cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experiences from the design, deployment, and usage of the UCSB MeshNet testbed

In this article we report on our effort and experience in designing, deploying, and using our 30-node wireless mesh testbed, the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) MeshNet. Compared to simulation, the construction and utilization of a wireless mesh testbed poses many new challenges. We discuss the challenges with distributed testbed management, nonintrusive and distributed monitoring, and node status visualization. These are vital components in a sustainable wireless mesh testbed, but at the same time nontrivial to design and. realize. As a case study, we present the UCSB MeshNet architecture, including its management, monitoring, and visualization systems. We share our lessons learned from this effort and believe that they are valuable to other researchers who develop experimental wireless mesh networks
Understanding the consequences of information systems service quality on IS service reuse

IS researchers have normally assumed that satisfaction is the key factor influencing IS customers' reuse of services; however, a focus on customer satisfaction does not always guarantee customer retention. We synthesized customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction models from prior service quality research to provide a comprehensive model predicting the behavioral intentions of customers to reuse IS services. Five research hypotheses were empirically tested by using a field study of 263 users of an IS service department. Our findings placed IS service quality in a causal network leading to IS service reuse and highlighted the relative importance that service quality value played in predicting behavioral intention to reuse the service.
Will Social Values Influence the Development of HMOs

Among industrialized nations the United States is relatively unique in relying on a mix of public and private financing and delivery of healthcare: federal and federal-state programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid; employment-based health insurance (primarily HMOs); and state-subsidized insurance pools for high-risk individuals. In recent years, however, there have been efforts to apply the principles of private employment-based health insurance to the other forms of healthcare, and there is speculation that rising healthcare costs can only be addressed by further extending capitated payment plans. This suggests that U.S. healthcare may increasingly be organized according to market principles. For some, this represents a historic departure from an emphasis on public responsibility for healthcare and a sacrifice of the value principles embodied in health relationships between patient and provider. But defenders of HMOs and a larger role for markets argue that managed care allows for a more rational allocation of scarce healthcare resources by minimizing inefficient low-benefit–high-cost care. More individuals receive essential care if inessential care is eliminated. HMOs are also said to encourage non-HMOs to provide lower priced healthcare.
Sandstone porosity as a function of thermal maturity

Sandstone porosity decreases in the subsurface as a power function of thermal maturity: {phi} = A(M){sup B}, where {phi} is porosity and M is a measure of thermal maturity representing integrated time-temperature history; A and B are constants for a given sandstone of homogeneous properties but vary between data sets. The commonly observed exponential dependence of sandstone porosity upon depth follows as a special case from this power-function relation when temperature increases linearly with depth. The consideration of sandstone porosity in terms of time-temperature exposure offers advantages in the comparison of porosity data from diverse geologic settings, the recognition of unusual porosity within a sandstone sequence, and the prediction of porosity ahead of the drill and at times in the geologic past.
Processing Events: Behavioral and Neuromagnetic Correlates of Aspectual Coercion.

Much recent psycho- and neuro-linguistic work has aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which sentence meanings are composed by investigating the processing of semantic mismatch. One controversial case for theories of semantic composition is expressions such as the clown jumped for ten minutes, in which the aspectual properties of a punctual verb clash with those of a durative modifier. Such sentences have been proposed to involve a coercion operation which shifts the punctual meaning of the verb to an iterative one. However, processing studies addressing this hypothesis have yielded mixed results. In this study, we tested four hypotheses of how aspectual mismatch is resolved with self-paced reading and magnetoencephalography. Using a set of verbs normed for punctuality, we identified an immediate behavioral cost of mismatch. The neural correlates of this processing were found to match effects in midline prefrontal regions previously implicated in the resolution of complement coercion. We also identified earlier effects in right-lateral frontal and temporal sites. We suggest that of the representational hypotheses currently in the literature, these data are most consistent with an account where aspectual mismatch initially involves the composition of an anomalous meaning that is later repaired via coercion.
An empirical study of static call graph extractors

Informally, a call graph represents calls between entities in a given program. The call graphs that compilers compute to determine the applicability of an optimization must typically be conservative: a call may be omitted only if it can never occur an any execution of the program. Numerous software engineering tools also extract call graphs, with the expectation that they will help software engineers increase their understanding of a program. The requirements placed on software engineering tools when computing call graphs are typically more related than for compilers. For example, some false negatives-calls that can in fact take place in some execution of the program, but which are omitted from the call graph-may be acceptable, depending on the understanding task at hand. In this paper we empirically show a consequence of this spectrum of requirements by comparing the C call graphs extracted from three software systems (mapmaker, mosaic, and gee) by five extraction tools (cflow, CIA, Field, mk-functmap, and rigiparse). A quantitative analysis of the call graphs extracted for each system shows considerable variation, a result that is counterintuitive to many experienced software engineers. A qualitative analysis of these results reveals a number of reasons for this variation: differing treatments of macros, function pointers, input formats, etc. We describe and discuss the study, sketch the design space, and discuss the impact of our study on practitioners, tool developers, and researchers.
The Impact of ICD-9 Revascularization Procedure Codes on Estimates of Racial Disparities in Ischemic Stroke

Background The use of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9) diagnostic codes can identify racial disparities in ischemic stroke hospitalizations; however, inclusion of revascularization procedure codes as acute stroke events may affect the magnitude of the risk difference. This study assesses the impact of excluding revascularization procedure codes in the ICD-9 definition of ischemic stroke, compared with the traditional inclusive definition, on racial disparity estimates for stroke incidence and recurrence. Methods Patients discharged with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke (ICD-9 codes 433.00-434.91 and 436) were identified from a statewide inpatient discharge database from 2010 to 2012. Race–age specific disparity estimates of stroke incidence and recurrence and 1-year cumulative recurrent stroke rates were compared between the routinely used traditional classification and a modified classification of stroke that excluded primary ICD-9 cerebral revascularization procedures codes (38.12, 00.61, and 00.63). Results The traditional classification identified 7878 stroke hospitalizations, whereas the modified classification resulted in 18% fewer hospitalizations (n = 6444). The age-specific black to white rate ratios were significantly higher in the modified than in the traditional classification for stroke incidence (rate ratio, 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-1.58 vs. rate ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.18-1.30, respectively). In whites, the 1-year cumulative recurrence rate was significantly reduced by 46% (45-64 years) and 49% (≥65 years) in the modified classification, largely explained by a higher rate of cerebral revascularization procedures among whites. There were nonsignificant reductions of 14% (45-64 years) and 19% (≥65 years) among blacks. Conclusions Including cerebral revascularization procedure codes overestimates hospitalization rates for ischemic stroke and significantly underestimates the racial disparity estimates in stroke incidence and recurrence.
Studies of skin toxicity in vitro: dose-response studies on JB6 cells.

There are many reasons for developing in vitro tests of toxicity including cost, speed, studies of mechanisms, and studies utilizing human cells and tissues. The present study focuses on the development of in vitro tests to predict in vivo toxicity by comparing them to data from the literature. A broad spectrum of model toxic compounds was evaluated for toxicity on mouse skin JB6 cells in culture. These included mercuric chloride, sodium lauryl sulfate, formaldehyde, dimethyl sulfoxide, benzoyl peroxide, and ionomycin, all of which have been proven to be positive in the Draize test or in cutaneous toxicity studies. Cell viability was evaluated every 15 min for up to 1 hr, and then after 24 hr of treatment using the Trypan Blue exclusion method; morphological changes were evaluated using phase-contrast and transmission electron microscopy. Dose-and time-dependent cell death and morphological changes were observed at concentrations ranging from 10-14 to 10-2M. Arbitrary rankings were assigned based on 1) IC...
Characterization of Reaper- and FADD-Induced Apoptosis in a Lepidopteran Cell Line

Expression of the reaper gene (rpr) correlates with the initiation of apoptosis in Drosophila melanogaster. Transient expression of rpr in the lepidopteran SF-21 cell line induced apoptosis displaying nuclear condensation and fragmentation, oligonucleosomal ladder formation, cell surface blebbing, and apoptotic body formation. Inhibitors of ICE-family proteases p35 and crmA, as well as members of the iap class of genes, Op-iap and D-iap2, but not bcl-2 family members, blocked rpr-induced apoptosis. Mutational analysis of rpr provided no support for the proposed sequence similarity of Reaper and death domain proteins. Mutations in the N-terminal region of Reaper, which displays sequence similarity to Hid and Grim, other Drosophila gene products correlated with the initiation of apoptosis, suggested that these residues might be functionally important. The mammalian cDNA encoding FADD (Fas-associating protein with a death domain) also induced cell death in SF-21 cells, but death progressed more slowly and with features which distinguished it from rpr-induced apoptosis. Several bcl-2 family members delayed or blocked FADD-induced cellular death. Thus, apoptosis initiated by Reaper progressed by a faster path which appeared to differ from that of FADD-induced apoptosis.
“Generational Deserters” and “Black Sheep” Acculturative Differences Among Siblings in Asian Immigrant Families

This study examines the impact of sibling acculturative differences on immigrant family dynamics. An analysis of 32 interviews with grown children of Korean and Vietnamese immigrants with siblings on different acculturative trajectories finds that traditional siblings are more likely to be elder children whose higher status and obligations as first-born children bind them more closely to their ethnicity than younger children. Elder siblings’ role as disciplinarians to younger siblings bolstered their family power and enhanced their solidarity with parents but created tension with younger, more assimilated siblings. Although assimilated siblings regard their traditional siblings as “generational traitors” for aligning with parents, traditional siblings viewed assimilated siblings, who challenge traditional ethnic practices and parental rules, as so-called “black sheep.” Several benefits of sibling acculturative variance in immigrant families are also discussed.
A Markov random fields model for describing unhomogeneous textures: generalized random stereograms

The authors consider a stochastic interpretation of textures composed of textural elements that may not obey any particular ordering relation between them. A two-dimensional Markov random fields (MRF) model is proposed to describe the stochastic character of texture patterns. For a fixed lattice the authors show how unhomogeneous textures can be described. They discuss the evidence of phase transitions in generating such textures. A distance relation based on joint entropy is proposed to measure the statistical interdependence between random variables assigned to the nodes of the two-dimensional network. The form of this function is shown to be suitable as an objective measure of phase transitions when distinct texture regions evolve while cooling "temperature". The examples of unhomogeneous (figure-ground) type of textures which the authors call generalized random stereograms are used to illustrate the model. They discuss the relevance of the model for generating texture patterns for neurophysiological experiments, psychophysical experiments and pattern recognition. >
Type II Error Problems in the Use of Moderated Multiple Regression for the Detection of Moderating Effects of Dichotomous Variables

Monte Carlo simulation procedures were used to assess the power of moderated multiple regression (MMR) to detect the effects of a dichotomous moderator variable under conditions of: (1) between- group differences in within-group relationships between two variables (i.e., |ρXY(1) -ρXY(2) |= .20, .40, .60); (2) different combined sample sizes for the two groups (N1+ N2 = NT = 30, 60, 90, 180, 300); and (3) differing proportions of cases (P-i) in the two groups (i.e., P 1 = .10, .30, .50). Results showed that, consistent with our a priori predictions, the power of MMR increased as: (1) total sample size (NT) increased; (2) the difference between within-group correlation coefficients increased; and ( 3) the difference between the proportion of cases in each group decreased. Moreover, the simulation showed that these three variables had interactive effects on power. The major implication of our findings is that in cases where tests of moderating effects are conducted with MMR and the proportion of cases in eac...
An immersive system for browsing and visualizing surveillance video

HouseFly is an interactive data browsing and visualization system that synthesizes audio-visual recordings from multiple sensors, as well as the meta-data derived from those recordings, into a unified viewing experience. The system is being applied to study human behavior in both domestic and retail situations grounded in longitudinal video recordings. HouseFly uses an immersive video technique to display multiple streams of high resolution video using a realtime warping procedure that projects the video onto a 3D model of the recorded space. The system interface provides the user with simultaneous control over both playback rate and vantage point, enabling the user to navigate the data spatially and temporally. Beyond applications in video browsing, this system serves as an intuitive platform for visualizing patterns over time in a variety of multi-modal data, including person tracks and speech transcripts.
A membrane-bound antiparallel dimer of rat islet amyloid polypeptide.

A Membrane-bound Antiparallel Dimer of Rat Islet Amyloid Polypeptide IAPP, an amyloidogenic peptide linked to type 2 diabetes, forms a heterogeneous mixture of membrane-bound oligomers implicated in cytotoxicity and fibril formation. Structural characterization of these species has been a long-standing problem. Here, we examine the structure of a previously unrecognized antiparallel dimer of rat IAPP bound to anionic membrane Nanodiscs, using a novel combination of single-pair FRET and Rosetta model refinement.
Disruption of aldA influences the developmental process in Myxococcus xanthus.

Previously, we identified a gene (aldA) from Myxococcus xanthus, which we suggested encoded the enzyme alanine dehydrogenase on the basis of similarity to known Ald protein sequences (M. J. Ward, H. Lew, A. Treuner-Lange, and D. R. Zusman, J. Bacteriol. 180:5668–5675, 1998). In this study, we have confirmed that aldA does encode a functional alanine dehydrogenase, since it catalyzes the reversible conversion of alanine to pyruvate and ammonia. Whereas an aldA gene disruption mutation did not significantly influence the rate of growth or spreading on a rich medium, AldA was required for growth on a minimal medium containing l-alanine as the major source of carbon. Under developmental conditions, the aldA mutation caused delayed aggregation in both wild-type (DZ2) and FB (DZF1) strains. Poorly formed aggregates and reduced levels of spores were apparent in the DZ2 aldA mutant, even after prolonged development.
A Role for the Lymphotoxin/LIGHT Axis in the Pathogenesis of Murine Collagen-Induced Arthritis

A lymphotoxin-β (LTβ) receptor-Ig fusion protein (LTβR-Ig) was used to evaluate the importance of the lymphotoxin/LIGHT axis in the development and perpetuation of arthritis. Prophylactic treatment with the inhibitor protein LTβR-Ig blocked the induction of collagen-induced arthritis in mice and adjuvant arthritis in Lewis rats. Treatment of mice with established collagen-induced arthritis reduced the severity of arthritic symptoms and joint tissue damage. However, in a passive model of anti-collagen Ab-triggered arthritis, joint inflammation was not affected by LTβR-Ig treatment precluding LT/LIGHT involvement in the very terminal immune complex/complement/FcR-mediated effector phase. Collagen-II and Mycobacterium-specific T cell responses were not impaired, yet there was evidence that the overall response to the mycobacterium was blunted. Serum titers of anti-collagen-II Abs were reduced especially during the late phase of disease. Treatment with LTβR-Ig ablated follicular dendritic cell networks in the draining lymph nodes, suggesting that impaired class switching and affinity maturation may have led to a decreased level of pathological autoantibodies. These data are consistent with a model in which the LT/LIGHT axis controls microenvironments in the draining lymph nodes. These environments are critical in shaping the adjuvant-driven initiating events that impact the subsequent quality of the anti-collagen response in the later phases. Consequently, blockade of the LT/LIGHT axis may represent a novel approach to the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis that involve both T cell and Ab components.
A graph theoretical approach toward a switched feedback controller for pursuit-evasion scenarios

This research introduces a novel method for constructing a switched feedback control system to be used for an autonomous agent. The state space is partitioned into sets of states where a specific control is applied. Each partition is represented by nodes of a digraph where the success of the control in traversing the partitions is represented by a connecting edge. Using the concept of capture sets in the field of differential games, it is shown that a set of states included in a particular partition is capable of reaching the target set if the eigenvalues of the adjacency matrix representing the digraph are all zero and none of the partitions are invariant. The advantage of this method is that it is possible to assign finite horizon controls to each partition that are easier to calculate than infinite horizon methods, but still maintain the infinite horizon guarantee of reaching the target. An example is given to illustrate the implementation of the proposed controller.
A Dehydrated Mixture Containing Food Waste and Wheat Middlings Serves as a Protein and Energy Substitute in Beef Cow Diets1

Abstact Three trials utilizing 222 crossbred beef cows were conducted over 3 yr to evaluate the efficacy of replacing a portion of the diet with a dehydrated, pelleted mixture containing wheat middlings and ground food waste from retail grocery stores (DF). In trial (T1), trial 2 (T2), and trial 3 (T3), 78, 73, and 71 beef cows, respectively, in their second and third trimesters were blocked by parity (first parity vs two or more parities) then allotted to treatment (TRT) pens according to body condition score (BSC), subject to variation in BW. The durations of T1, T2, and T3 were 143, 184, and 155 d, respectively. Trials were terminated each year following a timed insemination to a synchronized estrus. Control cows were fed a corn silage, shelled corn, soybean meal-based diet according to NRC estimates. Treatment cows received diets similar to the control diet except the DF replaced all of the soybean meal and corn. According to chemical analysis, the DF contained 94.5 ± 0.1% DM, 12.0 ± 0.1% ADF, 6.8 ± 0.1% cellulose, 5.2 ± 0.1% ADL, 0.14 ± 0.0% AIA, 20.0 ± 0.5% CP, and 7.6 ± 0.0% ether extract (EE). During T1, T2, and T3, EE and P values were higher (P 0.05) between TRT and control cows. No significant differences were determined for milk production, milk fat, or milk protein between TRT and control cows. The calculated feed replacement value for DF for this study was 10.96¢/kg. The results of this study suggest that DF can serve as an alternative feedstuff in the diets of beef cows.
Technical considerations in I131 tracer studies.

The use of radioactive iodine as a diagnostic agent has become a well accepted procedure, often regarded as providing the most exact single test of thyroid function. Medical literature contains descriptions of many widely variable techniques, and it would appear that none is perfect or universally accepted. There are three basic concepts of the utilization of I131 as a measure of thyroid function. One of these is the amount of available iodine that is acquired by the thyroid gland—and we may also observe the rate of accretion (1, 2). A second correlative study is the amount and rate of urinary excretion of iodine (1, 3–7). The third concept is the measure of proteinbound iodine in the circulating blood, indicative of the production of thyroxine (8–11).
Trend Analysis on Food Consumption Status in Residents of Changping District,Beijing

Objective To investigate the food consumption status and variation trend in residents of Changping district.Methods With cluster random sampling method,198 residents in 4neighborhood committee and 2village committees were surveyed.Results The consumption of grain,potato,bean and products,vegetable,fruit,nut,livestock and poultry meat,milk and products,egg and product,aquatic product,edible oil,pastry snacks,sugar and starch,salt,soy and sauce per man-day in the residents was respectively 311.1g,44.4g,9.6g,351.5g,149.1g,13.5g,81.2g,66.3g,46.7g,19.4g,37.1g,16.2g,5.6g,9.2g,16.6g and 4.7g.Compare with 2002,the food grains other than wheat and rice,deep color vegetable and dairy increased,while the livestock and poultry meat,oil and salt decreased.The food grains other than wheat and rice in urban residents,rice in rural residents,and dairy consumption were positively associated with their income;while the livestock and poultry meat,flour in urban residents,sauce,bean and products in rural residents were negatively associated with their income.Conclusion The food status in Changping residents is improved compare with 2002 and the dietary pattern is optimized to somewhat.Nevertheless,the adverse factors to health still exist.The consumption of oil and salt stays high and the intake of bean,dairy,quantic products need to be timely increased.
Regulation by ToxR-Like Proteins Converges on vttRB Expression To Control Type 3 Secretion System-Dependent Caco2-BBE Cytotoxicity in Vibrio cholerae.

ABSTRACT Genes carried on the type 3 secretion system (T3SS) pathogenicity island of Vibrio cholerae non-O1/non-O139 serogroup strain AM-19226 must be precisely regulated in order for bacteria to cause disease. Previously reported results showed that both T3SS function and the presence of bile are required to cause Caco2-BBE cell cytotoxicity during coculture with strain AM-19226. We therefore investigated additional parameters affecting in vitro cell death, including bacterial load and the role of three transmembrane transcriptional regulatory proteins, VttR A , VttR B , and ToxR. VttR A and VttR B are encoded on the horizontally acquired T3SS genomic island, whereas ToxR is encoded on the ancestral chromosome. While strains carrying deletions in any one of the three transcriptional regulatory genes are unable to cause eukaryotic cell death, the results of complementation studies point to a hierarchy of regulatory control that converges on vttR B expression. The data suggest both that ToxR and VttR A act upstream of VttR B and that modifying the level of either vttR A or vttR B expression can strongly influence T3SS gene expression. We therefore propose a model whereby T3SS activity and, hence, in vitro cytotoxicity are ultimately regulated by vttR B expression. IMPORTANCE In contrast to O1 and O139 serogroup V. cholerae strains that cause cholera using two main virulence factors (toxin-coregulated pilus [TCP] and cholera toxin [CT]), O39 serogroup strain AM-19226 uses a type 3 secretion system as its principal virulence mechanism. Although the regulatory network governing TCP and CT expression is well understood, the factors influencing T3SS-associated virulence are not. Using an in vitro mammalian cell model to investigate the role of three ToxR-like transmembrane transcriptional activators in causing T3SS-dependent cytotoxicity, we found that expression levels and a hierarchical organization were important for promoting T3SS gene expression. Furthermore, our results suggest that horizontally acquired, ToxR-like proteins act in concert with the ancestral ToxR protein to orchestrate T3SS-mediated pathogenicity.
How LGBT College Students Perceive and Engage the Campus Religious and Spiritual Climate

The purpose of this study was to compare how students of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities perceive the campus religious and spiritual climate and engage in interfaith and spiritual activities during college. Using data from a national study of 13,776 students at 52 institutions that took part in the Campus Religious and Spiritual Climate Survey, results indicate significant variations in perceptions and engagement by sexual orientation and gender identity. In addition, worldview identity shapes the relationships between sexual orientation and gender identity and perceptions of and engagement on campus.
Novel use of Lodox® Statscan® in a level one trauma center

Trauma continues to be a large source of poor outcomes for patients in the United States. While clinical guise is very important in the acute setting, objective physical data is becoming increasingly important in the diagnosis of many injuries sustained during trauma. Radiography has always been the primary diagnostic modality applied in trauma situations but it continues to be a time-consuming and unwieldy part of the acute resuscitation of the patient. The novel use of the Lodox Statscan (Lodox Systems (Pty), Ltd., Benmore, South Africa), a type of digital radiography, as a means to help combat these problems was evaluated at Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska. This new machine uses a linear beam technology to scan the entire body in 13 seconds. Here, we describe this digital radiography system, its introductory use in the trauma bay, and discuss cases where it has proven valuable. Based upon our preliminary experience, the use of the device in large centers shows promise for improving morbidity and mortality outcomes in trauma patients.
Towards a Humanistic Poetics: Challenges and Contributions

Let us review our humanistic poetics before turning to recent critical theoretical studies. Without neglecting formal considerations such as voice, genre, narrative structure, and linguistic patterns, humanistic critics focus on the dialogue between the anterior or real world and the imaginative world of fictions as well as upon the author’s creative process and how that is shaped by the historical period in which he or she wrote. They stress the mimetic quality of literature and insist that literature is by human authors, about human actions, and for human readers. They believe that readers and text meet at the seam of reading. These critics believe that a) the form of a literary text — style, structure, narrative technique — expresses its value system; b) a literary text is a creative gesture of the author and the result of historical context; c) a literary text imitates a world that precedes it; d) literary texts usually address how and why people behave — what they do, desire, fear, doubt, and need. Humanism does not mean ‘life-affirming’, but concern with how and why people live, think, act, feel, read, write, and speak. While acknowledging variations in the diverse responses of readers, humanistic criticism believes that there is the possibility of approaching a determinate meaning by studying an author, his period, and his canon. Thus humanistic criticism does not accept the tenets of deconstruction, that ‘there is nothing outside the text’ and that literary texts are ‘the free play of signifiers’.
Lipofilling and Correction of Postliposuction Deformities

The introduction of suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) ushered in a new era of body-contouring surgery. The technique has provided a simpler, safer, and more effective method of improving the body contour than what was available before. Subsequent refinement and development, including the use of wetting solution, large-volume liposuction, and ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), have further enhanced our ability to contour the body. Today, liposuction is one of the most frequently performed aesthetic operations. Good results are usually expected, and dramatic results are not uncommon. However, these procedures may produce complications and aesthetically undesirable results. These problems can be grouped into four general categories:
Statistical engineering approach to improve the realism of computer-simulated experiments with aircraft trajectory clustering

This article presents a statistical engineering approach for clustering aircraft trajectories. The clustering methodology was developed to address the need to incorporate more realistic trajectories in fast time computer simulations used to evaluate an ..
Chinatown: The Ethnopole as an Informal Capital City

The development of Japantown and Manilatown in San Francisco was in one form or another influenced by the existence of Chinatown, the first Asian-American ethnopole in the city. Anglo-Californians developed their prejudices against Asian Americans based on the early model of their interaction with nineteenth-century Chinese immigrants.32 Various debilitating forms of racism — the manipulation of the legal system to create and maintain a space of difference, racial discrimination, housing segregation, covenant clauses to prevent integration, and spatial ghettoization — that the constructed mainstream system used to marginalize the Chinese newcomers were time and again applied to subalternize both Filipino Americans and Japanese Americans. The fates of these three minoritized groups seemed tied to one another as each followed a different path of development and each exhibited variations in the ways in which it dealt with the mainstream. Since its birth as an ethnopole, however, Chinatown has emerged as the preeminent informal capital city for the larger Chinese population in Northern California in particular and a symbolic capital city for Chinese Americans in general.
Effects of loading and cesium modifier on silica-supported vanadia in oxidative dehydrogenation of butane

Study of the effect of vanadia loading on Davison silica for the oxidative dehydrogenation of butane. Effect of impurity levels of Na, Ca and Cs on the catalytic behaviour of silica-supported V 2 O 5 samples
Memristors as radiofrequency switches

In this paper, we introduce a novel application of memristor as a radiofrequency (RF) switch. We design and build a nanoscale memristor by placing gold and silver electrodes on silicon oxide with a 35 nm airgap in between. We program the device with a voltage as low as −0.4 V and achieve an ON/OFF conductance ratio of 1012. We test the RF performance of the device up to 110 GHz and report 0.3 dB insertion loss, 30 dB isolation (both at 40 GHz) and an average 35 THz cutoff frequency.
Characterization of Cytospora isolates from wood cankers of declining grapevine in North America, with the descriptions of two new Cytospora species

Cytospora species are ubiquitous pathogens of numerous woody plants, causing dieback and wood cankers in agronomic crops, timber trees, and wildland trees (e.g., Prunus, Eucalyptus, and Salix, respectively). Cytospora chrysosperma, C. cincta, and C. leucostoma have been reported from grapevines in Iran showing symptoms of one or more recognized trunk diseases (Esca, Botryosphaeria-, Eutypa-, and Phomopsis diebacks); however, only C. chrysosperma was shown to be pathogenic to grapevine. To understand the potential role of Cytospora species in the grapevine trunk-disease complex, we examined 21 Cytospora isolates that were recovered from dieback and wood cankers of Vitis vinifera and Vitis interspecific hybrids in seven northeastern U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS and translation elongation factor 1-α identified two novel species: Cytospora vinacea sp. nov. and Cytospora viticola sp. nov. Differences in culture morphology and conidial dimensions also distinguished the species. When inoculated to the woody stems of potted V. vinifera ‘Thompson Seedless’ in the greenhouse, both species were pathogenic, based on development of wood lesions and thus fulfillment of Koch's postulates. Cytospora viticola was the most virulent based on lesion length at 12 months post-inoculation. As Cytospora canker shares some of the same general dieback-type symptoms as Botryosphaeria-, Eutypa-, and Phomopsis diebacks, it may be considered part of the grapevine trunk-disease complex in eastern North America. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Automated tracking, segmentation and trajectory classification of pelvic organs on dynamic MRI

Pelvic organ prolapse is a major health problem in women where pelvic floor organs (bladder, uterus, small bowel, and rectum) fall from their normal position and bulge into the vagina. Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DMRI) is presently used to analyze the organs' movements from rest to maximum strain providing complementary support for diagnosis. However, there is currently no automated or quantitative approach to measure the movement of the pelvic organs and their correlation with the severity of prolapse. In this paper, a two-stage method is presented to automatically track and segment pelvic organs on DMRI followed by a multiple-object trajectory classification method to improve the diagnosis of pelvic organ prolapse. Organs are first tracked using particle filters and K-means clustering with prior information. Then, they are segmented using the convex hull of the cluster of particles. Finally, the trajectories of the pelvic organs are modeled using a new Coupled Switched Hidden Markov Model (CSHMM) to classify the severity of pelvic organ prolapse. The tracking and segmentation results are validated using Dice Similarity Index (DSI) whereas the classification results are compared with two manual clinical measurements. Results demonstrate that the presented method is able to automatically track and segment pelvic organs with a DSI above 82% for 26 out of 46 cases and DSI above 75% for all 46 tested cases. The accuracy of the trajectory classification model is also better than current manual measurements.
Bioinspired chemical synthesis of monomeric and dimeric stephacidin A congeners

Stephacidin A and its congeners are a collection of secondary metabolites that possess intriguing structural motifs. They stem from unusual biosynthetic sequences that lead to the incorporation of a prenyl or reverse-prenyl group into a bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane framework, a chromene unit or the vestige thereof. To complement biosynthetic studies, which normally play a significant role in unveiling the biosynthetic pathways of natural products, here we demonstrate that chemical synthesis can provide important insights into biosynthesis. We identify a short total synthesis of congeners in the reverse-prenylated indole alkaloid family related to stephacidin A by taking advantage of a direct indole C6 halogenation of the related ketopremalbrancheamide. This novel strategic approach has now made possible the syntheses of several natural products, including malbrancheamides B and C, notoamides F, I and R, aspergamide B, and waikialoid A, which is a heterodimer of avrainvillamide and aspergamide B. Our approach to the preparation of these prenylated and reverse-prenylated indole alkaloids is bioinspired, and may also inform the as-yet undetermined biosynthesis of several congeners.
Conclusion: … And Dwelt Among Us

The conclusion explores the logical implications of these chapters. After analyzing audiovisual elements to see what they suggest about theological arguments, this chapter interprets the style of these films in particular to draw more general conclusions. With unconventionally lush soundscapes, extended shots, exaggerated lighting, and disorienting close-ups, these movies explicitly challenge viewers to question their individual powers of perception. Rather than overtly striving for the verisimilitude that creates an accessible dream world, these films fragment solitary perspective and construct universes that rely on many viewpoints. Through these experimental techniques, these movies press audiences to view the world in a way that articulates interdependent worldviews. Ultimately, the style of these films implies that reading the flesh can reveal the word, but only through the intersubjective conversation one conducts with those who dwell among us.
Functional Mapping of Learning-Related Metabolic Activity with Quantitative Cytochrome Oxidase Histochemistry

Utilizing quantitative histochemistry to view increases or decreases in the activity of the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome oxidase (C.O.) affords a new functional neuroimaging technique for examining baseline changes in activity which have taken place over a period of time, as opposed to evoked activity alone. Cytochrome oxidase is the pivotal mitochondrial oxidative enzyme for energy production in cells. The amount of this enzyme is tightly coupled to aerobic oxidative energy metabolism in cells. This chapter will describe how the recent advances in histochemical quantification of this enzymatic activity have been used to look at even relatively small changes resulting from learning experiences to map the functional circuitry of associative learning. All three studies described here demonstrate how acoustic stimuli can modify the activity of the auditory system and create distinct patterns of functional metabolic activity when the auditory stimulus acquires different behavioral roles through learning. The cytochrome oxidase mapping technique can provide functional images of how the metabolic capacity of intact neural systems change in response to external stimuli.
Hypovolemic Shock in a Child: A Pediatric Simulation Case.

Introduction Volume depletion is a common problem in pediatrics. Interns need to be able to recognize critical illness such as hypovolemic shock, obtain access, and manage complications. This simul...
Tobacco Smoking and Atherosclerosis: Overview

Epidemiological studies from a variety of countries throughout the world have clearly established a relationship between smoking cigarettes and the development and/or progression of the atherosclerotic process (1). Although the epidemiologic evidence which correlates smoking and atherosclerosis is extensive, and thereby convincing, from a rigorous scientific point of view there are confounding variables in such studies which need further clarification. These confounding variables are life-style factors which predispose the individual to atherosclerotic disease in general (and coronary heart disease in particular), and are typified by sedentary living habits; obesity and/or unrestrained weight gain; a dietary intake which contains an excessive number of calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt; personal stress that is not modified; as well as cigarette smoking. It is not clear just how all of these risk factors interrelate among or between each other as variables in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Analytical models which can unambiguously discriminate between such risk factors for a weighting of their contribution to the overall atherosclerotic process have yet to be developed.
Protection against streptococcal pharyngeal colonization with vaccines composed of M protein conserved regions.

Group A streptococci are widespread human pathogens which are responsible for nasopharyngeal infections and impetigo. There are over 25 million cases of group A streptococcal infections each year in the United States alone, at a cost of over $1 billion to the public. Despite the fact that streptococcal infection can be successfully treated with antibiotics, in the interim it often causes significant discomfort and loss in productivity. Furthermore, about 3% of infected individuals afflicted with streptococcal infection develop a more serious illness such as rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. Because rheumatic heart disease occurs in as many as 1% of school-age children in developing countries (Agarwal, 1981; Dodu and Bothig, 1989), there is a strong impetus to develop a safe and effective vaccine against group A streptococcal pharyngitis.
Waterfowl Influence on Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Central Florida Freshwater Lakes

Bacteria are important natural components of virtually every environment, including water systems. While many are beneficial to the ecosystem in which they are found, some can be indicators of pathogens that can endanger human health. Fecal coliform bacteria such as Escherichia coli are bacterial indicators that can originate from many of the same sources as pathogenic bacteria and serve as a sign that pathogens may be present. These bacterial counts can be influenced by many different well-studied environmental factors, including pH, temperature, and nutrient availability. In addition to these factors, mammalian and waterfowl presence can influence coliform abundance. While this area of research has been examined before, conflicting conclusions have been reached as to whether or not waterfowl abundance positively correlates with coliform bacteria abundance. Levels of E. coli as well as Enterococcus, a genus of non-coliform bacterial organisms that are also found in high concentrations in feces, were measured by membrane filtration of water samples collected from six freshwater lakes around Lakeland, FL and were isolated from fresh fecal samples that were simultaneously collected from waterfowl species present at the lakes. Results suggest a correlation between the abundance of E. coli and the presence of waterfowl.
Examination of Multiple Predictive Approaches for Estimating Dam Breach Peak Discharges

AbstractA database joining individual earthen dam breach failure studies is assembled and reanalyzed across all aggregate observations. Conventional regression methods are employed along with newer...
Trends in Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Survival in Iowa SEER Data: The Timing of It All.

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is common worldwide, with 140,250 diagnoses and 50,630 deaths estimated for the United States in 2018. Guidelines current to the most recent individuals in our analysis suggested regular screenings beginning at age 50 have reduced the incidence of CRC. However, the incidence continues to rise among those under 50. Less is known about survival following CRC diagnosis, but research has suggested that younger cases may also have worse survival. However, we hypothesize that younger individuals are generally healthier with fewer comorbidities, leading to the potential for better survival following diagnosis. Materials and Methods We utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data to estimate and assess both spatial and temporal variation in age-specific colorectal cancer incidence and survival in Iowa. Results Both overall and older-onset colorectal cancer incidence began to decline in the early 2000s, whereas younger-onset incidences decreased until the late 1980s but then increased steeply through the 2000s. The risk for those younger than 50 years of age first exceeded the risk for those 50 years or older in 2007. Survival times did increase for overall CRC, older-onset CRC, and young-onset CRC throughout the study period, with young-onset CRC increasing at a higher rate. The spatial variation assessment indicated that the survival was positively associated with several variables of interest, most notably disparities including better access to healthcare and higher sociodemographic status. Conclusion In conclusion, results suggest that regular colorectal screenings could reduce incidence and mortality in people under 50.
Uncertainty in when a perturbation will arrive influences the preparation and release of triggered responses

The timing and magnitude of muscle responses to perturbations are critical for acting in uncertain environments. A planned movement can strongly influence average muscle responses to perturbations, but certainty in when a perturbation will arrive changes this effect. The objective of this study was to investigate how uncertainty in perturbation timing influences the preparation and release of involuntary, perturbation-triggered responses. We hypothesized that uncertainty would influence the average magnitude of triggered responses and how they develop in time. We investigated three levels of uncertainty in when a proprioceptive cue to move would arrive by changing the duration and variability of the time between a preparation and movement cue. Participants performed ballistic elbow extension movements in response to the movement cue. Unexpected, large perturbations that flexed the elbow were delivered at various times between the preparation and movement cues to evaluate how cue uncertainty influenced the development of triggered responses. We found that this uncertainty strongly influences how a motor response is prepared, and the efficacy of triggering that response by a postural perturbation. When timing was certain, the motor plan was prepared within 150 ms of the expected disturbance, and consistently released earlier by a perturbation than could be done voluntarily. Less predictable stimuli led to much earlier planning and a lower probability of releasing the plan early. These results clarify how uncertainty in when to move influences the planning and early release of perturbation-triggered responses, demonstrating an effect similar to previous reports on the planning of volitional movements.