cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal kernel bandwidth estimation for hyperspectral kernel-based anomaly detection

A kernel-based anomaly detection technique called Kernel RX algorithm has been developed earlier by one of the authors, to be used as a prescreening tool that non-linearly detects anomalous pixel spectra in hyperspectral images. Targets of interest are then identified among the prescreened anomalous spectra based on reference spectral information using supervised classification/detection techniques. Kernel RX algorithm uses kernels like the Gaussian radial basis function (RBF) kernel to transform the given data into higher-dimensional (possibly infinite) feature space before detecting the anomalies. The efficiency of the algorithm depends on this transformation which in turn depends on the respective kernel parameters. The Gaussian RBF kernel has a parameter called bandwidth parameter. In this paper, a new method to determine the optimal full diagonal bandwidth parameters of the Gaussian RBF kernel is presented. First, cross-validation technique is used to estimate an optimal single bandwidth parameter. Then, the full diagonal parameters are estimated from this single parameter using the variances of the spectral bands of the hyperspectral image. It will be shown that the optimal full diagonal bandwidth parameters provide a better probability of detection at a given false alarm rate compared to the optimal single bandwidth parameter and other suboptimal bandwidth parameters when tested on hyperspectral imagery for military target detection.
Commissioning and performance of the ATLAS Transition Radiation Tracker with cosmic rays and first high energy collisions

Abstract The Transition Radiation Tracker is the outermost of the three subsystems in the ATLAS Inner Detector. It contributes significantly to the precision of the momentum measurement of charged particles and to the identification of electrons. This note reports about the recent commissioning progress and the performance achieved in preparation for first collisions at the LHC.
The transient and steady-state response of the two-dimensional electron gas in heterojunctions subject to an external electric field

Abstract The time-dependent linearized Boltzmann equation is solved accurately by a new self-consistent algorithm to obtain the time-dependent subband distribution functions in response to a step-wise electric field applied parallel to the AlGaAsGaAs heterojunction interface. This study is for the polar optical phonon-electron scattering only. Both intra- and inter-subband scatterings are included. It is found that the energy-dependent subband relaxation time oscillates with a period equal to the polar optical phonon energy of 36meV as the relaxation time is plotted against energy. The short time transport behavior is found to be restricted to within a few picoseconds. The electrons drift in a free-streaming fashion in a time scale of a few hundred femtoseconds. The time-dependent mobility begins to saturate at the steady state value in one picosecond at 300 K and 50 picoseconds at 77 K.
Protozoa, Protista, Protoctista: what's in a name?

A rose may still smell like a rose, but Juliet missed the point. The utility of taxonomic nomenclature lies in the wealth of biological information that it conveys. This biological information is based on relatedness, and in the post-Darwinian era "relatedness" is usually meant in the genealogical sense. However, the fascination with nomenclature goes beyond this, for nomenclature is tempered by a curious amalgamation of pragmatism, priority, prejudice, sociology, and occasionally even humor. The division between the plant and animal kingdoms would appear to be the most basic taxonomic division. Yet, early workers realized the difficulties associated with classifying organisms that had characteristics of plants as well as animals, such as mobile photosynthetic organisms, and attached or otherwise sessile carnivores. Aristotle had conveyed this sense of taxonomic futility by pointing out that "in the sea, there are certain objects concerning which one would be at a loss to determine whether they be animal or vegetable" (Aristotle 1941:635). With the discovery of microbes, the class of taxonomically ambiguous organisms broadened. Still, taxonomists seemed more comfortable making what some admitted were arbitrary taxonomic decisions rather than challenging the plant/animal dichotomy. Then, within a decade, five workers from both sides of the Atlantic proposed the erection of another kingdom: Richard Owen (1859, 1860, 1861) designated it the Protozoa, John Hogg (1860) designated it the Regnum Primigenum (Protoctista), Thomas B. Wilson and John Cassin (1863) designated it the Primalia, and Ernst Haeckel (1866) designated it the Protista. It is only within the last twenty years, however, that the use of a separate kingdom has been widely adopted. This paper focuses on the uneasy taxonomic and phylogenetic position of the unicellular eukaryotes with respect to the animal and plant kingdoms. The emphasis will be on these early proposals for a separate kingdom and the responses they elicited.
Visual Assessment of Relative Body Size in a Cichlid Fish, the Oscar, Astronotus ocellatus

In cichlid fishes, fighting ability, success at nest defense, and fecundity are all positively correlated with body size. Selection should therefore favor the evolution of strategies for the assessment of relative body size during intraspecific interactions. The effect of relative body size on agonistic behavior in the oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) was tested using dummies. As predicted by game theory models, attack was strongly correlated with the size of the dummy relative to the subject. The most intense aggression occurred when dummy size was approximately 75% of subject size. These data support the prediciton that perceived body size asymmetries are important determinants of agonistic behavior in these fishes. Further, the results suggest that oscars can visually assess relative body size, and may estimate relative fighting ability without tests of strength. Subject size was positively correlated with intensity of aggressive behavior. Attack and display frequencies were positively correlated with a subject's body size, while latencies to approach and attack dummies were negatively correlated with subject size.
Controlling D-C arcs

A method of controlling d-c power arcs is presented, with the emphasis on eliminating retrogressive motion of the arc. Stills from motion pictures of power arc interruptions in a normal atmosphere present the fundamental nature of arc retrogression. The various characteristics of an arc which cause such motion are detailed, and countered by simple design principles. Control of the arc reduces erosion of the metal parts, gives better protection to the circuit, and reduces total arcing time.
Rapidly progressive cataract and iris atrophy during treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Purpose To identify characteristics associated with cataract occurring during the course of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Design Retrospective observational case series. Participants Eighty-one laboratory-confirmed patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis. Methods Review of clinical records. Main Outcome Measures Development of cataract during management of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Results Rapidly progressive crystalline lens opacification occurred in 9 eyes within 4 to 15 weeks after diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Three were associated with inflammatory complications, including anterior scleritis (2 eyes) and iridocyclitis (1 eye). Six others had the abrupt onset of a dense cataract, including 5 with iris atrophy, that occurred during the initial 6 months of therapy with chlorhexidine, a diamidine, and adjunctive corticosteroid. Extracapsular cataract extraction was performed with or after penetrating keratoplasty. Secondary glaucoma developed in 6 of 9 eyes subsequent to iris atrophy (4 eyes) or a cyclitic membrane (2 eyes), and 3 eyes underwent trabeculectomy. Conclusions Cataract may occur and progress during the management of Acanthamoeba keratitis in association with anterior segment inflammation, iris atrophy, and secondary glaucoma.
Do Catastrophes Teach Policy Makers

Using quantitative analysis, the methodology offers ways to put the case variation on the same line (tables) and to pinpoint configurations of factors that seem to support certain assumptions rather than others. To use the classical terms, the qualitative case methodology allows us better to ascertain the necessary conditions for the outcome, which (in the analyzed cases) are also the sufficient conditions.
Avoidance of a Water‐Soluble Fraction of Coal Liquid by Fathead Minnows

Abstract The behavioral response of fathead minnows Pimephales promelas to a water-soluble fraction (WSF) of coal liquid was evaluated in a nine-chambered circular tank (rosette). Groups of 36 fish each were tested to examine the effects of this complex organic mixture on a schooling species. Avoidance of all WSF concentrations with greater than 1.7 mg/L phenols (dye photometric measurements) occurred in 96 h replicated test series. Fish preference data were used to estimate a median avoidance concentration (AC50) of 1.54 mg/L total phenols. The observed avoidance threshold was sufficient to protect the species from acutely lethal effects reported for this coal liquid WSF, but exceeded concentrations known to be chronically toxic.
Heavy noun phrases in pre‐900 prose

L'A. examine l'evolution de la structure de la phrase en vieil anglais, en particulier les regles de mouvement qui expliquent le developpement presume de l'anglais d'une langue SXV a une langue SVX
TOPOCHEMICAL CONTROL OF COVALENT BOND FORMATION BY DIHYDROGEN BONDING

This report explores the potential of the unconventional hydrogen bonds between the hydridic hydrogens in X−BH3- (X = H, CN) and traditional OH or NH proton donors (dihydrogen bonds) to serve as pr...
Selective N-deacylation of N,O-protected nucleosides by zinc bromide

Abstract N-Acyl protecting group in nucleoside derivatives can be selectively removed by treatment with zinc bromide in the presence of alcohols to give O-protected nucleosides.
Image compression quality rating using anchored scales

Traditional image quality rating schemes use descriptive scales applicable to wide ranges of quality. These scales, based on equal interval verbal descriptors, cannot be used for restricted ranges of quality now encountered in image compression studies. Although numerical category scales have been successfully used in some studies for quantifying small variations in quality arising from lossy image compression, problems arise in more general image coding applications. In this work, we propose a double anchored numerical category scale based on a 3-context visual assessment scheme for image coding applications. The goal is to devise a common subjective scale applicable to a set of images produced from multiple scenes compressed by multiple coding algorithms. Therefore, the contexts are in the use of distinct coders and distinct images. The first two contexts, using a specific image scene, are the visibility of specific coder induced artifacts and the visibility of artifacts arising from different coders. In the third context, the artifact visibility is in terms of the content of different image scenes. Separate scales are obtained for images differing in scene content and for each coding algorithm, using numerical category scaling with explicit high and low anchors. These scales are linked using pairwise matching techniques to obtain a robust image quality sale.
CLINICAL VIOLENCE INTERVENTION: LESSONS FROM BATTERED WOMEN

Attempts to address violence intervention and prevention in clinical practice are hampered by the difficulty of creating definitions and categories that accurately reflect community experience. Current medical and legal paradigms, for instance, do not integrate gendered experience into definitional understanding of domestic violence and, consequently, risk the development of systems of care that poorly address women's needs. A model of women's experience of domestic violence and key elements of clinical intervention are presented. Health and public health agencies need to actively integrate an understanding of gender relations in violence intervention and prevention.
Constraints on egg masses. II. Effect of spacing, size, and number of eggs on ventilation of masses of embryos in jelly, adherent groups, or thin-walled capsules

Abstract Simple physical models indicate constraints on the thickness of egg masses. Constraints differ for scaling of masses of adherent eggs with open interstices, eggs embedded in jelly, and eggs in fluid-filled, thin-walled capsules. (1) For adherent eggs with open interstices, the pressure head necessary to ventilate the mass is proportional to the square of the thickness of the mass and inversely proportional to a power of egg diameter greater than two. A 1-cm thick mass of 100-μm eggs, with oxygen consumption typical of planktonic embryos requires a pressure head >2 cm of water, which cannot be generated by most parents. (2) In contrast, oxygen diffuses through a gelatinous mass and increased spacing of embryos by jelly decreases the oxygen consumption per unit volume of the entire mass. For a spherical gelatinous mass with a constant number of embryos, oxygen supply per embryo increases in proportion to the radius of the mass. (3) Capsules with a thin wall and well-mixed internal fluid permit internal oxygen consumption to increase in proportion to capsule surface area, a less severe constraint than that for gelatinous masses. Ventilation becomes independent of embryo size over a wide range of sizes, a less severe constraint on embryo size than for masses of adherent embryos. Free spawning is a mechanism for adequately spacing small eggs that requires the minimum extraembryonic material. Large eggs are preadapted for life in a mass of adherent embryos. Brooding may be correlated with small adult size in many taxa because large adults cannot ventilate all the eggs that they produce.
Magnetic susceptibility of some transition metal chalcogenides having the Cr3S4 structure

Abstract The magnetic susceptibilities of the compounds MM' 2 X 4 (M = Fe, Co, Ni; M' = Ti, V; X = S, Se) having the Cr 3 S 4 structure have been measured from 77°K to 300°K. FeTi 2 Se 4 , FeV 2 S 4 , and FeV 2 Se 4 are antiferromagnetic, while the corresponding compounds containing cobalt and nickel have small, slightly temperature dependent paramagnetic susceptibilities.
On the Rôle of Carbon Dioxide in the Metabolism of Clostridium Thermoaceticum.

Clostridium thermoaceticum ferments glucose anaerobically with the formation of somewhat more than 2.5 moles of acetic acid per mole of glucose decomposed.3 Besides acetic acid, only cell material and a trace of carbon dioxide are produced. The remarkable features of this "acetic acid fermentation" are (1) the formation of more than two moles of acetic acid per mole of glucose and (2) the absence of carbon dioxide or other C, compound which would be expected to arise by a CI-C2 split of a C3 intermediate.
Retrospective Evaluation of a Potential Interaction Between Azithromycin and Warfarin in Patients Stabilized on Warfarin

Study Objective. To investigate a potential interaction between azithromycin and warfarin. Design. Retrospective case-control study. Setting. Veterans Affairs medical center Patients. Fifty-two patients stable on anticoagulation therapy. Intervention. Patients who received a prescription for azithromycin and warfarin at any time since the hospital was opened, June 1, 1995, to July 22, 1999, were identified through a computerized report generated from the pharmacy prescription package. Measurements and Main Results. Patients having a stable international normalized ratio (INR; defined as a therapeutic INR ± 0.2) for at least two consecutive visits before receiving an azithromycin prescription were reviewed. Changes in INR from before and after addition of azithromycin were compared with changes in a control group. Controls were identified from a computer-generated report of patients who received a prescription for terazosin and warfarin at any time since the hospital was opened to July 22, 1999 (terazosin was chosen as it has no known interaction with warfarin). These patients also had a stable INR for at least two consecutive visits before receiving the terazosin prescription. In patients with INRs on record within 14 days after starting azithromycin or terazosin (9 patients/group), the average change in INR was 0.18 ± 0.48 in the azithromycin group and 0.07 ± 0.49 in the terazosin group (p=0.60). For patients with an INR on record within 30 days after starting azithromycin or terazosin (26 patients/group), the average change in INR was 0.25 ± 0.67 in the azithromycin group and 0.05 ± 0.55 in the terazosin group (p=0.18). Conclusion. An interaction between azithromycin and warfarin was not observed in this retrospective review of patients with a stable INR receiving the combination.
Dependence of the angular distribution of atomic photoelectrons on energy and z. II. d- and f-subshells

Abstract The angular distribution of photoelectrons from atomic p-subshells has been investigated within the framework of the Hartree—Slater central field model for the atom. Calculations have been performed for 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p, and 6p subshells for a wide range of elements over the entire periodic system for energies from threshold to 18 rydbergs (∼ 250 eV) above threshold in each case in an effort to understand the combined energy and Z-dependence of the asymmetry parameter β. It was found that in all cases there is a rapid variation in β with energy near threshold due to changes in the coulomb phase shifts. Further, the overall shape of the β versus energy curve for a given subshell is very different depending upon whether the cross section for that subshell has a Cooper minimum or not. The reasons for this behavior are discussed and the results are compared with available experiment which showed generally good agreement. Finally the applicability and accuracy of these results is discussed along with a prospectus for further work.
Preparation of 3‐methyl‐3H‐furan and 2‐methyl‐3H‐furan

A simple and convenient method for the microsynthesis of tritiated 3-methylfuran and tritiated 2-methylfuran from 3-furfuryl chloride and 2-furfuryl chloride, respectively, has been described. The tritium label was introduced by reductive dehalogenation with tritiated lithium aluminum hydride.
The determination of bismuth in serum and urine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract A method for the determination of bismuth in serum and urine is presented. The method includes 1 + 1 dilution of the sample with 1 mM EDTA followed by charring in a graphite furnace under an oxygen atmosphere. The use of oxygen results in the formation of more homogeneous bismuth salts (probably bismuth oxides) during charring, and more efficient burning of the protein and organic components of the sample matrix. The procedure formulated is a standard additions method and is verified for serum and urine samples. The method reduces matrix interferences, gives a detection limit of 0.05 μg l -1 , and has a relative standard deviation of less than 5% for bismuth in the reference range of 2.6–6.0 μg l -1 . The method displays a recovery accuracy of 91, 96, and 100% for urine, serum, and aqueous samples, respectively.
Evidence for linkage to chromosome 13q32 in an independent sample of schizophrenia families

Evidence for linkage to chromosome 13q32 in an independent sample of schizophrenia families
The Origins of Native Americans: Evidence from Anthropological Genetics

Who are the Native Americans? When and how did they colonize the New World? What proportion of the biological variation in contemporary Amerindian populations was 'made in America' and what was brought from Siberia? This book is a unique synthesis of the genetic, archaeological and demographic evidence concerning the native peoples of the Americas, using case studies from contemporary Amerindian and Siberian indigenous groups to unravel the mysteries. It culminates in an examination of the devastating collision between European and Native American cultures following contact, and the legacy of increased incidence of chronic diseases that still accompanies the acculturation of native peoples today. This compelling account will be required reading for all those interested in the anthropology of Native Americans, past, present and future.
Design of amphiphilic protein maquettes: enhancing maquette functionality through binding of extremely hydrophobic cofactors to lipophilic domains.

We demonstrate coordination of the extremely hydrophobic 132-OH-Ni-bacteriochlorophyll (Ni-BChl) to the lipophilic domain of a novel, designed amphiphilic protein maquette (AP3) dispersed in detergent micelles [Discher et al. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 12329−12343]. Sedimentation velocity and equilibrium experiments and steady-state absorption spectra indicate that Ni-BChl−AP3 is a four-helix bundle containing one Ni-BChl axially ligated by one or two histidines. The nature of the ligation was pursued with ultrafast visible spectroscopy. While it is well established that light excitation of axially ligated mono- and bisimidazole Ni-BChl in solution leads to rapid imidazole dissociation and nanosecond recombination, there is no evidence of axial ligand dissociation in the light-excited Ni-BChl−AP3. This indicates that Ni-BChl is confined within the AP3 protein, ligated to histidines with severely restricted mobility. Dissociation constants show that Ni-BChl binding to AP3 is considerably weaker than the nanom...
Efficacy of yoga for depressed postpartum women: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Up to 20% of women experience postpartum depression (PPD). PPD is associated with anxiety and poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Efficacious treatments are critical; many women with PPD prefer complementary therapies. Thus, the current study examined yoga as a complementary therapy for PPD. Methods Fifty-seven postpartum women with scores ≥12 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were randomly assigned to a yoga ( N = 28) or wait-list control ( N = 29) group. The yoga intervention consisted of 16 classes over 8 weeks. Outcomes were depression, anxiety, and HRQOL. Results The yoga group experienced significantly greater rate of improvement in depression, anxiety, and HRQOL, relative to the control group with moderate to large effects. Reliable Change Index analyses revealed that 78% of women in the yoga group experienced clinically significant change. Conclusion These findings support yoga as a promising complementary therapy for PPD, and warrant large-scale replication studies. Trial Registration http://clinicaltrials.gov/NCT02213601.
Stroke: from recognition by the public to management by emergency medical services.

To improve the outcomes of stroke patients, public awareness of stroke must be increased and emergency medical services (EMS) response to stroke calls optimized. Rapid response to stroke is key, as emphasized in the American Stroke Association's “Stroke Chain of Survival,” which consists of four components—rapid recognition of and reaction to stroke warning signs through immediate use of the 9-1-1 system; rapid EMS assessment; priority transport with prenotification of the receiving hospital; and rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment at the hospital. Neither the risk factors for stroke nor the most common warning signs are adequately known to the public in general, and in particular, to the groups at highest risk for stroke. Effective education through mass media and health care professionals is paramount in increasing the public's awareness of stroke. Whether tools to aid dispatchers and paramedics in stroke diagnosis, assessment, and management can improve stroke patients' outcomes requires further...
Input impedance of a probe-fed circular microstrip antenna with thick substrate

A method of computing the input impedance for the probe fed circular microstrip antenna with thick dielectric substrate is presented. Utilizing the framework of the cavity model, the fields under the microstrip patch are expanded in a set of modes satisfying the boundary conditions on the eccentrically located probe, as well as on the cavity magnetic wall. A mode-matching technique is used to solve for the electric field at the junction between the cavity and the coaxial feed cable. The reflection coefficient of the transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode incident in the coaxial cable is determined, from which the input impedance of the antenna is computed. Measured data are presented to verify the theoretical calculations. Results of the computation of various losses for the circular printed antenna as a function of substrate thickness are also included.
Adolescent mothers: Racial differences in childrearing support

This article presents a study of racial differences in the types of support that families and babies' fathers give to teenage mothers. The sample is 203 inner city adolescent mothers were using public health clinics in three midwest cities. Black mothers were younger than white mothers and were less likely to live with a male partner. Although only one black father lived with his baby, while 2/3 of the white fathers lived with their babies, similar percentages of both black and white fathers provided support in a variety of different areas of childcare and financial aid. Thus, there was substantial childcare involvement from absent black fathers. The families of black mothers provided a wider variety of child care and financial support. Multivariate analyses demonstrate that the greater number of different types of support for black mothers from family of origin persisted despite differences in the teen mother's age, the age of the baby, and the family's socio-economic status. Implications for social work interventions are discussed.
deviance may be alive, but is it intellectually lively? a reaction to goode

In a recent article in this journal, Goode (2003) counters claims that deviance is “dead” by arguing that (a) deviance classes continue to enroll large numbers of students, (b) people continue committing deviant acts, and (c) sociologists continue studying those acts. These may be signs of continued life, but Goode ignores evidence that sociologists are finding the concept of deviance less useful. The concept may be alive, but it does not seem all that lively.
Seasonal fluctuations in the advance of a tidewater glacier and potential causes: Hubbard Glacier, Alaska, USA

Satellite imagery has been used to acquire seasonal terminus positions of tidewater Hubbard Glacier, Alaska, USA, from 1992 to 2006. During this 15 year time period, the width-averaged advance of the entire terminus has been � 620 m at a mean rate of 35 m a -1 . Seasonal fluctuation of the terminus ranges from 150 to 200 m on average and varies spatially. A section of the terminus, near a narrow gap where the glacier has now twice closed off 40 km long Russell Fiord, exhibited little to no mean advance during this time period but displayed seasonal fluctuations of 300-500 m. Seasonal variability in surface ice speeds and surface sea-water temperatures was also observed; both are potential forcing mechanisms for terminus fluctuations. Seasonal changes in sea-water temperature of 10-128C, as well as seasonal changes in subglacial freshwater discharge, are inferred to influence calving and submarine melting at the terminus, driving seasonal variations. Displacements of the medial moraine separating Hubbard and Valerie Glaciers at the terminus suggest surge-like pulses of the latter, with a periodicity of several years. The timing of these pulses suggests they may influence the Hubbard terminus near Gilbert Point and have implications for future closures of Russell Fiord.
Structure–property relationships of poly(urethane–urea)s with ultra-low monol content poly(propylene glycol) soft segments. Part II. Influence of low molecular weight polyol components

Abstract Segmented poly(urethane–urea)s have been synthesized with mixed soft segments of ultra-low monol content poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and tri(propylene glycol) (TPG) which allows the fabrication of quality elastomers without crosslinking. The narrow molecular weight distribution of the ultra-low monol content PPG polyols allows for the probing of the influence of the low molecular components of the molecular weight distribution through the inclusion of low molecular homologs of PPG such as TPG. Structure–property relationships for these materials were investigated as average soft segment molecular weight was varied by blending 8000 g/mol PPG with TPG to achieve molecular weights of 2500, 2000, and 1500 g/mol. Morphological features such as microphase separation, interdomain spacing and interphase thickness were quantified and revealed with SAXS. AFM was utilized to verify the microphase separation characteristics inferred by SAXS. The thermal and mechanical behavior was assessed through applications of DMA, DSC, and conventional mechanical tests. It was found that as the average soft segment molecular weight was decreased through the addition of TPG, the interdomain spacing distinctly increased contrary to the trend seen for decreasing soft segment molecular weight in PPG based systems without TPG. Additionally, the inclusion of TPG in the poly(urethane–urea) formulations resulted in the formation of larger hard domains as evidenced by AFM. These results and supporting evidence from DMA, DSC, birefringence, and mechanical testing led to the conclusion that TPG apparently acts more as a chain extender as well as, or in contrast to, a soft segment.
Non-Planar Beaches: Wave-Induced Setup/Setdown and Longshore Current

Wave-induced setup/setdown and longshore currents are examined theoretically for non-planar, concave-up beaches. A beach profile in which the stillwater-depth is proportional to the horizontal distance offshore raised to the 2/3 power is examined in detail. The total mean-water-depth, which includes the sum of the still-water-depth for this 2/3 power beach profile plus the wave-induced setup/setdown, may be approximated shoreward of the breaker zone in a best least-squares sense by a profile that is proportional to the horizontal distance offshore raised to the 1/2 power. The longshore current profile for this non-planar beach is found to differ significantly from that predicted analytically for a planar beach. The longshore current velocity does not vanish at the shoreline as in the planar beach case and, thus, yields an estimate for the mean longshore swash velocity. In addition, the peak velocities and the total longshore transport of water are found to be less than for the corresponding planar beach cases.
Antibodies to CBir1 flagellin define a unique response that is associated independently with complicated Crohn's disease.

Background & Aims: Antibody responses to certain microbial antigens define heterogeneous groups of Crohn's patients; multiple and high-level responses to these antigens are associated with aggressive clinical phenotypes. The flagellin, CBir1, identified by investigations in the C3H/HeJBir mouse model, has been identified as a dominant antigen capable of inducing colitis in mice and eliciting antibody responses in a subpopulation of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to evaluate serum response to CBir1 flagellin in CD patients and to compare this response to responses defined previously to oligomannan (anti- Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody), I2, OmpC, and neutrophil nuclear autoantigens (pANCA), and to determine anti-CBir1-associated phenotypes. Methods: A total of 484 sera from the Cedars Sinai Medical Center repository, previously typed for anti- Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody, anti-I2, anti-OmpC, and pANCA were tested for anti-CBir1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and results were assessed for clinical phenotype associations. Results: The presence and level of immunoglobulin G anti-CBir1 were associated with CD independently. Anti-CBir1 was present in all antibody subgroups and expression increased in parallel with increases in the number of antibody responses. pANCA + CD patients were more reactive to CBir1 than were pANCA + ulcerative colitis patients. Anti-CBir1 expression is associated independently with small-bowel, internal-penetrating, and fibrostenosing disease features. Conclusions: Serum responses to CBir1 independently identify a unique subset of patients with complicated CD. This bacterial antigen was identified in a murine model and has a similar pattern of aberrant reactivity in a subset of CD patients.
Using spectral techniques for improved performance in artificial neural networks

The spectra for many common artificial neural network activation functions are derived, including members of the sigmoid family, the Gaussian function, rectangular pulses and triangular pulses. It is found that the sigmoid curves are very ill behaved in the frequency domain and thus almost always provide strong mismatch between the spectrum of the activation function and the spectrum of the function to be learned. This does not imply that networks using the sigmoid activation function cannot learn good approximations. It does imply that networks using the sigmoid activation function will learn more slowly and will be more sensitive to the loss of parameters than networks using more suitable activation functions. >
Inhibition of PPARγ during rat pregnancy causes intrauterine growth restriction and attenuation of uterine vasodilation.

Decreased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activity is thought to have a major role in preeclampsia through abnormal placental development. However, the role of PPARγ in adaptation of the uteroplacental vasculature that may lead to placental hypoperfusion and fetal growth restriction during pregnancy is not known. Here, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n=11/group) were treated during the second half of pregnancy with the PPARγ inhibitor GW9662 (10 mg/kg/day in food) or vehicle. Pregnancy outcome and PPARγ mRNA, vasodilation and structural remodeling were determined in maternal uterine and mesenteric arteries. PPARγ was expressed in uterine vascular tissue of both non-pregnant and pregnant rats with ~2-fold greater expression in radial vs. main uterine arteries. PPARγ mRNA levels were significantly higher in uterine compared to mesenteric arteries. GW9662 treatment during pregnancy did not affect maternal physiology (body weight, glucose, blood pressure), mesenteric artery vasodilation or structural remodeling of uterine and mesenteric vessels. Inhibition of PPARγ for the last 10 days of gestation caused decreased fetal weights on both day 20 and 21 of gestation that was associated with impaired vasodilation of radial uterine arteries in response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. These results define an essential role of PPARγ in the control of uteroplacental vasodilatory function during pregnancy, an important determinant of blood flow to the placenta and fetus. Strategies that target PPARγ activation in the uterine circulation could have important therapeutic potential in treatment of pregnancies complicated by hypertension, diabetes or preeclampsia.
Heterogeneity of mammary lesions represent molecular differences

Human breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, histopathologically, molecularly and phenotypically. The molecular basis of this heterogeneity is not well understood. We have used a mouse model of DCIS that consists of unique lines of mammary intraepithelial neoplasia (MIN) outgrowths, the premalignant lesion in the mouse that progress to invasive carcinoma, to understand the molecular changes that are characteristic to certain phenotypes. Each MIN-O line has distinguishable morphologies, metastatic potentials and estrogen dependencies. We utilized oligonucleotide expression arrays and high resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) to investigate whole genome expression patterns and whole genome aberrations in both the MIN-O and tumor from four different MIN-O lines that each have different phenotypes. From the whole genome analysis at 35 kb resolution, we found that chromosome 1, 2, 10, and 11 were frequently associated with whole chromosome gains in the MIN-Os. In particular, two MIN-O lines had the majority of the chromosome gains. Although we did not find any whole chromosome loss, we identified 3 recurring chromosome losses (2F1-2, 3E4, 17E2) and two chromosome copy number gains on chromosome 11. These interstitial deletions and duplications were verified with a custom made array designed to interrogate the specific regions at approximately 550 bp resolution. We demonstrated that expression and genomic changes are present in the early premalignant lesions and that these molecular profiles can be correlated to phenotype (metastasis and estrogen responsiveness). We also identified expression changes associated with genomic instability. Progression to invasive carcinoma was associated with few additional changes in gene expression and genomic organization. Therefore, in the MIN-O mice, early premalignant lesions have the major molecular and genetic changes required and these changes have important phenotypic significance. In contrast, the changes that occur in the transition to invasive carcinoma are subtle, with few consistent changes and no association with phenotype. We propose that the early lesions carry the important genetic changes that reflect the major phenotypic information, while additional genetic changes that accumulate in the invasive carcinoma are less associated with the overall phenotype.
Applying deep-layered clustering to mammography image analytics

This paper details a methodology and preliminary results for applying a hierarchy of clustering units to mammographic image data. The identification of patients with breast cancer through the detection of microcalcifications and masses is a demanding classification problem; minimal false negatives are desired while simultaneously avoiding false positives that cause unnecessary cost to patients and health institutions. This research examines a segmented look at mammograms for computer aided detection with the goal of reliably labeling regions of interest requiring the attention of a radiologist. Classification is achieved by employing the building blocks, namely unsupervised clustering, of a deep learning architecture in tandem with a standard feed-forward neural network. Early results show promise for creating a classification engine that handles high-dimensional data with minimum engineering of image features, with a per-image patch sensitivity of 0.96 and specificity of 0.99.
Secondary conversion of the Gore Excluder to operative abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Objective Reports continue to document the occurrence of major adverse events after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Although many of these problems can be successfully managed through endovascular salvage, operative conversion with explantation of the endoprosthesis remains necessary in some patients. We report herein a review of all patients initially enrolled in multicenter US clinical trials of the Excluder endograft who underwent secondary conversion to open surgical repair. Methods Clinical data and relevant medical records of patients enrolled in phase I and II multicenter US clinical trials of the Excluder endograft were retrospectively reviewed for adverse events and further narrowed to those patients who underwent secondary operative conversion. Hospital records, operative and anesthesia reports, and all imaging studies were analyzed at initial implantation and at the time of subsequent open surgical repair. Results Late open conversion was performed in 16 (2.7%) of the 594 patients enrolled in the Excluder clinical trials. Presumed endotension accounted for 8 of 16 of secondary conversions. In two of these patients, however, an endoleak was identified at the time of open surgical repair. Of the remaining eight patients, two underwent conversion for device infection, five for persistent endoleak, and one for aneurysm rupture. The overall 30-day mortality was 6.25% (1/16), with one death occurring in a patient with a ruptured aneurysm. Of patients who underwent conversion because of endotension, the maximal abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter (mean ± SD) at the time of initial implantation and subsequent graft removal was 61 ± 11 mm and 70 ± 10 mm, respectively. The mean time to open conversion for treatment of endotension was 37 ± 12 months (range, 20-50 months; median, 42 months). Freedom from conversion was 98.6% and 96.7% at 24 and 48 months, respectively. Conclusions Endotension in the absence of a demonstrable endoleak has been a major indication for late surgical conversion in patients treated with the Excluder endograft. Given the potential presence of an undetected endoleak and the possible effects of progressive sac enlargement on long-term device stability, continued close surveillance of patients with assumed endotension is required. Should changes in device design eliminate endotension, a further reduction in the already low incidence of late open conversion of the Excluder endograft can be anticipated.
Effects of incentive on working memory capacity: Behavioral and pupillometric data

We evaluated the hypothesis that individual differences in working memory capacity are explained by variation in mental effort, persons with low capacity exerting less effort than persons with high capacity. Groups previously rated high and low in working memory capacity performed the reading span task under three levels of incentive. The effort hypothesis holds that low span subjects exert less effort during task performance than do high spans. Subjects' pupil sizes were recorded online during task performance as a measure of mental effort. Both recall performance and pupil diameter were found to be increased under incentives, but were additive with span (incentives increased performance and pupil diameter equivalently for both span groups). Contrary to the effort hypothesis, task-evoked pupillary responses indicated that if anything, low span subjects exert more effort than do high spans.
Autoimmune responses to brain following stroke.

This review provides a synthesis of the work done by our laboratory that demonstrates the presence of cellular immune responses directed towards brain antigens in animals following experimental stroke as well as in patients following ischemic stroke. These responses include both antigen-specific Th1(+) responses, which are associated with worse stroke outcome, and antigen-specific Treg responses, which are associated with better stroke outcome. The likelihood of developing a detrimental Th1(+) response to brain antigens is increased by administration of a systemic inflammatory stimulus in experimental stroke and by systemic infection in patients with stroke. We propose that the microenvironment within the lymph nodes and brain is altered by systemic inflammation and allows for bystander activation of lymphocytes and the development of autoimmune responses to brain antigens following cerebral ischemic injury.
System-wide anatomy and tuning of a SPECweb SSL server

In this paper we present system-wide analysis and performance tuning of a SPECweb SSL server. We focus on the banking workload of SPECweb because this workload is 100% SSL-enabled and thus designed to evaluate the SSL web server performance and capacity. In order to gain insight into the unique characteristics of a SPECweb banking server, we conduct extensive experiments and present module and function-level anatomy data. Based on our results, we propose methods for tuning up the server performance, alleviating some of the bottlenecks. One of our main results is that the SPECweb banking workload may not always be a realistic environment for measuring the capacity of an SSL server, due to the fact that it is burdened with overheads which are not related to cryptography and can be removed.
Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate–induced Calcium Release Is Necessary for Generating the Entire Light Response of Limulus Ventral Photoreceptors

The experiments reported here were designed to answer the question of whether inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-induced calcium release is necessary for generating the entire light response of Limulus ventral photoreceptors. For this purpose the membrane-permeable IP3 receptor antagonist 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB) (Maruyama, T., T. Kanaji, S. Nakade, T. Kanno, and K. Mikoshiba. 1997. J. Biochem. (Tokyo). 122:498–505) was used. Previously, 2APB was found to inhibit the light activated current of Limulus ventral photoreceptors and reversibly inhibit both light and IP3 induced calcium release as well as the current activated by pressure injection of calcium into the light sensitive lobe of the photoreceptor (Wang, Y., M. Deshpande, and R. Payne. 2002. Cell Calcium. 32:209). In this study 2APB was found to inhibit the response to a flash of light at all light intensities and to inhibit the entire light response to a step of light, that is, both the initial transient and the steady-state components of the response to a step of light were inhibited. The light response in cells injected with the calcium buffer 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) was reversibly inhibited by 2APB, indicating that these light responses result from IP3-mediated calcium release giving rise to an increase in Cai. The light response obtained from cells after treatment with 100 μM cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), which acts to empty intracellular calcium stores, was reversibly inhibited by 2APB, indicating that the light response after CPA treatment results from IP3-mediated calcium release and a consequent rise in Cai. Together these findings imply that IP3-induced calcium release is necessary for generating the entire light response of Limulus ventral photoreceptors.
Absence of a role for the cellular exoskeleton in the emergence of the T lymphocyte insulin receptor

Abstract The T lymphocyte does not bear a receptor for the hormone insulin until the cell is activated by mitogen or antigen. Hence the lymphocyte can provide a basis for experimental dissection of the models whereby cells obtain their hormone receptors. It has previously been suggested that obligatory blastogenesis accompanies receptor appearance. This study was designed to study various aspects of blastogenesis vis-a-vis the lymphocyte insulin receptor with particular emphasis on integrity of the cytoskeleton. Lymphocytes were obtained from Lewis rats and activated in vitro by PHA (75 μg/ml) or by alloantigen (mixed lymphocyte culture). After DNA synthesis was inhibited 90% by mitomycin C (100 μug/ml) after mitogen or MLC stimulation, receptor binding was identical to control-stimulated cultures. Disruption of micro- and spindle tubules by colchicine (10−4–10−6 M) did not prevent the appearance of the PHA-induced insulin receptor (9.02 pg/106 vs 9.46). Lastly insulin receptor binding was unaffected after microfilament disruption, by cytochalasin B (CB) at 2 μM (7.18 pg/106 vs 6.97). These data show that elements of blastogenesis (DNA synthesis, spindle or contractile ring formation) are distinct from the events that produce T cell insulin receptor appearance.
Homo prostheticus: problematizing the notions of activity and computermediated interaction:

Computer-mediated interaction poses new challenges for theories and models of social interaction concerned with relationships between humans and tools. This article discusses deaf signers using sign language in computer-mediated space, a case in which a new technological ‘tool’ is integrated into existing practices and conventions, but also requires new innovations. An influential model for studying humans, tool use, and social interaction is Activity Theory. However, in analyzing procedures deaf signers use in learning how to manage communication in computer-mediated space, key notions of Activity Theory, notably the ‘mediation’ properties of tools and the categories of subject and tool, are found to be insufficient. I propose adding to the concept of mediation and characterizing the relationship between subjects and new tools in interaction as one in which tools are ‘prostheses’ which interactants learn to inhabit. Based on looking at people learning to use a new technology, I argue, a key process in ac...