cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Novel Anisotropic Uniplanar Compact Photonic Band-Gap (UC-PBG) Ground Plane

A novel anisotropic UC-PBG structure, presenting a propagation direction and an attenuation direction and characterized by a period much smaller than wavelength, is introduced as a ground plane for a microstrip line. Simulated and measured transmission parameters of the resulting structure show good transmission in the propagation direction and strong rejection in the attenuation direction over a bandwidth of about 35%, an excelent insensitivity to the line position in both directions, a classical line and slow-wave behavior for the effective wavenumber in the propagation and attenuation directions, respectively, and a progressive variation of the transmission characteristics as a function of the angle of the line on the PBG. The gaps in the attenuation direction are shown to be very deep and to exhibit a very sharp cutoff despite the extremely small size of the overall structure.
A Redefinition of Content Validity

Content validity has been defined as the formal specification of the universe of tasks the test purports to measure. The universe of tasks consists of both the subject matter of the instrument and the structure of the instrument. However, it has been observed that instrument structure is often overlooked in the development and validation of achievement tests. A review of the research on item writing, item format, test instructions, and item readability indicated the importance of instrument structure in the interpretation of test data. The effect of failing to consider these areas on the content validity of achievement test scores was discussed.
Postoperative radiotherapy in 423 patients with pT3N0 prostate cancer.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the treatment outcome in pT3N0 patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate treated with an elective course of postoperative irradiation (RT). Methods and Materials: During a 22-year period, a total of 423 pT3N0 prostate cancer patients were treated at a single medical center with prostatic fossa RT, which was the only adjuvant therapy given. The patient characteristics were as follows: median age 66 years; Stage pT3aN0 in 296 (70%) and pT3bN0 in 127 (30%); Gleason score 2–4 in 12 (2.8%), 5–6 in 157 (37.1%), 7 in 151 (35.7%), and 8–10 in 100 (23.6%); and the median and mean preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 10 and 15.9 ng/mL, respectively. Radiotherapy consisted of a median dose of 48 Gy delivered to the prostatic fossa and its immediate vicinity. The median follow-up was 7 years. Results: The 5- and 10-year actuarial survival rate was 92% and 73%, respectively, and the 5- and 10-year disease-free survival rate (PSA p = 0.00005), and pathologic stage and Gleason score were independently predictive of disease-free survival ( p = 0.00007 and 0.0003, respectively). The worst prognostic category was represented by pT3bN0, Gleason score 7–10 patients who had a 5.3 times greater risk of tumor recurrence than those with pT3aN0, Gleason score 2–6. A high (>25 ng/mL) preoperative PSA level was also a predictor of tumor recurrence ( p = 0.03). A total of 43 patients (10.2%) developed clinical recurrence. This included 30 patients (7%) with distant metastases alone and 13 (3%) with local recurrence, which included 2 patients who also had distant disease. An additional 88 patients (20%) had PSA elevation (>0.05 ng/mL). This treatment program was well tolerated, with acute toxicity common (62%) but of no clinical significance. No late or severe toxicity was recorded. Conclusion: Adjuvant radiotherapy, as given in this study, appears to substantially reduce the expected incidence of local tumor recurrence in pT3N0 prostate cancer patients. The treatment outcome was poor in pT3bN0 and Gleason score 7–10 patients, with >80% showing evidence of clinical or PSA recurrence at 10 years after therapy. This group should be the target of a prospective trial of systemic therapy.
A method for calculating strain energy release rate based on beam theory

The Timoshenko beam theory was used to model cracked beams and to calculate the total strain energy release rate. The root rotation of the beam segments at the crack tip were estimated based on an approximate 2D elasticity solution. By including the strain energy released due to the root rotations of the beams during crack extension, the strain energy release rate obtained using beam theory agrees very well with the 2D finite element solution. Numerical examples were given for various beam geometries and loading conditions. Comparisons with existing beam models were also given.
Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Capacities of Alabama – Grown Thornless Blackberries

ABSTRACT Total phenolics (TPH), flavonoids (TF), monomeric anthocyanins (ACY), and Vitamin C Equivalent Antioxidant Capacities (VCEAC) utilizing ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays were determined for five fully ripened blackberries cultivars (‘Loch Ness’, ‘Navaho’, ‘Arapaho’, ‘Apache’, and ‘Triple Crown’) of Rubus spp. grown in Alabama. The ABTS and DPPH methods were highly correlated (R = 0.897) and the ABTS method was better for assessing the overall antioxidant capacity. Cultivar differences were found in TPH, ACY, and VCEAC as determined by the ABTS method (P ≤ 0.05) with ‘Loch Ness’ and ‘Apache’ containing the highest levels. Based on these findings ‘Apache’, ‘Arapaho’, and ‘Navaho’ are three thornless blackberry cultivars that have potential to be used as dietary supplements and for commercial production in Alabama due to high phytonutrient content, antioxidant capacities, and yield.
Interneurons in the central nervous system of flies and the start of flight

1. The mesothoracic legs provide the major thrust for the jump which occurs at the beginning of flight. However, Calliphora vicina missing their mesothoracic legs can still jump. They do not jump as well as flies missing only the metathoracic legs, and neither class of amputees jumps as well as intact animals. 2. The tergotrochanteral muscles of C. vicina are the principle extensors of the mesothoracic legs, and are innervated by one motor neuron each (Fig. 1). These motor neurons are driven by a pair of interneurons, which originate in the supraoesophageal ganglion and descend through the cervical nerve cord to synapse with the motor neurons in the thorax (Figs. 2, 3B, 3C). These interneurons can be stimulated electrically in the optic lobes of the brain (Fig. 3A). Together with the tergotrochanteral motor neurons, these interneurons are homologous with the giant fibers described by Power (1948). 3. These same interneurons innervate motor neurons of extensors of the metathoracic legs (Fig. 2), and perhaps other units. The actual muscles involved have not been identified. 4. The innervation of the tergotrochanteral muscles and the observations on the jumping ability of flies missing various legs support the idea that these muscles are the main starter of the flight motor.
After Revolution: Mapping Gender and Cultural Politics in Neoliberal Nicaragua

After Revolution: Mapping Gender and Cultural Politics in Neoliberal Nicaragua. Florence E. Babb. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2001. vii. 304 pp., photographs, notes, bibliography, index.
Sounds produced by hatching Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) as potential aids to synchronous hatching.

Tape recordings were made of sounds produced by hatching Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) to study their possible information content relative to progress toward emergence. Single unpipped, pipped, and strongly-pipped (i.e., shell broken for 1/4 or more of the way around its circumference) eggs differ in the rate at which several behaviors are performed. Clicking was performed by all three groups, with pipped eggs giving the most, and unpipped eggs the least. All groups gave body movements, which increased in rate as emergence neared. The rate at which total vocalizations were uttered also increased as the later stages of development were reached. Unpipped eggs have only unclassified calls. Pipped eggs also gave unclassified calls, but strongly-pipped eggs did not. Strongly-pipped eggs uttered shrill calls, hatching calls, and twitters at a faster rate than pipped eggs. Rate of performance apparently does not change during brief (1 min) physical contact with other eggs or exposure to hatched chicks. Therefore, the rate at which these behaviors are produced is tentatively proposed as a reliably fixed measure of hatching progress in incubator-hatched eggs. The possible importance of this information to the achievement of synchronous emergence is discussed, as well as the need for data on parental behavior in this and other species of synchronous hatchers.
Recent increase in peatland carbon accumulation in a thermokarst lake basin in southwestern Alaska

Abstract Drained thermokarst lake basins cover large areas of northern high latitude lowlands. However, the importance of peat accumulated in these drained basins to carbon (C) cycling is poorly understood. Results are presented here from a permafrost sediment core aimed at investigating site history, lake drainage, apparent carbon accumulation, and paleohydrology in a thermokarst basin on the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta in southwestern Alaska. The results show that a thermokarst lake existed for about 2300 years before it drained and a peatland established in the early 1600s. Average apparent C accumulation rate (CAR) was 12 gC/m2/yr over the 2300 years before lake drainage, but increased to 120 gC/m2/yr following peatland initiation. After transitioning to a Sphagnum-dominated peatland at ~ 1700 AD, CAR reduced gradually before more than doubling from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s. This abrupt increase in CAR was possibly in response to a Pacific climate regime shift in the late 1970s, a transition characterized by a nearly 1.5 °C increase in regional average annual temperature. Even after considering the differential decay of recent peat, there was an increase in C accumulation after 1977. Reconstructed water-table depths from subfossil testate amoebae show little change throughout the past three centuries, but there was a pronounced shift in testate amoeba composition after the 1977 temperature change (e.g., absence of Phryganella acropodia type and increase in Hyalosphenia elegans). If the results from peatlands in other drained thermokarst lake basins are consistent with the results from this study, then the C accumulated in these vegetated drained basins under current warming might help offset some of the C released from thawing permafrost and thermokarst features in northern regions.
The question of a pressure effect in the reaction OH + HNO3. A laser flash-photolysis resonance-absorption study

Abstract Absolute rate constants, k , of the reaction OH + HNO 3 were determined using a pulsed laser photolysis-resonance absorption technique. The measured values, in cm 3 mol -1 s -1 at ±3σ, 10 -10 k (1–16 Torr HNO 3 ) = 7.57 ± 0.64, k (500 Torr N 2 ) = 7.20 ± 0.66 and k (600 Torr SF 6 ) = 8.37 ± 0.45, indicate that any pressure effect on k at 297 K is less than the experimental uncertainty of 10%.
The Solar Wind Power Satellite as an alternative to a traditional Dyson Sphere and its implications for remote detection

The search for Dyson Spheres has been propelled not only by the hope of discovering intelligent alien life, but by humanity's ever-increasing need for energy. However, the Dyson Sphere is not a practical design, requiring too much matter to build and too much energy to stabilize. Here we discuss the various designs of a Dyson Sphere and propose the Solar Wind Power (SWP) Satellite, a simplistic, self-sustaining system that draws power from the solar wind and uses a laser to fire energy to collectors (on space stations, bases, etc.) positioned anywhere in the Solar System. While a small SWP Satellite can provide an estimated 2 MW of power, larger (or networks of) satellites could provide terawatts of power or more. The cost of the SWP Satellite would be relatively cheap – it primarily consists of shaped copper, with only a few complex systems onboard. Detection of such a satellite would be difficult using current technology, because at this time we can only detect solar wind deviations of up to 10 −13 M S yr −1 , while a 2 MW satellite would only divert 10 −34 M S yr −1 . Thus, only very large SWP Satellites could possibly be detected.
Implementing a Strategy for Economic Reform: An Assessment of Nigeria's Privatization Program

The Nigerian Government re-launched a program of privatization in 1999 with the aim of reducing government's participation in business management, attracting foreign and local investments, transferring of technology and skills into the public enterprises in order to create more jobs and boost economic growth. This policy thrust was based on the premise that private investment and business initiative would result in improved profitability, greater efficiency, and the promotion of rapid economic expansion. This paper examines the merits of the above hypothesis, noting the unanticipated legal, economic, and political dilemmas that came to be associated with the implementation of the privatization program in Nigeria. The program appears to have been a major failure through the very poor net returns on investments from the sale/concessioning of the enterprises, loss of several jobs, corruption through process default and new economic dangers from its infraction of creating monopolies/oligopolies in sensitive economic sectors. Therefore, the paper recommends that there is urgent need to rethink the process of reforming the public enterprise sector in Nigeria in order to tackle corruption, review the Public Enterprises Act of 1999 and other laws for assuring competitive business environment as well as improve transparency and accountability in public governance.
Theoretical calculation of the melting curve of Cu-Zr binary alloys.

Helmholtz free energies of the dominant binary crystalline solids found in the Cu-Zr system at high temperatures close to the melting curve are calculated. Our theoretical approach combines fundamental measure density functional theory (applied to the hard-sphere reference system) and a perturbative approach to include the attractive interactions. The studied crystalline solids are Cu(fcc), Cu51Zr14(β), CuZr(B2), CuZr2(C11b), Zr(hcp), and Zr(bcc). The calculated Helmholtz free energies of crystalline solids are in good agreement with results from molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations. Using the same perturbation approach, the liquid phase free energies are calculated as a function of composition and temperature, from which the melting curve of the entire composition range of this system can be obtained. Phase diagrams are determined in this way for two leading embedded atom method potentials, and the results are compared with experimental data. Theoretical melting temperatures are compared both with experimental values and with values obtained directly from MD simulations at several compositions.
Reciprocity identities for quasi-static piezoelectric transducer models: Application to cavity identification using iterated excitations and a topological sensitivity approach

Abstract The focus of this article is the transient wave-based detection and identification of defects embedded in isotropic elastic solids using piezoelectric transducers. This work addresses this problem within a comprehensive framework encompassing description of elastic wave propagation within the probed media as well as consideration of the coupling phenomena induced by the transducers. A fundamental reciprocity identity associated with a quasi-static piezoelectric model is derived to lay the foundations of ensuing developments and approach of this inverse scattering problem. Modeling of piezoelectric transducers is discussed and application of the proven reciprocity theorem enables the proposition of an iterative construction procedure of electric inputs generating waves expected to focus on the sought defects. The characteristic features of the inverse problem considered, which uses piezoelectric sensor-based measurements, are also discussed. Next, the identification problem is investigated by way of an adjoint field-based topological sensitivity approach that permits the construction of a defect indicator function based on the derived reciprocity identity. For simplicity of exposition, the studied configurations involve defects in the form of traction-free cavities. Finally, a set of 2D numerical examples based on the spectral finite-elements method is presented to assess the performances of the proposed approach in identifying embedded defects from electric measurements.
Nine Session Treatment of a Blood–Injection–Injury Phobia With Manualized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: An Adult Case Example

The treatment of blood-injection-injury (BII) phobia has a unique treatment component as compared with other types of specific phobias. In particular, many patients with a BII phobia distinctively ...
The transfer of polytetrafluoroethylene studied by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract A polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sphere of radius 4.8 mm was rubbed against nickel and S-Monel at speeds from 0.94 to 94 mm s −1 and at loads from 0.19 to 3.9 N. The transfer film of PTFE on the metal was examined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In all cases the film was found to be indistinguishable from bulk PTFE. A trace of metal fluoride was observed whether the rubbing took place on oxidized or atomically clean metal. The film was of the order of a molecule thick for the entire range of loads and did not increase with repeated passes over the same rubbed area. An erratic increase in thickness at rubbing speeds above 10 mm s −1 was taken as evidence of random transfer of bulk material.
Modeling the effect of biophysical parameters on mass transport in capillary networks

Describes a generalization to other chemical species of a previously developed computational model (Goldman and Popel, 2000, 2001) of oxygen transport in capillary networks. In particular, the transport of larger molecules is considered. A steady-state transport model is described for the case where the species of interest is carried mainly in dissolved form in the blood and the systemic concentration is fixed. A simplified one-dimensional version of this model is solved analytically to show how transport might be affected by biophysical parameters such as the diffusion constant and rate of degradation in the tissue. A three-dimensional, striated muscle capillary network is being used in numerical simulations to determine the effects of these parameters in the full model. Results of sample calculations are presented.
QUANTITATIVE APPROACHES TO THE ANALYSIS OF STABLE ISOTOPE FOOD WEB DATA

Ecologists use stable isotopes (delta13C, delta15N) to better understand food webs and explore trophic interactions in ecosystems. Traditionally, delta13C vs. delta15N bi-plots have been used to describe food web structure for a single time period or ecosystem. Comparisons of food webs across time and space are increasing, but development of statistical approaches for testing hypotheses regarding food web change has lagged behind. Here we present statistical methodologies for quantitatively comparing stable isotope food web data. We demonstrate the utility of circular statistics and hypothesis tests for quantifying directional food web differences using two case studies: an arthropod salt marsh community across a habitat gradient and a freshwater fish community from Lake Tahoe, USA, over a 120-year time period. We calculated magnitude and mean angle of change (theta) for each species in food web space using mean delta13C and delta15N of each species as the x, y coordinates. In the coastal salt marsh, arthropod consumers exhibited a significant shift toward dependence on Spartina, progressing from a habitat invaded by Phragmites to a restored Spartina habitat. In Lake Tahoe, we found that all species from the freshwater fish community shifted in the same direction in food web space toward more pelagic-based production with the introduction of nonnative Mysis relicta and onset of cultural eutrophication. Using circular statistics to quantitatively analyze stable isotope food web data, we were able to gain significant insight into patterns and changes in food web structure that were not evident from qualitative comparisons. As more ecologists incorporate a food web perspective into ecosystem analysis, these statistical tools can provide a basis for quantifying directional food web differences from standard isotope data.
Bayesian two-part spatial models for semicontinuous data with application to emergency department expenditures

In health services research, it is common to encounter semicontinuous data characterized by a point mass at zero and a continuous distribution of positive values. Examples include medical expenditures, in which the zeros represent patients who do not use health services, while the continuous distribution describes the level of expenditures among users. Semicontinuous data are customarily analyzed using two-part mixture models. In the spatial analysis of semicontinuous data, two-part models are especially appealing because they provide a joint picture of how health services utilization and associated expenditures vary across geographic regions. However, when applying these models, careful attention must be paid to distributional choices, as model misspecification can lead to biased and imprecise inferences. This paper introduces a broad class of Bayesian two-part models for the spatial analysis of semicontinuous data. Specific models considered include two-part lognormal, log skew-elliptical, and Bayesian non-parametric models. Multivariate conditionally autoregressive priors are used to link model components and provide spatial smoothing across neighboring regions, resulting in a joint spatial modeling framework for health utilization and expenditures. We develop a fully conjugate Gibbs sampling scheme, leading to efficient posterior computation. We illustrate the approach using data from a recent study of emergency department expenditures.
EFFECT OF DRUGS ON LUMINESCENCE IN LARVAL FIREFLIES

1. Synephrine and other related monophenolic drugs were tested for potency of luminescence induction in the extirpated lantern of larval fireflies. Synephrine was found to be the most potent drug so far tested, with a threshold concentration of 10 -6 M. 2. Immersion of glowing lanterns in a solution containing 10 -3 M synephrine and 10 -3 M-KCN resulted in rapid extinction of luminescence. Luminescence extinction times in KCN were found to be proportional to synephrine concentration and suggest that only a small ATP pool exists in the lantern. It is hypothesized that synephrine must stimulate ATP production in order to maintain high luminescence intensities. 3. The vertebrate adrenergic blocking agent, dichloroisoproterenol (D.C.I.), was found to slowly induce luminescence which eventually declined to extinction. Synephrine was ineffective in luminescence induction after the declining phase of D.C.I, action began. A close analogue of D.C.I., isoproterenol, acted in a weak but similar manner to synephrine. It is suggested that D.C.I, prevents synephrine action by blocking the photocyte receptor sites.
A blind channel identification algorithm based on matrix outer-product

Blind channel identification and equalization have attracted a great deal of attention recently due to their potential application in mobile communications and digital HDTV systems. We present a new parameter estimation algorithm based on matrix outer-product decomposition. This new algorithm can be viewed as a generalized linear prediction algorithm. It produces more accurate channel estimates and is more robust to over-modeling errors in channel order estimate. The superior performance of this new algorithm is demonstrated through simulation examples.
Behavior classification algorithms at intersections and validation using naturalistic data

The ability to classify driver behavior lays the foundation for more advanced driver assistance systems. Improving safety at intersections has also been identified as high priority due to the large number of intersection related fatalities. This paper focuses on developing algorithms for estimating driver behavior at road intersections. It introduces two classes of algorithms that can classify drivers as compliant or violating. They are based on 1) Support Vector Machines (SVM) and 2) Hidden Markov Models (HMM), two very popular machine learning approaches that have been used extensively for classification in multiple disciplines. The algorithms are successfully validated using naturalistic intersection data collected in Christiansburg, VA, through the US Department of Transportation Cooperative Intersection Collision Avoidance System for Violations (CICAS-V) initiative.
Persistent Inequality? Trade, Factor Endowments, and Inequality in Republican Latin America

Using a new data set, this article presents new evidence on inequality in Latin America for the nineteenth century and studies the effects of factor endowments and trade on inequality. Recent research has highlighted the link between the colonial origins of inequality and its persistence in Latin America. We find that inequality varied substantially throughout the century and across the region. We identify the impact of changing factor endowments and trade on inequality using a simple theoretical framework. This work suggests that the role of initial colonial origins has been overemphasized as important changes took place during postcolonial times.
Minimization of combined sewer overflows using fuzzy logic control

The use of fuzzy logic control in minimizing the combined sewer overflows (CSOs) for a small but representative section of the Seattle Metro collection system is discussed. Combined sewers carry both sanitary sewage and storm runoff. The problem considered is the real-time control of the CSOs, which consist of about 160 km of interconnected pipes ranging from 0.3 m to 3.6 m in diameter. A fuzzy logic controller has been designed for a three-reservoir subsystem representing the most common connection in the combined sewer systems. This application of fuzzy logic control on the three-reservoir system suggests that ii is quite promising for online control and minimization of CSOs. >
The formation and structure of vehicle clusters in the Payne-Whitham traffic flow model

Abstract In this paper, we study the Payne–Whitham (PW) model as a hyperbolic system of conservation laws with relaxation and are interested in its solution patterns when it is unstable. With numerical simulations, we observed the formation of clusters in the solutions. A cluster, which consists of a shock and a transition layer, is a “strong” traveling wave in the sense of Liu (Commun. Math. Phys. 108 (1987) 153), and its traveling speed is equal to that of the corresponding shock. The time-asymptotic structure of a transition layer is described by a first-order ordinary differential equation. We also found that, due to the instability of the PW model, we could not predict the number of clusters or the position, height, or width of each cluster. Our study also reveals the intricate relationship between the structure of vehicle clusters and the parameter c0.
The association of color memory and the enumeration of multiple spatially overlapping sets

Using dot displays, Halberda, Sires, and Feigenson (2006) showed that observers could simultaneously encode the numerosity of two spatially overlapping sets and the superset of all items at a glance. With the brief display and the masking used in Halberda et al., the task required observers to encode the colors of each set in order to select and enumerate all the dots in that set. As such, the observed capacity limit for set enumeration could reflect a limit in visual short-term memory (VSTM) capacity for the set color rather than a limit in set enumeration per se. Here, we largely replicated Halberda et al. and found successful enumeration of approximately two sets (the superset was not probed). We also found that only about two and a half colors could be remembered from the colored dot displays whether or not the enumeration task was performed concurrently with the color VSTM task. Because observers must remember the color of a set prior to enumerating it, the under three-item VSTM capacity for color necessarily dictates that set enumeration capacity in this paradigm could not exceed two sets. Thus, the ability to enumerate multiple spatially overlapping sets is likely limited by VSTM capacity to retain the discriminating feature of these sets. This relationship suggests that the capacity for set enumeration cannot be considered independently from the capacity for the set's defining features.
Maternal Milk Consumption Predicts the Tradeoff between Milk and Soft Drinks in Young Girls’ Diets

Milk intake constitutes an important source of dietary calcium for young girls but declines throughout childhood. Recent work shows that the intake of soft drinks may contribute to this decline. Influences on the apparent tradeoff between soft drinks and milk in young girls' diets are not well described. The objective of this research was to test a model depicting maternal beverage choices as predictors of their daughters' milk and soft drink intake. A structural equation model describing maternal influences on daughters' milk, soft drink and calcium intakes was tested using data from 180 non-Hispanic, white families with 5-y-old daughters. Mothers' calcium, milk and soft drink intakes were evaluated as predictors of their daughters' intakes. Mothers' and daughters' soft drink intakes were also examined as predictors of their own milk and calcium intakes. The model provided a good fit to the data, revealing mother-daughter similarities in beverage intake. Mothers who drank milk more frequently had daughters who drank milk more frequently and drank fewer soft drinks. For both mothers and daughters, soft drink consumption was negatively related to both milk and calcium intake. This research provides evidence that mothers' beverage choices influence the tradeoff between milk and soft drinks in their daughters' diets. In particular, mothers' milk and soft drink intakes may affect their daughters' calcium adequacy in early childhood by influencing the frequency with which their daughters consume those beverages.
The Wage Gap against Gay Men: The Leveling of the Playing Field

Summary This study uses data from the March Supplement Current Population Survey (CPS) to examine the wage differential against gay men from 1995 to 2011 in the United States. A wage equation is estimated using the Heckman two-stage method, which addresses the sample selection bias inherent in wage equation estimations. We find evidence that in the United States the wage gap against gay men has significantly decreased over the last two decades. We also find that evidence that the wage gap has become concentrated in three occupations: managerial, sales, and protective services. We conclude that the evidence is most consistent with the hypothesis that discrimination is decreasing, and possibly non-existent and that any lingering discrimination is based on the taste for discrimination by employees against being managed by a gay man and by customers.
Image registration for sequence of visual images captured by UAV

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are regularly outfitted with payloads that include high resolution surveillance cameras. These surveillance systems have provided the military with the opportunity to monitor battlefields and remote terrain, carryout reconnaissance missions and track targets all from distant ground stations without endangering UAV operators. As with any remote sensing technology there are technical challenges that exist. The problem often arises where large sequences of images containing significant redundancies are being sent to the ground station processing systems and operators. Consequently, the ground station systems can become “weighed down” and operators can become overwhelmed. In addition, the decision making process of detection and recognition algorithms could be rendered ineffective because of the limited visual field of view of individual image frames. In this research image registration software is designed and implemented to integrate a sequence of visual images based on the modified Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) algorithm. Since computational efficiency is a critical issue in any real-time interactive system, a modified version of the SIFT algorithm is devised and utilized in this work. Implementation and testing results of the developed software are obtained from real data collected from aerial footage and a collaborative camera network.
Therapy with a severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus-neutralizing human monoclonal antibody reduces disease severity and viral burden in golden Syrian hamsters

4 Infectious Disease Pathology Activity, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia Background. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) offers safe interventions for the prevention of infection in patients after organ transplantation and for the treatment of cancers and autoimmune diseases. MAb 201 is a severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-specific MAb that prevents establishment of viral replication in vitro and prevents viral replication in vivo when administered prophylactically. The efficacy of MAb 201 in the treatment of SARS was evaluated in golden Syrian hamsters, an animal model that supports SARS-CoV replication to high levels and displays severe pathological changes associated with infection, including pneumonitis and pulmonary consolidation. Methods. Golden Syrian hamsters that were intranasally inoculated with SARS-CoV were treated with various doses of MAb 201 or an irrelevant MAb 24 h after inoculation. Two to 7 days after infection, the hamsters were killed, and their lungs were collected for evaluation of viral titers and pathological findings. Results. Postexposure treatment with MAb 201 can alleviate the viral burden and associated pathological findings in a golden Syrian hamster model of SARS-CoV infection. After a hamster is treated with MAb 201, its viral burden is reduced by - 50% tissue-culture infectious doses per gram of tissue, and the severity of 2.4 3.9 10 10 associated pathological findings, including interstitial pneumonitis and consolidation, is also remarkably reduced. Conclusions. The demonstration of successful postexposure MAb 201 therapy in an animal model that dem- onstrates viral replication and associated pulmonary pathological findings suggests that MAb 201 may be useful in the arsenal of tools to combat SARS.
Rho Kinase Mediates Cold-Induced Constriction of Cutaneous Arteries: Role of α2C-Adrenoceptor Translocation

Cold-induced vasoconstriction in cutaneous blood vessels is mediated in part by increased activity of vascular smooth muscle alpha2-adrenoceptors (VSM alpha2-ARs). In mouse cutaneous arteries, alpha2C-ARs are normally silent at 37 degrees C but mediate cold-induced augmentation of alpha2-AR responsiveness. In transfected HEK293 cells, this functional rescue is mediated by cold-induced translocation of alpha2C-ARs from the Golgi to the plasma membrane. Experiments were performed to determine the role of Rho/Rho kinase signaling in this process. Inhibition of Rho kinase (fasudil, Y27632 or H-1152) did not affect constriction of isolated mouse tail arteries to the alpha2-AR agonist UK 14 304 at 37 degrees C but dramatically reduced the augmented responses to the agonist at 28 degrees C. After Rho kinase inhibition, cooling no longer increased constriction evoked by alpha2-AR stimulation. Cooling (to 28 degrees C) activated Rho in VSM cells and increased the calcium sensitivity of constriction in alpha toxin-permeabilized arteries. Stimulation of alpha2-ARs in VSM cells had no effect on Rho activity or calcium sensitivity at 37 degrees C or 28 degrees C. In HEK293 cells transfected with alpha2C-ARs, cooling (to 28 degrees C) stimulated the translocation of alpha2C-ARs to the plasma membrane and this effect was prevented by inhibition of Rho kinase, using fasudil or RNA interference. Consistent with inhibition of the spatial rescue of alpha2C-ARs, fasudil inhibited alpha2-AR-mediated mobilization of calcium in tail arteries at 28 degrees C but not 37 degrees C. Therefore, cold-induced activation of Rho/Rho kinase can mediate cold-induced constriction in cutaneous arteries by enabling translocation of alpha2C-ARs to the plasma membrane and by increasing the calcium sensitivity of the contractile process.
Sampled-data linear-quadratic regulator for systems with generalized transportation lags†

A complete solution to the sampled-data linear-quadratic regulator problem for systems with generalized transportation lags is presented. Linear feedback laws are shown to be optimal under a general quadratic cost which allows regulation of both the lumped and distributed subsystems. The optimal feedback gains are determined as solutions to recursive matrix equations which can be solved off-line.
Effect of Toolpath on the Springback of 2024-T3 Aluminum During Single Point Incremental Forming

Incremental forming is a nontraditional forming method in which a spherical tool is used to asymmetrically deform sheet metal without the need for expensive allocated dies. Incremental forming employs a tool path similar to that used when CNC milling. Hence, when forming a part, the forming tool makes a series of passes circumferentially around the workpiece, gradually spirally stepping down in the z-axis on each sequential pass. This tool path deforms the sheet metal stock into the final, desired shape. These passes can start from the outer radius of the part and work in (Out to In, OI forming) or they can start from the center of the shape and work outward (In to Out, IO forming).As with many sheet metal operations, springback is a big concern during the incremental forming process. During the deformation process, residual stresses are created within the workpiece causing the final formed shape to springback when it is unclamped, sometimes very significantly. The more complex the geometry of the final part and the more total deformation that occurs when forming the geometry, the greater the residual stresses that are generated within the part. The residual stresses that have built up in the piece cause more significant distortion to the part when it is released from the retaining fixturing. This paper examines how the step size (in the z direction), OI vs. IO forming, and final part geometry affect the total springback in a finished piece. For all of these tests 0.5 mm thick sheets of 2024-T3 aluminum were used to form both the truncated pyramid and truncated cone shape. From this investigation it was found that smaller step sizes result in greater springback, IO is significantly less effective in forming the part (due to workpiece tearing), and final part geometry plays an important role due to the creation of residual stresses that exist in corners.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Acute Appendicitis

Pediatric appendicitis is one of the most common emergencies presenting in the emergency department. Ultrasonography is a reliable, cost-efficient, and reproducible imaging choice; however, it is highly dependent upon sonographer expertise, body habitus, and underlying bowel gas. When considering imaging using the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle and the increased availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the focus has shifted to using MRI as an alternative to computed tomography to diagnose pediatric appendicitis. There are a growing number of studies, highlighting the use of MRI for diagnosing pediatric appendicitis. This article will provide an overview of MRI technique and a discussion of the available literature on the utility of MRI in the diagnosis of appendicitis.
Study on the High Shear Degassing Process with Water Simulation

Hydrogen as the main cause of the gas porosity in aluminium alloys should be removed before casting. The degassing process with intensive melt shearing shows a high efficiency. In the present work, the water simulation was used to study the high shear degassing process and the effect of rotation speed on the size and distribution of inert gas bubbles. The results show that with the increase of rotation speed, the bubble size decreases and the affected region becomes larger. The proper rotation speed of the rotor for the rotor-stator high shear degassing process is 5000-6000 RPM.
Signaling by Extracellular Vesicles Advances Cancer Hallmarks

Mammalian cells secrete various extracellular vesicles (EVs; exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies) that differ in biogenesis, composition, and function. Each vesicle type can originate from normal or cancerous cells, transfer molecular cargo to both neighboring and distant cells, and modulate cellular behaviors involved in eubiology and pathology, such as tumor development. Here, we review evidence for the role of EVs in the establishment and maintenance of cancer hallmarks, including sustaining proliferative signaling, evading growth suppression, resisting cell death, reprogramming energy metabolism, acquiring genomic instability, and remodeling the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss how EVs are implicated in the induction of angiogenesis, control of cellular invasion, initiation of premetastatic niches, maintenance of inflammation, and evasion of immune surveillance. The deeper understanding of the biology of EVs and their contribution to the development and progression of tumors is leading to new opportunities in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Effect of chlorophenoxyisobutyrate on free fatty acid utilization by mammalian cells.

SummaryThe Ehrlich ascites cell system was employed as an experimental model to investigate the effects of CPIB on FFA utilization. Addition of CPIB to the incubation medium increased FFA uptake by the cells. Incorporation of FFA into cell lipid esters also was greater when CPIB was present. We suggest that the CPIB-induced enhancement in FFA utilization may result from displacement of some FFA to weaker albumin binding sites, thereby making the FFA more available to the cells.
Serum creatinine level, a surrogate of muscle mass, predicts mortality in critically ill patients

Serum creatinine (SCr) has been widely used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Creatinine generation could be reduced in the setting of low skeletal muscle mass. Thus, SCr has also been used as a surrogate of muscle mass. Low muscle mass is associated with reduced survival in hospitalized patients, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU) settings. Recently, studies have demonstrated high mortality in ICU patients with low admission SCr levels, reflecting that low muscle mass or malnutrition, are associated with increased mortality. However, SCr levels can also be influenced by multiple GFR- and non-GFR-related factors including age, diet, exercise, stress, pregnancy, and kidney disease. Imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound, have recently been studied for muscle mass assessment and demonstrated promising data. This article aims to present the perspectives of the uses of SCr and other methods for prediction of muscle mass and outcomes of ICU patients.
Two photon-induced fluorescence intensity and anisotropy decays of diphenylhexatriene in solvents and lipid bilayers

We measured the fluorescence intensity and anisotropy decays of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH)-labeled membranes resulting from simultaneous two-photon excitation of fluorescence. Comparison of these two-photon data with the more usual one-photon measurements revealed that DPH displayed identical intensity decays, anisotropy decays, and order parameters for one- and two-photon excitation. While the anisotropy data are numerically distinct, they can be compared by use of the factor 10/7, which accounts for the two-photon versus one-photon photoselection. The increased time 0 anisotropy of DPH can result in increased resolution of complex anisotropy decays. Global analysis of the one- and two-photon data reveals consistency with a single apparent angle between the absorption and the emission oscillators. The global anisotropy analysis also suggests that, except for the photoselection factor, the anisotropy decays are the same for one-and two-photon excitation. This ideal behavior of DPH as a two-photon absorber, and its high two-photon cross section, makes DPH a potential probe for confocal two-photon microscopy and other systems where it is advantageous to use long-wavelength (680- to 760-nm) excitation.
Genetic Variation in CYP2R1 and GC Genes Associated With Vitamin D Deficiency Status

This cross-sectional study enrolled 180 patients at a private family practice in Virginia. Total serum vitamin D concentrations were obtained weekly from January 30, 2013, through March 30, 2013, in consecutive patients regularly scheduled for laboratory work at the practice. Patients were categorized into 2 groups and analyzed for variant alleles in vitamin D receptor ( VDR; rs2228570), cytochrome P450 2R1 ( CYP2R1; rs10741657), 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase ( DHCR7; rs12785878), and group-specific component ( GC; rs2282679) to determine whether variants of those alleles influenced total serum 25(OH)D concentrations. One-hundred and eighty patients were enrolled, with 40 (22%) being sufficient, 25-hydroxy vitamin D level 25(OH)D ≥ 30 ng/mL, and 140 (78%) being insufficient, 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL. Of the 4 genes, 2 genes, CYP2R1 (rs10741657) and GC (rs2282679), demonstrated a significant association related to vitamin D status. Subjects with 1 or more variant alleles at rs10741657 were almost 3.7 (odds ratio [OR] 3.67; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35-9.99) times more likely be insufficient in vitamin D and subjects with 1 or more variant alleles at rs2282679 were about half (OR 0.42; 95% CI: 0.18-0.93) as likely to be insufficient in vitamin D. Allelic variations in CYP2R1 (rs10741657) and GC (rs2282679) affect vitamin D levels, but variant alleles on VDR (rs2228570) and DHCR7 (rs12785878) were not correlated with vitamin D deficiency, 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL.
Behaviorally anchored rating scales for teamwork peer assessment

In team projects, peer evaluations are frequently used to evaluate students' teamwork skills and their individual contributions to project outcomes. Unfortunately, peer evaluations are usually time consuming to conduct due to the large amount of data collected. In order to efficiently assess teamwork skills of students through peer and self-evaluations, we created a web-based tool called Peer Evaluation and Assessment Resource (PEAR). Using the PEAR, instructors are able to see where students need to improve their teamwork skills and give individual feedback. We have used the system in several classes and been able to gain valuable information to help instructors improve their classes. However, we have also identified several problems such as very high peer and self ratings inconsistent with students' expected skill levels. We redesigned a peer assessment instrument from the literature based on behaviorally anchored rating scores in order to address some of these problems. This new instrument has been tested in the PEAR system, and in this paper, the results are compared to the ones obtained using a continuum scale version of the instrument.