Taxed congestion games with failures

In this paper, we introduce and study Taxed Congestion Games with Failures [TCGFs], extending congestion games with failures [CGFs] to consider costly task submission. We define TCGFs, and prove that TCGFs possess a pure strategy Nash-equilibrium. Moreover, we provide an efficient algorithm for the computation of such equilibrium. We also provide a specialized, simpler, algorithm for the case in which all resources are identical.     

The development of a brief version of the Nurse's Observation Scale For Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE-30).

Psychiatric hospitals typically do not use reliable and valid clinical instruments when recording behavioral observations. This could be attributable to these instruments being perceived as too complicated and time consuming to routinely administer. The goal of the present study was to examine if a briefer version of the 30 item Nurses' Observation for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE); could be developed without compromising the reliability and the factorial validity of the scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed with a combined sample of 67 persons (with 4,973 total numbers of observations) from two settings, by randomly assigning participant observations to either phase one (full-scale model, 30-item NOSIE) or to phase two (reduced-scale model, 12-item NOSIE). The results indicated that the reduced 12-item model with the correlated latent structures appears to be the best representation of the observed data. The potential clinical usefulness of a reduced item model of the NOSIE is discussed in light of these results. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Real-time and label-free detection of cellular response to signaling mediated by distinct subclasses of epidermal growth factor receptors

Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) have often shown two distinct binding affinities for epidermal growth factor. It is the high-affinity EGFR that is predominantly responsible for mediating the cell signaling that plays an indispensable role in cell growth, proliferation, motility, and differentiation. We applied the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) to track short-term cellular responses to EGFR signaling in human carcinoma A431 cells. Cellular responses to high- and low-affinity EGFR signaling were detected individually as well as simultaneously based on changes in mass and viscoelasticity of cells. These responses are associated with EGF-induced biological processes including the cytoskeleton remodeling and calcium influx. QCM-D provides a label-free sensor technology that can be exploited to investigate the role of high-affinity EGFR in cancer development and cancer prognosis.     

Simulation-Based Classification; a Model-Order-Reduction Approach for Structural Health Monitoring

We present a model-order-reduction approach to simulation-based classification, with particular application to structural health monitoring. The approach exploits (1) synthetic results obtained by repeated solution of a parametrized mathematical model for different values of the parameters, (2) machine-learning algorithms to generate a classifier that monitors the damage state of the system, and (3) a reduced basis method to reduce the computational burden associated with the model evaluations. Furthermore, we propose a mathematical formulation which integrates the partial differential equation model within the classification framework and clarifies the influence of model error on classification performance. We illustrate our approach and we demonstrate its effectiveness through the vehicle of a particular physical companion experiment, a harmonically excited microtruss.     

Physicochemical properties of kevlar 49 fiber

The high-strength, high-modulus Kevlar 49 fiber is widely used today because of its superior properties. In this paper, we discuss the fundamental physicochemical nature of the commercial fiber. It is an extended chain polymer, poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide), which is highly crystalline. Extensive analysis shows that the material composition is quite consistent from lot to lot and is low in impurities. The fiber absorbs water reversibly; the extent of absorption is related to the ash content. The well-known interaction of the fiber with ultraviolet light is illustrated with spectra, and the thermal stability of the fiber is demonstrated with various thermal analysis techniques.     

Geographical boundaries of facial reconstruction

The principle of considering defined areas of the face as separate entities when planning reconstructive procedures is explained. The resurfacing of these individual areas is discussed, and the priorities in the order of reconstruction are defined.     

TCR-Vbeta usage in the thymus and blood of myasthenia gravis patients

In myasthenia gravis (MG) the muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR) is the target of an autoimmune response. The anti-AChR response may originate in the thymus, which is abnormal in most MG patients and contains anti-AChR T and B cells. Microbial superantigens (sAg) may trigger autoimmune responses and in this study we sought clues as to whether sAg play a role in the pathogenesis of MG. We investigated the frequency of use of the different TCR Vbeta families by the thymus and blood T cells in MG patients and in control subjects, using a multi-primer PCR assay. Identical TCR-Vbeta usage was found in the thymi of MG patients and controls, except Vbeta2, which showed a small increase in MG patients' thymi. Blood T cells of MG patients used Vbeta4, Vbeta6, Vbeta15, Vbeta16 and Vbeta24 significantly more than those of the controls. Vbeta4 and Vbeta6 are the gene families most frequently used by anti-AChR CD4(+) cells in MG patients. Blood T cells from MG patients used Vbeta12, Vbeta14, Vbeta17 and Vbeta18 significantly less than controls. MG patients used Vbeta4 and Vbeta6 significantly more in the blood than in the thymus, while the opposite occurred for Vbeta7, Vbeta12 and Vbeta14. Controls used Vbeta17 more and Vbeta24 less in the blood than in the thymus. The preferential expansion of Vbeta4 and Vbeta6 in MG patients might reflect the immunodominance of certain AChR epitopes, or the action of a sAg outside the thymus. The minimal differences in the TCR-Vbeta usage in the blood and thymus of control subjects might be due to expansion of T cell clones specific for common antigens. Identical Vbeta usage in the thymi of MG patients and controls does not support an important role of the thymus as the location of anti-AChR sensitization when MG is clinically evident. The differences observed in the Vbeta usage in blood and thymi of MG patients are likely to be due to preferential Vbeta usage by the anti-AChR T cells in the blood.     

Adult onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy: a case report

BACKGROUND: Pattern dystrophies of the retinal pigment epithelium, an arrangement of a pattern of dots, lines, or branches, are infrequent fundus abnormalities. Adult onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy (AOFVD) is considered a subtype of pattern dystrophy. Onset occurs during middle age, with an accumulation of yellow-gray macular deposits in the deeper retinal layers. Typically electro-oculograms are mildly subnormal or normal. Genetic studies suggest an autosomal dominant inheritance with variable penetrance. CASE REPORT: A case of a 56-year-old Hispanic women with a 1-month onset of "wavy moving vision" in both eyes is presented. Previous ocular and family history were unremarkable. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed yellow circumscribed subretinal lesions of one-third to one-half disk diameter in the foveal centers of both eyes. Fluorescein angiography revealed a circumscribed area of mottled hyperfluorescence surrounding a central hypofluorescent spot. The patient was diagnosed with AOFVD. Examination of the patient's children revealed retinal pigment epithelial disturbances in the two oldest daughters, consistent with pattern dystrophies. CONCLUSION: Our investigation supports an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, as seen on pedigree. The presence of different pattern dystrophies within the same family suggests a common etiologic continuum.     

Emotion recognition in schizophrenia: Further investigation of generalized versus specific deficit models.

In this study, the authors examined the nature of emotion perception in schizophrenia. Two samples of people with schizophrenia, one receiving acute care for a recent exacerbation of symptoms and the other receiving extended care, were compared with a nonclinical control group on emotion perception and general perception measures. The nonclinical control group obtained the highest scores on all of the study measures, and the acutely ill group obtained the lowest scores. Furthermore, the acutely ill sample had a specific deficit in emotion perception that remained present after controlling for performance on the general perception tasks. Conversely, the deficits in emotion discrimination in the extended-care sample reflected generalized poor performance. Differences in performance on the emotion identification task between the 2 clinical groups were reduced when controlling for active symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)