cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vision: A Missing Key Dimension in the 5V Big Data Framework

If Big Data is to deliver on its big promises, a well-articulated vision must be developed in a collaborative way and effectively communicated to all key stakeholders. Without a guiding technology vision, the promise and benefits of Big Data will become elusive and lost to many organizations. The literature on Big Data frequently refers to the 5Vs of Big Data (Volume, Variety, Velocity, Veracity and Value). Based on a strategic framework, this paper adds another dimension to this important and widely used framework, namely Vision, and elaborates on the critical role of vision and its relationship and impact on the remaining Vs. Research shows that vision has a positive impact on organizational performance. Organizations that link vision with strategic information systems, such as Big Data applications, ga5in a sustainable competitive advantage in the marketplace. The importance of carefully defining, establishing and communicating the vision of Big Data to the entire organization and to key stakeholders in order to leverage Big Data for growth, profits, and sustainable competitive advantage is discussed.
Genetics of Tourette Syndrome

Age at onset, age at diagnosis, and phenotypic expressions of TS were compared in the offspring of affected males and females among 437 first degree relatives of 57 probands studied at Academic Department of Psychiatry, University College London Medical School, London, UK.
In Patients with Symptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis Is Endarterectomy Safer Than Carotid Stenting

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditure in the United States. Carotid disease accounts for a significant number of ischemic strokes and debate continues as to the most appropriate management for symptomatic carotid stenosis. The importance of surgical intervention, i.e. carotid endarterectomy (CEA), for symptomatic carotid stenosis has been widely accepted based on multiple well-constructed trials published in the early 1990s. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) was initially approved by the FDA in 2004, and has gained momentum as an alternative to CEA. A number of multicenter trials have demonstrated the safety of CAS in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients; however questions remain as to the long-term durability, as well as the proper patient selection for CAS. In this chapter, we review the current methods of treatment of symptomatic carotid stenosis, and discuss factors that influence the decision to perform CEA or CAS. In general, if the surgeons risk of stroke is acceptably low, CEA should be performed for patients with a >50 % symptomatic carotid stenosis. CAS should only be considered as an alternative for those with prohibitive medical comorbidities, and those with hostile anatomy.
Retooling Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis Algorithm to Enhance Non-Invasive High Resolution Laser Speckle Functional Imaging of Cutaneous Microcirculation

Cutaneous microvasculopathy complicates wound healing. Functional assessment of gated individual dermal microvessels is therefore of outstanding interest. Functional performance of laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) systems is compromised by motion artefacts. To address such weakness, post-processing of stacked images is reported. We report the first post-processing of binary raw data from a high-resolution LSCI camera. Sharp images of low-flowing microvessels were enabled by introducing inverse variance in conjunction with speckle contrast in Matlab-based program code. Extended moving window averaging enhanced signal-to-noise ratio. Functional quantitative study of blood flow kinetics was performed on single gated microvessels using a free hand tool. Based on detection of flow in low-flow microvessels, a new sharp contrast image was derived. Thus, this work presents the first distinct image with quantitative microperfusion data from gated human foot microvasculature. This versatile platform is applicable to study a wide range of tissue systems including fine vascular network in murine brain without craniotomy as well as that in the murine dorsal skin. Importantly, the algorithm reported herein is hardware agnostic and is capable of post-processing binary raw data from any camera source to improve the sensitivity of functional flow data above and beyond standard limits of the optical system.
Free-Choice Diet Selection — The Economics of Eating

Dietary choice is a fundamentally economic phenomenon in a social context. Only by understanding the socio-economic perspective can we understand rational free-choice dietary choice, which in turn is necessary for truly understanding departures from rational choice. This chapter presents an overview of economic choice and how it applies to dietary choices, good and bad, and draws upon several non-traditional viewpoints of intertemporal choice. Methods exist for modeling some of the complexity of dietary choice. Laboratory modeling of dietary choice will not be effective (or ethical) without consideration of which economic and social phenomenon the model captures.
Testing Social Information Processing Theories in Distance Education

A combination of stakeholder expectations and an evolving learning environment drive the interest in distance education. Technology is the key enabler of distance education by removing the geographical and temporal constraints imposed by traditional classroom environments. Today, distance education is struggling to manage and to meet the expectations of all of its stakeholders. For example, state organizations want to use taxpayer dollars efficiently; instructors want to present course topics for effective learning; and students want to use their learning to enhance their careers. It is safe to say that ultimately all parties want the best outcome. The biggest problem is that one is sure of all the parts or how those parts fit together.
Skeletal muscle protein accretion rates and hindlimb growth are reduced in late gestation intrauterine growth-restricted fetal sheep.

KEY POINTS Adults who were affected by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) suffer from reductions in muscle mass, which may contribute to insulin resistance and the development of diabetes. We demonstrate slower hindlimb linear growth and muscle protein synthesis rates that match the reduced hindlimb blood flow and oxygen consumption rates in IUGR fetal sheep. These adaptations resulted in hindlimb blood flow rates in IUGR that were similar to control fetuses on a weight-specific basis. Net hindlimb glucose uptake and lactate output rates were similar between groups, whereas amino acid uptake was significantly lower in IUGR fetal sheep. Among all fetuses, blood O2 saturation and plasma glucose, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 were positively associated and norepinephrine was negatively associated with hindlimb weight. These results further our understanding of the metabolic and hormonal adaptations to reduced oxygen and nutrient supply with placental insufficiency that develop to slow hindlimb growth and muscle protein accretion. ABSTRACT Reduced skeletal muscle mass in the fetus with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) persists into adulthood and may contribute to increased metabolic disease risk. To determine how placental insufficiency with reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to the fetus affects hindlimb blood flow, substrate uptake and protein accretion rates in skeletal muscle, late gestation control (CON) (n = 8) and IUGR (n = 13) fetal sheep were catheterized with aortic and femoral catheters and a flow transducer around the external iliac artery. Muscle protein kinetic rates were measured using isotopic tracers. Hindlimb weight, linear growth rate, muscle protein accretion rate and fractional synthetic rate were lower in IUGR compared to CON (P < 0.05). Absolute hindlimb blood flow was reduced in IUGR (IUGR: 32.9 ± 5.6 ml min-1 ; CON: 60.9 ± 6.5 ml min-1 ; P < 0.005), although flow normalized to hindlimb weight was similar between groups. Hindlimb oxygen consumption rate was lower in IUGR (IUGR: 10.4 ± 1.4 μmol min-1 100 g-1 ; CON: 14.7 ± 1.3 μmol min-1 100 g-1 ; P < 0.05). Hindlimb glucose uptake and lactate output rates were similar between groups, whereas amino acid uptake was lower in IUGR (IUGR: 1.3 ± 0.5 μmol min-1 100 g-1 ; CON: 2.9 ± 0.2 μmol min-1 100 g-1 ; P < 0.05). Blood O2 saturation (r2 = 0.80, P < 0.0001) and plasma glucose (r2 = 0.68, P < 0.0001), insulin (r2 = 0.40, P < 0.005) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 (r2 = 0.80, P < 0.0001) were positively associated and norepinephrine (r2 = 0.59, P < 0.0001) was negatively associated with hindlimb weight. Slower hindlimb linear growth and muscle protein synthesis rates match reduced hindlimb blood flow and oxygen consumption rates in the IUGR fetus. Metabolic adaptations to slow hindlimb growth are probably hormonally-mediated by mechanisms that include increased fetal norepinephrine and reduced IGF-1 and insulin.
A graph model for enhancing situational awareness in power systems

As societies are becoming more dependent on the power grids, the security issues and blackout threats are more emphasized. This paper proposes a new graph model for online visualization and assessment of power grid security. The proposed model integrates topology and power flow information to estimate and visualize interdependencies between the lines in the form of line dependency graph (LDG) and immediate threats graph (ITG). These models enable the system operator to predict the impact of line outage and identify the most vulnerable and critical links in the power system. Line Vulnerability Index (LVI) and Line Criticality Index (LCI) are introduced as two indices extracted from LDG to aid the operator in decision making and contingency selection. This package can be useful in enhancing situational awareness in power grid operation by visualization and estimation of system threats. The proposed approach is tested for security analysis of IEEE 30-bus and IEEE 118-bus systems and the results are discussed.
Identifying water price and population criteria for meeting future urban water demand targets

Abstract Predictive models for urban water demand can help identify the set of factors that must be satisfied in order to meet future targets for water demand. Some of the explanatory variables used in such models, such as service area population and changing temperature and rainfall rates, are outside the immediate control of water planners and managers. Others, such as water pricing and the intensity of voluntary water conservation efforts, are subject to decisions and programs implemented by the water utility. In order to understand this relationship, a multiple regression model fit to 44 years of monthly demand data (1970–2014) for Los Angeles, California was applied to predict possible future demand through 2050 under alternative scenarios for the explanatory variables: population, price, voluntary conservation efforts, and temperature and precipitation outcomes predicted by four global climate models with two CO 2 emission scenarios. Future residential water demand in Los Angeles is projected to be largely driven by price and population rather than climate change and conservation. A median projection for the year 2050 indicates that residential water demand in Los Angeles will increase by approximately 36 percent, to a level of 620 million m 3 per year. The Monte Carlo simulations of the fitted model for water demand were then used to find the set of conditions in the future for which water demand is predicted to be above or below the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power 2035 goal to reduce residential water demand by 25%. Results indicate that increases in price can not ensure that the 2035 water demand target can be met when population increases. Los Angeles must rely on furthering their conservation initiatives and increasing their use of stormwater capture, recycled water, and expanding their groundwater storage. The forecasting approach developed in this study can be utilized by other cities to understand the future of water demand in water-stressed areas. Improving water demand forecasts will help planners understand and optimize future investments in water supply infrastructure and related programs.
Work Engagement in Nonprofit Organizations: A Conceptual Model:

Using the revised job demands–resources (JD-R) model as a theoretical framework, our article aims to develop a conceptual model of the work engagement of paid workers in nonprofit organizations (NP...
Urban Citizenship: Campaigns to Restore Immigrant Voting Rights in the US

International migration challenges traditional notions of citizenship as mobile citizens may retain or regain their right to vote in elections. This article examines the rebirth of noncitizen votin...
Tapioca starch active nanocomposite films and their antimicrobial effectiveness on ready-to-eat chicken meat

Abstract Tapioca starch active nanocomposite films were prepared by incorporating cellulose nanocrystal and two grape pomace extracts (Cabernet Franc (red variety) and Viognier (white variety) using a solvent casting method. Their physical properties and antibacterial activities were characterized. Incorporating cellulose nanocrystal significantly (P
Aggression in Flocks of Foraging Shorebirds During Spring Stopover at Delaware Bay, USA

Abstract. The objective of this study was to examine aggressive behavior of shorebirds during spring stopover on beaches and other stopover habitats in Delaware Bay, New Jersey, USA. More aggressive interactions were observed between members of the same species than between species at all study locations. The incidence of interspecific interactions was higher than previously reported for shorebirds, particularly in Sanderlings (Calidris alba), which directed almost half of their attacks toward members of other species, mainly Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla). Significantly more heterospecific attacks were directed toward smaller competitors (67%) than toward similarly sized (15%) or larger (18%) competitors.
1.8 Philosophy and Theory in Geomorphology

The rigorous implementation of any scientific endeavor such as geomorphology is contingent upon practitioners being conscious of the concepts grounding their work. This chapter examines the ways in which metaphysics, philosophy, and theory continue to shape geomorphology and add rigor to investigations. Questions concerning the scope, nature and subject matter of the field are determined by how we define the philosophical parameters of geomorphology. Tensions between process studies and historical inquiry, the so-called two geomorphologies problem, differing conceptions of systems analysis or issues of landform classification are seen as reflections of theoretical incongruities and diversity rather than disciplinary fragmentation.
Supraclavicular Nerve Entrapment

The supraclavicular nerve originates from the third and fourth cervical segments, and divides into the medial, intermediate, and lateral branches. After this, it pierces the fascia to supply sensation to the skin of the neck and the skin over the anterior chest and shoulder, with branches going to the sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints. The clavicle itself is occasionally pierced by a branch of the nerve as a normal variant, which may result in manifestations of entrapment. The entrapment phenomenon has rarely been described.
Human Ecology and Its Link to Geographical Sociology

Human ecology is largely interested in the social organization of populations and the effects of environment and larger social structure on individuals within a given macro context. Since the turn of the twenty-first century, sociologists have become enamored with the effects of the environment through the application of statistical methods which take place into account as a factor. However, during the early 1900s these methods were far from being advanced and the primary approaches to spatial analysis in sociology consisted of the “hand-produced” methods used by Charles Galpin which spawned the early Chicago School adoption and extension of them. The next half century witnessed an unprecedented boom in spatial thinking that has continued to provide the framework—sometimes without explicit recognition—for much of the spatial analysis that is undertaken today. It is at these intersections of place, culture, and social process that the actual academic placement of human ecology has been argued over the years. Regardless of its standing as a discipline, the work of those in the realm of human ecology, such as Amos Hawley, Robert Park, and even Emile Durkheim, has contributed immensely to our contemporary ability to think of social processes as they occur in ecological context.
The application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of compromised flaps.

Introduction Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy has been used to promote viability of compromised flaps despite a paucity of supportive clinical evidence. This study provides an in-depth characterization of hyperbaric medicine to promote flap survival and identifies treatment variables associated with positive clinical outcomes. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of patients who received HBO2 therapy for a failing or threatened post-reconstructive flap from 5/30/2008 through 4/30/2012. Medical records were reviewed to collect patient characteristics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy details, and clinical outcomes. Descriptive and comparative statistics were utilized. Results Ninety-one patients underwent HBO2 therapy during this time period, with 15 patients meeting the selection criteria. Flap survival was achieved in 11 patients (73.3%). Of those successfully treated, four (36.4%) healed completely, and seven (63.6%) demonstrated marked improvement. Patients who were treated successfully demonstrated an average improvement in flap area of 68.3%. Variables significantly associated with a favorable treatment outcome included a high percentage of treatment completion (p = 0.022) and high pretreatment transcutaneous oxygen measurements (p = 0.05). Smoking was a negative factor (p = 0.011). Conclusion This study provides clinical data characterizing and supporting the application of hyperbaric medicine to aid in the viability of compromised flaps.
Microscale reduction error indicators and estimators for a periodic heterogeneous medium

Quantification of idealization errors associated with homogenization of periodic heterogenous medium is presented. The proposed Microscale Reduction Error (MRE) estimators and indicators are based on estimating the uniform validity properties of the double scale asymptotic expansion. The technique leads to a reliable quality control of the microscopic response of interest which is obtained on the basis of the mathematical homogenization theory.
Laboratory demonstration of variable-speed packaged air-conditioning units for provision of frequency regulation services

Buildings are responsible for more than 73% of the total electricity use in the United States and one-third of the building electricity use is attributed to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. If properly used, buildings could offer significant frequency control reserves to the power grid. This paper presents laboratory test results demonstrating the potential to use variable-speed packaged rooftop units for frequency regulation services. The test unit along with the proposed feedback control represents an add-on solution that requires minimum control upgrades to enable the provision of ancillary services. Test results show that HVAC systems can provide high-quality frequency regulation services with performance scores of up to 0.95. A first-order economic analysis also reveals significant economic benefits for building owners to participate in ancillary services.
Mathematical Details for Chapter 5

This chapter is similar in spirit to Chapter 7. It provides the mathematical details for many of the statements that were made, without proof, in Chapter 5. For convenience of the reader, we again state many of the Chapter 5 results, prior to their derivations.
National trends in total vs subtotal gastrectomy for middle and distal third gastric cancer

Abstract Background To identify trends in total and subtotal gastrectomy for middle and distal third gastric adenocarcinoma in the U.S. Methods NCDB was queried for patients with stage 0-III middle or distal gastric adenocarcinoma treated with total or subtotal gastrectomy. Statistical analysis including cox proportional hazards model was performed to examine overall survival by stage. Results 1,628 (85%) underwent subtotal gastrectomy and 283 (15%) underwent total. 1113 patients (58%) had distal tumors and 798 (42%) had middle tumors. Total gastrectomy patients more often had poor tumor grade (60% vs 50%,p Conclusions Total gastrectomy is performed for larger, more aggressive tumors with higher stage. Subtotal gastrectomy may have a survival benefit for stage III gastric cancers.
CloudSat's A-Train Exit and the Formation of the C-Train: An Orbital Dynamics Perspective

NASA's CloudS at mission was launched in 2006 and flew in formation with other earth-observing satellites in NASA's Afternoon Constellation (the “A-Train”)for approximately 12 years. In February 2018, a series of reaction wheel anomalies forced CloudSat to exit the A-Train, but in October 2018, CloudSat established a new formation at a lower altitude with its previous formation-flying partner, the French CALIPSO satellite. This paper outlines the orbital dynamics considerations of the A-Train exit, and the process required to establish the new “C-Train,” which was especially challenging given the constraints on CloudSat operations. Despite battery issues that severely limit CloudSat's allowable maneuver execution windows, CloudSat was able to exit the A-Train safely, re-shape its orbit at a new lower altitude, and work with the CALIPSO team to establish a new formation for coincident science measurements.
Increased stride-rate in runners following an independent retraining program: A randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE Increasing stride-rate by 5%-10% has been used for injury prevention and rehabilitation but evidence is limited if an independent program can alter stride-rate in runners. The objective of this study was to determine whether the preferred stride-rate of recreational runners can be increased by 5%-10% following a 6-week independent training program. METHODS Thirty-eight runners running a minimum of 15 miles/wk with a preferred stride-rate ≤85 strides/min determined during treadmill testing were randomized into two groups: (a) Experimental group was instructed to increase stride-rate by 10% using a watch and foot pod for stride-rate feedback; and (b) Control group was instructed to continue normal running. Compliance was tracked with a training log. One stride being defined as two sequential steps. Preferred running stride-rate was retested at 6 weeks using the same testing protocol. RESULTS There was no significant difference in baseline preferred running stride-rates between the experimental or control groups. A significant (P < .001) increase in stride-rate from 79.9 ± 4.8 to 86.8 ± 5.7 strides/min (8.6% increase) was found in the experimental group. The control group did not significantly change their stride-rate (Baseline: 80.4 ± 4.2, 6 weeks: 81.3 ± 3.3 strides/min). CONCLUSION A 6-week home training program using a watch and foot pod can increase the preferred running stride-rate by 5%-10% in runners with a stride-rate of 85 or less. Clinicians may be able to apply this type of gait retraining in recreational runners when designing injury prevention and rehabilitation programs.
Opioid Use is Reduced in Patients Treated with NSAIDS After Arthroscopic Shoulder Instability Repair: A Randomized Study:

Objectives:The current opioid epidemic necessitates physicians to seek ways to decrease patients’ requirements of narcotic medications without sacrificing their postoperative comfort level. This st...
Microhabitat Use, Spawning Behavior, and Spawning Substrate Use of the Tallapoosa Darter (Etheostoma tallapoosae)

Habitat use information for many headwater fish species in the southeastern United States is lacking, despite this group's contribution to regional biodiversity. The Tallapoosa Darter Etheostoma tallapoosae is an endemic species to the Tallapoosa River system, found within Georgia and Alabama. In this study collected data from four streams within the upper part of the species' range to provide estimates of habitat use for this rare percid. Our results indicate the Tallapoosa Darter is a microhabitat specialist and typically spawns in areas composed of coarse substrates and characterized by moderate depths (22-31 cm) and current velocities (0.09-0.18 m·s–1). This species also appears to use coarse gravel more than expected for egg-deposition, in relation to other substrate classes. Any future management plans within this river system should feature this endemic given the Tallapoosa Darter is a microhabitat specialist.
So What if She Can’t Dance and Sing: A Testimony from the Afrohabanera

From the early 1990s, a new film gained momentum in which there were no actors, i.e. contracted, paid, and famous, rather ordinary people, residing at the fringes of society, who momentarily were on camera, guided by a director determined to film realistic images. Cidade de Deus (Brazil), Pixote: a lei do mais fraco (Brazil), La vendedora de rosas (Colombia), Rodrigo D (Colombia), and Ratas y ratones (Ecuador) are examples. There is little footage about Cubans during the Special Period (1989-1995). Further, until then no production had directly and realistically focused on Afro-Cuban women. Rolando Diaz’s 1998 production, Si me comprendieras (If You Could Understand Me) offers an opportunity to contemplate her version of the Special Period. Havana comes alive, embedded in that artistic technique of presenting the black female body as the medium for navigating issues such as culture, revolution, and nationhood. While music and dance serve as the point of entry for displaying the fabric of society, they transition into tools that assess how empowered Afro-Cuban women have become during and after the Revolution, especially at the time of the filming thirty years later.
Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels: a newly emerging anion transport family.

A new family of chloride transport proteins has recently emerged. These proteins have extensive homology to a protein previously isolated from bovine tracheal epithelium that acts as a Ca2+-sensitive Cl– channel (CaCC) when heterologously expressed or when reconstituted into planar lipid bilayers. Several new members of this family have been identified in human, murine, and bovine epithelia, in addition to some other tissues, and are associated with Ca2+-sensitive conductive chloride transport when heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes or HEK 293 cells. The expressed current is also sensitive to inhibitors such as DIDS and niflumic acid. In addition, at least one family member acts as an endothelial cell adhesion molecule. This emerging family may underlie the Ca2+-mediated Cl– conductance responsible for rescue of the cystic fibrosis (CF) knockout mouse from significant airway disease.
Staying ahead of the curve: the use of spinopelvic parameters to predict curve progression and bracing success in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Retrospective cohort study. To investigate radiographic sagittal and spinopelvic parameters of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) treated with bracing and assess differences among those treated successfully and unsuccessfully. AIS is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine, sharing an intricate relationship with pelvic morphology. However, the most relevant predictors of curve progression have historically been coronal parameters and skeletal maturity. Sagittal and spinopelvic parameters have not been thoroughly investigated as predictors of curve progression and brace treatment success. Retrospective review of AIS patients who underwent brace treatment. Coronal Cobb angles (CC), pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), and thoracic spinopelvic angles (T1SP, T9SP) were measured prior to initiation of bracing. The sagittal and spinopelvic parameters of patients requiring surgical treatment due to curve progression were compared to those treated successfully with bracing. No significant differences were found for age, race, gender, Risser category (0/1 vs 2/3), initial CC, TK, LL, T1SP, or T9SP between cohorts. The cohort requiring surgery had significantly lower PI (p < 0.001, 42.0 v. 54.6), SS (p < 0.001, 37.0 v. 44.5), and PT (p = 0.003, 5.0 v. 10.2) compared to those successfully treated with bracing. Multivariable models controlling for Risser stage and Initial CC revealed the odds for successful brace treatment increases with an increase in PI (OR = 1.47, CI 1.18–1.83, p < 0.001), SS (OR = 1.26, CI 1.07–1.48, p = 0.006), and PT (OR = 1.43, CI 1.09–1.86, p = 0.006) (Table 3). The odds of successful brace treatment is given per one-unit increase for each radiographic measure after adjusting for Initial CC and Risser sign which were forced into each multivariable model. Spinopelvic parameters may indicate potential spine adaptability and skeletal maturity. For these reasons, we proposed that spinopelvic parameters may be a potential predictor of curve progression and brace treatment success. Our results demonstrated a higher risk of curve progression with lower PI, PT, or SS which support this hypothesis, however, given the small sample size and high variability, the magnitude of this effect should be viewed with caution and should serve as an impetus to further, larger scale studies to investigate the value spinopelvic parameters in curve progression and bracing efficacy. IV.
Associations Between Plasma Ceramides and Cerebral Microbleeds or Lacunes.

Objective: High plasma ceramide levels and ratios are associated with poor outcomes in individuals with cardiovascular disease; less is known about their relation to cerebral small vessel disease. ...
The impact of surface particulates and laser-accelerated particles on continuous-wave laser damage

Typical continuous-wave (CW) laser damage, which is based on average power, differs considerably from its ultra-short-pulse counterpart, which is based on maximum field. Despite this fundamental difference, it has recently been found that CW breakdown in the presence of surface particle contamination (i.e. dirt) has some of the dependences of ultra-short pulse breakdown, such as bandgap dependences, albeit based on very different physical mechanisms. Further studies have shown that particles in air are also a danger to surfaces in high average power applications, with laser breakdown potentially occurring at power levels well below that of both clean optics and optics with fixed surface particles.
EMERGING CHALLENGES IN MULTISCALE MODELING IN BIOLOGY.

With growing computer power, novel diagnostic and therapeutic medical technologies, coupled with an increasing knowledge of pathophysiology from gene to organ systems, it is increasingly practical to apply multi-scale patient-specific modeling based on proven disease mechanisms to guide and predict the response to therapy in many aspects of medicine. This is an exciting and relatively new approach, for which efficient methods and computational tools are of the utmost importance. This session will address multi-scale modeling activities that are focused on crossing levels from proteins, cells, tissues, organs, up to the system level. There are several significant motivations for multi-scale modeling in physiology. First, the need to model at multiple levels – spatially and temporally – becomes clear by simply considering physiology: organisms consist of organs, which are made of different tissues; these tissues are made up of sets of specialized cells interacting with each other. Within the cells complex biochemical processes regulate cell metabolism and short and long term behavior, all taking place on the underlying protein kinetics and gene expressions. Hence, a strong interconnection exists between all levels: normal function at a given level depends on the underlying synergy of sublevels – but also on higher levels, such as feedback via neural and hormonal mechanisms. Multi-scale patient-specific modeling is an emerging frontier in computational biology and possibly the future of medicine. Just recently, NIH posted a new Funding Opportunity Announcement “Predictive Multiscale Models of the Physiome in Health and Disease”, for which the first submission round closed in January 2008. A number of workshops and panel recommendations have also recognized and addressed the importance and the difficulties in interpreting experimental results that are cross-scale in space, time and state. The Multi-Scale Modeling (MSM) consortium, along with the participation of the Interagency Modeling and Analysis Group (IMAG) of a consortium of federal agencies aims to promote the development and exchange of tools, models, data and standards for the multi-scale modeling community.
End results in adenocarcinoma of the endometrium managed by preoperative irradiation

Abstract 1. 1. Table XV presents a summary of the 5 year results in 297 patients seen during the 34 years, 1921 to 1954. 2. 2. Irradiation, especially with intrauterine radium, has played a prominent part in the therapy. In operable cases it has been used primarily to devitalize the carcinoma and thereby prevent manipulative spread and local recurrence. 3. 3. The preferred method of treatment has been intrauterine radium followed in 6 weeks by total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Sixty per cent of the patients were treated by less satisfactory methods, usually because the carcinoma was advanced or the patient was a poor operative risk.
Earth as an evolving planetary system

1. Earth Systems 2. The Crust 3. Tectonic Settings 4. The Mantle 5. The Core 6. The Atmosphere and Oceans 7. Living Systems 8. Crustal and Mantle Evolution 9. The Supercontinent Cycle and Mantle Plume Events 10. Comparative Planetary Evolution
A computational study of wave propagation in a model for anisotropic cardiac ventricular tissue

We present numerical results for a two-dimensional model of cardiac tissue that uses either a mono- or bidomain description of the intracellular and extracellular potentials. The governing equations are a set of partial differential equations for the potentials coupled with ordinary differential equations for the local cellular dynamics. We develop and test a new hybrid numerical approach based on the Alternating Direction Implicit method and the Multigrid method. We also investigate the implementation of the algorithm in a parallel environment.
Abstract P168: Vitamin D Status does not influence Bone Density in Africans

Without regard to race, the Institute of Medicine states that to protect bone health vitamin D, measured as 25(OH)D, should be >20 ng/mL while levels of 12-19 ng/mL are inadequate and levels of <12 ng/mL are deficient. However, even when 25(OH)D levels are low, bone mineral density (BMD) is not compromised in African-Americans. The relationship of 25(OH)D levels to BMD in Africans is unknown. Therefore 78 African immigrants to the United States (77% male, median age 35y, age range 22-63y (95% CI: 36, 40)) had 25(OH)D levels and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. Distribution of 25(OH)D levels by quartile was determined (Fig. 1). The distribution of whole body BMD across quartiles of 25(OH)D was assessed (Fig. 2). Median 25(0H)D levels was 21 ng/mL (95% CI: 20, 23) with 47% having 25(OH)D<20 ng/mL and 8% having 25(OH)D <12 ng/mL. BMD did not change across quartiles of 25(OH)D (Fig. 2). Spearman correlation between BMD and 25(OH)D was r =0.1, P=0.5. As there was no relationship between vitamin D ...
Feature extraction for robust speech recognition using a power-law nonlinearity and power-bias subtraction.

This paper presents a new feature extraction algorithm called Power-Normalized Cepstral Coefficients (PNCC) that is based on auditory processing. Major new features of PNCC processing include the use of a power-law nonlinearity that replaces the traditional log nonlinearity used for MFCC coefficients, and a novel algorithm that suppresses background excitation by estimating SNR based on the ratio of the arithmetic to geometric mean power, and subtracts the inferred background power. Experimental results demonstrate that the PNCC processing provides substantial improvements in recognition accuracy compared to MFCC and PLP processing for various types of additive noise. The computational cost of PNCC is only slightly greater than that of conventional MFCC processing.
Load balancing multi-zone applications on a heterogeneous cluster with multi-level parallelism

We investigate the feasibility of running parallel applications on heterogeneous clusters. The motivation for doing so is twofold. First, it is practical to be able to pull together existing machines to run a job that is too big for any one of them, especially if such jobs are run rarely. Second, in the event of an emergency, where a very large problem must be solved in a few days, it may not be feasible to purchase and install a new machine in time, and any existing machines will have to be brought to bear on the problem. We ran the Multi-zone versions of the NAS Parallel Benchmarks (NPB) on a cluster composed of two SGI Origin 2000 servers, and an Intel SMP Xeon server connected by Gigabit Ethernet. We report on the results and their implications for running parallel applications on heterogeneous clusters.
On the opposing roles of air temperature and wind speed variability in flux estimation from remotely sensed land surface states

[1] In semi-arid regions the evapotranspiration rates depend on both the spatial distribution of the vegetation and the soil moisture, for a given radiation regime. Remote sensing can provide high resolution spatially distributed estimation (o ∼ 10–100 m) of land surface states. However, data on the near surface air properties are not readily available at the same resolution and are often taken as spatially uniform over a greater region. Concern for how this scale mismatch might lead to erroneous flux estimations motivates this effort. This paper examines the relative roles of variability in the two dominant atmospheric states, wind speed and air temperature, on the variability of the surface fluxes. The study is conducted with a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL), where the boundary conditions are given by a surface energy balance model based on remotely sensed land surface data. Simulations have been performed for the late morning hours of two clear-sky summer days during the SGP97 experiment with different wetness conditions over an area characterized by a high contrast in surface temperature, canopy cover, and roughness between vegetated and dry bare soil areas. Spatial variability in canopy density effects both the air temperature Ta, through the energy partitioning, and the wind speed U, via the roughness, leading to local variations at 5 m above the ground of the order of 1 K and 1 m/s, respectively. Simulations show that the Ta variability tends to decrease the sensible heat flux H (− 30 W/m2) over bare soil areas and to increase it (+30 W/m2) over dense vegetation, thus reducing the total variability of the surface fluxes relative to those that would be estimated for spatially constant Ta, as observed in previous studies. The variability in U tends to increase H over bare soil (+50 W/m2), while having negligible effects over the vegetation, thus increasing the spatial variance of surface fluxes. However, when considered together, the combined effect is limited ( 50%) in the estimation of the evaporative fraction EF.
A computational model for divide-and-conquer strategies on parallel architectures

A novel computational model is presented in graph-theoretic terms for the implementation of divide-and-conquer strategies on parallel architectures. Standard applications, such as sorting and segmentation in image analysis, are shown to fit the model. The utilization of this model as part of a mapping strategy would eliminate a major hurdle in the implementation of several new applications in parallel computers. >
A structured scientific solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict: the analytic hierarchy process approach

While the Israeli–Palestinian conflict has raged for decades, in all of its ramifications there has never been a totally structured or scientific approach to the conflict with all of its details. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approaches the problem along these lines. There are a plethora of reasons why the traditional face to face negotiations have broken down over the years. This paper identifies a significant number of those impediments and indicates how the AHP can productively address them. A summary of the highlights of the AHP approach precedes how it has been applied to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. To date, the participants, significant members of both communities, have derived and agreed upon a solution that includes all the major issues, except for the refugee problem. That problem is currently being worked on, but will take an extended period because of the unique factors involved. What has been provided is an agreed upon solution to virtually all of the issues impeding past negotiations, including borders, settlements, the status of Jerusalem, the Holy Places, security and expectations of each side.
Making connections through development [engineering college marketing]

This is the sixth in a series of six companion papers that address the marketing of the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, USA. While valuable as an independent resource, the content of this document should be considered within the context of all six papers. Making connections through development is marketing "up close and personal". As public institutions become more active in pursuing private support for academic programs, they are putting more emphasis on the development of partnerships with alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations. The development of these partnerships takes time and patience, and above all, a strategy based on the culture of the institution and its donors. This paper describes the strategy of the University of Arkansas College of Engineering in obtaining the private support necessary to become a top 25 public college of engineering.
Interaction of Musicianship and Aging: A Comparison of Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials

Objective. The goal of this study was to begin to explore whether the beneficial auditory neural effects of early music training persist throughout life and influence age-related changes in neurophysiological processing of sound. Design. Cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) elicited by harmonic tone complexes were examined, including P1-N1-P2, mismatch negativity (MMN), and P3a. Study Sample. Data from older adult musicians (n = 8) and nonmusicians (n = 8) (ages 55–70 years) were compared to previous data from young adult musicians (n = 40) and nonmusicians (n = 20) (ages 18–33 years). Results. P1-N1-P2 amplitudes and latencies did not differ between older adult musicians and nonmusicians; however, MMN and P3a latencies for harmonic tone deviances were earlier for older musicians than older nonmusicians. Comparisons of P1-N1-P2, MMN, and P3a components between older and young adult musicians and nonmusicians suggest that P1 and P2 latencies are significantly affected by age, but not musicianship, while MMN and P3a appear to be more sensitive to effects of musicianship than aging. Conclusions. Findings support beneficial influences of musicianship on central auditory function and suggest a positive interaction between aging and musicianship on the auditory neural system.
Leveraging on-chip networks for data cache migration in chip multiprocessors

Recently, chip multiprocessors (CMPs) have arisen as the de facto design for modern high-performance processors, with increasing core counts. An important property of CMPs is that remote, but on-chip, L2 cache accesses are less costly than off-chip accesses; this is in contrast to earlier chip-to-chip or board-to-board multiprocessors, where an access to a remote node is just as costly if not more so than a main memory access. This motivates on-chip cache migration as a means to retain more data on-chip. However, previously proposed techniques do not scale to high core counts: they do not leverage the on-chip caches of all cores nor have a scalable migration mechanism. In this paper we propose ascalable in-network migration technique which uses hints embedded within the router microarchitecture to steer L2 cache evictions towards free/invalid cache slots in any on-chip core cache, rather than evicting it off-chip. We show that our technique can provide an average of a 19% reduction in the number of off-chip memory accesses over the state-of-the-art, beating the performance of a pseudo-optimal migration technique. This can be done with negligible area overhead and a manageable traffic overhead of 13.4%.
Direct evidence for calcium-induced ischemic and reperfusion injury

Changes in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in the cat cortex were measured in vivo by indo-1 fluorometry during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion and were correlated to the histopathological ischemic changes. These changes were most pronounced in stroke cases with an increase in [Ca2+]i throughout the ischemic and reperfusion periods. Cases without a [Ca2+]i increase showed no histopathological change in the cortical gyrus in which [Ca2+]i was measured. The data support the hypothesis that an increase in [Ca 2+]i during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion leads to neuronal damage.
Population Dynamics of Brachycorynella asparagi (Homoptera: Aphididae) on Undisturbed Asparagus in Washington State

Dynamics of the asparagus aphid, Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordvilko), were studied in two mature asparagus fields and one immature field for a minimum of two seasons. To minimize disturbance to the asparagus, no harvesting, spraying, or cultivation was done. Numbers of B. asparagi were low early in the spring and increased to a peak in late June or July or in September to early October. No midseason peak was observed. Fields with an early summer peak had a midsummer low point and usually a late summer peak. Decline of aphid numbers in the fall coincided with egg laying that started during the last week of September when day length was about 12 h. Production of winged aphids and parasitism by Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) were density-dependent on some plots. These mortality factors undercompensated for changes in aphid density and failed to keep aphid numbers at acceptable levels. No consistent, significant correlations between temperature or rainfall and aphid numbers were found. Egg hatch occurred shortly after the first asparagus spears emerged in the spring. Predicted time of egg hatch based on degree days was within 1 d of observed hatch. Growth of asparagus plants during a growing season had a weak, inverse relationship to aphid numbers.
Sex Differences in Scores on the Structured-Objective Rorschach Test

Evidence suggests that men are superior to women in analytical and problem-solving abilities. Data for 10 Structured-Objective Rorschach Test scores were obtained for 44 college men and 89 college women. The results indicated that: (a) men were superior to women in Theoretical (W) and Original (O) attributes (p = .05); (b) women were superior to men in the control of energy, Activity Potential (M) factor (p = .001), but they could not use this ability as effectively as men in theoretical problem-solving, although the men demonstrated a higher level of anxiety.