cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Color adaptation for improving mobile web accessibility

The explosive growth of mobile handheld devices users and the increasing need of ubiquitous information access make the use of mobile Web a common practice. The effectiveness of mobile web is contingent upon many factors. Among them, visual properties such as colors of web content can significantly influence user experience. However, website designers may not be a usability expert or even be aware of color impacts on the perception and experience of users, particularly on those with color vision deficiency (CVD). As a result, using colors that are difficult to distinguish by CVD people within the same web pages could cause significant problems in recognition and comprehension of web content. Existing color adaptation research has focused on regular web but yet to address the unique challenges of mobile web such as limited computing power and battery capacity. To improve the accessibility of mobile web, this research aims to adapt colors in mobile web pages that are non-distinguishable to CVD users while preserving some properties of original colors. In addition to web color replacement, we propose two methods to improve the efficiency of color adaptation to overcome the resource constraint of mobile devices. One method narrows down colors that need adaptation by identifying foreground and background color pairs. The other reduces the computational cost of assessing a set of replacement colors by introducing differential naturalness and differentiability. The effectiveness of the proposed methods was demonstrated with both theoretical proof and experiment results.
Sexual rehabilitation medicine in a female oncology setting

Comprehensive oncological care has recently expanded not only to include diagnosis and treatment but survivorship medicine as well. Tertiary health care facilities are now developing multidisciplinary survivorship programs that focus on helping cancer patients live active, fulfilled lives while dealing with the potentially damaging and longstanding sexual ramifications of cancer and cancer therapy. As part of a growing trend, health care institutions are establishing specialized sexual health programs to address cancer patients' sexual needs using functionalized survivorship curricula. Such programs provide individual or couples management to men and women who suffer from sexual dysfunction as a result of a cancer diagnosis and/or treatment. Using the Sexual Health Program at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center as a prototype for the development of future sexual health programs, this article will discuss the specific components and benefits of such programs. An effective program focuses on 4 key issues-clinical care, patient education and support, medical and scientific research, and medical education and training for health care professionals and providers. This article will discuss how sexual health programs benefit the female cancer patient (it should be noted, however, that these programs, such as the one at our institution, are usually available for either sex).
Critical Thinking and Applied Political Economy: Towards Understanding the Social Construction of Reality

Abstract This article provides a design template to construct a macroeconomics course using a multiparadigmatic approach using discovery based learning. Students use alternative paradigms–Classical, Keynesian, Institutionalist, Marxist, Monetarist, Schumpterian–to explore forces explaining the business cycle. They access and manipulate primary economic data to evaluate distributional outcomes using applied political economy; the use of alternative paradigms to systematically trace out how economic science is used to support policies directing the distribution of income. The course capstone applies economic paradigms and data analysis to evaluate policy propositions related to contemporary macroeconomic issues.
An Analysis of Skills and Competencies of Full Service Hotel Technology Managers

A survey of 104 hotel managers was conducted to identify the Information Technology (IT) skills and other competencies needed by IT managers at the hotel property level. A factor analysis was conducted to condense 42 skills identified through review of literature and a focus group. The three most important skills needed for a hotel IT manager were Communication (3.60), Critical Thinking (3.57), and IT Knowledge (3.42). The study concluded that soft skills were among the most important skills for the hotel IT manager's job requirements.
Design Optimization of a 35nm Independently-Double-Gated Flexfet SOI Transistor

Flexfet is a new SOI IDG-CMOS technology with a damascene metal top gate and an implanted JFET bottom gate that are self-aligned in a gate trench. The independent top and bottom gates are contacted at opposite sides of the channel by a local interconnect that is embedded in the isolation region between devices. A simple analytical dynamic threshold voltage model is developed and verified by extensive device simulation. Optimization of the topgate oxide thickness, silicon thickness, and gate work functions for a 35 nm long NMOSFET is achieved by device simulation. Ideal 1.0V/V dynamic threshold control of this device is achieved.
Video coding using perceptually weighted vector zerotrees and adaptive vector quantization

A new system for intraframe coding of video is described. This system combines zerotrees of vectors of wavelet coefficients and the generalized-threshold-replenishment (GTR) technique for adaptive vector quantization (AVQ). A data structure, the vector zerotree (VZT), is introduced to identify trees of insignificant vectors, i.e., those vectors of wavelet coefficients in a dyadic subband decimalisation that are to be coded as zero. The GTR coders are then applied to each subband to efficiently code the significant vectors by way of adapting to their changing statistics. Both VZT generation and GTR coding are based upon minimization of criteria involving both rate and distortion. In addition, perceptual performance is improved by invoking simple, perceptually motivated weighting in both the VZT and the GTR coders. Our experimental findings indicate that the described VZTGTR system handles dramatic changes in image statistics, such as those due to a scene change more efficiently than a scalar zerotree technique employing a nonadaptive scalar quantizer.
Loss of Niemann Pick type C proteins 1 and 2 greatly enhances HIV infectivity and is associated with accumulation of HIV Gag and cholesterol in late endosomes/lysosomes

Cholesterol pathways play an important role at multiple stages during the HIV-1 infection cycle. Here, we investigated the role of cholesterol trafficking in HIV-1 replication utilizing Niemann-Pick Type C disease (NPCD) cells as a model system. We used a unique NPC2-deficient cell line (NPCD55) that exhibited Gag accumulation as well as decreased NPC1 expression after HIV infection. Virus release efficiency from NPCD55 cells was similar to that from control cells. However, we observed a 3 to 4-fold enhancement in the infectivity of virus released from these cells. Fluorescence microscopy revealed accumulation and co-localization of Gag proteins with cholesterol in late endosomal/lysosomal (LE/L) compartments of these cells. Virion-associated cholesterol was 4-fold higher in virions produced in NPCD55 cells relative to virus produced in control cells. Treatment of infected NPCD55 cells with the cholesterol efflux-inducing drug TO-9013171 reduced virus infectivity to control levels. These results suggest cholesterol trafficking and localization can profoundly affect HIV-1 infectivity by modulating the cholesterol content of the virions.
PRE-HISPANIC MAYA RELIGION

For much of this century, scholars have tended to dismiss the Madrid Codex as a resource because of the large number of apparent scribal errors in the hieroglyphic text of the manuscript. An examination of naming patterns and attribute distribution with respect to the codical deities, however, reveals that many of these so-called errors are patterned in meaningful ways. These patterns suggest that our view of the Maya pantheon as consisting of a series of discrete entities with distinct conceptual domains is a Western construct, rather than a valid representation of pre-Hispanic Maya ideology. Reference to ethnohistoric sources from both within the Maya area and elsewhere in Mesoamerica (e.g., accounts from central Mexico) provides a model for conceptualizing Maya deities as members of overlapping complexes or clusters, each composed of a small number of underlying divinities characterized by various aspects, or manifestations.
EFFECTS ON THE CHEMICAL STEREODYNAMICS OF THE INITIAL VIBRATIONAL EXCITATION IN THE F + LiH (v = 0-2, j = 0) → LiF + H REACTION

In this work, the product polarization characteristics are reported for the reaction F + LiH (v = 0 - 2, j = 0) → LiF + H at the collision energy of 35 kcal/mol, by using the QCT method on the Aguado–Paniagua-potential energy surface (see Aguado et al.). The distribution of P(θr) which represents the K (reagent relative velocity vector) and J′ (product rotational angular momentum vector) correlation, the dihedral angle distribution of K-K′ (product relative velocity vector)-J′ P(φr), the angular distribution P(θr, φr) and the four polarization-dependent differential cross sections (2π/σ)(dσ00/dωt), (2π/σ)(dσ20/dωt), (2π/σ)(dσ22+/dωt), (2π/σ)(dσ21-/dωt) in each initial state are presented and discussed.
Genotoxic changes after low-level solvent and fuel exposure on aircraft maintenance personnel

Individuals may be exposed to solvent mixtures and fuel either at work or home, through air, water and food contamination. Few studies have addressed the genotoxic effects of mixed, low-level exposure to fuel and solvent. This was an optimally designed study where each subject was sampled prior to exposure and after 15 and 30 weeks while exposed, in a repeated measures design with each subject serving as his own control. Fifty men aged between 18 and 50, working on aircraft equipment operation and maintenance at a military installation were included. Eight unexposed men were concurrently sampled. Sisterchromatid exchanges (SCE) and micronuclei (MN) frequency were measured in conjunction with air sampling and expired breath analysis for jet fuel (JP-4), 1,1,1trichloroethane, methyl ethyl ketone, xylenes, toluene and methylene chloride. Exposure levels measured by industrial hygiene were very low (all means <6 p.p.m.), <10% of the OSHA standard. Expired breath levels were also low, <25 p.p.b. A small but statistically significant increase in the frequency of SCE occurred after 30 weeks of exposure for sheet metal workers (P = 0.003) and for painters (P = 0.05). The MN frequency in the sheet metal workers initially showed a statistically significant increase, but by 30 weeks had decreased. Cigarette smoking, alcohol and caffeine use were not associated with changes from baseline for either MN or SCE. Smokers, however, had significantly higher values of SCEs at baseline than did nonsmokers. In summary, these findings suggest that small increases in SCEs in particular, may serve as a sensitive biologic indicator of low level hydrocarbon exposure in as much as statistically significant changes occurred in the highest exposed groups but not in the low or no exposure groups. Chance occurrence or exposures to other occupational or non-occupational agents cannot be eliminated as a cause of the study findings.
Isomorphism between pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound and direction-of-arrival estimation. II. Experimental results

For pt. I see ibid., vol. 43, no. 5, p. 911-22 (1996). Pt. I presented the basic principles for applying high-resolution wide-band direction-of-arrival estimation techniques to pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound. Such techniques provide high-resolution velocity profiles and enable the identification of multiple velocity components inside a sample volume. Another important application is the identification and rejection of wall clutter signals. A first and essential step in applying these techniques is to convert the wide-band echoes to narrow band. The 2D DFT projection method is used for this conversion. Two different narrow-band high-resolution methods are then applied to estimate the velocity distributions; the minimum variance (MV) and the multiple signal classification (MUSIC). Experimental results are presented to illustrate the potentials and limitations of applying wide-band DOA methods to different applications in pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound.
Building on the Cornell-Yale model: digitizing the radicalism collection at Michigan State University

This article has two purposes. One is to summarize the elements of the Cornell‐Yale digitization model in a way that would be useful to other institutions planning to follow their effort. The people involved with the Cornell and Yale projects have done an exceptional job in documenting their work. They have been the Lewis and Clarks of the digitization process. But because they were the first to explore this unkown territory, not every facet of their experience applies to those who follow the path they blazed. It is necessary to see which parts of their experience are applicable to a large state university like Michigan State University (MSU). The other purpose of this article is to show how MSU‘s experience has expanded the Cornell‐Yale model. In this MSU is following their tradition of documenting features that could be useful and relevant to to others.
Tullio phenomenon in superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome

Tullio phenomenon refers to eye movements induced by sound.1 This unusual examination finding may be seen in superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) syndrome.2 This disorder is due to absent bone over the superior semicircular canal (figure ). Patients complain of dizziness triggered by loud sound, aural fullness, autophony, and pulsatile tinnitus. When Tullio phenomenon exists in SSCD syndrome, the patient develops a mixed vertical-torsional nystagmus in which the slow phase rotates up and away from the affected ear (video on the Neurology ® Web site at Neurology.org). This pattern of nystagmus aligns in the plane of the dehiscent semicircular canal and is due to excitation of its afferent nerves.
Predicted recovery of Mercury's internal structure by MESSENGER

[1] Recent Earth-based and forthcoming MESSENGER spacecraft observations of the spin state and gravity field of Mercury will provide the opportunity to determine that planet's internal structure with unprecedented precision. These observations will provide estimates of the dimensionless polar moment of inertia and the ratio of the moment of inertia of the mantle plus crust to that of the planet. In order to understand how well these two parameters will constrain Mercury's internal structure we calculate ∼800,000 Monte Carlo models of the planet's interior. Within the uncertainties currently predicted to be achieved by MESSENGER for these quantities we estimate that the radius and bulk density of an Fe-FeS core and the bulk density of the silicate shell can be determined to within ±23 km, ±147 kg m−3, and ±72 kg m−3, respectively.
Occupational exposure to cephalosporins leading to clostridium difficile infection.

To the Editor: Inhalational exposure to antibiotics has been reported to occur in pharmaceutical manufacturing as a result of worker exposure to airborne antibiotic dusts and aerosols during manufacturing and container filling processes (1). Clostridium difficile is an important pathogen and is seen almost exclusively as a complication of antibiotic therapy. It is particularly associated with exposure to third-generation cephalosporins. Depletion of the indigenous gut microflora by antibiotic therapy has long been recognized as an important factor in the development of C. difficile enterocolitis (2). A Medline search did not reveal any reports of C. difficile infections caused by inhalation of cephalosporins or other antibiotic agents. However, other medical problems such as asthma and allergies in pharmaceutical industry workers have been reported (2 ‐5).We are reporting a possible association of C. difficile-pseudomembranous colitis and long-term occupational inhalational exposure to airborne cephalosporins in the workplace. A previously healthy 26-year-old female scientist with no significant family history or past medical history developed pseudomembranous colitis. The patient stated that she had not taken antibiotics for months prior to the onset of this illness. This individual was employed by a pharmaceutical company and was exposed to airborne dusts and aerosols from at least six different thirdgeneration cephalosporins during container filling operations over a three-month period. She reported consistent use of personal protective equipment. After three months of daily exposures to this environment, the patient developed severe crampy abdominal pain associated with bloody diarrhea. Clinical investigations
Anomalous Strength Characteristics of Tilt Grain Boundaries in Graphene

Graphene in its pristine form is one of the strongest materials tested, but defects influence its strength. Using atomistic calculations, we find that, counter to standard reasoning, graphene sheets with large-angle tilt boundaries that have a high density of defects are as strong as the pristine material and, unexpectedly, are much stronger than those with low-angle boundaries having fewer defects. We show that this trend is not explained by continuum fracture models but can be understood by considering the critical bonds in the strained seven-membered carbon rings that lead to failure; the large-angle boundaries are stronger because they are able to better accommodate these strained rings. Our results provide guidelines for designing growth methods to obtain sheets with strengths close to that of pristine graphene.
Evolving Wireless Access Technologies for Municipal Broadband

Abstract In recent years, the landscape for wireless technology has changed substantially, with profound implications for the evolution of last-mile access infrastructure. This paper provides a high-level introduction to emerging trends in wireless technology, with a special focus on how these are impacting municipal broadband deployments. Also discussed are some of the key architectural and design choices for wireless networking systems and their implications for cost and system performance. In addition, examples are provided regarding how the new wireless technologies are being deployed by municipalities in a variety of contexts, with reference to wireless technologies currently available from vendors. The policy implications of these trends are discussed further in a companion paper in this issue.
Evaluation of an Automatic Registration-Based Algorithm for Direct Measurement of Volume Change in Tumors

Purpose: Assuming that early tumor volume change is a biomarker for response to therapy, accurate quantification of early volume changes could aid in adapting an individual patient's therapy and lead to shorter clinical trials. We investigated an image registration-based approach for tumor volume change quantification that may more reliably detect smaller changes that occur in shorter intervals than can be detected by existing algorithms. Methods and Materials: Variance and bias of the registration-based approach were evaluated using retrospective, in vivo, very-short-interval diffusion magnetic resonance imaging scans where true zero tumor volume change is unequivocally known and synthetic data, respectively. The interval scans were nonlinearly registered using two similarity measures: mutual information (MI) and normalized cross-correlation (NCC). Results: The 95% confidence interval of the percentage volume change error was (-8.93% to 10.49%) for MI-based and (-7.69%, 8.83%) for NCC-based registrations. Linear mixed-effects models demonstrated that error in measuring volume change increased with increase in tumor volume and decreased with the increase in the tumor's normalized mutual information, even when NCC was the similarity measure being optimized during registration. The 95% confidence interval of the relative volume change error for the synthetic examinations with known changes over {+-}80% of reference tumor volumemore » was (-3.02% to 3.86%). Statistically significant bias was not demonstrated. Conclusion: A low-noise, low-bias tumor volume change measurement algorithm using nonlinear registration is described. Errors in change measurement were a function of tumor volume and the normalized mutual information content of the tumor.« less
Glomus tumor: report of a rare case affecting the oral cavity and review of the literature.

The glomus apparatus, ﬁrst discovered in 1862 bySucquet and conﬁrmed by Hoyer in 1877, is an arte-riovenous anastomosis located in the stratum reticu-laris of the dermis, particularly prevalent on the palmand digits of the hand, as well as on the ventralsurface of the feet. Functionally, when this apparatusis constricted, heat is conserved, and when patent,heatislost;thereby,theglomusapparatuscontributesto thermal regulation.
Reconfigurable optical directed-logic circuits using microresonator-based optical switches

We present a reconfigurable optical directed logic architecture that offers several significant improvements over the original directed logic presented by Hardy and Shamir. Specific embodiments of on-chip, waveguided, large-scale-integrated, cellular optical directed logic fabrics are proposed and analyzed. Five important logic functions are presented as examples to show that the same switch fabric can be reconfigured to perform different logic functions.
Interactive computer modules for undergraduate chemical engineering instruction

The goal of the computer modules component of the project 'A Focus on Developing Innovative Engineers', funded by the National Science Foundation, is to develop a complete set of interactive computer modules for courses in the undergraduate chemical engineering curriculum, where each computer module reinforces one of the key course concepts. The modules are developed by a team consisting of faculty as technical advisor, an undergraduate student programmer, and a postdoctoral research fellow serving as supervisor and master programmer. After development, the modules are tested by undergraduate students at the University of Michigan and by external faculty, before general distribution. Modules for the Introduction to Chemical Engineering course have been tested and distributed, and modules are currently being tested in the Fluids/Transport, Separations, and Chemical Reactor Design courses. The modules prepared to date are outlined. >
Understanding the Epigenetic Syntax for the Genetic Alphabet in the Kidney

The cells in a human body have identical DNA sequences, yet the body has >200 cell types with different phenotypes. The basis for this nongenetic cellular memory, which records developmental and environmental cues, is epigenetics. The epigenome includes covalent modifications of the DNA and its associated proteins and defines DNA accessibility to the transcriptional machinery. Notably, the epigenome has emerged as an important mediator of the long-term programming effect of environmental exposure, and multiple lines of evidence point to the epigenome as an important missing link in our understanding of CKD development. For example, recent studies identified epigenetic differences in the enhancer regions of fibrosis-related genes in diseased human kidney samples. Furthermore, chromatin profiling and epigenome analysis are powerful tools for annotating gene regulatory regions that can be harnessed to interpret disease-causing polymorphisms for complex traits such as CKD. This review highlights the results of studies investigating the renal epigenome and discusses the significance of these findings and future directions in the context of novel diagnostic and treatment strategies for CKD.
CRITIQUE OF SOHLBERG AND BIRGEGARD'S (2003) REPORT OF PERSISTENT COMPLEX EFFECTS OF SUBLIMINAL PSYCHODYNAMIC ACTIVATION MESSAGES '"

Silverman in 1983 held that the unconscious encoding of MOMMY AND I ARE ONE triggers a fantasy of symbiotic union with the good mother of early childhood. In contrast, later Sohlberg and Birgegard ...
Topology of Sensor Networks in Distributed Detection

We study the topology of sensor networks. With parallel architectures, the design is trivial - sensors forward their local decisions to a global fusion center. With web architectures, sensors communicate only with 'neighbors' and evolve their local decisions to reach a 'consensus.' In practice, it is important to reach a consensus with minimal communications and processing cost. The convergence rate of the consensus algorithm depends on 1) the weights assigned to the network links; and 2) the connectivity pattern of the network. We apply concepts from small world networks to design the topology and the weights when the local decisions are quantized and study the impact on network performance when we trade number of links for number of bits per decision
The value of mentorship in orthopaedic surgery resident education: the residents' perspective.

Background: The concept of mentoring is believed to be influential in an effective medical and surgical educational environment. Several authors have discussed the issue of mentorship and its challenges, yet no one has studied the prevalence of mentoring among orthopaedic residency programs and its perceived value from the orthopaedic residents' perspective. Methods: Between January 1, 2008, and February 1, 2008, a survey created by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons was distributed by mail and e-mail to 3655 orthopaedic residents to obtain their opinion of the value of and their experience with mentorship. Results: Five hundred and six (14%) of the surveyed residents responded. Nearly half of the responding residents either had a mentor or were involved in a mentoring program. Nearly all ranked the value of mentorship as very high and anticipated substantial help from their mentor in their career, research, and education. Only 44% were satisfied with their mentoring environment, and only 17% were highly satisfied. The residents were most satisfied with mentoring when there was a formal program in place. Ninety-six percent of the respondents thought that mentors were either critical or beneficial to their training. Residents who had selected their own mentor were more satisfied with their mentor than were those who had their mentor assigned. Conclusions: Residents with mentors, residents in mentoring programs, and residents who selected their own mentors had higher satisfaction with their mentoring environment than did those with no formal mentoring program. Residency programs should consider establishing formal mentorship programs and encourage residents to select their own mentors.
Creating Accountability in Image Quality Analysis. Part 4: Quality Analytics

Analytics has been defined as the study of historical data to research potential trends, to analyze the effects of certain decisions or events, or to evaluate the performance of a given tool or scenario, with the goal of improving outcomes through greater knowledge (http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/analytics/html). While analytics have permeated all aspects of business to date, healthcare analytics represent an area of extremely high and untapped potential. The McKinsley Global Institute (MGI) estimates that big data analysis (i.e., analysis of large datasets) could save the U.S. healthcare system 300 billion dollars annually, with two thirds of that saving in the form of decreasing expenditures by 8 % (http://www.mckinsley.com/insights/mgi/research/technology_and_innovation/big_data). The data revolution is disrupting established healthcare industries and business models. Information technology (IT) companies such as Google, Microsoft, and IBM have all entered the arena of healthcare data analytics, with the goal of providing increased accessibility and understanding of data to patients and providers. Data is actually becoming a product and service deliverable in itself and is critical in new and burgeoning healthcare applications such as personalized medicine and disease state profiling. The healthcare companies, products, and services which can most creatively innovate through data analysis will triumph in the marketplace and effectively create brand differentiation through data equity. One potential drawback however is that the derived data analytics may not take into account the unique variations and challenges which occur in everyday clinical practice. To date, the commercialization of healthcare data and the derived analytics have primarily focused on historical data, and serve to improve decision-making through large-scale statistical analysis. In addition to this conventional approach, an additional data strategy would be prospective analytics, which utilize real-time data in combination with historical data to optimize performance. An example in medical imaging practice might consist of a CT scan where real-time quality analytics from the “scout image” is combined with historical data from the patient’s historical imaging database to create an optimal scan protocol, which attempts to simultaneously optimize image quality, radiation dose reduction, and clinical diagnosis based upon the specific attributes of the patient, clinical context, and technology being used. This “combined” approach to data analytics would utilize both prospective and retrospective data analysis at the point of care, taking into account “real world” (i.e., contemporaneous) circumstances. The analyses of these data could also serve as a potential source of collaborative innovation between service providers, technology producers, and IT companies. The ultimate goal is to improve healthcare outcomes by providing service providers with “best practice” data at the point if care, where clinical outcomes can be most critically affected.
An Introduction to Shari'ah Considerations in Bankruptcy and Insolvency Contexts and Islamic Finance's First Bankruptcy (East Cameron)

This paper is an introductory survey of bankruptcy and insolvency theory and practice relating to the introduction of Shari'ah principles into secular bankruptcy and insolvency regimes in both jurisdictions that incorporate the Shari'ah, to some extent, into the secular law of the jurisdiction and purely secular jurisdictions. The paper first summarizes some of the Shari'ah principles that are applicable in the bankruptcy and insolvency context. Thereafter, the paper notes the general nature of the secular bankruptcy and insolvency regimes currently in use and summarizes some current practices that are of relevance in the distressed debt, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, restructuring and workout markets, particularly in jurisdictions that have adopted or may adopt a reorganization methodology (such as Chapter 11 or the UNCITRAL model insolvency law). Finally, the paper summarizes certain aspects of the bankruptcy proceeding involving the East Cameron oil and gas sukuk as an example of a secular bankruptcy proceeding involving a Shari'ah-compliant instrument and transaction.
Rare-event simulation for a multidimensional random walk with t distributed increments

We consider the problem of efficient estimation of first passage time probabilities for a multidimensional random walk with t distributed increments, via simulation. In addition of being a natural generalization of the problem of computing ruin probabilities in insurance -- in which the focus is a one dimensional random walk -- this problem captures important features of large deviations for multidimensional heavy-tailed processes (such as the role played by the mean of the random walk in connection to the spatial location of the target set). We develop a state-dependent importance sampling estimator for this class of multidimensional problems. Then, we argue -- using techniques based on Lyapunov type inequalities -- that our estimator is strongly efficient.
Mutagenic potential of runoff water from soils amended with three hazardous industrial wastes

The bacterial mutagenicity of runoff water from soils contaminated with hazardous industrial waste was monitored for a three-year period using Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 with and without metabolic activation. The wastes included a wood-preserving waste, a combined American Petroleum Institute (API) separator/slop oil emulsion sludge and a storm-water runoff impoundment waste. The wastes were applied to a Weswood silt loam soil (Fluventic Ustochrept) and a Bastrop clay loam soil (Udic Paleustalf) at a rate of 3.1% (wt./wt.) for the wood-preserving waste and of 4.5% for the two refinery wastes. The results indicate that the runoff water from each of the waste-amended soils contained mutagenic constituents. The maximum specific activity was 783 net revertants per milligram residue, which was induced by the runoff water collected from the storm-water runoff impoundment-amended Weswood soil 360 d after application and assayed with metabolic activation. This sample also yielded the maximum weighted activity of 6,554 revertants per liter of runoff water. The mutagenic activities of the runoff water from all waste-amended soils displayed significant increases through 360 d after application and, in most cases, significant decreases in the samples collected approximately three years after application. The mutagenic activities of the runoff water from the Weswood soil were consistently greater than the activities of the runoff water from the Bastrop soil. These results indicate that three years or more may be required for the mutagenic activity of runoff water to return to background level, and that different soils will differ in their capacities to retain mutagenic chemicals during rainfall events.
Land Loss Due to Recent Hurricanes in Coastal Louisiana, U.S.A.

ABSTRACT Palaneasu-Lovejoy, M.; Kranenburg, C.; Barras, J.A., and Brock, J.C., 2013. Land loss due to recent hurricanes in coastal Louisiana, U.S.A.. In: Brock, J.C.; Barras, J.A., and Williams, S.J. (eds.), Understanding and Predicting Change in the Coastal Ecosystems of the Northern Gulf of Mexico, Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 63, pp. 97–109, Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The aim of this study is to improve estimates of wetland land loss in two study regions of coastal Louisiana, U.S.A., due to the extreme storms that impacted the region between 2004 and 2009. The estimates are based on change-detection-mapping analysis that incorporates pre and postlandfall (Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike) fractional-water classifications using a combination of high-resolution (<5 m) QuickBird, IKONOS, and GeoEye-1, and medium-resolution (30 m) Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite imagery. This process was applied in two study areas: the Hackberry area located in the southwestern pa...
Refining multiple sequence alignments with conserved core regions

Accurate multiple sequence alignments of proteins are very important to several areas of computational biology and provide an understanding of phylogenetic history of domain families, their identification and classification. This article presents a new algorithm, REFINER, that refines a multiple sequence alignment by iterative realignment of its individual sequences with the predetermined conserved core (block) model of a protein family. Realignment of each sequence can correct misalignments between a given sequence and the rest of the profile and at the same time preserves the family's overall block model. Large-scale benchmarking studies showed a noticeable improvement of alignment after refinement. This can be inferred from the increased alignment score and enhanced sensitivity for database searching using the sequence profiles derived from refined alignments compared with the original alignments. A standalone version of the program is available by ftp distribution (ftp://ftp.ncbi.nih.gov/pub/REFINER) and will be incorporated into the next release of the Cn3D structure/alignment viewer.
Fuel-Cladding Interaction Between U-Pu-Zr Fuel and Fe

This work investigates fuel-cladding chemical interaction (FCCI) between U-25Pu-14Zr (in wt pct) fuel and pure Fe at elevated temperatures, understanding of which is critical for evaluation of the fuel performance. Phases and microstructure formed in the quaternary uranium-plutonium-zirconium-iron (U-Pu-Zr-Fe) system were characterized using the transmission electron microscopy technique. Phases formed within the FCCI layer were identified using selective area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis as Fe2U (Fd- m), Fe2Zr (Fd-3m), α-U (Cmcm), Fe2Pu (Fd-3m), β-Pu (C12/m1), and β-Zr (Im-3m).
A Distributed Hierarchical Energy-Efficient Scheme: for Large Scale Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

In recent years, wireless networks have enjoyed tremendous development and popularity due to the technological advances of wireless radio devices. While interest in conventional wireless networks continues to evolve, new types of wireless networks, such as Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANET) and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are evolving fast and receiving much attention from academia, industry, and government. Scalability and energy-efficiency present two of the most important challenges in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks. Scalability in MANETs can be defined as the capability of the network to provide an acceptable throughput when the network size increases. Energy-efficiency can be defined as using less energy to deliver greater or equal amount of services. MANET nodes rely on portable, limited power resources and they bear the duty of relaying packets for other nodes. The failure of some nodes due to battery drainage might bring the whole network down. In this dissertation, we propose clustering and routing approaches to overcome scalability and energy constraint problems that exist in large scale MANETs. To handle these problems, we design a hierarchical energy-efficient scheme that can be easily setup and maintained. The scheme has three major components, namely: (1) the hierarchical (clustering) component, (2) the maintenance component, and (3) the routing component. Our research provides a mathematical formulation of the clustering component using integer linear programming---ILP. It also provides centralized and distributed energy-efficient schemes that achieve efficient clustering, efficient maintenance, and efficient routing in large scale MANETs. Our simulation study shows that our suggested approaches outperform well known schemes found in the literature. The distributed energy-efficient scheme presents one of our main contributions. The distributed scheme builds and maintains a hierarchical network structure using low message and time complexity. Furthermore, it provides an intelligent path selection controller that can be easily incorporated in any existing link state routing protocol to select energy-efficient routes. The hierarchical structure increases scalability, but does not improve energy-efficiency. To achieve energy-efficiency, we propose three fuzzy logic controllers that aggregate multiple network metrics and then decide on the quality of the node/path. This quality is then used as an important parameter in the clustering, maintenance, and routing components. The first controller is used to achieve efficient hierarchical design, the second controller is used to achieve efficient network maintenance, and the third controller is used to achieve efficient routing.
Cellular chloride and bicarbonate retention alters intracellular pH regulation in Cftr KO crypt epithelium

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), an anion channel providing a major pathway for Cl(-) and HCO3 (-) efflux across the apical membrane of the epithelium. In the intestine, CF manifests as obstructive syndromes, dysbiosis, inflammation, and an increased risk for gastrointestinal cancer. Cftr knockout (KO) mice recapitulate CF intestinal disease, including intestinal hyperproliferation. Previous studies using Cftr KO intestinal organoids (enteroids) indicate that crypt epithelium maintains an alkaline intracellular pH (pHi). We hypothesized that Cftr has a cell-autonomous role in downregulating pHi that is incompletely compensated by acid-base regulation in its absence. Here, 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein microfluorimetry of enteroids showed that Cftr KO crypt epithelium sustains an alkaline pHi and resistance to cell acidification relative to wild-type. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that Cftr KO enteroids exhibit downregulated transcription of base (HCO3 (-))-loading proteins and upregulation of the basolateral membrane HCO3 (-)-unloader anion exchanger 2 (Ae2). Although Cftr KO crypt epithelium had increased Ae2 expression and Ae2-mediated Cl(-)/HCO3 (-) exchange with maximized gradients, it also had increased intracellular Cl(-) concentration relative to wild-type. Pharmacological reduction of intracellular Cl(-) concentration in Cftr KO crypt epithelium normalized pHi, which was largely Ae2-dependent. We conclude that Cftr KO crypt epithelium maintains an alkaline pHi as a consequence of losing both Cl(-) and HCO3 (-) efflux, which impairs pHi regulation by Ae2. Retention of Cl(-) and an alkaline pHi in crypt epithelium may alter several cellular processes in the proliferative compartment of Cftr KO intestine.
High Speed Rotor Losses in a Radial 8-Pole Magnetic Bearing: Part 2 — Analytical/Empirical Models and Calculations

The continual increase in the use nf magnetic bearings in varinus capacities, including high speed aerospace applications such as jet engine prototypes, dictates the need to quantify power losses in this type of bearing. The goal of the present study is to develop and experimentally verify general power loss equations for the high speed operation of magnetic bearings. Experimental data from a large scale test rotor has been presented in Part 1 of this study. Analytical/empirical predictions are presented here for the test bearings, a pair of 8-pole planar radial bearings, for comparison to the experimental results from Part 1. Expressions for the four loss components, eddy current, alternating hysteresis, rotating hysteresis, and windage, are also presented. Analytical/empirical predictions for the test bearings at three different bias flux levels demonstrate good correlation with corresponding experimental data. Throughout mnst of the speed range the dominant loss mechanism appears to be eddy currents.© 1996 ASME
An FPGA-based Anti-Brownian Electrokinetic trap for studying single molecules in solution

We have designed and implemented an Anti-Brownian ELectrokinetic (ABEL) trap on an FPGA platform, with programmable feedback algorithms and online tunable trapping parameters. Trapping of sub-10nm biomolecules for seconds in buffer is achieved.
Evaluation of New Diabetes Community Self-Management Method

OBJECTIVE To know the effect of quality control circle(QCC)in the diabetes community self-management by evaluating the rates of knowledge,confidence and behavior.METHODS Analyze the statistics differences before and after the patients took part in the project.RESULT The rates of knowledge,confidence and behavior of 30 patients in the project were getting better than before the use of QCC.CONCLUSION QCC model was benefit to promote the effect of diabetes community self-management and could be extended to the whole district.
Correlation of peak aortic and carotid flow acceleration during coronary occlusion in conscious baboons.

1. Peak blood flow acceleration measured in the common carotid artery was compared with peak flow acceleration measured in the ascending aorta of three baboons. 2. The response to occlusion for 60 s of the circumflex branch or the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery was investigated. 3. Both accelerations decreased approximately to the same extent. Peak aortic flow velocity, stroke volume and cardiac output also decreased but to a smaller extent. 4. It is concluded that peak aortic flow acceleration is a sensitive index of myocardial function during acute coronary occlusion in conscious primates and that peak carotid flow acceleration is an indirect measure of myocardial performance under the same conditions.
The Culture of Academic Medicine: Faculty Behaviors Impacting the Learning Environment.

Objective The culture of academic medical institutions impacts trainee education, among many other faculty and patient outcomes. Disrespectful behavior by faculty is one of the most challenging and common problems that, left unattended, disrupts healthy work and learning environments. Conversely, a respectful environment facilitates learning, creates a sense of safety, and rewards professionalism. The authors developed surveys and an intervention in an effort to better understand and improve climate concerns among health sciences faculty at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), a research-intense, public, academic medical center.
Sprint interval and moderate-intensity cycling training differentially affect adiposity and aerobic capacity in overweight young-adult women

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of sprint interval training (SIT) and moderate-intensity continuous cycle training (MICT), with equal estimated energy expenditure during training on body composition and aerobic capacity. Body composition measured via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and aerobic capacity were assessed following 6 weeks of training in previously inactive overweight/obese young women (n = 52; age, 20.4 ± 1.5 years; body mass index, 30.3 ± 4.5 kg·m−2, 67.3% white). Training was performed in a group-exercise format that mimicked cycling classes offered by commercial fitness facilities, and included 3 weekly sessions of either 30-s “all-out” sprints followed by 4 min of active recovery (SIT), or continuous cycling at 60%–70% heart rate reserve to expend a similar amount of energy. Participants were randomized to SIT or MICT, attended a similar number of sessions (15.0 ± 1.5 sessions vs. 15.8 ± 1.9 sessions, P = 0.097) and expended a similar amount of energy (541.8 ± 104.6 kJ...
Can Philanthropy Be Taught

In recent years, colleges and universities have begun investing significant resources into an innovative pedagogy known as experiential philanthropy. The pedagogy is considered to be a form of serv...
Performance-Support Systems

During the past decade, performance-support systems have evolved from little more than passive online help systems, intended for use by individuals struggling to use computer software, to powerful knowledge management systems that link and integrate knowledge for effective performance across entire organizations. This chapter provides a description of the development and present status of performance-support systems in the form of online help systems, electronic performance-support systems (EPSS), and knowledge management (KM) systems. The chapter concludes with predictions about the future of performance-support in the first decade of the 21st Century as well as recommendations for a research and development agenda aimed at enhancing performance-support systems.