cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Context-driven automated target detection in 3D data

This paper summarizes a system, and its component algorithms, for context-driven target vehicle detection in 3-D data that was developed under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Exploitation of 3-D Data (E3D) Program. In order to determine the power of shape and geometry for the extraction of context objects and the detection of targets, our algorithm research and development concentrated on the geometric aspects of the problem and did not utilize intensity information. Processing begins with extraction of context information and initial target detection at reduced resolution, followed by a detailed, full-resolution analysis of candidate targets. Our reduced-resolution processing includes a probabilistic procedure for finding the ground that is effective even in rough terrain; a hierarchical, graph-based approach for the extraction of context objects and potential vehicle hide sites; and a target detection process that is driven by context-object and hide-site locations. Full-resolution processing includes statistical false alarm reduction and decoy mitigation. When results are available from previously collected data, we also perform object-level change detection, which affects the probabilities that objects are context objects or targets. Results are presented for both synthetic and collected LADAR data.
Low oxygen concentration extends the lifespan of cultured human diploid cells

THE pioneering studies of Hayflick1 showed that normal human diploid cells of the WI-38 strain have a limited lifespan of approximately 50±10 population doublings (PDL) in vitro. It is still not known to what extent this phenomenon is the result of the artificiality of the cell culture system : factors such as nutrition and ambient environmental factors may restrict the ability of these cells to express their true genetic potential. To what extent genetic and environmental factors act to constrain the lifespan of human diploid cells in culture is open to experiment. In the present study we have evaluated one important ambient factor of the environment, the oxygen concentration, on the growth and lifespan of two human diploid cell strains, WI-38 and IMR-90. Our results show that growth at oxygen concentrations less than 20% is enhanced and that an extension of about 25% of the lifespan of both cell types was realised by long term cultivation under 10% oxygen. This indicates that the potential for long term growth in culture of normal diploid cells may be appreciably enhanced by more exact control of environmental factors.
Statistical aspects of autoregressive-moving average models in the assessment of radon mitigation

Radon values, as reflected by hourly scintillation counts, seem dominated by major, pseudo-periodic, random fluctuations. This methodological paper reports a moderate degree of success in modeling these data using relatively simple autoregressive-moving average models to assess the effectiveness of radon mitigation techniques in existing housing. While accounting for the natural correlation of successive observations, familiar summary statistics such as steady state estimates, standard errors, confidence limits, and tests of hypothesis are produced. The Box-Jenkins approach is used throughout. In particular, intervention analysis provides an objective means of assessing the effectiveness of an active mitigation measure, such as a fan off/on cycle. Occasionally, failure to declare a significant intervention has suggested a means of remedial action in the data collection procedure.
Technique for Removal of Percutaneously Placed Intraaortic Balloons

Abstract An instrumental technique for safe hemostasis control after removal of a percutaneous intraaortic balloon is described.
Fibrous and adhesive components of the orb webs of Araneus trifolium and Argiope trifasciata

The minimum number of secretion products used by the spiders Araneus trifolium and Argiope trifasciata to construct their orb webs has been established by selective enzyme digestion and histochemical staining, as well as differential isotope localization in these webs. Three fiber types are present in the webs: (a) a major fiber found throughout the web, (b) a minor fiber found only in radial threads, and (c) the core fibers of the sticky spiral thread. Three nonfibrous secretions are found on these fibers. These include a water soluble viscid coating of the sticky spiral and two adhesives which fasten the threads of the web together; one found only at junctions of sticky spiral and radial threads and the other at all other thread connections. The possible glandular sources of these secretions are discussed.
Differentiation of electrophilic and ambiphilic carbenes

Abstract Comparative selectivities toward alkenes of CH3CCl, CCl2, and CH3OCCl establish the former two carbenes as electrophiles; the latter is an ambiphile.
Steady-state thermal analysis of an integrated 160 GHz balanced quadrupler based on quasi-vertical Schottky diodes

This work reports on a steady-state thermal analysis of a 160 GHz balanced quadrupler, based on a quasi-vertical varactor Schottky diode process, for high power applications. The chip is analyzed by solving the heat equation via the 3D finite element method. Time-Domain Thermoreflectance (TDTR) was used to measure the thermal conductivity of the different materials used in the model. A maximum anode temperature of 64.9°C was found from the simulation. The addition of an extra beam lead connected to the block, for heat sinking, was found to reduce this maximum temperature to 41.0°C.
Extended RBAC-based design and implementation for a secure data warehouse

This paper first discusses security issues for data warehousing. In particular, issues on building a secure data warehouse, secure data warehousing technologies as well as design issues are discussed. Our design of a secure data warehouse that enforces an Extended RBAC Policy is described next. This will be followed by a discussion of privacy issues for data warehousing. Finally directions for secure data warehouses are discussed.
Influence of lower extremity strength of healthy older adults on the outcome of an induced trip

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether decreased lower extremity strength contributes to trip-related falls in older adults. DESIGN: A cross-sectional sample of older adults were safety-harnessed and tripped while walking using a concealed, mechanical obstacle. Lower extremity strength was compared between trip outcome groups. SETTING: A biomechanics research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-nine healthy, community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older (50 women). MEASUREMENTS: Ankle, knee, and hip flexion and extension strength were measured isometrically and isokinetically. Measured strengths were subjected to a factor analysis. Strength factor scores were compared between those who recovered from the trip and those who fell by three previously identified mechanisms: during-step, after-step, and elevating-response falls. RESULTS: Seven common factors, one associated with each direction of exertion at each joint and one with the time rate of moment increase, explained 88% of the variance in measured strength. The during-step (n � 5) fallers were significantly stronger in the ankle extension (plantarflexion), knee flexion, overall extension, and total strength factors than those who successfully recovered using a similar, lowering strategy (n � 26). The elevating-response faller (n � 1) was stronger in the plantarflexion and overall extension factors than most of those who recovered using a similar, elevating strategy (n � 11). Two of three after-step fallers were among the weakest subjects tested. CONCLUSION: Weak older adults and the strongest older adults may be at greater risk of falling from a trip, although by different mechanisms. High strength may increase the likelihood of a during-step or elevating-response fall; decreased strength may increase the likelihood of an after-step fall. J Am Geriatr Soc 50:256‐262, 2002.
The Impact of Age-Related Changes on Working Memory Functional Activity

This work investigated associations of age-related brain atrophy and functional neural networks identified using multivariate analyses of BOLD fMRI data in young and elder participants (young, N=37; mean age=25; elders, N=15; mean age=74). Two networks were involved in retaining increasing loads of verbal information in working memory. Network utilizations were used to test associations between function and indices of grey matter volume changes using voxel based morphometry. Global changes in brain volume were not associated with the secondary network. Lower regional grey matter volume in the left pre-central gyrus within the primary network was associated with increased secondary network utilization independent of age group. Decreased regional grey matter volume was associated with increased age only in the elders. Increased secondary network expression was associated with increased slope of reaction times across memory load, in the elders. These results support the theory of neural compensation, that elder participants recruit additional neural resources to maintain task performance in the face of age-related decreases in regional grey matter volume.
Role of nitric oxide in non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic inhibitory junction potentials in canine ileocolonic sphincter.

1. Electrical field stimulation causes neurally-mediated relaxation of the ileocolonic sphincter that is due to activation of non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves. Recent studies have suggested that nitric oxide (NO) is the neurotransmitter that mediates relaxation. 2. Using intracellular recording techniques, we have tested whether NANC inhibitory junction potentials (i.j.ps) in the canine ileocolonic sphincter are also mediated by NO. 3. Electrical field stimulation elicited excitatory and inhibitory junction potentials: e.j.ps were blocked by atropine (10(-6) M) and tetrodotoxin (TTX; 10(-6) M); i.j.ps were also blocked by TTX and partially blocked by apamin (10(-6) M). I.j.ps were unaffected by atropine, phentolamine and propranolol (all at 10(-6) M). 4. The arginine analogues, L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), decreased the amplitude of i.j.ps and L-arginine, but not D-arginine, partially restored the i.j.ps. 5. I.j.ps were also inhibited by oxyhaemoglobin (1%), but not by methaemoglobin. 6. Exogenous NO (10(-7) M to 3 x 10(-5) M) caused concentration-dependent hyperpolarizations that were similar in amplitude to the NANC nerve-evoked i.j.ps. Hyperpolarizations to NO were unaffected by L-NAME, but were blocked by oxyhaemoglobin. 7. Tetrodotoxin, L-NAME and oxyhaemoglobin all caused depolarization of resting membrane potential. 8. The specific guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase inhibitor, M&B 22948, caused hyperpolarization, increased the maximum level of hyperpolarization reached during i.j.ps, and increased the duration of i.j.ps. 9. These data further support the hypothesis that NANC neurotransmission in the ileocolonic sphincter is mediated by NO or an NO-releasing compound. The data also suggest that tonic release of NO, possibly from spontaneous firing of NANC nerves, may regulate resting membrane potential and tone in this sphincter.
Teaching Moments: Opening the Pipeline to Teaching Innovations.

This paper demonstrates a strategy to speed teaching innovation transfer between marketing educators. Nine teaching innovations presented at the Society for Marketing Advances 2012 Annual Conference are offered in a brief catalog form. The reader can also download support materials at www.salesleadershipcenter.com/research.html#mer-tm13/. Innovations include how to regulate students' classroom behavior via formal contracts, do means-end laddering, develop personal branding, learn from failure, enhance career development, stimulate creative thinking, increase cultural awareness, and apply hot yoga to business statistics.
A combination antioxidant therapy prevents age-related hearing loss in C57BL/6 mice.

OBJECTIVE: Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is characterized by gradual, progressive sensorineural hearing loss, which impairs communication, lending to clinical depression and social withdrawal. Th...
Allelic exclusion in anamniotic vertebrates

Clonal selection, a central principle in immunology, is predicated on one lymphocyte making one kind of antibody or T cell receptor. At loci encoding antigen receptors only one allele is used, and this has been shown in normal lymphocytes from frogs to humans. Fish antibody chains, however, are encoded by multiple loci, and at some of these loci the gene segments are already rearranged in the germline. The differences in germline organization and the uncoupling of rearrangement and expression raise questions as to whether some of the early vertebrates might be an exception to the clonal selection theory.
Truncation and accumulated errors in wave propagation

Abstract The approximation of the truncation and accumulated errors in the numerical solution of a linear initial-valued partial differential equation problem can be established by using a semidiscretized scheme. This error approximation is observed as a lower bound to the errors of a finite difference scheme. By introducing a modified von Neumann solution, this error approximation is applicable to problems with variable coefficients. To seek an in-depth understanding of this newly established error approximation, numerical experiments were performed to solve the hyperbolic equation ∂U ∂t = −C 1 (x)C 2 (t) ∂U ∂x , with both continuous and discontinuous initial conditions. We studied three cases: (1) C 1 ( x )= C 0 and C 2 ( t )=1; (2) C 1 ( x )= C 0 and C 2 ( t = t ; and (3) C 1 (x)=1+( solx a ) 2 and C 2 ( t )= C 0 . Our results show that the errors are problem dependent and are functions of the propagating wave speed. This suggests a need to derive problem-oriented schemes rather than the equation-oriented schemes as is commonly done. Furthermore, in a wave-propagation problem, measurement of the error by the maximum norm is not particularly informative when the wave speed is incorrect.
Better Ideas: Expanded Funding for Educational Research:

ehold, I tell you a mystery. On the one hand, Americans have an abiding faith in research. As perhaps no other people in the world, they embrace the empirical ideal, believe in science, fund engineering, and demand that evidence be obtained before taking action in endeavors they consider important. Moreover, they are willing to fund expensive research on a host of problems they consider important: unearthing the remains of dinosaurs; studying distant nebulae; searching for cures for cancer or AIDS; exploring the human genome; assessing whether tobacco and other questionable substances are addictive; seeking ways to defend our nation from foreign threats. Indeed, research and the evidence it generates are now involved in many enterprises that Americans care about, and they often demand to see evidence before committing themselves to action.
Learning style and program design in interactive multimedia

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of variations in the design and delivery of interactive multimedia (IMM) on the learning and attitudes of elementary education majors. A multivariate analysis of variance was conducted with three independent variables—small group or individualized format, inductive or deductive design of instruction, and match of learner style to instruction—and four dependent variables—content scores, observation skill scores, overall satisfaction, and attitude toward learner control of instruction. Scores on the observation skills evaluation were significantly higher when the student's learning style was matched with the design of instruction. Satisfaction and attitude outcomes were significantly different for format: students in the small group were more satisfied, while those using the individual learning station were more strongly agreed that they controlled the pace and sequence of their own instruction. Content scores were not significantly different. In the future, the use of interactive multimedia with various formats and designs may serve to meet the needs of students with differing learning styles and at different developmental levels.
In vivo activation of cyclic adenosine 3′:5′-phosphate-dependent protein kinase in Chinese hamster ovary cells treated with N6, O2′-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′:5′-phosphate

Abstract Treatment of Chinese hamster ovary cells with dibutyryl cyclic AMP, which results in a net increase of the intracellular cyclic AMP level, converts the epithelial-like cells to a fibroblast-like shape. Protein kinase activity in cells treated with 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP show a 3-fold increase in Vmax but no appreciable changes in the apparent Km for ATP. When cells are treated with dibutyryl cyclic AMP, there is a time-dependent conversion of cyclic AMP-stimulable protein kinase to cyclic AMP-independent catalytic subunits, as demonstrated by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. These experiments demonstrate the activation of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in vivo . This activation may lead to phosphorylation of certain cellular constituent(s) and thus may be involved in the observed morphological transformation.
Determination of Internuclear Angles of DNA Using Paramagnetic-Assisted Magnetic Alignment

Abstract Paramagnetic ions have been used to assist the magnetic alignment of DNA. The anisotropy of the binding sites is sufficient to give rise to significant alignment of the DNA with the observed proton–carbon dipolar couplings spanning a 70-Hz range. The dipolar couplings have been used to determine the positions of the axial and rhombic alignment axes. The positions of the alignment axes relative to the positions of the binding sites of the paramagnetic europium ions have also been determined.
Professional ideology and physicians’ perceived disclosure patterns toward cancer patients

This study examined differences in physicians’ perceptions of their disclosure patterns toward cancer patients based on their professional ideological orientation. Adapting Strauss et al.’s (1964) ...
Photo-ultrasonic effects in oxygen-doped n-GaAs at low temperatures

The velocity of piezoelectrically-active, ultrasonic shear waves measured between 4.2 K and 60 K for oxygen-doped n-type GaAs, during and after illumination at 4.2 K, reveal photoconductivity, persistent photoconductivity, and thermally-stimulated conductivity. Analysis of these effects yields information about photoionizable and trapping levels in the forbidden gap which seem to be associated with oxygen.
Toxicity of major citrus pesticides to Aphytis melinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The 48-h residual toxicity of major pesticides used for control of citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton), and California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) , in California was evaluated for adults of Aphytis melinus DeBach and Cryptolaeumus montrouzieri Mulsant. Rates as high as 4-fold the highest recommended field rate revealed little effect of sabadilla to A. melinus or of sabadilla, dimethoate, formetanate, or chlorpyrifos to C. montrouzieri . Concentration-mortality regressions were quantified for the remainder of the materials; these showed toxicity (at LC50) of chlorpyrifos > carbaryl > dimethoate > acephate > parathion > formetanate > methidathion to A. melinus and carbaryl > acephate > parathion > methidathion to C. montrouzieri .
Lithium-7 nuclear magnetic resonance as a probe of structure and function of the monovalent cation site on pyruvate kinase

Abstract Nuclear relaxation and kinetic studies indicate that lithium-7 can be an effective probe of monovalent cation-binding sites of enzymes. The Li + ion provides a weak activation of pyruvate kinase with an apparent K m of 11 m m that is relatively insensitive to the concentration of other substrates. Moreover, we have found that the Li-7 nuclear magnetic resonance can be easily observed using a standard carbon probe at 25 MHz. This requires dropping the field to 15.2 kG and precludes the use of field/frequency locking. However, we have obtained signal/noise ratios of 10 or more under all conditions using 50 m m LiCl and a single transient. The longitudinal relaxation rate, 1 T 1 , of Li-7 in solutions of pyruvate kinase increases linearly with added Mn 2+ until the enzyme is saturated with Mn 2+ . Similar but much larger effects are seen in the presence of phosphoenolpyruvate. Such an increase in 1 T 1 is not seen in the absence of enzyme or when Mg 2+ is added instead of Mn 2+ . Using the 1 T 1 data, Li + to Mn 2+ distances of 11.0 (10.4–12.3) and 5.8 (5.6–6.5) A were calculated in the absence and presence of phosphoenolpyruvate, respectively. These values are greater than the corresponding Tl + −Mn 2+ distances of 4.9 and 8.2 A found by J. Reuben and F. Kayne (1971, J. Biol. Chem. , 246 , 6227) in their studies of the monovalent cation site of this enzyme. The possible significance of these greater distances is discussed in relation to the relative effectiveness of Tl + and of Li + as activators of the enzyme.
Health and health services among the Navajo Indians

The Navajo are the largest Indian tribe in the continental U.S. with a population in 1986 estimated at 171,097. The Navajo Nation (Reservation) is located along the borders where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah meet. Social and economic changes have accrued among the Navajo at a rapid rate during this century. At present, revenues are derived from oil, coal and uranium and from federal grants and contracts. High unemployment rates have been a major problem among the Navajo. This article reviews health, disease and health care among the present day Navajo. Mortality rates from accidents and suicide are disproportionately high and have as their causes longstanding social and behavioral problems. Although there has been a sharp decline in morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases, there are still major environmental health problems.
Excretion of Chromium Oxide by Dairy Cows

Summary An experiment was conducted to study the effects of feeding schedule and various ratios of forage to concentrates upon the excretion pattern of Cr 2 O 3 . The indicator was administered once daily to Holstein cows consuming rations containing from 35 to 100% roughage. Fecal samples were taken every 2 hr. during the first two periods and every 3 hr. during the last two periods. Chromium oxide per gram of fecal dry matter was determined on all samples. A symmetrical excretion pattern was observed when average values were plotted, and an equation was fitted to the excretion curve. There was considerable variation in relative Cr 2 O 3 concentration at any sampling time, indicating the importance of obtaining a large number of samples; however, neither the feeding schedule nor the proportion of roughage to concentrate had an influence upon the general character of the curve. It was concluded that time of Cr 2 O 3 administration was of primary importance in respect to time-concentration relationships of fecal Cr 2 O 3 , and that so-called physiological, diurnal effects were of little importance. The data suggest that a 12-hr. sampling procedure would be more accurate than unequal fecal sampling times.
Computed tomography in endometrial carcinoma.

Abstract Objective: To determine the value of computed tomography (CT) scans for preoperatively detecting extrauterine-nodal disease and postoperative recurrent disease in patients with endometrial cancer. Methods: We reviewed records of 702 women with primary endometrial carcinoma that was diagnosed between 1979 and 1993. Preoperative CT findings were compared with pathologic findings to assess nodal disease. The yield of postoperative CT was reviewed in clinically suspicious and routine settings. Results: Among 492 women eligible for analysis, 178 (36%) had a total 326 CT scans. Among 56 women who had preoperative CT scans and lymph node samplings, positive and negative predictive values for nodal involvement were 50% and 94%, respectively, and sensitivity and specificity were 57% and 92%, respectively. Preoperative CT findings altered treatment plans in only six patients (8%). Forty-five asymptomatic women had 73 routine CT scans, and recurrence was diagnosed by CT in only two (4.4%). Thirty-seven women had CT scans for suspicion of recurrence, which was confirmed in 17 (46%). Kaplan-Meyer analysis showed no survival advantage in women with subclinical recurrences diagnosed by CT scan. Conclusion: Routine preoperative CT scanning rarely alters treatment and is a poor predictor of nodal disease. Computed tomography in the postoperative period might be helpful for detection and follow-up of recurrent disease, but there was no difference in survival when subclinical recurrence was found by CT. Thus, CT scanning of any woman with endometrial cancer should be discouraged unless it is to evaluate symptoms.
Effect of paleosol formation on rare earth element signatures in fossil bone

The rare earth element (REE) content of fossil bones was analyzed and compared with the degree of ancient pedogenic development and depositional environments from several locations in the Orellan Scenic Member of the Oligocene Brule Formation in Badlands National Park, South Dakota. Paleosols ranged from weakly developed Entisols to more strongly developed Inceptisols, all typical of fluvial environments and possible paleocatena variation. Paleosols were alkaline and well drained. Sediments with sparse soil features from an oxbow lake system suggest that conditions were too waterlogged and sedimentation rates too rapid for significant pedogenesis. The variance of REE signatures in fossil bones from the paleosol sites was significantly greater than that of fossils from minimally altered sediments of the former oxbow lake. Positive Ce anomalies were associated with low U concentrations and indicate paleoredox conditions. Greater degrees of pedogenesis, regardless of the horizon in which the bone was found, systematically correlated with increased heavy REE enrichment in fossil bones. The fossil-bone REE signatures from the different paleosols and depositional environments were significantly different and distinguishable.
Abrasion resistance of some S.A.P.-type alloys at room temperature

Abstract Experimental Al-Al2O3 SAP-type alloys containing between 1.5 and 14% oxide were tested at room temperature for resistance to dry abrasion. The results were compared with data for single crystal pure aluminum. For the alloys, it was found that the relations between wear rate and experimental variables, such as load and abrasive grit size, are of the same nature as those found for pure metals. The abrasion resistance increases linearly with 1/d 1 2 , where d is the cell size of the substructure of the deformed surface layers. The relation also holds for pure aluminum. This finding shows that the abrasion resistance is directly related to the scale of the substructure formed, and that the deformation during abrasion of these alloys may be due to yielding in the matrix material. This yielding appears to be governed by the intersection of dislocations with the cell walls.
ANGULAR MOMENTUM EFFECTS IN FUSION-FISSION AND FUSION-EVAPORATION REACTIONS

The study of heavy-ion fusion reactions is complicated by the possible contributions of several mechanisms. The various types of heavy-ion-induced fission are discussed. Then compound-nucleus fission is considered with reference to fission barriers deduced from heavy-ion-induced fission. Next, the problems associated with measured values of evaporation-residue cross sections and the angular momentum dependence of incomplete fusion are examined. Finally, the de-excitation of compound nuclei is again taken up, this time with reference to the greatly enhanced ..cap alpha.. emission predicted on the basis of the rotating liquid drop model. 24 figures. (RWR)
Neurolaw: the big question.

With the emergence of neuroethics has come neurolaw. This neologism covers a growing list of legal domains in which neuroscience may prove relevant. Because civil and criminal law has everything to...
Neuron circuits: The self-exciting neuron

Conditions are determined under which a single self-exciting neuron can reach a state of permanent excitation, in the case that the neuron develops both an excitatory and an inhibitory substance as well as in the case that it develops only a single, excitatory substance. In case both substances are developed it is possible to have periodic solutions, a possibility which does not arise when the circuit consists of neurons, or of a neuron, developing only an excitatory substance.
RETHINKING ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT FOR THE LEARNING ORGANIZATION

This article offers a conception of the learning organization. From this model, we discuss ways in which organizational development can now be used to create learning organizations and ways in which organizational development theory and practice might change to create learning organizations. We consider three ways OD may contribute to the learning organization: supportive systems of interaction, guiding values, and a sense of structural alternatives. We look at contributions learning organizations make to OD, in terms of changing conceptions of dialogue, system diagnosis focused on learning, intervention focused on long term empowerment, and measurement at the macro system level.
Effect of Damage on Moisture Transport in Concrete

AbstractThis paper presents the results of an experimental and analytical study on the effect of distributed cracks (damage) on moisture transport in concrete. Specifically, the writers investigate the following: (1) how damage affects the saturated and unsaturated transport and electrical resistivity, (2) whether one-dimensional (1D) analysis based on the sharp front (SF) theory can explain the relation between the saturated and unsaturated transport in damaged concrete, and (3) which transport mechanism is more sensitive to damage. Conceptual models are developed based on damage mechanics and fluid transport to explain the experimental data. Material constants are also provided for numerical modeling of unsaturated transport in damaged concrete. The results show that damage differently affects each of the transport mechanisms, and saturated hydraulic conductivity is more sensitive to damage as compared to sorptivity and electrical resistivity. The simplified 1D analysis, based on the sharp front theory,...
Electronic Board/System Nonlinearity Characterization for Dynamic Analysis

Many electronic boards or systems exhibit nonlinear behaviors during shock or vibration tests. One of the challenges for dynamics analysis of electronic boards or systems is to deal with these nonlinearities. In order to solve the nonlinear problem, the nonlinearities need to be revealed and characterized and their effects understood. This paper demonstrates the methods in identifying the nonlinearities and supported with empirical tests. Shock, random vibration and static bending were used to reveal the board system nonlinearities. The empirical results provided direction to update shock FE models.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Senate Styles and Senate Decision Making, 1955-1980

The widely accepted generalization that the U.S. Senate has changed immensely since the 1950s rests upon a thin empirical base. Beginning a systematic investigation of Senate change, this study finds that between the mid-1950s and the 1980s, the Senate floor became a much more active decision-making arena; both the contested workload and the amount of amending activity show large increases. This change is the result of a change in senators' floor behavior. The modal senatorial floor style in the 1950s was one of highly restrained activism. Members who participated on the floor by offering amendments sponsored only a few, and those were in a narrow range of issue areas. By the early 1980s, the modal senatorial style was one of unrestrained activism. The typical senator offers large numbers of floor amendments and is little concerned with whether the bill at issue originated in a committee on which he serves. The intercommittee reciprocity norm is clearly dead. Specialization in any meaningful sense also se...
Fracture and size effect characters of cemented sand

In the past three decades, fracture mechanics (FM) of brittle and quasibrittle materials have developed mainly in concrete applications and has yet to gain its rightful place in the geotechnical field. There are many examples in the geotechnical literature, especially those related to brittle and stiff soils, where traditional approaches of analysis have proven to be inadequate. While geotechnical problems are inherently complex in nature, the use of computational fracture mechanics have been shown to provide a powerful tool that could be used to investigate and solve many application problems in geomechanics and geotechnical engineering. This paper addresses the application of FM concepts and theories in analysis of cemented soils. In addition to theoretical aspects, experiments were conducted to evaluate the application of FM to cemented soils. Three-point bending beam tests with crack mouth opening displacements (CMOD) conducted on cemented sand samples showed that fracture parameters, such as CMOD, indeed could play an important role in investigation of such soils. Using this unambiguous material parameter, field engineers might have a reliable measure that could prove to be useful in stability assessment of earth structures and soil structure system. By studying size effect on cemented sand, strong relationship was established between critical CMOD and failure, which might be a very useful index and analysis tool in geotechnical engineering practice.
Identity and violent death: Contextualizing lethal gun violence within the African American community of Dallas, TX (1900—1907)

During the Freedman's Cemetery Project of the 1990s, evidence of lethal gun violence was recovered archaeologically from several early twentieth century burials. Although lying in unmarked graves, ...
A two-dimensional satellite rainfall error model

A two-dimensional satellite rainfall error model ( SREM2D) is developed for simulating ensembles of satellite rain fields on the basis of "reference" rain fields derived from higher accuracy sensor estimates. With this model we aim at characterizing the multidimensional stochastic error structure of satellite rainfall estimates as a function of scale. The pertinent error dimensions we seek to address are: 1) the joint probability density function for characterizing the spatial structure of the successful delineation of rainy and nonrainy areas; 2) the temporal dynamics of rain estimation bias; and 3) the spatial variability of rain rate estimation error. Ground radar rain fields in the Southern plains of the United States are used as reference to evaluate SREM2D error parameters at 0.25-deg and hourly spatiotemporal resolution for an infrared (IR) rain retrieval algorithm (IR-3B41RT) developed at NASA. Comparison of SREM2D simulated satellite rainfall with actual IR-3B41RT data showed that the error modeling technique can preserve the estimation error characteristics across scales with marginal deviations. The model performance is compared against two simpler, but widely used, approaches of error modeling that do not account for uncertainty in rainy/nonrainy area delineation. It is shown that both of these approaches fare poorly with regards to preserving the error structure across scales. They underestimated the sensor retrieval error standard deviation by more than 100% upon aggregation, which, for SREM2D, was found to be below 30%. SREM2D is modular in design-it can be applied for any satellite rainfall algorithm to consistently characterize its error structure.
HISTONE DEACETYLASE INHIBITOR LAQ824 AUGMENTS INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES IN MACROPHAGES THROUGH TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION OF IL-10

APCs are important in the initiation of productive Ag-specific T cell responses and the induction of T cell anergy. The inflammatory status of the APC at the time of encounter with Ag-specific T cells plays a central role in determining such divergent T cell outcomes. A better understanding of the regulation of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes in its natural setting, the chromatin substrate, might provide novel insights to overcome anergic mechanisms mediated by APCs. In this study, we show for the first time, to our knowledge, that treatment of BALB/c murine macrophages with the histone deacetylase inhibitor LAQ824 induces chromatin changes at the level of the IL-10 gene promoter that lead to enhanced recruitment of the transcriptional repressors HDAC11 and PU.1. Such an effect is associated with diminished IL-10 production and induction of inflammatory cells able of priming naive Ag-specific T cells, but more importantly, capable of restoring the responsiveness of anergized Ag-specific CD4 + T cells.
Barriers to Care for Patients With Neurologic Disease in Rural Zambia

The awesome burden of treatable yet untreated neurologic disease in the developing world presents a humanitarian crisis to those of us with neurologic expertise from more privileged situations. Although increased economic resources are critically needed, a shortage of personnel to care for these patients is as great a problem. It is neither feasible nor desirable to propose training neurologists to work in these regions. However, COs could be selected to receive additional training and return to their home regions to serve as resources for referrals and as community educators. Such a training program would not require massive financial commitments. A handful of dedicated neurologists could conceivably accomplish this in 6- to 8-week training sessions. Ideally, educational materials, such as posters and pamphlets in both English and the native language of the various regions, would be provided at no cost. Existing textbooks in neurology are written for physicians and often focus on diagnostic evaluations and therapies far beyond the services available in developing countries. A text for practical use by COs and community health workers that discusses the application of available medicines and therapies for common neurologic problems would be invaluable. Similar books exist that address general medical and obstetrical problems (for example, Where There Is No Doctor: A Village Health Care Handbook). Where There Is No Neurologist could be developed as a primary teaching tool and a valuable reference for COs with neurologic expertise. Neuroscience researchers, clinical neurologists, and neurology residents from industrialized countries have much to offer and to gain by working in the Third World. Research to monitor the incidence and resource utilization of emerging problems such as stroke is needed to influence public policy. The economic burden and lost productivity caused by neurologic disease in this part of the world has not been appreciated or explored. Disease beyond the scope of Western experience manifests daily in places like Chikankata. Entities such as tabes neurosyphilis, which previous generations of neurologists used as the basis for their training, still abound in Zambia. Much personal satisfaction can be gained in providing care to this vulnerable and underserved population.
Reconciling concurrency and modularity with Panini's asynchronous typed events

This poster presents our language design called Panini. It focuses on Panini's asynchronous, typed event which reconciles the modularity goal promoted by the implicit invocation design style with the scalability goal of exposing concurrency between the execution of subjects and observers.
Delayed hypersensitivity reactions provoked by ribosomes from acid-fast bacilli: physical characteristics and immunological aspects of core ribosomal proteins from Mycobacterium smegmatis.

Ribosomal subunits from Mycobacterium smegmatis were analyzed by using sedimentation velocity, sedimentation equilibrium, and acrylamide gel electrophoresis experiments. These s 0.w values for the subunits are 48.7 S and 28.1 S . The molecular weight of the 49 S subunit is about 1.65 × 10 6 , and that of the 28 S subunit is 7.8 × 10 5 . Both subunits contain about 37% protein and 63% ribonucleic acid. A protein-deficient particle having an s 0.w value of 15.7 S contains about 11% protein and 89% ribonucleic acid. Skin tests showed all subunits and proteins to be active as agents in provoking delayed hypersensitivity, but the 16 S protein-deficient particle, as well as the proteins derived from it, was more specific than the subunits themselves. Images
Family history of prostate cancer in patients with localized prostate cancer: An independent predictor of treatment outcome

PURPOSETo determine if familial prostate cancer patients have a less favorable prognosis than patients with sporadic prostate cancer after treatment for localized disease with either radiotherapy (RT) or radical prostatectomy (RP).PATIENTS AND METHODSOne thousand thirty-eight patients treated with either RT (n = 583) or RP (n = 455) were included in this analysis. These patients were noted as having a positive family history if they confirmed the diagnosis of prostate cancer in a first-degree relative. The outcome of interest was biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS). We used proportional hazards to analyze the effect of the presence of family history and other potential confounding variables (ie, age, treatment modality, stage, biopsy Gleason sum [GS], and initial prostate-specific antigen [iPSA] levels) on treatment outcome.RESULTSEleven percent of all patients had a positive family history. The 5-year bRFS rates for patients with negative and positive family histories were 52% and 29%, respectively ...
Microchip‐Based Cell Lysis and DNA Extraction from Sperm Cells for Application to Forensic Analysis

The current backlog of casework is among the most significant challenges facing crime laboratories at this time. While the development of next-generation microchip-based technology for expedited forensic casework analysis offers one solution to this problem, this will require the adaptation of manual, large-volume, benchtop chemistry to small volume microfluidic devices. Analysis of evidentiary materials from rape kits where semen or sperm cells are commonly found represents a unique set of challenges for on-chip cell lysis and DNA extraction that must be addressed for successful application. The work presented here details the development of a microdevice capable of DNA extraction directly from sperm cells for application to the analysis of sexual assault evidence. A variety of chemical lysing agents are assessed for inclusion in the extraction protocol and a method for DNA purification from sperm cells is described. Suitability of the extracted DNA for short tandem repeat (STR) analysis is assessed and genetic profiles shown. Finally, on-chip cell lysis methods are evaluated, with results from fluorescence visualization of cell rupture and DNA extraction from an integrated cell lysis and purification with subsequent STR amplification presented. A method for on-chip cell lysis and DNA purification is described, with considerations toward inclusion in an integrated microdevice capable of both differential cell sorting and DNA extraction. The results of this work demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating microchip-based cell lysis and DNA extraction into forensic casework analysis.
The Data Mapping Problem: Algorithmic and Logical Characterizations

Technologies for overcoming heterogeneities between autonomous data sources are key in the emerging networked world. Our doctoral research investigates technologies for alleviating structural heterogeneity between relational data sources. At the heart of structural heterogeneity is the data mapping problem. The data mapping problem is to discover effective mappings between structured data sources. These mappings are the basic "glue" for facilitating large-scale ad-hoc information sharing between autonomous peers in a dynamic environment. Automating their discovery is one of the fundamental unsolved challenges for data interoperability. Our research on solutions to the data mapping problem has two main components: (1) a general algorithmic approach to automating the discovery of mappings and (2) a general formal approach to understanding the data mapping problem. We outline our progress on each of these fronts and discuss directions for future research.
Kinetics and relative importance of phosphorolytic and hydrolytic cleavage of cellodextrins and cellobiose in cell extracts of Clostridium thermocellum.

Rates of phosphorolytic cleavage of β-glucan substrates were determined for cell extracts from Clostridium thermocellum ATCC 27405 and were compared to rates of hydrolytic cleavage. Reactions with cellopentaose and cellobiose were evaluated for both cellulose (Avicel)- and cellobiose-grown cultures, with more limited data also obtained for cellotetraose. To measure the reaction rate in the chain-shortening direction at elevated temperatures, an assay protocol was developed featuring discrete sampling at 60°C followed by subsequent analysis of reaction products (glucose and glucose-1-phosphate) at 35°C. Calculated rates of phosphorolytic cleavage for cell extract from Avicel-grown cells exceeded rates of hydrolytic cleavage by ≥20-fold for both cellobiose and cellopentaose over a 10-fold range of β-glucan concentrations (0.5 to 5 mM) and for cellotetraose at a single concentration (2 mM). Rates of phosphorolytic cleavage of β-glucosidic bonds measured in cell extracts were similar to rates observed in growing cultures. Comparisons of Vmax values indicated that cellobiose- and cellodextrin-phosphorylating activities are synthesized during growth on both cellobiose and Avicel but are subject to some degree of metabolic control. The apparent Km for phosphorolytic cleavage was lower for cellopentaose (mean value for Avicel- and cellobiose-grown cells, 0.61 mM) than for cellobiose (mean value, 3.3 mM).
Short Report. The trabecular anatomy of thoracolumbar vertebrae: implications for burst fractures

The gross osseous anatomy of the spine has been the subject of much study but the internal architecture and trabecular anatomy of thoracolumbar vertebrate has not previously been well described. This study is based on high resolution x-ray images of 56 isolated thoracolumbar vertebrae and thick sections obtained from them. A previously undescribed array of trabeculae was documented which originated from the medial corner of the base of the pedicles and extended in a radial array throughout the vertebral body. This trabecular array persisted even in severely osteoporotic specimens. The cortex of the vertebral canal thinned abruptly near the base of the pedicle creating what may be a stress concentration at this site. This corresponded to the site of origin of the trabecular array. The presence of this possible stress concentration, in proximity to the trabecular array, may provide an explanation for the trapezoidal shape of the bony fragments that are frequently retropulsed into the spinal canal in axial load type burst fractures, common in this area of the spine.
Scatter radiation effect on interventional device visualisation in X-ray fluoroscopy

In X-ray imaging, scattered radiation can significantly degrade image quality. It has been a great challenge to reduce the effect of scatter radiation while maintain low X-ray exposures to patients. Anti-scatter grids and/or digital scatter correction algorithms have been used. We performed stent and guidewire detection experiments to study their performance. Experimental results showed that digital scatter correction could obtain equal or better detection performance than that of the anti-scatter grid. We conclude that digital scatter correction is preferable in interventional X-ray fluoroscopy. Further experimental validation may be made possible by using the images from a clinical fluoroscopy system.