cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Accuracy of Wall Shear Stress Using DPIV

Wall shear stress measurements are important for a variety of fluid mechanics phenomena and engineering applications ranging from estimation of viscous drag to the regulation of endothelial cell function in arterial flows [1–5]. Although DPIV has emerged over the past years as the method of choice for global non-invasive optical flow diagnostics [6–13] the issues associated with the indirect estimation of wall shear stresses from DPIV measured velocities have not been sufficiently addressed. The challenge is even more significant in the presence of deformable and dynamically moving boundaries. In particular such measurements require accurate determination of wall position, near-wall velocity measurements using DPIV algorithms, and the indirect estimation of the velocity derivatives in order to evaluate the shear stress. Dynamically moving boundaries, whether rigid or compliant, require special consideration, as the boundary position must be determined accurately as a function of space and time. It is necessary to quantify the accuracy of each measurement that contributes to the error of the wall shear stress estimation. In this work we decompose the problem into the following three aspects: (a) determination of the exact boundary points (b) DPIV velocity measurement uncertainty in the near wall region. (c) velocity derivative error. Methodologies and improvements addressing each aspect individually are proposed and a systematic parametric study of the related error is performed. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed parametric effort to quantify the errors associated with wall shear stress estimation from DPIV velocities.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Gersgorin variations I: on a theme of Pupkov and Solov'ev☆

Abstract We unify and extend various “additive” sufficient conditions of Pupkov and of Solov'ev for the nonsingularity of a complex matrix. This paper is intended to be the first in a sequcnce of “variations” on theorems of the Gersgorin genre. The whole sequence is dedicated to the memory of Olga Taussky-Todd, whose lovely paper [O. Taussky, Amer. Math. Monthly 56 (1949) 672–676,] inspired an interest in matrix theory for a generation of mathematicians.
Unconfigured Tractarian Objects

According to the Tractatus, the world consists of atomic objects arranged in various configurations, and the ways the world might be are determined by the ways these objects can be configured. The question I address is whether these very objects can be unconfigured as well as configured. Much depends on a positive answer to this question, including, as I show, the internal coherence of the Tractatus itself. I argue that these objects can be unconfigured, and am critical of certain interpretive claims made by Fogelin which lead to the conclusion that they cannot be.
A DNA Crystal Designed to Contain Two Molecules per Asymmetric Unit

We describe the self-assembly of a DNA crystal that contains two tensegrity triangle molecules per asymmetric unit. We have used X-ray crystallography to determine its crystal structure. In addition, we have demonstrated control over the colors of the crystals by attaching either Cy3 dye (pink) or Cy5 dye (blue-green) to the components of the crystal, yielding crystals of corresponding colors. Attaching the pair of dyes to the pair of molecules yields a purple crystal.
Pindolol increases extracellular 5-HT while inhibiting serotonergic neuronal activity.

The effects of pindolol, a beta-adrenoceptor blocker/putative 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A/1B antagonist, on both the single-unit activity of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and extracellular 5-HT levels in the caudate nucleus, were examined in freely moving cats. Administration of (+)-pindolol (1 and 10 mg/kg, s.c.) decreased neuronal activity and increased 5-HT levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The subsequent administration of WAY-100635 [N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl)cycloh exanecarboxamide] (0.2 mg/kg, s.c.), a selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, blocked pindolol-induced neuronal suppression and potentiated 5-HT output. These results indicate that pindolol may be acting at the level of the nerve terminal to increase 5-HT.
Epigenetics is alive and growing.

Abstract The conference ‘Epigenetics of Cancer,' organized by the American Association for Cancer Research, was held 17–21 October 2001 in Palm Desert, CA.
A Study of Indicator Passage Error Correction Schemes

The passage length between the cylinder and the measuring transducer is known to cause distortion of pressure time traces due to pulsations caused by dynamic effects. This paper attempts to arrive at a simple and efficient calculation scheme for correcting those distortions. Both time domain (method of characteristics approach) and frequency domain methods are evaluated to assess the importance of considering various effects for improving the prediction accuracy. The predictions from both methods are compared with experimental data as well as the results of Heidrich [6], who used simpler versions of these methods.
A survey of chairpersons of departments of medicine about the current and future roles of clinical genetics in internal medicine.

Purpose: The response of academic Departments of Medicine (DOM), who train the bulk of future US internists, to the increasing importance of clinical genetics is not known. Methods: A survey was distributed to 153 DOM chairpersons assessing the current and future roles of clinical genetics as related to internal medicine. Results: Eighty-five (56%) surveys with complete data were returned. A minority of DOM currently employ geneticists; most genetics education and services are provided by nongeneticists; the general competency of internists to deliver genetic services is unclear. Conclusions: Academic DOM have limited faculty expertise in clinical genetics; this may impact the ability to integrate genetics into internal medicine practice and training.
High-resolution volume holographic profilometry using the Viterbi algorithm

We use the Viterbi decoding algorithm to resolve depth features beyond the nominal resolution limit of a volume holographic profilometry system. The formulation treats the truncated point-spread function as an intersymbol interference and uses surface constraints and transition constraints to reduce the computational complexity. A factor-of-5 improvement in resolution was obtained in our experimental demonstration.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDY OF THE DEVELOPING TASTE BUD IN RAT FUNGIFORM PAPILLA.

Abstract An electron microscope study of the morphological sequence of events occurring in the development of the fungiform papilla and taste bud on the rat tongue has been performed. For convenience of description, five stages of development have been defined: 1. Stage 1: Formation of epithelial eminences associated with connective tissue papillae on the dorsal surface of the embryonic tongue. Connective tissue cells are seen in close apposition to the basement membrane underlying the epithelial eminences. These eminences have a distribution on the fetal tongue similar to that of fungiform papillae on the adult tongue. 2. Stage 2: Growth of nerve fibers into the connective tissue core of the forming fungiform papilla. Small, dense granules are seen in the proximal cytoplasm of the basal layer of epithelial cells at the top of the fungiform papilla. 3. Stage 3: Invasion of epithelium at the top of the fungiform papilla by nerve processes. Associated with this is the appearance of clusters of vesicles in the epithelial cells near their area of contact with nerve processes. These vesicles have been interpreted as morphological evidence of an interaction between epithelial cells and nerve processes, an interaction which precedes differentiation of the cells into taste bud cells. 4. Stage 4: Differentiation of cells which assume the configurations arbitrarily designated as peripheral, basal, and type I cells, the latter possessing apical microvilli. The designation of cell types is employed for convenience to describe stages of cellular differentiation. The surface of the fungiform papilla is keratinized. 5. Stage 5: The appearance of type II cells and the taste pore. The type II cells are thought to play an active role in the formation and maintenance of the taste pore.
Successful Management of Infertile Patient with Trans-Fundal Uterine Membrane

Abstract Background: This case report describes an infertile patient with a rare endometrial cavity pathology diagnosed on hysteroscopy. Case: The patient was a 39-year-old female with primary infertility of 9 years' duration. A diagnosis of a possible T-shaped uterus on a previous hysterosalpingogram was not confirmed on diagnostic hysteroscopy 5 years earlier at a different infertility center, where she had undergone a cycle of in-vitro fertilization with embryo transfer (IVF-ET) but was unable to conceive. At the time of diagnostic hysteroscopy at the current, unit the patient was found to have a T-shaped cavity and a trans-fundal uterine membrane obscuring an arcuate fundus. Hysteroscopic division of this thin membrane was performed successfully, followed by hysteroscopic division of the uterine septum and hysteroscopic metroplasty of her T-shaped uterus. Results: Subsequently, the patient conceived with IVF-ET but had an early miscarriage. A second IVF-ET cycle resulted in resulted in delivery of a h...
Assessment of myocardial blood flow by real-time infrared imaging.

In order to evaluate the applicability of infrared imaging for the assessment of myocardial perfusion, 10 open-chested dogs were studied by a real-time infrared imaging system. The left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 90 min followed by 210 min of reperfusion. During the experiment, myocardial surface temperature was mapped by an infrared imaging system with a thermal resolution power of 0.1°C and correlated with regional myocardial blood flow measured using radiolabeled microspheres. Following the experiment, acute myocardial injury was evaluated using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. After 90 min of ischemia, there was a significant correlation between myocardial blood flow and myocardial surface temperature (R = 0.694, P < 0.001). After reperfusion, temperature did not correlate with blood flow, but there was a significant correlation between temperature and ischemic myocardial injury (R = 0.551, P < 0.05). Temperature changes during acute regional ischemia and reperfusion may be regulated by the changes in myocardial blood flow and myocardial metabolism. Temperature analysis using real-time infrared imaging may be a useful means for the evaluation of myocardial blood flow and myocardial injury during ischemia and reperfusion.
Magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites for remote controlled pulsatile drug release

Hydrogel nanocomposites are novel macromolecular biomaterials that promise to impact various applications in medical and pharmaceutical fields. In this paper, magnetic nanocomposites of temperature responsive hydrogels were used to illustrate remote controlled (RC) drug delivery. A high frequency alternating magnetic field (AMF) was used to trigger the on-demand pulsatile drug release from the nanocomposites. Nanocomposites were synthesized by incorporation of superparamagnetic Fe(3)O(4) particles in negative temperature sensitive poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels. Pulses of AMF were applied to the nanocomposites and the kinetics of collapse and recovery were characterized. Application of AMF resulted in uniform heating within the nanocomposites leading to accelerated collapse and squeezing out large amounts of imbibed drug (release at a faster rate). Remote controlled pulsatile drug release was characterized for different drugs as well as for different ON-OFF durations of the AMF.
Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae-binding gangliosides of human respiratory (HEp-2) cells have a requisite lacto/neolacto core structure.

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) are a major cause of human infections. We previously demonstrated high affinity and high specificity binding of NTHI to minor gangliosides of human respiratory (HEp-2) cells and macrophages, but not to brain gangliosides. We further identified the NTHI-binding ganglioside of human macrophages as α2,3-sialylosylparagloboside (IV3NeuAc-nLcOse4Cer, nLM1), which possesses a neolacto core structure that is absent in brain gangliosides. This supported a hypothesis that lacto/neolacto core carbohydrates are critical for NTHI-ganglioside binding. To investigate, we determined the core carbohydrate structure of NTHI-binding gangliosides of HEp-2 cells, through multiple approaches, including specific enzymatic degradation, mass spectral analysis and gas–liquid chromatography. Our analyses denote the following critical structural attributes of NTHI-binding gangliosides: (1) a conserved lacto/neolacto core structure; (2) requisite sialylation, which may be either internal or external, with α2,3 (human macrophages) or α2,6 (HEp-2 cells) anomeric linkages; (3) internalized galactose residues. Mass spectral and gas chromatographic analyses confirm that NTHI-binding gangliosides of HEp-2 cells possess lacto/neolacto carbohydrate cores and identify the structure of the major peak as NeuAcα2–6Galβ1–4GlcNAcβ1–3Galβ1–4Glcβ1–1Cer (α2,6-sialosylparagloboside, nLM1). Collectively, our studies denote NTHI-binding gangliosides as lacto/neolacto series structures.
Synthesis and Energetic Properties of Bis-(Triaminoguanidinium) 3,3′-Dinitro-5,5′-Azo-1,2,4-Triazolate (TAGDNAT): A New High-Nitrogen Material

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of bis-(triaminoguanidinium)-3,3′-dinitro-5,5′-azo-1,2,4-triazolate (TAGDNAT), a novel high-nitrogen molecule that derives its energy release from both a high heat of formation and intramolecular oxidation reactions. TAGDNAT shows promise as a propellant or explosive ingredient not only due to its high nitrogen content (66.35 wt.-%) but also due to its high hydrogen content (4.34 wt.-%). This new molecule has been characterized with respect to its morphology, sensitivity properties, explosive, and combustion performance. The heat of formation of TAGDNAT was also experimentally determined. The results of these studies show that TAGDNAT has one of the fastest low-pressure burning rates (at 6.9 MPa) measured till date, 6.79 cm s−1 at 6.9 MPa (39% faster than triaminoguanidinium azotetrazolate (TAGzT), a comparable high-nitrogen/high-hydrogen material). Furthermore, its pressure sensitivity is 0.507, a 33% reduction compared to TAGzT.
Quantifying Osteogenic Cell Degradation of Silk Biomaterials

The degradation of silk protein films by human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), osteoblasts and osteoclasts, cells involved in osteogenic functions in normal and diseased bone, was assessed in vitro. The involvement of specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and integrin signaling in the degradation process was determined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to quantitatively compare degradation by the different cell types using surface patterned silk films. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts demonstrated significant degradation of the silk films in vitro in comparison to the hMSCs and the film controls without cells. The osteoclasts degraded the silk films the most and also generated the highest level of MMPs 1 and 2. The osteoblasts upregulated integrins α5 and β1, while the osteoclasts upregulated integrins α2 and β1. There was significant contrast in responses on the silk matrices between osteogenic cells versus undifferentiated hMSCs to illustrate in vitro the role of cell type on matrix remodeling. These are important issues in matching biomaterial matrix features and studies in vitro to remodeling in vivo, in both normal and disease tissue systems. Cell populations and niche factors impact tissue regeneration, wound healing, physiological state, and the ability to better understand the role of different cell types is critical to overall regenerative outcomes.
Biological effects of synthetic AKH in Manduca sexta and estimates of the amount of AKH in Corpora cardiaca

Dose-response curves were measured with synthetic Manduca adipokinetic hormone (AKH) for glycogen phosphorylase activation in larvae and for lipid mobilization in adults. Both responses are known hormonal functions in Manduca sexta. In ligated larvae, full activation of glycogen phosphorylase was achieved with 0.1 pmol and half-maximal activation with 0.03-0.04 pmol. Maximal lipid mobilization in adults required 10 pmol and half-maximal mobilization 0.15 to 0.2 pmol, respectively. An estimate of AKH content of corpora cardiaca from M. sexta was gained by comparing the dose-response curves for synthetic Manduca AKH with curves from gland extracts. Corpora cardiaca extracts were also quantitated by high performance liquid chromatography. According to both estimates corpora cardiaca of adults contain 10-20 pmol AKH per pair, while a pair of larval corpora cardiaca contains 0.7-2 pmol.
Time-dependent approach to high-resolution spectroscopy: application to the photoabsorption spectrum of classically chaotic hydrogen atoms in magnetic fields

Abstract We present a new time-dependent approach for probing the dynamics and high-resolution spectroscopy of Rydberg systems in the presence of external fields. The procedure is based on the extension of a recent development of a generalized pseudospectral time-dependent method which allows for non-uniform spatial grid discretization, and long-time propagation of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation with both high accuracy and efficiency. The method is demonstrated by a case study of the photoabsorption spectrum of atomic hydrogen in the presence of static magnetic fields. Excellent agreement of the time-dependent results with the high-resolution experimental spectrum is achieved line by line, covering both the classically regular and chaotic regimes.
Building a suspension bridge: how teamwork bridges the gap

Information and Access Technology (IAT) Services, the central Information Technology group at the University of Missouri-Columbia, operates computing sites in general access, classroom, and residence hall settings. The computing sites are supported by various methods including on-site Consultants, roaming Support Specialists, and a call-in Support Center designed specifically for supporting the sites. In the past two-years, various services have been implemented to provide better customer service and employee satisfaction. Student employee training, incentives, and evaluation programs have been very successful in improving customer support, while new methods of distributing software has been a success in administering the sites.
Democratic policing, police accountability, and citizen oversight in Asia: an exploratory study

One of the ways in which the ideals of policing mirrors democratic governance is the role played by citizens in dealing with matters relating to police accountability. While many western developed democracies have mechanisms for civilian oversight of police that include an active citizen role, the extent to which citizen oversight exists in new and emerging democracies is unclear. In this exploratory study, we examine the nature and extent of police accountability in emerging and new democracies in Asia, their efforts to democratize police organizations, and the extent to which civilians are included in police oversight mechanisms.
Responses of soil microbial biomass and N availability to transition strategies from conventional to organic farming systems

Abstract Organic farming can enhance soil biodiversity, alleviate environmental concerns and improve food safety through eliminating the applications of synthetic chemicals. However, yield reduction due to nutrient limitation and pest incidence in the early stages of transition from conventional to organic systems is a major concern for organic farmers, and is thus a barrier to implementing the practice of organic farming. Therefore, identifying transition strategies that minimize yield loss is critical for facilitating the implementation of organic practices. Soil microorganisms play a dominant role in nutrient cycling and pest control in organic farming systems, and their responses to changes in soil management practices may critically impact crop growth and yield. Here we examined soil microbial biomass and N supply in response to several strategies for transitioning from conventional to organic farming systems in a long-term field experiment in Goldsboro, NC, USA. The transitional strategies included one fully organic strategy (ORG) and four reduced-input strategies (withdrawal of each or gradual reduction of major conventional inputs—synthetic fertilizers, pesticides (insecticides/fungicides), and herbicides), with a conventional practice (CNV) serving as a control. Microbial biomass and respiration rate were more sensitive to changes in soil management practices than total C and N. In the first 2 years, the ORG was most effective in enhancing soil microbial biomass C and N among the transition strategies, but was accompanied with high yield losses. By the third year, soil microbial biomass C and N in the reduced-input transition strategies were statistically significantly greater than those in the CNV (averaging 32 and 35% higher, respectively), although they were slightly lower than those in the ORG (averaging 13 and 17% lower, respectively). Soil microbial respiration rate and net N mineralization in all transitional systems were statistically significantly higher than those in the CNV (averagely 83 and 66% greater, respectively), with no differences among the various transition strategies. These findings suggest that the transitional strategies that partially or gradually reduce conventional inputs can serve as alternatives that could potentially minimize economic hardships as well as benefit microbial growth during the early stages of transition to organic farming systems.
Organic nitrogen in precipitation over Eastern North America

Abstract A measurement technique was developed to reliably quantify organic nitrogen (ON) in ambient, wet-only precipitation. Samples were frozen during collection and subsequently divided into two aliquots. One set was stored at −170°C and analyzed for total N (TN) via high-temperature combustion to NO and detection by chemiluminescence; the other set was sterilized with CHCl3, stored refrigerated, and analyzed for NH4+ by automated colorimetry and for NO3−, and NO2− by ion chromatography. ON was inferred by difference. Analysis of paired, untreated aliquots stored for 30 and 41 days at different temperatures revealed substantial conversion of NH4+ to ON at room temperature and significant losses (16% and 23%) of NH4+ (presumably to biota growing on bottle walls) in refrigerated samples. Analytes in frozen and sterilized samples were stable. Volume-weighted ON concentrations for precipitation sampled at Charlottesville, Virginia (VA), Newark, Delaware (DE), and New Castle, New Hampshire (NH; 3.1, 4.2, and 0.6 μM N, respectively) and corresponding contributions to volume-weighted TN (6.5%, 7.8%, and 2.6%, respectively) are at the lower limit of published values for eastern North America and elsewhere. Methodological differences contribute to the apparent variability among these reported sample statistics. Volume-weighted ON concentrations were generally highest during spring and were lowest during summer. Due to the combined influence of unmeasured ON and loss of NH4+ from inadequately preserved samples, current estimates for the wet deposition of atmospheric N to eastern North America based on data from national networks may be underestimated by 10–20%.
Passive measurement of progressive mass change via bifurcation sensing with a multistable micromechanical system

Mass sensing using the onset and crossing of a dynamic bifurcation of a micromechanical system has been shown to reduce the mass threshold which may be detected and exhibited improved robustness to damping and noise compared to traditional tracking of resonant frequency shift. Previous investigations demonstrated that mass measurement over time via actively controlled strategies or explored passively operated threshold-type methods to indicate a pre-determined mass was adsorbed. Recently, an alternative idea integrating aspect of frequency shift- and bifurcation-based mass sensors and methods was proposed, providing initial illustration of a noteworthy ability to passively quantify progressive mass adsorption due to sequentially activated bifurcations. To advance the state of the art, this research provides a thorough investigation of this new sensing concept in terms of its dynamic characteristics and devises guidelines for effective, reliable operations. The conceptual foundation of the sensing method a...
Production of cellulase enzymes and hydrolysis of steam-exploded wood

Steam-exploded aspen has been examined as a candidate feedstock for both cellulose production and enzymatic hydrolysis of wood. Batch and fed-batch cultivation methods were evaluated and compared with previous experiments using ball-milled, crystalline cellulose (Solka Floe). Batch cultivation of Trichoderma reesei Rut C-30 on 9 wt% water-washed aspen yielded enzyme productivities and activities comparable to those obtained on Solka Floe (40 FP IU/L-h; 7. 5 FP IU/mL). Fed-batch cultivation of Rut C-30 resulted in higher enzyme productivities and tilers than batch cultivation (50 FP IU/L-h; 15 FP IU/mL). However, the overall enzyme production performance was lower than on Solka Floe at comparable cellulose feeding rates and concentrations. This may be due to the accumulation of steam explosion by-products and lignin in the fermentor.The hydrolysis of water-washed steam-exploded aspen was performed at different enzyme loadings and wood concentrations. Glucose production, using 10 and 15 wt% suspension, showed that while glucose concentration increased with wood load, the yield of glucose derived from cellulose decreased. With 10 wt% suspensions, it was possible to obtain a cellulose conversion to glucose above 95%. Low cellulose levels in the hydrolyzates indicated that the filter paper activity ratios (approximately 1.5), a significant result since the fungus was grown exclusively on wood. mIt also suggested that the observed yield decrease is more likely to be caused by glucose than cellobiose inhibition of the enzymes.
A subspace method for blind channel identification in OFDM systems

It has been shown that cyclostationarity in the received signal allows the receiver to blindly identify the channel impulse response using only second-order statistics. In orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, cyclostationarity is embedded at the transmitter due to cyclic prefix. In this paper, a subspace approach based on second-order statistics is proposed for blind channel identification in OFDM systems. We derive a sufficient condition that guarantees all the channels to be identifiable no matter what their zero locations are. Computer simulations demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed algorithm over methods reported earlier in the literature.
3D surface stagnography using geometry images

This paper presents a new 3-d data hiding scheme. By using geometry images, we transform the 3-d data hiding problem into the 2-d image data hiding problem where efficient algorithms can be applied. A modified LSB embedding approach is proposed to embed payload in geometry images. Experimental results show that a large amount of payload can be embedded in the 3-d model without causing too much deformation of the 3-d model. In the end of the paper, we propose a completely new representation of 3-d model as an application of our data hiding method.
Demographic Events and Evolutionary Forces Shaping European Genetic Diversity

Europeans have been the focus of some of the largest studies of genetic diversity in any species to date. Recent genome-wide data have reinforced the hypothesis that present-day European genetic diversity is strongly correlated with geography. The remaining challenge now is to understand more precisely how patterns of diversity in Europe reflect ancient demographic events such as postglacial expansions or the spread of farming. It is likely that recent advances in paleogenetics will give us some of these answers. There has also been progress in identifying specific segments of European genomes that reflect adaptations to selective pressures from the physical environment, disease, and dietary shifts. A growing understanding of how modern European genetic diversity has been shaped by demographic and evolutionary forces is not only of basic historical and anthropological interest but also aids genetic studies of disease.
Recognition of Specific DNA Sequences

Proteins that recognize specific DNA sequences play a central role in the regulation of transcription. The tremendous increase in structural information on protein-DNA complexes has uncovered a remarkable structural diversity in DNA binding folds, while at the same time revealing common themes in binding to target sites in the genome.
Region-level approximate computation reuse for power reduction in multimedia applications

Motivated by data value locality and quality tolerance present in multimedia applications, we propose a new micro-architecture, region-level approximate computation buffer (RACB), to reduce power consumption in such applications. The proposed RACB relaxes the exact matching into partial and approximate tag matching and applies it to regions of code in a program, thereby allowing for aggressive computation/execution reduction, in addition to reductions in memory accesses and pipeline activities. Our experiments demonstrate that a 64-entry RACB can yield up to 70% of region-level execution reduction without noticeable quality degradation in MPEG-2 video decoding, corresponding to 55.9% of system power savings with respect to the regions.
Large vocabulary audio-visual speech recognition using active shape models

Orthogonal information present in the video signal associated with the audio helps in improving the accuracy of a speech recognition system. Audio-visual speech recognition involves extraction of both the audio as well as visual features from the input signal. Extraction of visual parameters is done by the recognition of speech dependent features from the video sequence. The paper uses geometrical features to describe the lip shapes. Curve-based active shape models are used to extract the geometry. These geometrically represented visual parameters are used along with the audio cepstral features to perform an audio-visual classification. It is shown that the bimodal system presented gives an improvement in the classification results over classification using only the audio features.
Serotonin syndrome: Early management with cyproheptadine

OBJECTIVE:T o report a psychiatric patient who developed serotonin syndrome after a medication overdose and whose marked mydriasis was quickly reversed by administration of cyproheptadine. This phenomenon was confirmed when other cases of serotonin syndrome were studied.METHOD:In the index patient as well as in three subsequent cases of serotonin syndrome, pupil diameter, muscle tone, mental status, and vital signs were monitored before and after a test dose of cyproheptadine as medications were discontinued and antiserotonergic therapy begun.RESULTS:In each patient, cyproheptadine produced rapid reversal of mydriasis within one hour of the initial dose. Other signs of serotonin syndrome remitted more slowly. As the signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome remitted and pupils returned to normal size and reactiveness, cyproheptadine therapy seemed to produce mydriasis after each dose. Cessation of therapy after this point did not result in recurrence of symptoms. One patient developed serotonin syndrome tw...
EXCRETION IN THE HOUSE CRICKET (ACHETA DOMESTICUS): STIMULATION OF DIURESIS BY TISSUE HOMOGENATES

SUMMARY 1. A new method is described for maintaining cricket Malpighian tubules in vitro. Warmed, oxygenated saline is circulated rapidly past the tubules, while the secreted urine is collected under oil for analysis. This technique allows the cricket tubules to be observed and manipulated for extended periods (6 h), in contrast to their short life (<1 h) using conventional methods. 2. Cricket tubules show extreme sensitivity to oxygen deprivation, such that 15 min of anoxia represents the median lethal dose (LDSO) for in vitro preparations. 3. Homogenates of corpus cardiacum (CC) cause the rate of fluid secretion by the tubules to double. The maximum stimulation is dose-dependent over the range 0-01 to l'OCC. Homogenates of brain and other ganglia show much smaller stimulatory effects (0
Laboratory Measurements of Fe XXIV Line Emission: 3 → 2 Transitions near Excitation Threshold

Using the Electron Beam Ion Trap facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, we have measured relative cross sections for Fe XXIV line emission at electron energies between 0.7 and 3.0 keV. The measurements include line formation by direct electron impact excitation (DE), radiative cascades, resonant excitation (RE), and dielectronic recombination (DR) satellites with captured electrons in n " 5 levels. Good agreement with R-matrix and distorted wave calculations is found. In collisionally ionized plasmas, at temperatures near where the ion abundance peaks keV), the RE contributions are (kT e D 1.7 found to be of the line emission, while the DR satellites contribute While good agreement (5% (10%. with state-of-the-art atomic physics calculations is found, there is less good agreement with existing spectral synthesis codes in common astrophysical use. For the Fe XXIV and 3p 3@2 ) 2s 1@2 ,3 p 1@2 ) 2s 1@2 , transitions, the synthesis code MEKAL underestimates the emissivity in coronal equi- 3d 5@2 ) 2p 3@2 librium by D20% at temperatures near where the ion abundance peaks. In situations where the ioniza- tion balance is not solely determined by the electron temperature, RE and DR satellites may contribute a considerable fraction of the line emission. Subject headings: atomic dataatomic processesline: formationmethods: laboratory ¨ X-rays: general
Future Directions of Cardiac Assistance

During the past decade, mechanical circulatory support has gained increased acceptance as a treatment for patients with severe heart failure who are unresponsive to conventional treatment. Steady progress has been made with respect to technology, patient selection, and postoperative management. Currently, a wide array of circulatory assist pumps offers various levels of assistance and degrees of postoperative mobility. These devices not only save lives (lowering the mortality of heart transplant candidates by 55%) but, in some long-term bridge-to-transplant cases, permit hospital discharge and cardiac rehabilitation. More than 4000 patients have been supported by long-term assist pumps worldwide. In addition to being used for bridging to transplantation or bridging to the use of some other bridging device, long-term circulatory assist devices are being evaluated as bridges to recovery or alternatives to transplantation in selected patients with severe heart failure. Moreover, several total artificial hearts have shown considerable potential in calves and will soon undergo clinical trials aimed at permanent heart replacement. Eventually, as cardiac support or replacement devices become smaller, more durable, and less obtrusive, they may become as conventional and commonplace as pacemakers are today.
Weekly gridded Aquarius L-band radiometer/scatterometer observations and salinity retrievals over the polar regions – Part 1: Product description

Abstract. Passive and active observations at L band (frequency ~1.4 GHz) from the Aquarius/SAC-D mission offer new capabilities to study the polar regions. Due to the lack of polar-gridded products, however, applications over the cryosphere have been limited. We present three weekly polar-gridded products of Aquarius data to improve our understanding of L-band observations of ice sheets, sea ice, permafrost, and the polar oceans. Additionally, these products intend to facilitate access to L-band data, and can be used to assist in algorithm developments. Aquarius data at latitudes higher than 50° are averaged and gridded into weekly products of brightness temperature (TB), normalized radar cross section (NRCS), and sea surface salinity (SSS). Each grid cell also contains sea ice fraction, the standard deviation of TB, NRCS, and SSS, and the number of footprint observations collected during the seven-day cycle. The largest 3 dB footprint dimensions are 97 km × 156 km and 74 km × 122 km (along × across track) for the radiometers and scatterometer, respectively. The data is gridded to the Equal-Area Scalable Earth version 2.0 (EASE2.0) grid, with a grid cell resolution of 36 km. The data sets start in August 2011, with the first Aquarius observations and will be updated on a monthly basis following the release schedule of the Aquarius Level 2 data sets. The weekly gridded products are distributed by the US National Snow and Ice Data Center at http://nsidc.org/data/aquarius/index.html .
Association of haematocrit and red blood cell transfusion with outcomes in infants with shunt-dependent pulmonary blood flow and univentricular physiology

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the association between red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and haematocrit values with outcomes in infants with univentricular physiology undergoing surgery for a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. Material and methods This study included infants ≤ 2 months of age who underwent modified Blalock-Taussig shunt surgery at the Arkansas Children's Hospital (2006-2012). Infants undergoing a Norwood operation or Damus-Kaye-Stansel operation with modified Blalock-Taussig shunt were excluded. Demographics, pre-operative, operative, daily laboratory data, and post-operative variables were collected. We studied the association between haematocrit and blood transfusion with a composite clinical outcome. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to study the probability of study outcomes as a function of haematocrit values and RBC transfusions after operation. Results Seventy-three patients qualified for inclusion. All study patients received blood transfusion within the first 48 hours after heart surgery. The median haematocrit was 44.3 (interquartile range [IQR] 42.5-46.2), and the median volume of RBC transfused was 28 mL/kg (IQR, 10-125) in the first 14 days after surgery. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 13.6% (10 patients). A multivariable analysis adjusted for risk factors, including weight, prematurity, cardiopulmonary bypass and postoperative need for nitric oxide and dialysis, revealed no association between haematocrit values and RBC transfusion with the composite clinical outcome. Discussion We did not find an association between higher haematocrit values and increasing RBC transfusions with improved outcomes in infants with shunt-dependent pulmonary blood flow and univentricular physiology. The power of our study was small, which prevents any strong statement on this lack of association. Future multi-centre, randomised controlled trials are needed to investigate this topic in further detail.
Effect of Chain Length of Hybrid Lipids on Line Tension in Phase-Separated Giant Unilamellar Vesicles

Hybrid lipids (HL) are phospholipids with one saturated and one unsaturated chain and they are abundant in cell membranes. HLs are hypothesized to act as linactants and reducing line tension in cell membranes. Here we compare two hybrid lipids of different chain length in their abilities to alter line tension of lipid domains. We found that in both PAPC/DSPC/Cholesterol and SAPC/DSPC/Cholesterol mixtures, the liquid-ordered (lo) and liquid-disordered (ld) lipid domains are micron-sized. Our line tension measurement indicates that hybrid lipids can reduce line tension through reducing physical property differences of domains. Although in both mixtures line tension is reduced compared to a mixture without hybrid lipid, in the SAPC/DSPC/Chol mixture it is reduced more, indicating chain length plays a role in line tension reduction.
Electron Microscopy of Sickle Cells

SummaryA modification of the Beck-Hertz technic permits direct mounting of sickle cells for electron microscopy studies. Electron micrographs of sickle cells essentially confirm the findings of Diggs and Bibb and substantiate pertinent optical studies as to structural detail. In addition, both corpuscular hemoglobin-membrane relationships and polar filament structure are further visualized.
Development of a Sensitive Detection Method for Stressed E. coli O157:H7 in Source and Finished Drinking Water by Culture-qPCR

A sensitive and specific method that also demonstrates viability is of interest for detection of E. coli O157:H7 in drinking water. A combination of culture and qPCR was investigated. Two triplex qPCRs, one from a commercial source and another designed for this study were optimized from 5 different assays to be run on a single qPCR plate. The qPCR assays were specific for 33 E. coli O157:H7 strains tested and detected 500 cells spiked in a background of 108 nontarget bacterial cells. The qPCR detection was combined with an enrichment process using Presence Absence (P/A) broth to detect chlorine and starvation stressed cells. qPCR analysis performed post-enrichment allowed the detection of 3−4 cells/L as indicated by a sharp increase in fluorescence (lowering of Ct values) from pre-enrichment levels, demonstrating a 5−6 log increase in the number of cells. When six vulnerable untreated surface water samples were examined, only one was positive for viable E. coli O157:H7 cells. These results suggest that th...
Assessment of Irrigation-Related Insecticide Application Methods for Control of Lepidopteran Insect Pests of Sweet Com

Application of insecticides through center-pivot irrigation systems during the spring and summer growing seasons of 1990 and 1991 was as efficient in controlling com earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), larvae in fresh-market corn, Zea mays (L.), as was the application of insecticides with a high-clearance sprayer. Hollow cone and rotating irrigation sprinklers applied insecticides uniformly along the length of the pivot arm, resulting in ≤3% corn ear damage in all growing seasons. Insect damage to ears following use of insecticides applied with a piggyback application system and a high-clearance sprayer was similar and generally above the acceptable range (≤3% damaged ears) for fresh-market use in most growing seasons. Insecticides applied with the piggyback system failed to provide uniform insect control along the irrigation pivot arm in both 1990 and 1991.
Quantum Photonics for Computation and Simulation

I will discuss recent advances towards implementation of nonlinear photonic devices for quantum information processing and quantum simulation of topological phases of matter, using approaches from circuit QED and silicon-on-insulator technologies.
Definition of Definitions of Concepts

A PPLIED sociology consists today more largely in the application of serviceable concepts and in tested techniques of social research, than in the application of laws or principles, which are few in verified number and usually too general in statement to solve some concrete problem. Consequently it is to the serviceable sociological concept that we turn for some of the examples of fruitful applications of sociology. Social work and psychiatry are making increasing use of sociological concepts. This development is too apparent to be elaborated or even illustrated at this point. Disagreement among definitions of the same concept are frequent as Eubank' has shown, but, if the resulting arguments and discussions are not too protracted, they are probably indications of a healthy condition of normaal growth of scientific vocabulary. We come, therefore, to the question: What is a definition? It becomes necessary to try to define what we mean by the term definition as used in the description and differentiation of sociological concepts. In this brief paper we shall set down some criteria and distinctions that we have found helpful in our own thought, research, and writing. If we begin with dictionary definitions, we find in Oxford that a definition is, "stating the precise nature of a thing or the meaning of a word." Standard states that a definition is, "the act or product of marking out, or delimiting, the outlines or characteristics of any conception or thing; determining the elements, attributes, or relations of one object so as to distinguish it, whether as an individual or one of a class, from other objects." Concepts are general ideas and involve abstract thinking. Young2 states the matter thus: "Abstract thinking constitutes the highest form of anticipatory response," and again, "Reasoning is a form of anticipatory response in which the behavior is foreseen in terms of images, ideas or concepts before it actually passes over into consummatory or overt conduct." Sapir3 says, ". . . the speech element 'house' is a symbol, first and foremost, not of a single perception, or even of the notion of a particular object, but of a 'concept,' in other words, of a convenient capsule of thought that embraces thousands of distinct experiences and that is ready to take on thousands more." In Warren's Dictionary of Psychology, we find a concept defined as, "A
Age-related macular degeneration in patients with uveitis

Purpose To evaluate the prevalence of large drusen in a uveitis clinic population. Design Retrospective, cohort study. Methods Patients with primary, non-infectious uveitis 55 years or older who were seen at the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health from 2004 through August 2013 were reviewed using electronic medical records and photographic databases. Patients were classified as having age-related macular degeneration (AMD) if either eye had large drusen, geographic atrophy or neovascular AMD according to definitions used by the Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group (EDPRG). The expected number of cases and standardised mortality ratio (SMR) for large drusen were estimated based on EDPRG estimates. Results We identified 177 patients aged ≥55 years as having primary non-infectious uveitis; 170 (96.0%) had gradable fundus photos. Average age was 65.0±7.5 years (range 55–87), and 87 were non-Hispanic white, 66 non-Hispanic black, 6 Hispanic white and 11 of other race/ethnicity. Large drusen were identified in four patients (2.4%; 95% CI 0.6 to 6.0). No patients were identified to have late AMD. In the uveitis cohort, the SMR for cases of large drusen, which was adjusted for age, was calculated to be 0.32 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.70) for the whole cohort, 0.28 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.79) for non-Hispanic whites and 0.46 (95% CI 0.14 to 1.29) for non-Hispanic blacks. Conclusions Large drusen prevalence among patients with uveitis ≥55 years of age appears less than the prevalence in the general US population after accounting for differences in age distribution, especially for non-Hispanic whites. Although the racial and gender distribution in this study population is not directly representative of the general US population, results of this study suggest possible sparing of patients with uveitis from AMD. A larger systematic study with greater power would be needed to confirm these findings.