cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Network Management System for Handling Scientific Data Flows

Large scientific data transfers often occur at high rates causing increased burstiness in Internet traffic. To limit the adverse effects of these high-rate large-sized flows, which are referred to as $$\alpha $$? flows, on delay-sensitive audio/video flows, a network management system called Alpha Flow Traffic Engineering System (AFTES) is proposed for intra-domain traffic engineering. An offline approach is used in which AFTES analyzes NetFlow records collected by routers, extracts source---destination address prefixes of $$\alpha $$? flows, and uses these prefixes to configure firewall filters at ingress routers of a provider's network to redirect future $$\alpha $$? flows to traffic-engineered paths and isolated queues. The effectiveness of this scheme was evaluated through an analysis of 7 months of NetFlow data obtained from an ESnet router. For this data set, 91 % of bytes generated by $$\alpha $$? flows during high-rate intervals would have been directed had AFTES been deployed. The negative aspect of using address prefixes in firewall filters, i.e., the redirection of $$\beta $$β flows to $$\alpha $$?-flow paths/queues, was also quantified.
Posttraumatic nonunion of the clavicle in a 13-year-old boy causing an arteriovenous fistula.

Context: Fractures of the clavicle are one of the most common injuries to the bone in childhood, but posttraumatic nonunion of pediatric clavicle fractures are extremely rare, with only isolated reports in literature. Case Report: We report a case of a posttraumatic painful nonunion of a clavicle fracture in a 13-year-old boy that caused symptomatic compression of the external jugular vein (EJV) and the formation of an arteriovenous fistula. The fracture was treated successfully with open reduction and internal fixation with a contoured recon plate 6 months following the injury. The fistula was treated by ligation and closure. Conclusion: The patient made a full recovery 6 months following surgery and was asymptomatic with full range of shoulder movement. Fracture union was confirmed by computed tomography (CT) scanning and no residual fistula was found.
Multiple sequential insults cause post-pump syndrome.

Abstract Background . We hypothesize that post-pump syndrome (PPS) following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can be caused by multiple minor insults and that the mechanism of PPS is a priming and subsequent activation of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes. In this study extensive pathophysiologic and morphometric assessment was undertaken in a porcine model of sequential insult PPS. Methods . Pigs were anesthetized, placed on a ventilator, instrumented for measurements of hemodynamic function, and separated into five groups: (1) Control (n = 4)—surgery only, (2) CPB (n = 4)—placed on femoral-femoral hypothermic (28°C) bypass for 1 h, (3) LPS (n = 6)—underwent sham CPB followed by infusion of low dose endotoxin [ E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS-1 μg/kg)], (4) Heparin + protamine + LPS (HP + LPS, n=4)—were heparinized without CPB for 1 h, following which protamine and LPS were infused and (5) CPB + LPS (n = 8)—subjected to both CPB and LPS. Results . Only CPB + LPS resulted in acute respiratory distress typical of PPS as indicated by a significant decrease in PaO 2 and increase in intrapulmonary shunt fraction ( p p Conclusions . CPB primes the inflammatory system causing pulmonary PMN sequestration without lung injury. Exposure to an otherwise benign dose of endotoxin results in activation of the sequestered PMNs causing PPS. This study confirms that PPS can be caused by multiple minor insults.Key words: Cardiopulmonary bypass, ARDS, endotoxin, sepsis, post-pump syndrome
Pediatric Critical Care Perceptions on Analgesia, Sedation, and Delirium

Critically ill children suffer from pain and anxiety additionally in the face of severe organ dysfunction. The critical care environment challenges pediatric patients' emotional and developmental capabilities. Disease-focused therapy is a priority and usually requires separation of patient from family and completion of invasive procedures. With the lack of familiar surroundings, inability to self-soothe, and deficiency of sleep, critically ill children may benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to care with a specific goal of pain management. Due to the challenges unique to critical care of children, sedatives and hypnotics are heavily relied upon to “protect” children from the intensive care experience. Delirium occurs in at least 30% of critically ill infants and children reported in small prospective studies, without a large-scale protocol for delirium monitoring. Adult studies demonstrate an overwhelming prevalence of delirium in the critically ill, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recently, the diagnosis of pediatric delirium has been enhanced by the validation of bedside tools that encourage monitoring within the critical care setting. Though there are likely many similarities in delirium among adults and children, there is much to learn in regard to unique risk factors and outcomes for children. Perhaps, considering the neurodevelopmental and psychosocial capacities of a child, a creative approach to assess and control pain and anxiety, while optimizing disease-related therapies, may ultimately minimize the risk for the development of delirium or other long-term complications of critical illness.
Analysis of asymmetric patrolling repairman systems

Abstract A system of N non-identical machines in a non-symmetric layout that are maintained by a single repairman is referred to as asymmetric patrolling repairman system. A probability model for a large class of such systems is developed. The model yields useful computational formulae for evaluating system performance measures that include mean down time and availability of a machine, repairman utilization, etc. The so called class admits exponential machine inter-failure times, generally distributed repairman walk times and machine repair times, and a variety of repair scheduling disciplines including most of those that appear in the literature. Many special cases of patrolling repairman systems that belong to this class can thus be examined under one unified model. This is a new result and it offers a common ground for performance comparisons between various systems.
Food habits of two larval flies (Dolichopodidae: Diptera) in two gulf coast oligohaline tidal marshes

Food habits of two species of dolichopodid fly larvae, from two Gulf Coast oligohaline tidal marshes, were analyzed from monthly collections taken between June 1979 and May 1980. Larvae ofPelastoneurus abbreviatus Loew andThinophilus frontalis Van Duzee, taken from aJuncus roemerianus Scheele dominated marsh, fed predominantly on oligochaetes and nematodes.Pelastoneurus abbreviatus, collected in a nearbySpartina cynosuroides (L.) Roth marsh, also fed on oligochaetes but consumed more polychaetes than nematodes. By being predators and prey in turn, these larvae serve in the transfer of energy between benthic, aquatic, and terrestrial components of the marsh, system.
A comparison of single nucleotide polymorphism and microsatellite markers for analysis of parentage and kinship in a cooperatively breeding bird

The development of genetic markers has revolutionized molecular studies within and among populations. Although poly-allelic microsatellites are the most commonly used genetic marker for within-population studies of free-living animals, biallelic single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, have also emerged as a viable option for use in nonmodel systems. We describe a robust method of SNP discovery from the transcriptome of a nonmodel organism that resulted in more than 99% of the markers working successfully during genotyping. We then compare the use of 102 novel SNPs with 15 previously developed microsatellites for studies of parentage and kinship in cooperatively breeding superb starlings (Lamprotornis superbus) that live in highly kin-structured groups. For 95% of the offspring surveyed, SNPs and microsatellites identified the same genetic father, but only when behavioural information about the likely parents at a nest was included to aid in assignment. Moreover, when such behavioural information was available, the number of SNPs necessary for successful parentage assignment was reduced by half. However, in a few cases where candidate fathers were highly related, SNPs did a better job at assigning fathers than microsatellites. Despite high variation between individual pairwise relatedness values, microsatellites and SNPs performed equally well in kinship analyses. This study is the first to compare SNPs and microsatellites for analyses of parentage and relatedness in a species that lives in groups with a complex social and kin structure. It should also prove informative for those interested in developing SNP loci from transcriptome data when published genomes are unavailable.
Factors associated with Iowa rural hospitals' decision to convert to critical access hospital status.

ABSTRACT: Context: The Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997 allowed some rural hospitals meeting certain requirements to convert to Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and changed their Medicare reimbursement from prospective to cost-based. Some subsequent CAH-related laws reduced restrictions and increased payments, and the number of CAHs grew rapidly. Purpose: To examine factors related to hospitals' decisions to convert and time to CAH conversion. Methods: Eighty-nine rural hospitals in Iowa were characterized and observed from 1998 to 2005. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify the determinants of time to CAH conversion. Findings: T-test and one-covariate Cox regression indicated that, in 1998, Iowa rural hospitals with more staffed beds, discharges, and acute inpatient days, higher operating margin, lower skilled swing bed days relative to acute days, and located in relatively high density counties were more likely to convert later or not convert before 2006. Multiple Cox regression with baseline covariates indicated that lower number of discharges and average length of stay (ALOS) were significant after controlling all other covariates. Conclusion: Iowa rural hospitals' decisions regarding CAH conversion were influenced by hospital size, financial condition, skilled swing bed days relative to acute days, length of stay, proportion of Medicare acute days, and geographic factors. Although financial concerns are often cited in surveys as the main reason for conversion, lower number of discharges and ALOS are the most prominent factors affecting rural hospitals' decision on when to convert.
Confronting the issue of race in developmental relationships: Does open discussion enhance or suppress the mentor-protégé bond?

This article translates a research project conducted by David Thomas, of Harvard University, who was interested in knowing exactly how racial dynamics influence close work relationships. The author discusses some of the strategies used to manage cross-racial differences and the reasons for choosing a particular strategy. The author notes that Thomas was interested in examining relationships between African-American and white professionals and managers due to the increasing evidence that points to the effectiveness of the mentor-protege relationship for attaining occupational success. The author examines the most common strategies that Thomas found and relates some of his conclusions about the project.
Dedication to Janis Galejs

The death of Dr. Janis Galejs at age 49 in October 1972, was a great loss to the scientific community. His contributions to the theory of ELF electromagnetic waves have been outstanding. His most recent hook, Terrestrial Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves, published in 1972, summarized, in a masterful fashion, the numerous scientific papers on ELF propagation and radiation theory that he has published over a tragically brief career.
Ethanol concentration-dependent effects and the role of stress on ethanol drinking in corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 and double type 1 and 2 receptor knockout mice

Rationale Exposure to stressors promotes ethanol (EtOH) consumption and enhances drug craving during abstinence. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and in particular, CRF actions via type 1 CRF receptors (CRF1) are critical in behavioral responses to stressors. CRF1 play a role in EtOH-induced behavioral neuroadaptation, in binge-like EtOH consumption, and in heightened EtOH consumption in dependent animals.
Developmental and Photoregulation of al-1 and al-2, Structural Genes for Two Enzymes Essential for Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Neurospora

The levels of al-1 and al-2 transcripts change dramatically in response to light and development during the formation of Neurospora crassa asexual spores (conidia). al-1 and al-2 mRNAs accumulate throughout conidiation irrespective of lighting conditions initially at low levels. As conidiation proceeds, two increases in albino message accumulation are observed. This developmentally induced photoindependent message accumulation was not observed in Neurospora mutants blocked at relevant stages of conidiation. During conidiation, light induces additional accumulation of al-1 and al-2 gene-specific transcripts; the photoinduced increase in albino gene transcript levels was not observed in two Neurospora mutants, wc-1 and wc-2, that are defective in all physiological photoresponses.
Efflux of 45CA2+ from human fibroblasts in response to serum or growth factors

Previous studies have indicated that intracellular Ca2+ is involved in fetal bovine serum (FBS)- or growth factor (GF)-stimulated Na+ influx in human foreskin fibroblasts (HSWP). In the present study, 45Ca2+ efflux from serum-deprived HSWP cells was measured in response to 10% FBS or GF [lys-bradykinin, vasopressin, epidermal growth factor, and insulin]. Efflux data were analyzed using a computer program and the best fit indicated the presence of three Ca2+ compartments: a compartment (C1) with a very fast turnover rate, one (C2) with a fast turnover rate, and one (C3) with a slow turnover rate. When serum-deprived cells were treated with 10% FBS, efflux from C2 and C3 increased significantly (p less than 0.05). Similar effects on efflux were observed when serum-deprived cells were treated with individual GFs. Combination of the four GFs produced a higher stimulation than any single factor and a response that was equal to that of FBS. On the other hand, when cells were serum-treated in the presence of the intracellular Ca2+ antagonist, B-(N-N,diethylamino)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), 45Ca2+ efflux from C2 was substantially reduced. Finally, when cells were treated with the Na+ transport inhibitor amiloride, there was no significant effect on serum-stimulated Ca2+ efflux. These results are consistent with a FBS- or GF-induced mobilization of Ca2+ that can be blocked by intracellular Ca2+ antagonists, and support the hypothesis that the action of these agents on Na+ influx may be via their effects on intracellular Ca2+.
Recording the epidemiologic transition in Germany, 1816-1934.

La transition epidemiologique enregistree en Allemagne et au cours de laquelle les maladies infectieuses se sont substituees aux maladies degeneratives reflete les statistiques de mortalite et de morbidite de 1816 a 1934
The Mechanics of Snagging in Plain-Knitted Structures:

Geometry of a model knitted fabric and conditions for preventing its snagging by conical asperities are discussed. . The mechanisms of snag propagation are outlined and the effect of yarn and fabric properties on such mechanisms is analyzed.
Dynamics of high-temperature oxidation accompanied by scale removal and implications for technological applications

Abstract The dynamics of a broad class of high-temperature oxidation accompanied by scale dissociation, volatilization, corrosion and erosion is theoretically analyzed through a dimensionless Tedmon’s equation. The dependence of early stage, transition and asymptotic dynamics on oxidation (parabolic) and scale removal (linear) rate constants, and oxide initial conditions, are classified into distinct and universal categories. This analysis provides a simple yet powerful roadmap to study material performance in many technologically important applications, including the use of early stage measurement to predict long-term behaviors and screen materials.
Effects of gamma radiation on ribonuclease

Abstract Ribonuclease (RNase) has been inactivated by irradiation with gamma rays and by chemically generated OH· radicals; chromatographic patterns obtained from the two series of samples were very similar with respect to distribution of protein and also with respect to distribution of enzymic activity. The findings support the view that OH· radicals are principal intermediates in the radiation effect. Chromatography of RNase on carboxymethylcellulose (CM-cellulose) gave six enzymically active components, referred to herein as I, II, III, IV, A, and E in order of elution from the column. Chromatograms of irradiated or OH· treated RNase on CM-cellulose showed a considerable increase in the amount of enzymically active protein in the I and II region. To clarify this finding, experiments were carried out on purified RNase A. Chromatography on CM-cellulose of irradiated or OH· treated RNase A showed the presence of an enzymically active fraction not present in the original sample. This fraction appeared in the effluent before the A peak, had chromatographic properties similar to those of the minor components in whole RNase, and was presumably formed from RNase A.
High School Suicide: Knowledge and Opinions of Teachers

Because high school faculty have infrequently been asked their views about high school suicide, 167 high school teachers from five high schools in four school districts were administered a questionnaire that asked about a variety of issues related to suicide and high school students, including the nature of the problem, risk factors, and solutions. Results indicated that a significant percentage of faculty appear uninformed about high school suicide, including what action to take when a student is at risk, although 61% of the sample felt suicide to be a problem for high school students. The need for increased education of high school teachers about the issue of suicide is discussed.
Object recognition and Random Image Structure Evolution

Abstract We present a technique called Random Image Structure Evolution (RISE) for use in experimental investigations of high-level visual perception. Potential applications of RISE include the quantitative measurement of perceptual hysteresis and priming, the study of the neural substrates of object perception, and the assessment and detection of subtle forms of agnosia. In simple terms, RISE involves the measurement of perceptual and/or neural responses as visual stimuli are systematically transformed—in particular, as recognizable objects evolve from, then dissolve into, randomness. Points along the sequences corresponding to the onset and offset of subjects’ percepts serve as markers for quantitatively and objectively characterizing several perceptual phenomena. Notably, these image sequences are created in a manner that strictly controls a number of important low-level image properties, such as luminance and frequency spectra, thus reducing confounds in the analysis of high-level visual processes. Here we describe the RISE paradigm, report the results of a few basic RISE experiments, and discuss a number of experimental and clinical applications of this approach.
Question: How Useful Has the Concept of Sectarianism Been for Understanding the History, Society, and Politics of the Middle East?

Every society has subterranean fractures—ethnic, regional, racial, tribal, or sectarian. Given the right confluence of events, these can erupt and take on new life. When imperial and colonial powers produce a body of knowledge about those they rule, they often construct sociodemographic categories along these very fault lines. In the Middle East, this process has coincided with an attempted regional remapping using imagined and yet real (although newly configured) social categories. With the democracy project fading, the mosaic—in which the region is conceptualized as a multitude of discrete sociocultural units based on sect, ethnicity, and tribe—has appeared. Complex social categories are distilled into bounded categories whose correspondence to reality is problematic.
Application of computer artificial intelligence techniques to analyzing the status of typical utility electrical power plant systems

The capabilities of the computer have increased from data manipulation and computation to controlling industrial robots and assisting in heuristics consultations through the use of artificial intelligence techniques. This paper will describe the application of artificial intelligence (Al) techniques to a mature technology, specifically utility electrical power plant systems. The considerations inherent in proceeding with the deployment of Al techniques in the form of an Expert System will be presented and opportunities for improvements in this application will be discussed.
Nanomechanical Proximity Perturbation for Switching in Silicon-Based Directional Couplers for High-Density Photonic Integrated Circuits

We describe and demonstrate nanomechanical near-field proximity perturbation for tuning the effective refractive index of silicon-based high-density photonic integrated circuits. The proximity perturbation technique causes an antisymmetric refractive index change in a directional-coupler implementation, enabling switching action from the cross to the bar state. An almost 8-dB extinction ratio with ~14 × ?s switching speeds is experimentally achieved using this technique with our single-mode waveguides of 500 nm × 200 nm cross section coupled to a movable 100-nm perturbing dielectric. A practical single-level switch with ring resonators fabricated by CMOS-compatible methods is also demonstrated.
Hydrodynamics and Marine Optics during Cold Fronts at Santa Rosa Island, Florida

Abstract Keen, T.R. and Stavn, R.H., 2012. Hydrodynamics and marine optics during cold fronts at Santa Rosa Island, Florida. Observations of optical and hydrodynamic processes were made on the open beach on Santa Rosa Island, Florida, in March 1995. This study focuses on the passage of two cold fronts. The observations have been supplemented by a bio-optical model; a suite of hydrodynamic models to simulate coastal flows forced by waves, tides, local wind, and coastal sea level; and a geo-optical model that predicts scattering by mineral particles resuspended by wave action. These models have been used to examine the interaction of atmospheric forcing and hydrodynamics with respect to the observed marine hydrosol. The optical and hydrodynamic measurements, and the model results, have been used to conceive a cold-front regime model of the hydrosol for open beaches in the Gulf of Mexico. The optical environment during the cold front was determined by three hydrosol phases: (1) a prefrontal steady-state hydr...
Drug or radiation changes to the host which could affect the outcome of combined modality therapy

Abstract In this review, the various ways are examined by which combined modality regimens can affect the host in such a manner as to modify the outcome of the therapy. These host changes are considered under the general headings of effects on (1) drug pharmacokinetics, (2) vasculature, (3) the specific immune response, (4) non-specific host defenses, particularly those mediated by macrophages, (5) general host condition, and (6) a miscellaneous category including local infection and drug-stimulated recovery of surviving cells. Where appropriate, the relative influence is examined of each of these host effects on the commonly used endpoints for assay of tumor response. In general, the assays most likely to be affected are those in which the tumor remains in situ after treatment (tumor cure, regrowth delay, and, the most limited endpoint, increase in lifespan). However, assays for cell survival by removal of the tumor soon after treatment are not entirely free from possible host effects. A possible outcome of several different host effects is a change in the metastatic frequency of the tumor. This may have little or no effect on the "therapeutic ratio" judged in terms of local effect, but could have a large influence of the overall efficacy of a particular regimen. Since host effects are likely to be rather specific to the particular model system employed, they usually represent an unwanted side-effect of the treatment which may interfere with, or alter, interpretations of the experimental data. For this reason a list of precautions in the selection and use of experimental systems is given in the results. These include measurement of tumor drug levels, use of non-immunogenic tumor/host models, and the avoidance of stress, excessive weight loss, local infection, and the use of anesthetics for animal immobilization.
Perceived Caregiver Burden in India Implications for Social Services

The study presented here explores the influences of selected social and social psychological factors that are associated with perceived caregiver burden in a sample of 263 primary caregivers of the elderly in Allahabad City in northern India. The results indicate that although male caregivers' perceived burden depends only on the size of the role overload, female caregivers' perceived burden depends on the interrelationship between the size of the role overload and adherence to Asian cultural norms. Implications of the findings for social work are discussed.
A Starburst Revealed—Luminous Radio Supernovae in the Nuclei of Arp 220

In this work we present a new 18cm VLBI image, with 3 x 8 mas angular resolution, showing approximately a dozen unresolved resources, S(sub 18cm) = 0.2-1.2mJy, within a 0.2 x 0.4(75 x 150pc) region centered on the NW nucleus of this merging system.
Mitochondrial function in oncogene-transfected rat fibroblasts isolated from multicellular spheroids

Two mitochondrion-specific fluorochromes, 10-N-nonyl acridine orange (NAO) and rhodamine 123 (Rh123), were used to determine the mechanism responsible for alterations in energy metabolism of transf...
GaAsSb-GaAsN -based type-II ‘W’ structures for mid-IR emission

GaAsSb-GaAsN-based type-II ‘W’ structures have been studied for mid-IR (1.3–1.6µm) emission. Post growth annealing increases the photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the structures. Temperature dependent PL show a charge localization effect due to presence of nitrogen.
Masticatory mechanics of a mandibular distraction osteogenesis site: interfragmentary micromovement.

Abstract Micromovement at a fracture or distraction osteogenesis (DO) site may play a significant role in bone formation and healing. Mastication is an important physiological process that can cause substantial micromovement at a mandibular disjunction. The purpose of this study is to characterize and quantify the micromovement caused by mastication. Eighteen pigs, divided into three groups based on duration of consolidation, received a unilateral (right) mandibular angle distraction osteogenesis protocol. Differential variable reluctance transducers (DVRTs) and ultrasound crystals were used to measure the change of gap width as well as interfragmentary movement during mastication. Synchronized chewing video and interfragmentary movement recordings were used to determine the magnitude and direction of micromovement at different phases of the chewing cycle. The magnitude of micromovement did not increase significantly with distraction up to almost 5 mm, but did decrease gradually with consolidation. The average micromovement magnitude during the distraction phase was 0.2–0.3 mm, equaling 50,000–250,000 microstrain (μe) on interfragmentary tissue. The dominant deformation pattern was bending in the sagittal plane. The most common direction of bending at the power stroke of chewing was concave dorsally, i.e., superior shortening and inferior lengthening. These findings elucidate how masticatory mechanics affect a mandibular distraction site, and the measurements may be useful for future simulation studies.
Distribution of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Acari: Ixodidae) Infestations Detected in the United States Along the Texas/Mexico Border

Species identification and global positioning system coordinates of infestations of cattle fever ticks, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Say) and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini), were determined for 790 specimens submitted to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory between 1 October 1999 and 30 September 2010. Cattle fever tick specimens obtained by personnel of the United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program from infested cattle and wildlife along the Texas/ Mexico border were submitted for identification, as required by the program. A geographic information system database was developed that incorporates location, collection, and infestation records. Submitted ticks came from 11 Texas counties and were comprised of 19.5% R. (B.) annulatus and 80.5% R. (B.) microplus. Maps produced from this study locate and define the parapatric boundary between R. (B.) annulatus and R. (B.) microplus.
Lithic Resource Utilization Patterns in the Middle Missouri Subarea

Some years ago Donald Lehmer (1954) suggested, on the basis of data from sites near the Oahe Dam, that Middle Missouri Tradition and Coalescent Tradition populations practiced distinctly different ...
Thermophotovoltaic Efficiency Enhancement through Metamaterial Selective Emitters

Applying thermophotovoltaics (TPV) to present energy production technologies allows us to increase energy output while utilizing existing infrastructure by reclaiming the heat lost during the production process. In order to maximize the efficiency of these sources, the conversion efficiency of the TPV system needs to be optimized. Using metamaterials, we have created selective emitters that tailor the incident light spectrum to the band gap of specific diodes, offering the potential to reduce diode heating and increase efficiency. Usage of metals such as platinum and molybdenum makes the emitters able to withstand the high temperatures required to create ideal spectra for III-V cells. Simulations from CST Microwave Studio were used in the design process and testing of the emitters includes heat tests and SEM analysis.
Following the rivers: historical reconstruction of California voles Microtus californicus (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in the deserts of eastern California

The California vole, Microtus californicus, restricted to habitat patches where water is available nearly year-round, is a remnant of the mesic history of the southern Great Basin and Mojave deserts of eastern California. The history of voles in this region is a model for species-edge population dynamics through periods of climatic change. We sampled voles from the eastern deserts of California and examined variation in the mitochondrial cytb gene, three nuclear intron regions, and across 12 nuclear microsatellite markers. Samples are allocated to two mitochondrial clades: one associated with southern California and the other with central and northern California. The limited mtDNA structure largely recovers the geographical distribution, replicated by both nuclear introns and microsatellites. The most remote population, Microtus californicus scirpensis at Tecopa near Death Valley, was the most distinct. This population shares microsatellite alleles with both mtDNA clades, and both its northern clade nuclear introns and southern clade mtDNA sequences support a hybrid origin for this endangered population. The overall patterns support two major invasions into the desert through an ancient system of riparian corridors along streams and lake margins during the latter part of the Pleistocene followed by local in situ divergence subsequent to late Pleistocene and Holocene drying events. Changes in current water resource use could easily remove California voles from parts of the desert landscape.
Takeoff/Landing Assessment of an HSCT with Pneumatic Lift Augmentation

Presented at the 37th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, NV, January 11-14, 1999.
Optimum Energy- and Spectral-Efficient Transmissions for Delay-Constrained Hybrid ARQ Systems

This paper discusses the energy- and spectral-efficient transmissions for delay-constrained wireless communication systems utilizing hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ). Three design metrics are considered: 1) the energy efficiency (EE) measured by the average energy required to successfully deliver one information bit from a source to its destination; 2) the spectral efficiency (SE) defined as the average data rate per unit bandwidth; and 3) the average energy per bit normalized by the SE. Optimum system designs with respect to different metrics are developed by analytically identifying the sequence of transmission energy that should be employed at different retransmissions. The optimum energy distributions are calculated with a new backward sequential calculation method, where the energy at each retransmission round is expressed as a closed-form expression of a wide range of practical system parameters, such as circuit power and channel coding in the physical layer and frame length and protocol overhead in the media access control layer. Reducing the SE-normalized energy per bit yields a balanced tradeoff between EE and SE. Numerical results demonstrate that reducing the SE-normalized energy per bit achieves a 26.7% SE gain over the system that minimizes the average energy per bit; yet, the EE of the two systems is almost identical.
Immunomodulatory role of bitter melon extract in inhibition of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma growth

// Sourav Bhattacharya 1 , Naoshad Muhammad 1 , Robert Steele 1 , Guangyong Peng 2 , Ratna B. Ray 1, 2 1 Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA Correspondence to: Ratna B. Ray email: rayrb@slu.edu Keywords: bitter melon, TME, HNSCC Abbreviation: BME, bitter melon extract; HNSCC, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; TIL, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes Received: February 20, 2016 Accepted: April 10, 2016 Published: April 21, 2016 ABSTRACT Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer and leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Despite the advancement in treatment procedures the overall survival rate of patients has not considerably enhanced in the past few decades. Therefore, new strategies to achieve a favorable response for the improvement in the prognosis of HNSCC are urgently needed. In this study, we examined the role of bitter melon extract (BME) in HNSCC tumor microenvironment. Mouse head and neck cancer (SCCVII) cells were subcutaneously injected into the flanks of syngeneic mice. We observed that oral gavage of BME significantly inhibits the tumor growth in mice as compared to control group. Further study suggested that BME inhibits cell proliferation as evident from low expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and c-Myc in the tumors of BME fed mice as compared to that of control group. We next investigated the role of BME as an immunomodulator in HNSCC model. Forkhead box protein P3 + (FoxP3 + ) T cells suppress tumor immunity. Our data suggested that BME treatment decreases the infiltrating regulatory T (Treg) cells by inhibiting FoxP3 + populations in the tumors and in spleens. Additionally, BME treatment reduces Th17 cell population in the tumor. However, BME treatment did not alter Th1 and Th2 cell populations. Together, our findings offer a new insight into how bitter melon extract inhibits head and neck tumor growth by modulating cell proliferation and Treg populations, with implications for how to control tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor progression.
Conductor Design with High-Tc Ceramics: A Review

The most recently available cryophysical property data for high-Tc superconductors are reviewed. Based on the results, the flux-jump- (or intrinsic) stability of high-Tc ceramics at 4, 20, and 80 K are intercompared. Next, a review is presented of the cryostability of rod-like composite superconductors. A simple geometrical model (based on the equal-area principle) is introduced to describe a complete range of cryostabilities. - from so-called “full cryostability” to the one-dimensional MPZ. Again using recent cryophysical property data, some of the model results are applied to high-Tc ceramics at 4, 20 and 80 K.
Influence of culture medium and inoculation methods on detection of the total number of bacteria

Objective To explore the accuracy of culture medium and inoculation methods from national standard method in detecting the total number of bacteria,which can reflect the microbial contamination situation. Methods The water samples were collected from drinking water source wells to detect the colony count by coating method and national standard pouring method on nutrient agar,heterotrophic culture medium,autotrophic culture medium and mixed culture medium. In addition,t test and anova were used for statistical analysis. Results The total number of bacteria by coating method was 5 ~ 10 times the number of pouring method( P = 0. 0020, 0. 05),and large scattered colonies was easy for counting. Regardless of coating method and pouring method,nutrient agar medium had the minimum colony counting( P = 0. 001, 0. 05),while heterotrophic culture medium had the maximum colony counting,especially coating method showed countless. There was no difference in the culturre results between 48 hours and 96 hours( F = 1. 288,Ρ = 0. 870). Conclusion It was suggested that the optimal inoculation method should be selected in accordance with the practical application,and the culture medium varied based on the properties of the samples to improve the detection limit of total number of bacteria.
Total Diet Study in Urban and Rural Residents in Some Areas of Hebei Province in 2007

[Objective]To learn the dietary quality and nutritional status of residents in Tangshan city,Wenan county of Langfang city,Shuangta district of Chengde city in Hebei province,provide the scientific basis for government's policy making. [Methods]Using method of total diet study,the dietary composition and levels of carbohydrate,protein,fat,dietary fiber,dietary fiber,vitamin A,vitamin B1,vitamin B2,nicotinic acid,vitamin C,calcium,iron,zinc,selenium and sodium in urban and rural residents in some areas of Hebei province were evaluated and analyzed retrospectively. [Results]Total food consumption and the consumption of vegetables,beans in urban and rural areas were almost equal,the consumptions of cereals,water and condiments in rural areas were higher than those in urban areas,and consumptions of other foods in urban areas were higher than those in rural areas.The representative dietary composition of urban and rural areas was dominated by plant foods which included cereals and vegetables.The animal foods were single,the consumption of pork accounted for 47.1% and 82.5% of total consumption of animal foods in urban and rural areas respectively.The average intakes of beans,milk and water were significantly lower than recommended nutrient intake(RNI) of Dietary guidelines for Chinese residents.The intakes of wine,fat and salt were significantly higher than RNI.There was a serious shortage of intakes of beans,meat and aquatic food among rural residents.The average energy intake of urban and rural residents reached 94.8%,88.7% and 90.7% of RNI respectively.The protein intake reached 109.3%,72% and 84.5% of RNI respectively.The intakes of vitamin C,iron and sodium were adequate.The intakes of vitamin A,vitamin B1,vitamin B2,calcium,zinc and selenium among urban and rural residents were insufficient.The fat intake of urban residents was excessive.The intake and quality of protein among rural residents was unsatisfactory. [Conclusion]The dietary pattern among urban and rural residents in some areas of Hebei province is unreasonable,and the nutrients intake is unbalance.It is necessary to designedly carry out the dietary guidance in population.
Office-Based Testing for Antibody to Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Urology Patients

Knowledge of the status of a patient regarding antibody to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) may be important in many clinical situations. Consequently, we evaluated a rapid test for antibody to HIV-1 peptides that might be suitable for a physician office practice. We evaluated the time necessary to learn to do the test, and test performance using a reference panel and a seroconversion panel as well as 200 clinical specimens. Personnel who were previously unfamiliar with immunoassays learned the test procedure within 30 minutes. All reference specimens were interpreted correctly. One clinical sample reacted in the test but the result was not confirmed by Western blot. The rapid, peptide-based test was easy to use and performance was comparable to currently licensed tests performed at clinical laboratories.
The Entropic Consequences of Marketing Actions: A Systems View

The concept of entropy — which refers to the continual transition of systems from order to chaos — is useful for understanding the social and ecological consequences of marketing actions. This paper develops a framework in which marketing actions can be interpreted as decreasing the entropy of certain subsystems at the cost of pervasive and global increase in entropy with potentially deleterious consequences for society and ecology.
An Investigation into the Continuous High-Temperature Grade and Elastic Recovery of Asphalt Binders Measured Using the Creep-Recovery Test

The multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) test has been developed and is gradually being adopted as a more accurate indicator of the ability of an asphalt binder to resist permanent deformation compared to the G*/sin δ parameter from the Superpave binder specifications. This paper presents the findings from a study conducted using over 100 different asphalt binders from producers in and around the state of Texas. The study determined the continuous high temperature grade of asphalt binders based on the non-recoverable compliance (Jnr) measured using the MSCR test analogous to the continuous high temperature grade measured using the Superpave performance grade (PG) system. Also, the elastic recovery determined from the MSCR test was compared to the elastic recovery measured using the conventional elastic recovery test using a ductilometer. The results from this study show that: (i) some binders have an anomalous continuous high temperature grade based on the (Jnr) values, (ii) the elastic recovery measured using the MSCR method had a much higher sensitivity compared to the elastic recovery measured using a ductilometer, although the results from both methods showed similar trends, and (iii) a direct comparison of binder grades based on AASHTO M320 to the grades based on AASHTO MP19 indicated that, in some cases, the latter method and recommended specification limits result in the use of a binder that is stiffer compared to the conventional Superpave PG specification.
Teatro y arquitectura del secreto entre Italia y España en los siglos XV-XVI

This article traces the increasing theorization of secret spaces tailored for the prince’s household in 15th- and 16th-century architectural treatises. From Leon Battista Alberti to Francesco di Giorgio Martini, architects and humanists conceived of the prince’s household as one in which secret and public spaces were carefully distinguished. A number of architectural devices, such as secret doors, private stairs and listening tubes were designed so that the prince could be able to control all movements in his household. The echoes of this theorization, mediated by later treatises, such as that by Sebastiano Serlio, can be traced in 16th- and 17th-century literary works, such as those by Bartolome Torres Naharro or Lope de Vega, both in the Italian and the Iberian Peninsula.
Insight into dynamic genome imaging: Canonical framework identification and high-throughput analysis.

Abstract The human genome is dynamic in structure, complicating researcher’s attempts at fully understanding it. Time series “Fluorescent in situ Hybridization” (FISH) imaging has increased our ability to observe genome structure, but due to cell type and experimental variability this data is often noisy and difficult to analyze. Furthermore, computational analysis techniques are needed for homolog discrimination and canonical framework detection, in the case of time-series images. In this paper we introduce novel ideas for nucleus imaging analysis, present findings extracted using dynamic genome imaging, and propose an objective algorithm for high-throughput, time-series FISH imaging. While a canonical framework could not be detected beyond statistical significance in the analyzed dataset, a mathematical framework for detection has been outlined with extension to 3D image analysis.
Molecular Mechanism of Sarcomeric Cardiomyopathies

In the early 1990s, researchers identified a genetic basis for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (Geisterfer-Lowrance et al., Cell, 62(5):999–1006, 1990). They proposed that mutations in sarcomeric genes are causal for the hypertrophic phenotype. This opened the door to a new understanding of the disease pathology (Seidman and Seidman, Cell, 104(4):557–67, 2001). Experimentation into the molecular mechanisms of these mutations, along with increased genetic testing, revealed that sarcomeric gene mutations are also causal for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). This led to the redefining of these familial diseases as sarcomeric cardiomyopathies (Tardiff et al., Cardiovasc Res, 105(4):457–70, 2015; van der Velden et al., Cardiovasc Res, 105(4):449–56, 2015). This chapter provides an overview of the molecular mechanisms of sarcomeric cardiomyopathies and experimental therapies that target these mechanisms.
Predictors of false negative sentinel lymph node biopsy in trunk and extremity melanoma

Background Nodal recurrence following negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for melanoma is known as false-negative (FN) SLNB. Risk factors for FN SLNB among patients with trunk and extremity melanoma have not been well-defined. Methods After retrospective review, SLNB procedures were classified FN, true positive (TP; positive SLNB), or true negative (TN; negative SLNB without recurrence). Factors associated with high false negative rate (FNR) and low negative predictive value (NPV) were identified by comparing FNs to TPs and TNs, respectively. Survival was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Results Of 1728 patients, 234 were TP and 37 were FN for overall FNR of 14% and NPV of 97.5%. Age ≥65 years was independently associated with high FNR (FNR 20% in this group). Breslow thickness >1 mm and ulceration were independently associated with low NPV. Among patients with ulcerated tumors >4 mm, NPV was 88%. Median time to recurrence for FNs was 13 months. Among patients with primary melanomas ≤2 mm in depth, overall and distant disease-free survival were significantly shorter with FN SLNB than TP SLNB. Conclusions Older age is associated with increased FNR; patients with thick, ulcerated lesions should be considered for increased nodal surveillance after negative SLNB given low NPV in this group.
Radial Head Dislocation

Radial head dislocations in children are most commonly due to one of two entities: congenital dislocation of the radial head or Monteggia fracture. Congenital dislocation is often asymptomatic until adolescence, and if symptomatic, it can be treated with radial head excision for pain relief. Monteggia fractures involve radial head dislocation in association with an ulna fracture or plastic deformation. Most can be treated with closed reduction maneuvers, but, when open or unstable, are treated surgically. Posterior interosseous nerve palsy is a potential complication (10%), but generally resolves spontaneously.