cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical study of light correlations in a random medium close to the Anderson localization threshold

We applied a finite-difference time domain algorithm to the study of field and intensity correlations in random media. Close to the onset of Anderson localization, we observe deviations of the correlation functions, in both shape and magnitude, from those predicted by the diffusion theory. Physical implications of the observed phenomena are discussed.
Factorizing Multivariate Function Classes

The mathematical framework for factorizing equivalence classes of multivariate functions is formulated in this paper. Independent component analysis is shown to be a special case of this decomposition. Using only the local geometric structure of a class representative, we derive an analytic solution for the factorization. We demonstrate the factorization solution with numerical experiments and present a preliminary tie to decorrelation.
Compton Scattering Artifacts in Electron Excited X-Ray Spectra Measured with a Silicon Drift Detector

Artifacts are the nemesis of trace element analysis in electron-excited energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Peaks that result from nonideal behavior in the detector or sample can fool even an experienced microanalyst into believing that they have trace amounts of an element that is not present. Many artifacts, such as the Si escape peak, absorption edges, and coincidence peaks, can be traced to the detector. Others, such as secondary fluorescence peaks and scatter peaks, can be traced to the sample. We have identified a new sample-dependent artifact that we attribute to Compton scattering of energetic X-rays generated in a small feature and subsequently scattered from a low atomic number matrix. It seems likely that this artifact has not previously been reported because it only occurs under specific conditions and represents a relatively small signal. However, with the advent of silicon drift detectors and their utility for trace element analysis, we anticipate that more people will observe it and possibly misidentify it. Though small, the artifact is not inconsequential. Under some conditions, it is possible to mistakenly identify the Compton scatter artifact as approximately 1% of an element that is not present.
Retail Trade on the U.S.-Mexico Border During the NAFTA Implementation Era

When NAFTA was implemented in 1994, there was a general expectation that it would hurt U.S. retailers along the U.S.-Mexico border. This paper asks whether there was a significant change in the pattern of retail trade in border MSAs in the years surrounding NAFTA's implementation. Data from MSAs in the four border states are analyzed. After controlling for other potential influences on retail trade, there remained a statistically significant change in the pattern of retail trade between 1992 and 1997. The changes cannot be unquestionably attributed to NAFTA but do suggest that NAFTA had a negative influence on retail sales on the U.S. side of the border.
Systemic overperfusion and resting blood pressure.

During psychosocial stressors, individuals with mildly elevated resting blood pressures (BP) exhibit cardiac output (CO) that is in excess of metabolic demand (i.e., systemic overperfusion). The present study used the "additional" CO method to assess whether individuals in the high average BP range also exhibit systemic overperfusion at rest. Healthy young adult males (N = 48), divided into "high average" and "low average" groups using resting BP, participated in an active coping task. Consistent with past research, the high average group evidenced higher levels of additional CO than did the low average group during both baseline and task periods. More importantly, the high average group also exhibited significant amounts of additional CO at rest, whereas the low average group did not. These results may help to advance our understanding of the process by which systemic overperfusion may contribute to the development of elevated BP.
The study on DSR transmission over GPRS

This paper focuses on the DSR speech feature transmission over GPRS network. We first propose a new DSR payload format to make DSR speech feature suitable to be delivered over GPRS. Then, two DSR transmission schemes for different conditions are presented and their performance is simulated and analysed. Finally, we draw the conclusion that the transmission schemes enable more users to enjoy DSR services with acceptable QoS and their implement over GPRS is instantly applicable.
Influence of lithologic erodibility on alluvial fan area, western white mountains, California and Nevada

Differences in lithologic erodibility and sediment storage within a drainage basin affect the relationship between alluvial fan area and drainage basin area along the western White Mountains. Large fans are produced by basins underlain by resistant rocks, which have steep and narrow trunk stream canyons with little sediment in storage. Small fans are produced by basins composed of erodible lithologic units, which have wider valley floors, lower valley-side slopes, and considerably more sediment stored along trunk stream canyons than is the case in basins underlain by resistant rocks.
ABR rate control for multimedia traffic using microeconomics

Multimedia applications are expected to play a more prevalent role in integrated service networks. One method of efficiently transmitting such traffic uses the ABR service class. However, rate control for this class becomes more difficult due to the bursty and somewhat unpredictable behavior of multimedia traffic. This paper presents a microeconomic-based ABR rate control technique that models the network as competitive markets. Prices are affixed to ABR bandwidth based upon supply and demand, and users purchase bandwidth to maximize their individual QoS. This yields a state-less rate control method that provides Pareto-optimal and QoS-fair bandwidth distributions, as well as high utilization. Simulation results using actual MPEG-compressed video traffic show utilization over 95% and better QoS control than max-min or demand-based weighted max-min.
Calculation of the Fresnel region fields based upon the Wilcox expansion theorem of electromagnetic fields

Typically, the integral representations of the Fresnel fields of antennas and scatterers, in terms of the equivalent sources for these fields, are time consuming to evaluate. However, these integrals do become manageable as the point of observation recedes to infinity. The authors exploit this fact and show how the Fresnel region fields can be constructed by processing the far fields using an algorithm for far-field-to-Fresnel-field transformation based upon the Wilcox expansion theorem. To verify the accuracy of the proposed procedure, a number of test cases have been investigated. >
An invariant traffic sign recognition system based on sequential color processing and geometrical transformation

One of the most noteworthy problems associated with conventional pattern recognition methods is that it is not easy to extract feature vectors from images which are not translation, rotation, and scale change invariant in outdoor noisy environments. This paper describes the development of an invariant traffic sign recognition system capable of tolerating the above variations. The signs are restricted to three types of warning signs and are all of red color. The developed method is insensitive to brightness changes as well as invariant to translation, rotation, scale change, and noise. The architecture of this system is based upon neural network supervised learning after geometrical transformations have been applied. The performance of this system is compared with other invariant approaches in terms of the percentage of correct decisions in outdoor noisy environments. >
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Study of One Hundred and Two Cases

Data were compiled from the records of 101 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm, almost all of which were due to arteriosclerosis. These records were selected only when there was unequivocal evidence of aneurysm, and cases of true dissecting aneurysm were not included. The data were studied primarily in regard to prognosis of this condition but in addition, all clinical manifestations of abdominal aortic aneurysm were reviewed.
Communication adaptability and interaction involvement as predictors of cross‐cultural adjustment

This study examined the effects of communication adaptability and interaction involvement on one aspect of cross‐cultural adjustment: culture shock. Culture shock refers to stressful feelings caused by social difficulties sojourners experience in the host culture. Results indicate that significant and positive relationships exist among communication adaptability, interaction involvement, and the sojourners’ ability to cope with social difficulties caused by the host culture. Further testing was conducted to investigate which of the components of communication adaptability and interaction involvement best predicts the dimensions of social difficulties. Implications and directions for future research were also discussed.
Estradiol modulates vascular response to melatonin in rat caudal artery

The purpose of this study was to determine whether estrogen modulates the function of vascular melatonin receptors. We used the rat caudal artery and found that the contractile effects of melatonin...
Adaptive intertemporal preferences in foraging-style environments

Decision makers often face choices between smaller more immediate rewards and larger more delayed rewards. For example, when foraging for food, animals must choose between actions that have varying costs (e.g., effort, duration, energy expenditure) and varying benefits (e.g., amount of food intake). The combination of these costs and benefits determine what optimal behavior is. In the present study, we employ a foraging-style task to study how humans make reward-based choices in response to the real-time constraints of a dynamic environment. On each trial participants were presented with two rewards that differed in magnitude and in the delay until their receipt. Because the experiment was of a fixed duration, maximizing earnings required decision makers to determine how to trade off the magnitude and the delay associated with the two rewards on each trial. To evaluate the extent to which participants could adapt to the decision environment, specific task characteristics were manipulated, including reward magnitudes (Experiment 1) and the delay between trials (Experiment 2). Each of these manipulations was designed to alter the pattern of choices made by an optimal decision maker. Several findings are of note. First, different choice strategies were observed with the manipulated environmental constraints. Second, despite contextually-appropriate shifts in behavior between conditions in each experiment, choice patterns deviated from theoretical optimality. In particular, the delays associated with the rewards did not exert a consistent influence on choices as required by exponential discounting. Third, decision makers nevertheless performed surprisingly well in all task environments with any deviations from strict optimality not having particularly deleterious effects on earnings. Taken together, these results suggest that human decision makers are capable of exhibiting intertemporal preferences that reflect a variety of environmental constraints.
Biological Role of Pigment Production for the Bacterial Phytopathogen Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii

ABSTRACT Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii, the causal agent of Stewart9s wilt of sweet corn, produces a yellow carotenoid pigment. A nonpigmented mutant was selected from a bank of mutants generated by random transposon mutagenesis. The transposon insertion site was mapped to the crtB gene, encoding a putative phytoene synthase, an enzyme involved in the early steps of carotenoid biosynthesis. We demonstrate here that the carotenoid pigment imparts protection against UV radiation and also contributes to the complete antioxidant pathway of P. stewartii. Moreover, production of this pigment is regulated by the EsaI/EsaR quorum-sensing system and significantly contributes to the virulence of the pathogen in planta.
A parallel circle-cover minimization algorithm

Abstract Given a set of n circular arcs distributed arbitrarily on a PRAM with n processors, we give an optimal Θ(log n) time algorithm to solve the problem of determining a minimal set of circular arcs whose union covers the circle.
Terrestrial Laser Scanner Surveying in Coastal Settings

Over the last decade, there has been a proliferation of commercially available tripod-mounted Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) systems that use the phase difference or the time-of-flight of emitted pulses of light to rapidly acquire high-density topographic and surface reflectance data. These TLS systems have been well received in the Earth science community because of their ability to collect 102–105 measurements per second of azimuth, zenith, distance, intensity, and surface color data at distances ranging from 100 to 103 m. A TLS instrument’s portability, ease of use, and rate of data collection opens the possibility of collecting detailed topographic data at sites where such surveys may not have been possible before. The application of TLS data to current Earth sciences research has allowed us to better understand of the character, timing, rates, and spatial scales of different processes that have been difficult, if not impossible, to evaluate using traditional survey techniques. However, the successes achieved with TLS systems in certain projects may result in unrealistic expectations regarding the density and quality of data that can reasonably be achieved in different settings. This chapter seeks to orient potential or experienced TLS users to its applicability in above-water coastal settings. An emphasis is placed on providing insight into both the variety of current research using TLS data, as well as the compromises in spatial resolution that necessarily arise from field conditions and survey design.
Authoritarian parenting attitudes and social origin: The multigenerational relationship of socioeconomic position to childrearing values

Support for authoritarian approaches to parenting, including corporal punishment, is known to be elevated among individuals with low current levels of socioeconomic attainment. The objectives of this study are: (1) to determine whether authoritarian parenting dispositions are related to disadvantages in one's social background, in addition to one's present socioeconomic standing; and (2) to distinguish, in this regard, between support for spanking and other authoritarian parenting dispositions. Ordered logit models, applied to General Social Survey data concerning a nationally representative sample of US adults, are used to examine relationships of authoritarian parenting dispositions to the socioeconomic positions that respondents currently occupy and in which they were raised. It is found that support for spanking (N=10,725) and valuing of obedience (N=10,043) are inversely related to the socioeconomic status (SES) of one's family of origin, and that these associations are robust to controls for one's current SES. A disadvantaged family background is found to increase support for spanking most among those with high current SES. Strong associations (robust to controls for SES indicators) are additionally found between African-American racial identity and support for authoritarian parenting. Prior research indicates that authoritarian parenting practices such as spanking may be harmful to children. Thus, if the parenting attitudes analyzed here translate into parenting practices, then this study's findings may point to a mechanism for the intergenerational transmission of disadvantages.
Effectiveness of Biochar Addition in Reducing Concentrations of Selected Nutrients and Bacteria in Runoff

OF THESIS EFFECTIVENESS OF BIOCHAR ADDITION IN REDUCING CONCENTRATIONS OF SELECTED NUTRIENTS AND BACTERIA IN RUNOFF Land application and storage of horse manure and municipal sludge can increase nutrient and bacteria concentrations in runoff. Biochar increases soil nutrient retention when used as a soil amendment. The objectives of this study were to determine if biochar, when mixed with horse manure or sludge, affects runoff concentrations of total Kjehldahl nitrogen (TKN), ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), nitrate (NO3-N), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved phosphorus (DP), total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and fecal coliforms (FC). Horse manure and sludge were applied to 2.4 x 6.1 m fescue plots (six each), with three plots of each material amended with 5-8% biochar w/w. Simulated rainfall (101.6 mm/h) was applied to the 12 treatment plots and three control plots. The first 0.5 h of runoff was collected and analyzed for the above-listed parameters. The data were analyzed using an ANCOVA, with SCS runoff curve number (CN) used as the covariate. In general, CN was directly correlated to runoff concentrations of parameters. Plots with low CN values displayed no treatment differences for any measured parameter. Biochar reduced runoff concentrations of TKN and NH3-N for municipal sludge treatments, and TKN, NH3-N, TP, TSS, and FC for horse manure treatments.
Identification of Dw1, a Regulator of Sorghum Stem Internode Length.

Sorghum is an important C4 grain and grass crop used for food, feed, forage, sugar, and biofuels. In its native Africa, sorghum landraces often grow to approximately 3–4 meters in height. Following introduction into the U.S., shorter, early flowering varieties were identified and used for production of grain. Quinby and Karper identified allelic variation at four loci designated Dw1-Dw4 that regulated plant height by altering the length of stem internodes. The current study used a map-based cloning strategy to identify the gene corresponding to Dw1. Hegari (Dw1dw2Dw3dw4) and 80M (dw1dw2Dw3dw4) were crossed and F2 and HIF derived populations used for QTL mapping. Genetic analysis identified four QTL for internode length in this population, Dw1 on SBI-09, Dw2 on SBI-06, and QTL located on SBI-01 and SBI-07. The QTL on SBI-07 was ~3 Mbp upstream of Dw3 and interacted with Dw1. Dw1 was also found to contribute to the variation in stem weight in the population. Dw1 was fine mapped to an interval of ~33 kbp using HIFs segregating only for Dw1. A polymorphism in an exon of Sobic.009G229800 created a stop codon that truncated the encoded protein in 80M (dw1). This polymorphism was not present in Hegari (Dw1) and no other polymorphisms in the delimited Dw1 locus altered coding regions. The recessive dw1 allele found in 80M was traced to Dwarf Yellow Milo, the progenitor of grain sorghum genotypes identified as dw1. Dw1 encodes a putative membrane protein of unknown function that is highly conserved in plants.
Soluble Forms of Intercellular and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecules Independently Predict Progression to Type 2 Diabetes in Mexican American Families

Objective While the role of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in inducing endothelial dysfunction is fairly well-established the etiological role of endothelial dysfunction in the onset of T2D is still a matter of debate. In the light of conflicting evidence in this regard, we conducted a prospective study to determine the association of circulating levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vessel cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1) with incident T2D. Methods Data from this study came from 1,269 Mexican Americans of whom 821 initially T2D-free individuals were longitudinally followed up in the San Antonio Family Heart Study. These individuals were followed for 9752.95 person-years for development of T2D. Prospective association of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 with incident T2D was studied using Kaplan-Meier survival plots and mixed effects Cox proportional hazards modeling to account for relatedness among study participants. Incremental value of adhesion molecule biomarkers was studied using integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and net reclassification improvement (NRI) indexes. Results Decreasing median values for serum concentrations of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were observed in the following groups in this order: individuals with T2D at baseline, individuals who developed T2D during follow-up, individuals with prediabetes at baseline and normal glucose tolerant (NGT) individuals who remained T2D-free during follow-up. Top quartiles for sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were strongly and significantly associated with homeostatic model of assessment—insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Mixed effects Cox proportional hazards modeling revealed that after correcting for important clinical confounders, high sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentrations were associated with 2.52 and 1.99 times faster progression to T2D as compared to low concentrations, respectively. Individuals with high concentrations for both sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 progressed to T2D 3.42 times faster than those with low values for both sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1. The results were similar in women in reproductive age group and the remainder of the cohort. Inclusion of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in predictive models significantly improved reclassification and discrimination. The majority of these results were seen even when the analyses were restricted to NGT individuals. Conclusion Serum concentrations of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 independently and additively predict future T2D and represent important candidate biomarkers of T2D.
ARGONAUT: AlgoRithms for Global Optimization of coNstrAined grey-box compUTational problems

The algorithmic framework ARGONAUT is presented for the global optimization of general constrained grey-box problems. ARGONAUT incorporates variable selection, bounds tightening and constrained sampling techniques, in order to develop accurate surrogate representations of unknown equations, which are globally optimized. ARGONAUT is tested on a large set of test problems for constrained global optimization with a large number of input variables and constraints. The performance of the presented framework is compared to that of existing techniques for constrained derivative-free optimization.
Polarization Dependence of Water Adsorption to CH3NH3PbI3 (001) Surfaces.

The instability of organometal halide perovskites when in contact with water is a serious challenge to their feasibility as solar cell materials. Although studies of moisture exposure have been conducted, an atomistic understanding of the degradation mechanism is required. Toward this goal, we study the interaction of water with the (001) surfaces of CH3NH3PbI3 under low and high water concentrations using density functional theory. We find that water adsorption is heavily influenced by the orientation of the methylammonium cations close to the surface. We demonstrate that, depending on methylammonium orientation, the water molecule can infiltrate into the hollow site of the surface and get trapped. Controlling dipole orientation via poling or interfacial engineering could thus enhance its moisture stability. No direct reaction between the water and methylammonium molecules is seen. Furthermore, calculations with an implicit solvation model indicate that a higher water concentration may facilitate degrada...
Isolation and identification and sequencing analysis in VP1 region of coxsackievirus strains in Hangzhou city

Objective: In 2010,two outbreaks of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis(AHC) occurred in Hangzhou.In order to identify the etiology of these outbreaks.Methods: 9 eye conjunctival swabs were collected from 9 outpatient patients,and detected for adenovirus,human enterovirus 70(HEV70) and Coxsackievirus A24 variant(CVA24v) genes by using Realtime one step RT-PCR or PCR methods.Viral isolates were obtained from 9 clinical specimens by using HEp-2 cells and RD cells.All CVA24v isolates were performed by VP1 sequencing.Results: 6 samples were positive for CVA24v by using Realtime one step RT-PCR or PCR methods.The positive rate was 66.7%,but none was positive for HEV70 and adenovirus.5 viral isolates were obtained from 9 clinical specimens by using HEp-2 cells,and all were identified as CVA24v by molecular typing method.Phylogenetic analysis of 5 CVA24v revealed that twice outbreaks were caused by at least 2 viral transmission chains.Conclusion: This study succeed in isolating 5 CVA24v viral,which was most important to prevent and control the outbreaks of AHC in Hangzhou.
An Investigation on Neisseria Meningitidis Antibody Level of Healthy Population in Chengdu

Objective To investigate the meningitidis serogroup A and C antibody levels among health population in Chengdu.Methods The serum for antibody level test were collected in heahh population grouped accoring to 2～4,6～8,13～15,20～years old.The serogroup specifie antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbeut assay(ELISA).Results The antibody posilive rates of meningitidis serogroup A and serogroupe were 79.37% and 60.32%,respettivew.Conclusion The meningitidis serogoup C antibody level was low in health population.Some immune countermeasures should be done to avoid the local breakout.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress in obesity and obesity-related disorders: An expanded view

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is most notable for its central roles in calcium ion storage, lipid biosynthesis, and protein sorting and processing. By virtue of its extensive membrane contact sites that connect the ER to most other organelles and to the plasma membrane, the ER can also regulate diverse cellular processes including inflammatory and insulin signaling, nutrient metabolism, and cell proliferation and death via a signaling pathway called the unfolded protein response (UPR). Chronic UPR activation has been observed in liver and/or adipose tissue of dietary and genetic murine models of obesity, and in human obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Activation of the UPR in obesity and obesity-related disorders likely has two origins. One linked to classic ER stress involving the ER lumen and one linked to alterations to the ER membrane environment. This review discusses both of these origins and also considers the role of post-translational protein modifications, such as acetylation and palmitoylation, and ER-mitochondrial interactions to obesity-mediated impairments in the ER and activation of the UPR.
Two δ‐crystallin polypeptides are derived from a cloned δ1 ‐crystallin cDNA

Abstract Previous studies have shown that there are 2 similar δ-crystallin genes (δ1 and δ2) and at least 2 δ-crystallin polypeptides in the chicken eye lens. We show here that both δ-crystallin polypeptides can be synthesized from mRNA transcribed in vitro from a cloned (51-cry stallin cDNA. Both polypeptides co-migrate in SDS-urea-polyacrylamide electrophoresis with their authentic counterparts isolated from 15-day-old embryonic chicken lenses, and both react with sheep anti-chicken δ-crystallin serum. Screening nearly 900 δ-crystallin cDNA clones from a 15-day-old embryonic lens library with an oligonucleotide probe specific for exon 2 of the δ2-crystallin gene failed to detect any δ2 cDNA clones, indicating that the δ2 gene produces little or no mRNA in the lens at this stage of development. Our results suggest that both of the observed δ-crystallin polypeptides are derived from mRNA transcribed from the δ1 gene, with heterogeneity arising at the translational or co-translational level.
Facial Paralysis and Facial Reanimation

This chapter is a broad review of pertinent information regarding the workup and management of facial paralysis that is relevant for the facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
The role of natural processes and surface energy of inhaled engineered nanoparticles on aggregation and corona formation.

Abstract The surface chemistry of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) becomes more important as their size decreases and enters the nanometer-range. This review explains the fundamental properties of the surface chemistry of nanoparticles, and argues that their agglomeration and the formation of corona around them are natural processes that reduce surface energy. ENP agglomeration and corona formation are further discussed in the context of inhaled ENPs, as the lung is a major port of ENP entry to the body. The pulmonary surfactant layer, which the inhaled ENPs first encounter as they land on the lung surface, represents a unique environment with a variety of well-defined biomolecules. Many factors, such as hydrophobicity, surface charge of ENPs, protein/phospholipid concentrations of the alveolar lining fluid, etc. influence the complex processes of ENP agglomeration and corona formation in the alveolar lining fluid. These series of events occur even before the ENPs reach the cells. Furthermore, for systematic and mechanistic understanding of such interactions at atomic scale, we suggest that molecular dynamic (MD) simulations can represent a promising future direction for research of the behavior of inhaled ENPs, complementing the experimental approaches. MD simulations may provide important insights into the nature of ENP-biomolecular interactions at the alveoli. In this review, we want to draw attention of biologists working on ENPs to the importance of the relationship between ENP surface energy and particle size.
Nuclear Energy Experiments to the Center for Global Security and Cooperation.

This is to serve as verification that the Center 6200 experimental pieces supplied to the Technology Training and Demonstration Area within the Center of Global Security and Cooperation are indeed unclassified unlimited released for viewing.
Magnetic properties characterization of shear-textured 4 wt% Si electrical steel sheet

Simple shear deformation via hybrid cutting-extrusion is used to produce continuous electrical steel sheet from a commercial high-silicon (nominal 4 wt%) iron alloy of poor workability in a single deformation step, a fundamentally different route from the multi-step processing of rolling and annealing currently in use. The shear texture created in the sheet is found to be quite different from that produced by rolling. The magnetic properties of the shear-textured Fe–Si sheet are measured using closed-circuit permeametry and compared with those from sheet produced by rolling of the same alloy and a commercial non-grain-oriented sheet of similar composition. Properties compared include maximum relative permeability, induction, coercivity, and hysteresis loss. The results are interpreted in terms of microstructure, texture, and composition. A unit cell representation of the shear texture components is introduced that relates the expected orientation of easy magnetization directions with the sheet axes.
Hobbits: Hadoop and Hive based Internet traffic analysis

Internet traffic measurement and analysis have long been used to characterize network usage and user behaviors, but face the problem of scalability under the explosive growth of Internet traffic and high-speed access. In this paper, we present Hobbits, a Hadoop and Hive based traffic analysis system that performs Internet Protocol (IP) and Transport Control Protocol (TCP) analysis of large-sized Internet traffic in a scalable manner. Our experimental evaluation on real datasets confirms that Hobbits outperforms previous solutions in terms of both job completion time and storage efficiency.
Are You My Grandmother?: Constructing and Maintaining Stepgrandparent Identity and Roles

The disruption of the biological family unit due to divorce or separation followed by remarriage or re-partnering has a profound impact on every family member, including extended family members. An individual becomes a stepgrandparent through later life re-partnering, when an adult child becomes a stepparent, or when a stepchild becomes a parent. In order to gain a greater understanding of the communication influencing the development and maintenance of stepgrandparent roles and identity, a qualitative interpretive analysis method was employed as a guide for interviews with 41 adult stepfamily members across two generations of stepfamily membership: stepparents and stepgrandparents.
ACCOUNTING IN THE BIBLE

This paper traces several accounting concepts in the Bible. In particular, the Bible discusses the objectives of accounting, internal control procedures and managerial accounting topics. This paper links the Bible to current accounting thought.
Development of a cartridge design anaerobic digestion system for lignocellulosic biomass

A novel cartridge design anaerobic digestion system was developed for the treatment of lignocellulosic biomass. This new design is composed of a novel anaerobic digestion chamber with three replaceable feedstock cartridges. This design has multiple advantages, e.g. high stability, easy to operate, and no liquid waste, over conventional anaerobic digestion systems. In a seven-month test, maize straw was employed as the feedstock, and the system was operated in three scenarios: no rotation of cartridge; rotation with 14 g dry maize straw in each cartridge; and rotation with 28 g dry maize straw in each cartridge. Results showed that biogas production from this system was comparable to solid-state anaerobic digestion units, and the rotation of cartridges significantly improved the stability of methane yield and reduced hydrogen sulfide in biogas. Digestion effluent was completely reused in the rotation tests.
Culture and Mental Health: An Introduction and Overview of Foundations, Concepts, and Issues

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the importance of cultural differences and ethnography in the frequency and expression of mental health disorders. The acknowledgement by the mental health professionals of this led to new conceptual and methodological frameworks that position cultural factors as a major determinant of the onset, expression, course, and outcome of mental disorders. The American Psychological Association (1992) adopted a set of guidelines for psychologists working with patients from different ethnocultural groups. These guidelines are clear and unambiguous in their assertion that psychologist should refrain from working with people from different ethnocultural traditions if the psychologist has no knowledge, experience, nor training with the group. These guidelines were enacted when it was pointed out that there was a bias in the APA Code of Ethics and that many ethnic minority patients were being inaccurately diagnosed and inappropriately treated. The "new" culture and mental health professional and researcher believes individual and societal mental health are inextricably linked that one must understand the ecology of mental health. Thus, mental health is not only about biology and psychology, but also about education, economics, social structure, religion, and politics.
Adolescents' and Young Adults' Reports of Barriers to Confidential Health Care and Receipt of Contraceptive Services

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe adolescents' and young adults' concerns about confidential reproductive health care and experience with time alone with a provider, and examine the association of these confidentiality issues with receipt of contraceptive services. Methods Data from the 2013 to 2015 National Survey of Family Growth were analyzed using Poisson regression to describe 15- to 25-year-olds' confidential reproductive health-care concerns and time alone with a provider at last health-care visit according to sociodemographic characteristics. We also assessed whether confidentiality issues were associated with obtaining contraceptive services among females. Results Concerns about confidential reproductive health care were less common among 15- to 17-year-olds who were covered by Medicaid compared to their parents' private insurance (adjusted risk ratio [ARR] = .61, confidence interval [CI] .41–.91) and had high-school graduate mothers compared to college-graduate mothers (ARR = .68, CI .47–.99), and were more common among those who lived with neither parent compared to living with both parents (ARR = 2.0, CI 1.27–3.16). Time alone with a provider was more common among black girls than white girls (ARR = 1.57, CI 1.11–2.22) and less common among girls covered by Medicaid than those with parents' private insurance (ARR = .72, CI .56–.92). Time alone was less common among boys living with neither parent compared to living with two parents (ARR = .48, CI .25–.91) and with high-school graduate mothers compared to college-graduate mothers (ARR = .59, CI .42–.84). Among sexually experienced girls and women, confidentiality concerns were associated with a reduced likelihood of having received a contraceptive service in the past year. Conclusions Greater efforts are needed to support young Americans in receiving confidential care.
The Complete Model for Solid Fuel

In this chapter we discuss comparison techniques, invariant sets, and existence results related to invariance. Our main application is the complete solid fuel model (1.24)-(1.25): $$ \begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {{T_t} - \Delta T = \varepsilon \delta {y^m}\exp \left( {\frac{{T - 1}}{{\varepsilon T}}} \right)} \\ {{y_t} - \beta \Delta y = - \varepsilon \delta \Gamma {y^m}\exp \left( {\frac{{T - 1}}{{\varepsilon T}}} \right)} \end{array}}&{,\left( {x,t} \right) \in \Omega \times \left( {0,\infty } \right)} \end{array} $$ with initial-boundary conditions $$ \begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {T\left( {x,0} \right) = 1,y\left( {x,0} \right) = 1,{\mkern 1mu} x \in \Omega } \\ {T\left( {x,t} \right) = 1,\left( {\frac{{\partial y\left( {x,t} \right)}}{{\partial \eta (x)}}} \right) = 0,{\mkern 1mu} \left( {x,t} \right) \in \partial \Omega \times \left( {0,\infty } \right).} \end{array} $$ where β ≥ 0, Γ > 0, and δ > 0. We prove there is a solution (T, y) for all (x, t) ∈ Ω × (0, ∞) such that y(x, t) → 0 as t → ∞.
Performers’ Motions Reflect the Intention to Express Short or Long Melodic Groupings

Some movements that musicians make are non-essential to their instrumental playing, yet express their intentions and interpretations of music’s structures. One such potential interpretation is the choice to emphasize short melodic groupings or to integrate these groupings into a phrase. This study aimed to characterize the nature of head motions associated with either interpretation by having cellists play two versions of a musical excerpt: 1) with short groupings specified, and 2) with long groupings specified. Cellists were filmed by two video cameras (front and right-side perspective) and the positions of their forehead and cheek were analyzed in their respective two-dimensional spaces. We hypothesized that the amount and frequency of movements would change according to the intended grouping. The results show that, overall, participants’ heads move more frequently when intending short groupings compared to long groupings. However, the extent of the change in motion varied across different sections of the excerpt. It appears that performers may invest more effort to emphasize the intended interpretation when a given local pitch structure more easily affords alternative interpretations. Our results illustrate that performers can embody melodic groupings based on intended interpretation.
1-YEAR OUTCOMES WITH THE EVOLUT PRO SELF-EXPANDING REPOSITIONABLE TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE WITH PERICARDIAL WRAP

The Evolut R valve is a repositionable self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) with encouraging clinical results. Yet, it is still limited by incidences of ≥ mild PVL at discharge from 29.5% to 32.7% and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) rates of 16.4% to 17.5% at 30 days. We
Confessional Thoughts on Re-reading The Ideological Origins

This essay reflects Professor Bailyn's reaction upon re-reading The Ideological Origins. Struck by the revolutionaries. preoccupation with Power, he explores the vivid representations of its place ...
Nitrate Therapy in Unstable Angina Pectoris

Unstable angina was until recently considered to result from progression of an atherosclerotic plaque [31], and superimposed coronary artery spasm at the site of the lesion was thought to precipitate ischemic episodes [7, 15]. There is, however, convincing evidence that the culprit lesion in unstable angina is a fissuring of an atherosclerotic plaque which predisposes to platelet deposition and thrombus formation [6, 10, 14, 17, 46]. Plaque progression may also play a role in some patients [31], and in others an increase in myocardial oxygen demand rather than a reduction in flow may be contributory [37, 41]. The emphasis of treatment therefore should be rapid institution of therapy with aspirin or heparin or the combination of the two [5, 26, 49, 58] rather than overzealous use of antianginal drugs, surgery, or angioplasty during the initial phase of unstable angina [11, 32, 43]. Treatment with aspirin, heparin, or both reduces mortality and incidence of myocardial infarction [58] but does not relieve anginal pain or myocardial ischemia immediately. On the other hand, intravenous nitroglycerin relieves ischemic and anginal episodes rapidly and plays an important role in the management of patients with unstable angina. Intravenous nitroglycerin should therefore be used concurrently with aspirin or heparin and other antianginal agents for symptomatic relief of angina and for its antiischemic effects.
Serotonin and ethanol preference.

This chapter brings together evidence indicating the involvement of serotonin (5-HT) in ethanol preference using data mainly obtained from selectively bred alcohol-preferring and alcohol-nonpreferring lines of rodents. Although several laboratories have established rodent lines that will consume large quantities of ethanol daily, only one line thus far has been established that satisfied all the criteria for an animal model of alcoholism and that would be suitable for studying the biological basis of ethanol preference. This is the P line of alcohol-preferring rats that: (1) freely consumes 5–9 g ethanol/kg body wt/day; (2) drinks sufficient alcohol to produce intoxicating blood alcohol concentrations; (3) works to obtain alcohol; (4) self-administers ethanol for its CNS pharmacological effects; and (5) develops chronic tolerance to and dependence on alcohol with free-choice drinking. Relative to the NP line of alcohol-nonpreferring rats, the P rat has lower 5-HT levels in several CNS regions, including some, such as the nucleus accumbens, hypothalamus, and frontal cortex, which are involved in the brain reward circuitry. Furthermore, both acute and chronic ethanol administration have effects on the 5-HT pathway from the dorsal raphe nucleus to the nucleus accumbens in the P rat. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that fluoxetine, a serotonin uptake inhibitor, reduced the oral consumption or intragastric self-administration of alcohol in the P rats. In addition, administration of a 5-HT1B agonist also attenuated the oral intake of ethanol by P rats. It is hypothesized that the serotonergic pathway from the dorsal raphe nucleus to the nucleus accumbens is involved in the reinforcing actions of alcohol in the P line of rats.
Integrating Unmanned Aircraft Systems to Measure Linear and Areal Features into Undergraduate Forestry Education

The use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in undergraduate forestry education continues to expand and develop. Accuracy of data collection is an important aspect of preparation for “society-ready” foresters to meet the complex sustainable environment managing for ecological, social and economic interests. Hands-on use of a DJI Phantom 4 Pro UAS by undergraduates to measure the length and area of 30 linear features and areal features on Earth’s surface were estimated. These measurements were compared (measured within the ArcMap 10.5.2 interface) to hyperspectral Pictometry imagery measured on the web-based interface and the Google Earth Pro interface. Each remotely estimated measurement was verified with the actual ground measurements and the methods compared. An analysis of variance, conducted on the absolute length errors resulting in a p-value of 0.000057, concluded that the three length estimating techniques were statistically different at a 95% confidence interval. A Tukey pair-wise test found that the remotely sensed DJI Phantom 4 Pro data was statistically less accurate than the Pictometry and Google Earth Pro data, while both of which were found to be not different statistically in terms of accuracy. The areal feature area measurements were not normally distributed and therefore tested for equal medians using a Kruskal-Wallis test. The test found that there was no significant difference between sample medians, indicating that all three methods of estimating area are statistically equal in accuracy. The results indicate that Pictometry and Google Earth Pro could both be used to accurately estimate linear feature lengths remotely in lieu of in situ linear measurements while all three remote sensing techniques can be used to accurately estimate areal feature areas remotely in lieu of in situ areal measurements.
Memories of violence in spiritual renewal

Spectres of the 1984 violence against Sikhs and Ahmadis in the Indian and Pakistan border areas of Punjab are fascinating mediums for Michael Nijhawan’s new book, The Precarious Diasporas of Sikh a...
Rickettsia and Orientia

The family Rickettsiaceae comprises two genera of small, obligately intracellular bacteria that reside free within the host cell’s cytosol, namely, Rickettsia and Orientia. The genus is divided by the phylogenetic clustering of species into the typhus group (TG) and spotted fever group (SFG), defined originally by their distinctive lipopolysaccharide antigens, and the transitional and other basal groups that are widely distributed in arthropods. Among SFG and TG rickettsiae the genomes have remarkable synteny. Orientia resides free in the cytosol and is maintained in nature by transovarian transmission in trombiculid mites, which transmit the infection to humans during feeding at the larval stage. For immunohistologic detection of rickettsiae, the specimen can be snap-frozen for frozen sectioning or fixed in formaldehyde for the preparation of paraffin-embedded sections. Autopsy tissues can also be examined for rickettsiae by immunohistochemistry or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The technique of in situ hybridization has been developed but has not been reported for the detection of rickettsiae in clinical samples. Antimicrobial susceptibility studies of rickettsiae are not routinely performed clinical laboratory tests. Detection of three or more rickettsiae in vascular endothelium in biopsy specimens or four or more rickettsiae in captured circulating endothelial cells is diagnostic of rickettsial infection.
Quality of breaded and nonbreaded chicken nuggets baked in a radiant wall oven

Instrumental quality characteristics of breaded and nonbreaded chicken nuggets baked in a radiant wall oven (RWO) was measured and compared to deep‐fat fried and conventional oven (CO) baked samples. Overall, the breaded chicken nuggets had the similar lightness to that of the control treatments. The RWO baked chicken nuggets had similar crispness to that of the fried and conventional oven baked controls. Breaded nuggets had significantly lower fat content compared to fried nuggets because of the high oil uptake of the coating. The moisture content of the breaded chicken nuggets was similar to those of the control treatments while nonbreaded nuggets had lower moisture than controls. This moisture difference was because the coating prevented moisture loss from the coated products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Radiant wall oven (RWO), an infrared oven, was used to bake chicken nuggets, and measured the quality of them. RWO processing decreased the fat content of the nuggets comparing to fried nuggets by providing similar quality attributes. After some improvements, RWO baking process can be an alternative to the immersion frying and oven baking.
Adversaries or Allies of High Performing Women in a Politicized World

Although a significant body of research has proposed remedies for reducing the gender gap in rewards within organizations, and organizations continue to adopt a variety of diversity environments, t...
Metaphilosophy, Neutrality, and the Public Use of Reason: A Critical Notice of Scott Aikin and Robert Talisse, Pragmatism, Pluralism, and the Nature of Philosophy

1. One notable feature of the history of pragmatism is that it is pervaded by debates about how to best characterize the history of pragmatism. One reason for this, as Scott Aikin and Robert Taliss...