cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computing the Optimal Capacity of Multi-Radio Multi-Channel Wireless Network over Partially Overlapping Channels

Existing works designed for the multi-radio multi-channel (MR-MC) wireless network mainly rely on the orthogonal or non-overlapping channels. But in reality, the limited number of non-overlapping channels is a major issue when the network is dense. In this paper, we study the impact of partially overlapping channels (POC) on the network capacity through computing the maximum achievable capacity in the MR-MC context. We first extend our tool of multi-dimensional conflict graph (MDCG) [4] to the weighted MDCG (WMDCG) under the physical interference model, where the weight of each edge accurately indicates the amount of interference. Such a tool facilitates the theoretical analysis considering the POC. We then develop a computing methodology to calculate the optimal achievable network capacity with POC by formulating a linear programming (LP) multi-commodity flow (MCF) problem, augmented by the interference constraints based on the WMDCG. The numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of our computing methodology.
Numerical modeling of co-firing a light density biomass, oat (Avena sativa) hulls, and chunk coal in fluidized bed boiler

Abstract Light weight biomass has been considered as a potential biomass fuel to be used in industrial and power-producing furnaces and boilers. This paper presents a comprehensive numerical study of co-firing chunk coal and a kind of light weight biomass, oat hulls (Avena sativa), in a stoker boiler. In this comprehensive model, a one dimensional steady state coal bed model already verified through experimental measurements was employed to describe the combustion process on the bed and an oat hulls devolatilization sub model derived from experiments was added to predict the devolatilization process of oat hulls. Through the study of oat hulls co-firing with coal combustion it was found that light biomass, similar to pulverized coal, burns in suspension (following the air flow). The particle trajectory shows that the devolatilization of oat hulls occurs shortly after injection into the boiler. The flow pattern indicates the importance of air system tuning in optimizing the design. For larger oat hull particles, they tend to reach the back wall of the furnace which can result in slagging problems. Also, the peak temperature inside the furnace inversely varies with the co-firing percentage of oat hulls. This numerical study supports the thermal and economic potential of using unprocessed light weight biomass on the existing combustion facility.
An immunologic basis for placental insufficiency in fetal growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether chronic villitis, an immunologic disease of the placenta, was related to fetal growth restriction. METHODS Beginning in October 1999, a protocol was instituted that required placentas of high-risk births be submitted for standardized histological examination. Chronic villitis was diagnosed when a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate involving placental villi was present and was graded according to the extent and location of the infiltrate. Fetal growth restriction was defined as weight less than 3rd, 5th, and 10th percentiles. Placental hypoplasia was defined as weight less than 10th percentile. RESULTS In the 10,204 placental examinations that were performed, low-grade and high-grade chronic villitis was associated with hypoplastic placentas and fetal growth restriction. Infants with placentas with low-grade and high-grade chronic villitis were more likely to require cesarean delivery for nonreassuring fetal heart rate compared with controls (27% and 25% versus 21%; p < 0.05). Fetal acidemia (umbilical artery pH < 7.0) was associated with high-grade chronic villitis compared with controls (4% versus 2%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Chronic villitis was associated with anatomic and functional placental insufficiency manifested as placental hypoplasia, growth restriction, increased risk of cesarean for nonreassuring fetal heart rate, and fetal acidemia. These findings support an immunologic basis for fetal growth restriction.
An interpolating clock synthesizer

A digital alternative to analog phase-locked loop (PLL)-based clock generators for microprocessors, denoted an interpolating clock synthesizer (ICS), is described. Using ROM-based digital waveform synthesis, the ICS implements a wide range of frequency multiples having the form P/Q, where P and Q are integers. The ICS outputs two synthesized clocks, one for the I/O interface having a 1/1 frequency multiple and one for the core having one of eight dynamically-selectable frequency multiples (1/1, 3/2, 5/3, 2/1, 5/2, 3/1, 15/4, and 5/1). The ICS uses a synchronous delay line as a coarse (T/sub p//30) timing reference, while through digital delay interpolation it achieves a fine delay resolution of 0.04 ns. Using a completely digital precision phase detector, the ICS achieves a DC skew of /spl plusmn/0.05 ns.
Evaluation of heterogeneous metabolic profile in an orthotopic human glioblastoma xenograft model using compressed sensing hyperpolarized 3D 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging.

Dynamic nuclear polarization and the recent development of a dissolution process that retains polarization in liquid state have allowed for the acquisition of 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) data with a substantial gain in sensitivity over conventional MR methods (1). Recent studies using hyperpolarized [1-13C]-pyruvate as a substrate have demonstrated the promise of this technique for examining in vivo tumor metabolism in brain tumors (2–4). These preclinical studies have shown the feasibility of using this technique for differentiating tumor from normal brain tissue and detecting an early response to treatment in animal models of high-grade gliomas. The further refinement of 13C MRSI acquisition techniques with higher spatial resolution is of interest for assessing spatial variations in tissue metabolism due to the infiltrative nature and molecular heterogeneity of gliomas. One of the major obstacles in acquiring hyperpolarized 13C signal is the time limitation imposed by the T1 decay of hyperpolarized compound. In order to more efficiently sample the rapidly decaying 13C signal, fast imaging techniques, such as compressed sensing, have been incorporated in the acquisition of hyperpolarized 13C data (5). By taking advantage of the sparsity in hyperpolarized 13C spectra and the undersampling of spectral k-space, the compressed sensing technique has enabled the acquisition of hyperpolarized 13C metabolites with high temporal and spatial resolution in preclinical studies involving transgenic prostate cancer and liver cancer murine models (5,6). The purpose of this project was to implement a compressed sensing scheme tailored to the rat brain morphology and to demonstrate the utility of this method in obtaining hyperpolarized 13C MRSI data for evaluating heterogeneous 13C metabolic profiles within brain tumor tissue using an orthotopic human glioblastoma (GBM) xenograft model. The new compressed sensing sampling scheme was validated through phantom experiments and by comparing with fully sampled 13C 3D MRSI data. Our emphasis was to quantitatively assess the compressed sensing hyperpolarized 13C MRSI data and to compare 13C metabolic profiles from different regions of tumor with the results from histology and immunohistochemistry.
Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and Breast Cancer Risk

Epidemiologic evidence supports the hypothesis that a woman's cumulative exposure to premenopausal ovarian steroids, estrogen and progesterone, contributes to the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. A direct relationship between total endogenous levels of plasma estrogens and the incidence of breast carcinoma has not been demonstrated, however, and no substantial breast cancer risk has been consistently associated with postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy. This paper summarizes the literature regarding the potential role of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in modifying breast cancer risk. It has been proposed that circulating levels of bio-available estrogens (ie, not bound to SHBG) might more directly reflect the risk for development of disease. Several studies have detected an association between a decreased percentage of estradiol bound to SHBG, a small increase in free estradiol, and a higher incidence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The physiologic significance of this increase in free estradiol, however, especially considered in the context of the relatively lower postmenopausal levels of total estradiol, is not clear. In addition to its carrier function for circulating estradiol, SHBG specifically binds to cells of steroid-responsive tissues, including breast tissue, and decreases the proliferation of some breast cancer cells through activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate. This suggests that a decrease in the binding capacity of SHBG could potentially diminish SHBG binding to breast cell membranes and increase the rate of cellular proliferation. Oralestrogens increase plasma SHBG levels in postmenopausal women and this increase might mitigate the effect of estrogen replacement therapy on breast cancer epidemiology.
An Experimental‐Analytical Method to Determine Interaction Forces on Tire Rims

Abstract A method is developed for approximating the three components of the net surface traction vector acting between a tire and its rim. The vector is determined as a function of angular position relative to the footprint, using measured strains in the rim and the analytical solution of the membrane theory of circular cylindrical shells applicable to the rim. Non‐dimensional interaction forces are determined for the case of static loading for both radial and bias ply tires used on large earth‐moving equipment. Load transfer from radial tires is primarily by large shearing tractions occurring 15 to 60 degrees from the footprint. Bias ply tires, however, transfer load primarily by normal forces occurring 0 to 30 degrees from the footprint and tangential forces occurring 40 to 90 degrees from the footprint.
Effect of age at first mating on primary sex-ratio of the two-spotted spider mite.

This paper determines the influence of initial age at mating on the primary sex-ratio of the two-spotted spider miteTetranychus urticae Koch. The specific question asked is whether females that mate at ages beyond ecdysis, or are inseminated at ecdysis by virgin males of set ages, have daughter productions different from control females mated at ecdysis by randomly aged males.
Application of LC/MS/MS in the quantitation of SU101 and SU0020 uptake by 3T3/PDGFr cells.

Abstract SU101 or leflunomide, has been studied extensively because of its anti-cancer and immunomodulating properties. The parent isoxazole compound is converted in vitro and metabolized in vivo to an open ring isomeric form, SU0020. Several pharmacological activities have been reported for the parent and metabolite compounds including inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-mediated signaling for the parent compound and inhibition of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis for the metabolite. The inhibition of PDGF-mediated signaling and the anti-tumor properties have been ascribed to the parent compound. In spite of its short plasma half-life of the parent molecule, SU101 can be administered intermittently in animal tumor models and retain efficacy. Therefore, the relationship between plasma levels of SU101 and its efficacy in tumor-implanted immuno-compromised mice is not well established. This study was conducted to assess the concentration of SU101 in 3T3/PDGFr α and β cells (NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts engineered to overexpress human PDGFr α or β) to better understand the cellular levels of SU101 and SU0020. Two strains of 3T3/PDGFr cells (α and β) were incubated with 1, 25, and 100 μM concentrations of SU101 for 1, 6, 24, and 48 hours. Quantitation of SU101 and SU0020 in these cell lines was achieved by a specific and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method. Interestingly, in both α and β cell lysates SU101 was much more concentrated than SU0020. The greater concentration of SU101 versus SU0020 that was observed may be due to the preferential partitioning of SU101 into the cells and this shows that significant levels of the parent drug can reach the pharmacological site of action for inhibition of PDGF receptors. The data suggest that the conversion of SU101 to SU0020 is much slower in these cells than in the incubation media.
Endoscopic and open surgical approaches to locally advanced sinonasal melanoma: comparing the therapeutic benefits.

Importance This study helps to elucidate the appropriate surgical treatment for sinonasal melanoma. Objective To compare open resection (OR) and endoscopic resection (ER) as surgical approaches to sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNM)and evaluate their associations with treatment-related outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective review of the medical records of 25 patients with sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNM) treated by either OR or ER in an academic tertiary care medical center. Interventions The patients underwent either OR or ER of their SNM tumors. Main Outcomes and Measures Overall survival was the primary outcome measured; secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, lengths of hospital stay, patterns of failure, and disease-free survival. Results Thirteen patients with SNM underwent an OR, while 12 had ER of their tumors. The OR and ER groups did not differ significantly in demographic and tumor characteristics. In the OR vs ER group comparisons, mean age (67.8 vs 65.5 years) ( P = .63), the proportions of patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy (85% [n = 11] vs 92% [n = 11]) ( P > .99), and the proportion who achieved negative surgical margins on resection (54% [n = 7] vs 58% [n = 7]) ( P = .82) were similar. Overall all median survival (12.7 and 1.9 years) ( P = .87) and disease-free survival (1.9 and 1.2 years) ( P = .72) were modest and did not differ between OR and ER groups, respectively. Likewise, the OR and ER groups, respectively, showed comparable mean lengths of hospital stay (3.6 and 3.8 days) ( P = .87), rates of postoperative bleeding (8% [n = 1] and 17% [n = 2]) ( P = .59), and rates of cerebrospinal fluid leak (15% [n = 2] and 25% [n = 3]) ( P = .64). In addition, the OR and ER groups, respectively, had high rates of local (23% [n = 3] and 8% [n = 1]) ( P = .59), distant (15% [n = 2] and 25% [n = 3]) ( P = .64), and multiple failures (15% [n = 2] and 25% [n = 3]) ( P = .64). Conclusions and Relevance This retrospective study of a rare disease suggests that endoscopic resection of sinonasal melanoma offers an attractive, minimally invasive surgical option. In the hands of an experienced surgeon, an endoscopic approach yields survival and morbidity outcomes comparable to those of an open approach.
A technique for simultaneous pressure determination in the left and right sides of the heart.

Abstract A new technique for the simultaneous determination of pressures in the left and right heart is described. A double-lumen needle was inserted through the anterior chest wall, right atrium, and interatrial septum into the left atrium. Offset orifices made possible the simultaneous measurement of pressures on both sides of the interatrial septum. Advantages and suggested uses of this technique are discussed. No complications attributable to this procedure have been observed, and the authors feel that it may be valuable clinically as soon as its safety has been confirmed by additional work.
USU global ionospheric data assimilation models

The USU global ionospheric data assimilation model is part of the Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurements (GAIM). This model uses a physics-based ionosphere-plasmasphere-polar wind model and a Kalman filter as a basis for assimilating a diverse set of real-time (or near real-time) measurements. Some of the data that are assimilated include in situ electron density measurements from the DMSP satellites, bottomside electron density profiles from the Air Force network of digisondes, GPS-TEC data from a network of more than 900 stations, and occultation data. GAIM provides specifications and forecasts on a spatial grid that can be global, regional, or local. The primary GAIM output is in the form of 3-dimensional electron density distributions from 90 km to the geosynchronous altitude. GAIM also provides auxiliary parameters (NmF2, hmF2, NmE, hmE, slant and vertical TEC) and global distributions of the self-consistent ionospheric drivers (neutral winds and densities, electric fields, and particle precipitation). In its specification mode, GAIM provides quantitative estimates for the accuracy of the reconstructed ionospheric densities. In addition to the physics-based, Kalman filter model, we have also developed a Gauss-Markov Kalman filter model. The status of the models and the relevant applications are discussed.
Using the CESM Shell to Classify Wafer Defects from Visual Data

Automatic visual wafer inspection will increase productivity and improve product quality of integrated circuit (IC) chips on wafers. Recently, research on such inspection has been focused on problems for classification of defects on wafers to rectify wafer fabrication errors by comparing them with predefined specification standards. This paper describes the development of a knowledge-based system which classifies defects in the recti-linear type wafer images for VLSI chips. A consultation system shell called CESM (Classification Expert System Maker) has been used to develop the classification system. CESM supports integration of low level processing, feature extraction, and final decision stages.
A high precision fluorometer for biochemical measurements.

Abstract Fluorometric biochemical analyses based on the enzyme coupled NAD-NADH reaction are limited in sensitivity by sample background fluorescence. An order of magnitude improvement in sensitivity has been achieved with a fluorometer designed to automatically measure sample fluorescence with high precision, before and after the enzymatic reaction, to give a precise value for a small change in the fluorescence level. The design of this instrument has been optimized for precision of photometric measurement and includes automatic processing of 20 samples, automatic reagent addition, and digital signal processing. Performance tests show a capability for measuring changes in sample fluorescence of 1% with a precision of about 5%.
Quasiparticle self-consistent GW method: A basis for the independent-particle approximation

We have developed a type of self-consistent scheme within the $GW$ approximation, which we call quasiparticle self-consistent $GW$ (QS$GW$). We have shown that QS$GW$ describes energy bands for a wide range of materials rather well, including many where the local-density approximation fails. QS$GW$ contains physical effects found in other theories such as $\mathrm{LDA}+U$, self-interaction correction, and $GW$ in a satisfactory manner without many of their drawbacks (partitioning of itinerant and localized electrons, adjustable parameters, ambiguities in double counting, etc.). We present some theoretical discussion concerning the formulation of QS$GW$, including a prescription for calculating the total energy. We also address several key methodological points needed for implementation. We then show convergence checks and some representative results in a variety of materials.
In vivo functional assay of a recombinant aquaporin in Pichia pastoris.

The water channel protein PvTIP3;1 (α-TIP) is a member of the major intrinsic protein (MIP) membrane channel family. We overexpressed this eukaryotic aquaporin in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, and immunogold labeling of cellular cryosections showed that the protein accumulated in the plasma membrane, as well as vacuolar and other intracellular membranes. We then developed an in vivo functional assay for water channel activity that measures the change in optical absorbance of spheroplasts following an osmotic shock. Spheroplasts of wild-type P. pastoris displayed a linear relationship between absorbance and osmotic shock level. However, spheroplasts of P. pastoris expressing PvTIP3;1 showed a break in this linear relationship corresponding to hypo-osmotically induced lysis. It is the difference between control and transformed spheroplasts under conditions of hypo-osmotic shock that forms the basis of our aquaporin activity assay. The aquaporin inhibitor mercury chloride blocked water channel activity but had no effect on wild-type yeast. Osmotically shocked yeast cells were affected only slightly by expression of the Escherichia coli glycerol channel GlpF, which belongs to the MIP family but is a weak water channel. The important role that aquaporins play in human physiology has led to a growing interest in their potential as drug targets for treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure, as well as other fluid overload states. The simplicity of this assay that is specific for water channel activity should enable rapid screening for compounds that modulate water channel activity.
Study of synthesis and electrochemical properties of spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.2Ti0.3O4 by different methods

Two spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.2Ti0.3O4 samples were successfully synthesized by the sol-gel method using chemicals LiAc·2H2O, Mn(Ac)2·2H2O, Ni(Ac)2·4H2O and Ti(OCH3)4 as reactants. When reactants are calcined in air, a sample of LiNi0.5Mn1.2Ti0.3O4 (1), which contains Mn3+ and Mn4+ ions, is obtained. The sample of LiNi0.5 Mn1.2Ti0.3O4 (2), which contains only Mn4+ ions, is obtained when reactants are calcined in an oxygen atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), galvanostatic charge-discharge test and cyclic voltammogram test were employed to investigate the two samples. XRD results show that there is a small shift towards a larger diffraction angle for peaks of the LiNi0.5Mn1.2Ti0.3O4 (2) sample. SEM indicates that the two samples exhibit polyhedral shapes. The cyclic voltammogram test demonstrates that reduction-oxidation reactions take place at different voltages for the two samples. The prepared sample of LiNi0.5Mn1.2Ti0.3O4 with Mn3+ ions exhibits excellent cycle performance at different current rates. Its discharge capacity is 133.9 mAh/g at 0.1C.
1H NMR Studies of Glucose Transport in the Human Brain

The difference between 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra obtained from the human brain during euglycemia and during hyperglycemia is depicted as well-resolved glucose peaks. The time course of these brain glucose changes during a rapid increase in plasma glucose was measured in four healthy subjects, aged 1822 years, in five studies. Results demonstrated a significant lag in the rise of glucose with respect to plasma glucose. The fit of the integrated symmetric Michaelis-Menten model to the time course of relative glucose signals yielded an estimated plasma glucose concentration for half maximal transport, K(t), of 4.8 ± 2.4 mM (mean ± SD), a maximal transport rate, T(max), of 0.80 ± 0.45 μmol g-1 min-1], and a cerebral metabolic glucose consumption rate (CMR)(glc) of 0.32 ± 0.16 μmol g-10 min-1. Assuming cerebral glucose concentration to be 1.0 μmol/g at euglycemia as measured by 13C NMR, the fit of the same model to the time course of brain glucose concentrations resulted in K(t) = 3.9 ± 0.82 mM, T(max) = 1.16 ± 0.29 μmol g-1 min-1, and CMR(glc) = 0.35 ± 0.10 μmol g-1 min-1. In both cases, the resulting time course equaled that predicted from the determination of the steady-state glucose concentration by 13C NMR spectroscopy within the experimental scatter. The agreement between the two methods of determining transport kinetics suggests that glucose is distributed throughout the entire aqueous phase of the human brain, implying substantial intracellular concentration.
In vitro metabolism of insecticides during midgut penetration

Abstract A study of the metabolism of 14 C-labeled dieldrin, DDT, malathion, and carbaryl during penetration of the isolated midgut of two insects ( Blaberus discoidalis and Manduca sexta ) and a section of the intestine of a mammal ( Mus musculus ) is reported. There was appreciable metabolism of malathion during penetration, including differences in the activation reaction to malaoxon, between insects and mammals. Metabolism was relatively slow during penetration of carbaryl and the chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides, and little difference in metabolic patterns was noted among the three species. The penetration studies were supported by experiments in which insecticides were incubated with intact and homogenized midgut preparations.
Motion Detection: A Biomimetic Vision Sensor Versus a CCD Camera Sensor

We compare a traditional CCD imaging sensor with a biomimetic vision sensor (based on Musca domestica, the common house fly) with regard to detecting small moving objects at various speeds and levels of contrast. The patent-pending biomimetic vision sensor described is shown to be capable of reliable object detection in spite of challenging movement and low contrast conditions in which a typical commercial CCD camera sensor failed to properly detect the object.
Single aflatoxin contaminated corn kernel analysis with fluorescence hyperspectral image

Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites of the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, among others. Aflatoxin contaminated corn is toxic to domestic animals when ingested in feed and is a known carcinogen associated with liver and lung cancer in humans. Consequently, aflatoxin levels in food and feed are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US, allowing 20 ppb (parts per billion) limits in food and 100 ppb in feed for interstate commerce. Currently, aflatoxin detection and quantification methods are based on analytical tests including thin-layer chromatography (TCL) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These analytical tests require the destruction of samples, and are costly and time consuming. Thus, the ability to detect aflatoxin in a rapid, nondestructive way is crucial to the grain industry, particularly to corn industry. Hyperspectral imaging technology offers a non-invasive approach toward screening for food safety inspection and quality control based on its spectral signature. The focus of this paper is to classify aflatoxin contaminated single corn kernels using fluorescence hyperspectral imagery. Field inoculated corn kernels were used in the study. Contaminated and control kernels under long wavelength ultraviolet excitation were imaged using a visible near-infrared (VNIR) hyperspectral camera. The imaged kernels were chemically analyzed to provide reference information for image analysis. This paper describes a procedure to process corn kernels located in different images for statistical training and classification. Two classification algorithms, Maximum Likelihood and Binary Encoding, were used to classify each corn kernel into "control" or "contaminated" through pixel classification. The Binary Encoding approach had a slightly better performance with accuracy equals to 87% or 88% when 20 ppb or 100 ppb was used as classification threshold, respectively.
Evolution of Microstructures and Nitrogen Sorption during High‐Energy Milling of Silicon in Ammonia

The structural transformation, microstructural changes, and nitrogen sorption of crystalline Si induced by high-energy ball milling in ammonia have been investigated. It is found that significant refinement of particles and crystallites occurs at the early stage of milling (within ∼10 h of milling), after which the average particle size and crystallite size decrease gradually and approach a lower limit of ∼100 and 6.0 nm, respectively. It is proposed that refinement of particle sizes is dominated by the fragmentation process, whereas refinement of crystallite sizes is dictated by plastic deformation. Substantial amorphization does not occur until most of the crystallites have reached the average size of 6.5–6.0 nm. The crystallite-refinement-induced amorphization has been identified as the major mechanism for the nanocrystalline-to-amorphous transformation. A substantial amount of nitrogen is sorbed by Si powders and primarily dissolved in the amorphous Si phase.
Analysis of high resolution aeromagnetics in Central California.

Summary A high-resolution aeromagnetic survey was acquired in 2013 over exploration acreage in Central California. The Remuda study area is located in the foothills of the Central California Coast Ranges, east of the San Andreas Fault. The area has experienced episodic deformation since the Oligocene resulting in complex folding and faulting (Page et al., 1998). The complex geology provides a challenge for seismic imaging, so and aeromagnetic data was acquired to augment the seismic program. The new aeromagnetic data reveals anomalies associated with both basement-involved and thin-skinned structures. Strong magnetic signatures correlate with outcrops of serpentinized ophiolite in the hinterland and with exposures of the Pliocene Etchegoin sandstone in the foothills. In addition, high frequency, lowamplitude anomalies correspond to a Cretaceous clastic unit, the Johnson Creek formation, and the Pleistocene Tulare formation. The magnetic anomalies emanating from the Etchegoin, Johnson Creek, and Tulare formations are good geophysical markers that facilitate interpretation of the sedimentary section. The high-frequency magnetic signal associated with these units overprints the magnetic signal associated with the basement. Therefore, interpretation of the crystalline basement flooring in the study area is highly subjective.
The Niobid project: Digital modeling and restoration of a complex sculptural group at Hadrian's Villa

In Greek myth, Niobe was the queen of Thebes who displayed arrogance toward the goddess Leto and was punished by having to endure the death of her seven sons and seven daughters at the hands of Leto's children, Artemis and Apollo. A fourth-century BC group of 16 statues (Niobe, the fourteen children, and a male figure known as the Pedagogue) survives in various Roman copies from various imperial and public contexts. Here we report on a project to digitally scan and restore the statues, putting them back into the ancient context where they were displayed at Hadrian's Villa.
Cyclopropane-derived peptidomimetics. design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel Ras farnesyltransferase inhibitors.

Trisubstituted cyclopropanes have previously been established as rigid replacements of dipeptide arrays in several biological systems. Toward further evaluating the utility of these dipeptide mimic...
Activation of Myosin Light Chain Phosphatase in Intact Arterial Smooth Muscle During Nitric Oxide-induced Relaxation

We investigated whether myosin light chain phosphatase activity changes during nitric oxide-induced relaxation of contracted intact carotid media and how changes in phosphatase activity mediate this relaxation. We also investigated one mechanism for regulating this phosphatase. Myosin phosphatase activity, myosin light chain phosphorylation, guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) concentration, and phosphorylation of the inhibitory protein CPI-17 were all assayed in homogenates of one carotid media ring at each time point during nitric oxide-induced relaxation. The application of sodium nitroprusside to histamine-contracted media caused rapid declines in light chain phosphorylation and force. These were temporally correlated with a rapid elevation of cGMP and a large transient increase in myosin phosphatase activity. During the early response to nitroprusside, when force declined, increases in myosin phosphatase activity, concurrent with cGMP-mediated decreases in calcium and myosin light chain kinase activity, could accelerate light chain dephosphorylation. CPI-17 was dephosphorylated upon application of nitroprusside at the same time that myosin phosphatase activity increased, suggesting that the removal of inhibition by phospho-CPI-17 contributed to the increase in myosin phosphatase activity. After 20 min of nitroprusside, myosin phosphatase activity had declined to basal levels, however low force was sustained. Additional light chain phosphorylation-independent mechanisms may be involved in sustaining the relaxation.
Glucocorticoids inhibit neurogenic plasma extravasation and prevent virus-potentiated extravasation in the rat trachea.

Capsaicin increases the permeability of blood vessels in the rat tracheal mucosa through a mechanism involving the release of tachykinins from sensory nerves. This capsaicin-induced increase in vascular permeability is potentiated by viral infections of the respiratory tract. The present study was done to determine whether this "neurogenic plasma extravasation" can be inhibited by glucocorticoids, to learn the time course of this inhibition, and to determine whether glucocorticoids can prevent the potentiating effect of viral respiratory infections on neurogenic plasma extravasation. Groups of pathogen-free F344 rats were treated with dexamethasone for 2 or 8 h (4 mg/kg i.p.) or 48 or 120 h (0.5-4 mg/kg per d i.p.). Another group of rats was treated with dexamethasone for 120 h following the intranasal inoculation of Sendai virus. The magnitude of plasma extravasation produced by capsaicin or substance P was assessed after this treatment by using Monastral blue pigment and Evans blue dye as intravascular tracers. We found that dexamethasone reduced, in a dose-dependent fashion, the magnitude of plasma extravasation produced in the rat trachea by capsaicin and substance P. Significant inhibition was produced by a dose of dexamethasone as small as 0.5 mg/kg i.p. The effect of dexamethasone had a latency of several hours and reached a maximum after 2 d of treatment. Furthermore, dexamethasone prevented the potentiation of neurogenic plasma extravasation usually present after 5 d of Sendai virus respiratory infection.
Opportunities for the primary prevention of colorectal cancer in the United States

Several studies indicate that screening in combination with lifestyle modification may produce a greater reduction in colorectal cancer rates than screening alone. To identify national opportunities for the primary prevention of colorectal cancer, we assessed the prevalence of modifiable lifestyle risk factors in the United States. We used nationally representative, cross-sectional data from 5 NHANES cycles (1999-2000, n = 2,753; 2001-2002, n = 3,169; 2003-2004, n = 2,872; 2005-2006, n = 2,993; 2007-2008, n = 3,438). We evaluated the 5 colorectal cancer risk factors deemed "convincing" by the World Cancer Research Fund (obesity, physical inactivity, intake of red meat, processed meat, alcohol), and cigarette smoking, a "suggestive" risk factor in the Surgeon General's report. We estimated the prevalence of each risk factor separately and jointly, and report it overall, and by sex, race/ethnicity, age, and year. In 2007 to 2008, 81% percent of U.S. adults, aged 20 to 69 years, had at least one modifiable risk factor for colorectal cancer. More than 15% of those younger than 50 years had 3 or more risk factors. There was no change in the prevalence of risk factors between 1999 and 2008. The most common risk factors were risk factors for other chronic diseases. Our findings provide additional support for the prioritization of preventive services in health care reform. Increasing awareness, especially among young adults, that lifestyle factors influence colorectal cancer risk, and other chronic diseases, may encourage lifestyle changes and adherence to screening guidelines. Complementary approaches of screening and lifestyle modification will likely provide the greatest reduction of colorectal cancer.
Toxicoproteomics: Proteomics applied to toxicology and pathology

Global measurement of proteins and their many attributes in tissues and biofluids defines the field of proteomics. Toxicoproteomics, as part of the larger field of toxicogenomics. seeks to identify critical proteins and pathways in biological systems that are affected by and respond to adverse chemical and environmental exposures using global protein expression technologies. Toxicoproteomics integrates 3 disciplinary areas: traditional toxicology and pathology, differential protein and gene expression analysis, and systems biology. Key topics to be reviewed are the evolution of proteomics, proteomic technology platforms and their capabilities with exemplary studies from biology and medicine, a review of over 50 recent studies applying proteomic analysis to toxicological research, and the recent development of databases designed to integrate -Omics technologies with toxicology and pathology. Proteomics is examined for its potential in discovery of new biomarkers and toxicity signatures, in mapping serum,plasma. and other biofluid proteomes, and in parallel proteomic and transcriptomic studies. The new field of toxicoproteomics is uniquely positioned toward an expanded understanding of protein expression during toxicity and environmental disease for the advancement of public health.
Molecular modelling and simulation of asphaltenes and bituminous materials

Molecular level calculations targeting the behaviour of asphaltenes, resins and bitumens are reviewed with an objective of relating molecular structure and interactions to macroscale physical, chemical and mechanical properties. The review discusses molecular dynamics simulations of asphaltenes and bitumens and briefly summarises structure elucidation, quantum mechanics, coarse graining and thermodynamic model approaches. The molecular architecture of asphaltenes in simulations plays an important role, with continental and archipelago asphaltenes showing different packing tendencies in isolated systems and solutions. Alkyl side chains bonded to fused aromatic rings interfere with multiple ring stacking layers. Diversity of molecular structure increases asphaltene aggregate formation via alternatives that improve packing. Strongly bent aromatic rings are vacuum simulation artefacts and are absent when enough molecules can solvate unbent fused aromatic rings. Bitumen simulations provide methods to estimate ...
Personalized direct marketing using digital publishing

In today's cost-conscious business climate, marketing and customer service decision makers are increasingly concerned with how to increase customer response and retention rates. Companies spend large amounts of money on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions and data acquisition but they don't know how to use the information stored in these systems to improve the effectiveness of their direct marketing campaigns. By leveraging the customer information they already have, companies can create personalized, printed direct mail programs that generate high response rates, greater returns, and stronger customer loyalty, while gaining a significant edge over their competitors. To reach the promised land of one-to-one direct marketing (personalized direct marketing - PDM), companies need an end-to-end solution for creating, managing, printing, and distributing personalized direct mail "on demand." Having access to digital printing is just one piece of the solution. A more complete approach includes leveraging personalization technology into a useful direct marketing tool that provides true one-to-one marketing, allowing variable images and text in a personalized direct mail. This paper discusses integration of CRM with a Print-on-Demand solution so as to create truly personalized printed marketing campaigns for one or many individuals based on the profile information, preferences and purchase history stored in the CRM.
Differential Effects of Dihalogenated and Trihalogenated Acetates in the Liver of B6C3F1 Mice

Haloacetates are produced in the chlorination of drinking water in the range 10--100 microg l(-1). As bromide concentrations increase, brominated haloacetates such as bromodichloroacetate (BDCA), bromochloroacetate (BCA) and dibromoacetate (DBA) appear at higher concentrations than the chlorinated haloacetates: dichloroacetate (DCA) or trichloroacetate (TCA). Both DCA and TCA differ in their hepatic effects; TCA produces peroxisome proliferation as measured by increases in cyanide-insensitive acyl CoA oxidase activity, whereas DCA increases glycogen concentrations. In order to determine whether the brominated haloacetates DBA, BCA and BDCA resemble DCA or TCA more closely, mice were administered DBA, BCA and BDCA in the drinking water at concentrations of 0.2--3 g l(-1). Both BCA and DBA caused liver glycogen accumulation to a similar degree as DCA (12 weeks). The accumulation of glycogen occurred in cells scattered throughout the acinus in a pattern very similar to that observed in control mice. In contrast, TCA and low concentrations of BDCA (0.3 g l(-1)) reduced liver glycogen content, especially in the central lobular region. The high concentration of BDCA (3 g l(-1)) produced a pattern of glycogen distribution similar to that in DCA-treated and control mice. This effect with a high concentration of BDCA may be attributable to the metabolism of BDCA to DCA. All dihaloacetates reduced serum insulin levels. Conversely, trihaloacetates had no significant effects on serum insulin levels. Dibromoacetate was the only brominated haloacetate that consistently increased acyl-CoA oxidase activity and rates of cell replication in the liver. These results further distinguish the effects of the dihaloacetates from those of peroxisome proliferators like TCA.
Conductance Between Two Strip Electrodes on a Conducting Ground with a Nearby Tunnel

The zero-frequency problem of a pair of perfectly-conducting strip electrodes lying on an imperfectly conducting half-space and perturbed by the presence of a nonconductive cylindrical void or tunnel is analyzed. A conformal mapping transforms all of the pertinent boundaries in the potential problem to simple coordinate surfaces in a single cylindrical coordinate frame. Coupled integral equations for the normal electric current density on each strip are numerically solved using the moment method. The effect upon the circuit resistance of various sized subsurface tunnels at arbitrary locations is now easily calculable.
From Access to Excess: Changing Roles and Relationships for Distance Education, Continuing Education, and Academic Departments in American Universities

In American universities, early distance education needed both continuing education and academic departments for establishing institutional cooperation, developing quality standards, adapting to change, and finding a funding model. Today, the Internet and the need for additional revenue are driving new distance education models.
The application of wavelet packet to signal analysis of battle reconnaissance radar

A method of using wavelet packet for signal analysis of battle reconnaissance radar is proposed. The advantage of this method over conventional radar signal processing technology is mentioned. Simulation results and analysis shows that the purpose of clutter suppression and target extraction can be effectively obtained by using wavelet packet in the battle reconnaissance radar.
Single Pass Fuzzy C Means

Recently several algorithms for clustering large data sets or streaming data sets have been proposed. Most of them address the crisp case of clustering, which cannot be easily generalized to the fuzzy case. In this paper, we propose a simple single pass (through the data) fuzzy c means algorithm that neither uses any complicated data structure nor any complicated data compression techniques, yet produces data partitions comparable to fuzzy c means. We also show our simple single pass fuzzy c means clustering algorithm when compared to fuzzy c means produces excellent speed-ups in clustering and thus can be used even if the data can be fully loaded in memory. Experimental results using five real data sets are provided.
IR characterization and radiation chemistry of glycolaldehyde and ethylene glycol ices

Motivated by detections of glycolaldehyde and ethylene glycol in the interstellar medium and, for ethylene glycol, in comet HaleBopp, we report the low-temperature mid-IR spectra of these two molecules, including selected band strengths and positions. Each molecule has also been irradiated with 0.8 MeV protons to simulate cosmic-ray exposure, to measure each molecules radiation lifetime, and to determine radiation chemical products. Evidence is presented that glycolaldehyde is readily formed from irradiated ethylene glycol ices, both in the presence and absence of H2O ice. � 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of COSPAR.
Health Benefit Downward Rigidity: Employers’ Responses to Rising Insurance Costs

The article examines employers’ responses to rising insurance costs using Census Bureau Medical Expenditure Panel Survey–Insurance Component data from 1997 to 2005. The findings confirm that employers did not take dramatic actions to reduce benefit in response to the rising insurance cost during our study period. Most employers did not drop health insurance coverage, reduce workers’ eligibility for insurance, or substantially scale back their health insurance coverage. Instead, companies controlled the insurance cost in more subtle ways by adopting cost-efficient health plans and requesting employee contribution to the insurance premium and out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatments. Our results show that the effect of those tactics was limited. The share of employee spending did not rise along with the growth of insurance premiums. Employers absorbed a large portion of the increased insurance cost.
Qualitative Differences in Learning Disabilities Across Postsecondary Institutions

Many college students receiving accommodations for specific learning disability (SLD) do not meet objective criteria for the disorder. Furthermore, whether students meet criteria depends on the diagnostic decision model used by their clinician. The authors examined whether the relationship between diagnostic model and likelihood of meeting objective criteria is moderated by students’ postsecondary institution. They administered a comprehensive psychoeducational battery to 98 undergraduates receiving accommodations for SLD at 2-year public colleges, 4-year public universities, and 4-year private colleges. Most 4-year public university students failed to meet objective criteria for SLD. In contrast, most 4-year private college students met objective criteria based on significant ability–achievement discrepancies, and most 2-year public college students met objective criteria based on normative deficits in achievement and cognitive processing. Students who met objective criteria also differed significantly i...
Seeding solid phase crystallization of amorphous silicon films with embedded nanocrystals

Silicon nanocrystals with diameters up to 30 nm are used as nucleation seeds for fast solid phase crystallization of amorphous silicon films. Purely amorphous films required an incubation time of up to 12 hours at 600°C prior to the onset of nucleation, while films with nanocrystals embedded between layers of amorphous silicon grew immediately upon annealing in a quartz tube furnace. Structural characterization was performed by heated-stage transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy.