cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social Structure and Family Homicides

To date, few studies have analyzed the relationship that economic deprivation and social disorganization have with disaggregated family homicide types. This study utilized data from the FBI’s Supplementary Homicide Reports from years 2000–2007 in order to explore the effect social structural variables have on rates of family homicides—specifically, intimate partner, filicide, parricide, and siblicide. Cities with more than 100,000 residents were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression. Findings showed that economic deprivation had a significant and positive relationship with all types of disaggregated family homicides, but were stronger for intimate partner homicides and filicides. Social disorganization, however, showed a negative relationship with these types of homicides. Our study provides a basis for possible policy implications, such as economically based institutions to help those in need before financial strain reaches a point of violence.
Governed by good ideas and executed with superb craft

As a graphic designer and as an educator of graphic designers, I am often asked to recommend texts that shed light on what I do and teach. (By the way, information design suggests what I do better than graphic design.) Because so very few books stress the problem-solving aspect of information design and the appropriateness of given form, be it word or picture, there are only a handful of titles I ever mention. Happily, I can now add one more book to that short list.
LIP: a lightweight interlayer protocol for preventing packet injection attacks in mobile ad hoc network

Most ad hoc networks do not implement any network access control, leaving these networks vulnerable to packet injection attacks where a malicious node injects packets into the network with the goal of depleting the resources of the nodes relaying the packets. To prevent such attacks, it is necessary to employ authentication mechanisms that ensure that only authorised nodes can inject traffic into the network. We design a Lightweight Inter-layer Protocol (LIP) for preventing packet injection attacks based on an efficient local broadcast authentication mechanism. In addition to preventing attacks by unauthorised nodes, LIP can also detect and minimise the impersonation attacks by compromised nodes. Through detailed simulation study, we show that LIP is scalable, and it incurs small bandwidth overhead as well as little impact on the traffic delivery ratio even in the case of high node mobility. Moreover, the transparency and independence properties of LIP allows it to be turned on/off as desired and to be integrated seamlessly with secure routing protocols, providing stronger security services for ad hoc networks.
Complete suppression of the m = 2/n = 1 neoclassical tearing mode using electron cyclotron current drive in DIII-D

The first suppression of the important and deleterious m = 2/n = 1 neoclassical tearing mode (NTM) is reported using electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) to replace the 'missing' bootstrap current in the island O-point. Experiments on the DIII-D tokamak verify that the maximum shrinkage of the m = 2/n = 1 island occurs when the ECCD location coincides with the q = 2 surface. The DIII-D plasma control system is put into a 'search and suppress' mode to make small changes in the toroidal field to find and lock onto the optimum position, based on real time measurements of dB?/dt, for complete m = 2/n = 1 NTM suppression by ECCD. The requirements of the ECCD for complete island suppression are well modelled by the modified Rutherford equation for the DIII-D plasma conditions.
d+Au at PHENIX: Insights on the Cronin effect, shadowing and saturation

Abstract Wit Busza pioneered the study of proton–nucleus collisions in order to understand how nucleons lose energy to the nuclear medium and how multiple interactions can affect particle production. These are questions of paramount importance for formation of quark gluon plasma in ion–ion collisions. In this proceedings I report insights on nuclear shadowing, saturation, and the Cronin effect drawn from d+Au collisions at RHIC.
Apoptosis-induced structural changes in leukemia cells identified by IR spectroscopy

Abstract Apoptotic changes induced in the leukemia cell line CEM by treatment with the chemical etoposide were investigated by IR spectroscopy. Characteristic band alterations were identified in the apoptotic cells arising from cellular protein, lipid and DNA. Besides general changes such as an increase in lipid content and a decrease in the amount of detectable DNA, there were specific changes that affected the secondary structure of proteins in the apoptotic leukemia cells, i.e. the dominant protein structure shifts from β-sheet in the control cells to unordered coil in the apoptotic cells. The student's t -test was applied to the spectral range 1500–1700 cm −1 in order to determine the significant differences of protein structure between control and etoposide treated cells at various time points. A temporal relationship was found between the spectrally significant differences of the protein structure in the apoptotic cells and the severity of apoptosis. The IR spectral changes of protein structure also correlate well with the activity of caspase-3, an important proteolytic enzyme in apoptosis. This preliminary study suggests that IR spectroscopy could possibly be used to monitor and quantitate apoptosis in leukemia cells.
Registered Domestic Partnerships, Same-Sex Marriage, and the Pursuit of Equality in California.

Policies in California are examined to inform analysts of the process by which legal recognition of same-sex relationships may be achieved. Content analysis was conducted of relevant legislation, court cases, and voter initiatives, along with interviews with state legislators to gain an eyewitness understanding of the social climate surrounding the implementation of these policies. Legal recognition of same-sex unions occurs on an incremental basis and is embedded within a larger sociocultural context that includes shifts in public opinion concerning homosexuality and legal recognition of same-sex unions, issues of civil/human rights versus social control over morality, and the influence of legal developments occurring elsewhere. The most likely outcome of the debate over legal recognition of same-sex unions is a national domestic partnership or civil unions policy.
Light-induced c-fos expression in amacrine cells in the rabbit retina

Retinal neurons that express the immediate early gene c-fos after light exposure were characterized by neurotransmitter content using histochemical and immunocytochemical staining. In Northern blots the amount of c-fos mRNA peaked at 30 min, but remained detectable 60 min following light stimulation. Fos proteins were seen in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers, and the staining was most intense two and three hours after beginning the light exposure. In the ganglion cell layer 30-40% of Fos-immunoreactive cells were cholinergic displaced amacrine cells and 3-5% were ganglion cells. In the inner nuclear layer 24% of Fos-immunoreactive cells were Type I and 7% Type II NADPH-diaphorase-reactive (nitric oxide synthase) amacrine cells, 11% were tyrosine hydroxylase-containing cells, and 10-15% cholinergic amacrine cells. No Fos immunoreactivity was seen in serotoninergic, somatostatin- or VIP-immunoreactive cells, bipolar, horizontal or photoreceptor cells. Nicotine, kainic acid, NMDA and SCH 38393, a dopamine D1 receptor agonist, induced Fos immunostaining in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers, but administration of the corresponding receptor blockers mecamylamine, kynuretic acid, MK-801, haloperidol and SCH 23990 did not prevent light-induced Fos expression.
The Metagalactic Ionizing Radiation Field at Low Redshift

We compute the ionizing radiation field at low redshift, arising from Seyferts, QSOs, and starburst galaxies. This calculation combines recent Seyfert luminosity functions, extrapolated ultraviolet fluxes from our IUE-AGN database, and a new intergalactic opacity model based on Hubble Space Telescope and Keck Lyα absorber surveys. At z = 0 for AGNs only, our best estimate for the specific intensity at 1 ryd is I0 = 1.3 × 10-23 ergs cm-2 s-1 Hz-1 sr-1 , independent of H0, Ω0, and Λ. The one-sided ionizing photon flux is Φion ≈ 3400 photons cm-2 s-1, and the H I photoionization rate is Γ = 3.2 × 10-14 s-1, for αs = 1.8. We also derive ΓH I for z = 0–4. These error ranges reflect uncertainties in the spectral indexes for the ionizing EUV (αs = 1.8 ± 0.3) and the optical/UV (αUV = 0.86 ± 0.05), the IGM opacity model, the range of Seyfert luminosities (0.001L*–100L*), and the completeness of the luminosity functions. Our estimate is a factor of 3 lower than the most stringent upper limits on the ionizing background (Φion < 104 photons cm-2 s-1) obtained from Hα observations in external clouds, and it lies within the range implied by other indirect measures. Starburst galaxies with a sufficiently large Lyman continuum escape fraction, fesc ≥ 0.05, may provide a comparable background to AGNs, I0(z = 0) = 1.1 × 10-23 ergs cm-2 s-1 Hz-1 sr-1 . An additional component of the ionizing background of this magnitude would violate neither upper limits from Hα observations nor the acceptable range from other measurements.
Calibration, validation, and verification including uncertainty of a physically motivated internal state variable plasticity and damage model

In this paper, we illustrate a formal calibration, validation, and verification process that includes uncertainty in an internal state variable plasticity-damage model that is implemented in a finite element code. The physically motivated continuum model characterizes damage evolution by incorporating material uncertainty due to microstructural spatial clustering. The uncertainty analysis is performed by introducing material variation through model validation and verification. The effect of variability in microstructural clustering and boundary conditions on the sensitivities and uncertainty of the plasticity-damage evolution for the 7075 aluminum alloy is characterized. The results show the potential of this methodology in the evaluation of material response uncertainty due to microstructure spatial clustering and its effect on damage evolution. For damage evolution, we have shown that the initial isotropic damage evolved into an anisotropic form as the deformation increased which is consistent with experimentally observed behavior for 7075 aluminum alloy in literature. Also, the sensitivities were found to be consistent with the physics of damage progression for this particular type of material. Through the sensitivity analysis, the initial defect size and number density of cracked particles are important at the beginning of deformation. As damage evolves, more voids are nucleated and grow and the sensitivity analysis illustrates this as well. Then, voids combine with each other and coalescence becomes the main driver, which is also confirmed by the sensitivity analysis. This work also shows that the microstructurally based damage evolution equations provide an accurate representation of the damage progression due to large intermetallic particles. Finally, we illustrate that the initial variation in the microstructure clustering can lead to about ±7.0%, ±8.1%, and ±9.75% variation in the elongation to failure strain for torsion, tensile, and compressive loading, respectively.
Video database system for studying animal behavior

Classification of farm animal behaviors are based upon oral or written descriptions of the activity that an animal is engaged in. The quantification of animal behavior for research requires that an individual recognize and code the behavior of the animal under study. The classification of these behaviors can be subjective and may differ among observers. Illustrated guides to animal behavior do not convey the motion associated with most behaviors. Video based guides offer a subjective method of quantifying behaviors with real time demonstrations of the components that make up a behavior. In this paper, we propose an animal behavior video database system which can automatically extract animal motion information from the input animal activity video clip by a multi-object tracking and reasoning system. The extracted information is then analyzed and described using a set of standard animal behavior terms we are developing. The behavior description is used to automatically annotate the given video clip, and serves as the content-based index. The user of the system is able to use a keywork description of the behavior to retrieve the corresponding video object. The intended applications of the system are animal and veterinary science education, and animal behavior research. The prototype system is built for swine and will be extended to other farm animal species.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Physical and Functional Interactions between the Transcriptional Inhibitors Id3 and ITF-2b EVIDENCE TOWARD A NOVEL MECHANISM REGULATING MUSCLE-SPECIFIC GENE EXPRESSION

We have used an interaction cloning strategy to identify an inhibitory isoform of the ITF-2 transcription factor, ITF-2b, that interacts with the transcriptional inhibitor Id3/HLH462. The interaction was confirmed in vitro, and inside intact myogenic C2C12 cells. As expected, overexpression of either Id3/HLH462 or ITF-2b effectively inhibited the activation of the muscle-specific creatine kinase promoter by the myogenic transcription factor MyoD. However, when overexpressed simultaneously, ITF-2b and Id3/HLH462 counteracted each other's inhibitory effect to produce a reduced overall inhibition. Moreover, while ITF-2b inhibited the creatine kinase promoter, it acted as a weak transactivator on an artificial promoter consisting of three tandem copies of the consensus myogenic factor DNA binding site. Further investigation indicated that the ITF-2b/MyoD heterodimer bound to its specific DNA binding site in vitro, and the DNA binding was effectively blocked by Id3/HLH462. Additional analysis revealed the presence of transcripts for both the activating (ITF-2a) and inhibitory (ITF-2b) isoforms in differentiating C2C12 cultures, suggesting that both isoforms might participate in regulating the differentiation process. Taken together, this study reveals a more complex pattern of regulatory interactions involving the helix-loop-helix proteins than was previously anticipated.
Attachment behavior in the barnacle Balanus amphitrite amphitrite (Darwin): genetic and environmental effects

Abstract The occurrence of “fatal errors” in settlement (Strathmann et al., (1981)) suggests the possibility of natural selection for habitat choice by settling larvae of sessile marine invertebrates. The effectiveness of this selection depends upon the amount of additive genetic variation present for habitat choice. A sib analysis was used to assess genetic and environmental variation in the response of Balanus amphitrite cyprids to two surface treatments, a glass “control” surface and glass modified by adsorption of a settlement-inducing pheromone. The pheromone treatment caused a significant increase in the percentage of B. amphitrite cyprids attaching to the surface of assay tubes. Attachment to glass and pheromone-treated surfaces was significantly positively correlated. The sib analysis of cyprid response to the two surface treatments revealed no effect due to male parent, and therefore little or no additive genetic variation in cyprid attachment behavior, but a highly significant effect due to the female parent. Further analysis indicated that part of the female effect could be explained by temporal variation in larval culture conditions (glass and pheromone surfaces) and part by maternal and/or nonadditive genetic effects (glass surfaces only). These results suggest that barnacle settlement behavior may be quite plastic in nature and that planktonic factors, already implicated in larval survival and dispersal, may also affect habitat choice at settlement.
Strategic bidding for multiple price-maker hydroelectric producers

In a market comprised of multiple price-maker firms, the payoff each firm receives depends not only on one’s own actions but also on the actions of the other firms. This is the defining characteristic of a non-cooperative economic game. In this article, we ask: What is the revenue-maximizing production schedule for multiple price-maker hydroelectric producers competing in a deregulated, bid-based market? In every time stage, we seek a set of bids such that, given all other price-maker producers’ bids, no price-maker can improve (increase) their revenue by changing their bid; i.e., a pure-strategy Nash–Cournot equilibrium. From a theoretical game theory perspective, the analysis on the underlying non-cooperative game is lacking. Specifically, existing approaches are not able to detect when multiple equilibria exist and consider any equilibrium found optimal. In our approach, we create interpolations for each price-maker’s best response function using mixed-integer linear programming formulations within a d...
Novel Magnetostrictive Microcantilever and Magnetostrictive Nanobars for High Performance Biological Detection

High performance biosensors are urgently needed from medical diagnosis, to food safety/security, to the war on bio-terrorist. Recently, magnetostrictive microcantilever (MSMC) and magnetostrictive particle (MSP) have been developed as high performance biosensor platform. Both MSMC and MSP are wireless sensors and exhibit advantages over current acoustic wave biosensor platforms. Theoretical analysis and experimental results indicate that micro/nano scale MSMC and MSP have ultra-high sensitivities. However, in real detection, there is a challenge faces all micro/nano scale sensors because of their small size. That is, a long time is required for the tiny sensors to react with the target species. Due to the magnetic and wireless nature, MSP provides a unique way to bring the nanosensors to target species. The fabrication of bar-like MSPs in nanoscale is reported. Amorphous Fe-B alloy was selected as target magnetostrictive materials for fabrication. The properties of these nanobars were determined. The morphology and magnetic properties of the nanobars were characterized. The results ware analyzed and the size effect on the microstructure and properties is discussed.
Use Of An Interference Contrast Microscope In A Coherent Optical Processor

A method of inputting microscopic phase objects into a coherent optical pattern recognition system is described. The method consists of directing a laser beam into an interference contrast microscope to produce an enlarged, coherent image of the specimen. The system has the advantage of presenting high contrast, dark field images to the correlator without the need of additional pre-processing for image enhancement. Applications to diatom recognition are shown.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Reaction of Aryl Diazonium Salts and Diiron(I) Dithiolato Carbonyls: Evidence for Radical Intermediates

Treatment of Fe2(pdt)(CO)4(dppv) (1) with aryldiazonium salts affords the 34 e– adducts [Fe2(pdt)(μ-N2Ar)(CO)4(dppv)]+ (pdt2– = 1,3-propanedithiolate, dppv = cis-C2H2(PPh2)2). Under some conditions, the same reaction gave substantial amounts of [1]+, the product of electron transfer. Consistent with the influence of electron transfer in the reactions of some electrophiles with Fe(I)Fe(I) dithiolates, the reaction of [Me3S2]+ and Fe2(pdt)(CO)4(dppbz) was found to give [Fe2(pdt)(CO)4(dppbz)]+ as well as Me2S and Me2S2 (dppbz = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene).
Auditory feedback and conditioning of the single motor unit.

Abstract : The effects of direct auditory feedback of the electromyogram (EMG) on learning to control a single motor unit (SMU) were investigated. Seventeen human subjects were injected with bipolar fine-wire electrodes into the tibialis anterior muscle. A trial light indicated the onset of a trial. If the subject activated an SMU, a correct light appeared. A non-SMU response was followed by an incorrect light. All subjects received an initial training series with auditory EMG feedback followed by a retest at 2 weeks without EMG feedback. Speed of initial learning was substantially improved by direct EMG feedback. The nature and amount of learning, including the ability to use proprioceptive cues in controlling an SMU, were not affected, nor was retention of learning. (Author)
Cyclic Load Protocol for Anchored Nonstructural Components and Systems

This work is motivated by the need to investigate the cyclic load response of restrained (via anchorage or other) nonstructural components and systems (NCSs). For this purpose, a load protocol is d...
Single molecule studies of nucleocytoplasmic transport

Abstract Molecular traffic between the cytoplasm and the nucleoplasm of eukaryotic cells is mediated by nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). Hundreds, if not thousands, of molecules interact with and transit through each NPC every second. The pore is blocked by a permeability barrier, which consists of a network of intrinsically unfolded polypeptides containing thousands of phenylalanine–glycine (FG) repeat motifs. This FG-network rejects larger molecules and admits smaller molecules or cargos bound to nuclear transport receptors (NTRs). For a cargo transport complex, minimally consisting of a cargo molecule plus an NTR, access to the permeability barrier is provided by interactions between the NTR and the FG repeat motifs. Numerous models have been postulated to explain the controlled accessibility and the transport characteristics of the FG-network, but the amorphous, flexible nature of this structure has hindered characterization. A relatively recent development is the ability to monitor the real-time movement of single molecules through individual NPCs via single molecule fluorescence (SMF) microscopy. A major advantage of this approach is that it can be used to continuously monitor a series of specific molecular interactions in an active pore with millisecond time resolution, which therefore allows one to distinguish between kinetic and thermodynamic control. Novel insights and prospects for the future are outlined in this review. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Regulation of Signaling and Cellular Fate through Modulation of Nuclear Protein Import.
Mock gynecologic cytology proficiency testing as a milestone assessment tool for anatomic pathology residents.

Introduction One of the major aims of the Next Accreditation System is to move toward an outcomes-based evaluation system where each accredited medical residency program must demonstrate that its residents are competent in performing the essential tasks necessary for clinical practice. Because all pathologists who sign-out or screen Papanicolaou (Pap) tests are required to pass an annual 10-slide gynecologic cytology proficiency test (PT), we developed mock PT modules as a tool for assessing competency. Materials and methods In 2007, we introduced mock proficiency testing with 3 distinct modules, each consisting of 3 10-slide test sets (10 ThinPrep, 10 SurePath, and 10 conventional Pap slides). Each module was administered at 3 different time points. We evaluated the following parameters: (1) performance differences between Pap preparations; (2) performance over time; (3) performance before and after initiation of one-on-one teaching sessions with cytotechnologists in 2009; and (4) quality of test slides. Results Residents showed improvement over time, and overall scores did not differ significantly among ThinPrep, SurePath, and conventional slide sets. The average score for the first test set was significantly higher for residents who received formal training by a cytotechnologist than for those who did not. Overall, 16 of 90 slides were misclassified by 40% or more of residents, half of which exhibited glandular abnormalities. Conclusions The objective assessment provided by mock PT is a useful tool for both faculty and residents.
On the Fluorescence Decay Curve of Anthracene

Abstract Recent contributions in Phys. Rev. Letters indicate that the interpretation of fluorescence decay experiments in anthracene is by no means clear-cut.1,2 The basic dilemma is how to reconcile the fluorescence experiments of Bergman et al.1 with the photogeneration of free carriers experiments of Silver et al.3 Bimolecular rate constants are derived from both of these experiments which differ by a factor of about 104. Thus, if these experiments are measuring the same basic processes a serious discrepancy exists.
Future vaccines and a global perspective

Advances in medical biotechnology mean that vaccines to prevent more than 75 infectious diseases are being or have been developed. Vaccination is unfortunately not reliant purely on biotechnology but also on politics and resources. Countries with the greatest demand for vaccines have the least ability to pay for or produce them. Health-care infrastructure and diagnostic facilities also hamper immunisation projects in developing countries. Charitable organisations are relied on heavily to support such projects but the challenge to ensure all infants are immunised against the most common infections of childhood is still enormous. Difficulties that present themselves now should not prevent us looking into future possibilities such as immunisation during pregnancy and targeting of children for immunisation against sexually transmitted diseases. Other avenues for research are in administration of vaccines. A move to mucosal immunisation rather than use of the syringe and needle would be positive both economically and from the point of view of risk of needle contamination. Plant science may also provide a new vehicle for vaccines by engineering plants such as the banana tree to be naturally bioencapsulated vaccines. Prospects for control and eradication of infectious disease in the next century are certainly good.
Is Resection Necessary for Esophageal Carcinoma

Currently surgical resection is a necessary component of treatment for esophageal cancer, although future advances might change this. Resection provides relief of dysphagia and can markedly improve patient quality of life. In addition, there is evidence that an approach of induction chemotherapy/radiation therapy followed by surgery provides better survival outcomes than surgical or nonsurgical treatments alone. Surgery may improve survival over nonsurgical approaches by enhancing control of local disease. Surgery is also associated with the benefits of detecting occult metastases and providing a direct means of assessing response to therapy. It is hoped that methods for altering the biology of esophageal cancer will ultimately permit prevention and/or cure of the disease without surgical intervention. For now, however, resection must be considered a primary option in treatment. Greater attention should be given to improving staging procedures and to measuring improvement in quality of life as a treatment outcome to determine the optimal role of resection in treatment of esophageal cancer.
Delivery Volume Optimization

This work is motivated by the need to solve the inventory routing problem when implementing a business practice called vendor managed inventory replenishment. With vendor managed inventory replenishment, vendors monitor their customers' inventories, and decide when and how much inventory should be replenished at each customer. The inventory routing problem attempts to coordinate inventory replenishment and transportation in such a way that the cost is minimized over the long run. In this paper, we develop a linear time algorithm for determining a delivery schedule for a route, i.e., a given sequence of customer visits, that maximizes the total amount of product that is delivered on the route. This problem is not as easy as it may seem at first glance because of delivery windows at customers and the two dueling effects of increased inventory holding capacity at customers as time progresses and increased delivery times as more product is delivered at customers. Efficiently constructing such delivery schedules is important because it has to be done numerous times in insertion heuristics and local search procedures employed in solution approaches for the inventory routing problem.
25 Years of Microelectronic Engineering Education

Rochester Institute of Technology started the nation's first Bachelor of Science program in Microelectronic Engineering in 1982. The program has kept pace with the rapid advancements in semiconductor technology, sharing 25 of the 40 years characterized by Moore's Law. The program has constantly advanced its integrated circuit fabrication laboratory in order to graduate students with state-of-the-art knowledge, who become immediate and efficient contributors to their company or graduate program. Today, this facility serves as a key resource for research in semiconductor devices, processes, MEMS, nanotechnology, and microsystems. This has led to the creation of the first PhD program in engineering at RIT, a Doctorate in Microsystems Engineering. The department enjoys strong support from the semiconductor industry through its industrial affiliate program. Recently the department received a $1 million department level reform grant to address the imminent need for a highly educated workforce for the US high tech industry that is on the verge of nanotechnology revolution.
Effect of carbon fiber grade on the electrical behavior of carbon fiber reinforced cement

Electrical conduction in cement reinforced by short carbon fibers below the percolation threshold is governed by carrier hopping across the fiber-matrix interface. The activation energy is decreased by increasing the fiber crystallinity, but is increased by using intercalated fibers. The carbon fibers contribute to hole conduction, which is further enhanced by intercalation, thereby decreasing the absolute thermoelectric power and the resistivity. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Radar contrast polarization dependence on subsurface sensing

Planar homogeneous layers with rough boundaries often are used as a model of sea ice, glaciers, the upper soil, and other natural layered structures for interpreting the results of remote sensing using very high frequency (VHF) radio waves. In the framework of small perturbation theory (sloping surface roughness with low heights compared with radio wavelength), the surface backscattering (radar) specific cross section (SCS) from a layered media with a rough upper boundary has been calculated. The radar contrast (RC) was introduced as the ratio of the SCS of a layered medium to the SCS of a homogeneous medium. It was shown that the RC of buried interfaces between the two media is an oscillating function of the probing signal frequency, the angle of incidence, and the layer thickness. The RC does not depend on surface roughness and, after averaging these oscillations, it increases with increasing radio wavelength and the dielectric permeability of a layer substance, and decreases with increasing layer thickness (or the depth of object burying) and soil conductivity. The RC for horizontal polarization always exceeds the RC for a vertically polarized probing signal and increases with increasing angle of incidence. For the Brewster angle of incidence, the RC for a vertically polarized probing signal has a minimal value and becomes equal to zero for unabsorbed media, although in this case all energy of the incident wave penetrates into the layer and does not reflect at all into the upper half-space for zero approximation (for a smooth upper boundary). For both polarizations, the RC was investigated numerically for two different media, dry sand and humid clay, as a function of frequency and layer thickness, and it was shown that the RC can have a value of several decibels even for objects buried in dry sand at a depth of several tens of meters.
Investigation of lesion detectability in dynamic PET data sets

Dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) has strong potentials for improving detection of cancers at their early stage. However, dynamic PET images are difficult to manipulate by human observers in the detection task because of the huge data size (3D in space + 1D in time). One approach to reducing the size is to fit the dynamic images into a compartmental model and use the kinetic parameter images for tumor detection. In this paper we use numerical observers to investigate the performances of different approaches to the utilization of temporal information in dynamic PET for the detection task. Both object variability and measurement noise are considered in the Monte Carlo simulation. The results provide a useful guidance for the proper utilization of dynamic PET for tumor detection.
Pair-wise reference-free fault detection in wireless sensor networks

This poster presents a distributed reference-free fault detection algorithm which is based on local pair-wise verification. We show there exist a linear relationship between the output of any pair of sensors if the system excitations can be aggregated as a single system input. Using this relationship, faulty sensors suffering from sparse spike errors can be identified with high accuracy by our algorithm. An appealing feature of our method is that existence of reference sensors and knowledge of system input are not required. preliminary performance analysis shows that the algorithm is scalable, robust and able to detect most of the faults exist in the sensors. Communication power is also greatly reduced by the distributed nature of the algorithm.
Gray level models for segmenting myocardium and blood in cardiac ultrasound images

Suggests some simple empirical models for first-order speckle statistics for use in segmentation of cardiac ultrasound images. The models are created by analyzing over 100 images obtained from commercial ultrasound machines in clinical settings. Four families of scalable distributions are compared with image data using goodness-of-fit and misclassification tests. Following the analysis, one of families is chosen as the appropriate model. Preliminary segmentation results are also reported.
The Perfect Clinical Information System Implementation: Does It Exist? A Literature Review Of Critical Success Factors in Systems Implementations in the Healthcare Industry

Summary form only given. This paper is the result of a comprehensive literature review of new information system implementations within the health care environment. An introduction to the healthcare industry, including current opportunities and challenges, is offered and common critical success factors and pitfalls of system implementations are identified and discussed. In addition, organizational roles and behavior during major system changes are analyzed within the context of healthcare organizations. Finally, recommendations for further study are provided and evaluated for their potential value toward improving outcomes in system implementations at healthcare institutions.
Analog hardware for detecting discontinuities in early vision

The detection of discontinuities in motion, intensity, color, and depth is a well-studied but difficult problem in computer vision [6]. We discuss the first hardware circuit that explicitly implements either analog or binary line processes in a deterministic fashion. Specifically, we show that the processes of smoothing (using a first-order or membrane type of stabilizer) and of segmentation can be implemented by a single, two-terminal nonlinear voltage-controlled resistor, the “resistive fuse”; and we derive its current-voltage relationship from a number of deterministic approximations to the underlying stochastic Markov random fields algorthms. The concept that the quadratic variation functionals of early vision can be solved via linear resistive networks minimizing power dissipation [37] can be extended to non-convex variational functionals with analog or binary line processes being solved by nonlinear resistive networks minimizing the electrical co-content. We have successfully designed, tested, and demonstrated an analog CMOS VLSI circuit that contains a 1D resistive network of fuses implementing piecewise smooth surface interpolation. We furthermore demonstrate the segmenting abilities of these analog and deterministic “line processes” by numerically simulating the nonlinear resistive network computing optical flow in the presence of motion discontinuities. Finally, we discuss various circuit implementations of the optical flow computation using these circuits.
The need for vigilance: the persistence of lead poisoning in children.

A recent report copublished in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and the Journal of the American Medical Association presented a case of lead poisoning associated with ingestion of a toy necklace in a 4-year-old child.1 Although there is reason to celebrate the great declines in the prevalence of lead poisoning in this country, this case report reinforces that lead poisoning remains a concerning problem for children and deserves appropriate attention in clinical settings. It therefore is essential that adequate and accurate information about childhood lead exposure continues to accompany such reminders. This report overlooks several significant biochemical and clinical details that are important for clinicians to understand in their care of the many children who continue to be exposed to and harmed by lead. The case presented was that of a 4-year-old boy who presented with several episodes of abdominal cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea without fever. The course worsened to include constipation and inability to sleep or eat because of abdominal pain. After radiographs demonstrated a metallic object in the stomach and laboratory studies showed persistent normocytic anemia, a medallion pendant and a quarter were retrieved by endoscopy. The boy presented 3 days later with edema of the left cheek and gingiva, suggesting a dental abscess or excessive biting … Address correspondence to Michael Weitzman, MD, Center for Child Health Research, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 1351 Mt Hope Ave, Rochester, NY 14620. E-mail: michael_weitzman{at}urmc.rochester.edu
Microscopic Removal Function and the Relationship Between Slurry Particle Size Distribution and Workpiece Roughness During Pad Polishing

Various ceria and colloidal silica polishing slurries were used to polish fused silica glass workpieces on a polyurethane pad. Characterization of the slurries’ particle size distribution (PSD) (using both ensemble light scattering and single particle counting techniques) and of the polished workpiece surface (using atomic force microscopy) was performed. The results show the final workpiece surface roughness is quantitatively correlated with the logarithmic slope of the distribution function for the largest particles at the exponential tail end of the PSD. Using the measured PSD, fraction of pad area making contact, and mechanical properties of the workpiece, slurry, and pad as input parameters, an Ensemble Hertzian Gap (EHG) polishing model was formulated to estimate each particle’s penetration, load, and contact zone. The model is based on multiple Hertzian contact of slurry particles at the workpiece–pad interface in which the effective interface gap is determined through an elastic load balance. Separately, ceria particle static contact and single pass sliding experiments were performed showing ~1-nm depth removal per pass (i.e., a plastic type removal). Also, nanoindentation measurements on fused silica were made to estimate the critical load at which plastic type removal starts to occur (Pcrit~5 3 10 � 5 N). Next the EHG model was extended to create simulated polished surfaces using the Monte Carlo method where each particle (with the calculated characteristics described above) slides and removes material from the silica surface in random directions. The polishing simulation utilized a constant depth removal mechanism (i.e., not scaling with particle size) of the elastic deformation zone cross section between the particle and silica surface, which was either 0.04 nm (for chemical removal) at low loads ( Pcrit). The simulated surfaces quantitatively compare well with the measured rms roughness, power spectra, surface texture, absolute thickness material removal rate, and load dependence of removal rate.
A New Aerodynamic Data Dispersion Method for Launch Vehicle Design (Invited)

A novel method for implementing aerodynamic data dispersion analysis is proposed. A general mathematical approach, combined with physical modeling tailored to the aerodynamic quantity of interest, enables the generation of more realistically relevant dispersed data and, in turn, more reasonable flight simulation results. The method simultaneously allows for the aerodynamic quantities and their derivatives to be dispersed given a set of non-arbitrary constraints, which stresses the controls model in more ways than with the traditional bias up or down of the nominal data within the uncertainty bounds. The adoption and implementation of this new method within the NASA Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Project has resulted in significant increases in predicted roll control authority and lowered the induced risks for flight test operations. One direct impact on launch vehicles is a reduced size for auxiliary control systems and the possibility of an increased payload. This technique has the potential of being applied to problems in multiple areas where nominal data together with uncertainties are used to produce simulations using Monte Carlo type random sampling methods. It is recommended that a tailored, physics-based dispersion model be delivered with any aerodynamic product that includes nominal data and uncertainties in order to make flight simulations more realistic and allow for leaner spacecraft designs.
The discovery of Antillean algal taxa described by Duchassaing in 1850

This note is to call attention to a number of marine algal taxa from the Antilles that were described by Placide Duchassaing in his 1850 work Animaux radiaires des Antilles. The mid-19th century was a period when the distinction between marine invertebrates and some calcified benthic marine algae was still not always clear. The names of these algal taxa were validated, although no figures or details on their specific provenance were provided, other than they were from Duchassaing's collections from the Antilles. Duchassaing assigned his new algal species to the following genera: Galaxaura, Amphiroa, Jania, Melobesia and Nullipora. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cold Hemolytic Syndrome

In most cases, immune-mediated hemolysis occurs extravascularly and is associated with IgG antibodies on the surface of red cells. Rare syndromes include IgG antibodies that cause direct intravascular hemolysis, such as paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria. Also rare are extravascular hemolytic syndromes caused by IgM polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies that demonstrate red cell agglutination at 3 degrees C, so-called cold antibodies. Because cold agglutinin disease has a high association with several lymphoproliferative disorders and IgM monoclonal gammopathies, its management differs significantly from that associated with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia. This case-based presentation is designed to guide the reader to the diagnosis and to the initiation of prompt, effective therapy.
Epidemiological and clinical features of an older high-risk population of skateboarders.

BACKGROUND: Skateboard injuries have been described in the media and scientific journals as a problem prevalent among children and adolescents. Skateboarding popularity has continued to grow since the 1970s with ridership increasing to include all age groups. Recently, surgeons at one trauma centre at an urban hospital noted an increase in the number of older skateboarders with life-threatening injuries. We hypothesise that the clinical and epidemiological features of skateboard-related injuries from one trauma centre (TC) will be different from injured skateboarders identified in the U.S. National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB). We also sought to identify factors related to poor outcomes in the TC and NTDB patient groups. METHODS: Two injured skateboarder patient groups were identified and compared using proportional morbidity odds ratios (PMORs) and multivariable methods to estimate differences among factors common to both groups of patients. Clinical and demographic features were evaluated for hospital admitted patients injured whilst riding a skateboard. Chi-square tests, PMORs and logistic regression were used to determine outcome differences between patients in both groups. RESULTS: Patients in the TC group were on average older, with higher Injury Severity Scores (ISS), more head injuries requiring neurosurgical intervention, longer ICU and hospital stays, and injured more frequently on local streets than patients in the NTDB series. Poor outcomes in the TC group were related to moderate or severe head injuries and presence of a head/face injury. For NTDB patients, a GCS of Language: en
Induction and Analysis of Gene Mutations in Mammalian Cells in Culture

For more than 30 years it has been known that human and other mammalian cells can grow in vitro as microorganisms. Although the potential of using these cell cultures for genetic studies has long been recognized, substantial progress in this attempt was not made until the past 15 years, when improved and simplified techniques for cell culture became available. In particular, the plating technique for mammalian cells developed by Puck and associates (Puck and Marcus, 1955; Puck et al., 1956) has made it possible for quantitative analysis of genetic variations in cell populations.
Handbook of Global Economic Governance: Players, Powers and Paradigms, by Manuela Moschella and Catherine Weaver (eds)

The global financial crisis has raised many questions for scholars of international political economy (IPE). Chief among them are the following: did the institutions, networks, and arrangements tha...
Exploration of Weak Interactions between Folate and Glycine-Betaine

In vitro studies with two different dihydrofolate reductases (EcDHFR, E.coli chromosomal and R67 DHFR, plasmid encoded) have shown that weak interactions between osmolytes and the substrate, dihydrofolate, decreases its affinity towards these enzymes. The unique changes in binding affinity with water activity for each osmolyte indicate preferential interactions between osmolyte and folate and its derivatives. Characterization of these interactions is essential for better understanding of in vivo effects of folate and its various redox states with available functional groups inside the cell. Quantitation of weak interactions between folate and glycine-betaine using a vapor pressure osmometry method yields a preferential interaction coefficient, or μ23/RT value. This provides a scale for measuring the preference of folate for glycine-betaine relative to water. The predicted μ23/RT value for folate using an accessible surface area calculation indicates equal preference for water and glycine-betaine. Experimental measurements found a folate concentration dependence of the μ23/RT values, consistent with dimerization of folate. Studies with other model compounds suggest aromatic rings prefer to interact with glycine-betaine as compared to water. Our results also indicate neutral folate preferentially interacts with glycine-betaine whereas the anionic form excludes glycine-betaine.Can μ23/RT values be used to predict osmotic stress effects on ligand binding? In some cases, yes. However, the caveat is whether all the ligand atoms are used in binding. As glutamate excludes glycine-betaine, calculation of the μ23/RT value for polyglutamylated folates (pteroyltetra-γ-glutamate (PG4)) predicts an overall exclusion of glycine-betaine. This should translate into tighter binding of PG4 to DHFR. Our studies found glycine-betaine addition weakens binding of both folate and PG4 to R67 DHFR to similar extents. Similar effects were observed for folate binding to EcDHFR. These results indicate that the additional glutamates do not contribute to binding to DHFR.