PROPERTIES IN A Ta-DOPED PMN-PT CERAMIC THICK DISK

A thick ceramic disk of 0.7Pb(Mg1/3(Nb0.9Ta0.1)2/3)O3-0.3PbTiO3 (PMNT-PT) was prepared by columbite precursor method with PbO powder buffer surrounding the disk during the sintering process. The dielectric and piezoelectric properties and the microstructure of PMNT-PT samples cut from the different depths of the disk are studied. The phase purity is homogenous in the whole disk within our x-ray diffraction resolution. The dielectric constants, and the piezoelectric effect, d33, vary with different samples. The samples cut from the middle parts of the disk have the higher d33. It is believed that the sample processes, especially the Pb volatilization is responsible for these results.
A New Achievable Rate Region for the Multiple-Access Channel With Noiseless Feedback

A new single-letter achievable rate region is proposed for the two-user discrete memoryless multiple-access channel(MAC) with noiseless feedback. The proposed region includes the Cover-Leung rate region , and it is shown that the inclusion is strict. The proof uses a block-Markov superposition strategy based on the observation that the messages of the two users are correlated given the feedback. The rates of transmission are too high for each encoder to decode the other's message directly using the feedback, so they transmit correlated information in the next block to learn the message of one another. They then cooperate in the following block to resolve the residual uncertainty of the decoder. The coding scheme may be viewed as a natural generalization of the Cover-Leung scheme with a delay of one extra block and a pair of additional auxiliary random variables. We compute the proposed rate region for two different MACs and compare the results with other known rate regions for the MAC with feedback. Finally, we show how the coding scheme can be extended to obtain larger rate regions with more auxiliary random variables.
Selective Enhancement of Donor Hematopoietic Cell Engraftment by the CXCR4 Antagonist AMD3100 in a Mouse Transplantation Model

The interaction between stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) with CXCR4 chemokine receptors plays an important role in hematopoiesis following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We examined the efficacy of post transplant administration of a specific CXCR4 antagonist (AMD3100) in improving animal survival and in enhancing donor hematopoietic cell engraftment using a congeneic mouse transplantation model. AMD3100 was administered subcutaneously at 5 mg/kg body weight 3 times a week beginning at day +2 post-transplant. Post-transplant administration of AMD3100 significantly improves animal survival. AMD3100 reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production. Furthermore, post transplant administration of AMD3100 selectively enhances donor cell engraftment and promotes recovery of all donor cell lineages (myeloid cells, T and B lymphocytes, erythrocytes and platelets). This enhancement results from a combined effect of increased marrow niche availability and greater cell division induced by AMD3100. Our studies shed new lights into the biological roles of SDF-1/CXCR4 interaction in hematopoietic stem cell engraftment following transplantation and in transplant-related mortality. Our results indicate that AMD3100 provides a novel approach for enhancing hematological recovery following transplantation, and will likely benefit patients undergoing transplantation.
Analysis of island wakes and katabatic winds imaged by RADARSAT-1 synthetic aperture radar

In this study, the sea surface imprints of strong mountain katabatic winds and gap winds are observed on RADARSAT-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) ScanSAR wide images off the west coast of the U.S. and in the Gulf of Alaska. Two case studies are presented. In the first case study, a RARASAT-1 SAR scene taken at 14:25:30 UTC on January 21, 2003 shows a finger-like wind pattern that mirrors the coastal mountain height. In the second case, the SAR image was taken at 4:41:45 UTC on December 22, 1999. It shows a strong gap wind and vortex streets through the Aleutian Islands. In order to understand the dynamics of these wind patterns observed in the SAR images, we simulated the low level atmospheric circulation using the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University (PSU)-National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Mesoscale Model, MM5. A triple nested-grid (9/3/1 km) technique is employed to achieve a multi-scale simulation. In general the MM5 model captures the wind pattern very well and reveals the dynamics of these meso-scale atmospheric phenomena. However, the MM5 did not resolve the vortex shedding due to the model resolution and the complex nature of this phenomenon
An algorithmic approach to controlling search in three-dimensional image data

In many three-dimensional imaging applications random shaped objects, reconstructed from serial sections, are isolated to display their overall structure in a single view. This paper presents an algorithm to control an ordered search strategy for locating all contours of random shaped objects intersected by a series of cross-section image planes. Classic search techniques in AI problem solving and software for image processing and computer graphics are combined here to aid program initialization and automate the search process thereafter. Using three-dimensional region growing, this method isolates all spatially connected pixels forming a structure's volume and enters image planes the least number of times to do so. An algorithmic description is given to generalize the process for controlling search in 3-D image data where little core memory is available. Phantom and medical computer tomographic data are used to illustrate the algorithm's performance.
Synergistic calcium release in the sea urchin egg by ryanodine and cyclic ADP ribose.

Abstract A transient rise in cytoplasmic Ca 2+ activity in the sea urchin egg occurs during fertilization due to release from an intracellular store. Two intracellular receptor Ca 2+ channels for inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP 3 ) and ryanodine have been identified by physiological and immunological techniques. While IP 3 is the endogenous messenger for the IP 3 receptor, a corresponding physiological messenger for the ryanodine receptor is unknown. A variety of recent experimental evidences suggest that cyclic ADP ribose (cADPR) may be a possible candidate. In this study using both egg homogenates and intact eggs, we show that subthreshold concentrations of cADPR and ryanodine can act synergistically to potentiate Ca 2+ release. Addition of 10-20 n M cADPR, which causes little net increase in Ca 2+ , generally enhances the action of subthreshold concentrations of ryanodine. Similarly the addition of 60-80 μ M ryanodine causes a slight transient increase but potentiates maximal Ca 2+ increase by a subsequent subthreshold addition of cADPR. While the target of Ca 2+ release by ryanodine and cADPR may be the ryanodine receptor, their actions appear to be different and more complex than simply opening the release mechanism. There are significant differences in the kinetics of release by the two agonists. In addition we used a poorly metabolized analog of IP 3 and an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ ATPase activity, to show that the unfertilized egg contains a rapidly filled Ca 2+ store, which is commonly released by both IP 3 -mediated and ryanodine-mediated release mechanisms.
Career commitment as a complex moderator of organizational commitment and turnover intention.

This study investigated the moderating role of career commitment on the relationships between employees' perception of company practices and organizational commitment, and between organizational commitment and turnover intention. Using a sample of 225 researchers from eight business-related research institutes in Korea, it was found that (1) career commitment was perceived as distinct from the two dimensions of organizational commitment (affective and continuance) by Korean researchers; (2) career commitment moderated the effect of employees' perception of supervisory support on affective commitment; and (3) career commitment also moderated the effect of affective commitment on turnover intention. The practical and conceptual implications of these results are discussed.
High concentrations of L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) induces apoptosis in a human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) through the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways

Abstract. Although cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in the developed world have significantly declined over the past 30 years, it is still the second leading cause of death in women aged 19-39 years. Novel developments of chemotherapeutic agents for cervical cancer are important in reducing patient mortality rates. Recent chemotherapeutic developments have begun to manipulate the apoptotic pathway. L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is generally considered an antioxidant at normal physiological levels (60–80 μM), but considered a pro-oxidant at much higher concentrations (> 1 mM). Due to its pro-oxidant effects, in the 1970s L-ascorbic acid underwent clinical trials as an anticancer treatment at high intravenous concentrations (1-2 mM), and presented ambiguous results. In the last 5 years, L-ascorbic acid has been re-investigated in in vitro cancerous cell lines, and has exhibited a selective toxicity in cancerous cells. This investigation aimed to characterize the mechanism of cell death induced by...
Theta series associated to symmetric matrices

Given positive integers and , a vector of and a symmetric positive definite integral matrix whose diagonal entries are even, we consider an associated series similar to theta series and prove that this series is a modular form of weight for a congruence subgroup with character.
Aryl-substituted BIAN complexes of iron dibromide: Synthesis, X-ray and electronic structure, and catalytic hydrosilylation activity

Abstract Anhydrous iron dibromide complexes bearing bidentate α-diimine ligands ArN C(Me) (Me)C NAr and ArBIAN (BIAN = bis(imino)acenaphthene; Ar = dpp and Mes; dpp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl; Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) have been prepared and characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The aryl-substituted BIAN complexes were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and their metrical parameters are consistent with a redox-innocent chelating ligand. A high-spin iron(II) electronic structure description for the ArBIAN iron complexes is supported by Mossbauer spectroscopy, solution state magnetic measurements, and quantum-chemical calculations. Upon reduction, the iron complexes promote catalytic hydrosilylation of 1-hexene with phenylsilane at 22 °C. Under optimized conditions, 1 mol% of the dppBIANFeBr2 precatalyst was activated in situ to produce 1-hexylphenylsilane in high yield from a 1:1 ratio of 1-hexene:PhSiH3 in solvent-free conditions at 22 °C in 24 h.
Fracture Toughness of Aligned Carbon Nanotube Polymer Nanocomposites

Aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are being investigated for application to numerous material disciplines including structural composite materials due to their unique scaledependent physical properties. Prior work on nanoengineered composite architectures demonstrated improved interlaminar fracture toughness was dependent on epoxy type. In this work, we seek to understand the reinforcement mechanisms of aligned CNTs in a polymer matrix in the absence of fibers, of aligned polymer nanocomposites in different epoxy types. Preliminary investigations were performed using single edge notch beam specimens to isolate the fracture toughness of small CNT nanocomposites, and the mechanisms of reinforcement can be elucidated through tight control over CNT alignment and loading epoxy. While crack initiation off a sharpened precrack are unchanged with added aligned CNTs, an increase in fracture surface area and added crack arrest capability reveal mechanisms by which CNTs can add absorb energy and increase toughness post crack initiation.
An Analysis of the Legislative and Technological Restriction of the Collection and Management of the Real Estate Tax

In recent years,the increasing rate of the real estate tax is seriously inconsistent with the developing speed of real estate,which exposes the weakness of the collection and management of the tax.The reason can be traced back to the legislative and technological restriction of the collection and management of the real estate tax.
Search and You Shall Find Geographic Characteristics Associated With Google Searches During the Affordable Care Act’s First Enrollment Period

Previous studies indicate that Internet searching was a major source of information for the public during the launch of the Affordable Care Act, but little is known about geographic variation in searching. Our objective was to examine factors associated with health insurance-related Google searches in 199 U.S. metro areas during the first open enrollment period (October 2013 through March 2014), by merging data from Google Trends with metro-area-level and state-level characteristics. Our results indicate substantial geographic variation in the volumes of searching across the United States, and these patterns were related to local uninsurance rates. Specifically, areas with higher uninsurance rates were more likely to search in higher volumes for "Obamacare" and "health insurance," after adjusting for sociodemographic, political, and insurance market characteristics. The enormous political, advocacy, and media attention to the Affordable Care Act's launch may have contributed to heightened Internet search activity, particularly in areas characterized by higher uninsurance.
Notation and Conventions

For the most part we follow generally accepted notation, as in [280]. We do however adopt a few specific conventions:
Improving Long-Term Retention Level in an Environment of Personalized Expanding Intervals.

The ability to retain a skill long-term is one of the three indicators of robust learning. Researchers in Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) and Educational Data Mining (EDM) have focused increasing attention on predicting students’ long-term retention performance as well as attempting to find effective methods to help improve student knowledge retention. But traditional practices of spacing and expanding retrieval practices have typically fixed their spacing intervals to one or few predefined schedules. In this work, we introduce the Personalized Adaptive Scheduling System (PASS) in ASSISTments’ retention and relearning workflow and we have evidence to show that the PASS is helping to improve students’ long-term retention performance.
A 2-in-1 single-element coil design for transcranial magnetic stimulation and magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose To demonstrate the feasibility of turning transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) coil for MRI signal reception. Methods A critically coupled network was formed by using a resonated turn of TMS coil as the secondary and a regular radiofrequency (RF) coil as the primary. A third coil was positioned between the two coils for detuning during RF transmission. Bench measurement, numerical simulation, and MRI experiment were performed for validation. Results The signal-to-noise ratio of the proposed 2-in-1 coil is 35% higher in its field of view, compared with a MRI-only reference coil of the same size, made by the same material, and backed up by an untuned TMS coil, but lower than a RF surface coil of the same size without any TMS coil nearby. Spin-echo images of the human brain further validated its performance. Conclusions The proposed method can transform TMS coil for MRI signal acquisition with virtually no modifications on the TMS side. It not only enables flexible and close positioning of TMS coil inside MRI scanner, but also improves the signal-to-noise ratio compared with conventional implementations. It can be applied as a building block for developing advanced concurrent TMS/MRI hardware. Magn Reson Med 79:582–587, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Closed loop statistical performance analysis of N-K knock controllers

Abstract The closed loop performance of engine knock controllers cannot be rigorously assessed from single experiments or simulations because knock behaves as a random process and therefore the response belongs to a random distribution also. In this work a new method is proposed for computing the distributions and expected values of the closed loop response, both in steady state and in response to disturbances. The method takes as its input the control law, and the knock propensity characteristic of the engine which is mapped from open loop steady state tests. The method is applicable to the ‘ n-k ’ class of knock controllers in which the control action is a function only of the number of cycles n since the last control move, and the number k of knock events that have occurred in this time. A Cumulative Summation (CumSum) based controller falls within this category, and the method is used to investigate the performance of the controller in a deeper and more rigorous way than has previously been possible. The results are validated using onerous Monte Carlo simulations, which confirm both the validity of the method and its high computational efficiency.
Developing and testing adapted measures of children’s self-efficacy, intentions, and behaviors associated with childhood obesity

ABSTRACTUpdated reliable and valid instruments are needed to evaluate interventions to combat childhood obesity. The Healthy Living for Kids Survey (HLKS) includes adapted existing measures of children’s physical activity, nutritional behaviors, dietary habits, nutritional intentions, screen time behaviors, and self-efficacy regarding nutrition, physical activity, and screen time. 96 fourth and fifth graders completed the HLKS. Internal reliability was minimally acceptable for five scales (α = 0.63–0.80), with adequate test-retest reliability coefficients (r = 0.63–0.78) for three of these scales. The Dietary Habits, Nutritional Self-Efficacy, and Nutritional Intentions scales demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity at this stage of development.
Application of local binary pattern and human visual Fibonacci texture features for classification different medical images

The goal of this paper is to (a) test the nuclei based Computer Aided Cancer Detection system using Human Visual based system on the histopathology images and (b) Compare the results of the proposed system with the Local Binary Pattern and modified Fibonacci -p pattern systems. The system performance is evaluated using different parameters such as accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value on 251 prostate histopathology images. The accuracy of 96.69% was observed for cancer detection using the proposed human visual based system compared to 87.42% and 94.70% observed for Local Binary patterns and the modified Fibonacci p patterns.
Impact of Snow Grain Shape and Black Carbon–Snow Internal Mixing on Snow Optical Properties: Parameterizations for Climate Models

AbstractA set of parameterizations is developed for spectral single-scattering properties of clean and black carbon (BC)-contaminated snow based on geometric-optics surface wave (GOS) computations, which explicitly resolves BC–snow internal mixing and various snow grain shapes. GOS calculations show that, compared with nonspherical grains, volume-equivalent snow spheres show up to 20% larger asymmetry factors and hence stronger forward scattering, particularly at wavelengths <1 μm. In contrast, snow grain sizes have a rather small impact on the asymmetry factor at wavelengths <1 μm, whereas size effects are important at longer wavelengths. The snow asymmetry factor is parameterized as a function of effective size, aspect ratio, and shape factor and shows excellent agreement with GOS calculations. According to GOS calculations, the single-scattering coalbedo of pure snow is predominantly affected by grain sizes, rather than grain shapes, with higher values for larger grains. The snow single-scattering coal...
Automatic RF leakage signal canceler in MRI applications

This work presents the feasibility demonstration of an automatic RF leakage canceler for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications that require a simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR) system. The automatic system with wireless control enables a radiofrequency (RF) coil to achieve greater than 40 dB decoupling between transmit and receive ports in 900 ms. The system stability and noise contribution to MR images were evaluated. To demonstrate feasibility of this approach, MR images were acquired by transmitting an RF excitation pulse and acquiring an MR receive signal simultaneously on a 4-tesla (T) MRI scanner.
Extremum Seeking Control Based Zone Adaptation for Zone Model Predictive Control in Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract Clinical trials have demonstrated that zone model predictive control is an effective closed-loop blood glucose regulation method for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This paper presents a universal model-free optimization method to seek an optimal zone for T1D patients individually. A clinical glycemic risk index named relative regularized glycemic penalty index (rrGPI) is used as the cost function. The proposed method is based on extremum seeking control that uses only the rrGPI index, calculated from measurements by a continuous glucose monitor, to update a controller’s blood glucose target zone’s upper bound and lower bound simultaneously. The method proposed uses a decaying feedback gain and a vanishing dither signal to improve the extremum seeking controller’s robustness against various uncertainties. In silico trials suggest that the proposed method is able to converge to the personalized optimal zone in less than a week of adaptation. In a 30-day in silico trial, the time spent in the range [70,180] mg/dL is increased by about 3% and 2% for unannounced 60 gCHO (grams of carbohydrates) and 90 gCHO meals, respectively, compared to the zone [80,140] mg/dL employed in the authors’ current zone controller.
The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is the home institution of the Pulsed Field Facility of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL). The NHMFL laboratories are the only facilities in the US (among a few world-wide) to host qualified users while running strong in-house science programs related to high magnetic field research. At Los Alamos, the NHMFL advances the frontiers of condensed matter physics at extreme conditions of high magnetic field, low temperature and pressure, utilizing start-of-the-art pulsed magnets and unique experimental capabilities. This paper will describe the current and future plans of pulsed magnet technology and science at the NHMFL Pulsed Field Facility at LANL.
Unternehmensbesteuerung und Steueraufkommen Bei Unterbeschäftigung

In the recent discussion of tax theory and policy there has been increasing interest especially for two topics. First, the revenues are again stronger embedded in a macro-economic framework. Second, the relationship between the state and private enterprises is intensively studied. Our paper is in line with this development. Tax reductions for enterprises are used as exogenous parameters. Their influence on employment and output will be shown. In contrast to the traditional supply-side-economics, based on neo-classical calculus, we choose a general equilibrium model with quantity rationing to deduct our results. The analysis concludes that in the case of tax reductions for enterprises different effects on employment will occur, depending on the unemployment situation by which the market or economy is characterized. Using tax policy thus requires a wide range of information for the political decision maker. The advice from supply-side-economists to reduce taxes for enterprises in an unemployment situation can only be considered as adequate in one special unemployment situation.
Measuring thermal rises due to digital device overdriving

This paper presents methods of measuring temperature rises due to in-circuit testing in bond wires and the output transistors of digital integrated circuits. Bond wire temperature changes were measured by using the wire itself as a temperature sensor. The measurement of junction heating has been carried out with three different sensors on the die each giving different information about the source temperature distribution. Potential sources of damage due to these temperature rises are identified and an experimental technique is given to observe one of these mechanisms. Junction temperature measurement techniques, which are usable on most digital integrated circuits, allow measurements to be made in the submicrosecond time frame where much of the temperature rise takes place.
Performance guidelines for the partial thromboplastin time test

The partial thromboplastin time (PTT) test is widely used as a screening test for the detection of hemophilia. It is also used to monitor patients on heparin anticoagulation. These proposed guidelines for the performance of this test, including comparable reference ranges, precision and sensitivity requirements are felt to be reasonable and attainable. Whether further progress will occur depends upon a perceived need by laboratorians, instrument and reagent manufacturers and government regulators that standardization of the PTT is desirable.
Development of Brain Substrates for Pattern Recognition in Primates: Physiological and Connectional Studies of Inferior Temporal Cortex in Infant Monkeys

Inferior temporal (IT) cortex is known to be critical for visual pattern perception and recognition in adult monkeys, but not in infant ones. We found that cells in IT cortex ofinfant monkeys showed adult-like response properties, including form selectivity for complex patterns such as faces, as early as the second month of life. However, the neural responses were weaker and of longer latency, and moreover were virtually absent under anesthesia below about four months of age. Anatomical inputs from visual cortical regions were adult like early in infancy, whereas connectivity patterns with non-visual cortical regions appeared to have a more protracted period of maturation.
Study of water wetting in oil-water flow in a small-scale annular flume

Abstract Proper characterization of the phase wetting regime (water wet or oil wet) in two-phase oil-water flow can lead to optimized measures for pipe integrity management and save cost. In previous work it was demonstrated that not only the physicochemical properties of the produced oil and water have an important impact on flow patterns, but also the wettability of the pipe surface can favor or hamper the contact with water. Since the wettability of steel pipes can be altered by the chemical composition of the oil and water phases, and due to the wide diversity of the chemical composition of produced crude oils and water, as well as different chemicals injected in production systems (e.g., corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, de-emulsifiers), it is important to perform phase wetting experiments in dynamic conditions using representative fluids and pipe material. This study presents an experimental assessment of the phase wetting regime of oil-water flow using a small-scale annular flume of 5 l capacity, which is advantageous as a potential testing tool for crude oil-water flows compared to regular multiphase flow loops. A model oil and brine were used as experimental fluids and three different materials (carbon steel, stainless steel and a polyester plastic) were used to analyze the effect of flume surface wettability on the phase wetting regime. The results indicate that the annular flume is a promising low-cost tool to test dynamic phase wetting and dispersed flow of petroleum-water systems qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Moreover, basic hydrodynamic assessment of the annular flume flow was performed to evaluate available criteria to predict the stability of fully dispersed flow.
Refusals, Disclaimers, and Denials: Cady Noland's Recent ”Work"

The artist Cady Noland has made no new work essentially since 2001, and has turned instead to policing the circulation of her existing works in the market. This essay analyses Noland’s recent legal activities, in which she has mobilised the law, primarily via the Visual Artists Right Act, to prevent the circulation of works that she considers to have been improperly maintained. Noland has withdrawn her authorship and her works’ status as art, and has created financial risk for collectors. In so doing, Noland has performed (or refused to perform) the labour of art in a way that can be understood in relation to refusals by a range of other artists, including Adrian Piper and Tehching Hsieh, and in terms provided by Giorgio Agamben’s reading of Melville’s Bartleby, the scrivener. Noland’s refusals, seen as an extension of artistic practice, open onto philosophical potentiality, and the possibility of art and artist being revalued in ways that disturb their current situation under the sign of the commodity.
Outcomes Surrounding Perioperative Transfusion Rates and Hemoglobin Nadir Values Following Complex Spine Surgery.

Background Optimal transfusion thresholds have been extensively studied for various surgical procedures; however, no transfusion threshold has been set for patients undergoing complex spine surgery. The aim of this study was to compare postoperative outcomes relative to perioperative hemoglobin (Hb) levels for patients undergoing complex spine surgery for adult spinal deformity and to evaluate impact of blood transfusion timing on clinical outcomes. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients with adult spinal deformity undergoing spine surgery lasting >6 hours or involving ≥6 levels of fusion was performed. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts based on whole hospitalization Hb nadir Results Among 104 patients, 55 (52.9%) had Hb nadir Conclusions In patients with adult spinal deformity undergoing complex spine surgery, earlier targeted blood transfusions during surgery, rather than in the postoperative period, may lead to improved postoperative outcomes.
Traditional knowledge of fire use by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs in the eastside Cascades of Oregon

Abstract We examined traditional knowledge of fire use by the Ichishikin (Sahaptin), Kitsht Wasco (Wasco), and Numu (Northern Paiute) peoples (now Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, CTWS) in the eastside Cascades of Oregon to generate insights for restoring conifer forest landscapes and enhancing culturally-valued resources. We examined qualitative and geospatial data derived from oral history interviews, participatory GIS focus groups, archival records, and historical forest surveys to characterize cultural fire regimes (CFRs) –an element of historical fire regimes– of moist mixed conifer (MMC), dry mixed conifer (DMC), and shrub-grassland (SG) zones. Our ethnohistorical evidence indicated a pronounced cultural fire regime in the MMC zone, but not in the two drier zones. The CFR of the MMC zone was characterized by frequent (few-year recurrence), low-severity burns distributed in a shifting pattern. This regime helped to maintain forest openings created by previous ignitions, resulting from lightning or possibly human-set, that had burned large areas. The CFR was influenced by the CTWS traditional knowledge system, which consisted of four elements: fire use and associated resource tending practices, tribal ecological principles, the seasonal round (the migratory pattern to fulfill resource needs), and culture. Thinleaf huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), a cultural keystone species, occurs primarily in the MMC zone and was a principle focus of traditional fire use of the CTWS peoples. Fire was deployed to maintain shrub productivity and site access for harvesting. Cessation of fire use by ∼1940 has caused a decline in huckleberry productivity throughout much of the historical harvest zone. Our findings about CFR scale show how a nested, multi-level framework (patch- and landscape-levels) may be employed to reintroduce fire and thereby promote forest restoration and enhance culturally-valued resources. Our findings also highlight the utility of engaging the communities that hold traditional knowledge in the forest management and planning process.
Predictors of Increases in Alcohol Problems and Alcohol Use Disorders in Offspring in the San Diego Prospective Study

Author(s): Schuckit, Marc A; Smith, Tom L; Clarke, Dennis; Mendoza, Lee Anne; Kawamura, Mari; Schoen, Lara | Abstract: BackgroundThe 35-year-long San Diego Prospective Study documented 2-fold increases in alcohol problems and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in young-adult drinking offspring compared to rates in their fathers, the original probands. The current analyses use the same interviews and questionnaires at about the same age in members of the 2 generations to explore multiple potential contributors to the generational differences in adverse alcohol outcomes.MethodsUsing data from recent offspring interviews, multiple cross-generation differences in characteristics potentially related to alcohol problems were evaluated in 3 steps: first through direct comparisons across probands and offspring at about age 30; second by backward linear regression analyses of predictors of alcohol problems within each generation; and finally third through R-based bootstrapped linear regressions of differences in alcohol problems in randomly matched probands and offspring.ResultsThe analyses across the analytical approaches revealed 3 consistent predictors of higher alcohol problems in the second generation. These included the following: (i) a more robust relationship to alcohol problems for offspring with a low level of response to alcohol; (ii) higher offspring values for alcohol expectancies; and (iii) higher offspring impulsivity.ConclusionsThe availability of data across generations offered a unique perspective for studying characteristics that may have contributed to a general finding in the literature of substantial increases in alcohol problems and AUDs in recent generations. If replicated, these results could suggest approaches to be used by parents, healthcare workers, insurance companies, and industry in their efforts to mitigate the increasing rates of alcohol problems in younger generations.
Relational Resource Antecedents and Operational Outcome of Supply Chain Collaboration: The Role of Environmental Turbulence

Based on the theoretical underpinnings of the relational view of competitive advantage, the current study investigates the performance implications of three critical relational resource elements in supply chain partnerships: resource specificity, resource complementarity, and supply chain collaboration. The research also explores the interrelationship dynamics among these sources of relational rent—critical to the understanding of superior supply chain performance. The study models environmental dynamism and complexity to investigate the nature of the relationships among relational resources as they interact with technological and market turbulence factors. Operational productivity improvements are the primary outcome measures in the current research. Empirical evidence, based on the survey data of a cross-section of US manufacturing firms from a wide range of industries, supports a majority of our arguments, thus providing critical theoretical and managerial insights. The findings reiterate the importance of collaborative initiatives in the supply chain for operational benefits and high levels of customer service. The results also shed light on the interrelationships among relational resource elements, filling inadequacies in previous literature: resource specificity and complementarity are found to be antecedents of collaboration. The findings also suggest that complementary resources facilitate coordinated partner activities under highly turbulent technological environments.