cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
More "mapping" in brain mapping: statistical comparison of effects.

The term "mapping" in the context of brain imaging conveys to most the concept of localization; that is, a brain map is meant to reveal a relationship between some condition or parameter and specific sites within the brain. However, in reality, conventional voxel-based maps of brain function, or for that matter of brain structure, are generally constructed using analyses that yield no basis for inferences regarding the spatial nonuniformity of the effects. In the normal analysis path for functional images, for example, there is nowhere a statistical comparison of the observed effect in any voxel relative to that in any other voxel. Under these circumstances, strictly speaking, the presence of significant activation serves as a legitimate basis only for inferences about the brain as a unit. In their discussion of results, investigators rarely are content to confirm the brain's role, and instead generally prefer to interpret the spatial patterns they have observed. Since "pattern" implies nonuniform effects over the map, this is equivalent to interpreting results without bothering to test their significance, a practice most of the experimentally-trained would eschew in other contexts. In this review, we appeal to investigators to adopt a new standard of data presentation that facilitates comparison of effects across the map. Evidence for sufficient effect size difference between the effects in structures of interest should be a prerequisite to the interpretation of spatial patterns of activation.
Separation and chemical assay of lipide classes

A survey is given of the micro determination of three major lipide classes: cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipides. The merits of a popular direct method for serum cholesterol and a system for rapid chromatographic separation of esterified cholesterol from other lipides have been discussed.
A coordinated spatio-temporal access control model for mobile computing in coalition environments

A primary concern in mobile computing is security. Mobile clients often relocate between different networks and connect to different data servers at different times. This poses new challenges to the resource access control in mobile computing. The resource sharing in a coalition environment creates certain temporal and spatial requirements for the accesses by mobile devices. However, there is a lack of formal treatment of the impact of mobility to the shared resource access control. In this paper, we introduce the shared resource access language, SRAL, to model the behavior of mobile devices. The language is structured and compositional so that programs of a mobile device can be constructed recursively from primitive accesses. We prove that SRAL is expressive enough for most resource access patterns. In particular, it is complete in the sense that it can specify any program of regular trace model. A constraint language is defined to specify spatial constraints for shared resource accesses. The problem of checking if a mobile object satisfies a given spatial constraint can be solved in a polynomial-time algorithm. We apply duration calculus to express temporal constraints, and show the temporal constraint satisfaction problem is decidable as well. We extend the role-based access control (RBAC) model to specify and enforce spatio-temporal constraints. This coordinated access control model has been implemented in a mobile agent system, which emulates mobile computing by software agents.
Toward a Theory of Burnout

The burnout phenomenon, while widely acknowledged as an important issue among people-helping professionals, has to date been treated chiefly in anecdotal or descriptive reports that lack both precise theoretical foundations and substantial empirical support. Einsiedel and Tully criticize burnout research, maintaining that conceptual and operational definitions vary widely and that little effort has been expended to draw on more established literature to explain burnout. This paper proposes a new model of burnout, largely based on the work of Bandura. Burnout is defined as a state in which individuals expect little reward and considerable punishment from work because of a lack of valued reinforcement, controllable outcomes, or personal competence. The burnout literature is briefly reviewed and grouped according to the categories of the proposed burnout model.
Inequality under Democracy: Explaining the Left Decade in Latin America

Inequality is generally thought to affect the electoral fortunes of the left, yet the theory and evidence on the question are unclear. This is the case even in Latin America, a region marked by enormous inequalities and by the stunning return of the left over the last decade. We address this shortcoming. Our game-theoretic model reveals that the probability that the left candidate is elected follows an inverted U-shaped relationship. At low levels of inequality, the rich do not bribe any voters and poor voters are increasingly likely to vote for the left candidate based on redistributive concerns. At high levels of inequality, the rich want to avoid redistribution and bribe poor voters, causing the left candidate to be elected with decreasing probability. We find support for our hypothesis, using 110 elections in 18 Latin American countries from 1978 to 2008.
Leber Congenital Amaurosis: Disease, Genetics and Therapy

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a congenital retinal dystrophy that was first described almost 150 years ago. LCA still remains an important cause of blindness with about 20% of children in schools for the blind being affected by it. LCA has genetic heterogeneity and the study of this disease is elucidating the genetics and molecular interactions involved in the development of the retina. This paper reviews the clinical history of the disease since it was first described. We further discuss the differential diagnosis of the disease and the difficulties encountered in making the diagnosis. We also review the genetics of the disease and the role of future therapies.
Laser therapy for Hailey-Hailey Disease: review of the literature and a case report

Medical therapy for Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD) generally only provides temporary suppression. Surgical intervention has been shown to prolong remission, but may lead to significant morbidity. Laser therapy is becoming the preferred method of treatment because of its successful results and lower risk of complications compared to surgical modalities. We report a case of fractional ablative carbon dioxide (CO2) laser treatment for HHD and review the relevant literature. Fractional CO2 laser therapy was performed in our patient with a 14-year history of HHD. No recurrence was observed 5 months after laser therapy in right inframammary and axillary regions. Symptomatic recurrence was noted after treatment of inguinal areas. In conclusion, traditional laser ablation remains the treatment of choice for prolonged remission of recalcitrant plaques in HHD.
Theoretical morphology of the crinoid cup

Two simple plate parameters, P, the height of the plate measured normal to the plate base, and α, the angle formed between the plate base and the adjacent edge of that plate, serve to model crinoid aboral cup morphology. With few exceptions, the resulting theoretical geometries replicate the range of calyx morphology observed in the natural world. A theoretical morphospace, derived from these parameters, encompasses both the realized and unrealized possibilities of crinoid calyx construction. The model and the associated morphospace demonstrate that the occupation of crinoid cup space varies non-uniformly in time and space and suggest that functional constraints and/or ecological habit are important components of the distribution of cup morphology in time.
Recommendations for the Outpatient Surveillance of Renal Transplant Recipients

Many complications after renal transplantation can be prevented if they are detected early. Guidelines have been developed for the prevention of diseases in the general popu- lation, but there are no comprehensive guidelines for the pre- vention of diseases and complications after renal transplanta- tion. Therefore, the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of the American Society of Transplantation developed these guidelines to help physicians and other health care workers provide optimal care for renal transplant recipients. The guide- lines are also intended to indirectly help patients receive the access to care that they need to ensure long-term allograft survival, by attempting to systematically define what that care encompasses. The guidelines are applicable to all adult and pediatric renal transplant recipients, and they cover the outpa- tient screening for and prevention of diseases and complica- tions that commonly occur after renal transplantation. They do not cover the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and compli- cations after they become manifest, and they do not cover the pretransplant evaluation of renal transplant candidates. The guidelines are comprehensive, but they do not pretend to cover every aspect of care. As much as possible, the guidelines are evidence-based, and each recommendation has been given a subjective grade to indicate the strength of evidence that sup- ports the recommendation. It is hoped that these guidelines will provide a framework for additional discussion and research that will improve the care of renal transplant recipients.
Frequency stability of wafer-scale encapsulated MEMS resonators

This paper presents an investigation of the long-term frequency stability of wafer-scale encapsulated silicon MEMS resonators. Two aspects of stability were examined: long-term stability over time and temperature-related hysteresis. Encapsulated resonators were tested over a period of 8,000 hours in constant environmental temperature of 25/spl deg/C /spl plusmn/ 0.1/spl deg/C. No measurable drift, burn-in time, or other changes in resonant frequencies were detected. Another experiment was performed to investigate the stability of the resonators with temperature cycling. The resonant frequency was measured between each cycle for more than 450 temperature cycles from -50/spl deg/C to +80/spl deg/C. Additional data is presented for short-term hysteresis measurements -10/spl deg/C to +80/spl deg/C temperature cycle. No detectable hysteresis was observed in either of the temperature cycle experiments. These series of experiments demonstrate resonant frequency stability of wafer-scale silicon based MEMS resonators.
Merging old and new perspectives on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

This review covers history underlying the discovery of the molecular mediators of nicotine's effects in the brain and the diversity of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes. Models are presented for both their structure and their function as mediators of signal transduction, with special consideration of the differences between the two main subtypes: heteromeric receptors, which are specialized for rapid electrochemical signal transduction, and homomeric α7 receptors, which have come to be implicated in both ionotropic and metabotropic signaling. This review presents perspectives on the pharmacology and therapeutic targeting of nAChRs for the treatment of nicotine dependence or disease.
p62 provides dual cytoprotection against oxidative stress in the retinal pigment epithelium.

As a signaling hub, p62/sequestosome plays important roles in cell signaling and degradation of misfolded proteins. p62 has been implicated as an adaptor protein to mediate autophagic clearance of insoluble protein aggregates in age-related diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is characterized by dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Our previous studies have shown that cigarette smoke (CS) induces oxidative stress and inhibits the proteasome pathway in cultured human RPE cells, suggesting that p62-mediated autophagy may become the major route to remove impaired proteins under such circumstances. In the present studies, we found that all p62 mRNA variants are abundantly expressed and upregulated by CS induced stress in cultured human RPE cells, yet isoform1 is the major translated form. We also show that p62 silencing exacerbated the CS induced accumulation of damaged proteins, both by suppressing autophagy and by inhibiting the Nrf2 antioxidant response, which in turn, increased protein oxidation. These effects of CS and p62 reduction were further confirmed in mice exposed to CS. We found that over-expression of p62 isoform1, but not its S403A mutant, which lacks affinity for ubiquitinated proteins, reduced misfolded proteins, yet simultaneously promoted an Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response. Thus, p62 provides dual, reciprocal enhancing protection to RPE cells from environmental stress induced protein misfolding and aggregation, by facilitating autophagy and the Nrf2 mediated antioxidant response, which might be a potential therapeutic target against AMD.
ON THE VANISHING OF FOURIER COEFFICIENTS OF CERTAIN GENUS ZERO NEWFORMS

Given a classical modular form f(z), a basic question is whether any of its Fourier coefficients vanish. This question remains open for certain modular forms. For example, let Δ(z) = ΣΓ(n)qn ∈ S12(Γ0(1)). A well-known conjecture of Lehmer asserts that τ(n) ≠ 0 for all n. In recent work, Ono constructed a family of polynomials An(x) ∈ ℚ[x] with the property that τ(n) vanishes if and only if An(0) and An(1728) do. In this paper, we establish a similar criterion for the vanishing of coefficients of certain newforms on genus zero groups of prime level.
Sector and Sphere: the design and implementation of a high-performance data cloud

Cloud computing has demonstrated that processing very large datasets over commodity clusters can be done simply, given the right programming model and infrastructure. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of the Sector storage cloud and the Sphere compute cloud. By contrast with the existing storage and compute clouds, Sector can manage data not only within a data centre, but also across geographically distributed data centres. Similarly, the Sphere compute cloud supports user-defined functions (UDFs) over data both within and across data centres. As a special case, MapReduce-style programming can be implemented in Sphere by using a Map UDF followed by a Reduce UDF. We describe some experimental studies comparing Sector/Sphere and Hadoop using the Terasort benchmark. In these studies, Sector is approximately twice as fast as Hadoop. Sector/Sphere is open source.
Structural Characterization of IgG1 mAb Aggregates and Particles Generated under Various Stress Conditions

IgG1 mAb solutions were prepared with and without sodium chloride and subjected to different environmental stresses. Formation of aggregates and particles of varying size was monitored by a combination of size-exclusion chromatography, Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, Micro-flow Imaging (MFI), turbidity, and visual assessments. Stirring and heating induced the highest concentration of particles. In general, the presence of NaCl enhanced this effect. The morphology of the particles formed from mAb samples exposed to different stresses was analyzed from transmission electron microscopy and MFI images. Shaking samples without NaCl generated the most fibrillar particles, whereas stirring created largely spherical particles. The composition of the particles was evaluated for covalent cross-linking by SDS-PAGE, overall secondary structure by FTIR microscopy, and surface apolarity by extrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy. Freeze-thaw and shaking led to particles containing protein with native-like secondary structure. Heating and stirring produced IgG1-containing aggregates and particles with some non-native disulfide cross-links, varying levels of intermolecular beta sheet content, and increased surface hydrophobicity. These results highlight the importance of evaluating protein particle morphology and composition, in addition to particle number and size distributions, to better understand the effect of solution conditions and environmental stresses on the formation of protein particles in mAb solutions.
Operation, administration, and maintenance of Ethernet services in wide area networks

Recent developments in Ethernet technology, such as 10G Ethernet interfaces, Ethernet passive optical networks, and resilient packet rings are pushing Ethernet from the local area network environment to metropolitan and wide area network environments. For Ethernet service providers, managing Ethernet services efficiently is key to a sustainable business model. This article discusses issues in providing OAM features and capabilities to Ethernet services over metro and wide area networks. We analyze current Ethernet features that can be leveraged in an Ethernet OAM framework, and introduce requirements and new functionalities to support Ethernet services in wide area networks.
Oscillatory supersonic kernel function method for interfering surfaces

In the method presented in this paper, a collocation technique is used with the nonplanar supersonic kernel function to solve multiple lifting surface problems with interference in steady or oscillatory flow. The pressure functions used are based on conical flow theory solutions and provide faster solution convergence than is possible with conventional functions. In the application of the nonplanar supersonic kernel function, an improper integral of a 3/2 power singularity along the Mach hyperbola is described and treated. The method is compared with other theories and experiment for two wing-tail configurations in steady and oscillatory flow.
Teflon granuloma mimicking a thyroid tumor

An unusual case is presented of a patient who developed a “thyroid” nodule following injection of Polytef into the left posterior vocal cord for impaired phonation. Fine-needle aspiration cytology was interpreted as suspicious for malignant cells. Histological evaluation revealed a benign granulomatous lesion with numerous Teflon particles. Review of the literature relating to Teflon injections is presented. Diagn Cytopathol 1987;3:156–158.
Snail2 directly represses cadherin6B during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions of the neural crest

The neural crest, a transient population of migratory cells, forms the craniofacial skeleton and peripheral nervous system, among other derivatives in vertebrate embryos. The transcriptional repressor Snail2 is thought to be crucial for the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that promotes neural crest delamination from the neural tube; however, little is known about its downstream targets. To this end, we depleted avian Snail2 in the premigratory neural crest using morpholino antisense oligonucleotides and examined effects on potential targets by quantitative PCR. Several dorsal neural tube genes were upregulated by alleviating Snail2 repression; moreover, the cell adhesion molecule cadherin6B was derepressed within 30 minutes of blocking Snail2 translation. Examination of the chick cadherin6B genomic sequence reveals that the regulatory region contains three pairs of clustered E boxes, representing putative Snail2 binding sites. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro biochemical analyses demonstrate that Snail2 directly binds to these sites and regulates cadherin6B transcription. These results are the first to describe a direct target of Snail2 repression in vivo and in the context of the EMT that characterizes neural crest development.
Comparison of two capacities in ℂ n

In the past few years, several capacitary set functions have been introduced in connection with the study of analytic and plurisubharmonic functions of several variables (1"1-5, 9-13]). There are many different such functions and the relationship between them is not at all clear. We shall consider here the relative capacity of Bedford and Taylor, and the capacity defined in terms of certain Tchebycheff constants as studied by Zaharjata [13] and Alexander [1]. (See Sect. 2 for the definitions.) We show that these capacities are essentially the same. Our main result, Theorem 2.1, gives the quantitative relationship between them. It happens that the relationship between the two capacities is closely connected with a result of Josefson [8] on the equivalence of locally and globally pluripolar sets. The quantitative estimates of Theorem 2.1 allow us to give in Sect. 4 a new proof of Josefson's lemma about normalized polynomials which are very small on the sets where a given plurisubharmonic function is nearly o e . Josefson's own proof is a direct construction; our original motivation was to give a proof based on capacity notions. It turns out that the Tchebycheff polynomials themselves already do the job. E1 Mir [7] has obtained an extension of Josefson's theorem. Given a function v psh on an open set he obtains a global psh function u of small growth at infinity such that u is dominated by a function h(v) of v. His choice of h is essentially h(x)= l o g [xl. Thus he gets u < l o g Iv[ and so the value of the global function u is o e whenever v = oe. Our methods give a short proof of this; in fact, they apply to functions h satisfying
Sharing and integration of cognitive neuroscience data: Metric and pattern matching across heterogeneous ERP datasets

In the present paper, we use data mining methods to address two challenges in the sharing and integration of data from electrophysiological (ERP) studies of human brain function. The first challenge, ERP metric matching, is to identify correspondences among distinct summary features (''metrics'') in ERP datasets from different research labs. The second challenge, ERP pattern matching, is to align the ERP patterns or ''components'' in these datasets. We address both challenges within a unified framework. The utility of this framework is illustrated in a series of experiments using ERP datasets that are designed to simulate heterogeneities from three sources: (a) different groups of subjects with distinct simulated patterns of brain activity, (b) different measurement methods, i.e, alternative spatial and temporal metrics, and (c) different patterns, reflecting the use of alternative pattern analysis techniques. Unlike real ERP data, the simulated data are derived from known source patterns, providing a gold standard for evaluation of the proposed matching methods. Using this approach, we demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms well-known existing methods, because it utilizes cluster-based structure and thus achieves finer-grained representation of the multidimensional (spatial and temporal) attributes of ERP data.
Long-Term, Wide-Band Spectral Monitoring in Support of Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks at the IIT Spectrum Observatory

This paper describes the development, deployment and early results of a long-term, wide-band (30 MHz - 6 GHz) spectrum observatory system focused on downtown Chicago and the immediately surrounding areas. Previous short term studies have indicated that more than 80% of the spectral capacity may be unused, even in United States urban centers. The goals of this research effort include the validation of these early results, the understanding of trends in spectral usage over long periods (years), the observation of usage patterns and anomalies, and the detection of the positions of spectral "holes" in time and space. The current status in the attainment of these goals will be shared in this paper. This information, once obtained, vetted and appropriately analyzed will be extremely useful in the development of cognitive radios and other dynamic access network systems, and in the proper establishment of policies and regulations to govern the deployment of such systems.
A new Hamiltonian formulation for fluids and plasmas. Part 2. MHD models

The new Hamiltonian formulation of the perfect fluid equations presented in part 1 of this series of papers is generalized to a class of IVIHD models, including for example ideal MHD and the Chew–Goldberger–Low equations. The mathematical structure is to a great extent unchanged by this generalization, and most results about the small-amplitude expansion of the perfect fluid equations remain obviously valid. For example, we now have a rigorous proof of the Manley-Rowe relations in resonant three-wave interaction, valid for this class of MHD models and for quite general inhomogeneous but stationary background states, including equilibrium flows.
Reduced energy demand for municipal wastewater recovery using an anaerobic floating filter membrane bioreactor

Anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) technology for municipal wastewater has shown great promise for achieving low energy, low carbon footprint treatment. However, one potential drawback to fixed-film systems such as fluidized-bed reactors (FBR) is the need for high recycle flow rates to fluidize biocarrier. These high recycle rates could diminish the significant energy savings achieved from eliminating activated sludge aeration. In this study 3.3 L FBR and downflow floating media filter (DFF) AnMBRs were fed a synthetic primary effluent at 10 and 25 °C and evaluated on the basis of organic removal and energy demands. Both FBR and DFF configurations achieved BOD5 < 8 mg L−1 at bioreactor hydraulic retention times (HRT) ranging from 4.2–9.8 h. The DFF bioreactor required 60–75% less recycle energy than the FBR bioreactor while achieving organic removal similar to FBR and conventional aerobic treatment at 10 and 25 °C. Additionally, DFF AnMBR biotechnology coupled with nutrient and dissolved methane removal technologies are estimated to require between 30 and 50% less energy compared to an activated sludge process.
A Genome-wide study of blood pressure in African Americans accounting for gene-smoking interaction

Cigarette smoking has been shown to be a health hazard. In addition to being considered a negative lifestyle behavior, studies have shown that cigarette smoking has been linked to genetic underpinnings of hypertension. Because African Americans have the highest incidence and prevalence of hypertension, we examined the joint effect of genetics and cigarette smoking on health among this understudied population. The sample included African Americans from the genome wide association studies of HyperGEN (N = 1083, discovery sample) and GENOA (N = 1427, replication sample), both part of the FBPP. Results suggested that 2 SNPs located on chromosomes 14 (NEDD8; rs11158609; raw p = 9.80 × 10−9, genomic control-adjusted p = 2.09 × 10−7) and 17 (TTYH2; rs8078051; raw p = 6.28 × 10−8, genomic control-adjusted p = 9.65 × 10−7) were associated with SBP including the genetic interaction with cigarette smoking. These two SNPs were not associated with SBP in a main genetic effect only model. This study advances knowledge in the area of main and joint effects of genetics and cigarette smoking on hypertension among African Americans and offers a model to the reader for assessing these risks. More research is required to determine how these genes play a role in expression of hypertension.
Corporate Civil Liability Under the U.S. Alien Tort Claims Act for Violations of Customary International Law During the Third Reich

This article focuses on the availability of the ATCA to adjudicate civil claims against companies that profited from forced labor during World War II. After first explaining how corporate use of forced labor in Germany violated customary international law and jus cogens norms as of the 1940s, the article describes the mechanism by which the former forced laborers (aliens) may sue a corporation in a U.S. district court under the ATCA. The article considers potential problems that these plaintiffs may encounter in an ATCA action against the corporation, including due process, statute of limitations, and forum non conveniens concerns. Finally, the article concludes that a U.S. district court could exercise jurisdiction under the ATCA to hear civil claims by former forced laborers against the corporation. While this article examines corporate civil liability for war crimes during the Third Reich, it is also offered as an aid in assessing liability, corporate or otherwise, before U.S. courts for international crimes in other contexts, including more contemporary situations.
Observations on Toxorhynchites rutilus septentrionalis (Dyar and Knab) in the Field and Laboratory (Diptera: Culicidae)

Oviposition behavior in the field is indicated by a series of vertical loops, successively decreasing in diameter, until an egg is forcibly ejected onto the surface of the water. Field observations indicated that this species may be more important in biological control than hitherto believed. Cannibalism seems to be a circumstantial obligation. Laboratory rearing methods are given. Observed mating attempts occurred after 4 p.m. Oviposition was not obtained in the laboratory. Adults fed almost exclusively from food containers near the top of the cage.
Cocaine Potentiation of Epinephrine and Ephedrine Action on Uterus and Intestine.

The work of Froehlich and Loewi1 demonstrating that cocaine increases the sensitivity to epinephrine of the iris, urinary bladder, salivary glands and blood vessels of the cat, followed by De Eds'2 results showing antagonism by cocaine of the pressor action of ephedrine, suggested the need for work with these drugs on other organs.With excised strips of non-gravid uterus of the rabbit, suspended in Tyrode solution, there was a definite (20-400%) potentiation of epinephrine and ephedrine actions by cocaine. The cocaine-ephedrine potentiation was evident also on the ergotaminized rabbit uterus, no longer responsive to epinephrine, and on guinea pig uterus. Ephedrine caused contraction of both organs. These facts are important in the analysis of the site of action of ephedrine, and possibly also of the sensitizing action of cocaine.It is to be noted that the above potentiations were upon organs contracted by epinephrine or ephedrine. Reports by Lindblom3 and Halsey4 indicated a similar cocaine sensitization ...
Mass Producing Artificial Diet Pellets for Adult Boll Weevils

Mass rearing boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, has necessitated mass production of diet pellets to serve as food and oviposition sites for the adults. Vanderzant and Davich (1961) used an aluminum or plastic plate 1/2 in. thick, with 49 holes, each 3/8 inches in diameter, drilled through it. They poured the diet into the holes and allowed it to harden. The resulting diet plugs were impaled on toothpicks and dipped into melted paraffin to prevent desiccation. This method, although satisfactory for small cultures, was too time consuming for mass rearing.
Some Physiological Effects of Certain Aliphatic Thiocyanates on the Isolated Heart Preparation from the Roach, Blatta Orientalis

This paper is a report of experiments on the effects of ten aliphatic thiocyanates on contraction rate and dilation of the isolated heart preparation from the roach, B. orientalis . Levy (1) described a physiological saline that would maintain active the isolated hearts of certain dipterous larvae for several hours. Yeager and Hager (2), utilizing a slightly modified Levy's solution, described a method for studying the contraction rate of the isolated insect ( B. orientalis ) heart, as well as of the Malpighian tubes, under controlled conditions of temperature, pH, osmotic pressure, O2 supply, rate of renewal of saline and concentration of dissolved compound the effect of which is to be determined; they found that under optimal experimental conditions, contractions may continue at a nearly uniform rate for 6 or 7 hours. The method has been further utilized in these experiments.
Rap as Threat? The Violent Translation of Music in American Law:

In Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Jamal Knox and Rashee Beasley (2013), the defendants were charged with making “terroristic threats” after their rap song “F* the Police” appeared on YouTube. This...
Development and Validation of A Propeller/Rotor Acoustic Prediction Program (ProRAPP)

A computer program, called ProRAPP, has been developed for the prediction of noise generated by propeller/rotor blades. The acoustic pressure is calculated using a form of Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings equation which is suitable for numerical implementation. For noise predictions, the observer can either move with the propeller/rotor hub or it can be fixed to the ground. Ground reflections are accounted for by superimposing the acoustic pressure for the observer and its image. The numerical results are validated using both wind tunnel and flight test data.
Effect of sea water attack on dynamic behavior of artificially cemented sand in large strain

The offshore and the onshore structures are emerging in China.Reliability and durability of these structures are critical for development in ocean economy.The aim of this study is to evaluate the dynamic behavior of cemented sand under seawater attack in long term.The cyclic triaxial apparatus is employed to show the evolution of shear modulus and damping ratio of the cemented sand in terms of soaking period(SP) and cement content(CC).The results show that the cementation process is affected by the seawater to an extent compared to the sample in tap water.The shear modulus in seawater is smaller than that in tap water;while the damping ratio increases significantly as the soaking period increases and is higher than that in tap water.Also,the crystallization of salts could be clearly observed,which probably explains the evolution of dynamic behavior of cemented sand.The undrained cyclic triaxial tests show the liquefaction resistance has been enhanced with the increasing of soaking periods.Finally,it is concluded that merely slight cementation for sand can significantly improve the dynamic behavior of the ground.
American Liberalism: Triumph and Tragedy

America’s philosophical, institutional, and cultural foundations are classically liberal. In no country are individual rights more honored and protected or power more decentralized and restrained than in the United States. Building upon democratic traditions that had been evolving over 150 years and driven by the principles that the “government that governs least governs best” and “the more power is decentralized the less chance it will be abused”, the Constitution’s architects created a political system in which power was divided between the executive, legislative and judicial branches, and federal, state and local governments, all to the end of guaranteeing individual liberty and rights.
From Kräshen Past to Tatar Present: Gayaz Iskhakyi’s Zuleikha on the Tatar Stage in 1917 and 1992

Drawing on a variety of cultural sources, drama and theatrical productions in particular, this historical study, entitled “From Krashen Past to Tatar Present: Gayaz Iskhakyi's Zuleikha on the Tatar Stage, 1917 and 1992” addresses the ways in which the Tatar historical past was conceptualized in multiple productions of a key Tatar modernist theatrical work, Gayaz Iskhakyi's Zuleikha. It engages three highly charged historical contexts–the Kra;shen apostasy movement of the 1860s, the time immediately following the February Revolution of 1917 and the period following the collapse of the Soviet Union, and it looks at theater as a unique medium to investigate the dynamics of social and cultural identity and change.
Landscape composition is more important than local management for crop virus–insect vector interactions

Abstract Managing crop viruses is difficult due to complex interactions among vectors, reservoirs, and mediating factors such as land cover. Identifying the appropriate ecological neighborhood, or the spatial area in which the most influential interactions occur affecting virus epidemiology, would therefore be beneficial in exposing which of the many explanatory variables to target in the plant-pathogen system. We constructed partial least squares path models to find the neighborhood size for vectors of stylet-borne nonpersistent viruses infecting pumpkins, and compare the relative influence of within-field and extra-field land cover. Two economically important aphid-vectored viruses in the U.S. Midwest are included in these analyses: papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and watermelon mosaic virus (WMV). In 2010 and 2011, we used commercial pumpkin fields to quantify virus infection, vector (aphid) alightment (i.e., landing rates), and within-field weed communities, and subsequently analyzed extra-field cover from 1 to 5 km concentric buffer zones within the surrounding landscape. Alightment rates of total noncolonizing vectors and the top three numerically dominant species (Aphis craccivora Koch, Therioaphis trifolii (Monell), and Rhopalosiphum padi [L.]) were included in individual path models. Overall, we found that extra-field landscape composition had a far stronger influence on vector alightment than within-field weed cover; this pattern was consistent for seven of eight statistical models. In one exception, weed cover influenced alightment of the putative PRSV vector, A. craccivora, while surrounding landscape had no effect. In this case, weed coverage and vector alightment were inversely related, demonstrating that aphids were less likely to land in weed-infested fields. However, weed cover did not predict alightment of T. trifolii or total noncolonizers. The neighborhood size scales for total noncolonizers’ tended to be larger than for individual species (4–5 km), suggesting future studies of dispersal by multi-species aphid groups may benefit from an extended gradient. On balance, our results indicate that while surrounding land cover interactions are complex, they exert greater influence over vector dispersal than within-field weed cover, calling into question whether management of local weeds is an effective method of crop virus prevention in some systems.
Motion Planning in the Presence of Drift, Underactuation and Discrete System Changes

Motion planning research has been successful in developing planning algorithms which are effective for solving problems with complicated geometric and kinematic constraints. Various applications in robotics and in other fields demand additional physical realism. Some progress has been made for non-holonomic systems. However systems with significant dr ift, underactuation and discrete system changes remain challenging for existing planning techniques particularly as the dimensional- ity of the state space increases. In this paper, we demonstrate a motion planning technique for the solution of problems with these challenging characteristics. Our approach uses sampling-based motion planning and subdivision methods. The problem that we solve is a game that was chosen to exemplify characteristics of dynamical systems that are difficult for planning. To our knowledge, this is first application of algorithmic motion p lanning to a problem of this type and complexity.
Food culture of faith communities and potential impact on childhood obesity

Objective To explore the food culture within faith communities (FC) in order to examine the consumption of away-from-home foods, and to provide an evidence base for the future development of healthy away-from-home meal initiatives though FCs. Design and Sample A qualitative descriptive design informed by an ethnographic method of free listing was utilized. A purposive sample of 34 FC leaders from seven distinct FCs participated in this study. Results The top five salience scores for five research questions are considered in detail. Of note, food is provided at multiple FC events including at worship time and Bible or group study, but also as part of school, youth programming, and special events. The purposes of serving food were reported to be not only for modes of entertainment and fellowship but also for promoting attendance and providing basic nutrition needs. Conclusions Professionals practicing in public health, faith community nursing, or in community health nursing are apt to engage in focused dialogues regarding the multidimensional health problem of childhood obesity. This research study directs nurses to consider food culture as a dimension of importance, especially within FCs. Appreciating FC food culture is important because many families engage in the settings for years, decades, and possibly a life span.
Exposure and Engagement With Tobacco- and E-Cigarette-Related Social Media.

Abstract Purpose Little is known about the nature and extent of adolescents' exposure to tobacco- and e-cigarette–related communications on social media. In this study, we describe the prevalence and correlates of youth exposure and engagement with tobacco- and e-cigarette–related social media. Methods Data are from the baseline survey of the Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance system, a cross-sectional sample of sixth, eighth, and 10th graders (n = 3907, N = 461,097). Weighted logistic regression models were used to examine associations between demographic characteristics, sensation seeking, tobacco use, and exposure and engagement with tobacco-related social media. Results Overall, 52.5% of students reported exposure to tobacco-related social media in the past month, whereas p p p p p Conclusions About 1 in every 2 adolescents in Texas are exposed to tobacco-related social media. Adolescents who are susceptible to or use e-cigarettes and/or combustible tobacco are exposed to and engage with tobacco-related social media more than their peers. Social media appears to be an important venue when targeting vulnerable youth in prevention campaigns.
Developing an Effective Optical Satellite Communications Architecture

The recent emergence of optical satellite communications (SATCOM) offers several advantages over traditional radio frequency (RF) SATCOM capabilities. These include achieving higher bandwidths, minimizing the effects of jamming, providing low probabilities of detection and intercept (LPD/LPI), and requiring lower satellite size, weight, and power (SWaP). However, optical SATCOM capabilities have limitations that can make it undependable for certain uses such as in establishing satellite-to-ground links due to the effects of cloud cover. Clouds can completely absorb or refract optical signals and have the most detrimental effects on optical links passing through the Earth’s atmosphere. RF SATCOM offers a variety of advantages that optical SATCOM does not, including the ability to operate reliably through the atmosphere and broadcast over large regions, though the RF spectrum is becoming a scarce resource that is increasingly difficult to manage and share among competing users. As a disadvantage, optical satellite links are also difficult to acquire and maintain because of their narrow beam widths. This paper proposes four optical SATCOM architectures that can mitigate the cloud cover problem using Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites, along with intermittent Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) or Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, to improve link availability.
Outpatient Care of Thermal Injuries

Minor burns account for 95 per cent of all burns treated in the United States. Although survival is not usually an issue—because most minor burn wounds will ultimately heal regardless of therapy—undertreatment and, more commonly, overtreatment may result in infection or delay in healing with discomfort and prolonged morbidity. The goals of outpatient burn management include wound healing, patient comfort, and rapid rehabilitation.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Nervous System Injury

Mitochondria are involved in energy metabolism, regulation of Ca2+, regulation of cell survival or cell death, production and detoxification of reactive oxygen species, among many other functions. Injury to the nervous system is mediated to a significant extent by the mitochondria. This involves an initial rapid necrotic event to neuronal tissue at the site of injury, followed by a progressive secondary injury that results in significant neuronal damage. Following central nervous system (CNS) injury, excitotoxicity occurs, leading to a massive influx of Ca2+ resulting in alterations of Ca2+ homeostasis and increased production of reactive oxygen or nitrogen species. The Ca2+ overload leads to the induction of a mitochondrial permeability transition, resulting in the opening of the mitochondria permeability transition pore. This then leads to the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, decline in ATP synthesis, swelling of the mitochondria, and the eventual release of pro-apoptotic factors, such as cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor, from the inner mitochondrial membrane. This, in turn, results in the initiation of the caspase-mediated cell death pathways. Maintenance of neuronal mitochondrial homeostasis and bioenergetics following injury becomes a critical event mediated by endogenous antioxidant systems. However, during nervous system injury, these protective mechanisms are usually overwhelmed. This article focuses on the role of the mitochondria in CNS injury, specifically in traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke/cerebral ischemia.
The Velocity of Displacement

During the twentieth century, consideration in design of drift response has moved with speed from a minor serviceability criterion to a central proportioning issue. It is suggested that the time is ripe for uncoupling the drift computation from calculated and often unrealistic lateral design forces and relating it directly to a design displacement spectrum. It is also argued that the “cracked-section” concept for determining stiffness of reinforced concrete structures may be realistic for gravity loading but is not for earthquake effects.
Compression and Occlusion Culling for Fast Isosurface Extraction from Massive Datasets

We present two algorithms for data compression and occlusion culling that im- prove interactive, adaptive isosurface extraction from large volume datasets. Our algorithm, based on hierarchical tetrahedral meshes defined by longest edge bisection, allows arbitrary isosurfaces to be adaptively extracted at interactive rates from losslessly compressed volumes where the region of interest, determined at runtime by user interaction, is decompressed on- the-fly. For interactive applications, we exploit frame-to-frame coherence between consecutive views to simplify the mesh structure in occluded regions and eliminate occluded triangles sig- nificantly reducing the complexity of the visualized surface and the underlying multiresolution volume representation. We extend the use of hardware accelerated occlusion queries to adap- tive isosurface extraction applications where the surface geometry and topology change with the level-of-detail and view-point and the user can select an arbitrary isovalue for visualization.
Piezoelectric energy harvesting from flexible delta wings

ABSTRACT The potential for harvesting energy from a flexible delta wing using a piezoelectric bimorph is experimentally investigated. Different configurations of the proposed harvesting system were tested in a wind tunnel over a broad range of airspeeds. In addition to evaluating the level of harvested power, an analysis is performed to extract critical aspects for the relation between speed, flexibility, geometry and the potential power that can be harvested from a clamped, cantilevered flexible delta wing at low angles of attack and low speeds. This analysis provides an insight into parameters that impact energy harvesting from flexible membranes or elements.
Atopic dermatitis: Update on comorbidities and therapeutic advances

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the skin. Recent literature has expanded our knowledge of associated comorbidities. In this review, we will discuss sleep loss, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obesity, and anemia as they relate to AD. We will also review two recently approved medications and how they fit into the therapeutic ladder.