cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
First Report of Pepper mild mottle virus in Jalapeno Pepper in Georgia

In October of 2002, an entire field of jalapeno pepper in Grady County, Georgia was affected by a virus-like disease. All fruit and leaf tissues and seed samples tested positive for Pepper mild mot...
Detection of neuronal loss using T1ρ MRI assessment of 1H2O spin dynamics in the aphakia mouse

Abstract The loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) is well characterized in Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent developments in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have provided the opportunity to evaluate for changes in cellular density. Longitudinal relaxation measurements in the rotating frame (T 1ρ ) provide a unique magnetic resonance imaging contrast in vivo. Due to the specificity of T 1ρ to water–protein interactions, the T 1ρ MRI method has strong potential to be used as a non-invasive method for quantification of neuronal density in the brain. Recently introduced adiabatic T 1ρ magnetic resonance imaging mapping methods provide a tool to assess molecular motional regimes with high sensitivity due to utilization of an effective magnetic field sweep during adiabatic pulses. In this work, to investigate the sensitivity of T 1ρ to alterations in neuronal density, adiabatic T 1ρ MRI measurements were employed in vivo on Pitx3-homeobox gene-deficient aphakia mice in which the deficit of DA neurons in the SNc is well established. The theoretical analysis of T 1ρ maps in the different areas of the brain of aphakia mouse suggested variation of the 1 H 2 O rotational correlation times, τ c . This suggests τ c to be a sensitive indicator for neuronal loss during neurological disorders. The results manifest significant dependencies of the T 1ρ relaxations on the cell densities in the SNc, suggesting T 1ρ MRI method as a candidate for detection of neuronal loss in neurological disorders.
Stereovision imaging on submersible platforms for 3-D mapping of benthic habitats and sea-floor structures

We investigate the deployment of a submersible platform with stereovision imaging capability for three-dimensional (3D) mapping of benthic habitats and other sea-floor structures over local areas. A complete framework is studied, comprising: 1) suitable trajectories to be executed for data collection; 2) data processing for positioning and trajectory followed by online frame-to-frame and frame-to-mosaic registration of images, as well as recursive global realignment of positions along the path; and 3) 3D mapping by the fusion of various visual cues, including motion and stereo within a Kalman filter. The computational requirements of the system are evaluated, formalizing how processing may be achieved in real time. The proposed scenario is simulated for testing with known ground truth to assess the system performance, to quantify various errors, and to identify how performance may be improved. Experiments with underwater images are also presented to verify the performance of various components and the overall scheme.
Choosing scientific patrimony: Sir Ronald Ross, Alphonse Laveran, and the mosquito-vector hypothesis for malaria.

A la fin du XIXe siecle, d'importantes decouvertes sont venues ameliorer la connaissance des maladies tropicales causees par les insectes, telles que la malaria ou la fievre jaune. En essayant de retracer l'heritage scientifique a la base de toute innovation et decouverte medicale, il est possible de comprendre le chemin et la nature des influences dans le travail de ces chercheurs. La decouverte de l'origine de la malaria et du role des moustiques dans son declenchement n'echappe pas a cette regle.
Fuel Systems and Controls for Marine Gas Turbines

It is emphasized that reliability is by far the most important requirement in the control system of a marine power plant. The controls of the Pametrada 3,500-h.p. gas turbine, which is taken as a typical marine unit, are then discussed. The sprayers, control blocks, fuel system, transmission, reversing mechanism, and governors are described in turn, and the reasons are given why various features were adopted in preference to the possible alternatives. There is an account of test-bed experience concerning these items.Probable future developments in the field of controls are then considered, but these are found to depend mainly on the way in which the gas turbine itself is developed for marine purposes. The paper therefore concludes with a discussion of the type of gas turbine most likely to be installed in merchant vessels, and the means whereby it will be controlled.
Risk factors associated with stroke during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Introduction. As mortality and paraplegia rates have steadily improved, stroke has emerged as a previously underappreciated complication of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) surgery. The incidence and risk factors for stroke in this setting, however, have not been well characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of stroke after TAAA repair and characterize the associated risk factors. Methods. One thousand two hundred twenty consecutive patients undergoing TAAA repair over a 12-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Using data from a prospectively maintained database, a risk factor analysis was performed using multiple stepwise logistic regression with confirmatory forward manual selection. Results. There were 89 operative deaths (7.3%) and 20 patients suffered strokes (1.6%). The stroke rate decreased as the proximal aortic clamp site progressed distally away from the left subclavian artery (LSCA): 2.0% when clamped immediately adjacent to the LSCA (16/794 extent I and II aneurysms), 1.5% when clamped near the mid-thoracic level (4/272 extent III), and 0.4% when clamped near the diaphragm (1/225 extent IV). Acute dissection, which carried a 6.5% stroke rate (3/46), was the only significant risk factor ( p 5 0.036). Increasing age, history of cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and rupture were not associated with stroke. Conclusions. Stroke is a rare complication of TAAA repair that occurs more frequently when the aorta is clamped near the LSCA. Acute aortic dissection is the only significant predictive risk factor. Issues. What preventative strategies should be employed to reduce the risk of stroke during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair?
An approach to group communication in historical social movements: Group communication in Maoist insurgent mobilization

Rhetorical critics have been called to investigate movements’ group communication. However, the scarcity of verbatim transcripts of movements’ group interactions precludes close analysis of particular interactions. Rather than abandon investigation of movements’ group communication completely, rhetorical critics can examine movements’ selection and general strategies of group communication. Such an approach to investigating the group communication of Maoist insurgent mobilizers reveals new information about the rhetoric of movements.
Sex makes a difference—How gender affects the therapeutic relationship

Because gender issues create obstacles or advance progress, this paper discusses how gender differences affect therapy. The psychoanalytic approach in the four treatment dyads of female therapist-male patient, male therapist-female patient, female therapist-female patient, and male therapist-male patient is presented to suggest propensities. A developmental focus on gender's effect on the therapeutic relationship is indicated by the theoretical rationale from psychoanalytic literature, and by clinical practice discoveries. Because therapists' perceptions about gender identity, gender roles and sexual partner orientation affect responses to patients, countertransference is considered. Acknowledgement of gender components within the transference is recommended if therapists are to provide the best treatment possible.
Environmental effects of silicone oil on tensile and fatigue properties of polystyrene

A series of polished polystyrene specimens, coated with silicone oil, were tested in tension and in tension-compression fatigue cycling at 21 Hz. Oils of four different viscosities, ranging from 5 cSt to 1000 cSt, were utilized. The craze initiation stress and the tensile fracture stress both increased with the increase of oil viscosity. For the 1000 cSt oil, the stress-strain curve was essentially the same as that of an uncoated sample. The average lifetime to fracture in the fatigue tests depends upon the stress amplitude and on the oil viscosity. For the 1000 cSt oil, the fatigue behavior is similar to that of uncoated samples, except at high imposed stresses, where lifetime is somewhat lower. For the low viscosity oil, the average lifetime is from one to two decades less than for uncoated samples. Discussion is given of the influence of stress amplitude and oil viscosity on the test results and on the morphology of the fracture surfaces.
Do Peers Matter in the Development of Self-Control? Evidence from a Longitudinal Study of Youth

According to Gottfredson and Hirschi’s self-control theory, child and adolescent variation in self-control results primarily from variations in parental socialization. Although much research reveals a link between parenting and self-control, many recent studies indicate that the etiology of self-control is more complex than what has been theoretically specified. In further considering this issue, the current study first presents a theoretical model that emphasizes the role that peers may play in the development of self-control, even when accounting for the influence of parents. Next, we empirically assess the extent to which peer behavior influences self-control during childhood. The data come from a sample of U.S. families (n = 776); 48% of the subjects are male, their age was 9 years, and non-Hispanic whites represented 84% of the sample. The analysis revealed that peer behavior is significantly associated with subsequent self-control, even after accounting for differences in parental socialization, prior self-control, and other potential sources of spuriousness. The implications of the findings for theory and future research are discussed.
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Online: lessons learned, initial findings and future directions.

Family caregivers of older adults with progressive dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) are faced with a variety of emotional and behavioral difficulties, such as dealing with persistent, repetitive questions, managing agitation and depression, and monitoring hygiene and self-care activities. Although professional and governmental organizations have called for the creation of community-based education and support programs, most dementia caregivers continue to receive little or no formal instruction in responding effectively to these challenges. The current paper describes the development and implementation of Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Online, a Web- and telephone-based education and support network for caregivers of individuals with progressive dementia. Lessons learned from the first two years of this state-supported initiative are discussed, followed by the findings of a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded strategic marketing initiative and an initial program evaluation of AlzOnline's Positive Caregiving classes. Finally, clinical implications and future directions for program development and evaluation research are proposed.
Bio-heat transfer model of transcranial DC stimulation: Comparison of conventional pad versus ring electrode

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive procedure where a weak electrical current is applied across the scalp to modulate brain function. The proliferation of this therapy has been accompanied by isolated reports regarding concern about their safety namely skin irritation. The potential cause of skin irritation has sometimes been attributed to increased scalp temperature during stimulation. We have developed novel technology for tDCS that improves spatial focality at the cost of increased stimulation electrode current density; high density tDCS (HD-tDCS). The goal of this paper was to provide information on the thermal effects of tDCS using a MRI-derived finite element human head model. The tissue temperature increases of tDCS using conventional rectangular-pad (7 × 5 cm2) and HD-tDCS using the ring (4 × 1) electrode configurations were compared using a bio-heat model. Our results indicate that clinical tDCS do not increase tissue temperature and 4 × 1 ring configurations leads to a negligible increase in scalp temperature.
Contrasting sensitivities of two dominant C 4 grasses to heat waves and drought

Heat waves and droughts are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity with climate change. However, we lack a mechanistic understanding of the independent and interactive effects of severe heat and water stress for most ecosystems. In a mesic tallgrass prairie ecosystem, we used a factorial experimental approach to assess ecophysiological and productivity responses of two dominant C4 grasses, Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans, to a season-long drought and a mid-summer heat wave at four intensities. We hypothesized that drought would have greater impacts than heat waves, that combined effects would be greater than either factor alone, and that the dominant grasses would differ in their responses to heat and water heat stress. We detected significant reductions in photosynthesis, leaf water potential, and productivity with drought but few direct responses to the heat waves. Surprisingly, there was no additive effect of heat and water stress on any plant response. However, S. nutans was more sensitive than A. gerardii to drought. In this grassland, water stress will likely dominate photosynthetic and productivity responses caused by discrete drought and heat wave events, rather than direct or additive effects of heat stress, with differential sensitivity in these grasses altering future ecosystem structure and function.
Delay in Diagnosis of Williams Syndrome

Williams syndrome (WS) is a well-known genetic disorder with a variable phenotype. In many cases, physical manifestations are subtle and may not be apparent at an early age, making diagnosis difficult in infants and young children who lack classic manifestations such as supravalvular aortic stenosis and hypercalcemia. Clinical suspicion is essential because the diagnostic genetic finding is not detectable on routine chromosomal analysis. Furthermore, early diagnosis allows for earlier detection and treatment of developmental, behavioral, and medical problems. In an effort to understand how and why individuals with WS are diagnosed, we conducted a survey-based study of parents of WS children. Packets containing a cover letter, consent form, parental survey and preaddressed stamped envelope were distributed to parents of children with WS. The survey included questions concerning initial diagnosis, WS findings present, medical specialists involved, and tests performed. Forty-six completed surveys were returned for analysis. The mean age at diagnosis was 3.66 years (SD 4.13). The mean age at which there were initial concerns was 0.98 year (SD 1.24) resulting in a mean delay in diagnosis of 2.77 years (SD 4.10). In addition, the involvement of a geneticists correlated with earlier diagnosis (2.26 years vs. 5.09 years without geneticist involvement, p = 0.03) and fewer tests ordered (5.2 vs. 8.2 in the nongeneticist group, p = 0.0006). We observed a significant delay in the diagnosis of WS. Of note, the involvement of a geneticist was associated with earlier diagnosis and reduced number of tests.
Hypercholesterolemia of Copper Deficiency Is Linked to Glutathione Metabolism and Regulation of Hepatic HMG‐CoA Reductase

Copper deficiency in rats causes hypercholesterolemia and increases in hepatic glutathione concentration and HMG-CoA reductase activity. Prevention of the increase in hepatic glutathione abolished the other changes.
Correlation exploitation in error ranking

Static program checking tools can find many serious bugs in software, but due to analysis limitations they also frequently emit false error reports. Such false positives can easily render the error checker useless by hiding real errors amidst the false. Effective error report ranking schemes mitigate the problem of false positives by suppressing them during the report inspection process [17, 19, 20]. In this way, ranking techniques provide a complementary method to increasing the precision of the analysis results of a checking tool. A weakness of previous ranking schemes, however, is that they produce static rankings that do not adapt as reports are inspected, ignoring useful correlations amongst reports. This paper addresses this weakness with two main contributions. First, we observe that both bugs and false positives frequently cluster by code locality. We analyze clustering behavior in historical bug data from two large systems and show how clustering can be exploited to greatly improve error report ranking. Second, we present a general probabilistic technique for error ranking that (1) exploits correlation behavior amongst reports and (2) incorporates user feedback into the ranking process. In our results we observe a factor of 2-8 improvement over randomized ranking for error reports emitted by both intra-procedural and inter-procedural analysis tools.
Robust bearing estimation for three-component stations

A robust bearing estimation process for 3-component stations has been developed and explored. The method, called SEEC for Search, Estimate, Evaluate and Correct, intelligently exploits the inherent information in the arrival at every step of the process to achieve near-optimal results. In particular, the approach uses a consistent framework to define the optimal time-frequency windows on which to make estimates, to make the bearing estimates themselves, to construct metrics helpful in choosing the better estimates or admitting that the bearing is immeasurable, and finally to apply bias corrections when calibration information is available to yield a single final estimate. The algorithm was applied to a small but challenging set of events in a seismically active region. It demonstrated remarkable utility by providing better estimates and insights than previously available. Various monitoring implications are noted from these findings.
Sources and limits of Chinese ‘soft power’

In current analysis and debate concerning China's rise, the subject of soft power is either missing or misapplied. Since the 1990s, China has achieved impressive gains both in terms of soft power resources and the ability to convert the resources into desired foreign-policy outcomes. Unlike the former Soviet Union, China appears to be more successful in developing hard and soft power in tandem. Its steppedup endeavours in expanding its soft power nevertheless continue to be constrained by three factors: imbalance in resources, legitimacy concerns regarding its diplomacy, and a lack of coherent agenda. How Washington and its allies respond to this unique power pattern will shape the future strategic landscape of East Asia and beyond.
Biosynthesis of superoxide dismutase in Sacchromyces cerevisiae: Effects of paraquat and copper

Abstract Growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the presence of paraquat caused an increase the intracellular flux of superoxide radicals and in superoxide dismutase biosynthesis. The addition of copper to the growth medium also elicited an increase in superoxide dismutase levels. A cytochrome c deficient mutant strain was found to be more responsive than the wilde type strain to paraquat and /or copper by increasing its copper-zinc superoxide dismutase. Catalase activity in both strains was not significantly affected by paraquat and/or copper.
Continuum Damage Mechanics: When and How?:

The present paper reflects on the state of the development of damage mechanics initiated in 1958 by Lazar M. Kachanov who we commemorate with this series of four issues of the International Journal of Damage Mechanics. This paper presents a personal view and an assessment of the accomplishments of a group of dedicated people interested in this new field of solid mechanics. In particular, the paper focuses on the establishment of criteria needed to define the circumstances allowing for the application of a deterministic and local continuum model of traditional type.
A Simple, Inexpensive, Dynamic, & Hands-On Exercise for Prompting Discussion of the Characteristics of Living Things

Paper punch-out dots soaked in isopropyl alcohol will move about randomly when placed flat on the surface of water, superficially resembling swimming movements of single-celled protists. This exercise is a hands-on and dynamic activity to generate discussion on the generally accepted characteristics of living things.
Corticosteroids an important cause of hyperglycemia.

We read with interest the recent article by Smith et al.[1][1] on the causes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia in adult inpatients. The topic is clearly important and timely.[2][2] Although Smith et al. did not specify the exact frequency of corticosteroid-related hyperglycemia, it was suggested to
Robust data alignment based on information theory and its applications in road following situation

This paper presents a new approach to data fusion for automatic target recognition, surveillance, and tracking research areas growing in an intelligent transportation system. Robust data alignment (RDA), finding relational maps among a sequence of invariant feature data sets, is one of the key requirements for a successful data fusion. To achieve RDA for a multi-modal data fusion, we construct a cost criterion based on information theory and solve an optimization problem with a mixed search strategy combining the Nelder-Mead simplex and random search method. We evaluate the cost criterion and search strategy by a numerical stability test, and demonstrate experimental results on a video sequence collected from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The results indicate the potential of aerial monitoring and tracking system built upon our information-theoretic RDA
Search for a coupling scheme in heavy deformed nuclei: The pseudo SU(3) model

To test the possible usefulness of the pseudo SU(3) coupling scheme a few nuclear properties are examined which can be expected to be governed largely by the (lg$d~2d+3s+) part of the proton configuration for odd-2 nuclei and the (lh2fs2f*3p+3p+) part of the neutron configuration for odd-N nuclei. The equivalence between these configurations and pseudo oscillator shells (?$&&) and (~$$$+) is exploited to show that the low-lying natural-parity rotational bands in deformed nuclei can be described approximately by many- particle states which are coupled to leading pseudo SU(3) representation (maximum possible value of 2i+;) of these configurations. The simple model in which the natural-parity part of the proton and neutron configurations are coupled to leading pseudo SU(3) representation predicts ground state magnetic moments in remarkably good agreement with experiment. The strong hindrance factors observed in certain interband Ml transition probabilities are, however, not predicted by this model. The diagonalization of a simple effective interaction within the leading pseudo SU(3) representation leads to spectra with the experimentally observed ordering of the K-bands. (The case of the Eu and Tm isotopes has been examined in some detail since these are expected to have leading pseudo SU(3) representations with the same quantum numbers (&) but with quite different ordering of the K-bands.)
Pre-orders for reasoning about stability

Pre-orders between processes, like simulation, have played a central role in the verification and analysis of discrete-state systems. Logical characterization of such pre-orders have allowed one to verify the correctness of a system by analyzing an abstraction of the system. In this paper, we investigate whether this approach can be feasibly applied to reason about stability properties of a system.Stability is an important property of systems that have a continuous component in their state space; it stipulates that when a system is started somewhere close to its ideal starting state, its behavior is close to its ideal, desired behavior. In [Cuijpers 07], it was shown that stability with respect to equilibrium states is not preserved by bisimulation and hence additional continuity constraints were imposed on the bisimulation relation to ensure preservation of Lyapunov stability. We first show that stability of trajectories is not invariant even under the notion of bisimulation with continuity conditions introduced in [Cuijpers 07]. We then present the notion of uniformly continuous simulations --- namely, simulation with some additional uniform continuity conditions on the relation --- that can be used to reason about stability of trajectories. Finally, we show that uniformly continuous simulations are widely prevalent, by recasting many classical results on proving stability of dynamical and hybrid systems as establishing the existence of a simple, obviously stable system that simulates the desired system through uniformly continuous simulations.
Finding common ground: how advocacy coalitions succeed in protecting environmental flows.

: This paper reviews several recent case studies in which states or countries have strengthened their protection of environmental flows to explore the key policy, stakeholder, and scientific elements that contributed to these advances in water management. A conceptual framework is developed to describe the actions of interest groups and individuals, how environmental flow issues get onto the formal agenda of decision makers, the events and conditions which precipitate this attention, the role of science and scientific uncertainty, and how interactions and dialog among individuals and groups with different interests lead to changes in state and national statutes. In general, the review found that changing policies is a result of actions of informed groups of interested parties using science and information to inform both the public and decision makers about the need for action and about the specific action needed. In almost all cases, environmental flow issues make it onto the formal agenda of institutions through one or more precipitating events, often legal challenges that call into question the existing legal framework for water management. Significantly, in almost all cases the engagement between advocacy coalitions with different and often opposing views results in reframing the issues to provide a common approach or solution upon which the competing coalitions can agree.
What constrains the accuracy of metacomprehension judgments? Testing the transfer-appropriate-monitoring and accessibility hypotheses

Abstract We evaluated two hypotheses—transfer appropriate monitoring (TAM) and the accessibility hypothesis—that explain why the accuracy of metacomprehension judgments is commonly low. In 2 experiments, participants read six expository texts, made global judgments about how well they would perform on a test over each text, and made term-specific judgments for predicting the recall of definitions embedded in each text. Criterion tests involved term-cued recall of the definitions. In Experiment 1, some participants made judgments after reading the texts, whereas others overtly attempted retrieval of each definition before making judgments. In Experiment 2, all participants had pre-judgment recall, and some also scored the correctness of the pre-judgment responses. Accuracy was greater for term-specific than global judgments, but only when pre-judgment recall was required. Term-specific accuracy was also constrained by accessing incorrect information. We argue that TAM is not a viable explanation of accuracy and discuss how to improve judgment accuracy.
The Impact of Certain Communication Nets Upon Organization and Performance in Task-Oriented Groups

Bavelas, Smith and Leavitt Bavelas, A. 1950. Communication patterns in task-oriented groups. J. Acoustical Soc. Amer.22 725--730. have posed the problem: what effect do communication patterns have upon the operation of groups? To study this problem they designed a laboratory situation that is a prototype of those occurring in “natural” organizations existing in government and business. Each member of the group is given certain information. Their task is to assemble this information, use it to make a decision, and then issue orders based on the decision. This design provides a situation stripped of the complexities of large-scale social groups but retaining some essential characteristics of the organizational communication problem. In it we can examine how the communication net affects simultaneously a the development of the organization's internal structure, and b the group's performance of its operating task.
Green's Theorem Calculation of Energy of Exciton near Hard Walls†

The method of Harper and Hilder is modified to obtain the energy levels of hydrogenic atoms or excitons near hard walls. The method is nonvariational, can be used with two or more bounding surfaces, and gives good results in various cases. It is only required to know the wave functions in the absence of such surfaces and to perform some elementary integrals. Nous modifions la methode de Harper et Hilder pour obtenir l'energie d'atomes hydrogeniques, tels que les excitons, pres d'une surface repulsive. La methode n'est pas variationelle et ne necessite que les fonctions d'ondes en l'absence des surfaces, ainsi que le calcul de certaines integrales elementaires. Nous obtenons pour les cas de une ou deux surfaces des bons resultats dans tous les cas que nous examinons.
Rapamycin allosterically inhibits the proteasome

Rapamycin is a canonical allosteric inhibitor of the mammalian tarpet of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase with immunosuppressive and proapoptotic activities. We found that in vitro rapamycin also regulates the proteasome, which is an essential intracellular protease of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Rapamycin inhibits proteinase and selected peptidase activities of the catalytic core proteasome at low micromolar concentrations. Moreover, the drug interferes with binding of the 19S cap essential for processing of polyubiquitinylated substrates and with the PA200 proteasome activator to the 20S catalytic core proteasome. These protein complexes are known to bind to specific grooves on the α face region of the 20S core. Treatment with rapamycin affects the conformational dynamics of the proteasomal gate, which is centrally positioned within the α face and allosterically regulated element responsible for the intake of substrates. We showed that rapamycin shares all the proteasome targeting properties not only with other two-domain, closed-ring analogs (rapalogs) but also with its single domain mimics and seco-rapamycin, which is the first in vivo open-ring metabolite of rapamycin that does not affect mTOR. We hypothesize that rapamycin and related compounds bind to the α face and allosterically impact proteasome function. This article discusses the implications of our findings for the mechanism of in vivo actions of rapamycin and for the design of novel allosteric drugs targeting the proteasome.
Gingival Fluid Fucose to Protein Ratios as Indicators of the Severity of Periodontal Disease

Total fucose and protein was measured in gingival fluid samples collected from 16 human subjects. A significantly higher total protein concentration was found for the control (clinically normal) group when compared to the experimental (severe clinical inflammation) group. This is probably due to the higher gingival flow rate found in the experimental group. The total fucose analyses showed no statistical difference between both groups, but when fucose to protein ratios were studied, a significantly higher ratio was found for the experimental group when compared to the controls. This probably represents the breakdown of plasma and tissue glycoproteins which may occur as a result of inflammation.
Information theory and cryptography based secured communication scheme for cooperative MIMO communication in wireless sensor networks

Emerging cooperative MIMO communication is a promising technology in improving communication performance for wireless sensor networks. However, the security problems inherent to cooperative communications also arise. In this paper, we propose a cross-layer secured communication scheme for cooperative MIMO communication in wireless sensor networks to overcome the external and active compromised nodes attacks. The scheme combines cryptographic technique implemented in higher layers with data assurance analysis at the physical layer to provide better communication security. An efficient key management system is proposed for the cryptographic processes. It provides secured communication and routing using a small number of keys shared between the clusters which cooperate on data transmission and reception. Although cryptography can ensure the confidentiality in the communications between authorized participants, it usually cannot prevent the attacks from compromised nodes. The situation where the cooperative nodes are compromised and try to corrupt the communications by sending garbled signals is also investigated in this paper. A novel information theory based detector that can identify the active compromised nodes and recover the symbols in transmission process at physical layer is proposed. When the compromised nodes are detected, the key management system calls the key revocation to isolate these nodes and reconfigure the cooperative MIMO network. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm for compromised nodes detection is effective and efficient, and the accuracy of received information is significantly improved.
Modeling the effect of cigarette smoke on hexose utilization in spermatocytes

We set out to determine whether the addition of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) antagonist has an effect on glucose/fructose utilization in the spermatocyte when exposed to cigarette smoke condensate (CSC). We exposed male germ cells to 5 and 40 μg/mL of CSC ± 10 μmol/L of AHR antagonist at various time points. Immunoblot expression of specific glucose/fructose transporters was compared to control. Radiolabeled uptake of 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) and fructose was also performed. Spermatocytes utilized fructose nearly 50-fold more than 2-DG. Uptake of 2-DG decreased after CSC + AHR antagonist exposure. Glucose transporters (GLUTs) 9a and 12 declined after CSC + AHR antagonist exposure. Synergy between CSC and the AHR antagonist in spermatocytes may disrupt the metabolic profile in vitro. Toxic exposures alter energy homeostasis in early stages of male germ cell development, which could contribute to later effects explaining decreases in sperm motility in smokers.
Leveraging global gene expression patterns to predict expression of unmeasured genes

Large collections of paraffin-embedded tissue represent a rich resource to test hypotheses based on gene expression patterns; however, measurement of genome-wide expression is cost-prohibitive on a large scale. Using the known expression correlation structure within a given disease type (in this case, high grade serous ovarian cancer; HGSC), we sought to identify reduced sets of directly measured (DM) genes which could accurately predict the expression of a maximized number of unmeasured genes. We developed a greedy gene set selection (GGS) algorithm which returns a DM set of user specified size based on a specific correlation threshold (|rP|) and minimum number of DM genes that must be correlated to an unmeasured gene in order to infer the value of the unmeasured gene (redundancy). We evaluated GGS in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) HGSC data across 144 combinations of DM size, redundancy (1–3), and |rP| (0.60, 0.65, 0.70). Across the parameter sweep, GGS allows on average 9 times more gene expression information to be captured compared to the DM set alone. GGS successfully augments prognostic HGSC gene sets; the addition of 20 GGS selected genes more than doubles the number of genes whose expression is predictable. Moreover, the expression prediction is highly accurate. After training regression models for the predictable gene set using 2/3 of the TCGA data, the average accuracy (ranked correlation of true and predicted values) in the 1/3 testing partition and four independent populations is above 0.65 and approaches 0.8 for conservative parameter sets. We observe similar accuracies in the TCGA HGSC RNA-sequencing data. Specifically, the prediction accuracy increases with increasing redundancy and increasing |rP|. GGS-selected genes, which maximize expression information about unmeasured genes, can be combined with candidate gene sets as a cost effective way to increase the amount of gene expression information obtained in large studies. This method can be applied to any organism, model system, disease, or tissue type for which whole genome gene expression data exists.
Enhanced insulin sensitivity and lower waist-to-hip ratio in master athletes

The effect of long-term aerobic exercise training on insulin action was determined in older individuals by comparing insulin sensitivity and maximal responsiveness in 11 master athletes [63.5 +/- 1.9 (SE) yr] and 10 age- and body fat-matched sedentary individuals. Maximal aerobic power was higher and the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was lower in the athletes, but there were no differences in body weight, percent body fat, or fat-free mass between groups. Fasting plasma glucose levels and glucose and insulin responses during oral glucose tolerance tests were lower in the athletes. The insulin concentration producing a half-maximal increase in glucose disposal (EC50) during a three-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic glucose clamp was 41% lower in the athletes than in controls (483 +/- 30 vs. 822 +/- 132 pmol/l, P < 0.05), whereas maximal responsiveness was comparable (81.0 +/- 4.4 vs. 85.5 +/- 8.3 mumol.kg fat-free mass-1.min-1, P = not significant). The EC50 correlated with maximal aerobic power (r = -0.62, P < 0.01) and WHR (r = 0.52, P < 0.05), but in multiple regression analyses WHR was the only variable independently related to EC50. These results indicate that long-term aerobic exercise training is associated with enhanced insulin sensitivity and a lower WHR in older individuals. This finding suggests that regular aerobic exercise may prevent the age-associated increase in abdominal obesity and insulin resistance.
Existence of Minimum Action Curves

In this chapter we begin by stating the problem of the existence of a minimum action curve, and we prove our main existence theorem, which requires all relevant points in the state space to “have local minimizers.” We then list three criteria for proving this property for a given point, each designed to target one out of three different categories of points; the key ingredient here is our newly introduced notion of “admissible manifolds.” After illustrating the use of these criteria with a variety of examples, we conclude with a top-level theorem that can free us from having to invoke these criteria by hand if the drift of the given action is of a certain form. The proofs of the main criteria described in Sect. 3.3 will be postponed to Chap. 6 in Part II.
En-Listing Life: Red is the Color of Threatened Species Lists

The idea that every species should be assessed, ranked, and listed according to its projected risk of extinction is now a commonly accepted practice in conservation. Threatened species lists rank species in a linear progression from the least to the most endangered. This chapter explores the biopolitical nature of such lists. It shows how listing threatened species becomes a way to affirm — and justify — that life which is more and most important to save. The chapter argues that threatened species lists reinforce biopolitical differentiation not only between perceivably distinct nonhuman species but also between Homo sapiens and nonhuman species.
Behavioral modification applied to occupational safety

We initiated a research program to: 1) identify psychological principles that could be applied to improving occupational safety and 2) evaluate their effectiveness.
Study of selected metal concentrations in sediments by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry from a metropolitan and more pristine bayou in Southwest Louisiana, United States

Abstract This study presents the results of selected metals in sediments determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry from fourteen sampling sites along approximately 12 km from Bayou Contraband (metropolitan bayou), which runs through the city of Lake Charles in Southwest Louisiana and three sediments along Bayou Black located in a more pristine area of the city. The concentrations of two of the three sediments from Bayou Black are in close agreement to one another. These two sites give average concentrations of 2370 ppm Al, 1760 ppm Fe, 555 ppm Mg, 35 ppm Mn and 14 ppm Zn. Sediment 3 was also able to detect 6 ppm Cr, 5 ppm Cu and 11 ppm V. The remaining metals that were examined at these two sites were below their detection limits. Using the above values from the two Bayou Black sites, there are noticeably higher values in the Contraband Bayou sites which is most likely due to anthropological effects. Sites 13 and 7 seem to have the greatest contrasts with respective concentrations of 6090 ppm and 6520 ppm Al, 3320 ppm and 5360 ppm Mg and 120 ppm and 83 ppm Zn. These value were about an order of magnitude lower than previous results from Bayou d'Inde.
Comparison of Two Techniques of Suturing in Microsurgical Anastomosis of the Rabbit Oviduct

Microsurgical reconstruction of the rabbit oviduct was undertaken utilizing either through-and-through sutures including the mucosa, or sutures penetrating the serosa and myosalpinx but not the mucosa. Patency and pregnancy rates did not seem to vary with the suturing technique. However, scanning electron microscopic observation revealed abnormal mucosal fold patterns at 3weeks after surgery. Fibrinous exudates over the surface of the intraluminal sutures increased with time until the entire surface was thickly veiled by 9weeks. The observation also revealed regeneration of epithelial cells along the suture. These cells included many abnormal forms such as giant cells and misshapen cells. The majority of these were nonciliated. In theory, the intraluminal suture could form a nidus for epithelial hyperplasia which might cause future tubal obstruction. However, the patency and pregnancy rates obtained with through-and-through suturing were similar to those obtained when the endosalpinx was excluded, both in this study and in previous studies from these laboratories.
Connecting Deconvolution and SRME

The two methods in a traditional shallow water demultiple approach, deconvolution and SRME, are both very well understood. However, what happens when the two are connected is less well understood, leading to suboptimal results. We study the connection between the two methods by looking into their ability to model multiples in the data and the role of adaptive subtraction of these modeled multiples.
The Telling Moment: Pre-Crossings of Mexican Teenage Girls and their Journeys to the Border

Accounts of migration journeys are often situated after an emigrant crosses the international border and becomes an immigrant. Yet, journeys to the border require planning and preparations, a kind that may include little or no packing, farewells to loved ones for an indefinite period of time, and a reorganisation of a past and immediate present for an uncertain future. Along with planning, there is a fracturing and disruption that unfolds before the physical journey begins. Once a decision to physically migrate is made, an important transformation takes place. Some migrants, such as children, have little involvement in the planning yet still begin their journey before arriving at the border, namely when they are told of their imminent departure. For Mexican teenage girls raised in transnational families, a decision to migrate is made for them. It is the moment of telling and its impact on their lives that this article aims to capture.
Localization of vagal preganglionic somata controlling sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes

Canine cardiac vagal ganglia in the region of the inferior vena cava and inferior left atrium (IVC-ILA) and at the junction of the right pulmonary veins and left atrium (PVFP) control atrioventricular conduction and heart rate, respectively. After retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injected separately into these ganglia in different dogs, the left and right and longitudinal distributions of brain stem somata terminating in these ganglia were compared with functional dominance of left and right vagal control of heart rate and atrioventricular conduction. Labeled somata innervating these ganglia had quite similar longitudinal distribution patterns. Although functional dominance of heart rate was found to be in either the right vagus or bilaterally in both vagi, a corresponding difference in somata innervating the PVFP ganglia was not found. Functional vagal dominance of atrioventricular conduction was found to be either right, bilateral, or left with correspondence between left-right distributions of somata after HRP injection into the IVC-ILA region. However, these results should be cautiously interpreted because these ganglia mediate other cardiac functions.
Effects of Heavy Metals on Seedling Growth and Seed Germination of Lettuce Seeds

Lettuce seeds were used to study the effects of heavy metal elements Cu, Cr and Pb on seed germination and seedling growth with hydroponic experiments. Results showed that the low concentration(10 mg/L) of Cu promoted lettuce seed germination and seedling growth. High concentration Cu inhibited the growth of lettuce. The inhibitory effect of Cr was the most obvious. With the increase of the concentration, the inhibition increased sharply. Pb had a delayed effect on lettuce seed germination. The seedling growth inhibitory effect was obvious. The root length of seedling and the length of shoot decreased with the increase of salt concentration of heavy metals(except the treatment of 10 mg/L Cu). The toxicity of three kinds of heavy metal salts was in order of CrPbCu.
On the Construction of Knowledge Management System of Engineering Project Management Based on Project Flow

Due to the relative independence among the project participants in the engineering project,the traditional project organization and management mode is unfavorable to the knowledge communication and accumulation among the participants,however,the knowledge management is the important way to improve the construction and operation management level of whole engineering project field.Therefore,it seems especially important to discuss the knowledge management methods and strategies in accordance with the engineering project characteristics.The characteristics of project and project organization as well as the integration objects of project knowledge management are discussed in this dissertation and the knowledge is refined through the flow analysis with the project management flow as the object,which is integrated into the work flow.The knowledge management system of engineering project is constructed based on this.
Fei Ma's Poetic Spirit: a Bird Flying Freely

As the prototypal image "bird" occupies a. key position in Fei Ma's poems, Fei Ma has portrayed the" bird" poetically and philosophically , thus having injecting into the bird image both his rich life experience and profound philosophical thinking. The freely flying "bird" can justly be considered the symbol of genuine life, free soul, sensible philosophical thinking and natural art. By further analyzing the prototypal image in his poems we can comprehend and interpret Fei Ma's poetic spirit.
Serum fatty acids of women living in a semi-desert climate

Many factors may affect serum fatty acid patterns; this study reports values for normal women living in a dry, semi-arid environment.