cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multicasting of digital images over erasure broadcast channels using rateless codes

In this paper, the multicasting of digitally encoded images on a heterogeneous network is considered. In order to obtain analytically tractable problems, the wavelet transform coefficients of a digital image are modeled as a set of parallel Gaussian sources. Also, a general network transport mechanism subject to packet losses is modeled as an erasure broadcast channel where users are affected by possibly very different erasure probabilities. In the proposed setting, the convex nature of the rate distortion function allows relevant optimization problems corresponding to various performance criteria to be solved. The solutions of these optimization problems serve as starting points for the design of source-channel codes based on embedded scalar quantization, on linear rateless encoders that map directly the (redundant) bits generated by the quantizer into channel symbols, and on progressive transmission of the encoded symbols organized into “layers”, such that users with higher capacity achieve better end-to-end distortion. At the decoders, iterative belief propagation decoding, multi-stage sequential decoding of the layers and soft-bit reconstruction are used. Numerical experiment sshow that 1) the proposed model is sufficiently accurate to provide system design guidelines for the case of real-life images, and 2) the proposed coding scheme achieves ratedistortion performance very close to the theoretical optimum.
Experimental verification of near-wall hindered diffusion for the Brownian motion of nanoparticles using evanescent wave microscopy

A total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy technique coupled with three-dimensional tracking of nanoparticles is used to experimentally verify the theory on near-wall hindered Brownian motion [Goldman et al., Chem. Eng. Sci. 22, 637 (1967); Brenner, Chem. Eng. Sci. 16, 242 (1967)] very close to the solid surface (within $\ensuremath{\sim}1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$). The measured mean square displacements (MSDs) in the lateral $x\text{\ensuremath{-}}y$ directions show good agreement with the theory for all tested nanoparticles of radii 50, 100, 250, and 500 nm. However, the measured MSDs in the $z$ direction deviate substantially from the theory particularly for the case of smaller particles of 50 and 100 nm radius. Since the theory considers only the hydrodynamic interaction of moving particles with a stationary solid wall, additionally possible interaction forces like gravitational forces, van der Waals forces, and electro-osmotic forces have been examined to delineate the physical reasons for the discrepancy.
On the interpretation of smoking risks in atherosclerosis

Abstract As demonstrated on data from the New Orleans autopsy study, a two-parameter model postulating that raised lesions arise from fatty streaks at rates constant over time accounts quantitatively for the observed ‘prevalence’ curves of these lesions. In the abdominal aorta, smoking appears to enhance the formation of fatty streaks as well as their subsequent conversion; in the coronaries. only the conversion seems to be enhanced.
Effect of ionizing radiation on the chemical composition, crystalline content and structure, and flow properties of polytetrafluoroethylene

This article describes a study of ionizing radiation-induced changes in the chemical composition, crystalline content and structure, and flow properties in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Irradiations conducted in the presence of oxygen cause acid fluoride end groups to be formed, which on exposure to water vapor hydrolyze to form carboxylic acid end groups. Analyses by infrared (IR) spectroscopy indicate that when irradiated in a vacuum PTFE exhibits defect absorption bands which have been attributed to branch and crosslink formation. The crystalline content of PTFE which increases after exposure to radiation was monitored by IR spectroscopy, density, x-ray diffraction on unoriented samples, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as the measurement probes. The melt viscosity of PTFE exposed to various radiation doses in air decreases dramatically after irradiation. Between 2.5 and 5 Mrd an increase in viscosity is attributed to the formation of branches and crosslinks. The effects of preirradiation crystallinity and postirradiation heat treatment were studied. A model is presented to explain the mechanism of the observed radiation effects.
NMR structure of the N-terminal J domain of murine polyomavirus T antigens. Implications for DnaJ-like domains and for mutations of T antigens.

Abstract The NMR structure of the N-terminal, DnaJ-like domain of murine polyomavirus tumor antigens (PyJ) has been determined to high precision, with root mean square deviations to the mean structure of 0.38 A for backbone atoms and 0.94 A for all heavy atoms of ordered residues 5–41 and 50–69. PyJ possesses a three-helix fold, in which anti-parallel helices II and III are bridged by helix I, similar to the four-helix fold of the J domains of DnaJ and human DnaJ-1. PyJ differs significantly in the lengths of N terminus, helix I, and helix III. The universally conserved HPD motif appears to form a His-Pro C-cap of helix II. Helix I features a stabilizing Schellman C-cap that is probably conserved universally among J domains. On the helix II surface where positive charges of other J domains have been implicated in binding of hsp70s, PyJ contains glutamine residues. Nonetheless, chimeras that replace the J domain of DnaJ with PyJ function like wild-type DnaJ in promoting growth of Escherichia coli. This activity can be modulated by mutations of at least one of these glutamines. T antigen mutations reported to impair cellular transformation by the virus, presumably via interactions with PP2A, cluster in the hydrophobic folding core and at the extreme N terminus, remote from the HPD loop.
A BDNF coding variant is associated with the NEO personality inventory domain neuroticism, a risk factor for depression.

, but with traits, such as personality factors, that are themselves associated with risk for the disorder (Lander and Schork, 1994; Stolten-berg and Burmeister, 2000). Often such traits have a higher heritability than the disease status (Almasy and Blangero, 2001). Neuroticism, as measured by the NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI) (Costa and McCrae, 1997), a psycho-metrically sound and widely used instrument, is one such trait. High scorers on the Neuroticism domain are char-acterized by frequent experience of “negative emotional-ity” such as anxiety, low mood, and hostility. Converging lines of evidence point to brain-derived neurotrophic fac-tor (BDNF) as a factor in the pathophysiology of depres-sion. To explore the possibility that variation in the BDNF gene is, in part, responsible for the population variation in Neuroticism, we studied a community sample of 441 sub-jects, genotyping a G→A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) responsible for a valine→methionine substitution in the prodomain of BDNF. The less common, nonconserved Met allele was associated with significantly lower mean Neuroticism scores (
Multiphoton-evoked color change of DsRed as an optical highlighter for cellular and subcellular labeling

DsRed, a recently cloned red fluorescent protein, has attracted great interest as an expression tracer and fusion partner for multicolor imaging. We report that three-photon excitation (λ 30 h without affecting cell viability. This technique allows individual cells, organelles, and fusion proteins to be optically marked and has potential utility for studying cell lineage, organelle dynamics, and protein trafficking, as well as for selective retrieval of cells from a population. We describe optimal parameters to induce the color change of DsRed, and demonstrate applications that show the potential of this optical highlighter.
Transmission characteristics of long-period fiber gratings having arbitrary azimuthal/radial refractive index variations

A numerical method is presented for determining the transmittance of long-period (LP) fiber-gratings having arbitrary azimuthal/radial refractive index variations. The method uses coupled-mode theory and includes both the sine and cosine character of the LP modes. The model treats interactions between the fundamental LP/sub 01/ mode and high-azimuthal-order cladding modes. The method utilizes the transfer matrix method to model cylindrical layers both in the core and the cladding regions.
Toward coordinated sensor motion for classification: An example of intrusion detection using Bayes risk

In this paper we propose a framework for optimal coordinated sensor motion using the Bayes risk. For the purpose of illustration, we address an intrusion detection problem, which is cast as a binary hypothesis testing problem. We consider two distinct hypotheses or classes for moving targets. They are classified as threat or safe, depending on the future target trajectory entering or not entering a specified area of interest. The principal contribution of our work is a formal analysis, under various simplifying assumptions, of how Bayes risk can used to generate sensor motion control laws. We propose the use of the extended Kalman filter (EKF) state estimate and covariance as the summary statistic for the sensor observations. Thus the novelty of our approach lies in combining the classification and estimation problems formally, leading to an optimal coordinated sensor motion control algorithm.
Transparent luminescent silicone nanocomposites filled with bimodal PDMS-brush-grafted CdSe quantum dots

We report a simple and effective approach to disperse CdSe quantum dots (QDs) into a high molecular weight silicone matrix and prepare highly transparent luminescent CdSe–silicone nanocomposites. The CdSe QDs were synthesized via a room temperature injection method and were subsequently grafted with organophosphate-terminated poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) brushes. It was found that the bimodal PDMS-brush-grafted QDs demonstrate a homogeneous dispersion within the high molecular weight silicone matrix, enabling the preparation of thick transparent CdSe–silicone nanocomposites. The good dispersion also benefits the uniformity and long-term stability of the photoluminescence of the CdSe–silicone nanocomposites against thermal annealing. The prepared CdSe–silicone nanocomposites would have potential applications as color-conversion materials on light emitting diodes. This dispersing strategy could be broadly applicable and provides valuable guidelines for dispersing other functional nanoparticles in silicones.
EMBRIOSS: ELECTROMAGNETIC BRAIN IMAGING BY OPTIMIZATION IN SPECTRAL SPACE

We propose a new method called electromagnetic brain imaging by optimization in spectral space (EMBRIOSS) for electromagnetic source imaging of the human brain. The method incorporates the physiological knowledge that electrical activities in the brain are spatially coherent and often sparse. For spatial coherency, we confine the solution to a subspace spanned by the low-frequency eigenvectors of a Laplacian of the cortical surface mesh. For sparseness, we apply a p-norm regularization with p < 2. The resulting nonlinear regularization problem is solved efficiently using half-quadratic programming. Through realistic simulations, we have compared our method with existing approaches. The results show that our method performs better
Inferring Drug Efficacy Based on Data from One Subject

Findings from individual subjects can establish drug efficacy de facto. For this to happen, the variability of the crucial endpoint in the untreated population needs to be actuarially or theoretically negligible. Under such circumstances positive findings from minimalist designs can be more persuasive than statistically significant findings from large samples. Background knowledge affects the logic of selecting sample sizes that enable sound inductive inference.
Modification of the phylloquinone in the A1 binding site in photosystem I studied using time-resolved FTIR difference spectroscopy and density functional theory.

A phylloquinone molecule (2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) occupies the A1 binding site in photosystem I. Previously, we have obtained A1-/A1 FTIR difference spectra using labeled and unlabeled photosystem I particles and proposed assignments for many of the bands in the spectra [Sivakumar, V., Wang, R., and Hastings, G. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 1880−1893]. In particular, we suggested that a negative/positive band at 1654/1495 cm-1 in A1-/A1 FTIR DS is due to a CO/CO mode of the neutral/anionic phylloquinone, respectively. To test this hypothesis, we have obtained A1-/A1 FTIR DS for menG mutant PS I particles. In menG mutant PS I, phylloquinone in the A1 binding site is replaced with an analogue in which the methyl group at position 2 of the quinone ring is replaced with a hydrogen atom (2-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone). In A1-/A1 FTIR DS obtained using menG mutant PS I particles, we find that the 1654/1495 cm-1 bands are upshifted by ∼6 cm-1. To test if such upshifts are likely for CO/CO modes of neutral...
Completeness and decidability of three logics of counterfactual conditionals1

A sentence Q] 0-t y is intended to mean, roughly, that y holds in certain of the possible worlds in which Q] holds: those of them that are most closely similar to our actual world. We could capture this intention most straightforwardly by positing a function f which selects, for any sentence 9 and world i, a set f(v, i) of worlds regarded as the set of worlds most closely similar to i out of the worlds in which Q] holds. But this approach is open to objection. Just as no real number greater than 1 is closest to 0, so it may be that none of the worlds in which Q] holds is most closely similar to i. It may be that for each of them, there is another still closer. To meet this difficulty, we could introduce the notion of degrees of similarity between worlds, and take Q] 0-t y to mean that, unless no worlds in which v holds are similar to any degree to our actual world, there is some degree of similarity to our actual world within which there are
“Security Here is Not Safe”: Violence, Punishment, and Space in the Contemporary US Penitentiary:

The US penitentiary at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, was retrofitted in 2008 to offer the country's first federal Special Management Unit (SMU) program of its kind. This model SMU is designed for federal inmates from around the country identified as the most intractably troublesome, and features double-celling of inmates in tiny spaces, in 23-hour or 24-hour a day lockdown, requiring them to pass through a two-year program of readjustment. These spatial tactics, and the philosophy of punishment underlying them, contrast with the modern reform ideals upon which the prison was designed and built in 1932. The SMU represents the latest punitive phase in American penology, one that neither simply eliminates men as in the premodern spectacle, nor creates the docile, rehabilitated bodies of the modern panopticon; rather, it is a late-modern structure that produces only fear, terror, violence, and death. This SMU represents the latest of the late- modern prisons, similar to other supermax facilities in the US but offering its own unique system of punishment as well. While the prison exists within the system of American law and jurisprudence, it also manifests features of Agamben's lawless, camp-like space that emerges during a state of exception, exempt from outside scrutiny with inmate treatment typically beyond the scope of the law.
On the “anomalous” magnetic quenching of three photon annihilations of positrons in powdered MgO

Abstract The “anomalous” magnetic quenching of 3γ annihilations of positrons in MgO powder observed by Fiorentini is explained.
Study of Lamb acoustic waveguide modes in unsupported polyimide thin films using real‐time impulsive stimulated thermal scattering

An extension of the impulsive stimulated thermal scattering method that allows for one‐laser‐shot characterization of thin film thermal and viscoelastic properties is described. The technique is demonstrated through an extensive study of free‐standing thin (∼1 μm) polyimide films. An exact, analytical solution for excitation of the waveguide acoustic modes is given and used to extract the viscoelastic properties of the films. It is also shown how the technique can be used to detect film delaminations by comparing results from free standing films to results from films tightly bound to silicon substrates.
Complications of interhemispheric transcallosal approach in children: review of 15 years experience.

Abstract Objective The interhemispheric transcallosal approach to deep-seated lesions in and around the ventricular system avoids cortical manipulation and injury. Few case series discuss the morbidity associated with this approach. This study describes the 15-year experience of the senior author in Southern California. Methods All pediatric patients who have undergone interhemispheric, transcallosal resections of mass lesions over a 15-year period were identified. The surgical approach was uniform with respect to positioning of the patient. Intra-operative and post-operative data were collected retrospectively from the medical records. The need for bridging vein ligation as well as the incidence of hemiparesis, seizures, memory disturbances, and the need for subsequent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion were identified. Results Sixty-five patients were identified. The incidence of transient post-operative hemiparesis appeared to be higher in those patients who required ligation of one or two parasagittal veins (44.6% versus 18.5%) with no difference in long-term outcome. Nineteen percent (18.5%) of patients had post-operative seizures; however, no long-term seizure disorder was identified. Nine percent (9.2%) had reports of transient short-term memory deficits. Thirty-four percent (33.8%) of patients required secondary operative intervention for CSF diversion. The total complication rate, including need for CSF diversion, transient hemiparesis, infection, post-operative seizures, and memory disturbance was 36.9%. By 1 year, the total number of patients with persistent hemiparesis, memory disturbance, or seizures refractory to medication was 4 (6.2%). Conclusion This series demonstrates that the interhemispheric transcallosal corridor is a versatile and safe approach in childhood, resulting in low post-operative permanent morbidity.
A Per-Flow Measurement and Estimation Method for DiffServ Implementations

Providers of data network services are in search of new solutions for service offerings over integrated service packet networks (ISPN) which can accommodate voice and video traffic in addition to data traffic. The goal is to enable cutting-edge services such as IP telephony, video conferencing, video on demand (VoD), tele-medicine, etc. As the traditional design of data networks has had little or no support for providing the required traffic characteristics to voice and video streams, architectures for quality of service have been defined. Of these architectures, differentiated services are seen as a significant contributor to the migration of current data network to next-generation networks capable of providing a broader range of services. However, the way they have been defined, these architectures lack precise formal specifications, and therefore their performance is strongly related to the quality of each implementation. This paper presents an abstract model for differentiated services with assured forwarding per-hop behavior (PHB). The model is meant for a better illustration of the dynamics of quality of service (QoS) parameters. After a thorough review of existing methodologies for performance measurements for differentiated services, the paper proposes a dynamic model for assured forwarding and validates it against generated traffic on a live network (NCIT*net 2). This work is the starting point for the detailed specification of differentiated services PHBs. A series of following papers will introduce and develop necessary concepts for modeling and estimation of QoS parameters which are associated with these services.
TWO-METRIC PROJECTION METHODS FOR CONSTRAINED OPTIMIZATION*

This paper is concerned with the problem min $\{ f(x)\mid x \in X\} $ where X is a convex subset of a linear space H, and f is a smooth real-valued function on H. We propose the class of methods $x_{k + 1} = P(x_k - \alpha _k g_k )$, where P denotes projection on X with respect to a Hilbert space norm $\| \cdot \|$ , $g_k $ denotes the Frechet derivative of f at $x_k $ with respect to another Hilbert space norm $\| \cdot \|_k $ on H, and $\alpha _k $ is a positive scalar stepsize. We thus remove an important restriction in the original proposal of Goldstein [1] and Levitin and Poljak [2], where the norms $\| \cdot \|$ and $\| \cdot \|_k $ must be the same. It is therefore possible to match the norm $\| \cdot \|$ with the structure of X so that the projection operation is simplified while at the same time reserving the option to choose $\| \cdot \|_k $on the basis of approximations to the Hessian of f so as to attain a typically superlinear rate of convergence. The resulting methods are particularly attrac...
Meniscal Repair Supplemented With Exogenous Fibrin Clot and Autogenous Cultured Marrow Cells in the Goat Model

This study was undertaken to evaluate the placement of fibrin clot and cultured autologous marrow cells in surgically created, full-thickness, meniscal lesions in the avascular zone in 32 female Spanish goats. The menisci were repaired with two vertically oriented sutures (N = 8), exogenous fibrin clot was placed into the meniscal defect before placement of the two sutures (N = 8), fibrin clot plus cultured adherent bone marrow cells were placed in the defect (N = 8), or the meniscal lesions were left unrepaired (N = 8). On gross and manual inspection, meniscal lesions showed some degree of healing in all animals except for the eight unrepaired lesions. All the experimental specimens had decreased tensile strength compared with the contralateral control medial menisci. Ultimate load to failure, energy absorbed to failure, and stiffness were less than 40% of the controls for all groups. Histologic sections demonstrated focal cellular areas consisting of giant cells and macrophages in the repair sites. Our observations failed to demonstrate a statistically significant enhancement of healing with the use of exogenous fibrin clot compared with vertically oriented sutures alone. The addition of cultured adherent autologous bone marrow-derived cells in conjunction with the fibrin clot did not enhance the meniscal healing.
Stieltjes-Tchebycheff Moment-Theory Approach to Molecular Photoionization Studies

Difficult problems often require the introduction of unfamiliar strategies in obtaining solutions. The Stieltjes-Tchebycheff (S-T) moment-theory technique1–6 for performing atomic and molecular photoionization and related scattering calculations in Hilbert space was devised to provide cross-sectional values7–30 in the absence of reliable more conventional methods for this purpose. Conventional theoretical approaches to molecular photoionization studies generally require construction in some approximation of scattering eigenfunctions that satisfy appropriate asymptotic boundary conditions. It has proved difficult to construct such scattering functions even in simple static-potential approximations, largely because of the non-central and non-local nature of the molecular field. Consequently, many of the theoretical molecular photoionization studies reported to date involve simplifying approximations designed to avoid or circumvent the latter aspects of the problem. By contrast, finite point-group and electron-exchange symmetries are integral parts of the computational technology of many-electron L2 bound-state electronic structure calculations,31–33 providing considerable motivation to devise related Hilbert-space methods for theoretical investigations of molecular electronic continua.
Promoting social-emotional learning in adolescent Latino ELLs: a study of the culturally adapted Strong Teens program.

The current study evaluated the effects of the culturally adapted Jovenes Fuertes (Strong Teens) Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program on the social-emotional outcomes of Latino English language learners (ELLs). A quasi-experimental design with random assignment by classrooms was used to assess the intervention's effects on students' knowledge of SEL and resiliency. A sample of 102 Spanish-dominant Latino ELLs enrolled in middle or high school participated in this study. The results indicated significant intervention effects on SEL knowledge and social-emotional resiliency. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for preventive, culturally responsive SEL programs in school settings.
Assessment of self-consistent analytic model for inductive RF discharge and design of uniform discharge with planar-vertical antennas

An RF discharge source with a vertical internal exciting coil was studied in OSRAM SYLVANIA recently (Godyak et al., 1995). Based on the self-consistent electron kinetic analysis presented by (Dai and Wu, 1995), a two-dimensional (2-D) (r,z) model is provided for this kind of inductively coupled discharge source. The mode analysis solves the vector and scalar potentials of the electromagnetic (EM) fields, while the kinetic analysis gives the perturbed Maxwellian distribution of electrons by solving the Boltznann-Vlasov equation. The vector potential of the EM fields, which dominates the scalar potential in inductively coupled discharge, is calculated by considering the induced space currents obtained in terms of the electron kinetic analysis. With closed-form solutions, the model provides a rigorous and fast way to compute the EM fields and electron kinetic behaviors in the sources. The theoretical results achieve good agreement with the measurements given by Godyak et al. (1995). Furthermore, in order to achieve a uniformly distributed plasma in the discharge chamber, which is desired for plasma processing, we propose a novel discharge structure with both external planar coil and internal vertical coil excitations. For a few sets of parameters, the theoretical results demonstrate the improved uniformity for excited azimuthal E-fields in the chamber.
Quasioptical 2-D Josephson junction arrays for THz oscillators

Two-dimensional (2-D) arrays of Josephson junctions integrated with planar antennas were used to generate free space radiation at THz frequencies. Radiation at 350 GHz was detected from a such device consisted of 638 Josephson junctions laid out in a 58 /spl times/ 11 array. This is the first instance in which Josephson radiation has been detected off the chip and out of its cryogenic environment. >
Quality attributes in telemedicine video conferencing

Video conferencing is used increasingly in many telemedicine applications, including medical personnel education, peer consultation, patient education, and direct patient care. Advances in technology and changes in medical care delivery have enhanced the ability to develop effective telemedicine video conferencing systems. Measures of effectiveness for technology systems rely on identified requirements,for system quality. In this research, we propose a comprehensive model of quality attributes for telemedicine video conferencing systems. The quality attribute model is developed from an extensive literature review, direct observations of telemedicine encounters, and structured interviews with telemedicine experts. The model contains four quality attribute groups: Technical, Usability, Physical Environment, and Human Element. Interview citations are used to justify the importance of these individual quality attributes. Both researchers and practitioners can make use of the model to understand, design, and evaluate telemedicine video conferencing systems.
Arrestment Behavior in the Polyphagous Tropical Root Weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus

A semiochemical-based attractant for the tropical root weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus L., has been sought since the introduction of this polyphagous pest to Florida in the 1960s. A six-unit wind tunnel apparatus was constructed to allow multiple runs to be conducted simultaneously to test the response of D. abbreviatus adults to volatile and contact semiochemicals. Arrestment was measured as the number of weevils stopping and remaining on a target when presented with upwind target choices. No response (movement upwind) was observed when weevils were presented with a control (no odor). Some movement upwind but no arrestment occurred when weevils were presented with young citrus leaves (flush). Citrus flush that had been fed on by D. abbreviatus adults was highly attractive and induced arrestment of both male and female adults. The effect was duplicated by placing organdy-enclosed feces (frass) on undamaged flush. The arrestment effect was eliminated, however, when fed-on flush was enclosed in a cage so that weevils could not contact the leaves. In these experiments, weevils continued to move upwind. The results of these tests lead us to conclude that host and mate location by D. abbreviatus is mediated by volatile and contact semiochemicals.
One Dimensional Continuous Time Markov Branching Processes

In the Galton-Watson process the lifetime of each particle was one unit of time. A natural generalization is to allow these lifetimes to be random variables. Instead of the discrete time Markov chain {Z n ; n =0,1,2,…} of Chapter I, we must consider a process {Z(t); t≥0}, where Z(t)=the number of particles at time t. This process will in general not be Markovian, unless the lifetimes are independent, exponentially distributed random variables. It is the latter process which we will study in this chapter. The general non-Markovian case will be considered in Chapter IV.
Show Me My Health Plans: a study protocol of a randomized trial testing a decision support tool for the federal health insurance marketplace in Missouri.

The implementation of the ACA has improved access to quality health insurance, a necessary first step to improving health outcomes. However, access must be supplemented by education to help individuals make informed choices for plans that meet their individual financial and health needs. Drawing on a model of information processing and on prior research, we developed a health insurance decision support tool called Show Me My Health Plans. Developed with extensive stakeholder input, the current tool (1) simplifies information through plain language and graphics in an educational component; (2) assesses and reviews knowledge interactively to ensure comprehension of key material; (3) incorporates individual and/or family health status to personalize out-of-pocket cost estimates; (4) assesses preferences for plan features; and (5) helps individuals weigh information appropriate to their interests and needs through a summary page with “good fit” plans generated from a tailored algorithm. The current study will evaluate whether the online decision support tool improves health insurance decisions compared to a usual care condition (the healthcare.gov marketplace website). The trial will include 362 individuals (181 in each group) from rural, suburban, and urban settings within a 90 mile radius around St. Louis. Eligibility criteria includes English-speaking individuals 18–64 years old who are eligible for the ACA marketplace plans. They will be computer randomized to view the intervention or usual care condition. Presenting individuals with options that they can understand tailored to their needs and preferences could help improve decision quality. By helping individuals narrow down the complexity of health insurance plan options, decision support tools such as this one could prepare individuals to better navigate enrollment in a plan that meets their individual needs. The randomized trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02522624) on August 6, 2015.
Taxonomy and phylogeny of new world polyplectropus ulmer, 1905 (trichoptera: Psychomyioidea: Polycentropodidae) with the description of 39 new species

The taxonomy of the New World species of Polyplectropus (Ulmer, 1905a) is revised to include detailed male and female diagnoses, descriptions, illustrations, distribution records, and keys to males of all species and species groups. A phylogenetic analysis based on 59 morphological characters, 89 of 92 (97%) New World Polyplectropus species, and 2 outgroup taxa was inferred using parsimony and Bayesian methods, which resulted in minor topological differences. Conflicting estimates of relationship among and within most species groups led to a less resolved Bayesian tree (vs. parsimony tree) due to high variation in rates of change among characters and an overall low number of characters. A new classification for New World Polyplectropus is proposed with revised characterization of 10 recognized species groups, 6 newly established. Four species remain unassigned to species group. A key to genera of New World Polycentropodidae, including a redescription of Polyplectropus is provided. The homology of the male genitalia of Polyplectropus is discussed. Ninety-two species are treated. The following 39 new species are described: Polyplectropus adamsae (Peru), P. alatespinus (Brazil), P. amazonicus (Brazil), P. andinensis (Argentina, Bolivia), P. blahniki (Venezuela), P. bolivianus (Bolivia), P. brasilensis (Brazil), P. brborichorum (Ecuador), P. cressae (Venezuela), P. colombianus (Colombia), P. corniculatus (Peru), P. cuzcoensis (Peru), P. ecuadoriensis (Ecuador), P. flintorum (Venezuela), P. gaesum (Brazil), P. guyanae (Guyana, Venezuela), P. hollyae (Brazil), P. hystricosus (Brazil), P. insularis (Panama), P. juliae (Brazil), P. kanukarum (Guyana), P. maculatus (Venezuela), P. manuensis (Peru), P. matatlanticus (Brazil), P. minensium (Brazil), P. novafriburgensis (Brazil), P. peruvianus (Peru), P. petrae (Brazil), P. pratherae (Brazil), P. puyoensis (Ecuador), P. robertsonae (Bolivia), P. rodmani (Brazil), P. rondoniensis (Brazil), P. tragularius (Brazil), P. tripunctatum (Peru), P. venezolanus (Venezuela), P. woldai (Panama), P. zamoranoensis (Honduras), and P. zuliae (Venezuela). Polyplectropus buchwaldi (Ulmer, 1911) is designated as a nomen dubium. Key words: phylogeny, taxonomy, Neotropics, Nearctric, Bayesian methods, parsimony, classification, cladistics, morphology, Trichoptera, Polycentropodidae, Polyplectropus, new speciesThe polycentropodid caddisfly genus Polyplectropus Ulmer contains 219 species found primarily in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with 125 species recorded from the Oriental biogeographic region, 53 from the Neotropical region (6 species extending their ranges into the Nearctic region), 37 from the
Boundary Layer Noise from Discrete Roughness Elements

Far field noise was recorded for the flow of a turbulent wall jet boundary layer over various discrete roughness elements including rocks, cubes, and cylinders. The elements were contained within the boundary layer but were a substantial fraction of the boundary layer thickness. Far-field sound measurements were used to infer non-dimensional drag spectra for the elements. The sound radiated from individual elements, from pairs of elements at various streamwise and spanwise separations, and from fetches of elements built progressively from a single element was studied in detail. The coherence between wall pressure fluctuations in the vicinity of a cubic element and the far-field sound radiated by that element was measured. Overall, the results show that that the aerodynamic interaction between elements has remarkably little impact on the sound they generate. Only when the elements are packed as tightly as possible does the total sound produced differ substantially from the sum of that which would be produced by the elements in isolation.
Genome Engineering with TALE and CRISPR Systems in Neuroscience

Recent advancement in genome engineering technology is changing the landscape of biological research and providing neuroscientists with an opportunity to develop new methodologies to ask critical research questions. This advancement is highlighted by the increased use of programmable DNA-binding agents (PDBAs) such as transcription activator-like effector (TALE) and RNA-guided clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated (Cas) systems. These PDBAs fused or co-expressed with various effector domains allow precise modification of genomic sequences and gene expression levels. These technologies mirror and extend beyond classic gene targeting methods contributing to the development of novel tools for basic and clinical neuroscience. In this Review, we discuss the recent development in genome engineering and potential applications of this technology in the field of neuroscience.
Manual Immunohistochemistry Staining of Mouse Tissues Using the Avidin–Biotin Complex (ABC) Technique

There are many variations on the immunohistochemistry (IHC) procedure, but all are based on attachment of a primary antibody to a unique epitope on or within the cell. This step is followed by incubation of the cell/primary antibody complex with another, secondary antibody that recognizes the species in which the primary antibody was produced. The secondary antibody has an indicator molecule attached to it. The indicator produces a colored reaction product at the site of original epitope, allowing visualization. This basic two-antibody "sandwich" procedure has many modifications that include other layers of antibodies and numerous indicators, but all variations depend upon the unique ability of antibodies to recognize specific epitopes or antigenic determinants. The procedure described here is called the ABC (avidin-biotin complex) technique. The method utilizes the high avidity of biotin for avidin, which allows formation of a strong bond. The reagents described in this technique produce a gold/brown reaction product that identifies the epitope of interest.
The Military Commission Act of 2006: An Unnecessary Scheme for Second-Class Justice or an Essential Means to Prosecute Persons Who Otherwise Would Escape Accountability?

The Military Commission Act of 2006 (MCA), by anyone's measure, is an extraordinary development. Until this Act, the prosecution of those accused of crimes took one of two paths - civilian prosecutions under a highly developed procedural system, or courts martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). From time to time, during armed conflict, persons accused of violating the international laws of war have been prosecuted before military commissions under ad hoc, meager procedures. Unlike the procedures in these ad hoc military commissions, the MCA offers a thorough set of procedures that rival the Uniform Code of Military Justice - a military justice system considered among the fairest of such systems. With two systems designed to produce fair trials - the civilian and the court martial system - why add a third system? This Article contends that, in weighing justice, we must consider more than the principle that we are so committed to fair trials that we are willing to allow guilty persons to go free so that an innocent person will not be convicted. We must also consider whether principles of justice urge us to hold persons accountable for their actions - for the benefit of society and even the person accused of the illegal acts. This exploration has both a theoretical and practical elements. First, the theoretical exploration involves analyzing principles of justice according to the viewpoints of great philosophers and theologians on the subject - something that the latter third of the Article does before applying those views to the MCA. Second, however, the practical issue - one woven throughout this Article - is that the two other systems (the civilian criminal justice system and the UCMJ) - can result in the abandonment of prosecutions due to the nature of the classified information or sources (e.g. operatives) that would be compromised by bring an accused to justice. Although the UCMJ does a better job than the civilian criminal system, the MCA provides even more protection to classified information and sources. The existence of the MCA may well, therefore, lead to prosecutions of persons accused of violating the laws of war in situations where - without the MCA's having been enacted - the case could be dropped. The Article does not contend that this accountability principle means that we emasculate the system in which a person is prosecuted. Instead, the Article contends that the combination of the principle of insisting on procedures designed to produce a fair result and the accountability principle can produce a system different from the two traditional systems. The MCA, combined with the Manuals for Military Commissions promulgated pursuant to the MCA, represents as a system that balances the competing goals in a way that is just. In other words, the Act provides a third system that is necessary now in a world in which more prosecutions of persons accused of violating the laws of war is likely to occur.
Isolation of Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type-I

To establish a method to isolate Human F-cell leukemia Virus Type I(HTLV-I) from seropositive individuals.The peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) from heparinized venous blood samples of HTLV-I seropositive individuals were collected and cocultured with PBMCs donated by uninfected healthy donors.Supernatant of cocultures was detected by HTLV-I P19 antigen ELISA kit and the proviral DNA of HTLV-I from coculture cells was extracted by using the DNA extractor kit.The amplified products were detected with agarose gel electrophoresis and sequenced to identify the strain of isolation.Of the 5 specimens,4 showed positive for the P19 antigen.The proviral DNAs of specimens were amplified by PCR The amplified products were sequenced and showed that they were the sequences of HTLV-I.It was evident that HTLV-I virus was successfully isolated firstly in China.
A Matter of Time: A Partial Test of Institutional Anomie Theory Using Cross-National Time Use Data

The institutional anomie theory of crime (IAT) has traditionally been tested using either survey-based attitudinal measures or government expenditures. However, data on how people use their time may offer more valid and unobtrusive indicators of the theory’s key concepts, since choosing how to spend one’s time is inherently an exercise in expressing values. The present study answers the call for time use data in IAT research. We perform a cross-national test of IAT using data compiled by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) from national time use surveys administered in 29 countries since 1999. Using multivariate regression, we assess the relationships between homicide rates and time spent in economic versus noneconomic institutional domains. Consistent with prior work, we find mixed support for IAT. By itself, time spent in economic activity is not significantly related to homicide rates. However, the interaction term for time spent in economic and non-economic activities has a positive and statistically significant relationship with homicide, even after controlling for several other factors. The results tentatively suggest that non-economic institutions may be criminogenic in some societies. We discuss the importance of our findings and suggest new lines of research to further explore the content of non-economic institutions. We also address other possible applications of time use data in macro-criminological inquiry.
Projection of corn production and stover-harvesting impacts on soil organic carbon dynamics in the U.S. Temperate Prairies

Terrestrial carbon sequestration potential is widely considered as a realistic option for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. However, this potential may be threatened by global changes including climate, land use and management changes such as increased corn stover harvesting for rising production of cellulosic biofuel. Therefore, it is critical to investigate the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) at regional or global scale. This study simulated the corn production and spatiotemporal changes of SOC in the U.S. Temperate Prairies, which covers over one-third of the U.S. corn acreage, using a biogeochemical model with multiple climate and land-use change projections. The corn production (either grain yield or stover biomass) could reach 88.7–104.7 TgC as of 2050, 70–101% increase when compared to the base year of 2010. A removal of 50% stover at the regional scale could be a reasonable cap in view of maintaining SOC content and soil fertility especially in the beginning years. The projected SOC dynamics indicated that the average carbon sequestration potential across the entire region may vary from 12.7 to 19.6 g C/m2/yr (i.e., 6.6–10.2 g TgC/yr). This study not only helps understand SOC dynamics but also provides decision support for sustainable biofuel development.
Membrane Oxygenator Support for Pulmonary Insufficiency

A membrane oxygenator is indicated for a patient when maximal ventilator therapy proves inadequate. Such patients are commonly suffering with acute lung diseases from which recovery would be expected if time for therapy or natural reparative processes were available.
Runaway pump head: new cause of gas embolism during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Massive gas embolism was narrowly avoided during a recent case of cardiopulmonary bypass for aortic-valve replacement. Cause of the mishap was an arterial pump head that had rapidly accelerated spontaneously, emptying the oxygenator of blood within seconds. No gas entered the patient’s vascular system, but a period of circulatory arrest was required in order to purge the extracorporeal circuit of gas and to re-establish blood flow. Only an instantaneous response by the perfusionist prevented massive gas embolism.
Integer lattice based methods for local address generation for block-cyclic distributions

In data-parallel languages such as High Performance Fortran and Fortran D, arrays are mapped to processors through a two-step process involving alignment followed by distribution. A compiler that generates code for each processor has to compute the sequence of local memory addresses accessed by each processor and the sequence of sends and receives for a given processor to access non-local data. In this chapter, we present a novel approach to the address sequence generation problem based on integer lattices. When the alignment stride is one, the mapping is called a one-level mapping. In the case of one-level mapping, the set of elements referenced can be generated by integer linear combinations of basis vectors. Using the basis vectors we derive a loop nest that enumerates the addresses, which are points in the lattice generated by the basis vectors. The basis determination and lattice enumeration algorithms are linear time algorithms. For the two-level mapping (non-unit alignment stride) problem, we present a fast novel solution that incurs zero memory wastage and little overhead, and relies on two applications of the solution of the one-level mapping problem followed by a fix-up phase. Experimental results demonstrate that our solutions to the address generation problem are significantly faster than other solutions to this problem. In addition, we present a brief overview of our work on related problems such as communication generation, basis vector derivation, code generation for complex subscripts and array redistribution.
THE MODIFIED SOR METHOD: VARIABLE PARAMETERS

This chapter discusses the convergence properties of the modified successive overrelaxation (MSOR) method where ω and ω' are allowed to vary from iteration to iteration. The chapter provides sufficient conditions on the iteration parameters so that the method will converge. There is no advantage to be gained in varying ω and ω' if the matrix A is positive definite. However, there are parameter choices, which are as good, though not better than, the choice ω 1 = ω1 1 = ω 2 = ω2 1 = = ω b , where ω b is the best single parameter.