cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mass Balance Source Apportionment Modeling of Indoor Air Pollution Exposures During the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

Mass balance modeling was used to apportion previously measured carbon monoxide and respirable particle exposures of women preparing coffee during Ethiopian coffee ceremonies. The coffee ceremony generates smoke indoors from the use of charcoal and incense. This creates inhalation exposures, particularly for the women preparing the coffee. Understanding the health risks associated with this practice will be improved with knowledge of the relative contribution to combustion byproduct exposures from the different sources. Source fingerprints were developed in the laboratory for carbon monoxide and respirable particle emissions from charcoal and incense. A mass balance model determined that the majority of the carbon monoxide exposures were from charcoal use and that the respirable particle exposures were approximately half from incense and half from charcoal. Efforts to decrease health risks from these exposures must be directed by Ethiopian cultural stakeholders who understand the exposure conditions, the ...
Fault Tolerance in Distributed Systems Using Fused Data Structures

Replication is the prevalent solution to tolerate faults in large data structures hosted on distributed servers. To tolerate f crash faults (dead/unresponsive data structures) among n distinct data structures, replication requires f + 1 replicas of each data structure, resulting in nf additional backups. We present a solution, referred to as fusion that uses a combination of erasure codes and selective replication to tolerate f crash faults using just f additional fused backups. We show that our solution achieves O(n) savings in space over replication. Further, we present a solution to tolerate f Byzantine faults (malicious data structures), that requires only nf + f backups as compared to the 2nf backups required by replication. We explore the theory of fused backups and provide a library of such backups for all the data structures in the Java Collection Framework. The theoretical and experimental evaluation confirms that the fused backups are space-efficient as compared to replication, while they cause very little overhead for normal operation. To illustrate the practical usefulness of fusion, we use fused backups for reliability in Amazon's highly available key-value store, Dynamo. While the current replication-based solution uses 300 backup structures, we present a solution that only requires 120 backup structures. This results in savings in space as well as other resources such as power.
Geodesic delaunay triangulations in bounded planar domains

We introduce a new feature size for bounded domains in the plane endowed with an intrinsic metric. Given a point x in a domain X, the systolic feature size of X at x measures half the length of the shortest loop through x that is not null-homotopic in X. The resort to an intrinsic metric makes the systolic feature size rather insensitive to the local geometry of the domain, in contrast with its predecessors (local feature size, weak feature size, homology feature size). This reduces the number of samples required to capture the topology of X, provided that a reliable approximation to the intrinsic metric of X is available. Under sufficient sampling conditions involving the systolic feature size, we show that the geodesic Delaunay triangulation Dx(L) of a finite sampling L is homotopy equivalent to X. Under similar conditions, Dx(L) is sandwiched between the geodesic witness complex CWX(L) and a relaxed version CWX,ν(L). In the conference version of the article, we took advantage of this fact and proved that the homology of Dx(L) (and hence the one of X) can be retrieved by computing the persistent homology between CWX(L) and CWX,ν(L). Here, we investigate further and show that the homology of X can also be recovered from the persistent homology associated with inclusions of type CWX,ν(L)rCWX,ν′(L), under some conditions on the parameters ν≤ν′. Similar results are obtained for Vietoris-Rips complexes in the intrinsic metric. The proofs draw some connections with recent advances on the front of homology inference from point cloud data, but also with several well-known concepts of Riemannian (and even metric) geometry. On the algorithmic front, we propose algorithms for estimating the systolic feature size of a bounded planar domain X, selecting a landmark set of sufficient density, and computing the homology of X using geodesic witness complexes or Rips complexes.
Mercury content of human hair: a survey of dental personnel.

Hair samples from dental and nondental personnel in central Kentucky were collected and analyzed for inorganic mercury. Hair mercury levels in both groups averaged somewhat less than 1.0 μg/g, and the maximum concentration observed was 3.0 μg/g. There was no significant difference in hair mercury content between the two groups. However, a highly significant negative correlation (r = —0.7110; p < 0.0001) was found between hair mercury concentration and age of the donor. A possible explanation of this relationship is presented. The analytical procedures employed provided accuracy and precision in recovering mercury from enriched hair samples.
On the non-existence of ml estimates in the negative multinomial distributions derived from nonstationary poisson processes

Lenk, Rao and Tibrewala (1993) have introduced a Negative Multinomial Distribution derived from a nonstationary Poisson process with intensity function , which incorporates marketing mix variables. It is shown that under certain conditions, the maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters of the proposed model do not exist.
TH‐D‐204B‐02: Compressed Sensing as Applied to Computed Tomography

There have been significant advances in algorithm development for image reconstruction in cone‐beam computed tomography(CBCT) in recent years. The newly developed algorithms not only are likely to impact on the existing CBCT systems and imaging protocols but also more importantly allow the design and establishment of innovative emerging CBCTimaging approaches and applications. The presentation will focus on discussing some of these algorithms and illustrating their potential implications for CT applications by using diagnosis and radiotherapyimaging examples. Emphasis will be placed on identifying and clarifying a number of issues such as the relationship between the Nyquist sampling theorem and compressive sensing approach which seem to be confusing. Evaluation of algorithm performance will also be a focus of discussion in the presentation. It will be explained that the “mathematic exactness” of an algorithm could be an irrelevant metric for meaningfully assessing the algorithm's utility in its practical applications followed by discussion of potential methods for carrying out a performance evaluation of algorithms in CBCT.
The time course of sense creation

In everyday conversation listeners often need to create new meanings for old words. For example, listeners must create the meaning "uniformed police officers" for the word uniforms in the utterance, "There are 20,000 uniforms in this city." For such meanings, the process of sense creation must operate to supplement ordinary sense selection. The present experiments contrast two models of the time course of these processes. The error recovery model suggests that sense creation operates only after sense selection fails. The concurrent processing model suggests that sense selection and sense creation operate simultaneously. Preempting innovations--novel terms identical in form to conventional terms, such as uniforms--provide the means to contrast the models. The experiments demonstrate that the concurrent processing model gives a more accurate description of comprehension.
The effect of native and single stranded DNA on the platelet release reaction

Native (n) but not single stranded (ss) DNA was found to induce release of 3H-serotonin (5-HT) from platelets of the majority of normal individuals. However, ssDNA markedly enhanced 5-HT release induced by heat-aggregated IgG (aggIgG), while less enhancement was seen using nDNA. Similar enhancement was produced by polyinosinic acid but not by polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid. The ability of ssDNA to potentiate aggIgG-induced 5-HT release seemed specific for aggIgG, since no effect on ADP or epinephrine-induced release was observed and thrombin-induced release was inhibited. In contrast, nDNA in high concentrations (100 micrograms/ml) potentiated ADP, epinephrine, and thrombin-induced 5-HT release. These results suggest that ss-and nDNA may interact with platelets by different mechanisms and provide a means by which DNA, released at sites of tissue injury, could modulate the role of platelets in the inflammatory response. The ability of DNA to enhance the aggIgG-induced platelet release reaction may be important in immune complex diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.
Effects of sulfite on glutathione S-sulfonate and the glutathione status of lung cells

A mechanistic study was performed to elucidate the biochemical events connected with the cocarcinogenic effect of sulfur dioxide (SO2). Glutathione S-sulfonate (GSSO3H), a competitive inhibitor of the glutathione S-transferases, forms in lung cells exposed in culture to sulfite, the hydrated form of SO2. Changes in glutathione status (total GSH) were also observed during a 1-h exposure. Some cells were pretreated with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) to inhibit glutathione reductase. In human lung cells GSSO3H formed in a concentration-dependent manner, while glutathione (GSH) increased and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) decreased as the extracellular sulfite concentration was increased from 0 to 20 mM. The ratio of GSH/GSSG increased greater than 5-fold and the GSH/GSSO3H ratio decreased to 10 with increasing sulfite concentration. GSSO3H formed in rat lung cells exposed to sulfite, with no detectable effect on GSH and GSSG. GSSO3H also formed from cellular GSH mixed disulfides. GSSO3H formed rapidly, reaching its maximum value in 15 min. The viability of both cell types was unaffected except at 20 mM sulfite. GSSO3H incubated with human lung cells did not affect cellular viability. BCNU inhibited cellular GSSO3H reductase to the same extent as GSSG reductase. These results indicate that GSSO3H is formed in cells exposed to sulfite, and could be the active metabolite of sulfite responsible for the cocarcinogenic effect of SO2 by inhibiting conjugation of electrophiles by GSH.
Effect of Warm Laser Shock Peening on the Tensile Strength and Ductility of Aluminum Alloys

In this study, aluminum alloy 7075 (AA 7075) is processed by WLSP and compared with LSP at room temperature (RT-LSP). The microstructure of AA 7075 after processing is characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Tensile test and hardness test were carried out to investigate the effect of WLSP to material strength and ductility. It has been found that highly dense nanoscale precipitate particles are generated after WLSP. These nanoscale precipitate particles effectively block dislocations and thus increase the material strength.© 2012 ASME
450mm metrology and inspection: The current state and the road ahead

450mm metrology is off to a great start. Early test wafer tools have provided all the basic characterization techniques needed for ETW pilot line demonstration, but, recent changes to 450mm HVM insertion strategy have presented new challenges. This paper provides an update to the current state of 450mm metrology, highlights some of the challenges the 450mm transition has presented, discusses some proposed new or modified standards for 450mm, and outlines future work planned by G450C and its collaboration partners. Keywords— advanced metrology and inspection, 450mm, advanced equipment and materials processes, equipment reliability and productivity enhancements
Feeding Damage by Irbisia pacifica (Hemiptera: Miridae): Effects of Feeding and Drought on Host Plant Growthxref

The interaction of feeding by a grass bug, Irbisia pacifica (Uhler), and drought stress on growth of Great Basin wildrye, Leymus cinereus (Scrib. &Merr.) Love, and intermediate wheatgrass, Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkw. &D. R. Dewey, was studied in the greenhouse. At peak production, control plants of Great Basin wildrye had more than twice as much green leaf area per tiller than bug-infested ones, and intermediate wheatgrass controls had three times as much as the bug-infested plants. Total leaf area of control plants also exceeded that of bug-infested plants. Watered plants of both species recovered very little after bugs were removed. Drought conditions augmented the reduction in green leaf area on previously bug-infested plants of Great Basin wildrye but not on previously infested intermediate wheatgrass plants. Thus, when plants were well watered, bug feeding affected growth of intermediate wheatgrass more than growth of Great Basin wildrye. However, when plants were subjected to bug feeding and drought stress, the vigor of Great Basin wildrye was reduced more than that of intermediate wheatgrass. For both species, the potential forage for livestock consumption was lost because of direct damage by bug feeding as well as indirect effects on the acquisition or allocation of plant resources to growth.
An anterior component of the accessory optic system of the cat, with evidence for the absence of reticuloretinal fibers.

Abstract A hitherto unreported component of the accessory optic system of the cat brain is described using the de Olmos-Ingram cupric silver method 1–3 weeks after unilateral intraorbital optic nerve section. This component crosses the optic chiasm and leaves the contralateral optic tract to pierce the lateral one-fifth of the cerebral peduncle and the reticular complex of the thalamus at the level where the cerebral peduncle joins the internal capsule. It then swings medially and caudoventrally along the junction between the cerebral peduncle and the substantia nigra. Most of its fibers enter the accessory optic tract (AOT) and its medial and lateral terminal nuclei as they are designated by Hayhow. A few fibers deviate from this path, coursing ventrally and slightly caudomedially through the cerebral peduncle to join the AOT along the route. The failure of this new fiber component to undergo Wallerian degeneration subsequent to the production of peduncular lesions coupled with other evidences indicates its centripetal rather than centrifugal (with respect to the brain) nature. The proposal of centrifugal (efferent) optic fibers orininating from the mesencephalic reticular formation (reticulo-retinal fibers) cannot be confirmed.
Experimental Test of Baryon Conservation: A New Limit on Neutron-Antineutron Oscillations in Oxygen

This paper reports the result of a search for baryon-number-nonconserving neutron-antineutron transitions in oxygen using a 300-ton water Cherenkov detector located in the Homestake gold mine at a depth of 4200 meters of water equivalent. The 90%-confidence-level upper limit for the neutron partial lifetime for this process is found to be 1.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{30}$ yr. According to a recent calculation of neutron-antineutron oscillations in oxygen, this result corresponds to a lower limit on the free-neutron oscillation time of 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{7}$ sec.
Comparison of the Hormonal Response After Bidirectional Glenn and Fontan Procedures

Fluid retention is a frequent complication after the bidirectional Glenn and Fontan procedures. It was our hypothesis that this fluid retention may have a hormonal basis. To test this hypothesis, we made serial determinations of antidiuretic hormone, cortisol, aldosterone, angiotensin, and renin before and after operation in patients undergoing a bidirectional Glenn (n = 15) or Fontan (n = 18) procedure. Patients undergoing a bidirectional Glenn procedure had elevations in antidiuretic hormone, cortisol, and aldosterone immediately after operation. However, none of the hormonal elevations persisted by the fifth postoperative day. In contrast, patients undergoing a Fontan procedure had elevations in antidiuretic hormone, cortisol, aldosterone, renin, and angiotensin II in the immediate postoperative period. Five days postoperatively, the renin and angiotensin II levels remained elevated compared with the preoperative values. The data demonstrate that patients undergoing a bidirectional Glenn procedure and those undergoing a Fontan procedure have different patterns of hormonal response. These results suggest that hormonal factors may contribute to fluid retention after these operations.
Opioid-induced bowel disorders and narcotic bowel syndrome in patients with chronic non-cancer pain.

Background Opioids are used increasingly in the management of moderate-to-severe chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). Opioid-induced bowel disorders (OBD) markedly impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and frequently limit medically indicated opioid pharmacotherapy. We assessed the risk factors, and effect of OBD on HRQoL in CNCP patients. We also estimated the likely prevalence of narcotic bowel syndrome (NBS). These effects have been reported in cancer patients but not in CNCP previously. Methods Ambulatory CNCP patients (n = 146) taking regularly scheduled opioids were invited to complete the Bowel-Disease-Questionnaire and a pain-sensitive HRQoL instrument. The Rome-II criteria were used to define bowel disorders. Narcotic bowel syndrome was defined as presence of daily severe to very-severe abdominal pain of more than 3 months duration requiring more than 100 mg of morphine equivalent per day. Key Results Ninety-eight patients (69%) returned the survey. Respondents had taken opioids for 10 days to 10 years (median 365 days) at a median daily dose of 127.5 mg morphine-equivalent (range 7.5‐600 mg). Constipation prevalence was 46.9% (95% CI 36.8‐57.3), nausea 27% (95% CI 17.2‐35.3), vomiting 9% (95% CI 17.2‐35.3), and gastro-esophageal reflux disease 33% (95% CI 23.5‐42.9). Chronic abdominal pain was reported by 58.2% (95% CI 53.2‐ 73.9) and 6.4%, (95% CI 2.4‐13.5) fulfilled the criteria of NBS. Prevalence of constipation increased with duration of treatment. Health-related quality of life was low in patients with chronic abdominal pain. Conclusion & Inferences Bowel disorders including chronic abdominal pain and NBS are common in patients taking opioids for CNCP. Decreased HRQoL in patients with CNCP is driven by chronic abdominal
Perception of current and Former Students towards Attended Music Programs

The job market for musicians has always been competitive. This study aims to provide a better understanding of the perspectives of music students, and retrospective perception from graduates towards their training in music schools. The vast majority of participants reported that they are happy with their current jobs. More than half of the respondents ranked music schools as very successful in preparing them for the job market. Majority of the respondents believe that music schools should include more job-preparation courses in their offerings to prepare students for the always competitive music job market. More practical curriculum is advocated by some respondents.
Flooding to manage dodder (Cuscuta gronovii) and broad-leaved weed species in cranberry: An innovative use of a traditional strategy

The implementation of new uses for traditional cultural and pest management practices has been prompted by renewed interest in sustainable approaches for farming. The use of floods (for various durations) has been an inexpensive and historical cultural practice in cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) horticulture. The onset of a serious economic crisis in the cranberry industry in 1999–2000 brought about an urgent need to find inexpensive methods of pest control that would allow growers to remain fiscally solvent. Initially, anecdotal evidence from several farms indicated that holding short-term spring floods suppressed dodder infestations. Based on these findings, a 2-year demonstration-style project was initiated in 2002 to determine the efficacy of short-term floods (24–48 h) for the management of dodder in cranberry in Massachusetts. The project was expanded to include evaluating a 10-day summer flood for control of broad-leaved weed species at one commercial cranberry farm. Species richness and diversity and percentage weed coverage were lower after the implementation of the 10-day flood period compared to pre-flood assessments. Weed species dead or not detected after the 10-day flood included ground nut, asters, narrow-leaved goldenrod, chokeberry and poison ivy. Comparison of paired sites (flooded and nonflooded bogs) indicated dodder stem dry weights were lower on flooded areas in three out of the seven locations in year 1. At two additional locations, the flooded bog had higher stem weights when paired with a historically low-infestation bog, which may have masked any dodder reduction from the flooding practice. In year 2, no differences in the number of germinated seedlings between any treatment pairs were noted. Data from a cranberry company representing 12% of the cranberry acreage in Massachusetts indicated a 65–89% reduction in pesticide use when short-term spring floods were implemented during 2001–2003 compared to the previous 3-year period. Short-term flooding may offer a sustainable option that can be integrated into the overall management plan for several problematic cranberry weed species, especially dodder. Additional research is warranted to further define the most effective environmental conditions needed and to validate the efficacy of short flooding events for effective cranberry weed management.
Frame-level temporal calibration of video sequences from unsynchronized cameras

This paper describes a method for temporally calibrating video sequences from unsynchronized cameras by image processing operations, and presents two search algorithms to match and align trajectories across different camera views. Existing multi-camera systems assume that input video sequences are synchronized either by genlock or by time stamp information and a centralized server. Yet, hardware-based synchronization increases installation cost. Hence, using image information is necessary to align frames from the cameras whose clocks are not synchronized. The system built for temporal calibration is composed of three modules: object tracking module, calibration data extraction module, and the search module. A robust and efficient search algorithm is introduced that recovers the frame offset by matching the trajectories in different views, and finding the most reliable match. Thanks to information obtained from multiple trajectories, this algorithm is robust to possible errors in background subtraction and location extraction. Moreover, the algorithm can handle very large frame offsets. A RANdom SAmple Consensus (RANSAC) based version of this search algorithm is also introduced. Results obtained with different video sequences are presented, which show the robustness of the algorithms in recovering various range of frame offsets for video sequences with varying levels of object activity.
Decentralized robust output and estimated state feedback controls for large-scale uncertain systems

This paper considers the design of decentralized robust output controls. The system under consideration is composed of interconnected subsystems with time-varying uncertainties. The decentralized c...
Deletion of chromosome 17p loci in breast cancer cells detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Abstract Allelic loss of tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 17p has been implicated in the progression of breast cancer. This is in principle detectable by fluorescence in situ hybridization if the loss occurs by deletion. In order to determine if detectable deletions occur in primary breast cancer, we used dual-color hybridization with chromosome 17 pericentromeric and region-specific DNA probes to study 19 primary breast cancers. The copy numbers of 17 centromere and 17p13.1 sequences were compared with the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for probe YNZ22 at 17p13.3 detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Nine of 11 cases showing LOH also showed the major population of nuclei with a deletion. The remaining two tumors with LOH were trisomic for both the centromere and 17p13.1 cosmid. In contrast, seven of eight tumors without LOH had no deletions by fluorescence in situ hybridization. These data suggest that the dominant mechanism of allelic loss at 17p in breast cancer is a physical deletion and that analysis of deletions by fluorescence in situ hybridization is a rapid and sensitive approach to studying chromosomal aberrations.
SYSTEMS DESIGN OF A SATELLITE LINK PROTOCOL

We show how it might be possible to adapt asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology to satellite links. The ATM is a high-speed protocol designed with optical fiber as the intended transmission medium. Several problems arise when satellite channels are used. We propose to move the error recovery and detection from one layer of the ATM protocol to a higher layer. We base the retransmission strategy on the service carried, which utilizes the ability of the ATM protocol to differentiate services. Our simulation results show that we not only increase the raw data throughput for satellite channels to almost the theoretical limit, but we have unproved the data transfer efficiency of the ATM protocol by 7.5%. Our results also show that it is possible to guarantee data services with no loss of data under certain conditions.
GOurmet: A tool for quantitative comparison and visualization of gene expression profiles based on gene ontology (GO) distributions

The ever-expanding population of gene expression profiles (EPs) from specified cells and tissues under a variety of experimental conditions is an important but difficult resource for investigators to utilize effectively. Software tools have been recently developed to use the distribution of gene ontology (GO) terms associated with the genes in an EP to identify specific biological functions or processes that are over- or under-represented in that EP relative to other EPs. Additionally, it is possible to use the distribution of GO terms inherent to each EP to relate that EP as a whole to other EPs. Because GO term annotation is organized in a tree-like cascade of variable granularity, this approach allows the user to relate (e.g., by hierarchical clustering) EPs of varying length and from different platforms (e.g., GeneChip, SAGE, EST library). Here we present GOurmet, a software package that calculates the distribution of GO terms represented by the genes in an individual expression profile (EP), clusters multiple EPs based on these integrated GO term distributions, and provides users several tools to visualize and compare EPs. GOurmet is particularly useful in meta-analysis to examine EPs of specified cell types (e.g., tissue-specific stem cells) that are obtained through different experimental procedures. GOurmet also introduces a new tool, the Targetoid plot, which allows users to dynamically render the multi-dimensional relationships among individual elements in any clustering analysis. The Targetoid plotting tool allows users to select any element as the center of the plot, and the program will then represent all other elements in the cluster as a function of similarity to the selected central element. GOurmet is a user-friendly, GUI-based software package that greatly facilitates analysis of results generated by multiple EPs. The clustering analysis features a dynamic targetoid plot that is generalizable for use with any clustering application.
Massively Parallel Functional Analysis of BRCA1 RING Domain Variants

Interpreting variants of uncertain significance (VUS) is a central challenge in medical genetics. One approach is to experimentally measure the functional consequences of VUS, but to date this approach has been post hoc and low throughput. Here we use massively parallel assays to measure the effects of nearly 2000 missense substitutions in the RING domain of BRCA1 on its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and its binding to the BARD1 RING domain. From the resulting scores, we generate a model to predict the capacities of full-length BRCA1 variants to support homology-directed DNA repair, the essential role of BRCA1 in tumor suppression, and show that it outperforms widely used biological-effect prediction algorithms. We envision that massively parallel functional assays may facilitate the prospective interpretation of variants observed in clinical sequencing.
Microbial Considerations in Genetically Engineered Mouse Research

Microbial infections have long been of concern to scientists using laboratory rodents because of their potential to confound and invalidate research. With the explosion of genetically engineered mice (GEM), new concerns over the impact of microbial agents have emerged because these rodents in many cases are more susceptible to disease than their inbred or outbred counterparts. Moreover, interaction between microbe and host and the resulting manifestation of disease conceivably differ between GEM and their inbred and outbred counterparts. As a result, infections may alter the GEM phenotype and confound interpretation of results and conclusions about mutated gene function. In addition, because GEM are expensive to produce and maintain, contamination by pathogens or opportunists has severe economic consequences. This review addresses how microbial infections may influence phenotype, how immunomodulation of the host as the result of induced mutations may modify host susceptibility to microbial infections, how novel host:microbe interactions have led to the development of new animal models for disease, how phenotype changes have led to the discovery of new pathogens, and new challenges associated with prevention and control of microbial infections in GEM. Although the focus is on naturally occurring infections, extensive literature on the use of GEM in studies of microbial pathogenesis also exists, and the reader is referred to this literature if microbial infection is a suspected culprit in phenotype alteration.
Blockade of singular follicle-stimulating hormone secretion and testicular development in photostimulated Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) by a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist.

Photostimulated male Djungarian hamsters following placement in a long-day photoperiod exhibit a characteristic rise in serum FSH levels that occurs in the absence of a simultaneous rise in LH levels. It is not known whether this singular FSH secretion is dependent upon a differential responsiveness of the gonadotrophsto the pattern of pulsatile GnRH release or is instead driven by a GnRH-independent mechanism. We have assessed the GnRH dependence of this singular FSH secretion by testing the ability of a potent GnRH antagonist (GnRHa: WY-45760) to block FSH and testicular responses to photostimulation. Photoinhibited hamsters were transferred from a shortday (6L:18D) to a long-day photoperiod (16L:8D). Hamsters received two daily injections of a GnRH antagonist or vehicle (VEH). After 0 (short day), 3, 5, 10, 30, or 40 days the hamsters were killed; plasma was assayed for FSH, LH, and testosterone (T), and testes weights were recorded. Testes were sectioned and analyzed for tubular development. In VEH-treated animals, testicular weights increased after photostimulation, reaching mean values of 514 mg by 30 days. Treatment with GnRHa resulted in a significant (p < 0.01) attenuation of testicular growth after 30 days of photostimulation (mean testes weight = 110.1 mg). In VEH-treated hamsters there was a rapid increase in FSH levels after photostimulation that became significant by 5 days and peaked at 10 days. In the GnRHa-treated group, however, these FSH increments were completely blocked at 5 days and significantly reduced at 10 days compared to the values in the corresponding VEH-treated groups. Serum LH and T levels remained relatively low following photostimulation in both groups. These data demonstrate that, in Djungarian hamsters, the singular rise in FSH secretion observed after the transfer from short to long days is primarily dependent upon endogenous GnRH stimulation. This GnRH-dependent FSH rise is, in turn, necessary for normal testicular development following photostimulation. Thus alterations in FSH-releasing factor activity or gonadal hormone feedback need not be invoked to explain the differential effects of photostimulation on LH and FSH release during the early stages of photic-induced changes in neuroendocrine-gonadal activity. We hypothesize that photostimulation of hamsters induces a change in the pattern of endogenous GnRH neurosecretion, which in turn conveys FSH-specific signals for the secretion of the gonadotropin.
Design of an Arm with Double Actuators for High Speed and High Accuracy Manipulation

The design and implementation of a one degree of freedom robot arm with a direct-drive motor and a pair of piezoelectric actuators embedded in the arm link is described. The piezo actuators create a moment to make the arm link bend and thereby move the endpoint slightly. This allows for fine positioning of the arm's endpoint as well as for improved damping by actively controlling the arm link vibration. First, the architecture of the double actuation mechanism is discussed with regard to dynamics and control performance. A prototype arm is designed and built, and an analytic model of the arm dynamics is obtained. A simple controller using endpoint and strain feedbacks is designed. It is shown that fine positioning and fast, stable control are accomplished with the arm having a double actuation mechanism.
MODIFIED AUTOSUTURE TECHNIQUE FOR ILEAL CONDUIT CONSTRUCTION IN URINARY DIVERSION

The autosuture stapling technique in ileal conduit formation is modified to exclude the proximal staple line from the urinary stream, so as to prevent calculus encrustation on the staples. We have also selected the open-lumen technique of bowel anastomosis, rather than the closed-lumen technique, and have found no increase in complications with this method. In particular, no problems with excessive faecal contamination were encountered.
Cycle‐Specific Organocascade Catalysis: Application to Olefin Hydroamination, Hydro‐oxidation, and Amino‐oxidation, and to Natural Product Synthesis

United in effort: The combined application of iminium (Im) and enamine (En) catalysts can effect a range of valuable asymmetric transformations including 1,2-hydroamination, -hydro-oxidation, and -amino-oxidation of olefins (see picture). An enantioselective organocascade catalysis was also applied in the synthesis of a complex natural product.
Unraveling the nature of the segmentation clock: Intrinsic disorder of clock proteins and their interaction map

Vertebrate segmentation has been proved to be under a strict temporal control governed by a biological clock, known as the segmentation clock. The present experimental evidence suggests that the segmentation clock initiates and maintains its periodic cycle by the periodic activation or inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway as well as the periodic autoregulation of the cyclic genes themselves. In this paper, we investigate the structural and evolutionary properties of the Notch pathway proteins involved in the mice segmentation clock and computationally identify the interaction map within the Notch signaling pathway. The results of our analysis strongly indicate that most of the pathway proteins are intrinsically disordered and that the mechanism of their interaction likely involves helical molecular recognition elements, short loosely structured segments within disordered regions which are directly involved in protein-protein interactions. Predicted interactions are in agreement with gene knock-out studies available in the literature.
SHORT‐TERM IMPACTS OF MILITARY OVERFLIGHTS ON CARIBOU DURING CALVING SEASON

Abstract The Fortymile Caribou Herd (FCH) is the most prominent caribou herd in interior Alaska. A large portion of the FCH calving and summer range lies beneath heavily used Military Operations Areas (MOA) that are important for flight training. We observed the behavior of Grant's cow caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) and their calves before, during, and immediately following low-level military jet overflights. We also monitored movements of radiocollared cow caribou and survival of their calves. We conducted fieldwork from mid May through early June 2002. We concluded that military jet overflights did not cause deaths of caribou calves in the FCH during the calving period nor result in increased movements of cow–calf pairs over the 24-hour period following exposure to overflights. Short-term responses to overflights were generally mild in comparison to caribou reactions to predators or perceived predators. Caribou responses to overflights were variable, but responses were generally greater as slant dis...
Social-Based Routing Protocols in Opportunistic Networks

Routing in opportunistic networks is very challenging as it must handle network partitions, long delays, and dynamic topology. Recently, the consideration of social characteristics of mobile nodes provides a new angle of view in the design of opportunistic routing protocols. In many opportunistic networks, a multitude of mobile devices are used and carried by people, whose behaviors are better described by social models. This opens the new possibilities of social-based routing, in which the knowledge of social characteristics of mobile users is used for making better opportunistic forwarding decision. In this book chapter, we briefly introduce several social properties (such as community, centrality, similarity, and friendship) which could be used for relay selection, and provide a broad survey of recent social-based opportunistic routing approaches.
Affinity‐seeking in initial interactions

The present investigation examines the process of seeking affinity during first encounters between strangers. It tests a process model of affinity‐seeking competence and examines the relationships between and among the model's components. This study examined the affinity‐seeking process in initial interactions by focusing on the relationships among: (a) Antecedent Factors, (b) Constraints, (c) Strategic Activity, and (d) Target Responses. The results of this study support the overall structure of the Bell and Daly (1984) affinity‐seeking model: (a) antecedents (measured here as motives for communicating) were connected to constraints, (b) strategic activity (perceived affinity‐seeking competence and strategy use) were connected to target responses (affinity generated), and (c) several of the constraint measures were interrelated. However, the anticipated relationship between constraints and strategic activity was not evident.
Physical Aging of Polymer Films Quenched and Measured Free-Standing via Ellipsometry: Controlling Stress Imparted by Thermal Expansion Mismatch between Film and Support

We have developed an ellipsometry method to measure the physical aging rate of polymer films that have been thermally quenched and aged in a free-standing state where the stress imparted to the films is well-defined by the thermal-expansion mismatch between film and rigid support. For free-standing polystyrene films supported by rigid sample holders with circular openings, we demonstrate that the physical aging rate is independent of film thickness between 220 and 1800 nm when the applied stress is the same. In contrast, by comparing free-standing films supported by frames of different materials, the physical aging rate decreases by nearly a factor of 2 when the thermal-expansion mismatch, and hence stress, is reduced. We conclude that stress is key in controlling the resulting physical aging rate of free-standing films, and there is no inherent film-thickness dependence (above 220 nm) to the aging rate when stress during glass formation is held fixed.
Crystal structures of 1-(4-chloro­phen­yl)-2-(di­phenyl­phosphor­yl)ethan-1-one and 1-(di­phenyl­phosphor­yl)-3,3-di­methyl­butan-2-one

The title compounds, C20H16ClO2P, (I), and C18H21O2P, (II), were synthesized via an Arbuzov reaction between an α-bromo­ketone and isopropoxydi­phenyl­phosphane. In the crystals of both compounds, mol­ecules are linked via bifurcated C—H⋯(O,O) hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along [100] for (I) and along [010] for (II). The chains are linked via C—H⋯π inter­actions, leading to the formation of sheets lying parallel to (010) for (I) and (001) for (II). The absolute structure of compound (II) was determined by resonant scattering [Flack parameter = 0.088 (14)].
A Variety of Soliton Solutions for the Boussinesq-Burgers Equation and the Higher-Order Boussinesq-Burgers Equation

In this work we examine the Boussinesq-Burgers equation and the higher-order Boussinesq-Burgers equation. The simplified Hirota's method is used to derive multiple soliton solutions for each method. More soliton and periodic solutions are derived as well.
Understanding and Utilizing the Convening Power of Ethics Consultation.

The convening power of clinical ethics committees stems from their reputation for fairness and procedural legitimacy in addressing and resolving ethically complex cases.
HIV Counseling, Testing, and Referral

Over the past decade, the annual number of new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been relatively stable but remains unacceptably high (an estimated 40,000 new cases per year). Furthermore, the demographics for HIV infection are changing. Rates of new infections are declining in newborns, older men who have sex with men, and whites. However, rates of new infections are rising in young persons, women, Hispanics, and blacks. In 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued revised guidelines for HIV counseling, testing, and referral. The guidelines focus on the reduction of barriers to testing, voluntary routine testing of high-risk populations and persons with risk factors, case management and partner tracing for infected persons, and universal testing of pregnant women. Effective strategies for reducing HIV infection include behavioral interventions, comprehensive school-based HIV and sex education, access to sterile drug equipment, screening of the blood supply, and postexposure prophylaxis for health care workers.
The Underpinning of the Yoruba View of Hairstyle

It is important to reiterate that the discussion of this book is mainly centered on the everyday lives of the Yoruba people. It is concerned with the way in which their views of a matured male Yoruba person with cornrows and dreadlocks hairstyles, though mere hairstyles, are revealed in casual interactions to be ominous. The Yoruba view of the hair is tied to their view of the head as particularly sacred, particularly deterministic of an individual’s earthly existence, and requiring particularly protections by all means.
Carbamazepine Induced Malformations

A study of the pattern of malformations in children of women treated with carbamazepine during pregnancy is reported from the Division of Dysmorphology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA.
Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel by Work Setting and Occupation-U.S., 2014.

Introduction Routine influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel (HCP) can reduce influenza-related illness and its potentially serious consequences among HCP and their patients. Influenza vaccination has been routinely recommended for HCP since 1984. Methods Data from the 2013 and 2014 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed in 2015. Kaplan−Meier survival estimated the cumulative proportion of HCP reporting 2013–2014 season influenza vaccination. Vaccination coverage by work setting and occupation were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression and predictive marginal analyses identified factors independently associated with vaccination among HCP. Results Influenza vaccination coverage was 64.9% among HCP aged ≥18 years (95% CI=60.5%, 69.3%), which was significantly higher compared with non-HCP among the same age group (41.0%, 95% CI=39.8%, 42.1%) ( p Conclusions Influenza vaccination coverage was higher among HCP than non-HCP, but still below the national target of 90%. Vaccination coverage varied widely by occupation type, work settings, and demographic characteristics. Evidence-based interventions, such as making vaccine available at no cost in the workplace and active promotion of vaccination, are needed to increase influenza vaccination among HCP in all healthcare settings.
Grain boundary segregation in immiscible nanocrystalline alloys

Abstract Grain boundary (GB) solute segregation has been proposed as a route to mitigate grain growth in nanocrystalline (NC) metals and stabilize their grain structures. An interesting effect emerges in immiscible NC alloys due to the intertwined roles of GB segregation and bulk alloy phase separation. Based on a diffuse interface model, we examine grain growth dynamics in immiscible NC alloys, where both GB solute segregation and bulk phase separation act in conjunction. Analytical treatments identify regimes, where the reduction in GB energy due to segregation is significant. Simulation results reveal that microstructural evolution and enhanced stability are a manifestation of the competing effects of GB heat of segregation and that of bulk heat of mixing. More specifically, in systems with low GB segregation precipitation of solute-rich domains and associated GB (Zener) pinning effects lead to sluggish grain growth rates. In contrast, GB solute segregation plays a more dominant role as the heat of segregation increases in comparison with the bulk heat of mixing. On the whole, this modeling framework provides an avenue to explore the role of bulk alloy and interfacial effects on the microstructural evolution of NC metals.
Knowing the Audience in the Information Age: Big Data and Social Media in the US Television Industry

This dissertation focuses on the adoption of ICTs within organizations in the television industry, focusing on their use as tools for understanding and predicting audience behavior. By tracing emerging practices around the use of big data and social media in this essential area of industrial knowledge, the project looks at the ways in which media industry institutions are adapting their business practices following the disruption of digital technologies. Big data and social media practices offer different lenses for understanding the audience and may be mobilized differently by different industrial parties with disparate goals.
Strategically Saving the World: The Rhetoric of CSV as a Precursor to Global governance

While corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives have paved the way for a unique form of global governance (Scherer & Palazzo, 2011) through political means (Whelan, 2012) there is a growing...
Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) on neuromorphic computing system

The problems of Artificial intelligence (AI) naturally maps to NP-hard optimization problems. This trend has significance to achieve human-level computation capability from machines. This computational ability can be achieved by developing evolutionary algorithms or mapping those evolutionary algorithms onto new generation computing systems: Quantum or Neuromorphic hardware. In this paper, we implemented the NP-hard optimization problem called Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problem for the solution of graph problems on the IBM's Neurosynaptic TrueNorth System. We have experimented on different types of graph problems with different levels of complexities and achieved encouraging results on IBM's Neuromorphic TrueNorth chip. Moreover, there are a set of potential applications have been discussed based on this proposed QUBO solution. Along with the QUBO on quantum annealing, it is the important first step towards the solutions of QUBO on Neuromorphic computing systems.