cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Topological sweep of the complete graph

We present a novel, simple and easily implementable algorithm to report all intersections in an embedding of a complete graph. For graphs with N vertices and complexity K measured as the number of segments of the embedding, the running time of the algorithm is @Q(K+NM), where M is the maximum number of edges cut by any vertical line. Our algorithm handles degeneracies, such as vertical edges or multiply intersecting edges, without requiring numerical perturbations to achieve general position. The algorithm is based on the sweep line technique, one of the most fundamental techniques in computational geometry, where an imaginary line passes through a given set of geometric objects, usually from left to right. The algorithm sweeps the graph using a topological line, borrowing the concept of horizon trees from the topological sweep method [H. Edelsbrunner, L.J. Guibas, Topologically sweeping an arrangement, J. Comput. Syst. Sci. 38 (1989) 165-194; J. Comput. Syst. Sci. 42 (1991) 249-251 (corrigendum)]. The novelty in our approach is to control the topological line through the use of the moving wall that separates at any time the graph into two regions: the region of known structure, in front of the moving wall, and the region that may contain intersections generated by edges-that have not yet been registered in the sweep process-behind the wall. Our method has applications to graph drawing and for depth-based statistical analysis, for computing the simplicial depth median for a set of N data points [G. Aloupis, S. Langerman, M. Soss, G. Toussaint, Algorithms for bivariate medians and a Fermat-Torricelli problem for lines, Comp. Geom. Theory Appl. 26 (1) (2003) 69-79]. We present the algorithm, its analysis, experimental results and extension of the method to general graphs.
Gap junctions in the rat cochlea: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis.

Gap junctions in the rat cochlea were investigated using immunostaining for connexin26 and transmission electron microscopy. Electron microscopy of normal and pre-embedded immunostained material showed that there were gap junctions between and among all cells that light microscopy showed to have immunostained appositions. Light microscopy showed immunostaining between and among all cell types that electron microscopy showed to be joined by gap junctions. Immunostaining for connexin26 was therefore taken as providing a reasonable approximation of the locations of gap junctions throughout the cochlea and was used to provide an overview of the extent of those locations. Cells interconnected via gap junctions fell into one of two groups. The first group consists of nonsensory epithelial cells and includes interdental cells of the spiral limbus, inner sulcus cells, organ of Corti supporting cells, outer sulcus cells, and cells within the root processes of the spiral ligament. The second group consists of connective tissue cells and includes various fibrocyte types of the spiral limbus and spiral ligament, basal and intermediate cells of the stria vascularis, and mesenchymal cells which line the scala vestibuli. The present work represents a first attempt towards a description of how serial gap junctions among cochlear cells reflect a level of organization of the tissue. The organization described here, together with a great deal of information from previous investigators, suggest that serially arranged gap junctions of both epithelial and connective tissue cells serve as the strucural basis for recycling endolymphatic potassium ions that pass through the sensory cells during the transduction process.
Tackling the bugaboos of solar flares

Solar Flare Magnetohydrodynamics. Edited by E.R. Priest. Pp.563. ISBN 0-677-05530-7. (Gordon & Breach: 1982.) $89.50.
Excitation labeling with tritium. Studies of side reactions with model compounds

Abstract A series of model compounds such as hexane, 2-heptene, 3-methylhexane, methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, styrene, benzoic acid and phenylalanine have been exposed to a stream of excited tritium atoms produced in a microwave-induced plasma. Product analysis by gas-liquid radiochromatography revealed that the yields of labeled parent compound, based on incorporated non-exchangeable tritium label, ranged from less than 1% for n -hexane to 71% for methylcyclohexane. Other labeled products included high-boiling polymers, degradation products, and saturated analogs formed by tritium addition to double bonds or to the phenyl ring. Incorporation of tritium into the molecule appears to be selective, and the presence of a methyne hydrogen favors the labeling. Not only tritium atoms from the plasma but also long-lived radicals containing tritium in the sample caused tritium-labeling. The latter attacks susceptible solvent molecules post-labeling to produce additional labeled contaminants.
116 EFFECT OF INCUBATION OF BOVINE EPIDIDYMAL SPERMATOZOA IN SEMINAL PLASMA PRIOR TO CRYOPRESERVATION

Studies examining the influence of seminal plasma on sperm function have shown both beneficial and detrimental effects. However, its effect on pre-frozen bovine epididymal sperm (BES) has not been documented. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a 30-min incubation of BES in bovine seminal plasma (SEMP) prior to freezing on post-thaw sperm parameters. Paired testes were obtained from mature bulls (n = 10) at a local abattoir and transported to the laboratory (25–28°C) within 3–5 h postmortem. BES were harvested by multiple incisions from the caudae epididymides of each bull, pooled, and split into either Treatment A, 3 mL of egg yolk Tris-based medium (EYT) (No SEMP), or Treatment B, 3 mL of SEMP, each for 30 min in a 37°C water bath. SEMP was extracted from ejaculates of mature bulls (n = 6), and then pooled and stored at −20°C until used. Sperm from both treatments were re-suspended in EYT, adjusted to 70 × 106 sperm mL−1 and cooled to 4°C at 0.1°C min−1. Samples were diluted slowly over a 30-min period with 1:1 EYT medium containing 14% glycerol and loaded into 0.5-mL straws. Straws were frozen in liquid nitrogen vapors. For sperm analyses, straws were thawed in a water bath at 37°C for 40 s. Morphology was determined by staining with eosin-nigrosin. Viability and acrosome integrity were measured simultaneously with the combination of SYBR 14, propidium iodide, and PE-PNA. Mitochondrial activity was measured by the combination of MitoTracker Red and SYBR 14. DNA integrity was determined by acridine orange using the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA®; SCSA Diagnostics, Inc., Brookings, SD, USA). All assays were performed by multicolor flow cytometry. Differences between treatments were analyzed using one-way ANOVA (P < 0.05). In summary, all sperm quality parameters decreased significantly after thawing in both treatments (Table 1). A significantly higher overall and progressive motility post-thaw was achieved when sperm were incubated in SEMP prior to freezing. However, no difference was detected in sperm viability, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial activity, and DNA integrity between treatments. Also, SEMP reduced the quantity of distal droplets and broken tails post-thaw over that of no SEMP. Results indicate that incubation of BES in bovine seminal plasma prior to freezing improves post-thaw sperm quality. Table 1. Effect of bovine seminal plasma (SEMP) on quality parameters (mean ± SEM) of post-thaw bovine epididymal sperm
Amino acid anslysis by high-performance liquid chromatography with methanesulfonic acid hydrolysis and 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate derivatization

Abstract Experiments were undertaken to verify a method for complete amino acid analysis of plant and animal tissues and waste products from a single hydrolysis and high-performance liquid chromatographic run. Using methanesulfonic acid, hydrolysis of cytochrome c at 115°C for 22 h yielded recoveries equal to or higher than hydrolysis at 115°C for 70 h or at 150°C for 22 h. Triple evacuation of the hydrolysis tube alternated with nitrogen flush gave recovery improvements over single evacuation. Refrigerated storage of samples under vacuum for up to 4 days between hydrolysis and further analysis was not different from immediate analysis. However, recoveries of several amino acids were reduced by refrigerated storage in air. Recoveries of individual amino acids were determined by hydrolysis of biological samples with and without added cytochrome c . Although recoveries from biological samples were lower for several amino acids, precision was sufficient to allow quantitation after correction for incomplete recoveries. Derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate (FMOC) was chosen because derivatives are formed with both primary and secondary amino acids, derivatives are quite stable, and detection may be either UV absorbance or fluorescence. Derivative yield is sensitive to the pH of the reaction mixture. A pH of 8.0 gave reproducible derivative yield for all physiological amino acids. Solvent extraction of excess FMOC, when compared to addition of amantadine to react with excess FMOC, gave both higher recoveries and greater precision. Following derivatization, samples could be kept at 4°C for at least 24h before high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis without loss of response. Derivative yield and detector response were constant across a wide range of molar ratio of FMOC to total amino acids. Gradient elution was required to separate FMOC derivatives on a reversed-phase column. The capability of the pumping system to produce exponential gradients permitted rapid and easy fine-tuning of the gradient.
Quantum chaos, localization and tunnelling: microwave experiments on model geometries

Microwave experiments using two-dimensional billiard geometries are a precise test of basic issues in quantum chaos, localization and tunnelling. In closed chaotic geometries, analysis of eigenvalue statistics yields good agreement with random-matrix theory. A unique aspect of the experiments is the ability to measure eigenfunctions directly. The influence of periodic orbit scarring in chaotic eigenfunctions is directly demonstrated. Disordered microwave billiards are a textbook model system for studying the quantum properties of a single particle in a disordered potential. Localization is directly observed in eigenfunctions of the disordered billiards. Statistical properties of disordered eigenfunctions deviate from universal behaviour due to localization. These statistical properties are in good agreement with predictions from nonlinear-sigma models, although many challenges for further theoretical understanding remain. The experiments can also probe open systems, in terms of the quantum resonances and escape rate of a fractal repeller.
Nitrogen-15 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic study of compounds with nitrogen—nitrogen bonds

The 15N NMR spectra of several substances with nitrogen—nitrogen bonds have been obtained at the natural-abundance level by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. Azo (—N═N—) nitrogens are 300–500 ppm deshielded compared with hydrazo (—NH—NH—) nitrogens. The sensitivity of the ^(15)N shifts in these types of substances to substituent changes are reported, along with ^(15)N–^1H spin–spin couplings for some hydrazo compounds. Hydrogen-bonding effects arising from solvent changes on the ^(15)N shifts of azoxybenzene are different for its two kinds of nitrogen. The ^(15)N NMR spectrum of N,N'-dinitrosopiperazine in dimethyl sulfoxide at room temperature is consistent with the presence of two different conformations about the N—NO bonds.
RNA editing generates tissue-specific sodium channels with distinct gating properties

Sodium channels play an essential role in generating the action potential in eukaryotic cells, and their transcripts, especially those in insects, undergo extensive A-to-I RNA editing. The functional consequences of RNA editing of sodium channel transcripts, however, have yet to be determined. We characterized 20 splice variants of the German cockroach sodium channel gene BgNav. Functional analysis revealed that these variants exhibited a broad range of voltage-dependent activation and inactivation. Further analysis of two variants, BgNav1-1 and BgNav1-2, which activate at more depolarizing membrane potentials than other variants, showed that RNA editing events were responsible for variant-specific gating properties. Two U-to-C editing sites identified in BgNav1-1 resulted in a Leu to Pro change in segment 1 of domain III (IIIS1) and a Val to Ala change in IVS4. The Leu to Pro change shifted both the voltage dependence of activation and steady-state inactivation in the depolarizing direction. Two A-to-I editing events in BgNav1-2 resulted in a Lys to Arg change in IS2 and an Ile to Met change in IVS3. The Lys to Arg change shifted the voltage dependence of activation in the depolarizing direction. Moreover, these RNA editing events occurred in a tissue-specific and development-specific manner. Our findings provide direct evidence that RNA editing is an important mechanism generating tissue-/cell type-specific functional variants of sodium channels.
Signal processing and wireless networks

Summary form only given. A major issue in today's wireless world is the dramatic increase in demand for new capacity and higher performance of wireless networks. The development of these capabilities is limited severely by the scarcity of two of the principal resources in wireless networks, namely energy and bandwidth. Consequently, the community has turned to a third principal resource, the addition of intelligence throughout the network, in order to exploit increases in processing power afforded by Moore's law type improvements in microelectronics. This talk focuses on two aspects of this phenomenon: the effects of advanced node-level signal processing on the higher-layer performance of wireless communication networks, including energy efficiency, spectral efficiency, throughput and delay; and the use of advanced signal processing principles, including collaborative beam-forming, sensor scheduling, and distributed learning, in the design, deployment and operation of wireless sensor networks.
Finite-amplitude evolution of two-layer geostrophic vortices

The finite-amplitude evolution of circular two-layer quasi-geostrophic vortices with piecewise uniform potential vorticity in each layer (also termed ‘heton’ clouds by Hogg & Stommel 1985a and Pedlosky 1985) is studied using the contour dynamics method. The numerical investigations are preceded by a linear stability analysis which shows the stabilizing influence of deepening the lower layer. Net barotropic flow may be either stabilizing or destabilizing. The contour dynamics calculations for baroclinic vortices show that supercritical (i.e. linearly unstable) conditions may lead to explosive break up of the vortex via the generation of continuous hetons at the cloud boundary. The number of vortex pairs is equal to the azimuthal mode number of the initial disturbance. An additional weakly supercritical regime in which amplitude vacillation occurs, but not explosive growth, is identified. Vortices with net barotropic circulation behave similarly except that the layer with vorticity opposite to the barotropic circulation will break up first. Strong barotropic circulation can inhibit the development of hetons. The stronger layer may eject thin filaments, but remain mostly intact. Calculations for initial conditions composed of several unstable modes show that the linearly most unstable mode dominates at finite amplitude.
Orchids of Atlantic Coast Barrier Islands from North Carolina to New York

Abstract During the past 25 years, we have documented the occurrence of 17 orchid species from Atlantic coast barrier islands from North Carolina to New York, including Calopogon tuberosus, Corallorhiza wisteriana, Cypripedium acaule, Epipactis helleborine, Goodyera pubescens, Habenaria repens, Listera australis, Malaxis spicata, Platanthera cristata, Pogonia ophioglossoides, Spiranthes cernua, S. lacera var. gracilis, S. laciniata, S. odorata, S. praecox, S. vernalis, and Tipularia discolor. For each species, we present data on localities of extant orchid populations, fluctuations in population size, flowering dates, habitat preferences, threats to some populations, results of herbarium and literature searches, and our opinion on the status of orchid species reported by others but not observed by us in the field. Spiranthes vernalis is the most common orchid on mid-Atlantic coast barrier islands. Other species occurring in large (> 1000 individuals) populations include Platanthera cristata, Spiranthes ce...
Length polymorphisms in human proline-rich protein genes generated by intragenic unequal crossing over

Southern blot hybridization analysis of genomic DNAs from 44 unrelated individuals revealed extensive insertion/deletion polymorphisms within the BstNI-type loci (PRB1, PRB2, PRB3 and PRB4) of the human proline-rich protein (PRP) multigene family. Ten length variants were cloned, including alleles at each of the four PRB loci, and in every case the region of length difference was localized to the tandemly repetitious third exon. DNA sequences covering the region of length variation were determined for seven of the alleles. The data indicate (1) that the PRB loci can be divided into two subtypes, PRB1 plus PRB2, and PRB3 plus PRB4, and (2) that the length differences result from different numbers of tandem repeats in the third exons. Variant chromosomes were also identified with different numbers of PRP loci resulting from homologous but unequal exchange between the PRB1 and PRB2 loci. The overall data are compatible with the observed length variants having been generated via homologous but unequal intragenic exchange. The results also indicate that these crossover events are sensitive to the amount of homology shared between the interacting DNA strands. Allelic length variants have arisen independently at least 20 times at the PRB loci, but only one has been detected at a PRH locus. Comparison of the detailed structures of the repetitious regions in PRB and PRH loci shows that the repeats in PRB genes are very similar to each other in sequence and in length. The PRH genes contain fewer repeats, which differ considerably in their individual lengths. These differences suggest that the larger number of length variants in PRB genes is related to their greater ease of homologous but unequal pairing compared to PRH genes.
Isotherm selection for band profile simulations in preparative chromatography

Equilibrium adsorption data for the N-benzoyl derivatives of D- and L-phenyl alanine in water/propanol solutions have been determined on a chiral-selective stationary phase, bovine serum albumin immobilized on silica. These data are well accounted for by an isotherm equation resulting from the sum of two Langmuir terms. The first term corresponds to the chiral-selective interactions, and the second to the nonselective molecular interactions between the enantiomers and the stationary phase. The individual band profiles of the two enantiomeric amino acids, either pure or in binary mixtures of various compositions, are predicted exactly by an equilibrium dispersive model using this bi-Langmuir isotherm. A classical Langmuir isotherm fails to predict these band profiles, illustrating the importance to collect accurate adsorption data and to use a correct isotherm model when calculating chromatographic band profiles.
Clinical microwave breast imaging — 2D results and the evolution to 3D

The incidence of breast cancer and associated deaths are a recognized world health problem. Conventional screening approaches such as x-ray mammography, ultrasound and increasingly contrast-enhanced MRI are life saving to many women. However, the sensitivity and specificity of these modalities are still limited and there is clearly room for alternatives. Microwave imaging is a potentially important approach in this area because the tissue dielectric properties present important functional information which can be exploited to improve overall sensitivity and specificity in breast imaging. At Dartmouth College, our microwave breast imaging system is currently being used in pilot clinical studies for both tumor diagnosis and for monitoring treatment response during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These early 2D imaging studies have demonstrated significance with respect to distinguishing tumors from normal tissue in the diagnostic mode and an ability to predict treatment response at a relatively early stage of treatment. The associated innovations and clinical results set a solid foundation as we advance towards full 3D imaging.
Development of High Temperature Optical Interference Filters

Oblique angle deposition (OAD) is a self-organizing physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique that has been used to grow sculpted 3D nanostructures including helices, slanted rods, and zigzag structures, and other shapes. OAD structures can be fabricated from virtually any material that can be deposited using PVD including: polymers, metals, semiconductors, oxides, and nitrides. The control over the nano-scale structural anisotropy of these materials allows one to tailor their electrical, magnetic, mechanical, crystalline, and optical properties. Through the careful design of the OAD structure and material selection this technique can be used to create photonic materials (1D, 2D, and 3D) with unique properties. We will discuss ongoing work using OAD to develop oxide thin film interference filters that can withstand extreme temperatures (800-1000° C) at mTorr vacuum levels, which are being developed for thermal photovoltaic applications.
Moral Injury and the Ethic of Care: Reframing the Conversation about Differences

It has been 40 years since John Berger wrote, “Never again will a single story be told as though it’s the only one.” It has been 30 years since In a Different Voice recast the conversation about self and morality as a conversation about voice and relationships. It has been 15 years since Arundhati Roy coined the phrase “Love Laws” for the laws that establish “who should be loved. And how. And how much.” 1 Meanwhile, a paradigm shift has been spreading through the human sciences. A growing body of evidence coming from developmental psychology, neurobiology, primatology, and evolutionary anthropology has framed what had been taken as milestones of development in a new light. Rather than signifying healthy forms of maturation, the separation of the self from relationships and the splitting of thought from emotion signal injury or responses to trauma. The primatologist Frans de Waal has called for “a complete overhaul of assumptions about human nature,” based on the recognition that “empathy is part of our evolution, and not just a recent part, but an innate, age-old capacity.” The evolutionary anthropologist Sarah Blaffer Hrdy has observed that the capacity for mutual understanding, for “empathy, mind-reading, and cooperation,” was— and may well be—key to our survival as a species. The neurobiologist Antonio Damasio reports that our nervous system is wired to connect mind and body, thought and emotion. In our bodies and emotions, we pick up the music or the “feeling of what happens,” which then plays in our minds and thoughts. When we separate our thoughts from our emotions, we retain the capacity to solve logical problems but lose the ability to register experience and navigate the human social world. 2 This change in the understanding of who we are was sparked initially by listening to women. The paradigm shift began with the recognition that empathy and caring are human strengths. The “different voice” had been heard as “feminine” because emotions and relationships were associated with women and seen as limiting their capacity for rationality and autonomy. But the voice itself sounded different because it joined thought with emotion and the self with relationships, because it was embodied rather than disembodied, located in time and place. What had been considered a problem in women’s development was recast as a problem in the framework of interpretation, “a limitation in the conception of the human condition, an omission of certain truths about life.” 3 With the shift in bs_bs_banner
Detecting Insect Infestation: A Novel Application of Carbon/Polyethylene-co-vinyl Acetate Sensors

Plants, when attacked by herbivores emit plant volatile compounds as a defensive mechanism to protect themselves from herbivores and parasites. Secreting these volatiles is not only toxic towards these insects but also aids enemies of the herbivores to recognize infested plants to locate their prey. A low mass fraction carbon black/polyethylene-co-vinylacetate composite sensor was designed and fabricated to detect insect infestation. This sensor was cost efficient, easy to fabricate and was highly stable in air. When an organic vapor is present, the carbon/polymer active layer swells creating a discontinuity in the conducting pathway between adjacent carbon particles, increasing the resistance of the film. When the analyte is no longer present, the polymer will return to its original state, showing a decrease in resistance. A variety of carbon/black polymer sensors with varying chemical characteristics could be created by using different polymer matrices. Polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate was chosen as the best polymer for this particular application based on its swelling ability in the presence of plant volatiles compared to other polymers. When the carbon concentration of the active layer was low enough to be near the percolation threshold, the sensor can be used as a “chemical switch”. The resistance of the sensor increased significantly mimicking a “switch off” response when exposed to the analyte vapor. When the analyte vapor was no longer present the sensor returned back to its original condition, showing a “switch on” response. The percolation point was obtained when the carbon concentration of the carbon/polymer composite was kept at 1.25 wt%. The sensor was tested and found to be sensitive to a variety of volatile organic compounds emitted during insect infestation including γ-terpinene, α-pinene, p-cymene, farnesene, and limonene and cis-hexenyl acetate.
Validation of two-dimensional ocean microwave signatures

A novel passive microwave-imaging methodology is developed to be used in ocean remote sensing. This technique is based on high-resolution scanning radiometric observations and digital image analysis. Two-dimensional, ocean thermal microwave emission features (signatures) are detected in the form of extended texture mosaics and distinct objects. Usually they are revealed as sets of low-contrast cold and hot spots. We hypothesize that the observed signatures can be associated with local oceanic phenomena and hydrodynamical disturbances. Several basic examples are presented and explained.
Ozone Uptake in Healthy Adult Males during Quiet Breathing

Abstract Experimental measurements of ozone (O3) uptake are needed for validation of dosimetry model parameters and in predictions as well as for determining factors affecting uptake and for making comparisons between subpopulations or across species. In this study, 10 healthy adult male subjects were exposed to 0.3 ppm O3while seated and breathing naturally through the nose or mouth. Total respiratory tract O3uptake, spontaneous breathing parameters, and respiratory gas exchange were measured for 10 min under steady-state conditions. The exposure protocol was replicated in each subject approximately 2 weeks after the first visit. On each visit, health exams were performed and spirometric lung measurements were obtained. The experimental design provided comparisons of total O3uptake during nasal and oral breathing, differences in uptake in an individual at two time points, and an examination of between-subject variability in O3uptake. Exposure to O3had no effect on the breathing parameters or gas exchange. Oral and nasal breathing frequency averaged 16.2 ± 1.1 (SE) and 16.0 ± 1.2 breaths per minute with tidal volumes averaging 651 ± 46 and 669 ± 67 ml, respectively. A significant correlation (p
Geometric Convergence Rates for Stochastically Ordered Markov Chains

Let {Φn} be a Markov chain on the state space [0, ∞ that is stochastically ordered in its initial state; that is, a stochastically larger initial state produces a stochastically larger chain at all other times. Examples of such chains include random walks, the number of customers in various queueing systems, and a plethora of storage processes. A large body of recent literature concentrates on establishing geometric ergodicity of {Φn} in total variation; that is, proving the existence of a limiting probability measure π and a number r > 1 such that $$ \lim_{n\to \infty} r^n \sup_{A\in {\cal B}[0, \infty} \vert P_x [\Phi_n\in A]-\piA\vert = 0 $$ for every deterministic initial state Φ0 ≡ x. We seek to identity the largest r that satisfies this relationship. A dependent sample path coupling and a Foster-Lyapunov drift inequality are used to derive convergence rate bounds; we then show that the bounds obtained are frequently the best possible. Application of the methods to queues and random walks are included.
Fatty Liver Disease: MR Imaging Techniques for the Detection and Quantification of Liver Steatosis

Fatty liver disease is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the United States. Noninvasive detection and quantification of fat is becoming more and more important clinically, due in large part to the growing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Steatosis, the accumulation of fat-containing vacuoles within hepatocytes, is a key histologic feature of fatty liver disease. Liver biopsy, the current standard of reference for the assessment of steatosis, is invasive, has sampling errors, and is not appropriate in some settings. Several magnetic resonance (MR) imaging–based techniques—including chemical shift imaging, frequency-selective imaging, and MR spectroscopy—are currently in clinical use for the detection and quantification of fat-water admixtures, with each technique having important advantages, disadvantages, and limitations. These techniques permit the breakdown of the net MR signal into fat and water signal components, allowing the quantification of fat in liver tissue, and ar...
Robust Markov Decision Processes using Sigma Point sampling

This paper presents a new robust decision making algorithm that accounts for model uncertainty in finite state/action, Markov Decision Processes (MDPs). In particular we generate robust and optimal control policies using Sigma Point sampling methods for dynamic multi-stage problems where the probabilistic transition model of the MDP may be fixed, but uncertain. In the case of poorly known transition model governing a MDP, this paper shows that the total number of scenarios in a scenario-based robust optimization may be decreased by generating a small number of appropriately chosen samples of the model. The robust policy for the worst- case instance of the data can be approximated by identifying the minimum objective function obtained from these realizations. This paper compares the proposed approach to more direct sampling-based approaches in a machine repair problem. The numerical examples show reduction in the total number of simulations required to obtain robust solutions while achieving optimal results.
A Rejoinder and a Generalized Model

Author's rejoinder to the comment [Hayes, R. H. 1968. Note on “Maximizing insurance buyers' utility.” Management Sci.154, December B-208--B-212.] about their earlier paper [Hamburg, M., W. F. Matlack. 1968. Maximizing insurance buyers' utility. Management Sci.146, February B-294--B-301.].
A Metric of Tolerance for the Manufacturing Defects of Threshold Logic Gates

Compared to CMOS logic gates, threshold logic gates are more susceptible to manufacturing inaccuracies. These inaccuracies may inadvertently affect the functionality of the gate. Hence it is very much important to consider the manufacturing defects during the design of gates using threshold logic principle. This paper defines a metric which indicates the degree of tolerance of a designed gate to the manufacturing inaccuracies. Experimental results have been presented for several gates.
Behavior research in zoos: Past, present, and future

This paper reviews the historical emphases in zoo behavioral research and the contribution of these studies to animal management and to advancement in the behavioral sciences. Some examples are provided from research conducted at the National Zoological Park and elsewhere. The potential for doing behavior studies of excellence in zoos and aquariums has become more complicated in recent years by 1) changes in the aims and objectives of modern zoological parks, especially the increasing emphasis on conservation, 2) changes in focus in the science of animal behavior itself, and 3) the tendency of trained behaviorists to assume positions as curators and directors without time for research. These issues represent challenges to be overcome so that zoos can continue to be important sites for the study of animal behavior and contribute to the science of animal management and conservation, as well as the advancement of theory in biology. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Differences Between Younger and Older Patients with Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma

From 1979 to 2006, 74 children with Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated at our center. Among them, 15 (14 boys and 1 girl) and 59 (33 boys and 26 girls) patients were younger and older than 8 years, respectively. Six (40%) children among younger patients and 26 (44%) among older patients had advanced stage disease. We detected 3 (20%) relapses among younger patients and 5 (8.5%) among the older patients. All of younger patients are alive whereas three of the older patients have died. Second malignancy developed in one and three children among younger and older patients, respectively. The only difference that was detected concerning the age was a male predominance among the younger patients.
van den Ban-Schlichtkrull-Wallach asymptotic expansions on nonsymmetric domains

if it is annihilated by every element of DG(X), the algebra of all G-invariant differential operators without constant term. One of the most beautiful results in the harmonic analysis of symmetric spaces is the Helgason conjecture, which states that on a Riemannian symmetric space of noncompact type, a function is harmonic if and only if it is the Poisson integral of a hyperfunction over the Furstenberg boundary G/Po where Po is a minimal parabolic subgroup. (See [14], [17].) One of the more remarkable aspects of this theorem is its generality; one obtains a complete description of all solutions to the system of invariant differential operators on X without imposing any boundary or growth conditions. If X is a Hermitian symmetric space, then one is typically interested in complex function theory, in which case one is interested in functions whose boundary values are supported on the Shilov boundary rather than the Furstenberg boundary. (The Shilov boundary is G/P where P is a certain maximal parabolic containing Po.) In this case, it turns out that the algebra of G invariant differential operators is not necessarily the most appropriate one for
Nonpolymorphic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Protease and Reverse Transcriptase Treatment-Selected Mutations

The spectrum of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease and reverse transcriptase (RT) mutations selected by antiretroviral (ARV) drugs requires ongoing reassessment as ARV treatment patterns evolve and increasing numbers of protease and RT sequences of different viral subtypes are published. Accordingly, we compared the prevalences of protease and RT mutations in HIV-1 group M sequences from individuals with and without a history of previous treatment with protease inhibitors (PIs) or RT inhibitors (RTIs). Mutations in protease sequences from 26,888 individuals and in RT sequences from 25,695 individuals were classified according to whether they were nonpolymorphic in untreated individuals and whether their prevalence increased fivefold with ARV therapy. This analysis showed that 88 PI-selected and 122 RTI-selected nonpolymorphic mutations had a prevalence that was fivefold higher in individuals receiving ARVs than in ARV-naive individuals. This was an increase of 47% and 77%, respectively, compared with the 60 PI- and 69 RTI-selected mutations identified in a similar analysis that we published in 2005 using subtype B sequences obtained from one-fourth as many individuals. In conclusion, many nonpolymorphic mutations in protease and RT are under ARV selection pressure. The spectrum of treatment-selected mutations is changing as data for more individuals are collected, treatment exposures change, and the number of available sequences from non-subtype B viruses increases.
Numerical Performance as a Function of Prior Exercise and Aerobic Capacity for Elementary School Boys

Abstract Thirty male subjects, ages 9 to 11, were separated into three aerobic capacity (AC) groups according to performance on a submaximal bicycle ergometer test. Each subject then took a 3-min. test of combined addition and subtraction on five separate days, preceded each day by one of five varied intensities of exertion. Scores were recorded for speed and accuracy for each minute and for the total 3 min. Heart rates (HR), numerical speed data, and numerical accuracy data were analyzed in separate three-way analyses of variance. HR increased linearly with increasing levels of work and the highest AC group had significantly lower HR than the low AC group at the highest workload. Numerical speed was significantly lower during minute three than during minute one. Prior physical exertion and aerobic capacity were not significantly related to numerical accuracy or speed.
A Coarse-Grained Model for Optimal Coupling of ASR and SMT Systems for Speech Translation

Speech translation is conventionally carried out by cascading an automatic speech recognition (ASR) and a statistical machine translation (SMT) system. The hypotheses chosen for translation are based on the ASR system’s acoustic and language model scores, and typically optimized for word error rate, ignoring the intended downstream use: automatic translation. In this paper, we present a coarseto-fine model that uses features from the ASR and SMT systems to optimize this coupling. We demonstrate that several standard features utilized by ASR and SMT systems can be used in such a model at the speech-translation interface, and we provide empirical results on the Fisher Spanish-English speech translation corpus.
Stress tensor for a scalar field in a spatially varying background potential: Divergences, "renormalization", anomalies, and Casimir forces

Motivated by a desire to understand quantum fluctuation energy densities and stress within a spatially varying dielectric medium, we examine the vacuum expectation value for the stress tensor of a scalar field with arbitrary conformal parameter, in the background of a given potential that depends on only one spatial coordinate. We regulate the expressions by incorporating a temporal-spatial cutoff in the (imaginary) time and transverse-spatial directions. The divergences are captured by the zeroth- and second-order WKB approximations. Then the stress tensor is ``renormalized'' by omitting the terms that depend on the cutoff. The ambiguities that inevitably arise in this procedure are both duly noted and restricted by imposing certain physical conditions; one result is that the renormalized stress tensor exhibits the expected trace anomaly. The renormalized stress tensor exhibits no pressure anomaly, in that the principle of virtual work is satisfied for motions in a transverse direction. We then consider a potential that defines a wall, a one-dimensional potential that vanishes for $zl0$ and rises like ${z}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$, $\ensuremath{\alpha}g0$, for $zg0$. Previously, the stress tensor had been computed outside of the wall, whereas now we compute all components of the stress tensor in the interior of the wall. The full finite stress tensor is computed numerically for the two cases where explicit solutions to the differential equation are available, $\ensuremath{\alpha}=1$ and 2. The energy density exhibits an inverse linear divergence as the boundary is approached from the inside for a linear potential, and a logarithmic divergence for a quadratic potential. Finally, the interaction between two such walls is computed, and it is shown that the attractive Casimir pressure between the two walls also satisfies the principle of virtual work (i.e., the pressure equals the negative derivative of the energy with respect to the distance between the walls).
Multiple pathways controlling acid secretion.

A simple balance exists between factors that promote ulcer disease (e.g., acid and pepsin secretion) and factors that protect the stomach from ulcer disease (e.g., mucosal defense mechanisms). These factors are regulated and control the integrity of the gastric mucosa. Some of the newest discoveries in the area of regulation of acid secretion are related to the cellular localization of physiologically relevant receptors for acid secretagogues and acid inhibitors. The ability to isolate and culture histamine-containing ECL cells and somatostatin-containing "D" cells, and the ability to clone genes encoding for specific receptors has greatly enhanced our understanding of the physiological role and the regulation of various cell types within the gastric mucosa.
Embedded sparse representation of fMRI data via group-wise dictionary optimization

Sparse learning enables dimension reduction and efficient modeling of high dimensional signals and images, but it may need to be tailored to best suit specific applications and datasets. Here we used sparse learning to efficiently represent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from the human brain. We propose a novel embedded sparse representation (ESR), to identify the most consistent dictionary atoms across different brain datasets via an iterative group-wise dictionary optimization procedure. In this framework, we introduced additional criteria to make the learned dictionary atoms more consistent across different subjects. We successfully identified four common dictionary atoms that follow the external task stimuli with very high accuracy. After projecting the corresponding coefficient vectors back into the 3-D brain volume space, the spatial patterns are also consistent with traditional fMRI analysis results. Our framework reveals common features of brain activation in a population, as a new, efficient fMRI analysis method.
Abstract 848: VCAM-1 expression in epithelial ovarian cancer

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is a cell surface adhesion molecule with known expression on the peritoneum of some advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Previous study by our group has implicated VCAM-1 as a mediator of metastatic invasion of peritoneal surfaces by tumor cells in advanced disease, as inhibition of its function resulted in decreased tumor burden and improved overall survival in an animal model. We propose that VCAM-1 expression is a potential site of targeted therapy and in addition, expression may also serve as an early indicator of disease recurrence. We aim to correlate VCAM-1 expression with disease stage and histology to determine when in the course of disease expression begins. After IRB approval, archived tissue blocks from 1998-2008 containing samples of tumor, omentum, and peritoneum were evaluated for the presence of mesothelial cells. IHC staining of VCAM-1 was performed. Samples were evaluated and scored by a single pathologist blinded to stage and tumor type. All tissue samples from stage 1 patients were negative for VCAM-1 expression. The majority of samples from stages 3 and 4 were positive. Of the stage 2 samples, 50% were positive; those were primarily of serous histology. This suggests that there is an increase in peritoneal VCAM-1 expression as tumor cells leave the confines of the ovary and may serve as a marker of metastasis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 848.
A survey of feeding management practices and by-product feed usage on Pennsylvania dairy farms

ABSTRACT Dairy industry experts offer many suggestions about ration formulation and feeding management; however, it is unclear what practices are being followed. This study used an electronic survey to gather information about feeding management and the use of by-product feeds in rations from a subset of Pennsylvania dairy farms in 2013. The survey was sent to 200 dairy farms via e-mail, and 41 surveys were completed. All survey responses were based on the month of September 2013. This was not a random sampling. These herds were selected from the Penn State Extension database. Most (97.6%) survey respondents fed a TMR. About half (48.8%) fed one TMR to all lactating cows, and 48.8% fed more than one TMR to lactating cows. More than half (58.5%) of the respondents fed a 60:40 forage-to-concentrate ratio. Distillers grains, brewer’s grains, and yeasts were the most commonly used by-product feeds. Most responding producers analyzed DM in the recommended interval of every other week (biweekly) or once a week (60.9%). Most TMR and forage nutrient testing was done when switching feed types or silos except for by-product commodity feeds, which most producers never tested. Most (75.6%) dairy producers used PC Dart as a management tool. Dairy producers that responded to the survey were successful at feed management, but increasing the amount of nutrient testing on by-product feeds and the use of dairy data analysis tools could improve their success.
Generation of alloreactive anti-leukemic cytotoxic T lymphocytes with attenuated GVHD properties from haploidentical parents in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We sought to generate alloreactive leukemia-reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes from haploidentical parents by culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro with irradiated leukemic blasts and IL-2 from children with ALL. After 21 days in culture the mean cytotoxicity of haploidentical lymphocytes against ALL blasts was 38% (n = 11). Cultured parental CTL were not leukemia specific but alloreactive as evidenced by equivalent cytotoxicity against stimulating ALL blasts and ConA-stimulated blasts from the other parent. The cultures yielded primarily CD8+ T cells (59%). Irradiation of CTL limited proliferation by 96% but had no short-term effects on leukemia reactive cytotoxicity, suggesting a means to limit GVHD potential in vivo. One patient was treated for relapse of ALL post-haploidentical transplant with CTL generated from the original donor. A total of nine infusions were given: the first three were irradiated, while the last six were not due to disease progression. The patient experienced clearance of peripheral blasts, and despite concomitant infusion of IL-2 with the last three CTL infusions, did not experience immediate GVHD reactions. We conclude that ALL blasts are sufficiently immunostimulatory to generate in vitro CTL with provision of exogenous IL-2, and that these CTL could exert an anti-leukemia effect in vivo.
The etiology progress of recurrent spontaneous abortion

Anatomy, endocrine, genetic, infection are the classical factors which lead to recurrent spontaneous abortion. Immune factor is more important, and about half of recurrent spontaneous abortion is related to immune factor. Abortion is immune imbalance between matrix and fetal because of immunological rejection from amynology.