cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Dynamic Nature of Risk Perceptions After a Fatal Transit Accident

This article reports on a study that featured a multiwave survey of Metrorail users in the months after a 2009 crash when two trains of Washington, DC's Metrorail system collided, resulting in nine deaths and 50 serious injuries. The authors report how perceptions of the crash appear to have changed over time, in terms of the tradeoffs among safety, speed, frequency of service, cost, and reliability that the transit users stated they were willing to make in the postaccident period. The authors also investigated how the crash altered transit users’ concerns about safety as a function of time and distance from the accident site. The authors use conditional logit models to examine tradeoffs among stated preferences for system performance measures after the accident. Results showed that respondents appear averse to longer headways between trains, longer travel durations, higher travel costs, a higher number of late trains, and a higher number of fatalities. The models also show evidence of higher aversion to fatalities from transit system operation among females compared to males. In addition, respondents less experienced with Metrorail travel and those with lower household incomes show higher aversion to fatalities. Aversion to fatalities appears to have increased between the early months after the accident and the end of the survey period, a finding that is contrary to the results of earlier studies. The authors conclude with a discussion of the choices across system features (e.g., fatalities versus costs versus convenience) and of the need for attending to safety perceptions after any public transportation crash.
The Kinesin-like Calmodulin Binding Protein Is Differentially Involved in Cell Division

The kinesin-like calmodulin (CaM) binding protein (KCBP), a minus end–directed microtubule motor protein unique to plants, has been implicated in cell division. KCBP is negatively regulated by Ca2+ and CaM, and antibodies raised against the CaM binding region inhibit CaM binding to KCBP in vitro; therefore, these antibodies can be used to activate KCBP constitutively. Injection of these antibodies into Tradescantia virginiana stamen hair cells during late prophase induces breakdown of the nuclear envelope within 2 to 10 min and leads the cell into prometaphase. However, mitosis is arrested, and the cell does not progress into anaphase. Injection of antibodies later during cell division has no effect on anaphase transition but causes aberrant phragmoplast formation and delays the completion of cytokinesis by ∼15 min. These effects are achieved without any apparent degradation of the microtubule cytoskeleton. We propose that during nuclear envelope breakdown and anaphase, activated KCBP promotes the formation of a converging bipolar spindle by sliding and bundling microtubules. During metaphase and telophase, we suggest that its activity is downregulated.
A discriminative semi-Markov model for robust scene text recognition

We present a semi-Markov model for recognizing scene text that integrates character and word segmentation with recognition. Using wavelet features, it requires only approximate location of the text baseline and font size; no binarization or prior word segmentation is necessary. Our system is aided by a lexicon, yet it also allows non-lexicon words. To facilitate inference with a large lexicon, we use an approximate Viterbi beam search. Our system performs robustly on low-resolution images of signs containing text in fonts atypical of documents.
Quinolones for the Treatment of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia Trachomatis

The most commonly sexually transmitted bacteria are Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. The quinolones ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin have been shown to have activity against both of these bacteria in vitro and in vivo. Ofloxacin is particularly well suited for the treatment of N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis cervical infection, which can be considered the earliest manifestation of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Not only can ofloxacin be effectively used as a single agent, it is also useful in treating urinary tract infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae. Although it has moderate activity against anaerobes in general, ofloxacin does have activity against the anaerobes commonly isolated from female patients with soft tissue pelvic infections. Thus, ofloxacin has the potential for being utilized to treat early salpingitis.
What Do Patients Want? Patient Preference in Wound Care

Patient preferences are statements made or actions taken by consumers that reflect their desirability of a range of health options. The concept occupies an increasingly prominent place at the center of healthcare reform, and is connected to all aspects of healthcare, including discovery, research, delivery, outcome, and payment. Patient preference research has focused on shared decisions, decisional aids, and clinical practice guideline development, with limited study in acute and chronic wound care populations. The wound care community has focused primarily on patient focused symptoms and quality of life measurement. With increasing recognition of wound care as a medical specialty and as a public health concern that consumes extensive resources, attention to the preferences of end-users with wounds is necessary. This article will provide an overview of related patient-centered concepts and begin to establish a framework for consideration of patient preference in wound care.
Identifying patterns of anxiety and depression in children with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: Comorbidity predicts behavioral difficulties and impaired functional communications

Background Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a complex genetic disorder with a variable clinical presentation that can include cardiac, neural, immunological, and psychological issues. Previous studies have measured elevated anxiety and depression in children with 22q11.2DS. Comorbity of anxiety and depression is well established in the pediatric literature but the nature of comorbidity patterns has not been empirically established in children with 22q11.2DS. Comorbidity of anxiety and depression has important implications for treatment and prognosis, and may be a marker of risk in this population of children at high-risk for developing schizophrenia.
A double life: academic physician and androgen physiologist.

▪ Abstract My work in physiology was designed to investigate the process of androgen action within target cells and to use this information to provide insight into the clinical disorders of androgen action. The discovery that the circulating male androgen testosterone is 5α-reduced to a more potent hormone, dihydrotestosterone, in target tissues and that dihydrotestosterone and testosterone work by binding to the same androgen receptor protein has provided insight into the inherited syndromes of androgen resistance that impair the formation of the male urogenital tract during embryogenesis and into the role of continued dihydrotestosterone formation in the pathogenesis of prostatic hyperplasia in dogs and men.
Characteristics of Protracted, Intractable Conflict: Toward the Development of a Metaframework-I

Protracted, intractable conflicts mark a new research frontier in the field of conflict studies. These intense, inescapable conflicts over issues such as critical resources, identity, meaning, justice, and power are complex, traumatic, and often resist even the most serious attempts at resolution. But why are they intractable? What characteristics distinguish intractable conflicts from more tractable, resolvable conflicts? Scholars have begun to identify a diverse array of interrelated factors. This article is the first in a three-part series that presents a metaframework for protracted, intractable conflict: a broad conceptual framework for theory building and intervention. This article begins the series by outlining the unique characteristics and challenges posed by conflict in this domain.
Role of the Virus Nucleoprotein in the Regulation of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Transcription and RNA Replication

The prototypic arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) has a bisegmented negative-strand RNA genome. Each segment carries two viral genes in opposite orientation and separated by an intergenic region (IGR). The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) L of LCMV produces subgenomic mRNA and full-length genomic and antigenomic RNA species in two different processes termed transcription and replication, respectively. It is widely accepted that intracellular nucleoprotein (NP) levels regulate these two processes. Intracellular NP levels increase during the course of the infection, resulting in the unfolding of secondary RNA structures within the IGR. Structure-dependent transcription termination at the IGR is thereby attenuated, promoting replication of genome and antigenome RNA species. To test this hypothesis, we established a helper-virus-free minigenome (MG) system where intracellular synthesis of an S segment analogue from a plasmid is driven by RNA polymerase I. Cotransfection with two additional plasmids expressing the minimal viral trans-acting factors L and NP under control of RNA polymerase II allowed for RNA synthesis mediated by the intracellularly reconstituted LCMV polymerase. Both processes, transcription and replication, were strictly dependent on NP. However, both were equally enhanced by incrementally increasing amounts of NP up to levels in the range of those in LCMV-infected cells. Our data are consistent with a central role for NP in transcription and replication of the LCMV genome, but they do not support the participation of NP levels in balancing the two processes.
AlGaN-Based Vertical Injection Laser Diodes Using Inverse Tapered p-Waveguide for Efficient Hole Transport

An AlGaN deep ultraviolet laser diode design exploiting AlN substrates is presented, featuring an inverse-tapered p-waveguide layer. The 2-D optoelectronic simulation predicts lasing at 290 nm. Spatial balancing of the lasing mode to minimize optical loss in the p-Ohmic metallization is achieved through the use of a narrow bandgap yet transparent n-waveguide layer. Several electron blocking layer (EBL) designs are investigated and compared with a conventionally tapered EBL design. Through judicious volumetric redistribution of fixed negative polarization charge, inverse tapering may be exploited to achieve nearly flat valence band profiles free from barriers to hole injection into the active region, in contrast to conventional designs. Furthermore, proper selection of quantum well barrier and spacer compositions are demonstrated to reduce electron leakage from the active region. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the inverse tapered strategy is a viable solution for efficient hole injection in deep ultraviolet laser diodes operating at shorter wavelengths .
Providing determinism in the Time Warp operating system-costs, benefits, and implications

The Time Warp operating system runs discrete event simulations on parallel hardware. One requirement of the system is that simulations produce deterministic results identical to sequential runs of the same programs. Providing this level of determinism on parallel hardware has required care in designing the system and discipline by applications writers, but it also has benefits. It has assisted in detecting a number of errors in both the system and its applications, and has allowed the use of a special debugging tool that has proved valuable in dealing with such errors. Some of the reasons for providing determinism, the problems of doing so, and the benefits of determinism are discussed. >
Analysis of SPKI/SDSI certificates using model checking

SPKI/SDSI is a framework for expressing naming and authorization issues that arise in a distributed-computing environment. We establish a connection between SPKI/SDSI and a formalism known as pushdown systems (PDSs). We show that the SPKI/SDSI-to-PDS connection provides a framework for formalizing a variety of certificate-analysis problems. Moreover, the connection has computational significance: many analysis problems can be solved efficiently (i.e., in time polynomial in the size of the certificate set) using existing algorithms for model checking pushdown systems.
Effects of Varying Performance Sets and Outcome on the Expectations, Attributions, and Persistence of Boys with Learning Disabilities

Forty-eight learning disabled fourth-and fifth-grade boys were matched with 48 non-learning-disabled boys, given a task described as school related or not, and told that they had either succeeded or failed. Expectations and attributions were measured on the task and persistence was assessed on a subsequent task. Results did not consistently indicate learned helpless behaviors among the LD sample. Although LD boys tended to attribute outcomes to external forces, they did not evidence lower performance expectations or show greater expectancy shifts following outcome information compared to non-LD boys. Further, LD boys showed greater persistence than non-LD boys. Providing subjects with a performance set as to whether the task was school related or not made little difference. The findings are interpreted within Atkinson's (1964) model of achievement motivation and implications of the model for learning disabilities are drawn.
Consumer Electronics Meets Distributed Storage

Complexity arises from heterogeneity and lack of interoperability. Each consumer electronic device can have a unique set of data storage formats as well as its own way of organizing that data on disk. While most devices have mechanisms to synchronize their content with a personal computer, these mechanisms are typically device-specific and require the user's manual participation in deciding which data to copy
Identification of Gene Expression Changes Associated With Long-Term Memory of Courtship Rejection in Drosophila Males

Long-term memory formation in Drosophila melanogaster is an important neuronal function shaping the insect’s behavioral repertoire by allowing an individual to modify behaviors on the basis of previous experiences. In conditioned courtship or courtship suppression, male flies that have been repeatedly rejected by mated females during courtship advances are less likely than naive males to subsequently court another mated female. This long-term courtship suppression can last for several days after the initial rejection period. Although genes with known functions in many associative learning paradigms, including those that function in cyclic AMP signaling and RNA translocation, have been identified as playing critical roles in long-term conditioned courtship, it is clear that additional mechanisms also contribute. We have used RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes and transcript isoforms between naive males and males subjected to courtship-conditioning regimens that are sufficient for inducing long-term courtship suppression. Transcriptome analyses 24 hours after the training regimens revealed differentially expressed genes and transcript isoforms with predicted and known functions in nervous system development, chromatin biology, translation, cytoskeletal dynamics, and transcriptional regulation. A much larger number of differentially expressed transcript isoforms were identified, including genes previously implicated in associative memory and neuronal development, including fruitless, that may play functional roles in learning during courtship conditioning. Our results shed light on the complexity of the genetics that underlies this behavioral plasticity and reveal several new potential areas of inquiry for future studies.
Erratum to: Blood HbO2 and HbCO2 Dissociation Curves at Varied O2, CO2, pH, 2,3-DPG and Temperature Levels

New mathematical model equations for O2 and CO2 saturations of hemoglobin (\( S_{{{\text{HbO}}_{ 2} }} \) and \( S_{{{\text{HbCO}}_{ 2} }} \)) are developed here from the equilibrium binding of O2 and CO2 with hemoglobin inside RBCs. They are in the form of an invertible Hill-type equation with the apparent Hill coefficients \( K_{{{\text{HbO}}_{ 2} }} \) and \( K_{{{\text{HbCO}}_{ 2} }} \) in the expressions for \( S_{{{\text{HbO}}_{ 2} }} \) and \( S_{{{\text{HbCO}}_{ 2} }} \) dependent on the levels of O2 and CO2 partial pressures (\( P_{{{\text{O}}_{ 2} }} \) and \( P_{{{\text{CO}}_{ 2} }} \)), pH, 2,3-DPG concentration, and temperature in blood. The invertibility of these new equations allows \( P_{{{\text{O}}_{ 2} }} \) and \( P_{{{\text{CO}}_{ 2} }} \) to be computed efficiently from \( S_{{{\text{HbO}}_{ 2} }} \) and \( S_{{{\text{HbCO}}_{ 2} }} \) and vice versa. The oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and carbamino-hemoglobin (HbCO2) dissociation curves computed from these equations are in good agreement with the published experimental and theoretical curves in the literature. The model solutions describe that, at standard physiological conditions, the hemoglobin is about 97.2% saturated by O2 and the amino group of hemoglobin is about 13.1% saturated by CO2. The O2 and CO2 content in whole blood are also calculated here from the gas solubilities, hematocrits, and the new formulas for \( S_{{{\text{HbO}}_{ 2} }} \) and \( S_{{{\text{HbCO}}_{ 2} }} \). Because of the mathematical simplicity and invertibility, these new formulas can be conveniently used in the modeling of simultaneous transport and exchange of O2 and CO2 in the alveoli–blood and blood–tissue exchange systems.
Digital Watermarking of Medical Images for Mobile Devices

Mobile devices are widely available to both consumers and businesses at affordable prices. These devices have the computational power to achieve tasks that were infeasible a few years ago. In medical facilities, mobile devices provide the medium for remote diagnosis and information retrieval. However, there are strict privacy issues that must be met. We investigate digital watermarking and information hiding techniques on mobile devices for data authentication. Due to limited bandwidth and storage capability of mobile devices, we also consider the use of digital watermarks and information hiding to pass medical information and images with relatively low bandwidth and storage.
Laser induced periodic surface structure formation in germanium by strong field mid IR laser solid interaction at oblique incidence

Laser induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS or ripples) were generated on single crystal germanium after irradiation with multiple 3 µm femtosecond laser pulses at a 45° angle of incidence. High and low spatial frequency LIPSS (HSFL and LSFL, respectively) were observed for both s- and p-polarized light. The measured LSFL period for p-polarized light was consistent with the currently established LIPSS origination model of coupling between surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) and the incident laser pulses. A vector model of SPP coupling is introduced to explain the formation of s-polarized LSFL away from the center of the damage spot. Additionally, a new method is proposed to determine the SPP propagation length from the decay in ripple depth. This is used along with the measured LSFL period to estimate the average electron density and Drude collision time of the laser-excited surface. Finally, full-wave electromagnetic simulations are used to corroborate these results while simultaneously offering insight into the nature of LSFL formation.
The efficacy of fire-fighting foams for disrupting power generation from silicon solar panels

The use of fire-fighting foams for disrupting the electrical output of a solar array has been evaluated. A diffusion model was employed to calculate the light transmitted through foam as a function of its physical properties (thickness, density, and mean bubble diameter). From the transmitted light spectrum, the power generated from a c-Si solar cell was simulated. The individual cell results were extrapolated to a 5 kW solar array. It was determined that a foam ranging from 0.5 to 10 cm thick could significantly reduce the open-circuit voltage of the array, yet maximum voltages under load still represented an electrocution hazard to humans, capable of generating currents in excess of 20 mA through human skin. The risk was substantially reduced with the addition of light absorbing particle suspensions to the foam. It was found that 0.1 wt% carbon black or 0.5 wt% iron black (Fe3O4) added to the foam liquid medium decreased the maximum system voltage to a safe range (>10 V).
Inquiry-Based Learning and the Flipped Classroom Model.

The flipped classroom model of teaching can be an ideal venue for turning a traditional classroom into an engaging, inquiry-based learning (IBL) environment. In this paper, we discuss how two instr...
[Sports accidents: 1963-1973 statistics].

Alljahrlich ubernimmt die SUVA im Rahmen der Nichtbetriebsunfallversicherung eine stattliche Zahl von Sportunfallen. Von 1963 bis 1973 hat die Zahl solcher Unfalle uberdurchschnittlich zugenommen. Wird nach Sportarten unterschieden, so zeigen sich verschiedene Tendenzen: Aus der Zeitreihe der Skiunfalle ist nach einer mehrjahrigen rucklaufigen Bewegung 1973 neuerdings ein Anstieg der Unfallzahlen ersichtlich, wogegen die Fussballunfalle und die Unfalle bei anderen Sportarten absolut und bezogen auf 1000 Vollbeschaftigte im Mittel von Jahr zu Jahr zahlreicher geworden sind. Relativ haufig kommen beim Berg- und Wassersport todliche Unfalle vor.
Estimating open-loop stability and control derivatives for the Tu-144LL supersonic transport from flight data

Within the past four years, flight data has become available for a rare aircraft configuration, the Tu-144 supersonic transport, through a joint venture between Tupolev Aircraft Company, Boeing and NASA. Openloop stability and control derivatives were estimated for the longitudinal short period mode of the Tu-144LL research aircraft using an equation-error formulation in the time domain. Thirty-seven maneuvers with canards retracted, gear up, nose at 0 degrees and Mach numbers from 0.55 to 1.94 were used. Stability and control derivative estimates at similar flight conditions were consistent and accurately predict body-axis vertical force and pitching moment coefficients. NOMENCLATURE az = body-axis vertical acceleration [g's] Corr(&) = parameter correlation matrix Cov(0) = parameter covariance matrix CM, Cz = nondimensional pitching moment and vertical force coefficients c = mean aerodynamic chord length [m] EE = equation-error e = vector of residuals, Y-Y es = vector of residuals due to optimal Fourier smoothing g = gravitational acceleration [m/s] Iy = pitch axis moment of inertia [kg-m] M = Mach number M, Z = body-axis pitching moment and vertical force [N-m, N] = total mass of aircraft [kg] = number of observations = number of parameters = pulse code modulation m N n PCM * Graduate Research Scholar Assistant, Dynamics and Control Branch, Student Member Copyright © 2000 by Michael Lensi. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission. q = body-axis pitch rate [rad/s] q = dynamic pressure [kg/(m-s)] q = nondimensional pitch rate, &L 2V rms = root mean square 5 = wing reference area [m] V = true airspeed [m/s] X = (N\ri) matrix of regressors and ones xcg = longitudinal center of gravity position [m] Y = (Nxl) vector of observations, [Cz or CM] a = angle of attack [rad] Se = symmetric eleven deflection [rad] e = (Nxl) vector of equation errors t]e = longitudinal pilot control deflection [cm] © = vector of unknown parameters 6 = pitch angle [rad] O = fit error Superscripts T = matrix or vector transpose -1 = matrix inverse = derivative with respect to time A = estimate = mean value Subscripts i,j = 1 or j* regressor 0 = trim quantity a, 5e, q = partial derivative with respect to subscript quantity
Himalayan Gneiss Dome Formation in the Middle Crust and Exhumation by Normal Faulting: New Geochronology of Gianbul Dome, Northwestern India

A general lack of consensus about the origin of Himalayan gneiss domes hinders accurate thermomechanical modeling of the orogen. To test whether doming resulted from tectonic contraction (e.g., thrust duplex formation, antiformal bending above a thrust ramp, etc.), channel flow, or via the buoyant rise of anatectic melts, this study investigates the depth and timing of doming processes for Gianbul dome in the western Himalaya. The dome is composed of Greater Himalayan Sequence migmatite, Paleozoic orthogneiss, and metasedimentary rock cut by multiple generations of leucogranite dikes. These rocks record a major penetrative D2 deformational event characterized by a domed foliation and associated NE-SW–trending stretching lineation, and they are flanked by the top-down-to-the-SW (normal-sense) Khanjar shear zone and the top-down-to-the-NE (normal sense) Zanskar shear zone (the western equivalent of the South Tibetan detachment system). Monazite U/Th-Pb geochronology records (1) Paleozoic emplacement of the Kade orthogneiss and associated granite dikes; (2) prograde Barrovian metamorphism from 37 to 33 Ma; (3) doming driven by upper-crustal extension and positive buoyancy of decompression melts between 26 and 22 Ma; and (4) the injection of anatectic melts into the upper levels of the dome—neutralizing the effects of melt buoyancy and potentially adding strength to the host rock—by ca. 22.6 Ma on the southwestern flank and ca. 21 Ma on the northeastern flank. As shown by a northeastward decrease in 40 Ar/ 39 Ar muscovite dates from 22.4 to 20.2 Ma, ductile normal-sense displacement within the Zanskar shear zone ended by ca. 22 Ma, after which the Gianbul dome was exhumed as part of a rigid footwall block below the brittle Zanskar normal fault, tilting an estimated 5°–10°SW into its present orientation.
Elimination of Host Tissue Reactions in Immunodiffusion and Immunoelectrophoretic Studies of Arboviruses

SummaryHost tissue reaction was a stumbling block in the progress of immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoretic studies of arboviruses in this laboratory. Partial purification by flurocarbon or by protamine sulfate, of the infected rodent brain tissue homogenates used as test antigens or as inocula into rabbits to prepare antisera failed to remove the tissue antigen reactions. Antisera prepared against infected mouse brain or normal mouse brain reacted with normal hamster brain and vice versa. However, two methods were successful in eliminating the reaction: (i) Pellets obtained from clarified infected mouse brain homogenates following ultracentrifugation at 106,000g was free from rodent brain antigen but contained reacting viral antigens. (ii) Absorption of antisera either by 50% normal mouse brain or normal hamster brain eliminated the antibodies to the rodent brain tissue antigens. Two methods accomplished this latter—conventional tube absorption or absorption-in-gel. The latter is described in detail a...
Stopped-flow chamber and image analysis system for quantitative characterization of bacterial population migration: Motility and chemotaxis ofEscherichia coli K12 to fucose.

The directed movement of a bacterial population in response to a chemical gradient is known as bacterial chemotaxis and plays a critical role in the distribution and dynamic interaction of bacterial populations. A quantitative characterization of the chemotactic response in terms of intrinsic cell properties is necessary for making reliable predictions about the migratory behavior of bacterial populations within the environment.
Study on Mechanism of Cane Sugar Product's Benefit-sharing

By investigating some sugarcane farmers and sugar refining enterprises in Guangxi and Yunnan Provinces,analyzing the features and issues of several benefit-sharing models between the farmers and enterprises,and in comparing the cost-benefit of cane farmers,some suggestions were made for the development of cane sugar production industry in China.
Countermeasures of developing the leisure and healthy tourism for "Families in the Forest "

This paper puts forwards the problems and its countermeasures for the development of 'Families in the Forest' based on the idea of leisure pattern innovation and industrial structure improvement.
Elementary Education Majors' Views on Evolution: A Comparison of Undergraduate Majors Understanding of Natural Selection and Acceptance of Evolution.

Elementary teachers play a crucial role in breaking the cycle of continued evolution controversy. They have the capacity to introduce concepts at the same time students may first encounter anti-evolution messages. This study compares elementary education majors’ religiosity, acceptance and understanding of evolution to other majors. Results indicate that elementary education majors maintain a high level of religiosity and a significantly lower acceptance as compared to other majors not tasked with teaching evolution in America’s public schools. Elementary education majors maintained levels of understanding of evolution that were not significantly higher than those not planning on teaching elementary students. Rasch analysis indicates that some elementary education majors do maintain high levels of acceptance and understanding of evolution and this particular subset of elementary teachers may be a promising way to increase evolution understanding among K-5 students.
A 0.34-THz varactor-less scalable standing wave radiator array with 5.9% tuning range in 130nm BiCMOS

A 1×4 scalable mm-wave power generation and radiation array is designed using a standing wave harmonic oscillator architecture. A varactor-less scheme has been used to improve the tuning range above 300 GHz. The circuit with on chip patch antennas is implemented in a 130nm SiGe process with 215 GHz of fmax and is measured to provide 5.9% tuning range, −10.5 dBm total radiated power and 1.2 dBm EIRP at 342 GHz while consuming 425 mW DC power from 1.8 V supply voltage.
Foaming Polystyrene with Mixtures of Carbon Dioxide and HFC-134a:

Mixtures of blowing agents are becoming widely used in the industry either for economical reasons or for achieving better control of processing conditions. Despite the fact that they are commonly used for foaming, the literature is fairly scarce onthat particular subject and the fundamentals are not very well understood. This work studies the effect of blending carbon dioxide and 1,1, 1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) in polystyrene. Ultrasonic monitoring and on-line rheology provided information on the solubility and plasticizing effect of the gases. Results show that, on an equivalent molar basis, HFC-134a is slightly more soluble than CO 2 and is a more effective plasticizer. Moreover, HFC- 134a generates foam samples with a higher nucleation density than CO 2 using similar processing conditions. Blending the two gases generates nucleate cell densities, which are intermediate to the pure gases but do not follow a log-additivity rule. It is hypothesized that blending gases affect their mutual diffusion coefficients, which in turn, largely dictates the final foam morphology.
Extended abstract: Revisioning academic entrepreneurship at a public regional comprehensive university in North Carolina

As professional and technical writing faculty, we teach our students the entrepreneurial proficiencies that they need to be successful knowledge workers in a post-industrial age. Skills in networking, negotiation, and teamwork learned through the context of entrepreneurial endeavors prepare our students to manage boundaryless careers that will span shifting organizational contexts and alternating professional identities. Our location within a humanities department in a regional comprehensive university prompted us to develop innovative ways to negotiate our hybrid roles of instructors, mentors, and supervisors; pull together institutional resources; and integrate these opportunities into our curriculum. We present our approach as instructive for faculty in similar institutional contexts.
Aspiration, execution, and controversy: Reply to my critics

I respond to Michael Zimmerman and Gideon Yaffe, both of whom have written thoughtful and constructive criticisms of my “Ignorance of Law”. Zimmerman believes I do not go far enough in exculpating morally ignorant wrongdoers; he accuses me of lacking the courage of my convictions in allowing exceptions for reckless wrongdoers (who I allege to have a lesser degree of blameworthiness than those who are knowledgeable) and for willfully ignorant wrongdoers (who I allege to be as blameworthy as those who are knowledgeable). Yaffe, by contrast, thinks I rely on a defective foundation of moral blameworthiness. He proposes an alternative account he alleges to conform more closely to common sense. In responding to both critics, I emphasize that our points of agreement may be more significant than our disagreements.
A secure tunable-precision architecture for image processing applications

Numerous applications involving image and audio presentations, such as video games, can be made available to consumers with varying levels of precision or resolution based on the level of authorization. This paper presents a novel tunable-precision architecture for digital systems. In this architecture, computational precision can be tuned across a large number of modes. A user can pay for and receive a key that unlocks one of the modes of precision which in turn enables a certain level of audio/image presentation and user experience. We present the secure tunable-precision architecture and an image processing application to demonstrate its usage.
Flow Pattern of Solid Particles in a Double Vortex Chamber

An experimentally determined air flow pattern in a double vortex chamber is utilized to predict the flow pattern of inserted solid particles. The minimum (critical) particle size retained in the vo...
Modeling non-stationary urban growth: The SPRAWL model and the ecological impacts of development

Abstract Urban development is a principal driver of landscape change affecting the integrity of ecological systems and the capacity of the landscape to support species. We developed an urban growth model (SPRAWL), evaluated it with hindcasting, and used it to simulate urban growth across the northeastern United States between 2010 and 2080 under four alternative scenarios. In the model, urban growth is constrained by demand for new development for each time step at the subregional scale. Demand is subsequently allocated to local application panes (5 km on a side within 15 km window) using a unique landscape context matching algorithm, such that the more historical development that occurred in the matched training windows the higher the proportion of future demand assigned to the pane. Lastly, demand in each pane is allocated among development types and then allocated to individual patches based on suitability surfaces unique to that landscape context. SPRAWL has a multi-level, multi-scale structure that captures urban growth drivers operating at multiple scales and, when combined with the unique matching and suitability algorithms, induces non-stationarity in urban growth across time and space. Our evaluation indicated that SPRAWL was highly discriminatory, well-calibrated, and highly predictive of new development, but performed weakly for redevelopment transitions. We evaluated the ecological impacts of four alternative urban growth scenarios varying in total demand for new development and “sprawliness” of new development relative to historical patterns using an ecological integrity index. The results were consistent with expectations and demonstrated the potential of SPRAWL for scenario analysis.
Improving Clinical Outcomes: A Targeted Approach

Mechanical cardiac support, in the form of an implantable left ventricular assist device, is no longer considered an experimental intervention for patients with advanced left ventricular dysfunction. The considerable expense associated with each implant, however, makes it incumbent upon the clinician to ensure that only appropriate and timely referred candidates are selected. Medical and psychosocial considerations are paramount and both have been repeatedly shown to impact long-term outcomes. Patients with limited support systems, multiple comorbidities, marginal hemodynamics, right heart dysfunction, frailty, and hematologic problems such as hypercoagulability and/or coagulopathy may not be ideal device recipients. Predictive algorithms have been developed to help identify high- and low-risk patients, but the algorithms often prove inaccurate. Regardless of the estimated risk, all efforts must be made preoperatively to reduce or even eliminate any potential medical problems that might increase the surgical risk. Intraoperative management is, of course, critical as well. Beta-agonists, inotropes, and short-acting pulmonary vasodilators such as nitric oxide or inhaled prostacyclin should be introduced in the operating room, as needed. Successful separation from cardiopulmonary bypass inevitably requires patience and careful monitoring of right ventricular size, shape, and function either via direct vision or with transesophageal echocardiography. Postoperative challenges to be anticipated include gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to arteriovenous malformations, pump thrombosis, ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular events, and aortic insufficiency. The possibility of infection must be entertained at all times. Standard prophylactic antibiotic regimens should be set in place at all implanting centers based upon institution-specific data. These considerations in association with early ambulation and aggressive rehabilitation should help ensure a successful long-term outcome.
Bioinformatics resources from the National Center for Biotechnology Information: An integrated foundation for discovery: Research Articles

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) provides access to more than 30 publicly available molecular biology resources, offering an effective discovery space through high levels of data integration among large-scale data repositories. The foundation for many services is GenBank®, a public repository of DNA sequences from more than 133,000 different organisms. GenBank is accessible through the Entrez retrieval system, which integrates data from the major DNA and protein sequence databases, along with resources for taxonomy, genome maps, sequence variation, gene expression, gene function and phenotypes, protein structure and domain information, and the biomedical literature via PubMed®. Computational tools allow scientists to analyze vast quantities of diverse data. The BLAST® sequence similarity programs are instrumental in identifying genes and genetic features. Other tools support mapping disease loci to the genome, identifying new genes, comparing genomes, and relating sequence data to model protein structures. A basic research program in computational molecular biology enhances the database and software tool development initiatives. Future plans include further data integration, enhanced genome annotation and protein classification, additional data types, and links to a wider range of resources. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modulation and Functions of Neuronal Ca2+ Permeable Channels

Ca2+ acts as an important second messenger molecule in virtually every cell type. [Ca2+]i is normally kept at very low levels ~10−8–10−7 M. On the other hand the Ca2+ concentration of the extracellular milieu is approximately 10-3 M. Consequently there is a very large electrochemical gradient for Ca2+ ions across the plasma membrane of the cell. This membrane is normally very impermeable to Ca2+. The Ca2+ permeability of the plasma membrane can be rapidly increased by opening a number of ion channels. These channels may be activated by changes in membrane potential, by agonists or, in some instances, by both. In neurons Ca2+ has a very large number of roles to play. Among these are the control of neuronal excitability and also the triggering of neurotransmitter release. Voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels and receptor operated Ca2+ channels have been studied extensively in nerve cells both from the peripheral and central nervous systems. In this article I shall review some of the properties of these channels, how they can be regulated physiologically and some of the consequences of this regulation.
Systems of Distinct Representatives

We digress from the subject of one-factorizations to present three theorems of combinatorial set theory. The reader may wish to skip the proofs, but the results will be used in later chapters.
Paying for a Long-Fighting War

The ‘war on cancer’ declared by President Nixon nearly 4 decades ago has fostered intensive research revealing the biological details and complexity of cancer. However, despite the global efforts in research, prevention and disease awareness, cancer incidence worldwide has continued to rise. Global demand for the commercial development of cancer medicines is growing, contributing partly to the rapid increase in health spending. One great challenge facing society is how to fund the implementation of cancer care in an increasingly expensive world under the current challenging economic circumstances. There is a growing dilemma regarding how much society is willing to pay for innovative drugs. This review finds that the reasons behind these developments can be attributed to several factors, including limited supply and rising demand for innovative drugs, significant cost increase in drug development and pricing expansion with growing fixed cost. Society must address these challenges by fairly defining and rewarding an appropriate value for innovative medicines, by determining their suitable portion in health expenditure and balancing healthcare resource prioritization.
Comparing SCNT-Derived ESCs and iPSCs

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, also called “direct” reprogramming can be used to generate pluripotent cells. A direct comparison of the two methods can reveal much about the underlying architecture of the reprogramming process. Unfortunately, existing comparisons are limited. To address this, we conducted two comparisons: a literature review that established what is known about such comparisons and a quantitative analysis of secondary microarray data. Our analysis contributes to the existing literature by using the 8-cell embryo as the standard for comparing a range of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and iPSCs. The goal of these comparisons was to establish differences between cell types of the same cellular state, pluripotency. Using a criterion independent of previous studies, it was found that iPSCs are transcriptionally closer to 8-cell embryos than are ESCs. However, when comparing both ESCs and 8-cell embryos with iPSCs, the same genes tend to be identified as differentially expressed. Annotation using gene ontology terms revealed about half of these genes were ribosomal proteins. These results were confirmed in two ways. One of these was through a mutual information analysis that revealed elevated mutual information for all gene expression in iPSCs. The other was through an indirectly reconstructed gene network analysis. This information can be used to improve our choice of reprogramming approach (SCNT versus iPSC) in future endeavors, as well as identifying groups of supportive (but not essential) genes that might be used to augment efficiency in the reprogramming process.
Application of the Ohmeda Biox 3700 Pulse Oximeter to Neonatal Oxygen Monitoring

Recently, pulse oximeters have been introduced into nurseries to monitor clinical blood oxygenation. Pulse oximeters measure the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in pulsed (“arterial”) blood flow. Blood oxygen saturation provides a direct measure of blood oxygenation. However, this measure is variably related to the traditional measure of blood partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) and is affected by factors (e.g., hemoglobin concentration and hemoglobin-oxygen affinity) that may not alter PO2. Therefore, this discussion is written to review principles of blood oxygen transport and to demonstrate from data collected in newborn infants, relationships between pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) and blood PO2 in a variety of clinical conditions.
Compliance with nasal CPAP can be improved by simple interventions.

Effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea can be limited by poor compliance, but little is known about how to improve compliance. We performed a randomized, controlled clinical trial among 33 subjects of two interventions to improve compliance. One group of subjects received weekly phone calls to uncover any problems and encourage use, another received written information about sleep apnea and the importance of regular CPAP use, and a third served as control subjects. We found that intervention improved CPAP compliance (p = 0.059) and that the effect was particularly strong when intervention occurred during the first month of CPAP treatment (p = 0.004). Although the sample size did not allow definitive investigation of other explanatory variables, subjects with lower levels of education or those with relatives who used CPAP may have benefited from intervention more than other subjects. We conclude that simple, inexpensive efforts to improve compliance with CPAP can be effective, especially when applied at the start of CPAP treatment, but optimal intervention may vary with certain patient characteristics.
Goal-directed sequences in the hippocampus

Abstract Humans make goal-directed decisions every day. New data suggest that other mammals also make goal-directed decisions. Current theories hypothesize that goal-directed decisions arise from search processes through imagined forward models by which we work out the consequences of specific actions then choose from among those actions based on the utility of the outcomes (Niv, Joel, & Dayan, 2006). In this chapter, we will review the processes that underlie goal-directed decision-making in mammalian brains and make the case that the hippocampus is a key component of the imagination process.
Changes in body composition and weight during the menopause transition

BACKGROUND. The relation between the menopause transition (MT) and changes in body composition or weight remains uncertain. We hypothesized that, independent of chronological aging, the MT would have a detrimental influence on body composition. METHODS. Participants were from the longitudinal Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) cohort. We assessed body composition by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Multivariable mixed effects regressions fitted piece-wise linear models to repeated measures of outcomes as a function of time before or after the final menstrual period (FMP). Covariates were age at FMP, race, study site, and hormone therapy. RESULTS. Fat and lean mass increased prior to the MT. At the start of the MT, rate of fat gain doubled, and lean mass declined; gains and losses continued until 2 years after the FMP. After that, the trajectories of fat and lean mass decelerated to zero slope. Weight climbed linearly during premenopause without acceleration at the MT. Its trajectory became flat after the MT. CONCLUSION. Accelerated gains in fat mass and losses of lean mass are MT-related phenomena. The rate of increase in the sum of fat mass and lean mass does not differ between premenopause and the MT; thus, there is no discernable change in rate of weight gain at the start of the MT. FUNDING. NIH, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), through the National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Nursing Research, and NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health (U01NR004061, U01AG012505, U01AG012535, U01AG012531, U01AG012539, U01AG012546, U01AG012553, U01AG012554, and U01AG012495).