cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computing Content-Plots for Video

The content-plot of a video clip is created by positioning several key frames in two-dimensions and connecting them with lines. It is constructed so that it should be possible to follow the events shown in the video by moving along the lines. Content plots were previously computed by clustering together frames that are contiguous in time. We propose to cluster together frames if they are related by a short chain of similarly looking frames even if they are not adjacent on the time-line. The computational problem can be formulated as a graph clustering problem that we solve by extending the classic k-means technique to graphs. This new graph clustering algorithm is the main technical contribution of this paper.
The Economic Cost of Environmental Degradation: A Case Study of Agricultural Land Degradation in Ghana

Land is a key environment and natural resource assets in Agriculture. It is also the case that the viability of arable land has a direct relationship with productivity. Land degradation caused by soil erosion is a major threat to the sustainability of agriculture. Soil erosion is one of the main forms of land degradation in Ghana, a problem that has been studied and researched by numerous scholars both local and abroad. Since 2006, the agricultural sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product has declined, possibly because of the negative effects of land degradation i.e. soil erosion challenges among others. The paper assesses the cost of land or soil degradation in the Agricultural Sector and its effect on the economy of Ghana with focus on the on-site effects of soil erosion on agricultural productivity. The study draws on the productivity loss and nutrient replacement cost approaches in estimating the cost of soil degradation in the agricultural sector. The results show the Northern region as the most prone to soil degradation, and that the real cost of agricultural soil degradation as a percentage of real Gross Domestic Product is approximately 2.5% on average, for a 4 year period from 2006 to 2012, which is equivalent to approximately GH¢ 964.92 million in monetary terms. The Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices would be key in efforts to mitigate land degradation; enhancing agricultural biodiversity, and reducing poverty. SLM should thus be implemented particularly in the northern part of the country.
Declarative camera control for automatic cinematography

Animations generated by interactive 3D computer graphics applications are typically portrayed either from a particular character's point of view or from a small set of strategically-placed viewpoints. By ignoring camera placement, such applications fail to realize important storytelling capabilities that have been explored by cinematographers for many years. In this paper, we describe several of the principles of cinematography and show how they can be formalized into a declarative language, called the Declarative Camera Control Language (OCCL). We describe the application of OCCL within the context of a simple interactive video game and argue that OCCL represents cinematic knowledge at the same level of abstraction as expert directors by encoding 16 idioms from a film textbook. These idioms produce compelling animations, as demonstrated on the accompanying videotape.
Single-Dirac-cone topological surface states in the TlBiSe(2) class of topological semiconductors.

We investigate several strong spin-orbit coupling ternary chalcogenides related to the (Pb,Sn)Te series of compounds. Our first-principles calculations predict the low-temperature rhombohedral ordered phase in ${\mathrm{TlBiTe}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{TlBiSe}}_{2}$, and $\mathrm{TlSb}{X}_{2}$ ($X=\mathrm{Te}$, Se, S) to be topologically nontrivial. We identify the specific surface termination that realizes the single Dirac cone through first-principles surface state computations. This termination minimizes effects of dangling bonds, making it favorable for photoemission experiments. In addition, our analysis predicts that thin films of these materials could harbor novel 2D quantum spin Hall states, and support odd-parity topological superconductivity.
A mechanistic study of impurity segregation at silicon grain boundaries

The segregation behavior of carbon and oxygen atoms at various silicon grain boundaries was studied using a combination of atomistic simulation and analytical modeling. First, quasi-lattice Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations were used to compute segregation isotherms as a function of grain boundary type, impurity atom loading level, and temperature. Next, the atomistic results were employed to regress different analytical segregation models and extract thermodynamic and structural properties. The multilayer Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) isotherm was found to quantitatively capture all the simulation conditions probed in this work, while simpler, single layer models such as the Langmuir-McLean model did not. Some of the BET parameters, namely, the binding free energy of the first adsorption layer and the impurity holding capacity of each layer, were tested for correlation with various measures of grain boundary structure and/or mechanical properties. It was found that certain measures of the atomistic stress distribution correlate strongly with the first-layer binding free energy for substitutional carbon atoms, while common grain boundary identifiers such as sigma value and energy density are not useful in this regard. Preliminary analysis of the more complex case of interstitial oxygen segregation showed that similar measures based on atomistic stress also may be useful here, but more systematic correlative studies are needed to develop a comprehensive picture.
TBX3 promotes human embryonic stem cell proliferation and neuroepithelial differentiation in a differentiation stage-dependent manner

T-box 3 (Tbx3) is a member of the T-box family of genes. Mutations that result in the haploinsufficiency of TBX3 cause ulnar mammary syndrome in humans characterized by mammary gland hypoplasia as well as other congenital defects. In mice, homozygous mutations are embryonic lethal, suggesting that Tbx3 is essential for embryo development. Studies in mice have shown that Tbx3 is essential in the maintenance of mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal and in their differentiation into extraembryonic endoderm (ExEn). The role TBX3 plays in regulating human ESCs (hESCs) has not been explored. Since mouse and hESCs are known to represent distinct pluripotent states, it is important to address the role of TBX3 in hESC self-renewal and differentiation. Using overexpression and knockdown strategies, we found that TBX3 overexpression promotes hESC proliferation possibly by repressing the expression of both NFκBIB and p14(ARF) , known cell cycle regulators. During differentiation, TBX3 knockdown resulted in decreased neural rosette formation and in decreased expression of neuroepithelial and neuroectoderm markers (PAX6, LHX2, FOXG1, and RAX). Taken together, our data suggest a role for TBX3 in hESC proliferation and reveal an unrecognized novel role of TBX3 in promoting neuroepithelial differentiation. Our results suggest that TBX3 plays distinct roles in regulating self-renewal and differentiation in both hESCs and mouse ESCs.
Intrathecal urocortin I in the spinal cord as a murine model of stress hormone‐induced musculoskeletal and tactile hyperalgesia

Stress is antinociceptive in some models of pain, but enhances musculoskeletal nociceptive responses in mice and muscle pain in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. To test the hypothesis that urocortins are stress hormones that are sufficient to enhance tactile and musculoskeletal hyperalgesia, von Frey fibre sensitivity and grip force after injection of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), urocortin I and urocortin II were measured in mice. Urocortin I (a CRF1 and CRF2 receptor ligand) produced hyperalgesia in both assays when injected intrathecally (i.t.) but not intracerebroventricularly, and only at a large dose when injected peripherally, suggesting a spinal action. Morphine inhibited urocortin I-induced changes in nociceptive responses in a dose-related fashion, confirming that changes in behaviour reflect hyperalgesia rather than weakness. No tolerance developed to the effect of urocortin I (i.t.) when injected repeatedly, consistent with a potential to enhance pain chronically. Tactile hyperalgesia was inhibited by NBI-35965, a CRF1 receptor antagonist, but not astressin 2B, a CRF2 receptor antagonist. However, while urocortin I-induced decreases in grip force were not observed when co-administered i.t. with either NBI-35965 or astressin 2B, they were even more sensitive to inhibition by astressin, a non-selective CRF receptor antagonist. Together these data indicate that urocortin I acts at CRF receptors in the mouse spinal cord to elicit a reproducible and persistent tactile (von Frey) and musculoskeletal (grip force) hyperalgesia. Urocortin I-induced hyperalgesia may serve as a screen for drugs that alleviate painful conditions that are exacerbated by stress.
Exposure and affect: A field experiment

A field experiment was carried out to test the hypothesis that the mere repeated exposure of a stimulus is a sufficient condition for the enhancement of the S’s attitude toward it. The utilization of a series of display advertisements in the newspapers of two universities made it possible to specify that a set of five Turkish words was exposed at various frequencies to large numbers of people. Questionnaires containing the test words and a good-bad rating scale for each were subsequently distributed among the school populations. The hypothesis gained support: respondents assigned the highest affective ratings to the most frequently exposed words, the lowest ratings to the least frequently exposed words, and moderate ratings to the words appearing at intermediate frequencies.
Janus gold nanoparticle with bicompartment polymer brushes templated by polymer single crystals

Abstract Janus particles have attracted increasing attention from the communities of materials science, chemistry, physics and biology. While large size Janus particles are readily achieved, synthesizing Janus nanoparticles (JNP) with diameters smaller than ∼20 nm remains a challenging task. In this article, we report a systematic study on growing polymer brushes on polymer-single-crystal-immobilized 6 and 15 nm diameter gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using atom transfer radical polymerization. JNPs with bicompartment polymer brushes, such as poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/poly(methyl methacrylate), PEO/poly( tert -butyl acrylate), and PEO/poly(acrylic acid), were synthesized. The grafting densities can be carefully controlled. The Janus feature of these particles was confirmed using both platinum nanoparticle decoration and UV/Vis spectroscopy analysis. The surface plasmon resonance absorbance of Janus particles exhibited a blue shift compared with that of symmetric AuNPs with either homopolymer or mixed polymer brushes. This work demonstrated that using polymer single crystal as the templates, small size (
DIFFERENCES IN THE AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF A THIRD RABBIT ANTIBODY.

Antibody directed against a neutral hapten, p-amino-β-phenyl lactoside, has been purified, and its amino acid composition has been determined. When the results were compared with the previous analyses of two rabbit antibodies, small but significant differences were found. The demonstration of a third unique antibody composition supports the hypothesis that the amino acid differences are related to specificity rather than to the heterogeneity of γ-globulin.
Nonlinear combustion instability in liquid-propellant rocket engines

Nonlinear combustion instability in liquid propellant rocket engines, describing unsteady combustor flow with single wave equation
Performance of repair welds on aged Cr-Mo piping girth welds

This article documents the results of an industry survey of weld repair practices and describes the results of experimental evaluations performed on service-aged 21/4 Cr-1Mo steel piping using SMAW with both conventional postweld heat treatments and temper bead repair techniques. The overall results of this program provide substantial evidence that service-aged piping systems can be successfully weld repaired with and without postweld heat treatments and that life extension by several decades is achievable under the right design and repair conditions. Weld repairs performed on degraded exservice welds resulted in restoration or improvement of tensile and creep properties. Microhardness test results within the heat-affected zone of each weldment indicated that the temper bead weld repairs produced only slightly higher peak hardness values than those measured for the fully postweld heat treated repairs. Finally, in terms of toughness, temper bead weld repairs consistently produced higher impact properties than those measured for the postweld heat treated weldments. Gas tungsten arc weld repairs with postweld heat treatment resulted in the best combination of tensile strength, uniform microhardness distribution across the weld, Charpy toughness, and creep rupture life.
Seeing Is Believing: Effective Components of Professional Development Training for County Extension Educators on an Innovation Perceived as Risky—Food Irradiation

: Decades of research have provided evidence that food irradiation is a safe technology that can decrease the incidence of foodborne diseases; however, adoption of this technology has been slow. The purpose of our study was to qualitatively explore the effectiveness of various components of a professional development training on family and consumer sciences county extension educators' understanding of food irradiation. This training included presentations by experts in the field, a tour of a food irradiation research facility and a meat processing facility, group activities, and a computer simulation model. Data were collected using qualitative research methodology through in-depth interviews conducted after the training. Results indicated that those components that allowed participants to visualize food irradiation processes seemed most beneficial to their understanding. Based on these data, implications for practice are discussed.
Complexity in proteins.

Low-temperature laser experiments provide insight into the rough energy landscape of myoglobin, strengthen the evidence for a hierarchical organization of the protein, and allow tantalizing glimpses into the dynamics of proteins.
Selecting foreign distributors: An expert systems approach

Abstract Distributor selection is one of the most important choices a manufacturer will make in exporting. Foreign distributors or agents carry on the responsibility of marketing the manufacturer's product and servicing customers in the local market. The characteristics that contribute to successful distributors are numerous, making it imperative for manufacturers to employ a systematic approach to selection. This article introduces a computer- aided decision support tool for qualifying potential distributors. The tool, developed as an expert system, provides the user with an interactive algorithm for arriving at reasonable conclusions. In-depth interviews with experienced international business executives led to the development of a comprehensive set of selection criteria. These criteria and related insights form the basis of discussion in the article.
A COMPUTERIZED TOOL FOR OIL SPILL RESPONSE DECISION MAKING

ABSTRACT In 1984, the authors developed a preliminary version of a computerized oil spill countermeasure decision tree. The original purpose of this tool was to be used for real-time spill response, although both training and contingency planning have now been identified as additionally important uses of this product. A presentation and demonstration of the spill response and training tool were made at the 1985 Oil Spill Conference. Since that conference, comments have been solicited from government and private organizations, and the program has been upgraded to include several important features. A revised program was developed and made available for field use in June 1986. This paper provides a brief review of the oil spill response decision process and contingency planning, the development of other decision trees, a review of what was accomplished since the last conference with this decision tree, and a discussion of the uses of the software for training purposes, for contingency planning, and for hand...
Controlling Coherence Using the Internal Structure of Hard π Pulses

The tiny difference between hard $\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulses and their delta-function approximation can be exploited to control coherence. Variants on the magic echo that work despite a large spread in resonance offsets are demonstrated using the zeroth- and first-order average Hamiltonian terms, for $^{13}\mathrm{C}$ NMR in $^{60}\mathrm{C}$. The $^{29}\mathrm{Si}$ NMR linewidth of silicon has been reduced by a factor of about 70 000 using this approach, which also has potential applications in magnetic resonance microscopy and imaging of solids.
Physics of Estuaries and Coastal Seas 2012

This special issue of Ocean Dynamics includes a broad selection of recent advances in estuarine and coastal physics and sediment transport. The 20 papers in this volume are a subset of the 124 talks and posters given at the Sixteenth Biennial Conference on the Physics of Estuaries and Coastal Seas (PECS), held in New York City in August 2012 (Fig. 1). PECS brings together scientists and engineers working on coastal and estuarine fluid dynamics and sediment transport. PECS is an informal organization whose purpose is to foster communication among estuarine and coastal scientists around the world through biennial conferences. The PECS conferences maintain strong international connections, with conference locations rotating between Europe, the USA, and the rest of the world (Mexico, Japan, Australia, China, Sri Lanka, and Brazil so far). The papers in this volume are organized roughly by topic area, although many span several topics. All have gone through the peer review process that is standard for Ocean Dynamics and have already appeared in the journal. We would like to thank the many reviewers who contributed their time to ensuring this high standard. Below are brief descriptions of the papers in the order they appear. 1 Estuarine and shelf processes at the system scale
The Relationship Between Contraceptive Features Preferred by Young Women and Interest in IUDs: An Exploratory Analysis.

CONTEXT: Little research has examined the relationship between womens preferences of contraceptive features and their interest in IUD use. Given high levels of contraceptive discontinuation and dissatisfaction a better understanding of contraceptive preferences may support women in finding their optimal method and meeting their family planning goals. METHODS: Data from 382 heterosexual women aged 18-29 were collected via a 2012 Internet survey. Chi-square tests and multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine relationships between contraceptive features preferred by women and their interest in IUD use. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent of women reported being unsure whether they would ever use an IUD; 20% were interested in using one and 32% were not. In multivariate analyses characteristics of a contraceptive method found positively associated with IUD interest were the methods not interfering with sexual pleasure (relative risk ratio 3.4) being 99% effective without user action (2.5) and being effective for up to five years without any user action (3.8). Women who preferred a method that they could see or that would allow them to resume fertility immediately after discontinuation were less likely than those who did not to be interested in using rather than not using an IUD (0.4-0.5). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this exploratory analysis indicate that women value a multitude of contraceptive features which may have implications for their interest in using an IUD. Future research should consider the ways that womens contraceptive preferences can be incorporated into contraceptive counseling. Copyright (c) 2014 by the Guttmacher Institute.
Inhibition of rat liver calciferol 25-hydroxylase activity with anticonvulsant drugs

Abstract Diphenylhydantoin or phenobarbital adminstered for 25 days to Vitamin D-deficient rats inhibited liver calciferol 25-hydroxylase activity. This inhibition was observed with either total homogenate or the microsomal fraction. Eight days following cessation of phenobarbital treatment, liver calciferol 25-hydroxylase activity had returned to control value. Addition of diphenylhydantoin or phenobarbital in vitro to liver homogenate or microsomes isolated from rachitic untreated animals also inhibits the enzymic activity. These data suggest that the impaired conversion of Vitamin D 3 to its 25-hydroxylated metabolite may be the cause of low plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels in anticonvulsant treated patients.
Lemuria—Description and Travel

Librarians face a dilemma, one to which most of us appear to be oblivious. We all know about lots of modern problems that confront libraries and librarians these days. The problem under discussion ...
Acute stroke therapies

It is likely that thrombolytic agents will play a role in the management of acute ischemic stroke in well-selected patients, intravenous administration is most practicable. However, intra-arterial administration via superselective catheterization is an alternative option that may offer advantages is certain settings (e.g., angiography suite, intraoperatively). Tissue plasminogen activators appear safer than streptokinase. Fibrinolytic agents offer the unproven potential for improving stroke outcome with less risk of intracranial bleeding. LMWHs can be administrated subcutaneously with minimal blood monitoring. These agents may prove more useful for secondary stroke prevention rather than acute treatment. Introduction of other agents like monoclonal antibodies directed against leukocyte adhesion molecules, aspirin, or ticlopidine offer other potential approaches to improving stroke outcome.
The surfaces of beryllium

Abstract Beryllium is unique among metals. The isolated Be atom has a closed-shell 1s 2 2s 2 configuration resulting is a weakly bound dimer. Promotion of the s-electrons into the unoccupied p-bands causes bonding in the solid, resulting in a solid with distinct properties: a high cohesive energy (3.32 eV per atom), a small lattice constant (2.29 A), and a low density (1.85 gm/cm 3 ). The reduction in coordination at the surface can have severe effects, because in this material there is always a competition between the energy required for s->p promotion and the energy gained from bonding. The static and dynamical properties of clean Be surfaces can be described in terms s->p promotion. Experimental results for the atomic structure, electronic states, and phonons at the surface of Be are compared with theoretical calculations.
Peakedness of linear forms in ensembles and mixtures

Abstract Linear forms W (p) = p 1 X 1 + … p n X n are studied in random variables { X 1 , … , X n } having common location-scale parameters ( μ , σ 2 ). For certain distributions on R n having star-shaped contours and others, it is shown that if q = [ q 1 , … , q n ]′ majorizes p = [ p 1 , … , p n ]′, then W (p) is more peaked about μ than than W( q ) in the sense of Birnbaum (1948). In particular, the peakedness about μ of X (n) = (X 1 + … + X n )/n increases monotonically with n . If neither c nor d majorizes the other, then { W ( c ), W ( d )} are less peaked about μ than W ( c ∧ d ), and are more peaked than W ( c ∨ d ). This extends the findings of Proschan (1965) and Olkin and Tong (1988). Stochastic majorants and minorants for linear estimators are given in certain ensembles, including star-contoured distributions on R n if ordered by peakedness.
The Chinese Short Story: Studies in Dating, Authorship, and Composition

During the centuries of its popularity, early Chinese vernacular fiction was never adequately preserved or even documented. The great popular appeal of the short stories saved them from oblivion, but it was only in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that they were first collected and published. Mr. Hanan's erudite study is the first thorough attempt to uncover the history of the Chinese short story. Using a variety of techniques, but principally that of stylistic analysis, the author solves the fundamental problem of dating the stories in terms of periods. He is able to place each story in one of three broad categories, early (ca. 1250-1450), middle (ca. 1400-1575), and late (ca. 1550-1627), and to assign some of them tothe earlier or later part of the time span. In manycases he offers evidence of sources and influences, place of origin, and possible or probable authorship. On the basis of the author's research, it is possible to see in minutely researched detail how the short story developed in China, what kind of men composed it, its relationship to other kinds of literature, and the main social preoccupations with which it deals. The results of Mr. Hanan's study are vitally important to all scholars of Chinese literature. Historians and linguists will also find it valuable as a model of the innovative use of stylistic analysis.
A Simple MPI Process Swapping Architecture for Iterative Applications

Parallel computing is now popular and mainstream, but performance and ease of use remain elusive to many end-users. There exists a need for performance improvements that can be easily retrofitted to existing parallel applications. In this paper we present MPI process swapping, a simple performance enhancing add-on to the MPI programming paradigm. MPI process swapping improves performance by dynamically choosing the best available resources throughout application execution, using MPI process over-allocation and real-time performance measurement. Swapping provides fully automated performance monitoring and process management, and a rich set of primitives to control execution behavior manually or through an external tool. Swapping, as defined in this implementation, can be added to iterative MPI applications and requires as few as three lines of source code change. We verify our design for a particle dynamics application on desktop resources within a production commercial environment.
Temperature dependence of pressure broadening and shifts of acetylene at 1550 nm by He, Ne, and Ar

Pressure broadening and shift coefficients for the ν1+ν3 band of 12C2H2 have been measured for He, Ne, and Ar at a temperature of 195 K using high resolution diode laser spectroscopy. The pressure broadening and shifts follow patterns with rotational assignment that are similar to those at room temperature but are generally larger in magnitude. The change in magnitude is qualitatively described by assuming, for each transition, a constant cross section for pressure broadening or shifting. Better agreement may be obtained for pressure broadening coefficients by using empirically determined temperature exponents; better agreement still is obtained from close coupling calculations of the pressure broadening cross sections.
WRITING CLINICAL RESEARCH ARTICLES FOR PUBLICATION

An increasing number of pharmacists are now conducting original clinical research. This is a reflection of the maturity within our discipline. Today's clinical problems can be best addressed by well-designed research and application of its results. Publications are the most effective means to disseminate newly discovered facts for wider application to patient care. Even a carefully conducted study at one institution will not help anyone outside that institution, unless (i) the findings are published in an accessible journal and (ii) the published article conveys the important details related to research hypothesis, methodology, results, data analysis and logical conclusions. The purpose of this article is to discuss the processes involved in writing a clinical research article for publication.
Interdigital capacitor as solid 4He height detector

Abstract A compact interdigital capacitor is developed as a level detector of solid 4 He . The capacitor consists of 38 interlaced 50 μm wide and 3.8 mm long gold films separated by 50 μm and deposited onto a flat 5×5 mm 2 sapphire substrate. The background capacitance is 6.5 pF . The capacitance change is 1.3×10 −3 pF/mm of solid 4 He height change. A height change of 10 μm is detectable. Observations at 1.2 K in a 6.7×8.7×9.1 mm 3 cell show over pressures (measured with a low temperature strain gauge) up to 25 mbar prior to nucleation of solid. The solid height may be controlled by varying heat applied to a pressure bomb cooled to 77 K .
Localized ECS impedes taste aversion learning

Rats injected with lithium chloride 30 min after drinking saccharin-flavored water avoided that solution upon subsequent encounter unless electroconvulsive shock (ECS) had been interpolated during the taste-illness interval. ECS at intensities of 20, 40, or 80 mA was administered via skull screws implanted either anterior to bregma or posterior to lambda. While the strength of the resulting avoidance response was inversely related to current intensity regardless of localization, posterior ECS was uniformly the most disruptive.
Theory of cooperation in a micro-organismal snowdrift game

We present a mean-field model for the phase diagram of a community of micro-organisms, interacting through their metabolism so that they are, in effect, engaging in a cooperative social game. We show that as a function of the concentration of the nutrients glucose and histidine, the community undergoes a phase transition separating a state in which one strain is dominant to a state which is characterized by coexisting populations. Our results are in good agreement with recent experimental results, correctly reproducing quantitative trends and predicting the phase diagram.
Advanced prior modeling for 3D bright field electron tomography

Many important imaging problems in material science involve reconstruction of images containing repetitive non-local structures. Model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) could in principle exploit such redundancies through the selection of a log prior probability term. However, in practice, determining such a log prior term that accounts for the similarity between distant structures in the image is quite challenging. Much progress has been made in the development of denoising algorithms like non-local means and BM3D, and these are known to successfully capture non-local redundancies in images. But the fact that these denoising operations are not explicitly formulated as cost functions makes it unclear as to how to incorporate them in the MBIR framework. In this paper, we formulate a solution to bright field electron tomography by augmenting the existing bright field MBIR method to incorporate any non-local denoising operator as a prior model. We accomplish this using a framework we call plug-and-play priors that decouples the log likelihood and the log prior probability terms in the MBIR cost function. We specifically use 3D non-local means (NLM) as the prior model in the plug-and-play framework, and showcase high quality tomographic reconstructions of a simulated aluminum spheres dataset, and two real datasets of aluminum spheres and ferritin structures. We observe that streak and smear artifacts are visibly suppressed, and that edges are preserved. Also, we report lower RMSE values compared to the conventional MBIR reconstruction using qGGMRF as the prior model.
Sex hormones induce direct epithelial and inflammation-mediated oxidative/nitrosative stress that favors prostatic carcinogenesis in the noble rat.

Oxidative and nitrosative stress have been implicated in prostate carcinogenesis, but the cause(s) of redox imbalance in the gland remains poorly defined. We and others have reported that administration of testosterone plus 17β-estradiol to Noble rats for 16 weeks induces dysplasia and stromal inflammation of the lateral prostate (LP) but not the ventral prostate. Here, using laser capture microdissected specimens, we found that the combined hormone regimen increased the expression of mRNA of specific members of NAD(P)H oxidase (NOX-1, NOX-2, and NOX4), nitric-oxide synthase [NOS; inducible NOS and endothelial NOS], and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in the LP epithelium and/or its adjacent inflammatory stroma. Accompanying these changes was the accumulation of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts, and nitrotyrosine, primarily in the LP epithelium, suggesting that NOX, NOS, and COX may mediate hormone-induced oxidative/nitrosative stress in epithelium. We concluded that the oxidative/nitrosative damage resulting from the testosterone-plus-17β-estradiol treatment is not solely derived from stromal inflammatory lesions but likely also originates from the epithelium per se. In this context, the up-regulation of COX-2 from epithelium represents a potential mechanism by which the hormone-initiated epithelium might induce inflammatory responses. Thus, we link alterations in the hormonal milieu with oxidative/nitrosative/inflammatory damage to the prostate epithelium that promotes carcinogenesis.
Laboratory Evaluation of Airborne Microbial Reduction by an Ultraviolet Light Positioned in a Modified Hollow Ceiling Fan Blade

Ultraviolet (UV) light inactivation of bacteria has been well documented; however, few practical applications use UV light as a germicidal agent for indoor air sanitation. This study is a laboratory evaluation of the germicidal efficacy of a hollow ceiling fan blade assembly containing a UV light unit through which selected aerosolized test microorganisms were passed. An experimental system was constructed to simulate the airflow through a rotating hollow fan blade, consisting of an airtight airflow system that housed the statically positioned fan blade unit containing the UV light (power intensity, 64×104 µW/cm2), a microbiological aerosol generation system, and a biological air-monitoring system with sampling ports located upstream and downstream of the UV light. Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, and Bacillus subtilis were aerosolized and separately passed through the hollow UV light-fan blade assembly. Air sampling was conducted using modified all glass impingers. For a single pass (26 msec) of the...
Engulfment of apoptotic cells: signals for a good meal

The clearance of apoptotic cells by phagocytes is an integral component of normal life, and defects in this process can have significant implications for self tolerance and autoimmunity. Recent studies have provided new insights into the engulfment process, including how phagocytes seek apoptotic cells, how they recognize and ingest these targets and how they maintain cellular homeostasis after the 'meal'. Several new factors that regulate engulfment have been identified, whereas the roles of some of the older players require revision. This Review focuses on these recent developments and attempts to highlight some of the important questions in this field.
Physical Activity Patterns During Weight Maintenance Following a Low-energy Density Dietary Intervention

Objective: The objective was to determine the role of physical activity (PA) and energy intake on weight maintenance among former University of Alabama at Birmingham EatRight Weight Management Program participants. Research Methods and Procedures: Eighty-nine former participants completed follow-up visits ≥1 year after completing EatRight. BMI was calculated using measured height and weight. Diet intake was estimated from 4-day food records. PA was assessed using a module from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey. Cut-off points were chosen based on the distribution of minutes of activity. For moderate and total activity, cut-off points were 0, 1 to 30, 31 to 60, and >60 minutes. For vigorous activity, the categories were 0, 1 to 20, 21 to 30, and >30 minutes. General linear models determined the association of PA with change in weight at follow-up controlling for gender and total energy intake (kcal/d). Results: At follow-up, 80% (n = 71) of participants maintained (regained <5% of program end weight) their body weight and 20% had gained weight. Mean weight change was 1.0 ± 6.5 kg. Maintainers consumed 384 fewer kcal/d on average. Maintainers had a lower energy density dietary pattern (1.58 vs. 2.01 kcal/g, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in PA min/d reported by maintainers and gainers. Discussion: Our results suggest that, despite being minimally active, weight-reduced individuals can successfully maintain their newly achieved body weight with appropriate caloric intake. Adopting a lower calorie, low energy density dietary pattern may reduce the amount of PA that is truly necessary for weight maintenance.
The effect of prognostic factors on therapeutic outcome following transperineal prostate brachytherapy

The objectives of this study were to examine the effect of both disease and treatment related prognostic factors on biochemical control and post-treatment biopsy. Two-hundred fifty-eight patients underwent interactive ultrasound guided transperineal prostate implantation for T1-T2 prostate cancer using Iodine-125 (139 patients) and Palladium-103 (119 patients) and were followed from 6-67 months (median, 19). Hormonal therapy with 3 months of leuprolide and flutamide prior to implantation and two months given after the implant was used in 96 patients. Pre-treatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) had the most significant effect on biochemical failure. Freedom from biochemical failure (FFBF) rates at 4 years were 75% for patients with PSA 1.3-10 ng/ml (144), 74% for patients with PSA 10.1-20 ng/ml (73), and 34% for patients with PSA > 20 ng/ml (41) (P = 0.0004). Gleason score also had a significant effect on FFBF rates. Four- year rates were 81%, 65% and 47% for patients with scores of 2-4 (68), 5-6 (130), and ≥7 respectively (60) (P = 0.01). These two factors were also significant in multivariate analysis (P = 0.002, 0.007, respectively). Gleason score was the only factor to significantly affect post-treatment biopsy results. Patients with scores of 2-6 had 85% (63/74) negative 2-year biopsies versus 62% (13/21) for patients with scores ≥7 (P = 0.02). Low-risk patients ( PSA ≤ 10 ng/ml, scores 10 ng/ml, score > 6 or stage≥ T2b) (P = 0.02) and had a 95% negative biopsy rate versus 76% for high-risk patients (P = 0.06). Low-risk patients demonstrate high FFBF and negative biopsy rates following implantation. Patients presenting with higher risk prognostic factors such as PSA > 20 ng/ml or Gleason scores ≥ 7 may require more aggressive treatment regimens. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 13:454-460, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ultrastructural changes in the mucosa of frozen-preserved canine ileum.

Summary Serial ultramicroscopic observations were made on four segments of canine ileum frozen to −50°C after use of 10% glycerol solution as a cryoprotectant. The observed alterations in cellular structure were progressive in degree during the perfusion, frozen and thawed, and revascularized stages. Normal fine structure was evident in the cells studied 1 month after freezing. There was a wide variation in the response of individual cells to the freezing process. Changes observed in the epithelial cells included swelling of mitochondria, distention and vesiculation of the endoplasmic reticulum, and rounding with dilation of the cisternal profiles of the Golgi apparatus. In the terminal stages prior to cell disruption, fragmentation of the microvilli was observed. Consistent or typical changes in the nuclei were not identified in this study. In the lamina propria, the capillary endothelium retained its integrity during perfusion but showed mitochondrial swelling. Late changes following freezing included disruption of endothelial cytoplasm. Minimal changes in smooth muscle cells were observed but included decrease in peripheral myofibrills and increase in condensed nuclear chromatin. Plasma cells were relatively unaffected by perfusion but showed vesiculation of the endoplasmic reticulum after freezing and thawing. It would appear that the morphological changes observed after freezing and thawing first appear after perfusion. The one ultrastructural change which may prove most useful in evaluating improved storage procedures is the gradual alteration in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, which develops over a broad range of experimental conditions.
Vertical Motion Structure in Maritime continent mesoscale Convective Systems: Results from a 50-MHz Profiler

Abstract Wind profiler data wore used to determine the vertical motion structure in four tropical mcsoscale convective systems (MCSs), which occurred during the Down Under Doppler and Electricity Experiment (DUNDEE) near Darwin. Northern Territory, Australia. Three of the MCSs occurred during the monsoon-break convective regime and one occurred during the monsoon regime. In the break regime cases (each with a leading convective and trailing stratiform region structure), the wind profiler sampled low-level convective cells on the leading edge of the convective region, trailed by deeper updrafts of comparable magnitude. Surface rainfall measurements from a network of raingauges showed two comparable peaks in rainfall intensity that roughly corresponded to the passage of low-level and deep convective updraft (71%–80% of the system total rainfall was associated with the passage of the convective line). In the stratiform region, the profiler data showed generally weak vertical drafts (<1 m s−1) and the presenc...
Fifteen years of operation of a high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for prednisolone, cortisol and prednisone in plasma

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay first described in 1979 has been modified and revalidated for the simultaneous determination of prednisone, cortisol and prednisolone in human plasma using betamethasone as an internal standard. Revisions include: mobile phase composition; use of a precolumn, automated injector, integrator, and computer software; improved sensitivity and quantitation; thorough investigation of stability, variation, and specimen type; and inclusion of suggested quality control criteria. Plasma-based drug standards are extracted with methylene chloride and washed with sodium hydroxide followed by a water wash. After evaporation of solvent and reconstitution with mobile phase, the extracts are then injected onto a silica gel column (Zorbax SIL) for chromatography with UV absorbance at 254 nm. Calculated limits of quantitation are 10 ng/ml and limits of detection are less than 5 ng/ml. Intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation for quality control samples for all three corticosteroids are less than 11.2%. Recovery and stability data are also provided. Several drugs that may be coadministered do not interfere with the analysis.
Interactive Digital Image Processing With APL

Image processing is striving to attain the status of a scientific discipline. What has evolved at the moment is a collection of techniques and procedures for manipulating pictorial data, but a cohesive theory of image processing remains to be developed. In its current state, the digital computer plays an important role. It is a powerful tool for developing, refining and testing algorithms. Its effectiveness is dependent, however, on the programming language which is available to the image processing analyst. The language most widely used today, FORTRAN IV, is not well suited as an algorithmic language. This paper explores the possible use of APL in a picture processing environment. It shows that improvements can be made with APL and what those improvements are.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
1320 ELEVATION IN SYSTEMIC BLOOD PRESSURE IN THE NEONATE FOLLOWING ABDOMINAL PALPATION

Systemic blood pressure in the neonate may be affected by such variables as crying, postnatal age, and birth weight. This study demonstrates that routine abdominal examination in the ill neonate significantly elevates systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Blood pressure was monitored on a Corometrics NeoTrak Monitor during palpation of the liver, kidney and bladder of 19 ill infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. Baseline and recovery values of 2 minutes duration were obtained prior to and following palpation. 17 of 19 infants were on mechanical ventilators. Mean birthweight, gestational age and chronological age at the time of study were 1684 grams, 31.8 weeks, and 43 hours respectively. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure rose significantly with palpation. No changes in PO2 or PCO2 values were noted. In summary, systolic and diastolic blood pressure increase by up to 24% during abdominal palpation in the ill neonate. Whether abdominal palpation increases the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage in susceptible low birthweight infants remains to be determined. † p <.001
Hormesis, ethics, and public policy: an overview.

This article synthesizes the major points made in the preceding essays on the topic of “Hormesis and Ethics.” The questions and concerns raised in these essays are organized into three general categories: (1) scientific issues, (2) practical concerns, and (3) “explicitly ethical” considerations. The present article concludes with several suggestions. First, researchers would do well to address scientific concerns about the generalizability of hormesis. Second, it would be helpful to gather further information about the frequency that hormetic effects are beneficial for organisms over the long term. Third, more information is needed about the toxic exposures that the public is already receiving and about the potential synergistic effects of those exposures. Fourth, further reflection is warranted about whether regulations should, on one hand, maximize the ratio of benefits to risks for the population as a whole or, on the other hand, protect individuals from health risks to which they do not consent and fo...
Lateral Composition Modulation in Mixed Anion Short Period Superlattices

In this work, we demonstrate for the first time lateral composition modulation in GaAs/GaSb short period superlattices (SPS). Several different structures were investigated in order to study the role of Group V overpressure on the final composition and uniformity of the structure. Cross sectional transmission electron diffraction and xray diffraction reciprocal space maps reveal that the film is indeed phase separated. The composition modulation observed in these films is a result of the SPS growth and not due to spinodal decomposition, as evidenced by the fact that an alloy grown at the same conditions results in a homogeneous layer.
Phase relations in the system sulfur—Silver and the transitions in silver sulfide

This paper presents the melting relations for the entire system sulfursilver, together with a study of the transition behavior of silver sulfide. Silver sulfide melts at 838±2°C and undergoes two transitions in the solid state, each of which occurs at variable temperatures over a limited range of composition. The mean temperatures for the lower transition (Ag2S III=Ag2S II) are 177.8°C in sulfur-rich and 176.3°C for silver-rich preparations; for the upper transition (Ag2S II=Ag2S I) they are, respectively, 622°C and 586°C. A discussion is given of a possible mechanism for the incorporation of a limited excess of sulfur or silver into the lattice, as bised on the semi-conducting properties of the substance and lattice disorder The melts of silver sulfide form two liquid layers with sulfur-rich melts at 740°C, and with silver-rich melts at 906°C. The eutectic with sulfur is at 119.3°C, and with silver, at 804°C.
Some considerations on capillary adjustment to changing metabolism of tissue

Local regulation of blood flow as determined by capillary diameter and the number of open capillaries in a region is considered. The local changes in capillary diameter and in the number of open capillaries are assumed to be due to concentration changes of a diffusible, nonspecified metabolite. This metabolite is produced in the tissue and carried away by the blood stream.