cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pandemic simulation of antivirals + school closures: buying time until strain-specific vaccine is available

A strain-specific vaccine is unlikely to be available in the early phases of a potential H5N1 avian influenza pandemic. It could be months and at the current production rate may not provide timely protection to the population. Intervention strategies that control the spread of infection will be necessary in this situation, such as the use of the US stockpile of antiviral medication coupled with a 6-month school closure. The agent-based simulation model, EpiSimS, was used to assess the impact of this intervention strategy followed by three different vaccine approaches: (1) 2-dose, 80% effective, (2) 1-dose, 30% effective, and (3) 1 dose, 80% effective. Simulations show that the combination of antivirals, school closures, and a strain-specific vaccine can reduce morbidity and mortality while in effect. A significant second infection wave can occur with current vaccine technology once school closures are relaxed, though an ideal vaccine is able to contain it. In our simulations, worker absenteeism increases in all cases mostly attributed to household adults staying home with children due to the school closures.
Systematic photonic crystal device design: global and local optimization and sensitivity analysis

We present a set of modeling, sensitivity analysis, and design optimization methods for photonic crystal structures based on Wannier basis field expansion and efficient matrix analysis techniques. We develop the sensitivity analysis technique to analyze both refractive index perturbations and dielectric boundary shift perturbations. Our modeling method is /spl sim/1000/spl times/ faster than finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) for searching through a large number of similar device designs. We show that our optimization techniques, relying on the efficiency of the modeling and sensitivity analysis methods, enable systematic global and local optimizations of integrated optical components. We show that our design method can be controlled to favor designs without high-energy build-ups, potentially making them more fabrication-error tolerant. We present design examples and verify our designs with FDTD calculations.
Surface wave analysis with beamforming

It is well known that off-great-circle path propagation causes a technical difficulty for surface wave analysis in higher frequency ranges. We propose a new approach that combines a beamforming technique and two-station phase velocity measurement to resolve this problem. Beamforming allows us to determine the correct azimuth of incoming surface waves which can be taken into account in phase velocity measurement. Beamforming results also support that a plane-wave approximation is mostly acceptable for frequencies up to about 50–60 mHz (millihertz), although evidence of multipathing is occasionally recognized in beamforming results as multiple peaks. Application of this correction scheme for Rayleigh-wave data in Southern California seems to make the largest impact on the results of azimuthal anisotropy. Effects are not large for frequencies up to 30 mHz but fast velocity axes in azimuthal anisotropy maps change significantly for higher frequencies.
Abstract 1258: Knockdown or inhibition of Aldo-keto reductase 1B10 inhibits pancreatic carcinogenesis via modulating Kras-E-cadherin pathway

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) is an essential enzyme in the metabolism of carbonyls, retinal and farnesal/geranylgeranial for maintaining cellular homeostasis of retinal-retinoid acid, detoxifying the active carbonyls, and recycling key intermediate products of cholesterol synthesis. All of these biologic processes are crucial contributing to carcinogenesis, particularly the reduction of farnesal/geranylgeranial involves in protein prenylation and for mutant K-ras activity. Mutant K-ras is a most common oncogene in pancreatic cancer, and over expression of AKR1B10 has been identified in pancreatic cancer. To determine the role of AKR1B10 in pancreatic carcinogenesis, silencing of AKR1B10 was achieved in CD18 human pancreatic carcinoma cell line using shRNA knockdown approach. Silencing of AKR1B10 resulted in a significant inhibition of anchor-dependent growth (shRNA AKR1B10 knockdown cells compared to vector-control cells 67 ± 9.5 colonies/HPF vs 170 ± 3.7 colonies/HPF, P < 0.01), invasion index (0.27 vs. 1.00, p<0.05), and cell migration (at 16 hours 9.2 ± 1.2% vs 14.0 ± 1.8%, at 24 hours 21.0 ± 1.1% vs 30.5 ± 3.5%, and at 48 hours 51.9 ± 5.7% vs 88.9 ± 3.0%, P < 0.01). Oleanolic acid (OA), a naturally occurring triterpenoid compound, showed a potent inhibition of AKR1B10 activity and a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth with IC50 at 30µM. K-ras pull-down and Western blot analysis revealed a significant down-regulation of active form K-ras and phosphorylated C-Raf, and ErK,as well as an up-regulation of E-cadherin by either AKR1B10 knockdown or inhibition. A significant reduction of in vivo tumor growth was observed in nude mice implanted the CD18 pancreatic carcinoma cells with shRNA AKR1B10 knockdown (tumor weight: 0.25 ± 0.06g vs. 0.52 ± 0.07g, P = 0.01), and with AKR1B10 inhibitor OA (tumor weight: 0.35 ± 0.05g vs. 0.52 ± 0.07g, P = 0.05). Our findings indicate AKR1B10 is a unique enzyme involved in pancreatic carcinogenesis possibly via modulation of protein prenylation (KRAS)-E-Cadherin pathway. (supported by NIH R01CA164041) Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Wanying Zhang, Haonan Li, Ke Ma, Jie Liao, Guang-Yu Yang. Knockdown or inhibition of Aldo-keto reductase 1B10 inhibits pancreatic carcinogenesis via modulating Kras-E-cadherin pathway. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1258. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1258
Origin and regulation of plasma dihydrotestosterone and testosterone in the rough-skinned newt, Taricha granulosa

The testis of the urodele amphibian Taricha granulosa was studied with regard to localization of androgen production and stimulation of androgen secretion by mammalian LH. Plasma testosterone (T) and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increased in proportion to the amount of ovine LH injected; this stimulatory effect of ovine LH was essentially abolished by bilateral castration. In vitro androgen secretion from testicular fragments of the mature zone far exceeded that from fragments of the immature zone. These data indicate that in urodeles plasma T and DHT are produced by cells predominantly localized in the mature zone of the testis, even before spermiation has occurred.
A procedure to select the best material combinations and optimally design composite sandwich cylindrical shells for minimum mass

Abstract A methodology to select the best material combination and optimally design composite sandwich cylinders having fibre reinforced skins and low density cores for minimum mass is described. Sandwich constructions generally provide improved stiffness/mass ratios and more tailoring opportunities than monolithics, and thus greater chance of satisfying design constraints. The objective of the optimisation is to minimise the laminate mass by selecting the skin and core material combination, layer thicknesses and skin fibre angles optimally, subject to load and cost constraints. As the optimisation problem contains a number of continuous (ply angles and thicknesses) and discrete (material combinations) design variables, a sequential solution procedure is devised in which the optimal variables are computed in different stages. The procedure and its benefits are demonstrated using Graphite, Glass or Kevlar/Epoxy facings, and Balsa or PVC cores.
Gametogenesis and spawning periodicity in the fan worm Sabellastarte spectabilis (Polychaeta: Sabellidae)

The sabellid polychaete Sabellastarte spectabilis (Grube 1878) was collected at approximately monthly intervals from January 2002 to December 2003 from intertidal and subtidal reefs near the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology in Kane’ohe Bay, Hawaii, USA (21°N, 157°W). Gametogenesis and spawning periodicity were investigated using histological techniques and induction of spawning trials. Worms were characterized into four discrete reproductive stages based on histological evidence: (1) No evidence of reproductive activity in the coelom (sex cannot be determined), (2) Only coelomocytes present in the coelom (sex cannot be determined), (3) Some gametes present in the coelom (sex can be determined) and (4) Coelom densely packed with gametes (sex can be determined). The small hermaphroditic portion of the population was not used in this study. Stage 4 worms were present over an extended period of time (females, March–December and males, March–November) indicating a potentially broad reproductive season. No correlation between day length and maturation stages in S. spectabilis was detected. However, the statistical model Y = ([394.26 × X] − [7.793 × X2]) − 4960.781 where Y the % frequency of Stage 4 worms and X the mean monthly water temperature explained 44% of the variation between water temperature and % frequency of Stage 4 worms. Maturation appeared to coincide with water temperatures of 24–25°C (March–September) after which there is a reduction in the % frequency of stage 4 individuals. Induction of spawning trials conducted between May and January showed the month of October with a significantly higher percent success than any other month investigated. According to all available information (e.g., natural spawning in water tables, histological data, induction of spawning trials, correlation of maturation stages with observed changes in average monthly water temperature.), there is an apparent peak in reproductive activity (spawning) within a broad maturational season, which may be influenced by water temperature.
Plasma tryptophan tolerance curves in drug free normal controls, schizophrenic patients and prisoner volunteers

A DISTURBANCE in indole metabolism, particularly 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and its metabolites, has been proposed in various psychiatric disorders. These include schizophreniale6 and mental depression.7-g Large oral tryptophan (TP) loads given with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor exacerbate some of the symptoms of schizophrenics but also produce central nervous system effects in non-psychotic patients.lO-l3 TP has also been used in the treatment of depressi0n.l”l5 In view of the fact that the primary source of brain indoles is ultimately TP, it was important to establish that fasting plasma levels of TP and those following oral loads were within normal limits in psychiatric patients. Fernstrom and Wurtman16 have shown that rat brain 5-HT levels are related to plasma TP. They have also shown that the ratio of TP to other plasma neutral amino acids such as tyrosine, phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine and valine regulate brain TP and hence brain 5-HT.r7 In the present study venous blood samples from four different diagnostic groups were analyzed for plasma TP. The subjects were drug free chronic schizophrenics, acute schizophrenics, prisoner volunteers with personality disorders with and without depression, and normals consisting of staff personnel and medical students. This manuscript describes the changes in total plasma TP in these subjects before and after a 32 mg/kg oral TP load given in the morning and a standard meal containing 394.4 mg of TP and 1187 calories given in the evening.
TransMetric: architecture independent workload characterization for transactional memory benchmarks

Transactional memory (TM) has emerged as a parallel programming paradigm for multi-core processors yet there is no standardized set of metrics with which to describe their behavior. In this work, we propose a set of transaction-oriented workload characteristics that can accurately capture the behavior of transactional memory programs. We apply principle component analysis and clustering algorithms to analyze the proposed transactional workload characteristics and show that these characteristics are architecturally independent
“Atypical” Regulation of Hedgehog-Dependent Cancers

Growing evidence indicates targeting PKCι may be effective in treating Hedgehog-dependent cancers. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Justilien and colleagues present the surprising finding that PKCι promotes Hedgehog ligand production and lung squamous cell carcinoma growth through SOX2, rather than the canonical transcription factor GLI.
Decoherence of transported spin in multichannel spin-orbit-coupled spintronic devices : Scattering approach to spin-density matrix from the ballistic to the localized regime

By viewing current in the detecting lead of a spintronic device as being an ensemble of flowing spins corresponding to a mixed quantum state, where each spin itself is generally described by an improper mixture generated during the transport where it couples to other degrees of freedom due to spin-orbit (SO) interactions or inhomogeneous magnetic fields, we introduce the spin-density operator associated with such current and express it in terms of the spin-resolved Landauer transmission matrix of the device. This formalism, which provides a complete description of coupled spin-charge quantum transport in open finite-size systems attached to external probes, is employed to understand how initially injected pure spin states, comprising fully spin-polarized current, evolve into the mixed ones corresponding to a partially polarized current. We analyze particular routes that diminish spin coherence (signified by decay of the off-diagonal elements of the current spin-density matrix) in two-dimensional-electron-gas-based devices due to the interplay of the Rashba and/or Dresselhaus SO coupling and (i) scattering at the boundaries or lead-wire interface in ballistic semiconductor nanowires; or (ii) spin-independent scattering off static impurities in both weakly and strongly disordered nanowires. The physical interpretation of spin decoherence in the course of multichannel quantum transport in terms of the entanglement of spin to an effectively zero-temperature ``environment'' composed of open orbital conducting channels offers insight into some of the key challenges for spintronics: controlling decoherence of transported spins and emergence of partially coherent spin states in all-electrical spin manipulation schemes based on the SO interactions in realistic semiconductor structures. In particular, our analysis elucidates why operation of both ballistic and nonballistic spin-field-effect transistors, envisaged to exploit Rashba and $\text{Rashba}+\text{Dresselhaus}$ SO coupling, respectively, would demand single-channel transport as the only setup ensuring complete suppression of (D'yakonov-Perel'-type) spin decoherence.
Mimetic finite difference operators for second-order tensors on unstructured grids

Abstract We use the support operators method to derive discrete approximations for the gradient of a vector and divergence of a tensor on unstructured grids in two dimensions. These discrete operators satisfy discrete analogs of the integral identities of the differential operators on unstructured grids where vector functions are defined at the grid points, and tensor functions are defined as tangential projections to the zone edges, or as normal projections to the median mesh. We evaluate the accuracy of the discrete operators by determining the order of convergence of the truncation error on structured and unstructured grids, and show that the truncation error of the method is between first and second order depending on the smoothness of the grid. In a test problem on a highly nonuniform grid, we confirm that the convergence rate is between first and second order.
Livestock, nutrition, and intrahousehold resource control in Uasin Gishu district, Kenya

Increased livestock production in developing countries is seen as one way to improve world food supply. However, the impact of increased livestock production on household health and nutrition is unknown. This paper examines linkages between commercialization of livestock production and household nutrition. Linkages include income, resource allocation, food consumption, and human disease risk. Data from Uasin Gishu district, Kenya, show higher consumption of animal products for large commercialized farms, along with greater control of milk sales by men. Effects of livestock development may thus differ by gender, and may include both positive and negative impacts.
Sensitivity of equilibrium behavior to higher-order beliefs in nice games

Abstract We analyze “nice” games (where action spaces are compact intervals, utilities continuous and strictly concave in own action), which are used frequently in classical economic models. Without making any “richness” assumption, we characterize the sensitivity of any given Bayesian Nash equilibrium to higher-order beliefs. That is, for each type, we characterize the set of actions that can be played in equilibrium by some type whose lower-order beliefs are all as in the original type. We show that this set is given by a local version of interim correlated rationalizability. This allows us to characterize the robust predictions of a given model under arbitrary common knowledge restrictions. We apply our framework to a Cournot game with many players. There we show that we can never robustly rule out any production level below the monopoly production of each firm.
A Case for Collaboratives: Turning Around the Bronx Public Schools.

This article chronicles pace-setting collaborative educational programs which are succeeding in turning around Bronx public schools. It focuses on the results achieved when corporations, universities, cultural institutions, and health-care facilities become partners with the public schools to share their expertise, sophisticated technology, and superior financial resources with the city's children. The marshalling of new resources from outside the school establishment in support of a number of initiatives has set public education in the Bronx on a new course. The transformation of many troubled neighborhood high schools into theme schools which feature a particular career preparation has already brought dramatic changes in the borough's dropout rate and raised the aspirations of large numbers of students.
Buckling and postbuckling of a long, hanging column lowered into a fluid

Abstract A long, hanging column is lowered into a fluid. Depending on the immersion length, densities and flexural rigidity, the column may or may not buckle. The stability criteria are found in terms of Bessel and Airy functions. There exists a maximum stable penetration depth. Post-buckling shapes are also integrated.
The effect of shading on coral reef structure and function

Shading of a 20 m2 area of San Cristobal Reef off southwestern Puerto Rico for five weeks altered community structure and function by decreasing net primary productivity and respiration and by causing bleaching and death of several hard coral species. The prolonged exclusion of light was a partial simulation of extreme turbidity. Shading significantly reduced the growth rate of the dominant coral Acropora cervicornis (Lamarck) although the daily application of sediments to colonies of this species did not affect growth. Ten months after shading ceased, no new corals had settled on the dead corals which were rapidly colonized by algae. Although coral reefs are adapted to transient increases in turbidity, a continuous reduction in light penetration, for example after dredging, would severely alter community function and structure by decreasing photosynthesis, particularly in deeper reef zones where light is already limiting.
In situ studies of oxidation of ZrB2 and ZrB2-SiC composites at high temperatures

Abstract High temperature oxidation of ZrB 2 and the effect of SiC on controlling the oxidation of ZrB 2 in ZrB 2 –SiC composites were studied in situ, in air, using X-ray diffraction. Oxidation was studied by quantitatively analyzing the crystalline phase changes in the samples, both non-isothermally, as a function of temperature, up to ∼1650 °C, as well as isothermally, as a function of time, at ∼1300 °C. During the non-isothermal studies, the formation and transformation of intermediate crystalline phases of ZrO 2 were also observed. The change in SiC content, during isothermal oxidation studies of ZrB 2 –SiC composites, was similar in the examined temperature range, regardless of sample microstructure and composition. Higher SiC content, however, markedly retarded the oxidation rate of the ZrB 2 phase in the composites. A novel approach to quantify the extent of oxidation by estimating the thickness of the oxidation layer formed during oxidation of ZrB 2 and ZrB 2 –SiC composites, based on fractional conversion of ZrB 2 to ZrO 2 in situ, is presented.
Computation of vertical total energy fluxes in a moist atmosphere

This paper examines the computation of surface-level vertical fluxes of total energy in a moist atmosphere. A flux equation is derived which includes the enthalpy of water, the temperature dependence of the latent heat of condensation and variable moisture composition of air. The complete formulation requires keeping track of liquid water fluxes. However, if this is not possible, then the total energy flux is best approximated by neglecting the enthalpy of all net fluxes of water substance. An important finding is that sensible heat fluxes derived using a moist specific heat at constant pressure are not compatible with usual formulations of latent heat unless the net vapor flux is neglected.
SARBAC07: A Scoped Administration Model for RBAC with Hybrid Hierarchy

Recently, administration of RBAC systems using a role-based approach has become very appealing because of the benefits that such an approach typically brings. This approach uses RBAC itself to manage RBAC policies so that the administration functions can be decentralized and made more efficient. Existing RBAC administration models, however, fail to deal with RBAC systems with hybrid hierarchy, which has been shown to be necessary to specify fine-grained RBAC policies. In this paper, we propose a Scoped Administration model for RBAC with Hybrid Hierarchy (SARBAC07) by using the notion of an administrative scope that was earlier proposed in the SARBAC model. We show that our model keeps all the advantages of the original model and can deal with more complex situations where hybrid hierarchy is needed.
Quantitative Assessment of Steatosis in Liver Tissue Using Controlled Attenuation Parameter

Hepatic steatosis (or fatty liver) is a common histological finding in patients with metabolic syndrome, alcoholic hepatitis, or hepatitis C, or those who receive certain drugs such as steroids and amiodarone. The complication of hepatic steatosis in patients with other liver diseases such as hepatitis C leads to the progression of liver fibrosis and poor treatment response. Therefore, an accurate evaluation of hepatic steatosis is essential for clinical decision making and prognosis assessment. Abdominal ultrasonography is a highly accurate and commonly used tool for diagnosing fatty liver. The diagnostic criteria of this technique include the following: brightness contrast between the liver parenchyma and the right renal cortex; masking of the portal vein, hepatic vein, and gallbladder wall; and ultrasound attenuation in deep liver tissues. However, ultrasound has low sensitivity in diagnosing mild steatosis and is prone to the operator’s subjective opinion. Although computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging play a certain role in diagnosing fatty liver, these techniques are limited by availability and radiation exposure. Computed tomography is suitable only for detecting steatosis with >30% fat accumulation. Although magnetic resonance imaging offers outstanding accuracy, it is less suited for regular screening for fatty liver because it is both complex and expensive. Currently, the gold standard for steatosis assessment is liver biopsy; however, it is invasive, costly, prone to sampling bias, and risks potential serious complications. Furthermore, in the clinical setting, repeated biopsies are not a feasible method for following up on the status of steatosis. To overcome these limitations, Fibroscan (� 502 Touch by Echosens (Paris, France)), a technology based on liver fibrosis, has been developed. The measurement of ultrasound attenuation during
SIT-5 system development.

A 5-cm structurally integrated ion thruster (SIT-5) has been developed for attitude control and stationkeeping of synchronous satellites. With two-dimension thrust-vectoring grids, a first generation unit has demonstrated a thrust of 0.56 mlb at a beam voltage of 1200 V, total mass efficiency of 64%, and electrical efficiency of 46.8%. Structural integrity is demonstrated with a dielectric-coated grid for shock (30 G), sinusoidal (9 G), and random (19.9 G rms) accelerations. System envelope is 31.8 cm long by 13.9 cm flange bolt circle, with a mass of 8.5 kg, including 6.2 kg mercury propellant. Characteristics of a second-generation unit indicate significant performance gains.
Effects of sexual victimization on suicidal ideation and behavior in u.s. college women

This study examines the relationship between suicidal ideation and behavior and five types of sexual victimization in a sample of 393 female undergraduate students. Participants completed self-report measures of sexual victimization, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior. Adult sexual victimization, but not childhood sexual abuse, predicted current hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Both childhood sexual abuse and adult sexual victimization predicted suicidal behavior. One in four rape victims, in contrast to approximately 1 in 20 nonvictimized women, had engaged in a suicidal act. Vaginal penetration following the threat or use of physical force was a stronger predictor of suicidal behavior than penetration without the use of force and/or force without penetration. The findings point to the importance of inquiring about experiences of sexual victimization when conducting research or treatment with suicidal women as well as the need for suicide risk assessment in programs for victims of sexual violence.
An analysis of truncated fractal growths in the stability boundaries of three-node swing equations

A second-order nonautonomous ordinary differential equation (the transiently forced pendulum system), is studied and the existence of fractally intertwined stability domains is reported for certain ranges of parameters in the time-dependent forcing function. The analysis is extended to a modified version of Sitnikov's three-body problem in celestial mechanics. Parallels are drawn with the three-body problem and the swing dynamics of a three-generator electric power system. >
Transcription of the Toxin Genes Present within the Staphylococcal Phage φSa3ms Is Intimately Linked with the Phage's Life Cycle

phiSa3ms, a lysogenic bacteriophage encoding the staphylococcal enterotoxins SEA, SEG, and SEK and the fibrinolytic enzyme staphylokinase (Sak), was identified in the unannotated genome sequence of the hypervirulent community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus strain 476. We found that mitomycin C induction of phiSa3ms led to increased transcription of all four virulence factors. The increase in sea and sak transcription was a result of read-through transcription from upstream latent phage promoters and an increase in phage copy number. The majority of the seg2 and sek2 transcripts were shown to initiate from the upstream phage cI promoter and hence were regulated by factors influencing cI transcription. The lysogeny module of phiSa3ms was shown to have some lambda-like features with divergent cI and cro genes. Band shift assays were used to identify binding sites for both CI and Cro within the region between these genes, suggesting a mechanism of control for the phiSa3ms lytic-lysogenic switch. Our findings suggest that the production of phage-encoded virulence factors in S. aureus may be regulated by processes that govern lysogeny.
Selection of Views to Materialize in a Data Warehouse

A data warehouse stores materialized views of data from one or more sources, with the purpose of efficiently implementing decision-support or OLAP queries. One of the most important decisions in designing a data warehouse is the selection of materialized views to be maintained at the warehouse. The goal is to select an appropriate set of views that minimizes total query response time and the cost of maintaining the selected views, given a limited amount of resource, e.g., materialization time, storage space etc.
Practical Management of Patients With Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Gefitinib

Purpose The use of gefitinib, the first drug approved to inhibit the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, is indicated in patients with non‐small-cell lung cancer with tumors progressive after chemotherapy. The unique mechanism of action of this agent leads to distinctive patterns of response and toxicity in persons with lung cancer. Many of the principles of management relevant to gefitinib are distinct from those with conventional cytotoxic drugs. To meet this need, we present practical guidelines on the use of gefitinib in patients with non‐small-cell lung cancer. Methods This article reviews gefitinib’s indications, dosing, response phenomena, and patterns of relapse in individuals with radiographic response. Results We present our recommendations for the management of rash and diarrhea caused by this agent. Conclusion This information can guide practitioners and help them inform their patients about what to expect when they receive gefitinib.
Simulating the hydrologic impacts of land-cover and climate changes in a semi-arid watershed

AbstractChanges in climate and land cover are among the principal variables affecting watershed hydrology. This paper uses a cell-based model to examine the hydrologic impacts of climate and land-cover changes in the semi-arid Lower Virgin River (LVR) watershed located upstream of Lake Mead, Nevada, USA. The cell-based model is developed by considering direct runoff based on the Soil Conservation Service - Curve Number (SCS-CN) method and surplus runoff based on the Thornthwaite water balance theory. After calibration and validation, the model is used to predict LVR discharge under future climate and land-cover changes. The hydrologic simulation results reveal climate change as the dominant factor and land-cover change as a secondary factor in regulating future river discharge. The combined effects of climate and land-cover changes will slightly increase river discharge in summer but substantially decrease discharge in winter. This impact on water resources deserves attention in climate change adaptation ...
Interplay and implications of intellectual property and academic-industry collaboration to foster digital inclusion

This article discusses how to reduce the barriers universities and industry face when working together on collaborative research projects. As a best practices study, the article describes lessons that should not be viewed as isolated experiments, but as practices that can create the synergy required to drive collaborative research, innovation, and digital inclusion. This is particularly critical for developing and growth market countries, but appropriate for all.
An examination of proportional root lengths of the mandibular canine and premolars near the time of eruption

Introduction To make treatments more efficient, orthodontists require a more precise means of estimating tooth eruption. The purpose of this article was to extend the information derived from dental staging techniques by incorporating direct measurements of root lengths for 3 mandibular teeth: the canine and the 2 premolars. Methods The full sample consists of 227 panoramic films from 77 female patients and 229 films from 74 male patients treated at a practice in Texas. A subsample of paired preeruption and posteruption films was examined in greater detail (46 subjects for the canine, 42 for the first premolar, and 46 for the second premolar). Results Canines will most likely have root length ([root length/total tooth length] × 100) of approximately 70% and premolars will have approximately 65% near the time of alveolar eruption. In addition, the walls of the root canal will probably approach a parallel configuration at the time of eruption. Conclusions The percentage of root length, along with root canal parallelism, should allow improved prediction of eruption timing.
Post-transcriptional regulation of satellite cell quiescence by TTP-mediated mRNA decay

Skeletal muscle satellite cells in their niche are quiescent and upon muscle injury, exit quiescence, proliferate to repair muscle tissue, and self-renew to replenish the satellite cell population. To understand the mechanisms involved in maintaining satellite cell quiescence, we identified gene transcripts that were differentially expressed during satellite cell activation following muscle injury. Transcripts encoding RNA binding proteins were among the most significantly changed and included the mRNA decay factor Tristetraprolin. Tristetraprolin promotes the decay of MyoD mRNA, which encodes a transcriptional regulator of myogenic commitment, via binding to the MyoD mRNA 3' untranslated region. Upon satellite cell activation, p38α/β MAPK phosphorylates MAPKAP2 and inactivates Tristetraprolin, stabilizing MyoD mRNA. Satellite cell specific knockdown of Tristetraprolin precociously activates satellite cells in vivo, enabling MyoD accumulation, differentiation and cell fusion into myofibers. Regulation of mRNAs by Tristetraprolin appears to function as one of several critical post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling satellite cell homeostasis.
Testing gene-environment interactions in gene-based association studies

Gene-based and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) set association studies provide an important complement to SNP analysis. Kernel-based nonparametric regression has recently emerged as a powerful and flexible tool for this purpose. Our goal is to explore whether this approach can be extended to incorporate and test for interaction effects, especially for genes containing rare variant SNPs. Here, we construct nonparametric regression models that can be used to include a gene-environment interaction effect under the framework of the least-squares kernel machine and examine the performance of the proposed method on the Genetic Analysis Workshop 17 unrelated individuals data set. Two hundred simulated replicates were used to explore the power for detecting interaction. We demonstrate through a genome scan of the quantitative phenotype Q1 that the simulated gene-environment interaction effect in the data can be detected with reasonable power by using the least-squares kernel machine method.
A hybrid MoM-SPICE technique for field coupling analysis of transmission lines in presence of complex structures

A computationally efficient method for field coupling on multiconductor transmission lines near complex structures is proposed. Key to the method is the decomposition of the current on each transmission line into push-push and push-pull mode currents. The former accounts for the interactions between the transmission line bundle and the surrounding structure, whereas the latter corresponds current perturbation to account for interactions among the transmission lines within the bundle. The push-pull mode current is computed via the traditional transmission line approach by taking one of the wires in the bundle as the return/reference conductor. On the other hand, the push-push mode current is found by solving a test wire located along the reference transmission line in the presence of the surrounding structure. For this analysis, the surrounding structure is modeled via the method of moments and SPICE-like simulator is used to simulate an equivalent coupling circuit model of the transmission lines extracted via the partial element equivalent circuit (PEEC) method
A Distributed Multi-Storage Resource Architecture and I/O Performance Prediction for Scientific Computing

I/O intensive applications have posed great challenges to computational scientists. A major problem of these applications is that users have to sacrifice performance requirements in order to satisfy storage capacity requirements in a conventional computing environment. Further performance improvement is impeded by the physical nature of these storage media even when state-of-the-art I/O optimizations are employed. In this paper, we present a distributed multi-storage resource architecture, which can satisfy both performance and capacity requirements by employing multiple storage resources. Compared to a traditional single storage resource architecture, our architecture provides a more flexible and reliable computing environment. This architecture can bring new opportunities for high performance computing as well as inherit state-of-the-art I/O optimization approaches that have already been developed. It provides application users with high-performance storage access even when they do not have the availability of a single large local storage archive at their disposal. We also develop an Application Programming Interface (API) that provides transparent management and access to various storage resources in our computing environment. Since I/O usually dominates the performance in I/O intensive applications, we establish an I/O performance prediction mechanism which consists of a performance database and a prediction algorithm to help users better evaluate and schedule their applications. A tool is also developed to help users automatically generate performance data stored in databases. The experiments show that our multi-storage resource architecture is a promising platform for high performance distributed computing.
Speech and Sociability at French Urban Marketplaces.

Speech and Sociability at French Urban Marketplaces Jacqueline Lindenfeld. Pragmatics and Beyond New Series. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 1990. 173 pp. $42.00 (cloth)
Dosimetric implication of exposure of human eye to ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses

Despite an increase in the application of ultra-wideband (UWB) electromagnetic pulses in the communications industry, radar, biotechnology and medicine, characterization of bioeffects of exposure to non-ionizing UWB radiation is far from complete. In this paper the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) method is used to calculate the bioeffects resulting from the exposure of a human eye to UWB electromagnetic pulses in the frequency range of 3.1-10.6, 22-29, and 57-64 GHz. The results show that the interaction of UWB pulse with the eye tissues exhibits the same properties as the interaction of the continuous electromagnetic wave (CW) with frequency from the pulsepsilas power spectrum. It is also shown that under the same exposure conditions the exposure to UWB pulses is from one to many orders of magnitude safer than the exposure to CW.
Nanoscale Surface Patterning of Silicon Using Local Swelling Induced by He Implantation through NSL-Masks

A novel technique to form periodically nanostructured Si surface morphologies based on nanosphere lithography (NSL) and He ion implantation induced swelling is studied in detail. It is shown that by implantation of keV He ions through the nanometric openings of NSL masks regular arrays of hillocks and rings can be created on silicon surfaces. The shape and size of these surface features can be easily controlled by adjusting the ion dose and energy as well as the mask size. Feature heights of more than 100 nm can be obtained, while feature distances are typically 1.15 or 2 (hillock or ring) nanosphere radii, which are chosen to be between 100 and 500 nm in this study. Atomic force and scanning electron microscopy measurements of the surface morphology are supplemented by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, revealing the inner structure of hillocks to consist of a central cavity surrounded by a hierarchical arrangement of smaller voids. The surface morphologies developed here have the potential to be useful for fixing and separating nano-objects on a silicon surface.
Equivalent circuit for a polyphase induction motor

In this study an equivalent circuit is proposed that permits the analysis of, or even the calculation for, single-phase, two-phase and three-phase induction motors. Through the theory of fields in quadrature, circuits can be obtained for the main and auxiliary winding, and with the theory of rotating fields the rotor circuit can be determined for particular cases. Parameters of the equivalent circuit are determined, and some particular cases are also analyzed: balanced winding, disconnected auxiliary and no-load starter. The principle for calculation is also described. Results for single and three-phase motors are presented.
Landslide Susceptibility Mapping using Remotely Sensed Soil Moisture

Slope stability analysis using remotely sensed data is routinely conducted throughout the world. This study focuses on rainfall induced landslides and the use of AMSR-E and TRMM satellite data to develop susceptibility maps that can be used to forecast landslides. This research established the first relationships among soil moisture derived from AMSR-E, precipitation from TRMM and major landslide events, respectively, in California, U.S., Leyte, Philippines and, Dhading, Nepal. Each of the three study regions had slope movements when soil moisture was high and rainfall occurred and clearly indicates a strong relationship among landslide events, remotely sensed soil moisture and rainfall. A slope stability model is used to develop susceptibility maps for a California site under a range of conditions. Results suggest that the AMSR-E and TRMM satellite data, coupled with land-surface model estimates, are viable for enhancing rainfall induced slope stability analysis at regional or global scales.
Fuzzy characterization and control of QoS in multimedia cell-based networks

In cell-based networks carrying multimedia traffic, some types of traffic, such as voice and video, are too complicated to be captured in precise mathematical formulations for modeling and control. This paper presents a fuzzy mathematical characterization of such complex traffic processes. In particular, the QoS of each individual traffic type is modeled as a fuzzy quantity, so as to capture the associated descriptive uncertainty and vagueness. Each QoS is modeled by a Gaussian possibility distribution. We show that several such possibility distributions, when aggregated (superposed), produce another Gaussian possibility distribution. Fuzzy characterization is used as the basis for developing an intelligent mechanism to enforce and control the incoming QoS of each type of traffic at an access point. The fuzzy access controller presented here uses the Sugeno inference method with a fuzzy linear output.
Current gain of graded AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors with and without a base quasi-electric field

Graded AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors with and without a base quasi-electric field are fabricated to investigate the various components of base current. The experimental results demonstrate that the base current for devices with extrinsic base surface passivation is dominated by base-emitter space-charge recombination current, rather than base bulk recombination current. Both a simple theoretical calculation and SEDAN (semiconductor device analysis) simulations are used to support this finding. SEDAN simulations also indicate strong effects of hole barrier lowering which reduces device current gain when the current gain approaches values of 1000 and when the maximum aluminum composition in the AlGaAs emitter is >
Social Crowds Using Transactional Analysis

More and more applications are relying on simulated crowds to populate films, games, and architecture. Decades of work in this area have produced agents that deftly avoid collisions, but the crowds still look stiff and false because agents do not socialize naturally with each other. On the other hand, ours is a new, expressive algorithm for adding social dynamics to crowds that breathes a new dimension of realism into simulations. Unlike previous approaches, our work allows agents to have multiple social encounters with other agents. We correctly allow interactions to evolve as time passes using the psychological area of transactional analysis. Additionally, we break from previous paradigms since we do not tie our approach to a specific obstacle avoidance algorithm. Instead our algorithm has a flexible architecture that will run with almost any obstacle avoidance algorithm. Finally, we allow for artist direction in our simulations, including bi-modal crowds and social environments that can be changed in real-time. Our results show that our social crowd algorithm runs in real-time with up to 4,000 agents with far more realistic behaviors than previously simulated.
Debt, Structural Adjustment, and Non-Governmental Organizations: A Cross-National Analysis of Maternal Mortality

We begin this study by considering dependency theory claims regarding the harmful influence of both debt and structural adjustment on maternal mortality. We expand upon previous research by conducting the first cross-national study to examine the impact of health and womens non-governmental organizations on maternal mortality. In doing so, we use lagged dependent variable panel regression for a sample of sixty-five poor nations. We find substantial support for dependency theory that higher levels of debt service, structural adjustment, and multinational corporate investment are associated with increased maternal mortality. Initially, we find no support for world polity theory that health and womens non-governmental organizations are significantly related to maternal mortality. However, we respecify our original models in order to test the idea that democratic nations provide a "political opportunity structure" that improves the ability of health and womens non-governmental organizations to deliver health and other social services. We find substantial support for this hypothesis. The results indicate that both health and womens non-governmental organizations are associated with decreased maternal mortality in nations with higher levels of democracy than in nations with lower levels of democracy. We conclude with a discussion of the findings, theoretical implications, methodological implications, policy implications, and potential directions for future research.
Composite Hydrogels for Scaffold Design, Tissue Engineering, and Prostheses

Hydrogels have been successfully used in several biomedical applications, such as controlled drug release and micro-patterning. More recently, the ability to engineer composite hydrogels has generated new opportunities in addressing challenges in tissue engineering as well as in tissue function restoration via prostheses. Indeed, the knowledge of biocompatible materials and preparation technologies may be efficaciously used in synthesizing biocompatible hydrogels to develop state-of-the-art hydrogel-based devices for tissue regeneration and reconstruction. Important details with respect to the design of the materials adopted and with respect to specific tissues, such as tendons and ligaments, intervertebral discs, bone, menisci, and cartilage will be discussed.
The Problem of Moral Knowledge

Very few people are moral cynics. Although many people scoff at some, or even most of the moral customs of our society, almost everyone, no matter how depraved he may appear to be, has convictions about what he ought and ought not to do. He draws some moral line beyond which he will not go; or, if he does violate it, he condemns himself for having done wrong. According to an old saying “There is honor even among thieves.” The proverb is an overstatement; nevertheless it does, I think, contain this much truth, that a totally depraved human being is rarely found.