cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preventing Acute Kidney Injury

Epidemiologic studies applying the acute kidney injury (AKI) classification system have confirmed the increasing incidence of AKI in different settings and its association with adverse outcomes. AKI is now a recognized important risk factor for new-onset chronic kidney disease, determining acceleration in progression to end-stage renal disease, leading to poor quality of life, disability, and long-term costs. AKI has been associated with high mortalities; however, it is likely that a significant number of deaths associated with AKI could be avoided. This article reviews the key aspects of the 0by25 initiative and its application in critically ill patients.
DSP data path synthesis for low-power applications

We present a high-level synthesis technique targeting low power consumption for data-dominated applications. We have used a statistical estimation technique to obtain the switching activity of modules when sharing of computing resources are required in a design. The technique enables us to understand the switching behavior under resource sharing. Using the relationship between switching power and resource sharing thus obtained, we developed scheduling and allocation algorithms to reduce the data path switching power. Experiments performed on various examples show up to 49% improvement in power reduction under resource constraints.
Goal-based fault tolerance for space systems using the mission data system

In anticipating insitu exploration and other circumstances with environmental uncertainty, the present model for space system fault tolerance breaks down. The perplexities of fault-tolerant behavior, once confined to infrequent episodes, must now extend to the entire operational model. To address this dilemma we need a unified approach to robust behavior that includes fault tolerance as an intrinsic feature. This requires an approach capable of measuring operators' intent in the light of present circumstances, so that actions are derived by reasoning, not by edict. The Mission Data System (MDS), presently under development by NASA is one realization of this paradigm -part of a larger effort to provide multi-mission flight and ground software for the next generation of deep space systems. This paper describes the MDS approach to fault tolerance, contrasting it with past efforts, and offering motivation for the approach as a general recipe for similar efforts.
The Addition of Intravenous Metronidazole to Oral Vancomycin is Associated With Improved Mortality in Critically Ill Patients With Clostridium difficile Infection

Background The optimal therapy for critically ill patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is not known. We aimed to evaluate mortality among critically ill patients with CDI who received oral vancomycin (monotherapy) vs oral vancomycin with intravenous (IV) metronidazole (combination therapy). Methods A single-center, retrospective, observational, comparative study was performed. Patients with a positive C. difficile assay who received oral vancomycin while bedded in an intensive care unit (ICU) between June 2007 and September 2012 were evaluated. Patients meeting ≥3 of the following criteria were included: albumin 90 bpm, mean arterial pressure 60 years, serum creatinine ≥1.5 times baseline, or temperature ≥100.4°F. Patients in the combination therapy group received IV metronidazole within 48 hours after initiating vancomycin. Patients Results Eighty-eight patients were included, 44 in each group. Patient characteristics were similar although more patients in the combination group had renal disease. Mortality was 36.4% and 15.9% in the monotherapy and combination therapy groups, respectively (P = .03). Secondary outcomes of clinical success, length of stay, and length of ICU stay did not differ between groups. Conclusions Our data are supportive of the use of combination therapy with oral vancomycin and IV metronidazole in critically ill patients with CDI. However, prospective, randomized studies are required to define optimal treatment regimens in this limited population of CDI patients.
Self-healing slip pulses in dynamic rupture models due to velocity-dependent strength

Abstract Seismological observations of short slip duration on faults (short rise time on seismograms) during earthquakes are not consistent with conventional crack models of dynamic rupture and fault slip. In these models, the leading edge of rupture stops only when a strong region is encountered, and slip at an interior point ceases only when waves from the stopped edge of slip propagate back to that point. In contrast, some seismological evidence suggests that the duration of slip is too short for waves to propagate from the nearest edge of the ruptured surface, perhaps even if the distance used is an asperity size instead of the entire rupture dimension. What controls slip duration, if not dimensions of the fault or of asperities? In this study, dynamic earthquake rupture and slip are represented by a propagating shear crack. For all propagating shear cracks, slip velocity is highest near the rupture front, and at a small distance behind the rupture front, the slip velocity decreases. As pointed out by Heaton (1990), if the crack obeys a negative slip-rate-dependent strength relation, the lower slip velocity behind the rupture front will lead to strengthening that further reduces the velocity, and under certain circumstances, healing of slip can occur. The boundary element method of Hamano (1974) is used in a program adapted from Andrews (1985) for numerical simulations of mode II rupture with two different velocity-dependent strength functions. For the first function, after a slip-weakening displacement, the crack follows an exponential velocity-weakening relation. The characteristic velocity V 0 of the exponential determines the magnitude of the velocity-dependence at dynamic velocities. The velocity-dependence at high velocity is essentially zero when V 0 is small and the resulting slip velocity distribution is similar to slip weakening. If V 0 is larger, rupture propagation initially resembles slip-weakening, but spontaneous healing occurs behind the rupture front. The rise time and rupture propagation velocity depend on the choice of constitutive parameters. The second strength function is a natural log velocity-dependent form similar to constitutive laws that fit experimental rock friction data at lower velocities. Slip pulses also arise with this function. For a reasonable choice of constitutive parameters, slip pulses with this function do not propagate at speeds greater than the Raleighwave velocity. The calculated slip pulses are similar in many aspects to seismic observations of short rise time. In all cases of self-healing slip pulses, the residual stress increases with distance behind the trailing edge of the pulse so that the final stress drop is much less than the dynamic stress drop, in agreement with the model of Brune (1976) and some recent seismological observations of rupture.
Gender, Feminism, and Partisanship among Women's PAC Contributors

Objective. We examine the political attitudes and priorities of contributors to two prominent women's PACs for evidence of a gender gap. Methods. A survey of contributors to EMILY's List and to WISH List shows that contributors to both organizations are overwhelmingly women. However, because EMILY's List is so large, there is a sufficient number of men to compare to the two groups of women using percentages and difference-of-means tests. Results. Partisanship is the overriding influence on political priorities and attitudes toward economic and social welfare policy. However, partisanship and gender interact to influence political attitudes in at least two areas. First, EMILY's List men are more supportive of militarism and use of force than are EMILY's List women, but they are less supportive than WISH List women. Second, the women of EMILY's List are more staunchly feminist than either EMILY's List men or WISH List women. Conclusions. We conclude that the source of each group's financial commitment to women's political equality and reproductive rights is different: for EMILY's List women, it is liberal feminism; for WISH List women, it is libertarianism; and for EMILY's List men, it is general egalitarianism.
NMR structure of the transmembrane domain of the n-acetylcholine receptor beta2 subunit.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are involved in fast synaptic transmission in the central and peripheral nervous system. Among the many different types of subunits in nAChRs, the β2 subunit often combines with the α4 subunit to form α4β2 pentameric channels, the most abundant subtype of nAChRs in the brain. Besides computational predictions, there is limited experimental data available on the structure of the β2 subunit. Using high-resolution NMR spectroscopy, we solved the structure of the entire transmembrane domain (TM1234) of the β2 subunit. We found that TM1234 formed a four-helix bundle in the absence of the extracellular and intracellular domains. The structure exhibited many similarities to those previously determined for the Torpedo nAChR and the bacterial ion channel GLIC. We also assessed the influence of the fourth transmembrane helix (TM4) on the rest of the domain. Although secondary structures and tertiary arrangements were similar, the addition of TM4 caused dramatic changes in TM3 dynamics and subtle changes in TM1 and TM2. Taken together, this study suggests that the structures of the transmembrane domains of these proteins are largely shaped by determinants inherent in their sequence, but their dynamics may be sensitive to modulation by tertiary and quaternary contacts.
Peak Torque, average power, and hamstring/quadriceps ratios in nondisabled adults and adults with mental retardation

Abstract Objective: To compare isokinetic hamstring and quadriceps peak torque (Nm), average power (watts), and corresponding hamstring/quadriceps (HQ) ratios (as percentages) of adult men with Down syndrome (DS), with mental retardation without Down syndrome (NDS), and nondisabled sedentary controls (SC). Design: Repeated measures analysis of variance. Setting: Subjects were tested at a university exercise science laboratory. Subjects: Volunteer sample of 35 subjects: SC ( n = 13), DS n = 9), and NDS ( n = 13). Intervention: Subjects performed isokinetic strength tests at 60/dg/sec and 90/dg/sec using gravity effected torque procedures. Subjects with DS and NDS performed the test on two separate days with best results selected for statistical comparisons. Sedentary controls performed the test once. Main Outcome Measures: Isokinetic hamstring and quadriceps peak torque and average power, and corresponding HQ ratios on a Cybex 340 isokinetic dynamometer. Results: In all isokinetic parameters measured, sedentary controls demonstrated significantly higher scores than subjects with DS and NDS. There was no significant difference between subjects with DS and NDS, although mean peak torque and average power scores were greater in subjects with NDS. Finally, there were no significant differences in peak torque and average power HQ ratios across groups ( p > .01), although group mean peak torque HQ ratios were greatest for sedentary controls (range = 61% to 63%) and approximated accepted HQ ratio norms, and lowest for subjects with DS (range = 40% to 46%). Conclusions: Individuals with mental retardation are in need of progressive resistance exercise programs to improve hamstring and quadriceps strength and normalize HQ strength and power ratios.
Gold and platinum: Toward solving the price puzzle

Abstract Gold and platinum prices are positively correlated over 1985–2006. Yet, over shorter sample periods the correlation changes from positive to negative (1996–2001) and back. The objective of this paper is to determine whether this shift is the result, at least in part, of the rapid increase in forward sales by gold producers, which had the effect of substantially lowering gold prices in the second half of the 1990s (Kearney, A. & Lombra, L. (2008). The non-neutral short run effects of derivatives on gold prices. Applied Financial Economics, 18 , 985–994). The results show declining gold prices are associated with large net increases in forward sales, while rising gold prices are associated with declining forward sales or producer dehedging.
How formulating implementation plans and remembering past actions facilitate the enactment of effortful decisions

Building on prior research studying effortful decision making and enactment processes (Bagozzi, Dholakia, & Basuroy, 2003; BDB), we identify and provide an in-depth understanding of two specific self-regulatory strategies: (1) formulating an implementation plan, and (2) remembering past actions, that decision makers can use in facilitating enactment of effortful decisions. The results of three experiments, in which the decision maker’s goal and self-regulatory strategy were manipulated, showed that for goals that decision makers chose volitionally, the motivational effects of both these strategies lay in increasing levels of proximal implementation-related variables (implementation intentions, plan completeness, plan enactment, and goal realization) significantly. In contrast, for goals that were assigned to participants, these strategies’ motivational effects additionally extended to significantly increasing distal goal-related variables (goal desire, goal intentions, perceived self-efficacy, and implementation desires). The theoretical implications of our findings are discussed, and future research opportunities are explored. Copyright # 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Late blight resistance in a diploid full‐sib potato family

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary, is the most destructive disease of potato worldwide. As this pathogen can rapidly overcome major race-specific resistance genes, identifying the basis for enhanced quantitative resistance has become a crucial element for implementing advanced breeding strategies. A population of 230 full-sib progeny derived from a cross between two diploid hybrid Solanum phureja × S. stenotomum clones was evaluated for foliage resistance against late blight in replicated trials at multiple locations in Pennsylvania between 1999 and 2002. In field experiments, plants were evaluated visually for per cent defoliation, and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was determined. The two parents and three control cultivars (‘Atlantic’, ‘Kennebec’ and ‘Katahdin’) were included in all trials. In all three experiments, the presence of a significant number of clones exhibiting transgressive segregation were observed. There were significant differences among environments as well as among clones, and the clone × environment interaction was also significant. Stability analysis revealed that 37 clones made a significant contribution to the overall environment × clone interaction. Broad-sense heritability for resistance, measured as AUDPC, was estimated as 0.67. The overall results indicate the presence in this potato family of a high level of field resistance against late blight. This segregating diploid family appears to be a good candidate for quantitative trait loci mapping to identify and characterize the genetic components of partial late blight resistance.
Consultant cues and teacher verbalizations, judgments, and expectancies concerning children's adjustment problems

Abstract Teacher verbalization about children's classroom problems were studied as a function of medical-model or behavioral-model cues. Medical-model or behavioral-model cues elicited descriptions of problem behavior congruent with their respective assumptions about human behavior. In addition, medical-model cues elicited more pessimistic expectancies about an instructor's ability to solve classroom problem behavior in the classroom setting than did behavioral cues.
Characterization of a parietal lesion detected by diffusion weighted MRI, NaF18-PET/CT and CT

It is very important to accurately characterize skull lesions so that appropriate treatment decisions can be made. False positive readings may lead to unnecessary surgical intervention or radiation. We present a case of a parietal lesion seen on Diffusion weighted (DW) MRI, and further characterized with NaF18-PET/CT and CT in a 69 year old male. This is the first case to report the use of DW MRI, NaF18-PET/CT bone scan and CT in the diagnosis of a skull lesion. DW MRI is known to have high specificity to detect malignant lesions in the skull. If a similar case such as ours in encountered in everyday clinical practice, a differential diagnosis of a benign etiology should be considered.
Time-Dependent Toxicity of Fluoranthene to Freshwater Invertebrates and the Role of Biotransformation on Lethal Body Residues

The time-dependent toxicity of fluoranthene was examined for Hyalella azteca, Chironomus tentans, and Diporeia spp. C. tentans appeared to be the most sensitive species, and Diporeia was the least sensitive. Incipient LC50 values, the concentration at which the LC50 reaches an asymptote and does not change with increasing duration of exposure, for H. azteca and C. tentans were approximately 60 and 40 microg x L(-1), respectively. Incipient levels were not reached for Diporeia; however, the 28-d LC50 concentration was 95.5 microg x L(-1). There was a temporal relationship with respect to lethal body residues for each of the test species. For H. azteca, the LR50, the median lethal residue at an identified exposure time required to cause 50% mortality, based on total fluoranthene equivalents (parent + metabolite compounds) decreased from 3.19 micromol x g(-1) at 5 d to 0.80 micromol x g(-1) at 28 d. For C. tentans, the LR50 decreased from 0.43 to 0.17 micromol x g(-1) from 2 to 10 d. The 10-d LR50 for Diporeia was 9.97 micromol x g(-1), and the 28-d value was 3.67 micromol x g(-1). The toxicokinetics are not sufficient to address the temporal changes in LR50 values. Thus, the data were fit to a Damage Assessment Model that also accounts for toxicodynamic processes. This analysis provides estimates of the incipient lethal residues for H. azteca, C. tentans, and Diporeia: 0.84, 0.21, and 3.00 micromol x g(-1), respectively. When comparing the relative sensitivity among species using lethal body residues, special attention should be given to ensure that comparisons are made at a common point in relation to exposure duration (i.e., time to steady state, Tss). When the LR50(lipid) values among the three species were compared at steady state, C. tentans is more sensitive than H. azteca and Diporeia spp.; however, there are no significant differences between the amphipod species. The greater sensitivity of C. tentans to fluoranthene as compared to the amphipods may be due, in part, to a potential toxic metabolite.
Ab initio based rate theory model of radiation induced amorphization in β-SiC

Abstract An ab initio informed rate theory framework for a multicomponent system is developed and used to model radiation induced amorphization in β-SiC. Based on the published modeling and experimental studies we propose three possible energy landscapes (ELs) for defect recombination in SiC. We demonstrate that defect ELs have a dramatic effect on the shape of the dose to amorphization vs. temperature curve and on the critical temperature to amorphization Tcr. In the no-barrier EL model, Tcr is correlated with the mobility of silicon interstitials, while in the recombination and trapping models Tcr is governed by the rate of defect recombination. We conclude that both the defect migration barrier and the defect recombination barrier are key parameters to consider when modeling radiation resistance of SiC, and possibly of other multi-component covalent materials.
Habitat alteration and the conservation of African primates: case study of Kibale National Park, Uganda.

Tropical forests and the animals they support are being threatened byaccelerating rates of forest conversion and degradation. In a continuallyfluctuating sociopolitical world, it is often impossible to protect areasfrom such conversion until the political environment is suitable to pur-sue conservation goals, by which time, the forests have often been con-verted to other uses. This reality suggests a need for inquiry into whichprimate species can persist after different types of disturbances and howquickly primate communities can recover from disturbance. Here we ex-amine the persistence of primate populations in disturbed habitats byproviding a case study of patterns of primate abundance in areas of KibaleNational Park (766 km
Comparison of 3H-norepinephrine and 3H-metaraminol accumulation as indices of adrenergic nerve density in rabbit blood vessels

The possibility that accumulation of 3H-metaraminol, which is not metabol]zed, would provide a better estimate of adrenergic nerve density than 3H-norepinephrine accumulation was examined in a series of rabbit blood vessels. Accumulation of 3H-metaraminol was linear for up to 10 min. Norephinephrine accumulation was correlated with metaraminol accumulation in the vessels studied, but the relationship was not a simple one. The findings suggest that, even with short incubation lines, metabolism may significantly alter the amout of norepinephrine retained by the tissue. Nevertheless, accumulation of metaraminol was still not well-correlated with endogenous norepinephrine content. Norepinephrine contents of the basilar artery, mesenteric artery and mesenteric vein were quite similar: 2.7 2.8 and 2.8 μg/g respectively. However, values for metaraminol accumulation in these vessels ranged from 8.7 to 1.78 ml cleared/g. These findings suggest that norepinephrine content of a single adrenergic varicosity may vary from tissue to tissue. The relationship between norepinephrine content, storage capacity, uptake activity and transmitter release needs to be more carefully examined. No single parameter can provide an adequate estimate of adrenergic nerve density.
Reperfusion of specific cortical areas is associated with improvement in distinct forms of hemispatial neglect.

Objective To test the hypothesis that restoring blood flow to specific right cortical regions in acute stroke results in improvement in distinct forms of hemispatial neglect distinguished by reference frame: viewer-centered versus stimulus-centered neglect.
Determination of serum cholinesterase activity by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

Abstract A sensitive enzymatic assay to measure cholinesterase activity in serum using liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection has been devised and used to examine cholinesterase inhibition in mice treated with diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate. Acetylcholine was used as substrate, and a postcolumn reactor containing immobolized choline oxidase converted the enzymatic product, choline, and the internal standard, ethylhomocholine, into the electrochemically active H 2 O 2 . The postcolumn reactor also contained acetylcholinesterase to allow the indirect detection of the substrate. Assay optimization included investigations of substrate concentration, buffer pH and ionic strength, enzyme concentration, incubation time, and reaction termination method. The optimized procedure is applicable to samples with activities of 0.11 to 269 μmol/ml/h. Intrasample coefficient of variation for mouse serum samples was 1.7% ( n = 12), while intersample coefficient of variation was 8.0% ( n = 5). The mean ± SE serum cholinesterase activity found for controls and mice treated with diisopropyl phosphofluoridate (6.3 mg/kg, ip, 24 h prior) was 158.7 ± 5.7 μmol/ml/h and 36.6 ± 3.1 μmol/ml/h, respectively ( P
Control over topological insulator photocurrents with light polarization.

Three-dimensional topological insulators represent a new quantum phase of matter with spin-polarized surface states that are protected from backscattering. The static electronic properties of these surface states have been comprehensively imaged by both photoemission and tunnelling spectroscopies. Theorists have proposed that topological surface states can also exhibit novel electronic responses to light, such as topological quantum phase transitions and spin-polarized electrical currents. However, the effects of optically driving a topological insulator out of equilibrium have remained largely unexplored experimentally, and no photocurrents have been measured. Here, we show that illuminating the topological insulator Bi_2Se_3 with circularly polarized light generates a photocurrent that originates from topological helical Dirac fermions, and that reversing the helicity of the light reverses the direction of the photocurrent. We also observe a photocurrent that is controlled by the linear polarization of light and argue that it may also have a topological surface state origin. This approach may allow the probing of dynamic properties of topological insulators and lead to novel opto-spintronic devices.
Millimeter wave-induced changes in membrane properties of leech Retzius neurons

This study evaluated a novel method for modulation of neuronal excitability using non-invasive delivery of millimeter waves. Millimeter waves at 60 GHz and incident power density of 100-600 μW/cm^2 were applied to three intact segmental ganglia of the adult leach, and intracellular neuronal activity was recorded from the Retzius neurons using intracellular glass electrode. Transient dosedependent increase in the plasma membrane permeability was observed. In addition, in one of the examined neurons, a decrease in the neuronal firing rate was also evident. The results provide strong evidence for the feasibility of modulating neuronal excitability using non-invasive delivery of millimeter waves, and will be explored further for applications in basic neuroscience and treatment of neurological disorders.
A Methodology for the Calibration of Spherical Indenters

Spherical indentation with continuous load and depth measurement is a useful technique for characterizing thin film mechanical properties. With this technique, the initial loading is in the elastic range. Therefore the elastic-plastic transition can be observed. However, the calibration of spherical indenters presents special problems. First, the radius of the indenter at the point of contact must be determined, and any deviation from a spherical radius must be evaluated. The shape of the indenter also causes mounting difficulties that can create a relatively large and nonlinear compliance in the testing machine. The calibration of spherical indenters is further complicated, because asperities on the indenter and surface roughness add to the uncertainty in locating the surface of the sample. In addition, spherical indenters are generally made of anisotropic single crystals, and the calculation of their elastic responses must include this anisotropy. To address these issues, a methodology has been developed for the calibration of spherical indenters, whereby indentation experiments are conducted on multiple ceramic materials in the elastic range. The method was used to determine the local radius of synthetic sapphire spherical indenters. The accuracy of this measurement was verified using confocal microscopy. The method was successfully applied to an indenter with a nonlinear machine compliance. Further results involving indentation in the plastic regime are also presented.
Base Flow Analysis for a Dual-Engine Booster

The convective base heating of multiple-engine boosters results mostly from the hot exhaust gas which is reversed toward the base as plume interaction occurs. Prediction of convective heating requires knowledge of the base gas temperature and the heat transfer coefficient. The latter depends on base gas density and, therefore, on base gas pressure and temperature. Several methods on the multiple-engine base flow analysis have been developed in the past based on the integral method of Korst's theory and have shown reasonably good results. However, these methods were primarily intended for three or more engine configurations and are not readily applicable to a twoengine configuration. This limitation occurs because most of these methods use either the "choked flow" condition through the vent area between two adjacent nozzles as the criterion for a unique solution, or the reverse jet impingement model, thereby neglecting the effect of freestream jet-exhaust jet-plume interaction. In a dual-engine configuration, no such vent area can be defined nor is the jet impingement model adequate. The dualengine base flow solution is also affected by the mass and energy entrainment capability of the plume interaction between the freestream jet and the portion of the exhaust jet facing the freestream side. A typical dual-engine base flowfield is depicted in Fig. 1. The present base flow analysis of dual-engine booster is taken from the backup report, where a general method of analyzing the multiple-engine base flow has been developed, and is presented here to show that a satisfactory base flow prediction can be obtained for a dual-engine configuration as well if all the important effects are properly accounted for. The analysis consists of a) the reverse flow analysis for the region between the two engines (inner base region) and b) the mass and energy entrainment analysis for the freestream-exhaust jet interaction region (outer base region). The method is limited to the case where all the mixing layers involved are fully turbulent and both the freestream and the exhaust jet stream are supersonic. In the inner base region where the neighboring exhaust plumes interact, the recompression pressure rise which results from this interaction reverses some of the lower energy portion of the shear layer. Because of this direct reversal of the lower energy exhaust gas, the initial boundary layer at the nozzle exit becomes important. It has been observed that the nozzle exit thermal boundary layer affects the base convective heating rate in multiple-engine configurations. The nozzle exit boundary-layer
DECREASED THYMIDINE INCORPORATION IN CIRCULATING LEUKOCYTES AFTER TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS WITH PSORALEN AND LONG-WAVE ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

Tritiated thymidine incorporation, a measure of DNA synthesis, was studied in circulating leukocytes from patients with widespread psoriasis who were being treated with photochemotherapy using oral 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and high-intensity, long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA). Seven of 13 psoriasis patients treated with photochemotherapy demonstrated a significant (p
Far-field recorded frequency-following responses: Correlates of low pitch auditory perception in humans Responses d'entertainement enregistrees a distance: Correlates de la perception auditive des sons de faible hauteur chez l'homme☆

Abstract The recent demonstration that auditory frequency-following responses (FFR) can be recorded by signal averaging from the human scalp, opened the way for studies correlating FFR with auditory experience. This report describes FFR amplitude changes as a function of stimulus intensity and the addition of masking noise. The first experiment revealed a high degree of consistency both within and across subjects in the latency, phase and waveform of averaged FFR. This experiment also demonstrated a monotonic relationship between average FFR amplitude and stimulus intensity between 40 and 65 dB SL. Results of the second experiment showed a close correlation between the detectability of a tone in a noise masker and FFR amplitude. FFR amplitude diminishes precipitously as noise intensity approaches or exceeds the threshold for masking of the tone. These results are interpreted as emphasizing the role of neural periodicity mechanisms in the perception of low frequencies.
Sparse local binary pattern histograms for face recognition with limited training samples

One of the harder problems in facial recognition is the Single Sample per Person (SSPP) problem, where only one training image is available for a facial recognition model. Such a problem exists in practical applications such as the OSCARS which is a face recognition for classroom attendance checking. This study focuses on benchmarking different local binary pattern based algorithms for face recognition, with the goal of finding the best suited to the purposes of such an application. The study also proposes and shows that the Sparse Local Binary Pattern is consistently robust to variations in both changes in lighting and rotation when recognizing faces.
III. Co-electrodeposition/removal of copper and nickel in a spouted electrochemical reactor

Results are presented of an investigation of the co-electrodeposition of copper and nickel from acidic solution mixtures in a cylindrical spouted electrochemical reactor. The effects of solution pH, temperature, and applied current on the metal removal/recovery rate, current efficiency, and corrosion of the deposited metals from the cathodic particles were examined under galvanostatic operation. The quantitative and qualitative behavior of co-electrodeposition of the two metals from their mixtures differs significantly from that of the individual single-metal solutions. This is primarily attributed to the metal displacement reaction between Ni0 and Cu2+. This reaction effectively reduces the corrosion of copper and amplifies that of nickel (at least at high concentrations). It also amplifies the separation of the deposition regimes of the two metals in time, which indicates that the recovery of each metal as a relatively pure deposit from the mixture is possible. It was also shown that nitrogen sparging c...
Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy: An advance in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Abstract A new surgical procedure, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, provides innovation in the surgical management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. This article will provide an overview of the surgical procedure itself as well as preindications for surgery and postoperative management. A clinical case study of a patient who has experienced the surgical procedure will be shared to apply the care management techniques outlined in the article. (Heart Lung® 1998;27:293-6)
Graduate student research on individual differences

Abstract This is a special section that exclusively features graduate student research that aims to advance the study of comparisons among individuals of the same type. There is a range of research included in this section with articles that address topics, such as spatial performance, mathematical thinking, creativity, pride, reading ability, language development, memory, and motivation. The authors of these articles submitted these works during their graduate studies. To date, some authors are currently students or recently completed their studies and obtained their graduate degrees. This is a valuable collection of articles with an international representation of bourgeoning researchers.
Intravenous isoproterenol in the management of respiratory failure in childhood status asthmaticus

Abstract Nineteen children in status asthmaticus and respiratory failure were treated with a continuous infusion of isoproterenol in doses ranging from 0.08 to 2.7 μg per kilogram per minute. In a mean time interval of 1.8 hours there was a 10 per cent or greater reduction in arterial P co 2 . In 10.2 hours the arterial P co 2 was 48 mm. Hg or less. The infusion could be discontinued in a mean time of 45.0 hours. Dosage was gradually decreased after the late response occurred. One child failed to respond to treatment and required mechanical ventilation. Another child experienced ventricular tachycardia at a dose of 0.2 μg per kilogram per minute, which subsided promptly when the infusion was discontinued. There was no evidence of myocardial damage.
Oxidative balance and colon and rectal cancer: Interaction of lifestyle factors and genes

Pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant genetic and lifestyle factors can contribute to an individual's level of oxidative stress. We hypothesize that diet, lifestyle and genetic factors work together to influence colon and rectal cancer through an oxidative balance mechanism. We evaluated nine markers for eosinophil peroxidase (EPX), two for myeloperoxidase (MPO), four for hypoxia-inducible factor-1A (HIFIA), and 16 for inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2A) in conjunction with dietary antioxidants, aspirin/NSAID use, and cigarette smoking. We used data from population-based case-control studies (colon cancer n=1555 cases, 1956 controls; rectal cancer n=754 cases, 959 controls). Only NOS2A rs2297518 was associated with colon cancer (OR 0.86 95% CI 0.74, 0.99) and EPX rs2302313 and MPO rs2243828 were associated with rectal cancer (OR 0.75 95% CI 0.59, 0.96; OR 0.81 95% CI 0.67, 0.99 respectively) for main effects. However, after adjustment for multiple comparisons we observed the following significant interactions for colon cancer: NOS2A and lutein, EPX and aspirin/NSAID use, and NOS2A (4 SNPs) and cigarette smoking. For rectal cancer we observed the following interactions after adjustment for multiple comparisons: HIF1A and vitamin E, NOS2A (3SNPs) with calcium; MPO with lutein; HIF1A with lycopene; NOS2A with selenium; EPX and NOS2A with aspirin/NSAID use; HIF1A, MPO, and NOS2A (3 SNPs) with cigarette smoking. We observed significant interaction between a composite oxidative balance score and a polygenic model for both colon (p interaction 0.0008) and rectal cancer (p=0.0018). These results suggest the need to comprehensively evaluate interactions to assess the contribution of risk from both environmental and genetic factors.
Optically activated switching in a ZnSe/GaAs heterostructure

A novel structure comprising a number of identical ZnSe/GaAs double heterostructures arranged in series to form a photoconductive switch for high voltages and for high-power frozenwave generation is described. The GaAs front the separate heterostructures are the only components interconnected to form the series arrangement. The switch has low dark current, low onresistance and high switching efficiency. The output characteristics is controllable by external electronic circuitry.
Natural enemies and host-plant asynchrony contributing to the failure of the introduced moth, Coleophora parthenica Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae), to control Russian thistle

Abstract Host-plant synchronization, predators, and parasitoids limited the population growth of Coleophora parthenica Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae), a moth introduced into California for the biological control of Russian thistle, Salsola australis R. Brown (Chenopodiaceae), that was studied in the Coachella Valley of southern California during 1979/80 and 1985/86. The oviposition period of the overwintered F 3 generation largely coincided with the highest mortality of young plants. Field observations indicated that this plant mortality caused the death of the C. parthenica larvae living on these plants, and was mainly responsible for the drastic population decrease of C. parthenica in early spring. During summer generations, rodent predation and parasitism of the larvae were minimal; spider predation accounted for 28.7 and 30.4% of the F 1 and F 2 moths, respectively. The C. parthenica population slightly increased during summer 1979 and was highest in the desiccated plants during winter 1979/80. During winter 1979/80, intrinsic larval mortality was 8.5%; rodents removed 25% of the larvae, and larval parasitism reached 42.1%, as compared with only 13.5 and 11.0% larval parasitism in 1984/85 and 1985/86, respectively. Rodent predation was limited by the diameter of the branches, reaching highest rates in the second order branches. Parasitoids did build up high densities, especially during mild winters, as in 1979/80 and predominantly attacked larvae in the thinner third order branches, which the rodents could not reach. Thus, poor host-plant synchronization, predators, and parasitoids considerably limited the population growth of C. parthenica . The extent of these mortality factors, together with the limited impact of the larval mining, helps to explain the failure of this moth to control Russian thistle.
Effect of Expert Data Variability in the Change Prediction Method

The Change Prediction Method is an approach that has been proposed in the literature as a way to assess the risk of change propagation. This approach requires experts to define the elements of the design structure matrix and provide both impact and likelihood values for each subsystem interaction. The combined risk values produced by the Change Prediction Method indicate where high probabilities of propagation may exist, but the results rely heavily on the supplied expert data. This study explores how potential variability in expert data impacts the rank order of returned risk values from the Change Prediction Method. Results are presented that indicate significant changes in rank order, highlighting both the importance of expert data accuracy and the insights that can be gained from the Change Prediction Method as a design tool.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
ESR study of post‐irradiation reactions of cellulose and acrylonitrile

An ESR study of the free-radical mechanisms of the post-irradiation reactions of cotton cellulose with acrylonitrile is reported. The effects of atmosphere, moisture content, and solutions of acrylonitrile on the yield and stability of free-radical sites in irradiated cellulose were determined. On interaction of γ-radiation from a 60Co source with cotton cellulose, long-lived free-radical sites were found within the molecular lattice. Short-lived free-radical sites were apparently also formed on chain cleavage, gave strong singlet spectra, and were readily accessible to interaction with water. Other free-radical sites were formed within regions of the cellulosic fiber which were inaccessible to moisture or aqueous solutions even after contact times as long as three days. It was suggested that long-lived free-radical sites in cellulose I (containing regain moisture) resulted from dehydrogenation at C5, and in cellulose II (containing regain moisture) resulted from dehydrogenation at C5 and dehydrogenation of the OH group or dehydroxylation at C6. When irradiated cellulose was contacted with a solution of acrylonitrile (15%) in 75% aqueous zinc chloride, the initial rate of decrease in spin concentration was higher than the rate of decrease as the time of contact increased. The ESR spectrum of the reacted cellulose, observed at −100°C., as compared with the spectrum for the irradiated cellulose, had decreased in signal strength with increase in time of contact and changed from a three-line spectrum to an ill-defined spectrum. The free radical being observed was probably due to unreacted sites in the cellulose. The extent of the graft copolymerization reaction was directly related to the initial spin concentration in the irradiated cellulose.
Altered Development of Collagen Induced Arthritis in T Cell Receptor Vβ Congenic B10.RIII Mice

Analysis of the mouse T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ genome has revealed the existence of two distinct genotypes which bear deletions of certain Vβ genes. Mice bearing the Vaβ genotype lack approximately 50% of the Vβ genome while Vcβ mice lack 70% of the known Vβ genes. Studies of the experimental model collagen induced arthritis (CIA) have indirectly suggested that the presence of truncated Vβ genotypes may influence susceptibility to this autoimmune disease. In order to confirm the influence of Vaβ and Vcβ genotypes on CIA, we derived mice congenic for the known Vβ haplotypes in the CIA susceptible B10.RIII (H-2r) background. Flow cytometric analysis of splenic lymphocytes revealed normal T cell levels in both B10.RIII-Vβ congenic lines. Expectedly, a generalized increase in the expression of some non-deleted Vβ genes was detected. In addition, the mice were immunized with porcine type II collagen and monitored for CIA. B10.RIII-Vaβ mice showed little difference in arthritis incidence or severity versus B10....
Low temperature solution-phase deposition of SnS thin films

The solution-phase deposition of inorganic semiconductors is a promising, scalable method for the manufacture of thin film photovoltaics. Deposition of photovoltaic materials from molecular or colloidal inks offers the possibility of inexpensive, rapid, high-throughput thin film fabrication through processes such as spray coating. For example, CdTe, Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)_2 (CIGS), and CH_3NH_3Pb(Cl,I)_3 perovskite-based thin film solar cells have been previously deposited using solution-based processes. Inks have also recently been developed for the solution deposition of Cu_2ZnSn(S,Se)_4 (CZTS) and FeS_2 (iron pyrite) absorber layers for thin film solar applications, in order to provide sustainable alternatives to materials that contain environmentally harmful heavy metals (e.g., Cd, Pb) and/or scarce elements (e.g., Te, In).
Changing Residence: The Geographic Mobility of Elderly Canadians . Herbert C. Northcott. Toronto: Butterworths, 1988, 135 pages. CDN$14.95.

Le sociologue Northcott aborde la question des mouvements migratoires des personnes âgees canadiennes, en particulier les directions generales, les antecedents et les consequences; son livre s'adresse a un vaste auditoire comprenant des etudiants, des professionnels, des chercheurs ainsi que des legislateurs. L'ouvrage s'avere utile parce qu'il contient un bilan de la litterature, une perspective avisee au niveau des sources de donnees, et des conclusions partielles empiriques. En plus il renferme des condenses sur les repercussions theoriques et politiques touchant le comportement migratoire des gens âge's, et des propos comparant le comportement migratoire des gens âges au Canada a celui des gens âges qui habitent d'autres pays developpes. Cependant, il n'est toutefois pas sans failles. L'auteur s'est fixe des objectifs beaucoup trop ambitieux et il a cherche a rejoindre un auditoire trop vaste. Les analyses empiriques sont incompletes et de qualite inegale; la signification theorique des enquetes et des resultats est souvent ambigue; l'auteur utilise le meme materiel sous differents chapitres et le livre est ecrit dans un style verbeux etfamilier.
Signal-Spatial Constellation Optimization for Generalized Spatial Modulation

This paper considers the optimal constellation design for the generalized spatial modulation (GSM). The signal and spatial parts of the constellation are jointly designed where the signal part is not restricted to the conventional amplitude/phase modulation constellation points. The design problem is formulated as an optimization problem where a set of multi-dimensional constellation points that minimizes the average symbol error rate (SER) is selected. A gradient search algorithm is proposed to solve the optimization problem. Numerical results demonstrate the improved SER performance and increased energy efficiency of the proposed generalized signal- spatial constellation (GSSC) scheme as compared to previous spatial modulation (SM), GSM, and conventional MIMO schemes.
A study of the particle convection contribution to heat transfer in gas fluidized beds

A model for the particle convection heat transfer component of the overall heat transfer between a submerged surface and a bubbling fluidized bed is presented. A convective boundary condition combined with surface coverage concepts are introduced to describe the instantaneous wall-to-bed heat transfer. Both thermally lumped and distributed formulations with constant and variable properties for the model are presented and studied. As formulated, the model is not restricted to uniform bed particle size distributions. Experimental measurements obtained from instantaneous local heat flux probes are compared to the model predictions. The thermally distributed, variable property model formulation provides very good agreement with the experimental data over a wide range of particle sizes and fluidization velocities. For particle size beds ranging from 256 to 4000 μm, the model displayed a very accurate trend prediction relative to available data, with magnitude predictions of 2–28% error, depending upon particle size over a wide range of fluidization velocity.