cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Alternative to the NDEA Institute

THERE is general agreement among educators and others in public life that a major need today is the training of foreign language teachers. Not only is the field of foreign languages expanding but its methodology is undergoing radical changes. Traditional methods are being re-evaluated while new approaches to language learning are being advocated. Foreign languages are the subject of intensive experimental studies drawing upon the findings of linguistic science and utilizing the tools made possible by scientific advance. Not only do prospective teachers have to receive basic training in the new approaches to foreign language teaching but experienced teachers as well need the opportunity to make a critical appraisal of their methods and to become acquainted with the latest developments in the field. Foreign Language Institutes established by the National Defense Education Act have made a valiant attempt to cope with this urgent need for teacher training. They are providing an intensive program for many new and experienced teachers. The NDEA Institutes, however, cannot by themselves meet the need for teacher training which exists today. On the one hand, there are not enough openings for all the teachers who apply. On the other hand, many teachers who need further training cannot leave their homes in order to pursue their work on a college campus. Many cannot give up their family responsibilities. Moreover, there is a great number of teachers who for one reason or another do not wish to be involved in an all-day teacher training program. To these teachers can also be added the group of veteran teachers for whom very few places can be found in the NDEA Institutes. These are experienced teachers with a wide educational background who nevertheless feel a need to keep abreast of new developments in the field. Finally, there are the teachers whose school term ends too late to allow them to attend an NDEA Institute. For all these teachers, it is obvious that the NDEA Institutes cannot be of service.
Multiple Fault Diagnosis in Combinational Networks

The concept of prime faults is introduced for the study of multiple fault diagnosis in combinational logic networks. It is shown that every multiple fault in a network can be represented by a structurally equivalent fault with prime faults as its only components. Functional and structural masking and covering relations among faults are defined. These relations can be exploited to greatly simplify multiple fault analysis and their test generation. We present an efficient algorithm that generates a multiple fault detection test set and identifies redundancies. Suggestions for designing networks to yield a minimum number of tests in the multiple fault detection test set are also included.
Rates of thermohaline recovery from freshwater pulses in modern, Last Glacial Maximum, and greenhouse warming climates

[1] Recovery rates of the thermohaline circulation after a freshwater pulse in the North Atlantic vary considerably depending on the background climate, as demonstrated in the Community Climate System Model. The recovery is slowest in a Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) climate, fastest in a modern climate, and intermediate between the two in a greenhouse warming (4XCO2) climate. Previously proposed mechanisms to explain thermohaline circulation stability involving altered horizontal freshwater transport in the North Atlantic are consistent with relative recovery rates in the modern and 4XCO2 climates, but fail to explain the slow LGM recovery. Instead, sea ice expansion inhibits deep-water formation after freshening in the LGM climate by reducing heat loss to the atmosphere and providing additional surface freshwater. In addition, anomalous vertical freshwater transport across ∼1 km depth after freshening is most effective at weakening the stratification in the modern case but is negligible in the LGM case.
Modeling the hydrodynamics of multiphase flow reactors: Current status and challenges

ew things are more central to chemical engineering than multiphase flow chemical reactors; they are used in industry to produce a variety of chemicals, where economy of scale remains the driving factor. The engineering issues are classical, and the modern trend towards miniaturization will have little impact on these systems. Multiphase reactors for classic applications such as fluid cat- alytic cracking are still evolving. New processes such as slurry bubble column reactors for gas conversion are under development. Reliable multiphase reactor models that can be used with confi- dence for improving existing processes and scale-up of new Coarse-grid simulation of macro-scale flow structures Macro-scale coherent structures in multiphase flow, particularly those involving vortical motion, can be captured only through three-dimensional (3-D) transient simulations. A 3-D simulation of two-phase flow using, say, a million nodes, involves the solution of over nine million nonlinear equations at each time step; the size of the problem becomes much larger when energy and species bal- ances are included. Simulations of such magnitude are not com- mon in process design today, but will become routine in the not- too-distant future. As we shall see, even with this many nodes, the grid structure in simulations of commercial-scale reactors remains coarse; so, the model equations used to simulate commercial reac- tor performance must represent averages at this coarse-grid scale. The drag and stresses influencing the hydrodynamics and effective dispersion coefficients and reaction rates appearing in the energy and species balance equations are affected significantly by the sub- grid scale fluctuations and are grid-size dependent. Yet, this depen- dence is just beginning to be appreciated. Experiments, both labo- ratory and computational, and theory that will lead to accurate scale-dependent closures for these quantities represent important frontiers in this class of problems. The coarse-grid simulation of multiphase flow is conceptually similar to large eddy simulation of single-phase turbulent flow, where one accounts for the effects of unresolved eddies through sub-grid models (Fox, 1996). In single-phase turbulent flow, the flow of energy associated with fluctuations is predominantly from large scale to smaller ones. In the class of multiphase flows consid- ered here, meso-scale structures arise as a result of local instabilities and grow into larger and larger scales, so macro-scale shear is not a requirement for creating and sustaining a chaotic state of flow (unlike in single-phase flow). Because of this difference, we cannot simply adopt the ideas developed in single-phase flow. In this arti- cle, we examine what is known generically about flow structures at different scales in gas-solid, gas-liquid, and gas-liquid-solid sys- tems, and point out where challenges lie in building the hydrody- namic components of the next generation of reactor models.
American News on the Soviet Television Screen

Many items are covered in short, factual bulletins, but picture presentations tend to take a more editorial approach. Documentaries with a message appear to receive the best production.
Building Industry–University Research Centers: Some Strategic Considerations

This paper reviews the importance of industry–university relationships and the strategic considerations within the context of these partnerships in university research centers. We have identified several factors that are particularly important to industry in building relationships with university centers. These include: acquiring skills, knowledge and gaining access to university facilities; organizational cultures that are more organic; flexible university policies for intellectual property rights, patents and licenses; and the presence of champions. Firms also have explicit collaborative strategies for partnering with universities where firms can be segmented into three distinct clusters: Collegial Players, Aggressive Players and Targeted Players. Collegial Players are often large firms working with universities and university-sponsored consortia on topics of interest that have long-term value rather than promise immediate commercial opportunities. Aggressive Players are both large and small firms who employ university relationships specifically to develop and commercialize a wide range of marketable products and services. Targeted Players are often smaller firms, largely interested in using university relationships to address specific issues central to their business. We conclude by discussing key implications for both industry and universities.
Should spam be on the menu

Email marketing is an excellent, low-cost way to reach consumers, but spammers are currently looting much of its potential. The challenge is to develop an email marketing process that is consensual, efficient, and constitutional.
Lactate formation in Callianassa californiensis and Upogebia pugettensis (Crustacea: Thalassinidea)

The ability to accumulate lactate as a result of laboratory exposure to anoxia was examined in 2 species of mud-dwelling shrimp, the ghost shrimp Callianassa californiensis and the mud shrimp Upogebia pugettensis. Hemolymph lactate accumulated to a much greater degree in the mud shrimp, even though the overall levels of lactate dehydrogenase activity were similar in tissues of the two species. Carbohydrate reserves, estimated as glycogen, were not significantly depleted in muscle or midgut gland of either species as a result of anoxic stress. The results are discussed in relation to possible metabolic strategies employed to cope with the hypoxic environment of these crustaceans.
CR-IDENT: A MATLAB TOOLBOX FOR MULTIVARIABLE CONTROL-RELEVANT SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION

Abstract This paper describes CR-IDENT, a Matlab-based toolbox that implements a comprehensive procedure for multivariable control-relevant system identification aimed primarily at process system applications. The toolbox consists of modules for multivariable input signal design (multisine and PRBS), frequency response estimation, and control-relevant frequency response curvefitting, leading to models whose end use is the design of high-performance control systems. An important component in the implementation of this design procedure is its reliance on a priori knowledge of the system of interest to design input signals meeting both theoretical and practical user requirements. Data from identification testing using these signals is the basis for the subsequent steps of frequency-response estimation and control-relevant parameter estimation, with the final result being a discrete-time state-space model that serves as the nominal model for Model Predictive Control. A high-purity distillation column example is presented to illustrate the benefits of the toolbox, from experiment design to closed-loop control.
Comparison of conventional and organic beef production systems II. Carcass characteristics

Carcass characteristics were evaluated as part of a comprehensive study comparing organic and conventional beef production systems. Preconditioned crossbred steers from conventional (C; n=24) and low-input (O; n=30) farming systems were randomly divided into two groups and assigned to either organic (o) or conventional (c) feedlot systems. Conventionally fed steers received an ionophore, implants on day 0 and 70, and an anthelmintic on day 0. Steers were fed individually using Calan Feed Access Doors. Each calf was fed to reach target end points of 567 kg body weight and 0.75 to 0.90 cm back fat measured between the 12th and 13th ribs using real-time ultrasound when steers approached the target weight. Fixed effect of production system was fitted with age of steers at the start of the feedlot phase as a covariate. Steers in the Cc system had the heaviest (P<0.05) hot carcass weights and Oo steers the lightest (P<0.01). Ribeye areas from Cc steers were larger than those from Oo (P<0.01) and Oc steers (P<0.05). Steers in group Cc had less back fat than Oc (P<0.01) and Oo steers (P<0.05). There was no effect of production system on kidney, pelvic and heart fat or dressing percentage. Fixed effect of finishing system only was also analyzed. Steers in conventional finishing had heavier (P<0.01) carcasses, larger (P<0.01) ribeyes and less (P<0.05) marbling than steers in organic finishing.
Iran: The Pivotal State of Southwest Asia

An American geographer and specialist on Iran and Southwest Asia surveys the key geographic, historic, and political factors highlighting Iran's geostrategic importance at the crossroads between the petroleum-rich Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf regions. Focusing on contemporary socioeconomic and sociopolitical developments since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the author also discusses Iran's complex relations with its 15 neighbors. Coverage (through mid-February 2003) includes material on procurement of nuclear and missile technology from Russia and jurisdictional disputes over economic zones in the Caspian. Also noted are Iran's concerns in light of the prospective military operations in Iraq by the U.S.-led coalition. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O11, O15, O53. 4 figures, 4 tables, 149 references.
A combined multiple-regression and bioenergetics model for simulating fish growth in length and condition

Abstract We determined the relationships between the length relative growth rate (LRGR) and weight relative growth rate (WRGR) in white crappies Pomoxis annularis of various sizes (35–399 g) and condition factors (relative weight [Wr ] range, 73–109) grown at varying rates via the manipulation of ration in eight 60-d laboratory experiments. The WRGR alone explained 63% of the variation in LRGR. However, the slope (β1) of the LRGR–WRGR relationship varied with white crappie Wr and body weight; β1 increased exponentially with Wr and declined as a power function of weight. A multiple-regression (MR) model that predicted LRGR from WRGR, Wr , and fish weight was constructed (R 2 = 0.77; P < 0.0001) and combined with an existing white crappie bioenergetics model (BEM) that was originally capable of predicting growth in terms of weight only. Output from the BEM provided input to the MR model in each modeling time step. Independent evaluations showed that the combined BEM–MR model accurately predicted the observe...
Citation classics: Top 50 cited articles in bariatric and metabolic surgery

Background: The number of times an article has been cited reflects its influence in a specific field. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the most highly cited articles published on bariatric and metabolic surgery. Methods: The 50 most frequently cited articles in bariatric and metabolic surgery were identified from the Scopus database in December 2013. Results: The median number of citations was 383.5 (range 275–2482). Most of the articles were published from 2000–2012 (n ¼ 35), followed by 1990–1999 (n ¼ 12), then before 1990 (n ¼ 3). These citation classics came from 8 countries, with the majority originating from the United States (n ¼ 34), followed by Sweden (n ¼ 4) and Australia (n ¼ 4). The 50 articles were published in 20 journals, led by New England Journal of Medicine (n ¼ 9) and Annals of Surgery (n ¼ 9). Only 10 of the articles were published in obesity-specific journals. The level of evidence of the 49 clinical publications and 1 animal study consisted of level I (n ¼ 5), II (n ¼ 11), III (n ¼ 9), IV (n ¼ 19), and V (n ¼ 6). Meta-analyses were 16% of the total citations. Metabolic (n ¼ 12) and survival (n ¼ 6) effects of surgery were among the most common fields of study. Conclusion: Extending from the early 1950s through the voluminous growth period of the early 2000s, the field of bariatric and metabolic surgery led to the emergence of many top-cited scientific articles. These articles have provided the scientific basis for the only currently effective treatment for severe obesity. Articles published in high-impact journals, innovative observational studies, metaanalyses, survival analyses, and research on postoperative metabolic changes are most likely to be cited in the field of bariatric surgery. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2014;10:898–905.) r 2014 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.
The power of information for targeting cost-effective conservation investments in multifunctional farmlands

Decisions about which places to conserve are based upon the geographic heterogeneity of three types of information: public goods or benefits, their vulnerability to threats, and the costs to avert those threats. The choice of public goods depends on the mission of the conservation organization (e.g., biodiversity, open space, cultural values, or farmland). For spatial targeting of conservation at the regional scale, practitioners must estimate the values of these types of information. The quality of the estimations will vary by the primary data used, the assumptions made, and the practitioner's technical ability to analyze complex data. This paper contributes to the growing literature by presenting a systematic evaluation of effect of the quality of the estimation on the cost-effectiveness of the set of sites selected for conservation based upon those estimates. The specific case study targets farmland for preservation from urban development in California's Central Valley where a new land trust was recently established to purchase conservation easements. In one analysis, we compared the cost-effectiveness of farmland benefits using our most sophisticated estimation procedures to those that ignored costs and/or potential loss (i.e., assumed they were equal among sites). Excluding information about the potential loss of resources caused only a slight decrease in cost-effectiveness. On the other hand, ignoring cost information was extremely inefficient. The second analysis compared the performance of the sophisticated estimate to increasingly simpler estimates, such as those that are representative of the methods used by many American farmland preservation programs. The simplification of the estimates caused a 5- to 20-fold decline in the benefits that could be retained for a given budget. To make more cost-effective targeting strategies accessible to farmland preservation programs, we recommend that researchers develop new spatial targeting tools to overcome obstacles in data processing.
Perceptions of Older Rural Women Using Computerized Programs for Weight Management

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Purpose: To explore older rural women’s perceptions of an Internet assisted weight loss program. Sample : The sample (n = 24) included white women (70%) and black women (30%) age 55 and older recruited from two rural senior centers in the Appalachian region of North Carolina. Method: A qualitative design was used to explore rural older obese women’s perceptions of an Internet assisted weight loss program using semi-structured interviews. A total of six focus groups were held with a convenience sample (n=24) of Appalachian adult women (age 55 and older) from two community sites. Findings : The 24 women gave their perspective on the use of the Internet for weight loss. Six themes emerged from the two groups were: awareness, use of the Internet, personal relationships, self-image, peer support, and obstacles Conclusions : Weight loss is a sensitive subject matter for rural obese older women. Evidence from this study suggests that rural women lack social support for weight loss. Nurses may assist women living in rural areas with weight loss through the use of the Internet weight loss social support program in which older obese women can access in the privacy of their own homes. Keywords : Rural, Technology, Appalachian Region, and Older Adults DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v14i2.324
Cost-effectiveness of two small-scale salt marsh restoration designs

Abstract Two small-scale Black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) marsh restoration designs were examined for cost-effectiveness by analyzing a suite of morphological and physiological metrics, along with vegetated area over time. The restoration was conducted by harvesting marsh sods from an adjacent natural marsh and planting in the restoration site. Both restoration designs are on suitable scales for private property owners to conduct, but differed in initially planted coverage area. One design was fully planted (100% coverage of planted marsh sods; termed full density design) and the other design was planted at half the density of the fully planted design (50% coverage of planted marsh sods; termed half density design). We found no consistent differences in the measured metrics between the two restoration designs and few differences between restored sites and reference natural marsh stands. These findings suggest the potential similar functionality across all treatments. The only metrics with consistent differences among treatments were increased leaf nutrient and chlorophyll content in the restored plots when compared to natural stands. These differences are potentially attributable to nutrient-rich runoff from an adjacent parking lot to the restoration site. Total vegetated coverage area for half density plots was similar to full density plots at 2.1 years after planting. Cost-effectiveness analysis of both designs across eight differing restoration scenarios (based on hiring or donation of cost categories) resulted in half density plots having higher or equal cost-effectiveness in seven of the eight scenarios. Half density plots were approximately twice as cost-effective in scenarios with donated pre-planting site construction. Based on the similar vegetated area between the two designs and lower cost and restoration effort, we suggest the half density design as a more cost-effective restoration strategy than the full density design and should be considered for small-scale Black needlerush restoration projects.
Disparities in stage at diagnosis among adults with testicular germ cell tumors in the National Cancer Data Base.

Abstract Background Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common malignancies among US men between the ages of 20 and 34. Five-year survival has increased since 1970s (95%), but remains below 75% for patients with late-stage disease. Few studies have examined the sociodemographic predictors of late-stage diagnosis, and none have examined the relationship between stage at diagnosis and health insurance among TGCTs. Methods and materials A total of 48,151 men between the age of 15 and 64 years who were diagnosed with first primary invasive TGCTs from 1998 to 2008 were selected from the National Cancer Data Base. The effect of health insurance, race/ethnicity, ZIP code-based socioeconomic status, and other factors on late-stage diagnosis was examined using histology-stratified multivariate log binomial models to measure relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Overall, 6.6% and 21.2% of seminomas and nonseminomas were diagnosed at late stage, respectively. Uninsured men (seminomas: RR, 1.88, 95% CI, 1.65–2.13; nonseminomas: RR,1.42, 95% CI, 1.32–1.54), Medicaid-insured men (seminomas: RR, 2.99, 95% CI, 2.64–3.38; nonseminomas: RR 2.82, 95% CI, 2.48–3.22), and Medicare-insured men (seminomas: RR, 2.30, 95% CI, 1.91–2.77; nonseminomas: RR 2.02 95% CI, 1.67–2.44) were more likely to be diagnosed at late stage compared with privately insured men. Black men (nonseminomas: RR, 1.43, 95% CI, 1.25–1.64) and Hispanic men (seminomas: RR, 1.34, 95% CI, 1.16–1.55; nonseminomas: RR, 1.22, 95% CI, 1.12–1.33) were significantly more likely to be diagnosed at late stage. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with an increased risk of late-stage diagnosis among both seminomas and nonseminomas. Conclusions Sociodemographic covariates, particularly health insurance, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, were predictors of late-stage diagnosis. TGCTs are typically diagnosed among younger men who are less likely to have health insurance. Future efforts should aim to increase health insurance coverage and access to primary care, reduce barriers to care, and promote informed decision making for underserved populations.
A risk-specific anesthesia consent form may hinder the informed consent process

Abstract Study Objective: To evaluate the effect of a preprinted, risk-specific consent form on the amount of anesthetic risk information patients retain from the preoperative interview. Design: Postoperative survey of consecutive inpatients to determine risk information retained before and after implementation of a preprinted anesthesia consent form, using standard preoperative risk discussions. Setting: Inpatient units of a university medical center. Patients: Two groups of patients, both of whom received a standard oral discussion of anesthetic risk information, were compared. Patients in the control group (125 consecutive inpatients) received this information only orally and were interviewed two weeks prior to implementation of a preprinted anesthesia consent form. Patients in the study group (92 consecutive inpatients) received this information orally and via a preprinted consent form and were interviewed between the fourth and sixth weeks after implementation of a preprinted anesthesia consent form. Interventions: Anesthesia residents discussed five standard anesthetic risks with elective, adult inpatients (n = 233) during a two-week period immediately before and between the fourth and sixth weeks after instituting the mandatory use of a risk-specific anesthesia consent form. These patients were interviewed postoperatively by one of the authors to determine the amount of anesthesia risk information they retained. Measurements and Main Results: Results of the postoperative survey showed that patients in the control group retained more information concerning anesthetic risks than did those in the study group (33% vs 19%, p Conclusions: to improve the informed consent process, either a better method of presenting the preprinted, risk-specific consent form or another method of simultaneously conveying and documenting risk information is needed.
The Ongoing Social Construction of the Counseling for Work and Relationship Perspective

This rejoinder to the three reactions papers by Blustein (2012), Byars-Winston (2012), and Lent (2012) focuses first on the issue of what is old and what is new about the counseling for work and relationship perspective. This includes the issue of holism, the influence of contextualism, and the designation of new categories and a new discourse for the major contexts of lives. I also elaborate on the meaning of care work and how the boundaries of this perspective might be extended to more fully respond to social justice concerns.
Rapid upper bounding of margin loss in CP digital systems due to rain-induced XPI

Simple engineering approximations are given for the loss in margin incurred when, circularly polarized digital signals propagate through rain and some of the signal on each polarization leaks into the channel of opposite polarization to produce cross polarization interference. Good agreement with laboriously derived prior results for typical phase-shift-keyed (PSK) and quadrature-amplitude-modulation (QAM) signals is shown. >
Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule Targeted Oxidant-Resistant Mutant Thrombomodulin Fusion Protein with Enhanced Potency In Vitro and In Vivo

Thrombomodulin (TM) is a glycoprotein normally present in the membrane of endothelial cells that binds thrombin and changes its substrate specificity to produce activated protein C (APC) that has antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory features. To compensate for loss of endogenous TM in pathology, we have fused recombinant TM with single chain variable fragment (scFv) of an antibody to mouse platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM). This fusion, anti-PECAM scFv/TM, anchors on the endothelium, stimulates APC production, and provides therapeutic benefits superior to sTM in animal models of acute thrombosis and inflammation. However, in conditions of oxidative stress typical of vascular inflammation, TM is inactivated via oxidation of the methionine 388 (M388) residue. Capitalizing on the reports that M388L mutation renders TM resistant to oxidative inactivation, in this study we designed a mutant anti-PECAM scFv/TM M388L. This mutant has the same APC-producing capacity and binding to target cells, yet, in contrast to wild-type fusion, it retains APC-producing activity in an oxidizing environment in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, oxidant resistant mutant anti-PECAM scFv/TM M388L is a preferable targeted biotherapeutic to compensate for loss of antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory TM functions in the context of vascular oxidative stress.
Regulatory Science Innovation: A Rate-Limiting Step in Translation

Sustained funding for academic regulatory science will drive innovation and implementation, forge a viable career path, and build an educated workforce.
Exposure to inhaled nickel nanoparticles causes a reduction in number and function of bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells.

Introduction: Particulate matter (PM), specifically nickel (Ni) found on or in PM, has been associated with an increased risk of mortality in human population studies and significant increases in vascular inflammation, gen- eration of reactive oxygen species, altered vasomotor tone, and potentiated atherosclerosis in murine exposures. Recently, murine inhalation of Ni nanoparticles have been shown to cause pulmonary inflammation that affects cardiovascular tissue and potentiates atherosclerosis. These adverse cardiovascular outcomes may be due to the effects of Ni on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), endogenous semi-pluripotent stem cells that aid in endothelial repair. Thus, we hypothesize that Ni nanoparticle exposures decrease cell count and cause impairments in function that may ultimately have significant effects on various cardiovascular diseases, such as, atherosclerosis. Methods: Experiments involving inhaled Ni nanoparticle exposures (2 days/5 h/day at ∼1200 µg/m 3 , 3 days/5 h/ day at ∼700 µg/m 3 , and 5 days/5 h/day at ∼100 µg/m 3 ), were performed in order to quantify bone marrow resident EPCs using flow cytometry in C57BL/6 mice. Plasma levels of human stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and in vitro functional assessments of cultured EPCs were conducted. Results and conclusions: Significant EPC count differences between exposure and control groups for Ni nanopar - ticle exposures were observed. Differences in EPC tube formation and chemotaxis were also observed for the Ni nanoparticle exposed group. Plasma VEGF and SDF-1α differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, this study shows that inhalation of Ni nanoparticles results in functionally impaired EPCs and reduced number in the bone marrow, which may lead to enhanced progression of atherosclerosis.
Minimally supervised acquisition of 3D recognition models from cluttered images

Appearance-based object recognition systems rely on training from imagery, which allows the recognition of objects without requiting a 3D geometric model. It has been little explored whether such systems can be trained from imagery that is unlabeled, and whether they can be trained from imagery that is not trivially segmentable. In this paper we present a method for minimally supervised training of a previously developed recognition system from unlabeled and unsegmented imagery. We show that the system can successfully extend an object representation extracted from one black background image to contain object features extracted from unlabeled cluttered images and can use the extended representation to improve recognition performance on a test set.
pH-driven conformational switch of “i-motif” DNA for the reversible assembly of gold nanoparticles

Herein we demonstrate that gold nanoparticles conjugated to “i-motif” DNA behave like a pH dependent switch that undergoes reversible aggregations which can be easily visualized by the naked eye.
Scaling laws for time-dependent stagnant lid convection in a spherical shell

Abstract Systematic numerical simulations of time dependent, stagnant lid convection in an internally heated spherical shell are performed in order to obtain scaling relationships for various convective parameters. Convection beneath the lid is time-dependent and characterized by passive upwellings and cold sheet-like downwellings. The heat flux scaling relationship agrees with results from experiment, two-dimensional numerical simulations, and boundary layer stability analysis. Without a mobile lithosphere, low heat transport efficiency and extensive melting during evolution of the terrestrial planets, which are predicted by two-dimensional studies, also apply in fully three-dimensional spherical shell geometry. The scaling relationships for convection induced stresses in the lid are also very similar to those obtained in two dimensions. This supports the idea that initiation of subduction in the stagnant lid convection regime requires a very weak lithosphere.
Structural collapse of plant materials during freeze-drying

Structural collapse of plant materials, which affects quality of foods, was studied. Fresh and osmotically dehydrated plant materials were freeze-dried at several chamber pressures, to achieve initial sample temperatures that were below (−55‡C), near (−45‡C), or above (−28‡C) their glass transition temperature (Tg=−45‡C). Freeze-drying at −55‡C resulted in products retaining their original volume. When the initial sample temperature was increased aboveTg, the resulting freeze-dried samples collapsed. When the initial sample temperature was increased above the temperature of ice melting (T′m), the samples collapsed further.
Effects of a moving target versus a temporal constraint on reach and grasp in patients with Parkinson's disease

The reaction times and kinematics of reach and grasp were analyzed for eight subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD) and eight healthy subjects during three variations of a maximal speed prehension task: (a) grasping a stationary ball as fast as possible, (b) grasping a stationary ball within specific time constraints (520 ms and 450 ms), and (c) grasping a moving ball within the same time constraints. Subjects with PD exhibited bradykinesia when reaching for a stationary ball. When reaching for a moving or stationary ball with temporal constraints, subjects with PD moved as fast as healthy subjects. The reaction times of both groups were shorter when reaching to a moving ball than to a stationary ball, regardless of the time constraint. Subjects with PD had a slower velocity of hand opening and closing, a smaller maximal aperture, and a longer time to maximal aperture than healthy subjects in all task conditions. Thus, visual motion cues and external temporal constraints had a greater effect on reach than on grasp. The results suggest that the bradykinesia observed in individuals with PD during self-determined maximal speed prehension may reflect a strategy used to compensate for deficiencies in the grasp component of the task.
Root Cell Ultrastructure in Developing Aerenchyma Tissue of Three Wetland Species

Abstract Patterns of root cortex cell development and ultrastructure were analysed in Sagittaria lancifolia L., Thalia geniculata L. and Pontederia cordata L. using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM). In all three species, cortex cells were arranged in radial columns extending from the endodermis to the hypodermis/epidermis. During gas space formation, the cortex cells elongated parallel to the root radius and shrank in the plane perpendicular to the radius leaving long and thin rows of cortex cells extending from the endodermis to the epidermis. Although the cortex cells appeared collapsed in tissue with well-developed gas spaces, TEM revealed that the cortical cells as well as the epidermal cells maintained intact membranes and many normal organelles. Formation of root cortex tissue with well-developed gas spaces does not require cell death in these species. Living cortex cells in root tissue with mature gas spaces could provide a symplastic pathway for transport between the root stele and the living epidermal cells.
Dual Pten/Tp53 Suppression Promotes Sarcoma Progression by Activating Notch Signaling

Soft tissue sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors associated with poor clinical outcome. Although a subset of soft tissue sarcomas is characterized by simple karyotypes and recurrent chromosomal translocations, the mechanisms driving cytogenetically complex sarcomas are largely unknown. Clinical evidence led us to partially inactivate Pten and Tp53 in the smooth muscle lineage of mice, which developed high-grade undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas, leiomyosarcomas, and carcinosarcomas that widely recapitulate the human disease, including the aberrant karyotype and metastatic behavior. Pten was found haploinsufficient, whereas the wild-type allele of Tp53 invariably gained point mutations. Gene expression profiles showed up-regulated Notch signaling in PtenΔ/+Tp53Δ/+ tumors compared with Pten+/+Tp53Δ/+ tumors. Consistently, Pten silencing exacerbated the clonogenic and invasive potential of Tp53-deficient bone marrow–derived mouse mesenchymal stem cells and tumor cells and activated the Notch pathway. Moreover, the increased oncogenic behavior of PtenΔ/+Tp53Δ/+ and shPten-transduced Pten+/+Tp53Δ/+ tumor cells was counteracted by treatment with a γ-secretase inhibitor, suggesting that the aggressiveness of those tumors can be attributed, at least in part, to enhanced Notch signaling. This study demonstrates a cooperative role for Pten and Tp53 suppression in complex karyotype sarcomas while establishing Notch as an important functional player in the cross talk of these pathways during tumor progression. Our results highlight the importance of molecularly subclassifying patients with high-grade sarcoma for targeted treatments.
Effect of Inhibitors of Prostaglandin Synthesis On Induced Diuresis in Cirrhosis

The effect of inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis on diuretic action was examined in patients with ascites due to chronic liver disease and in normal subjects. In patients with ascites, natriuresis after 80 mg i.v. furosemide was reduced 82% by pretreatment with indomethacin. Creatinine clearance was reduced only 16%. These effects were likely due to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis, since urinary prostaglandin E2 fell and there was also reduction in natriuresis with naproxen (52%). The effects were not specific for furosemide since spironolactone-induced natriuresis was also reduced by indomethacin (82%), naproxen (52%), and aspirin (33%). In normal subjects, indomethacin reduced furosemide natriuresis by only 14% while creatinine clearance was not affected. The mechanisms of these, drug interactions are uncertain but probably involve renal hemodynamics which appear to be supported importantly by renal prostaglandins in patients with ascites due to liver disease.
A survey of wormhole routing techniques in direct networks

Several research contributions and commercial ventures related to wormhole routing, a switching technique used in direct networks, are discussed. The properties of direct networks are reviewed, and the operation and characteristics of wormhole routing are discussed in detail. By its nature, wormhole routing is particularly susceptible to deadlock situations, in which two or more packets may block one another indefinitely. Several approaches to deadlock-free. routing, along with a technique that allows multiple virtual channels to share the same physical channel, are described. In addition, several open issues related to wormhole routing are discussed. >
Energy quality and energy surplus in the extraction of fossil fuels in the U.S.

Abstract The goal of net energy analysis is to assess the amount of useful energy delivered by an energy system, net of the energy costs of delivery. The standard technique of aggregating energy inputs and outputs by their thermal equivalents diminishes the ability of energy analysis to achieve that goal because different types of energy have different abilities to do work per heat equivalent. This paper describes physical and economic methods of calculating energy quality, and incorporates economic estimates of quality in the analysis of the energy return on investment (EROI) for the extraction of coal and petroleum resources in the U.S. from 1954 to 1987. EROI is the ratio of energy delivered to energy used in the delivery process. The quality-adjusted EROI is used to answer the following questions: (1) are coal and petroleum resources becoming more scarce in the U.S.?, (2) is society's capability of doing useful economic work changing?, and (3) is society's allocation of energy between the extraction of coal and petroleum optimal? The results indicate that petroleum and coal became more scarce in the 1970s, although the degree of scarcity depends on the type of quality factor used. The quality-adjusted EROI shed light on the coal-petroleum paradox: when energy inputs and outputs are measured in thermal equivalents, coal extraction has a much larger EROI than petroleum. The adjustment for energy quality reduces substantially the difference between the two fuels. The results also suggest that when corrections are made for energy quality, society's allocation of energy between coal and petroleum extraction meets the efficiency criteria described by neoclassical and biophysical economists.
Urologic injuries associated with repair of anorectal malformations in male patients

Background/Purpose: Serious injuries to the urinary tract may occur during the repair of an anorectal malformation, especially in boys. This review of a large series of patients characterizes factors that may either lead to, or prevent, those injuries. Methods: A retrospective review of 1,003 boys with anorectal malformations was performed. Results: A total of 129 injuries in 1,003 patients were identified. Five hundred seventy-two of the 1,003 patients (group A) underwent definitive repair at the authors' institution. In this group, there were 19 urologic injuries; 1 bladder perforation, 1 divided ureter, 2 divided vas defera, 1 prostatic injury, 7 seminal vesicles were opened and closed, and in 7 cases, the urethra was opened and closed during the repair. Follow-up ranges from 15 years to 1 month and no late sequelae have been observed. The second group (B) consisted of 431 patients who underwent various operations at other institutions. In this group, 110 urologic injuries in 97 patients were noted. These included neurogenic bladder (n = 27), persistent, recurrent or acquired recto-urethral fistulae (n = 30), posterior urethral diverticulae that required reoperation (n = 23), urethral injuries leading to stenosis or aquired atresia (n = 19), pull-through of major urinary structures (n = 2), injured ureter (n = 1), opened seminal vesicle (n = 1), divided vas defera (n = 4), impotence (n = 1), and loss of ejaculation (n = 2). Several significant associations were noted. The most significant was that all 27 patients with neurogenic bladder and all 19 of those in group B with urethral injuries did not undergo a distal colostogram to define the level of the fistula before repair. Posterior urethral diverticulae were seen only in cases of recto-bulbar urethral fistulae repaired via an abdominal-perineal approach. Conclusions: Significant urologic injuries are associated with the repair of anorectal malformations. The risk of injury is increased in those patients who undergo repair without a distal colostogram.
Efficacy of maropitant in preventing vomiting in dogs premedicated with hydromorphone.

Abstract Objective The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of maropitant (Cerenia ® ) in preventing vomiting after premedication with hydromorphone. Study design Randomized, blinded, prospective clinical study. Animals Eighteen dogs ASA I/II admitted for elective orthopedic surgical procedures. The dogs were a mixed population of males and females, purebreds and mixed breeds, 1.0–10.2 years of age, weighing 3–49.5 kg. Methods Dogs were admitted to the study if they were greater than 1 year of age, healthy and scheduled to undergo elective orthopedic surgery. Dogs were randomly selected to receive one of two treatments administered by subcutaneous injection. Group M received 1.0 mg kg −1 of maropitant, Group S received 0.1 mL kg −1 of saline 1 hour prior to anesthesia premedication. Dogs were premedicated with 0.1 mg kg −1 of hydromorphone intramuscularly. A blinded observer documented the presence of vomiting, retching and/or signs of nausea for 30 minutes after premedication. Results All dogs in S vomited (6/9), retched (1/9) or displayed signs of nausea (2/9). None (0/9) of the dogs in M vomited, retched or displayed signs of nausea. Dogs in M had significantly fewer incidences of vomiting ( p = 0.0090), vomiting and retching ( p = 0.0023) and vomiting, retching and nausea ( p Conclusion and clinical relevance Maropitant prevents vomiting, retching and nausea associated with intramuscular hydromorphone administration in dogs.
Endovascular Techniques for Stroke Prevention

The endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment alternative to surgical management. Technologic advances in coil design, stents, and liquid embolic agents may revolutionize such treatment. Cerebral arteriovenous malformation obliteration rates have increased with the advent of newer embolic agents and devices but complications exist, related to the angioarchitecture of the arteriovenous malformations, the types of agents used, and operator experience. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach with combination therapy should be used. As for understanding the natural history of intracranial atherosclerosis disease, it is to be hoped that the results of recently launched and future randomized clinical trials will clarify the role of intracranial percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting.
Application of index number theory to the construction of a water quality index: Aggregated nutrient loadings related to the areal extent of hypoxia in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Numerous studies have linked individual nutrient loadings from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers to the growth of the hypoxic, or oxygen depleted, zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico. However, in the discussion of policy to remediate Gulf hypoxia, it is beneficial for stakeholders and policymakers to obtain a single measure for water quality that characterizes information from multiple water pollutants. This study aggregates loadings from six nutrients measured at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico into a single time-varying index of water quality. The index is constructed using traditional index number theory originating from economic production theory, mainly, Shephard’s distance functions calculated using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The methodology is an advance over other index construction schemes because the determined metric weights are endogenous, calculated from the data itself, and do not require external user input. To validate the index, May values of the index are used within a statistical regression model to model the areal extent of Gulf hypoxia using mid-July cruise measurements from 1985 to 2013, excluding 1989 when no cruise data were available. Regression results (R2adj = 0.81) suggest the index is successful at aggregating multiple pollutants into a single measure of water quality and may be useful for tracking their aggregated effect on the growth of the hypoxia area in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Calculation of the water quality index described here is automatic in the sense that no human intervention is required for variable selection, statistical analysis or assignment of weights. This is very useful for specifying a water quality objective in a multiple objective optimization for watershed management.