cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incivilities, place attachment and crime: Block and individual effects

The popular incivilities hypothesis suggests physical incivilities, such as unkempt lawns and litter, and weak social ties with neighbors encourage crime. Despite a strong impact on policing policies and public awareness, this hypothesis has seldom been tested. We extend this basic model to test whether place attachments protect from crime as well. In a suburban area facing decline, multilevel (hierarchical linear modeling) analyses reveal that renters, properties with more physical incivilities, and blocks with more physical incivilities experience more subsequent crimes. Although these actual physical incivilities were important predictors of crime, residents' perceptions of incivilities were not, suggesting that environmental incivilities act directly upon offenders, not through non-offender resident perceptions. A cross-level interaction indicated incivilities predicted crime less well on socially cohesive blocks, suggesting that social cohesion can buffer the effects of the physical environment. Weaker block level place attachments also contributed independently to individuals' risks of crime, demonstrating that place attachment merits greater attention in neighborhood revitalization and crime reduction interventions.
Stator performance and unsteady loading in transonic compressor stages

The structure and behavior of wakes from a transonic compressor rotor and their effect on the loading and performance of the downstream stator have been investigated experimentally. The rotor was 23.25 inches in diameter with a measured tip Mach number of 1.23 and a pressure ratio of 1.66. Time and space-resolved measurements have been completed of the rotor and stator outflow, as well of the pressure distribution on the surface of the stator blades. It was found that the wakes from this rotor have large flow angle and flow Mach number variations from the mean flow, significant pressure fluctuations, and a large degree of variation from hub to tip. There was a significant total pressure defect and practically no static pressure variation associated with the stator wakes. Wakes from the rotor exist nearly undiminished in the exit flow of the stator and decay in the annular duct behind the stator. The pressure at all points along the chord over each of the stator blades` surfaces fluctuated nearly in phase in response to the rotor wakes, that is the unsteady chordwise pressure distribution is determined mainly by the change in angle of incidence to the blade and not by the localmore » velocity fluctuations within the passage. The unsteady forces on the stator blades, induced by the rotor wakes, were as high as 25% of the steady forces, and lagged the incidence of the wakes on the leading edge by approximately 180 deg at most radii.« less
A New Cyathaspid (Agnatha, Heterostraci) with an Articulated Oral Cover from the Late Silurian of the Canadian Arctic

ABSTRACT A new genus and species of cyathaspid heterostracan, Capitaspis giblingi, gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Late Silurian (Pridolian) Upper Member of the Somerset Island Formation, Northwest Territories, Canada. The new species is most closely related to Pionaspis in the subfamily Cyathaspidinae, family Cyathaspididae, showing similarity in the presence of distinct central, anterior, and lateral epitega and in overall size and proportions, but differing in details of the ridge pattern. The unique specimen of the new taxon has an articulated oral cover that consists of a series of postoral and oral plates. Because the oral cover is almost unknown for cyathaspids, this specimen increases our knowledge of the range of oral structures in this family beyond the simple structures known for Poraspis and Anglaspis.
Do social relationships buffer the effects of widowhood? A prospective study of adaptation to the loss of a spouse.

The idea that strong social relationships can buffer the negative effects of stress on well-being has received much attention in existing literature. However, previous studies have used less than ideal research designs to test this hypothesis, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions regarding the buffering effects of social support. In this study, we examined the buffering hypothesis in the context of reaction and adaptation to widowhood in three large longitudinal datasets. We tested whether social relationships moderated reaction and adaptation to widowhood in samples of people who experienced loss of a spouse from three longitudinal datasets of nationally representative samples from Germany (N = 1,195), Great Britain (N = 562), and Australia (N = 298). We found no evidence that social relationships established before widowhood buffered either reaction or adaptation to the death of one's spouse. Similarly, social relationships that were in place during the first year of widowhood did not help widows and widowers recover from this difficult event. Social relationships acquired prior to widowhood, or those available in early stages of widowhood, do not appear to explain individual differences in adaptation to loss.
Regeneration of plants from Fraxinus pennsylvanica hypocotyls and cotyledons

Abstract An adventitious shoot regeneration and rooting protocol was developed for green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) seedling explants. The best regeneration medium for freshly isolated hypocotyls and cotyledons was Murashige and Skoog (MS) supplemented with 13.3 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) plus 4.5 μM thidiazuron (TDZ), and 22.2 μM BA plus 4.5 μM TDZ, respectively. Seventy-six percent of hypocotyl segments and 24% of cotyledon segments produced adventitious shoots, with a mean number of adventitious shoots per explant of 2.7 ± 0.5 and 2.3 ± 1.3, respectively. The effect of in vitro-germinated seedling age on adventitious shoot regeneration from hypocotyl and cotyledon explants was also studied. Results showed that hypocotyl and cotyledon explants from freshly isolated embryos exhibited a higher organogenesis potential than 4–15-day-old explants. Adventitious shoots from hypocotyls and cotyledons were established as proliferating shoot cultures following transfer to MS basal medium with Gamborg B5 vitamins supplemented with 10 μM BA plus 10 μM TDZ. A high rooting percentage (73–90%) was achieved when in vitro shoots were rooted on woody plant medium (WPM) containing 4.9 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and IAA (0, 2.9, 5.7, or 8.6 μM) with a combination of 10-day dark culture period followed by a 16-h photoperiod. The highest rooting (90%) of adventitious shoots or the number of roots per shoot (3.0 ± 1.0) was obtained on WPM with 4.9 μM IBA plus 5.7 μM IAA. Rooted plants were successfully acclimatized to the greenhouse and 100% survived after overwintering in cold storage. This regeneration system using hypocotyls and cotyledons provides a foundation for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of F. pennsylvanica for resistance to the emerald ash borer.
Biogeochemical processes in model estuaries

Sixty researchers met to evaluate the effects of global change on estuaries and to improve estuarine modeling at the Second International Symposium on the Biogeochemistry of Model Estuaries, held April 15–19, 1991, at Jekyll Island, Ga. The importance of successful sampling in evaluating chemical fluxes and establishing records of estuarine change was articulated, as was the need for tracer tools for improved modeling. The symposium was sponsored by the National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Department of Energy. Participants discussed particles and sedimentology, trace elements and metals, organic chemistry, and nutrient cycling of estuarine processes. Four days of presentations were followed by a half-day of discussion on advances in these topics and the overall goal of assessing estuarine processes in global change. What follows is a synopsis of this discussion.
Properties Variation with Composition of Single-Crystal Pb(ZrxTi1−x,)O3 Thin Films Prepared by MOCVD

Single-crystal thin films covering the full compositional range of Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3(PZT) 0≤x≤1 have been deposited by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The films were grown on epitaxial, RF-sputter-deposited SrRuO3 thin film electrodes on (001) SrTiO3 substrates. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive electron spectroscopy (EDS) and optical waveguiding were used to characterize the crystalline structure, composition, refractive index, and film thickness of the deposited films. We found that the PZT films were single-crystalline for all compositions exhibiting cube-on-cube epitaxy with the substrate with very high degrees of crystallinity and orientation. We report the systematic variations in the optical, dielectric, polarization, and transport properties as a function of composition and the epitaxy-induced modifications in the solid-solution phase diagram of this system. These films exhibited electronic properties which showed clear systematic variations with composition. High values of remnant polarization (30–55 μC/cm2) were observed at all ferroelectric compositions. Unlike previous studies, the dielectric constant exhibited a clear dependence on composition with values ranging from 225–650. The coercive fields decreased with increasing Zr concentration to a minimum of 20 kV/cm at the (70/30) composition. In addition, these films exhibited both high resistivity and dielectric-breakdown strength (˜1013 Ω-cm at 100 kV/cm and >300 kV/cm, respectively) without any compensative doping.
A Middle Management Perspective on Strategy Implementation

Middle managers play critical roles in the implementation of organizational strategies. Yet, little is known aboutthe views of middle managers on the organizational factors influencing strategy implementation. This paper is anattempt to extend existing understandings on the organizational factors influencing strategy implementation fromthe viewpoints of middle managers, including the contribution of middle managers in the implementation oforganizational strategies and the challenges associated with the implementation process. Data were collectedusing semistructured in-depth email interviews with 12 middle managers. This research demonstrates thatmanagement style, strategic alignment, internal communication, and middle management contribution arecritical factors influencing strategy implementation.
Antiretroviral Chemoprophylaxis: State of Evidence and the Research Agenda

Oral antiretroviral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been shown to decrease human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence in studies of men who have sex with men, heterosexual men and women, and injecting drug users. One study of pericoital tenofovir gel demonstrated that it reduced HIV incidence in South African women. However, other studies of African women failed to demonstrate protection with either oral tenofovir or tenofovir-emtricitabine, or daily tenofovir gel. The magnitude of PrEP protection appears to be highly correlated with medication adherence. New studies are evaluating whether different antiretrovirals, including dapivirine, rilpivirine, maraviroc, and new integrase inhibitors. Different formulations are also being evaluated, including gels, films, vaginal rings, and injectable medication. Although PrEP efficacy has been demonstrated, and several normative bodies (eg, the US Food and Drug Administration) have approved PrEP for clinical use, uptake has been slow. Reasons may include lack of sufficient provider and consumer education, residual concerns about costs, potential long-term toxicities, and behavioral disinhibition. Additional work is under way to determine how to best educate consumers and providers about optimal adherence and to use PrEP in conjunction with risk mitigation.
Can ultrasound contrast agents increase the treatment envelope

Currently, thermal ablation via transcranial MRI-guided focused ultrasound is restricted to centrally-located regions in the brain. This limitation is the result of skull heating when the focal region is steered to more peripheral regions in the brain, along with other factors such as limitations in beam steering in the currently-available clinical brain focused ultrasound systems. The treatment envelope could be expanded if the time averaged acoustic power needed for ablation could be reduced.
Overview of Microbial Source Tracking Methods Targeting Human Fecal Pollution Sources

Human fecal waste is thought to contain the largest number of human pathogens representing the greatest public health risk in comparison to other fecal sources. Human fecal pollution can be introduced into water resources from damaged sewer lines, faulty septic systems, combined sewer overflows, illicit dumping activities, and even recreational bathers themselves. Ensuring public safety and adequate water quality therefore requires methods that can confirm the presence or absence, as well as, determine the concentration human fecal pollution sources. This chapter provides an overview of human-associated fecal source identification methods commonly used to assess water quality. In addition to describing various methods, this chapter will also discuss factors to consider for method selection.
Half-size me? How calorie and price information influence ordering on restaurant menus with both half and full entrée portion sizes.

Many restaurants are increasingly required to display calorie information on their menus. We present a study examining how consumers' food choices are affected by the presence of calorie information on restaurant menus. However, unlike prior research on this topic, we focus on the effect of calorie information on food choices made from a menu that contains both full size portions and half size portions of entrees. This different focus is important because many restaurants increasingly provide more than one portion size option per entree. Additionally, we examine whether the impact of calorie information differs depending on whether full portions are cheaper per unit than half portions (non-linear pricing) or whether they have a similar per unit price (linear pricing). We find that when linear pricing is used, calorie information leads people to order fewer calories. This decrease occurs as people switch from unhealthy full sized portions to healthy full sized portions, not to unhealthy half sized portions. In contrast, when non-linear pricing is used, calorie information has no impact on calories selected. Considering the impact of calorie information on consumers' choices from menus with more than one entree portion size option is increasingly important given restaurant and legislative trends, and the present research demonstrates that calorie information and pricing scheme may interact to affect choices from such menus.
Computer-Assisted Bacterial Identification Using 16S rRNA Sequence Data

Most microorganisms cannot be cultured and are difficult to identify. One of the most widely used markers to help identify bacteria is the ribosomal RNA gene. A component of the small ribosomal subunit, 16S rRNA is composed of alternating evolutionarily conserved and hypervariable regions. One strategy is to exploit the length heterogeneity in the highly variable regions and to use it for microbial identification. Techniques based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are ideally suited for studying length heterogeneity of the 16S rRNA hypervariable regions. PCR primers were designed using the conserved regions (V1 and V1_V2) of the gene and the lengths of the resulting amplicons were estimated in the laboratory. The aim of this project is to design a computer program that takes as input the amplicon lengths arising from a PCR experiment with a given pair of primers and to output the set of known bacteria that can result in those sequence lengths. However, there are thousands of microbial organisms that display the exact same amplicon length for a given pair of primers. If two or more pairs of primers are used and the amplicon lengths estimated using PCR, then there is a much better chance of correctly identifying the bacterial organisms present in a sample. AmpliQue is a BioPerl program that addresses this problem. AmpliQue receives as input two pairs of primers and the lengths of the amplicons from the PCR experiment. It then reports all the microbial organisms that would result in those amplicon lengths. It uses the 16S rRNA sequence database from the Ribosomal Database Project (URL: http://rdp.cme.msu.edu/). Each set of primers was run independently against the 16S rRNA database using BLAST. Results from the BLAST hits were then merged into a single table. This resulting table was then queried with the observed amplicon lengths from the PCR experiments.
Chinese Investments and the Politics of Protecting Workers in Zambia

This paper focuses on the Zambian institutions’ role in protecting workers’ rights and the environment while still encouraging foreign investments. There are several reports which look at the labor incidents in Zambia but few tend to examine the institutions charged with protecting workers. This paper will examine the relationship between the institutions and the political establishment in protecting workers. It will also examine how the ruling party has changed its stand towards workers in order to promote foreign investments and safeguard its economic interest. This paper will also examine the acts, policies and institutions that seek to protect workers and their shortcomings. The paper concludes that while anti-China populism may get the attention of voters in the end it will be the strength of the institutions that will help bring about the balance in protecting workers.
The Coming of the New Dissent: The Supreme Court, 1942-43

A CORDING to an interesting analysis by Professor John T. Ganoe in the Oregon Law Review, the recent history of the Supreme Court has been marked by "the passing of the old dissent." He suggests that "Not since the days of John Marshall has the court been so constituted to bring about, in all essential economic and political matters, constant and continuous unanimity." But that has happened, he believes, on the present Roosevelt-appointed court. He continues:
Abnormal estrogen responses to ACTH stimulation in the polycystic ovary syndrome

The estrogen response to ACTH stimulation was tested in 16 patients with the polycystic ovary syndrome and compared to the responses of normal subjects and women with adrenal hyperplasia. Adrenal stimulation was shown to influence estrogen metabolism abnormally in the polycystic ovary syndrome and in adrenal hyperplasia. The nature of the abnormalities were such that adrenocortical-induced hyperestrogenism is thought to play a possibly important role in the etiology of the polycystic ovary syndrome.
Action Research Helps Citizens Prepare Madison County, Florida Vision 2020

Madison County, in North Central Florida, engages its citizens in a visioning process about every 10 years. This paper reports the process as it involved the three elements of participatory action research as described by Herr and Anderson (2005), participation, research and action. The participants included Madison citizens, business representatives and government officials as well as University of Florida faculty facilitators. The research was conducted in a series of meetings which involved data collection and description from the participants using a structured continuum of questions. The action part of the process was the actual reports from the citizen groups that took the issues and concerns as expressed in the small group setting and prepared a report to use with the county comprehensive plan and the Madison Development Council. Evaluations were positive and the comments indicated that participants looked forward to continuing to meet in their respective interest group to push their particular issue of concern. Keywords: visioning process, participatory action research, quality criteria, validity criteria
Changes of the light transmittance of the LDPE films during the service life for greenhouse application

Abstract In this study, changes on light transmittance of greenhouse covering materials produced by CO-EX technology with multi-layered CO-EX UV+IR+EVA and UV+IR+EVA+AD additives was investigated during their service life of 24 months. As physical properties, global solar radiation (GSR) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmittance of greenhouse covering materials were determined. Initial GSR transmittances were determined as 92.7% and 83.6% for UV+IR+EVA and UV+IR+EVA+AD added PE, respectively. The plastic films of UV+IR+EVA and UV+IR+EVA+AD had losses of GSR transmittances of 7.3% and 13.2% at the end of their service life, respectively. These losses were due to accumulation of dust and dirt on the exterior surface of films. Initial PAR transmittance of UV+IR+EVA and UV+IR+EVA+AD films were determined as 80.1% and 83.0%, respectively. Both of the plastic films of UV+IR+EVA and UV+IR+EVA+AD had PAR transmittance losses of 6.2% and 4.9% at the end of their service life, respectively.
Beyond interconnections

Use of wire for signal transmission has endured all of aviation history without major changes. Present investment in cable technology yields only minor improvements in performance. Emphasizing system level optical interconnects improves cost versus benefit.
Cajun Culture—an Interview

Dave Peyton, a journalist for the Gannett Newspaper chain, was awarded a fellowship by the Alicia Patterson Foundation in 1975. For his project, "Cajuns and Appalachians: Folk Cultures in Transition," he spent half a year studying the Cajun culture to "determine what mass culture was doing to the folk cultures in America-at least, using these two folk cultures as examples." He found that "what the Cajuns think of themselves on a person-to-person basiswhat they think about their culture, what they think about where they are going," is far behind the Appalachians in their thinking about their culture.1
Epilogue: Criteria for Avatarhood Based on Mythemes

Throughout Part One we have seen a recurrent pattern of certain themes and motifs central to the classical and modern Avatars. Certain motifs are used by the Indian Avatars repeatedly and they are found as common characteristics of the God-man, although all of the characteristics may not be used by each God-man. These ‘mythemes’ are central to the Avatar and are isolated and described below.
School public health emergencies in Ma'anshan during 2006-2012

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of public health emergencies in school,and to provide scientific basis for specific prevention and intervention strategies. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the school public health emergency web-based reporting system in Ma'anshan from 2006 to 2012. Results There were 73 incidents of school public health emergency during 2006-2012 in Ma'anshan. The hand-foot-mouth disease( HFMD) and mumps outbreak were the main incidents of public health emergency in school,which were respectively accounted for 47. 9% and 23. 3%. Most of school public health emergencies occurred in preschools and during April-May. Conclusion There is a rising trend of school public health emergencies in Ma 'anshan. Public health infectious disease emergencies should be paid much attention in school health agenda,as well as HFMD prevention and control activities.
Hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Coexisting diabetes and hypertension can set off a vicious cycle of increasing renal damage and rising blood pressure. Early treatment—before blood pressure reaches levels traditionally considered hypertensive—can preserve renal function. Late treatment typically requires multiple drugs and may not effectively control blood pressure and arrest progression of renal disease.
SU‐F‐T‐632: On the Use of Intensity Modulated Arc Therapy for Thoracic Vertebral Metastases SBRT Treatment

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate quality, efficiency and delivery accuracy of intensity modulated arc therapy (IMAT) plans for thoracic-vertebral metastases using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Methods: After obtaining approval of RPC-benchmark plan, seven previously treated thoracic-vertebral metastases patients with non-coplanar hybrid arcs(NC-HA)using 1–2 3D-dynamic conformal partial-arcs plus 7–9 IMRT-beams were re-optimized with IMAT using 3 full co-planar arcs. Tumors were located between T2–T7. T1/T2-weighted MRI images were co-registered with planning-CT. PTVs were between 24.3–240.1cc(median=48.1cc). Prescription was 30Gy in 5 fractions with 6-MV beams at Novalis-TX consisting of HD-MLC.Plans were compared for target coverage:conformality index(CI),homogeneity index(HI),PTVD90. Organs-at-risks(OARs)was evaluated for spinal cord(Dmax, D0.35cc, and D1.2cc), esophagus(Dmax and D5cc),heart(Dmax, D15cc)and lung(V5 and V10). Dose delivery efficiency and accuracy of each IMAT plan was assessed via quality assurance(QA) plan. Beam-on time was recorded and a gamma index was used to compare agreement between planned and measured doses. Results: SBRT IMAT plans resulted in superior CI(1.02 vs. 1.36, p=0.05) and HI (0.14 vs. 0.27, p=0.01). PTVD90 was improved but statistically insignificant (31.0 vs. 30.4Gy, p=0.38). IMAT resulted in statistically significant improvements in OARs sparing: esophagus max(22.5 vs. 27.0Gy, p=0.03), esophagus 5cc (17.6 vs. 21.5Gy, p=0.02) and heart max(13.1 vs. 15.8Gy, p=0.03). Spinal cord,lung V5 and V10 were lower but statistically insignificant. Average total MU and beam-on time were 2598±354 vs. 3542±495 and 4.7±0.6 min vs. 7.1±1.0min for IMAT vs. NC-HA (without accounting for couch kicks time for NC-HA). IMAT plans demonstrated an accurate dose delivery of 95.5±1.0% for clinical gamma passing-rate of 2%/2mm criteria on MapCHECK, that was comparable to NC-HA plans. Conclusion: IMAT plans provided highly conformal and homogeneous dose distributions to target and reduced OARs doses compared to NC-HA. Total MU was reduced by a factor of 1.4 and subsequently decreased treatment times significantly - potentially minimizing intra-fraction motion error and owing to patient comfort. SBRT using IMAT planning for single fraction thoracic-vertebrae metastases will be investigated.
The Mathematization of Empirico-Judgmental Discourse

The most distinctive change in economics and to a lesser degree in the other social sciences during the past half century, has been the mathematization of its language. This has been, we will argue, a crippling aberration that: (1) fails its purpose, (2) excludes a vital dimension of social phenomena from analysis, (3) perverts the process of judgment in a discourse where, necessarily, credibility derives from individual judgment.
Abstract 3237: Assessment and targeting of M2-tumor associated macrophages (M2-TAMs) in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths of men in the U.S., and in the past year, over 30,000 men died from this disease. While localized prostate cancer is highly treatable by surgical resection and radiation, cancer that has metastasized remains incurable. Alternatively activated macrophages, also known as M2-macrophages, primarily scavenge debris and in the process, promote angiogenesis and wound repair. M2-macrophages are phenotypically similar to M2 tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs) have been reported to associate with solid tumors such as prostate cancer to facilitate epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumor invasiveness, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. As an invasive species within the tumor microenvironment, this makes M2-TAMs an ideal therapeutic target in prostate cancer. The purpose of this project is to develop novel therapeutics that will directly target M2-TAMs for destruction and subsequently attenuate prostate tumor growth, progression and metastasis. The central hypothesis of this study is to determine if targeting of M2-TAMs using specific surface antigens will be an effective therapy for lethal prostate cancer and potentially, other cancers. Our study elucidated M2-Macrophage biology including creating homogenous populations of both M1 and M2 macrophages using a new strategy as to allow for identification of novel surface antigen markers. While using our new method for polarization of human monocyte polarization into macrophages, we found that M2 macrophages polarization was stymied in vitro after glutamine deprivation. We then assessed novel markers of macrophage populations, cytokine and chemokine production, T-Cell inactivation and we also assessed whether these surface antigens that are expressed on M2-macrophages are were found in metastatic human prostate cancers indicative of myeloid infiltration. Validation studies using metastatic prostate cancer tissues from rapid autopsies and surgical specimens supplied by the Department of Urology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine were also be performed. Complementary studies will be executed to target these markers for anti-tumor cell efficacy using these relevant model systems. By identifying and targeting specific markers on M2-TAMs, we predict that this targeting will provide a better prognosis for patients who have been diagnosed with lethal prostate cancer. Citation Format: Jelani C. Zarif, James R. Henandez, Kenneth J. Pienta. Assessment and targeting of M2-tumor associated macrophages (M2-TAMs) in prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3237.
Method to Compute CT System MTF

The modulation transfer function (MTF) is the normalized spatial frequency representation of the point spread function (PSF) of the system. Point objects are hard to come by, so typically the PSF is determined by taking the numerical derivative of the system's response to an edge. This is the method we use, and we typically use it with cylindrical objects. Given a cylindrical object, we first put an active contour around it, as shown in Figure 1(a). The active contour lets us know where the boundary of the test object is. We next set a threshold (Figure 1(b)) and determine the center of mass of the above threshold voxels. For the purposes of determining the center of mass, each voxel is weighted identically (not by voxel value).
Neural networks and nonparametric regression

The problem of estimating an unknown function from a finite number of noisy data points is a problem of fundamental importance for many applications in signal processing, machine vision, pattern recognition, and process control. Recently, several new computational techniques for nonparametric regression have been proposed by statisticians and by researchers in artificial neural networks. The author presents a critical survey and a common taxonomy of statistical and neural network methods for regression. Global parametric methods, piecewise parametric or locally parametric methods, and adaptive computation methods are considered. >
Impact of MYH6 Variants in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a clinically and anatomically severe form of congenital heart disease (CHD). Although prior studies suggest that HLHS has a complex genetic inheritance, it...
Synthesis of TiO2-Al2O3 and TiO2-Ta2O5 composite nanotubes on planar si substrates

Morphological studies of TiO2–Al2O3 and TiO2–Ta2O5 nanocomposite nanotubes synthesised on silicon substrates are presented here. Nanocomposite Ti–Al and Ti–Ta thin films were deposited on silicon substrates via simultaneous multi-target sputtering of Ti and Al targets or Ti and Ta targets, followed by anodisation in a fluorinated electrolyte. By increasing the Al or Ta concentration in the sputtered films, the morphology of the anodised films is changed from tubular oxides (with ripples on the outer walls) to well-aligned porous oxides (smooth walls, near zero gap between walls). By increasing the concentrations of Ta, formation of random Y-branched porous oxides in the anodised films is demonstrated. These nanotubes were synthesised on a planar substrates making them suitable for integrated circuits.
The role of language and the presence of previous immigration cohorts in immigrant political engagement: Ecuadorian collective action in New York City and Madrid

Scholarship on immigration has recently begun to examine the social process by which immigrants make collective demands. By focussing on the case of Ecuadorian immigrants in New York City and Madri...
A markup language for building a data warehouse for educational peer-assessment research

Peer assessment has proved to be a useful technique in all levels of education. The process of giving and receiving comments can encourage critical thinking and help students learn both from reviewing and being reviewed. Peer assessment generates a large volume of data, especially if done online. Online peer-assessment systems are designed differently and use different schema for their data, which complicates the work of comparing different designs. For example, some systems are based on ranking - reviewers rank the artifacts they are asked to assess, while other systems use rating - reviewers assess a single artifact at a time and score it on various criteria. Comparing these two types of systems, e.g. on rating accuracy, or usefulness of formative feedback, can be challenging because researchers need to learn the design and terminology of each system before analyzing the data. We introduce a Peer-Review Markup Language to provide a common definition of terminology across multiple systems. We are using this markup language to build a data warehouse for data from different systems. We discuss issues raised during this process and our approach to solving them.
Recruitment of the SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex by NFATc1 in the Transcriptional Regulation of the C-MYC Oncogene in Aggressive B-Cell Lymphomas

The NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells) family of transcription factors functions as integrators of multiple signaling pathways by binding to chromatin in combination with other transcription factors and coactivators to regulate genes central for cell growth and survival in hematopoietic cells. Recent experimental evidence has implicated the calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway for involvement in the pathogenesis of various malignancies, including large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma subgroup that is generally responsive to conventional cancer therapies (R-CHOP), but relapse is common that subsequently leads to therapeutic resistance. Although we have shown previously that NFAT family member NFATc1 is constitutively activated and has the ability to maintain cell growth and survival in LBCL cell lines and primary cells, the molecular mechanism(s) underlying how NFATc1 regulates cell growth and survival in LBCL is still unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that the well-known oncogene c-myc is transcriptionally regulated by the transcription factor NFATc1 in LBCL, through a chromatin remodeling mechanism that involves the recruitment of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex. In aggressive B-cell lymphoma cell lines, c-myc oncogene protein expression was shown to correlate with NFATc1 protein expression. We further showed that NFATc1 binds to a specific DNA binding element within the proximal c-myc promoter and up-regulates c-myc transcription. The SWI/SNF proteins Brg-1 and Brm, chromatin-remodeling proteins that utilize ATP hydrolysis for energy to modify chromatin structure in order to regulate gene expression, also were shown to bind to the NFAT binding site on the c-myc promoter. Confocal microscopic analysis showed that NFATc1 colocalizes with Brg-1, and co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that Brg-1 interacts with NFATc1. Both proteins interact with the c-myc promoter within the NFAT binding site, as demonstrated by chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis. Induction of a constitutively active mutant of NFATc1 (caNFATc1) in an NFATc1 negative lymphoma cell line induces c-myc protein expression. Constitutively active NFATc1 also enhances Brg-1 binding to the c-myc promoter when analyzed by ChIP-qPCR assays, suggesting that NFATc1 recruits Brg-1 to the NFAT binding site in the c-myc promoter. Down-regulation of NFATc1 by chemical inhibitors (FK-506) or by validated shRNA of NFATc1, inhibited c-myc protein expression and in-vitro lymphoma cell growth. Our data indicates a novel control mechanism for the transcriptional regulation of c-myc in the pathophysiology of aggressive lymphoma B cells and suggests that targeting NFATc1 could have therapeutic value.
Post-crash airline pricing: A case study of Alaska Airlines Flight 261

Abstract This paper examines the impact of the crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 on the domestic fares of the crash carrier, using a difference-in-difference approach. The results show that the crash reduced fares of Alaska Airlines relative to those of its competitors only in the months right after the crash, indicating that the financial ramifications are not persistent.
Broadband Fluorescence Enhancement and Ultrasensitive DNA Detection Using Plasmonic Open-Ring Nanoarrays

Silver open-ring nanostructures were designed for broadband fluorescence enhancement of quantum dots (QDs) and molecular beacons. The plasmon-enhanced fluorescence permits high signal-to-noise ratio yielding a ∼300fM detection limit, superior to those on plane silver surfaces.
Nature of the Smectic-A-Smectic-C Transition Near a Nematic-Smectic-A — Smectic-C Multicritical Point

A mean-field Landau model with a sixth-order term is employed to analyze the x-ray and heat-capacity data along the smectic-A — smectic-C (AC) transition line near one nematic-smectic-A — smectic-C (NAC) multicritical point. Even though this model gives a satisfactory fitting to all data along the AC transition line, the coefficients obtained for this model suggest that the fluctuations near the NAC point may be important.
Kinetic models of metabolism in intact cells, tissues, and organisms.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the kinetic models of metabolism in intact cells, tissues, and organisms. Models can provide conceptual insights and help one think and ask questions in realistic, dynamic terms, related to the steady-state conditions of the living cell. Kinetic models can reveal circumstances that are initially not intuitively obvious or even acceptable. They make specific predictions to be tested experimentally, suggest experimental approaches otherwise difficult to imagine, and aid in the analysis of phenomena not easily investigated experimentally, such as intracellular compartmentation. Because dynamic models simulate metabolism in living systems, they serve as a framework in which to judge the relevance of in vitro data to metabolism in vivo, and in which to determine those elements that are probably critical variables, that is, rate-limiting or controlling essential reactions in an intact organism. Thus, in effect, the construction and analysis of kinetic models represent a powerful analytical technique. A model is a hypothesis formulated in quantitative detail. If the outcome of an experiment is consistent with the model, then the model's validity becomes more probable.
Integrating Financial and Physical Contracting in Electric Power Markets

Against the background of continuing restructuring of the U. S. electric power market, this paper considers the integration of financial and physical contracting under various models of market structure and transmission pricing. We begin with a delineation of the objectives which we believe, implicitly or explicitly, underlie the move towards restructuring. These include transparent and efficient markets for both long-term and short-term transactions, dynamic efficiency and innovation, customer-focused operations, and system integrity. We use these objectives to derive a number of important policy implications for the restructured power markets including clear ownership boundaries and regulatory incentives for market participants to operate in a commercial manner, and transparent rules and incentives for efficient contracting and pricing. We point out the implications for decreased competition and increased regulatory transactions cost from proposals which do not satisfy the stated requirements for commercial operations (e.g., recent proposals for nodal pricing of transmission service coupled with highly complex settlement and reconciliation procedures among participants). We then describe a general approach which does satisfy the prima facie requirements of market transparency and economic incentives. This approach is based on zonal and ex ante transmission pricing, regulated for-profit transmission service providers (TSPs), and permissive market intermediation. We indicate for this approach, under various models of the Independent System Operator (ISO), how financial and physical contracting could be integrated and how regulation of TSPs could be accomplished.
Rupture of the Corpus Cavernosum: Surgical Management

AbstractRupture of the corpus cavernosum is an uncommon injury resulting from a direct blow to the erect penis. The injury is easy to recognize but treatment remains controversial Our uniform operative plan, consisting of immediate exploration, identification, sharp debridement and primary repair of the tear in the tunica albuginea with absorbable sutures, resulted in preservation of normal penile erection in 7 patients. The hospital stay was brief (mean 3.8 days) and there were no complications. These results compare favorably to operative management as reported in the literature. Conservative management is associated with a 29 per cent complication rate and a mean hospital stay of 14 days. Therefore, early surgical repair of the rupture is advocated.
Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery

Posterior cervical stabilization and fusion with or without decompression is a commonly performed procedure for fracture and/or dislocation of the cervical spine, to stop the progression of spinal deformity, or to decompress the spinal cord and/or nerve roots (tumors, infections, deformity, and stenosis). While fracture repair and nerve root decompressions are usually limited to one or two levels, decompression of the spinal canal for tumors, infections and cervical spinal stenosis can be multilevel procedures (Fig. 29.1)
Mechanical properties of Fe-Co soft magnets

The tensile behavior of two magnetically soft alloys, Fe-49Co-2V and Fe-27Co, has been characterized as a function of testing temperature, grain size, and degree of long-range order. Several trends in the yield strength of the two alloys have been noted and possible mechanisms for their occurrence discussed. Ordering is found to markedly lower the yield strength of the Fe-49Co-2V. Both alloys exhibit three distinct regions in their yield strength vs. temperature curves. At lower and higher temperatures, i.e. regions I and III, the yield strength shows the normal drop with increasing temperature. In the intermediate temperature range (region II), however, Fe-49Co-2V with a B2 ordered structure demonstrates an anomalous strengthening with increasing temperature while the yield strength remains constant in the disordered Fe-27Co. Both alloys exhibit a Hall-Petch type relationship in their yield strength as a function of grain size and show a decrease in the strain hardening coefficient with increasing grain size.
Introduction to Media Production: The Path to Digital Media Production

Introduction to Media Production began years ago as an alternative text that would cover ALL aspects of media production, not just film or just tv or just radio. Kindem and Musburger needed a book that would show students how every form of media intersects with one another, and about how one needs to know the background history of how film affects video, and how video affects working in a studio, and ultimately, how one needs to know how to put it all together. Introduction to Media Production is the book that shows this intersection among the many forms of media, and how students can use this intersection to begin to develop their own high quality work.Introduction to Media Production is a primary source for students of media. Its readers learn about various forms of media, how to make the best use of them, why one would choose one form of media over another, and finally, about all of the techniques used to create a media project. The digital revolution has exploded all the former techniques used in digital media production, and this book covers the now restructured and formalized digital workflows that make all production processes by necessity, digital. This text will concentrate on offering students and newcomers to the field the means to become aware of the critical importance of understanding the end destination of their production as a part of pre-production, not the last portion of post production.Covering film, tv, video, audio, and graphics, the fourth edition of Introduction to Digital Media promises to be yet another comprehensive guide for both students of media and newcomers to the media industry.
Passive Appendages Improve the Maneuverability of Fishlike Robots

It is known that the passive mechanics of fish appendages play a role in the high efficiency of their swimming. A well-known example of this is the experimental demonstration that a dead fish could swim upstream [1] . However, little is known about the role if any of passive deformations of a fishlike body that could aid in its maneuverability. Part of the difficulty investigating this lies in clearly separating role of actuated body deformations and passive deformations in response to the fluid structure interaction. In this paper, we compare the maneuverability of several fish-shaped robotic models that possess varying numbers of passive appendages with a fish-shaped robot that has no appendages. All the robots are propelled by the oscillations of an internal momentum wheel thereby eliminating any active deformations of the body. Our experiments clearly reveal the significant improvement in maneuverability of robots with passive appendages. In the broader context of swimming robots, our experiments show that passive mechanisms could be useful to provide mechanical feedback that can help maneuverability and obstacle avoidance along with propulsive efficiency.
Fructose‐induced stress signaling in hepatocytes involves methylglyoxal

Fructose produces hepatic insulin resistance in humans and animals. We have proposed that the selective metabolism of fructose by the liver and the unique ability of fructose-1-phosphate to stimula...
Creep Behavior of a Superplastic Y-TZP/Al2O3 Composite: An Examination of the Possibility for Diffusion Creep

The creep characteristics of a high purity superplastic Y-TZP/Al 2 O 3 composite were studied. The test samples had a uniform initial grain size of essentially equiaxed grains and the phase distribution was also uniform. Creep tests were conducted at elevated temperatures in tension and measurements were taken after testing to determine the average size and shape of the grains. The creep curves showed the existence of a primary stage of creep and then a transition into a steady-state region where the strain rate remained reasonably constant. Observations by scanning electron microscopy revealed an elongation of the alumina grains with the grain strain essentially matching the overall strain within the sample. There was some grain growth after testing at the lower stresses. Preliminary observations using an atomic force microscope revealed direct evidence for the occurrence of some grain boundary sliding within the samples. The results are compared with earlier data reported for Y-TZP/Al 2 O 3 composites and they are analyzed using the interface reaction-controlled diffusion creep model.