cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of an Energy-Based Method for Scatter Correction in Positron Emission Tomography

Scatter is an important concern in 3D PET imaging. We have previously proposed an energy-based method for effectively and efficiently correcting scatter by applying energy-based weighting factor to the detected events. The weighting factor, which represents the probability that an event with the specific detected photon energies is unscattered, can be obtained a priori due to its observed weak dependence on the exact distributions of the activity concentrations and attenuation coefficients for similarly sized subjects. Because the method involves applying simple weightings to individual events, it requires minimal computations and yet was observed to be surprisingly effective in our initial study. In this work, we conduct extensive simulation studies to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed scatter correction method. Our findings again confirm the effectiveness of the proposed scatter-correction method when applied to the NEMA, and NEMA-like, body phantoms.
Flexible command and control interfaces for teleoperations

This paper presents a case study of the various interfaces and underlying architectures used to monitor and control a variety of different robots and test scenarios at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). It includes a description of both the software developed and the hardware adapted for the purpose of providing real-time and near-real time interaction with remote assets. Robots range from the prototype lunar exploration robot ATHLETE[1] (All Terrain Hex Limbed Extra Terrestrial Explorer) to Aerobot, a propeller driven lighter then air blimp to an assortment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) being tested at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). The paper focuses primarily on three Virtuoso software tools: the Telemetry Canvas, Scratchpad, and Stereo Display Views. We also describe robot specific implementations of various off-the-shelf hardware input devices. An overview of the existing telemetry distribution networks for each implementation is also covered.
Trypanocidal activity of piperazine-linked bisbenzamidines and bisbenzamidoxime, an orally active prodrug.

Abstract A series of 32 piperazine-linked bisbenzamidines (and related analogues) were analysed for their in vitro and in vivo trypanocidal activity against a drug-sensitive strain of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and a drug-resistant strain of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense . The compounds showed similar potencies against both strains. The most potent compounds were bisbenzamidines substituted at the amidinium nitrogens with a linear pentyl group ( 8 , inhibitory concentration for 50% (IC 50 )=1.7–3.0nM) or cyclic octyl group ( 17 , IC 50 =2.3–4.6nM). Replacement of the diamidine groups with diamidoxime groups resulted in a prodrug ( 22 ) that was effective orally against T. b. brucei -infected mice. Three compounds ( 7 , 11 and 15 ) provided 100% cure when administered parenterally. The results indicate that the nature of the substituents at the amidinium nitrogens of bisbenzamidines strongly influence their trypanocidal activity.
Relationships Between Interview Selection Decisions and Perceptions of Applicant Similarity to an Ideal Employee and Self: A Field Study

Previous research has shown that interviewers' final decisions were related to: [a] the degree of similarity between the interviewers' perception of the ideal employee and the applicant, and [b] the degree of similarity between the interviewers' self-perception and the applicant. The purpose of the present field study was to determine which variable (similarity to the ideal or similarity to the self) was more highly related to the interviewers' final decision. Thirty-seven applicants were interviewed by five interviewers in structured board interviews. The results indicated that final decisions were related more to the ideal-applicant match than to the self-applicant match. The implications of these results for interviewer training and future research were discussed.
Persistency of excitation and overparametrization in model reference adaptive control

The problem of overparameterization of the plant in model reference adaptive control (MRAC) is analyzed. Overparametrization may arise when an upper bound for the order of the plant is used in the design of the MRAC or when the transfer function of the modeled part of the plant has common zeros and poles. It is shown that under parametrization the parameters for model-plant transfer function matching lie in a linear variety. If the reference input signal has enough frequencies, the estimated parameters will converge to this variety. In the presence of modeling errors such as bounded disturbances, the parameters may drift to infinity along the linear variety independently of the number of frequencies in the reference input signal. In the case of exact parameterization but close zero-pole cancellation, the signal vector is shown to be persistently exciting with a low level of excitation. Such a low level of excitation may lead to poor rate of convergence and to loss of robustness with respect to modeling errors. >
Enhanced Stability of PtRu Supported on N-Doped Carbon for the Anode of a DMFC

Abstract : The performance and long-term stability of a direct-methanol fuel cell (DMFC) employing PtRu supported on nitrogen-modified carbon is compared with that of PtRu/C (Hi-spec 5000). The long-term stability test is carried by means of accelerated degradation testing (ADT) at an anodic potential of 0.8 V vs. DHE for 640h. The initial DMFC performance of the MEA containing PtRu/C (N-doped) is slightly lower than that of the PtRu/C (Hi-SPEC) because of the lower ECSA of the former. After 640h ADT, the anode ECSA loss is found to be 21% and 26% for the PtRu/C (N-doped) and PtRu/C (Hi-SPEC), respectively. Electrochemical analyzes reveal that cathode of the MEA with PtRu/C (N-doped) is less contaminated with Ru. It is further corroborated by post-mortem analysis done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) associated with EDS, which indicates 4.8 and 8.2 at.% Ru accumulation, respectively, in the cathodes of the PtRu/C (N-doped) and PtRu/C (Hi-SPEC) MEAs after 640h ADT. Although both MEAs sustain anode and cathode ECSA losses, the performance for the PtRu/C (N-doped) MEA is improved by 28% and 8% after initial and long-term ADT, while the performance for the PtRu/C (Hi-SPEC) MEA is improved by 20% after initial and decreased by 3% after long-term ADT.
Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in community-acquired pediatric neck abscesses

Summary Objective To determine the microbiology, particularly the prevalence of MRSA, in pediatric patients with community-acquired bacterial lymphadenitis. Long considered a nosocomial organism, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has recently emerged as a cause of community-acquired infections. Resistance to other classes of antibiotics, including clindamycin, is prevalent amongst S. aureus , as well. Methods A retrospective review of the medical records and culture results of patients under the age of 18 who underwent trans-cervical surgical drainage of abscessed lymph nodes between the years 2000 and 2006. Results Sixty-two patients were identified for whom microbiology data were available. Six infections were classified as parapharyngeal on imaging; the remainder involved cervical chain lymph nodes. Forty-nine patients grew microorganisms on culture while 13 collections had no growth. The most common organism was S. aureus (63% of positive cultures); followed by beta-hemolytic group A Streptococcus (22%). Of S. aureus isolates, 27% were oxacillin-resistant (MRSA). All MRSA isolates were sensitive to clindamycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole; 63% were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, and 25% sensitive to erythromycin. Of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus isolates, 100, 86, and 82% were sensitive to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, and ciprofloxacin, respectively. All MRSA isolates were identified during the latter half of the study period (2003–2006); none grew prior to 2003. Conclusions MRSA is a common pathogen in community-acquired lymphadenitis, and its incidence is rising. Resistance to clindamycin, a drug commonly used to treat MRSA, is prevalent amongst methicillin-sensitive S. aureus . This has important implications regarding the empiric treatment of lymphadenitis in children.
Petroglyph digitization: enabling cultural heritage scholarship

The digitization of antiquities is facilitating a renaissance for scholars who have unprecedented access to rich representations of objects. Cultural Heritage digitization is a central challenge, and its subtleties are intertwined with object properties and the constraints of physical access and handling. In this paper, we present the design and analysis of a system built for the digitization of Puerto Rican petroglyphic iconography. The petroglyphs exhibit unique properties (shape, size, surface) that determine system design choices. The 3D models obtained with the system support new scholarly and educational activities, including interactive surface lighting, feature highlighting and annotation through mark-up, and immersive viewing using large-scale displays.
Numerical evaluation of singular and near-singular potential Integrals

A simple and efficient numerical procedure using a singularity cancellation scheme is presented for evaluating singular and near-singular potential integrals with 1/R singularities. The procedure not only has several advantages over singularity subtraction methods, but also improves on some aspects of other singularity cancellation methods such as polar and Duffy transformations. A theoretical analysis is presented for triangles, quadrilaterals, tetrahedrons, bricks, and prisms, and numerical results are presented for triangles and prisms.
cGMP‐mediated effects on the physiology of bovine and human retinal Müller (glial) cells.

1. Whole-cell currents of freshly dissociated or cultured Muller cells from human and bovine retinas were studied using the perforated-patch and standard whole-cell recording techniques. 2. We found that internal perfusion of cGMP or external exposure to 8-bromo-cGMP activated a calcium permeable, non-selective cation current in Muller cells, the principal glial cells of the retina. In addition, the activity of calcium-activated potassium channels increased markedly. These currents were minimally affected by cAMP. 3. Molecular studies using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that human muller cells in culture contain transcripts closely related to the rod cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel. 4. Since guanylate cyclase is a known target for nitric oxide (NO), we tested the effect of NO donors on Muller cell currents. These agents induced currents that were qualitatively similar to those activated by cGMP. 5. Our experiments support the idea that the NO-cGMP pathway regulates the physiology of Muller cells and may play a role in integrating neuron-glia interactions in the retina.
Joint Effect of Genotypic and Phenotypic Features of Reproductive Factors on Endometrial Cancer Risk

Prolonged estrogen exposure is believed to be the major cause of endometrial cancer. As possible markers of estrogen exposure, various menstrual and reproductive features, e.g., ages at menarche and menopause, are found to be associated with endometrial cancer risk. In order to assess their combined effects on endometrial cancer, we created the total number of menstrual cycles (TNMC) that a woman experienced during her life or up to the time of study and two genetic risk scores, GRS1 for age at menarche and GRS2 for age at menopause. Comparing 482 endometrial cancer patients with 571 population controls, we found TNMC was associated with endometrial cancer risk and that the association remained statistically significant after adjustment for obesity and other potential confounders. Risk increased by about 2.5% for every additional 10 menstrual-cycles. The study also showed that high GRS1 was associated with increased risk. This relationship, however, was attenuated after adjustment for obesity. Our study further indicated women with high TNMC and GRS1 had twice the risk of endometrial cancer compared to those low in both indices. Our results provided additional support to the involvement of estrogen exposure in endometrial cancer risk with regard to genetic background and lifestyle features.
Um Retrato Do Regime Português Dos Segredos De Negócio (A Portrait of Portuguese Trade Secret Law)

Portuguese Abstract: Os segredos de negocio sao uma materia que nao tem recebido uma atencao proporcional a sua importância economica. Este artigo visa fazer uma descricao breve do regime portugues do segredos de negocio. Assim, comeca por apresentar algumas razoes para a crescente importância dos segredos de negocio (1) e discutir as principais justificacoes para a sua tutela (2), tracando um retrato do regime nacional de segredos de negocio, apos uma contextualizacao normativa a nivel supranacional (3). O regime nacional e caracterizado (4), analisando-se a nocao de segredo de negocios, os meios factuais e juridicos para a sua proteccao e os requisitos para que ocorra uma violacao. Efectua-se ainda uma comparacao entre o regime dos segredos de negocio e a tutela atraves de direitos de propriedade intelectual. Seguidamente, os meios de tutela ao dispor do titular de um segredo de negocio sao brevemente descritos (5). Antes de concluir, o texto faz um relato sumario da proposta de directiva sobre a materia (6) e apresenta um exemplo jurisprudencial que serve como sintese (7).English Abstract: Trade Secrets are a subject that has not been given a degree of attention proportional to its economic importance. This article aims to draw a portrait of the Portuguese legal framework concerning their protection. It starts by presenting a few reasons for their increasing importance (1) and to discuss the main justifications for their protection (2). After presenting the international legal framework (3) the article focuses on Portuguese Law (4), analysing the notion of trade secrets, the requirements of factual and legal protection and the instances of their violation. A comparison with Intellectual Property rights is undertaken. Thereafter the enforcement measures available to the holder of trade secrets are described (5). Before concluding the article mentions the pending proposal for a Directive (6) and presents a court decision as a topical example (7).
Exploring Engagement in a 'Social Crowd' on Twitter

People use Twitter to communicate with companies and friends, and ask for or share information. Here, we explore participation and engagement in an information-gathering 'social crowd'. We first present a study of engagement behavior through both Twitter Ads and direct outreach, and find that direct outreach achieves a higher engagement rate. Second, by showing people other users' participation with a shared interest, we explore the potential for engagement of social crowds. We demonstrate the benefit to engagement of sharing social context, present a preliminary step towards deeper studies on the social component of engagement, and suggest directions for understanding and supporting social crowd engagement.
Dodging conflict: The Supreme Court under threat from Congress

Although many scholars of judicial politics have looked for congressional constraint on the Supreme Court’s decisions, these studies have focused only on the Court’s decisions on the merits. In this paper, I change the terms of the debate from decisions on the merits to earlier decisions, arguing that if congressional constraint exists, it is more likely to be at preliminary stages. In an empirical study using data from the Burger Court, I find evidence that the Court takes congressional preferences into account when making these early decisions. Specifically, I look at the Supreme Court’s decision on whether to address the merits of a case once it has granted cert by examining its decision to rule on mootness, standing, or to dismiss the case entirely. My findings suggest that scholars may be looking in the wrong places for evidence of congressional constraint upon the Supreme Court.
Rapid measurement of the oxygen saturation of whole blood samples with the Millikan oximeter.

Summary(1) A polythene tubing cuvette is described which adapts the Millikan oximeter for measurement of oxygen saturation of drawn samples of the whole blood.(2) Oxygen saturation values agree with Van Slyke manometric values with a standard error of 2.4%.
Cloning and expression of isoenzymes of superoxide dismutase in Haematococcus pluvialis (Chlorophyceae) under oxidative stress

Increasing evidence indicates that the biosynthesis and accumulation of the keto-carotenoid astaxanthin represents a chronic (in days or weeks) molecular defense mechanism in the green alga, Haematococcus pluvialis, to protect cells from abiotic stress. However, information with regard to the acute (in minutes or hours) response of the cells to stress is scarce. In this study, two cDNAs encoding manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) were cloned and their full length nucleotide sequences were obtained. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed a general increase in MnSOD transcriptions in response to various abiotic stressors, e.g., high light, excessive amounts of iron or sodium acetate, either singly or in combination. Meanwhile, four isoforms of MnSOD were detected by a nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis approach. In addition, an iron-containing superoxide dismutase (FeSOD) was detected in the cells using the same technique. Differential expressions of SOD isoenzymes under different abiotic stressors were also investigated and discussed, at both mRNA and protein levels.
Absolute cross sections for the 58,60 Ni( 16 O,X) reactions

The absolute cross sections for a number of different reactions resulting from the bombardment of $^{61}\mathrm{Ni}$ with 38.5, 41.0, 43.5, 46.0, 48.5, and 51.0 MeV $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ ions were determined from $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray yields observed from the decay of resulting radioactivities, and from yields of in-beam $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays. The total cross section was compared to an optical-model calculation. The relative population of the reaction products was compared to calculations for the statistical decay of a compound nucleus by $n$, $p$, and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ evaporation. This model does account for the general features of the experimental results, and agrees reasonably well with the stronger exit channels.
A feasible rTMS clinical protocol in managing migraines (P1.159)

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the clinical feasibility of a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocol in the acute and long term management of migraine headaches (with and without auras). Background: Migraine headaches affect one in every seven Americans annually and are a leading cause of disability and suffering with significant socio-economic and health impact. While pharmacologic therapies remain first line treatment for headaches, many individuals continue to have headaches refractory to various prophylactic and abortive therapies. Among non-pharmacologic therapies, rTMS is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique involving repeated series of magnetic impulses that has been studied as a preventive migraine treatment. Methods: Five patients with migraines underwent five rTMS sessions separated in one to two week intervals for a period of two months at a single tertiary medical center. rTMS was applied to the left motor cortex (LMC) with 2000 pulses (20 trains with one-second inter-train interval) delivered per session, at a frequency of 10Hz and 80[percnt] resting motor threshold (RMT). Pre and post treatment numerical rating pain scales (NRS) were collected, and composite scores were generated. Results: The pre- and post-rTMS headache exacerbation composite scores comparison revealed an average 82.1±12.6[percnt] reduction after the rTMS treatments over two months. A mean decrease of 1.9±1.1 (NRS±SD; range: 0.4 to 3.2) in headache intensity scores was noted immediately after the rTMS sessions. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: The tested rTMS protocol is a well-tolerated, safe and effective method for migraine prophylaxis in individuals with migraines. Disclosure: Dr. Zardouz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Leung has nothing to disclose.
Fluorescence Detected Sedimentation Velocity Analytical Ultracentrifugation for Investigating Affinity and Stoichiometry of Protein Interactions

Sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation (SV-AUC) is monitoring the migration of particles in free solution with real-time optical detection. It provides powerful methods for studying multi-component systems of biomacromolecules such as protein and DNA. It offers exquisite resolution regarding the size and shape of the components and population of co-existing complexes, and therefore binding energies and stoichiometries for reversible interacting systems can be resolved. A recently introduced fluorescence optical detection system (FDS) for AUC offers specific advantages for studying molecules at low concentration because of the high sensitivity and selectivity of fluorescence. In order to make FDS-SV a robust and quantitative method for studying macromolecules, we have previously developed computational tools to specifically account for the unique data structure posed by the confocal design and other geometric factors. Such developments allow FDS-SV to be applied to high-affinity binding systems at concentrations well into the picomolar regime. Recently we extended FDS-SV to multi-dimensional signal detection by employing photoswitchable fluorescent proteins and taking advantage of their characteristic time-dependent fluorescent signal change due to photoswitching. Thus, FDS-SV is an excellent tool for the study of high-affinity protein interactions. We will show applications to protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions with multiple states, quantitatively determining the binding affinity, stoichiometry and cooperativity.
Fibrinogen and fibrin in hemostasis and thrombosis

Despite its recognition as a key component of blood clots, the roles of fibrinogen and fibrin (collectively fibrin[ogen]) in hemostasis and thrombosis are insufficiently understood. Consequently, fibrin(ogen) remains an active focus of investigation at all levels of the research spectrum, including fundamental basic/discovery science, epidemiology, and clinical practice and applications. This article briefly reviews basic biology and biochemistry of fibrinogen and fibrin formation, structure, and stability and highlights recent studies published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology and elsewhere. These have enhanced our understanding of fibrin(ogen) and revealed new potential applications for fibrin detection in thrombosis. The fibrinogen molecule is a 340-kDa homodimeric glycoprotein consisting of 2Aα, 2Bβ, and 2γ polypeptide chains linked by 29 disulfide bridges. Fibrinogen synthesis occurs primarily in hepatocytes (Figure 1). Assembly of the 6 chains takes place in a stepwise manner in which single chains assemble first into Aα-γ and Bβ-γ complexes, then into Aα/Bβ/γ half-molecules, and finally into hexameric complexes (Aα/Bβ/γ)2.1 All 6 fibrinogen chains are assembled with their N termini located in a central E nodule and extend outward in a coiled-coil arrangement. The Bβ and γ chains terminate in globular regions known as βC and γC modules, respectively. These regions collectively comprise the so-called D nodule. The Aα chains are the longest; at the end of the coiled-coil region, each chain extends into a highly flexible series of repeats followed by a globular αC region. Using high-resolution atomic force microscopy, Protopopova et al2 obtained striking images of fibrinogen that visualize each of these structural components. Figure 1. Fibrinogen synthesis and expression. Fibrinogen synthesis is regulated by both transcriptional and translational mechanisms. After individual fibrinogen chains are translated, fibrinogen assembly occurs stepwise. Single chains assemble first into Aα-γ and Bβ-γ precursors, then into Aα/Bβ/γ half-molecules, and finally into hexameric complexes (Aα/Bβ/γ) …
SiC MOSFET reliability and implications for qualification testing

There are a number of potential reliability issues associated with SiC power MOSFETs, including threshold-voltage stability, gate-oxide reliability, body-diode robustness, short-circuit current robustness, and radiation effects. This work is primarily focused on threshold-voltage stability and the need for an improved test method to unambiguously separate out good devices from bad ones. Threshold-voltage stability is affected primarily by active charge traps in the near-interfacial region of the insulating gate oxide. Their close proximity to the semiconductor interface leads to a strong time dependence in the direct-tunneling mechanism in response to changes in gate bias. This time dependence is not properly accounted for in the existing test methods for assessing high-temperature gate-bias (HTGB) effects, which allow temporary removal of bias during cool down and significant un-biased delay (up to 96 hours) before the post-stress measurements are performed. However, this delay, introduced to accommodate the practical constraints of industrial testing, renders this test practically meaningless due to the significant recovery that occurs in the charge states of the near-interfacial oxide traps. This difficulty can be overcome by reapplying the gate bias for a brief period of time before measuring. Details of the nature of the near-interfacial oxide traps will be discussed, including their activation energy. All this work will be presented within the context of standards development within JEDEC, and a new SiC power-devices qualification working group.
Long-Term Effects of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Sickle Cell Disease

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with sickle cell disease offers a disease-free survival probability approaching 95% and halts disease progression in these patients. Transplant-specific risks include conditioning regimen-related toxicity, graft-versus-host disease, graft rejection, infertility, and infections. Additional factors that must also be considered include the patient’s age, degree of organ injury pre-HSCT, donor source, and intensity of the conditioning regimen. In this article, we review the current literature regarding pre-HSCT comorbidities in addition to peri-transplant risks that could affect patient outcomes. Finally, there are no screening and management guidelines to address the late effects in patients who have undergone HSCT for sickle cell disease. While there are recommendations from pediatric cancer networks, they are not completely generalizable to this patient population. The article reviews these screening recommendations but recognizes the uniqueness of this population in that pre-existing comorbidities must be taken into account and followed longitudinally.
My Brother the Mexican

El “Piti” le decian, I never knew why. We lived just outside “El Barrio,” at least that’s what they called it, ‘cause it took too long to say “Tlachichilco del Carmen.” Nobody called it that, but my mom. She would make us go to El Barrio a vender “panquecitos.” Two little gringuitos selling cupcakes en la plaza. ...
Mosses inhibit germination of vascular plants on an extensive green roof

Abstract Mosses are capable of tolerating harsh conditions, and are commonly found on both conventional bare roofs and engineered green roofs. Intentional planting of mosses on green roofs has shown that mosses can improve ecosystem services such as stormwater retention and microclimate cooling. Past studies of moss interactions with vascular plants on green roofs and in other habitats demonstrate both positive and negative effects on juvenile and adult tracheophytes. Moss can aid vascular plants by buffering environmental extremes, facilitating seed establishment, and improving nutrient and water availability. Conversely, moss can also hinder young seedling germination by blocking access to the soil column and/or light. In the green roof context, few studies have examined the relationship between moss and vascular plant germination. Since mosses commonly colonize green roofs it is important to understand the effects of established moss colonies on incoming plant propagules. The purpose of this study was to examine how four moss species, Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) P. Beauv., Polytrichum commune Hedw., Polytrichum piliferum Hedw., and Racomitrium lanuginosum (Hedw.) Brid. affected the germination of weedy and native vascular plant seeds in a green roof system. Seeds were added to six pre-established moss treatments: monocultures of each moss species, a mixture which included all four moss species, and a substrate only control in pots on a rooftop. Overall, the control (moss-free) treatment resulted the highest germination rates for the majority of seeded species examined, an indication that for these vascular plants, mosses tend to inhibit germination of incoming seeds.
The politicization of Buddhism and electoral politics in Sri Lanka

This study examines the interaction between religion and politics in Sri Lanka. Existing scholarly studies on Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict largely address the ethnic dimension of the conflict. Indeed, in the understanding of Sri Lanka’s 25-year civil war, which has left 70,000 dead and displaced nearly a half-million people at its height generally, religion is rarely identified as having any role. But there is a point on the other side – what this study identifies as the religious factor.In Sri Lanka, political elites and politicians often employ emotional symbols such as religion to win and consolidate their political position. This is a common political phenomenon among the Sinhalese (74% of population in 1981) and the mainly Hindu Tamils (12.6% of population in 1981) as well as the Muslims (over 7 % of the population). However, this study is confined to analyzing the behavior (vis-a-vis the use of religion) of Sinhala politicians and their political parties in their quest for political power.The first section of the chapter would deal with the background of Sri Lanka’s religious politics to help readers understand the complex interactions between religion and politics. The theoretical section of the chapter would employ theories of symbolic politics to understand how symbols are powerful in electoral politics. The final and key section of the chapter would be dedicated to analyzing Sri Lanka in the context of the use of religion in symbolic politics. This section would examine how the politicization of Buddhism helped Sinhala political elites and leaders in their quest for power, reinforcing religious and ethnic tensions. This paper would finally suggest some solution to de-religionize the state structure to help Sri Lanka enjoy the fruits of modernization and democracy.
An Anatomy of Ideology

The study of ideology is an area of research that has long been acknowledged as part of archaeology in various capacities; however, there have been many different approaches to its study, corresponding to varying appreciations and definitions of the concept. The changing extent and ways in which archaeology has acknowledged ideology as an area for productive research are part of how archaeology itself has changed as a discipline. This is no simple or unidirectional process, of course, but is part of wider changes in the social sciences, in politics, and in society.
The Temporal Patterning of Copulation in Laboratory Rats and Other Muroid Rodents

The value of studying a single species in the detail that has been lavished upon the laboratory rat depends in part upon the assumption that the species will prove an adequate model from which one may derive principles that will be generalizable to other species. The application of this problem to the specific case of the control of copulatory behavior in rats has been discussed (Beach, 1956; Dewsbury, 1973), and some speculative generalizations from rats to other muroid rodents were made by Sachs (this volume). A minimal basis for such generalizations includes evidence that the functional relations among different aspects of the behavior are similar among different species.
Organic and Psychogenic Causes of Sexual Dysfunction in Young Men

Sexual dysfunction, specifically erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), and delayed ejaculation (DE), are debilitating diseases, especially in young men. The past decade has seen an increase in the number of young men (under 40 years of age) presenting to their physician with sexual dysfunction. Traditionally, sexual dysfunction in young men was viewed as a strictly psychosomatic problem stemming from underlying psychogenic causes such as anxiety or insecurity. While this is true in some cases, the advent of new diagnostic tools and pharmacotherapy have revealed that the prevalence of organic causes for these diseases is much higher than previously thought. In reality, many patients present with primarily organic sexual dysfunction that then triggers concomitant psychogenic stressors such as anxiety and depression which exacerbate their problem. This review focuses on the common etiologies of sexual dysfunction experienced by young men in order to help educate clinicians so that they may better understand, identify, and serve this growing patient population.
Regulation and Metabolic Significance of De Novo Lipogenesis in Adipose Tissues

De novo lipogenesis (DNL) is a complex and highly regulated process in which carbohydrates from circulation are converted into fatty acids that are then used for synthesizing either triglycerides or other lipid molecules. Dysregulation of DNL contributes to human diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the lipogenic pathway may provide a new therapeutic opportunity for combating various pathological conditions that are associated with dysregulated lipid metabolism. Hepatic DNL has been well documented, but lipogenesis in adipocytes and its contribution to energy homeostasis and insulin sensitivity are less studied. Recent reports have gained significant insights into the signaling pathways that regulate lipogenic transcription factors and the role of DNL in adipose tissues. In this review, we will update the current knowledge of DNL in white and brown adipose tissues with the focus on transcriptional, post-translational, and central regulation of DNL. We will also summarize the recent findings of adipocyte DNL as a source of some signaling molecules that critically regulate energy metabolism.
Catalytic Converters for Water Treatment.

ConspectusFresh water demand is driven by human consumption, agricultural irrigation, and industrial usage and continues to increase along with the global population. Improved methods to inexpensively and sustainably clean water unfit for human consumption are desired, particularly at remote or rural locations. Heterogeneous catalysts offer the opportunity to directly convert toxic molecules in water to nontoxic products. Heterogeneous catalytic reaction processes may bring to mind large-scale industrial production of chemicals, but they can also be used at the small scale, like catalytic converters used in cars to break down gaseous pollutants from fuel combustion. Catalytic processes may be a competitive alternative to conventional water treatment technologies. They have much faster kinetics and are less operationally sensitive than current bioremediation-based methods. Unlike other conventional water treatment technologies (i.e., ion exchange, reverse osmosis, activated carbon filtration), they do not ...
A review of sweet sorghum as a viable renewable bioenergy crop and its techno-economic analysis

Abstract Sweet sorghum, a C4 plant, is known to be a unique, versatile, and potential energy crop that can be separated into starchy grains, soluble sugar juice, and lignocellulosic biomass. The fermentable sugars in the juice (53–85% sucrose, 9–33% glucose, and 6–21% fructose) can be directly fermented into ethanol. The grain is primarily starch (62–75%), which can be hydrolyzed and fermented into ethanol. The bagasse, a fibrous lignocellulosic material, can be used to produce cellulosic ethanol, heat and/or power co-generation. In this review, the potential of sweet sorghum for bioenergy production (of various forms) using recently developed cultivars with improved agronomic performance was discussed. In addition, sweet sorghum was compared with other starch, sugar, and lignocellulosic feedstocks. Studies have been conducted on alternative pathways to convert whole sweet sorghum stalks and bagasse into bioenergy. However, very little review of the techno-economic analysis of bioenergy production and co-products from sweet sorghum has been published. The aim of this research was to review the current knowledge of agronomic requirement for cultivating sweet sorghum, the productivity of recently developed cultivars for bioenergy production, and pathways of converting sweet sorghum crop into bioenergy as well as the techno-economic feasibility of using sweet sorghum for bioenergy.
Bad Statutes Make Bad Law: Hobby Lobby v. Burwell

In Employment Division v. Smith, the Court ruled the Free Exercise Clause would no longer be interpreted to grant religious objectors constitutionally compelled exemptions from valid and neutral laws of general applicability. In response, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to undo the Court’s decision and resurrect the compelling interest standard. The Court in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby chose to interpret RFRA vigorously and to provide more protection for religious exercise than what was allowed under the Free Exercise Clause in the pre-Smith cases. The decision ignores, however, the fact that Smith was decided the way it was for a reason. The pre-Smith cases showed that the application of a compelling interest test to religious exercise challenges is latent with problems of coherency and consistency. It also led to a troubling form of relief -- special exemptions from neutral laws for a limited class of beneficiaries -- that is in tension with other constitutional principles and that opens the door to a disconcerting favoritism for those able to frame their objections to neutral laws in religious terms. Further, the compelling interest test raises serious constitutional issues in administrability because it requires courts to get into the dangerous businesses of defining religion, evaluating religious sincerity, and measuring religious burdens. These concerns do not subside because the compelling interest test stems from a statute rather than a constitutional provision. This Article, demonstrates why RFRA and its interpretation by the Court in Hobby Lobby are problematic. Part I traces the enactment of RFRA and its history before the Court leading up to Hobby Lobby. Part II introduces Hobby Lobby. It sets forth the factual background to the litigation and identifies the key points of statutory interpretation at issue, including the core question of whether RFRA should be interpreted as restoring the pre-Smith free exercise jurisprudence or as providing even greater protection for religious exercise than the free exercise cases had allowed. Part III provides insight into that issue by describing the free exercise jurisprudence that led up to Smith and explaining why that jurisprudence proved unsuccessful. Part IV than returns to Hobby Lobby to assess the majority and dissenting opinions in light of this pre-Smith history. Part V examines what the Court’s construction of RFRA portends for future cases. It argues that, at best, the Court’s interpretation of RFRA will lead to a jumbled jurisprudence beset by the same problems that plagued the Court’s pre-Smith free exercise decisions. At worst it may lead to results that are normatively problematic and constitutionally unsound. Part V suggests, however, that the blame for any problems with RFRA going forward may rest less with the Court’s construction of the statute than with the Congress that passed it. Bad statutes make bad law.
Phosphorylation Reactions That Influence the Activity of eIF-2

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews phosphorylation reactions that influence the activity of eIF-2. Important sites for translational control in eukaryotic systems appear to be reactions involving peptide initiation factor 2 (eIF-2). Phosphorylation is measured routinely by analysis of the reaction mixture on polyacrylamide gels in sodium dodecyl sulfate followed by autoradiography. Regulation of eIF-2 phosphorylation by phosphoprotein phosphatases may be an important control element. The relatively nonspecific phosphatase activities isolated thus far from reticulocytes may themselves be controlled by low-molecular-weight, heat-stable activators and inhibitors. Activators have been isolated that seem to impose a certain degree of substrate specificity on the reticulocyte phosphatase.
Low-Overhead Wireless Uplink Scheduling for Large-Scale Internet-of-Things

With the rapid growth of Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications in recent years, there is a strong need for wireless uplink scheduling algorithms that determine when and which subset of a large number of users should transmit to the central controller. Different from the downlink case, the central controller in the uplink scenario typically has very limited information about the users. On the other hand, periodically collecting all such information from a large number of users typically incurs a prohibitively high communication overhead. This motivates us to investigate the development of an efficient and low-overhead uplink scheduling algorithm that is suitable for large-scale IoT applications. Specifically, we first characterize a capacity outer bound subject to the sampling constraint where only a small subset of users are allowed to use control channels for system state reporting at each time. Next, we relax the sampling constraint and propose a joint sampling and transmission algorithm, which utilizes full knowledge of channel state distributions and instantaneous queue lengths to achieve the capacity outer bound. The insights obtained from this capacity-achieving algorithm allow us to develop a low-overhead scheduling algorithm that can strictly satisfy the sampling constraint with asymptotically diminishing throughput loss.
Biophysical reconstruction of the signal conduction underlying short-latency cortical evoked potentials generated by subthalamic deep brain stimulation.

Abstract Objective Direct activation of the hyperdirect (HD) pathway has been linked to therapeutic benefit from subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We sought to quantify the axonal conduction biophysics of corticofugal axons directly stimulated by subthalamic DBS and reconcile those findings with short-latency cortical evoked potential (EP) results. Methods We used a detailed computational model of human subthalamic DBS to quantify axonal activation and conduction. Signal propagation to cortex was evaluated for medium (5.7 µm), large (10.0 µm), and exceptionally large (15.0 µm) diameter corticofugal axons associated with either internal capsule (IC) fibers of passage or the HD pathway. We then compared the modeling results to human cortical EP measurements that have described an exceptionally fast component (EP0) occurring ~1 ms after the stimulus pulse, a fast component (EP1) at ~3 ms, and a slower component (EP2) at ~5 ms. Results Subthalamic stimulation of the HD pathway with large and medium diameter axons propagated action potentials to cortex with timings that coincide with the EP1 and EP2 signals, respectively. Only direct activation of exceptionally large diameter fibers in the IC generated signals that could approach the EP0 timing. However, the action potential biophysics do not generally support the existence of a cortical EP less than 1.5 ms after DBS onset. Conclusions The EP1 and EP2 signals can be biophysically linked to antidromic activation of the HD pathway. Significance Theoretical reconstruction of cortical EPs from subthalamic DBS demonstrate a convergence of anatomical, biophysical, and electrophysiological results.
Beyond the Territories of Science and Religion

The conflict thesis, the idea that science and religion compete for the same territory, that science is the modern religion par excellence, or that theology is not just queen but sole authoritative source for the sciences, remains prominent in education as in the public realm. But this view typically rests on mistaken assumptions about the nature of both science and religion. What we call religion and science in the modern era, and specifically since the mid-nineteenth century, are best understood as social practices that require the virtues for their perfection. This chapter seeks to move the conversation about religion and science forward, beyond the significant work of both Ian Barbour and Peter Harrison and beyond territorial metaphors, by suggesting that the virtues that perfect practitioners of religion and science are crucial for helping modern agents make a home of the world we inhabit.
Deep Learning for Hyperspectral Image Analysis, Part I: Theory and Algorithms

Deep neural networks have emerged as a set of robust machine learning tools for computer vision. The suitability of convolutional and recurrent neural networks, along with their variants, is well documented for color image analysis. However, remote sensing and biomedical imaging often rely on hyperspectral images containing more than three channels for pixel-level characterization. Deep learning can facilitate image analysis in multi-channel images; however, network architecture and design choices must be tailored to the unique characteristics of this data. In this two-part series, we review convolution and recurrent neural networks as applied to hyperspectral imagery. Part I focuses on the algorithms and techniques, while Part II focuses on application-specific design choices and real-world remote sensing and biomedical test cases. These chapters also survey recent advances and future directions for deep learning with hyperspectral images.
Planning car-lite neighborhoods: Examining long-term impacts of accessibility boosts on vehicle ownership

Abstract Transformative technologies like automated vehicles, and emerging services like mobility-on-demand and ride-sharing, are changing the ecosystem of urban mobility. Land use-transport interaction (LUTI) models provide appropriate platforms to test the impacts of such services on cities. Although these services are purported to have mixed effects on cities, there is a general consensus that these services will increase accessibility. We approach the ‘car-lite’ policy through this lens of increased accessibility, and base this study in the city-state of Singapore. Different study areas are chosen in a manner similar to the differences-in-differences approach, in order to tease out the effects of initial neighborhood vacancy rate, vehicle-free behavior, and tight markets on policy impacts. We also design different scenarios that represent varying market reactions to the policy, and compare them to a baseline where the car-lite policy is never implemented. Study areas that are initially less ‘tight’ (i.e., have higher vacancy rates and lower vehicle-free rates) are found to have significantly larger transitions to vehicle-free behavior. Additionally, our finding of accessibility-induced gentrification speaks to the importance of considering the endogeneity in housing and mobility choices while formulating policies that may seemingly feel relevant only to the transportation realm. Providing appropriate mixes of housing typologies with adequate affordable housing, in addition to restricting car use for higher-income car-owning households, are suggested as strategies for designing car-lite neighborhoods.