cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Doc, the Dude, and Marlowe: Changing Masculinities from The Long Goodbye to Inherent Vice

Several reviewers and scholars of Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice have noted the similarities between the novel and both Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe novels and the Coen brothers' film The Big Lebowski. Many of the reviewers, in particular, unreflectively comment on Doc Sportello's masculinity, criticizing Doc for not performing the hegemonic masculinity typical of detective novels and films. What has been missing is a deeper examination of hegemonic masculinity in both the novel and its likely source materials. This essay employs Judith Butler's notions of gender performativity as well as Christian Moraru's examination of postmodern rewriting to explore the fluid constructions and performances of masculinity in The Long Goodbye, The Big Lebowski, and Inherent Vice. Ultimately, this essay argues that Pynchon's characterization of Doc Sportello projects possibilities into alternatives to hegemonic masculinity.
Does Improved Mortality at Low- and Medium-Volume Hospitals Lead to Attenuation of the Volume to Outcomes Relationship for Major Visceral Surgery?

Background Regionalization of complex visceral surgery across the US has followed identification of a volume to outcomes association. However, a simultaneous trend toward improved surgical outcomes might have attenuated this relationship. We hypothesize that the difference in adjusted postoperative mortality between low- (LV), medium- (MV), and high-volume (HV) hospitals has decreased over time. Study Design The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to identify patients undergoing bladder, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, lung, and rectal surgery from 2003 to 2011. Hospitals were divided into LV ( rd centile), MV (34 th to 66 th ), and HV (>67 th centile) groups. Annual organ-specific adjusted in-hospital mortality (AIHM) for each volume strata was calculated and the difference in AIHM between volume strata was plotted over time. Results The proportion of hospitals classified as HV was 6% for lung; 5% for rectal; 3% for esophageal, pancreatic, and bladder; and 2% for liver surgery patients. The AIHM after operation was higher in LV compared with HV hospitals in 2003 to 2005 for all visceral resections except liver surgery. The difference in AIHM between LV, MV, and HV hospitals showed a decreasing trend from 2003 to 2005 to 2009 to 2011 for pancreatic, esophageal, bladder, and lung surgery. For patients undergoing rectal resections, the difference in AIHM was low and stable, and increased for liver resections only. Conclusions A reduction in the differences in AIHM among LV, MV, and HV hospitals for 5 of 6 organs studied suggests attenuation of the volume to outcomes relationship with time. This is likely due to system-wide improvements in surgical care.
Consolidation of Metal Coated Fibers

The emergence of large (100–140 μm) diameter silicon carbide (SiC) monofilaments with very high elastic stiffness and fracture strength has led to the development of a new generation of metal matrix composites with axial Young’s moduli above 200 GPa, ultimate tensile strengths of around 1.8 GPa and a 600°C creep rupture life at 1 GPa of several thousand hours or more. These exceptional properties are only obtained when the matrix is fully dense, the fibers remain straight/unbroken and only minimal reaction occurs between the matrix and fiber during processing. One promising approach for accomplishing this involves a two-step vapor deposition/hot consolidation process [Deve, 1995].
A New Direction Biasing Approach for Monte Carlo Simulation

In this paper a new direction biasing approach to a target point and to finite detectors for Monte Carlo simulation is developed, presented, and tested. It properly accounts for the weight adjustments that must be made for the combined choice of a particular scattering (polar) and rotational (azimuthal) angle to obtain a given biasing angle about either a target point or a finite detector. Sample Monte Carlo simulations for a neutron transport problem with isotropic center-of-mass scattering and a gamma-ray transport problem with Klein-Nishina scattering have been done by both the analog and new direction biasing methods. The results indicate that the direction biasing approach is valid and will be very efficient for deep-penetration problems of these two types.
Inference in a Distribution Related to a 2 × 2 Markov Chain

In observing a 2 × 2 Markov chain with states, success and failure, an important sampling scheme is concerned with observing the chain until a preassigned number of successes are obtained. The probability distribution of the number of trials is a generalization of the negative binomial distribution for the case of dependent Bernoulli trials. In this paper, a survey of results about the above waiting time distribution is given. The estimation of the parameter of the distribution is studied under various sampling schemes. Several related problems are discussed.
Methodology for Identifying Radiation Effects in Robotic Systems With Mechanical and Control Performance Variations

The complications of identifying radiation effects in electromechanical sensors in the presence of mechanical variation are discussed. A corresponding analysis method is developed to separate radiation degradation effects from expected sensing variation due to mechanical tolerances of test fixtures. This is achieved by statistically characterizing the fixture variation for each sensor before irradiation, and evaluating the statistical significance of any sensitivity changes after irradiation. The method is demonstrated using a contactless Hall-effect rotary encoder IC commonly used in robotic systems. Sensitivity changes in measurements relevant to robotic controller design are isolated and quantified as a maximum positioning error of 0.5° and an angular velocity error of 1.5%. These measurements can be used to improve a commercial off-the-shelf robotic system’s tolerance to radiation by designing motion controllers robust to sensitivity changes prior to total device failure.
A nano-photonic filter for near infrared radiative heater

Abstract Infrared (IR) radiative heating is a highly desirable method for heating as compared to convective heating due to the unprecedented control of radiative energy transfer, leading to a significant increase in energy efficiency. The greatest challenge however with IR radiative heating is its low penetration depth due to the strong IR absorption by the water content in the substance to be heated. Near IR (NIR) heating can circumvent this problem as it has greater penetration depths. The proposed nano-photonic design for NIR filter (or effective selective emitter) has transmissivity of more than 70% in NIR and less than 15% in both visible and IR wavelengths as opposed to currently available IR heaters, which have high emissivity across all wavelengths. This NIR filter can be applied to any radiative heating source to transform it into a NIR radiative heater. We demonstrate this with a simple prototype by applying it in front of tungsten-based incandescent lamp where significant reduction in white glow (glare) was observed. Potential application of this NIR filter would be in heating in both building and industrial sectors where the ability to provide localized heating could lead to significant energy savings. In addition, NIR selective emitters can be applied for power generation by supplying thermophotovoltaics (TPV) with photons at the right wavelengths, which will increase the efficiency of TPV.
Crystal structures of the amino-terminal domain of LpoA from Escherichia coli and Haemophilus influenzae.

The bacterial periplasmic protein LpoA is an outer membrane lipoprotein and an activator for the cross-linking activity of PBP1A, a bifunctional peptidoglycan synthase. Previous structures of the amino-terminal (N) domain of LpoA showed it to consist entirely of helices and loops, with at least four tetratricopeptide-like repeats. Although the previously determined ortho­rhombic crystal structure of the N domain of Haemophilus influenzae LpoA showed a typical curved structure with a concave groove, an NMR structure of the same domain from Escherichia coli was relatively flat. Here, a crystal structure of the N domain of E. coli LpoA was determined to a resolution of 2.1 A and was found to be more similar to the H. influenzae crystal structure than to the E. coli NMR structure. To provide a quantitative description for these comparisons, the various structures were superimposed pairwise by fitting the first half of each structure to its pairwise partner and then calculating the rotation axis that would optimally superimpose the second half. Differences in both the magnitude of the rotation and the direction of the rotation axis were observed between different pairs of structures. A 1.35 A resolution structure of a monoclinic crystal form of the N domain of H. influenzae LpoA was also determined. In this structure, the subdomains rotate 10° relative to those in the original orthorhombic H. influenzae crystal structure to further narrow the groove between the subdomains. To accommodate this, a bound chloride ion (in place of sulfate) allowed the closer approach of a helix that forms one side of the groove.
Factors Associated With Increased Dissemination of Positive Mental Health Messaging On Social Media

Background: The dissemination of positive messages about mental health is a key goal of organizations and individuals. Aims: Our aim was to examine factors that predict increased dissemination of such messages. Method: We analyzed 10,998 positive messages authored on Twitter and studied factors associated with messages that are shared (re-tweeted) using logistic regression. Characteristics of the account, message, linguistic style, sentiment, and topic were examined. Results: Less than one third of positive messages (31.7%) were shared at least once. In adjusted models, accounts that posted a greater number of messages were less likely to have any single message shared. Messages about military-related topics were 60% more likely to be shared (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.6, 95% CI [1.1, 2.1]) as well as messages containing achievement-related keywords (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI [1.3, 1.9]). Conversely, positive messages explicitly addressing eating/food, appearance, and sad affective states were less likely to be shared. Multiple other message characteristics influenced sharing. Limitations: Only messages on a single platform and over a focused period of time were analyzed. Conclusion: A knowledge of factors affecting dissemination of positive mental health messages may aid organizations and individuals seeking to promote such messages online.
Would It Be Bad If the Human Race Ceased to Exist? Melancholia and the Import of Human Existence

In this chapter I develop an interpretation of von Trier’s Melancholia as making an argument that it would be impossible to consider the elimination of the human race as something bad. After reconstructing the argument in the film as I see it, I proceed to consider whether a counter-argument can be given to provide some non-anthropocentric reasons for objecting to the end of the human race. Using the thought of Hegel and Merleau-Ponty, I show that human beings could be seen as an integral part of the development of the larger organism insofar as we contribute to the conceptual self-consciousness of the world or the less rationalistic self-perception and articulation of the world.
Multiomics-Identified Intervention to Restore Ethanol-Induced Dysregulated Proteostasis and Secondary Sarcopenia in Alcoholic Liver Disease.

Background/aims Signaling and metabolic perturbations contribute to dysregulated skeletal muscle protein homeostasis and secondary sarcopenia in response to a number of cellular stressors including ethanol exposure. Using an innovative multiomics-based curating of unbiased data, we identified molecular and metabolic therapeutic targets and experimentally validated restoration of protein homeostasis in an ethanol-fed mouse model of liver disease. Methods Studies were performed in ethanol-treated differentiated C2C12 myotubes and physiological relevance established in an ethanol-fed mouse model of alcohol-related liver disease (mALD) or pair-fed control C57BL/6 mice. Transcriptome and proteome from ethanol treated-myotubes and gastrocnemius muscle from mALD and pair-fed mice were analyzed to identify target pathways and molecules. Readouts including signaling responses and autophagy markers by immunoblots, mitochondrial oxidative function and free radical generation, and metabolic studies by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and sarcopenic phenotype by imaging. Results Multiomics analyses showed that ethanol impaired skeletal muscle mTORC1 signaling, mitochondrial oxidative pathways, including intermediary metabolite regulatory genes, interleukin-6, and amino acid degradation pathways are β-hydroxymethyl-butyrate targets. Ethanol decreased mTORC1 signaling, increased autophagy flux, impaired mitochondrial oxidative function with decreased tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediary metabolites, ATP synthesis, protein synthesis and myotube diameter that were reversed by HMB. Consistently, skeletal muscle from mALD had decreased mTORC1 signaling, reduced fractional and total muscle protein synthesis rates, increased autophagy markers, lower intermediary metabolite concentrations, and lower muscle mass and fiber diameter that were reversed by β-hydroxymethyl-butyrate treatment. Conclusion An innovative multiomics approach followed by experimental validation showed that β-hydroxymethyl-butyrate restores muscle protein homeostasis in liver disease.
Economic Concepts Regarding Early Pregnancy Testing

Early pregnancy testing plays a key role in determining the reproductive success of a dairy herd and thus its economic efficiency. Fundamentally, early pregnancy determination defines how quickly cows which fail to conceive to a breeding are identified and re-inseminated. Due to the relatively low conception rates, this technology impacts the majority of cows within a herd several times within a lactation cycle. The sensitivity and specificity of tests (attributes of test accuracy) will vary with tests as well as when they are applied post breeding. Pregnancy testing must be coordinated with the herd breeding program so that cows testing open are bred on a timely basis to ensure maximizing the economic value of testing. The value of testing is highly dependent on how soon successful rebreeding can occur. Embryonic death occurs relatively early post breeding and thus can influence the economic attributes of early pregnancy determination. Understanding the underlying structure of the decision process can help in estimating the value of various components of the test in the field application.
Students’ perceptions of experiential learning in a political events course: A case study from Iowa

Political events can be defined as a meeting or gathering of two or more people in order to elicit a political goal, agenda, or influence. In this research, a case study is used to showcase student...
MFIX-Exa: A path toward exascale CFD-DEM simulations:

MFIX-Exa is a computational fluid dynamics–discrete element model (CFD-DEM) code designed to run efficiently on current and next-generation supercomputing architectures. MFIX-Exa combines the CFD-D...
Auto-Tuned Preconditioners for the Spectral Element Method on GPUs.

The Poisson pressure solve resulting from the spectral element discretization of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equation requires fast, robust, and scalable preconditioning. In the current work, a parallel scaling study of Chebyshev-accelerated Schwarz and Jacobi preconditioning schemes is presented, with special focus on GPU architectures, such as OLCF's Summit. Convergence properties of the Chebyshev-accelerated schemes are compared with alternative methods, such as low-order preconditioners combined with algebraic multigrid. Performance and scalability results are presented for a variety of preconditioner and solver settings. The authors demonstrate that Chebyshev-accelerated-Schwarz methods provide a robust and effective smoothing strategy when using $p$-multigrid as a preconditioner in a Krylov-subspace projector. At the same time, optimal preconditioning parameters can vary for different geometries, problem sizes, and processor counts. This variance motivates the development of an autotuner to optimize solver parameters on-line, during the course of production simulations.
The Association of Pain Levels and Low Physical Activity among Older Women.

There is an integral research gap regarding whether there is a relationship between pain levels and low physical activity among older women. This is a secondary analysis of a longitudinal cohort study, the Women’s Health and Aging Study (WHAS) II. Our analyses included 436 community-dwelling women between the ages of 70 and 79, who were followed for 10.5 years. We employed marginal structural modeling, which controls for time-dependent confounding, with the aim of assessing the potential direct association between pain levels and low physical activity and assess a graded relationship. Compared to women with no pain, those with widespread pain were nearly half as likely to be moderately active versus low active (aOR: 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.22, 0.96). A graded association was observed across the four pain levels (no pain or mild pain, other pain, moderate or severe lower extremity pain, and widespread pain) on low physical activity. Our findings indicate that reducing chronic widespread pain in older women may increase moderate physical activity, and therefore reduce the downstream health risks of low physical activity, including morbidity and mortality risk.
Chapter 21 – Chemical Applications

This chapter discusses a few examples to illustrate the capabilities of laser photochemistry. It describes the use of lasers to initiate chemical reactions, to alter the course of chemical reactions, to monitor the dynamics of chemical reactions, and to separate isotopes of various elements. Lasers can be used to drive chemical reactions in a chosen direction. The tunable laser, when tuned to a wavelength corresponding to a selected molecular excitation, can stimulate the chemical reaction to proceed in a direction different from the one it would take without the photoexcitation. Laser photochemistry involves isotope separation. This process utilizes the slight shifts that occur in the molecular absorption spectrum for molecules containing different isotopes of a given element. The laser is tuned to the resonant absorption of one of the isotopes. Molecules containing that isotope participate in some reaction and may be separated. This process has significance particularly for the separation of uranium isotopes.
Risk factors for adverse cardiac events in hip fracture patients: an analysis of NSQIP data

Cardiovascular complications constitute morbidity and mortality for hip fracture patients. Relatively little data exist exploring risk factors for post-operative complications. Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement (ACS-NSQIP) database, we identified significant risk factors associated with adverse cardiac events in hip fracture patients and provide recommendations for practising orthopaedists. A cohort of 27,441 patients with hip fractures from 2006 to 2013 was identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Cardiac complications were defined as cardiac arrests or myocardial infarctions occurring within 30 days after surgery. Bivariate analysis was run on over 30 patient and surgical factors to determine significant associations with cardiac events. Multivariate logistical analysis was then performed to determine risk factors most predictive for cardiac events. Of the 27,441 hip fracture patients, 594 (2.2 %) had cardiac complications within 30 days post-operatively. There was no significant association with respect to type of hip fracture surgery and adverse cardiac event rates (p = 0.545). After multivariate analysis, dialysis use (OR: 2.22, p = 0.026), and histories of peripheral vascular disease (OR: 2.11, p = 0.016), stroke (OR: 1.83, p = 0.009), COPD (OR: 1.69, p = 0.014), and cardiac disease (OR: 1.55, p = 0.017) were significantly predictive of post-operative cardiac events in all hip fracture patients. Orthopaedic trauma surgeons should be aware of cardiac disease history and atherosclerotic conditions (PVD, stroke) in risk stratifying patients to prevent cardiac complications. Our recommendations to reduce cardiac events include simple pre-operative lab-work to full-fledged cardiac work-up and referrals to specific medicine disciplines based on the specific risk factors present.
Can Firm-Specific Models Predict Price Responses to Earnings News?

The primary question addressed in this study is whether firm-specific ERCs - i.e., slope coefficients obtained from time-series regressions of abnormal returns on earnings surprises - are helpful in predicting price responses to future earnings surprises. Fundamental analysis involves both predicting future earnings and understanding the implications of future earnings for firm value. We focus on out-of-sample predictive ability of ERCs in order to provide evidence on whether historical returns-earnings relations - as measured under various specifications - are useful in predicting future returns-earnings relations. We find that ERCs from pooled regressions provide more accurate predictions of price responses to future earnings surprises than ERCs from firm-specific regressions. In addition, out-of-sample predictions from firm-specific regressions estimated over actual firms are no more accurate than those from firm-specific regressions estimated over pseudo firms (which are created through random draws of returns-earnings data and therefore have no economic characteristics that extend beyond the period over which the coefficients are estimated). We also find that the accuracy of out-of-sample predictions from firm-specific regressions decreases for relatively young firms and for firms that have recently experienced a relatively large change in the book-to-market ratio.
Reconstitution of membrane fusion sites. A total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy study of influenza hemagglutinin-mediated membrane fusion.

Abstract Influenza hemagglutinin (HA, strain A/PR/8/34) was purified and reconstituted into supported planar membranes in a two-step process: 1) HA was purified by C12E8 detergent solubilization followed by detergent removal with Biobeads; (2) the purified HA was then incorporated into "viroplanes," i.e. supported planar membranes which contained the viral membrane proteins. This step was accomplished by a spontaneous reaction of the HA-proteoliposomes with a phospholipid monolayer that was supported on a quartz microscope slide. The reconstitution of the HA into the planar membranes was followed by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) using fluorescein-labeled HA. By changing the solution concentration of HA, surface concentrations between 2.4 x 10(4) and 4.3 x 10(4) HA monomers/micron 2 were reached. Greater than 90% of all HA molecules were oriented with their ectodomain facing away from the substrate toward the large aqueous compartment of the measuring cell. Binding experiments with conformation-sensitive monoclonal antibodies against HA established that the reconstituted HA could undergo the low pH-induced conformational change in the supported bilayer. Binding of vesicles containing the fluorescent lipid analog N-(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)egg phosphatidylethanolamine was also measured by TIRFM. Vesicle binding was promoted when sialic acid-containing gangliosides or negatively charged lipids were included in these target membranes. Membrane fusion of the HA bound vesicles was monitored by measuring long range (over several micrometers) lateral diffusion coefficients of the lipids in the bound layer by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. The vesicles did not fuse at pH 7.4, but efficient vesicle fusion occurred on the viroplanes after acidification of the environment with pH 5 buffer. This fusion reaction was only observed when the bound vesicles exceeded a critical threshold surface concentration. The successful reconstitution of membrane fusion sites in a planar supported membrane system opens new possibilities for studying fusion intermediates by localized spectroscopy and microscopy.
Characteristics of Trailer Rear Impact Guard - Interdependence of Guard Strength, Energy Absorption, Occupant Acceleration Forces and Passenger Compartment Intrusion

This paper will discuss how FMVSS 223 and 224 set standards for "Rear Impact Protection" for trailers and semi-trailers with a gross weight rating greater than 10000 pounds. A limited amount of experimental data is available for evaluating the different performance attributes of rear impact guards. The crash tests are usually limited to fixed parameters such as impact speed, guard height, strength and energy absorption, etc. There also seems to be some misunderstanding of the interdependence of guard strength and energy absorption, and their combined effect on the guard's ability to limit underride while keeping occupant acceleration forces in a safe range. This paper will validated the Finite Element (FE) model of an existing rear impact guard against actual FMVSS 223 tests. We also modified a previously evaluated FE model of a 1990 Ford Taurus by updating its hood geometry and material properties. Finally, through a series of simulations, we provided insight into the interaction between guard strength, guard energy absorption, Passenger Compartment Intrusion (PCI) and the acceleration forces potentially experienced by a vehicle occupant. Performance characteristics such as strength and energy absorption were evaluated for impact speeds ranging from 25 to 50 mph involving four guard strength levels, namely a rigid guard, a minimally compliant guard, and two compliant guards with twice and thrice the strength specified in FMVSS 223.
Attitudes and Back Belts in the Workplace

This study, conducted on hospital workers, investigated the influence of wearing back belts on employee job attitudes and the experience of back pain. Serial attitude surveys were administered to workers involved in a preventative program of education, exercise, and back belts. Attitudes were found to be significantly improved as a result of the back belt program. Employees perceived back belts as helping them avoid injury and reported a decreased experience of low back pain.
A Prospective Analysis of Dynamic Loss of Breast Projection in Tissue Expander-Implant Reconstruction

Background Breast projection is a critical element of breast reconstruction aesthetics, but little has been published regarding breast projection as the firm expander is changed to a softer implant. Quantitative data representing this loss in projection may enhance patient education and improve our management of patient expectations. Methods Female patients who were undergoing immediate tissue-expander breast reconstruction with the senior author were enrolled in this prospective study. Three-dimensional camera software was used for all patient photographs and data analysis. Projection was calculated as the distance between the chest wall and the point of maximal projection of the breast form. Values were calculated for final tissue expander expansion and at varying intervals 3, 6, and 12 months after implant placement. Results Fourteen breasts from 12 patients were included in the final analysis. Twelve of the 14 breasts had a loss of projection at three months following the implant placement or beyond. The percentage of projection lost in these 12 breasts ranged from 6.30% to 43.4%, with an average loss of projection of 21.05%. Conclusions This study is the first prospective quantitative analysis of temporal changes in breast projection after expander-implant reconstruction. By prospectively capturing projection data with three-dimensional photographic software, we reveal a loss of projection in this population by three months post-implant exchange. These findings will not only aid in managing patient expectations, but our methodology provides a foundation for future objective studies of the breast form.
Neurogenic hyperalgesia: central neural correlates in responses of spinothalamic tract neurons

1. The contribution of activity in spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons to the pain and neurogenic hyperalgesia produced by an intradermal injection of 100 micrograms of capsaicin was investigated. El...
SCHRÖDINGER REPRESENTATION FOR ABELIAN CHERN-SIMONS THEORIES ON NON-TRIVIAL SPACE-TIMES

We consider the U(1) Chern-Simons theory on three-manifolds of the form R×Σ, where Σ is a compact Riemann surface of genus g, and quantize the theory in the functional Schrodinger representation. Imposing gauge invariance at the quantum level requires the quantization of the overall normalization parameter k of the action and restricts the Hilbert space to a finite kg-dimensional space of functions on a g-dimensional configuration space. Gauge transformations are realized with a 1-cocycle and the theory is characterized by 2g vacuum angles. We consider the gauge- and coordinate-invariant fixed time operators of the theory, the quantum holonomy operators for closed curves C on Σ, and show that their eigenvalues on physical states are not completely determined by the homology class of C. Rather, there is an additional phase contribution fixed by the oriented self-intersection number of C.
Turbulence Measurements with the CIRES Tethered Lifting System during CASES-99: Calibration and Spectral Analysis of Temperature and Velocity

Abstract Finescale temperature and velocity measurements with multiple vertically spaced cold-wire and hot-wire sensors on the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Environmental Sciences (CIRES) tethered lifting system (TLS) were produced during the Cooperative Atmosphere–Surface Exchange Study-1999 (CASES-99). The various calibration methods are presented as well as algorithms to extract high-resolution estimates of the energy dissipation rate ϵ and the temperature structure constant C2T. The instrumentation is capable of measurements of ϵ ≈ 10−7 m2 s−3 and C2T ≈ 10−6 K2 m−2/3.
Online stability validation using sector analysis

Our previous work has explored the use of compositional stabilization techniques for embedded flight control software[9] based on passivity properties of controller components and systems. Zames[21] presented a compositional behavior-bounding technique for evaluating stability of nonlinear systems based on real intervals representing cones (sectors) that bound possible component behaviors. Many innovations in control theory have developed from his insights. We present a novel use of his sector bound theory to validate the stability of embedded control implementations online. The sector analysis can be implemented as a computationally efficient check of stability for different parts of a control design. The advantage of the online application of this technique is that it takes into account software platform effects that impact stability, such as time delays, quantization, and data integrity.We present a brief overview of the sector concept, our compatible control design approach, application of the technique to model-based embedded control software design, an example of its use to find design defects, and insights that may be drawn from our investigation so far. In the present work we only consider software (discrete-time) control of nonlinear continuous-time systems without switching.
Adaptive Filtering of Neuronal Spike Train Data

A method of analyzing neuronal spike train stimulus-response data which enhances temporal features and reduces nonstationarities is described. First, a Parzen estimate of the post-stimulus density function is computed by convolving spike events with Gaussian kernels. Second, successive segments of the spike train are correlated to a template, and the temporal relationship between segments is adjusted for maximum correlation. This method has been applied for the identification of high-frequency rhythms in spike train data from the cat optic nerve.
1296 FETAL ORIGIN OF MATERNAL SERUM ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN (AFP) DEMONSTRATED BY DNA-RNA HYBRIDIZATION

Recent retrospective studies have shown a correlation between low maternal serum AFP levels and the presence of a fetus with an autosomal trisomy. The amniotic fluid AFP levels in these pregnancies tend to be decreased. A possible explanation for the low maternal serum AFP is that the trisomic fetus produces less AFP and/or impairs placental transport of AFP. Alternatively, the AFP in maternal serum might represent endogenous production in response to a fetal signal (reactivation of the previously repressed AFP gene) and the defective trisomic fetus is unable to provide an adequate signal. This study was undertaken to examine the contribution of the maternal liver to the AFP that appears in the maternal serum during pregnancy. Total RNA was isolated from the livers of pregnant, non-pregnant, and fetal mice. Northern blots were prepared and probed with cDNA for mouse AFP and rat albumin mRNA. The albumin probe hybridized well with all samples whereas the AFP probe hybridized only with the fetal liver RNA. The results are consistent with the widely held notion that maternal serum AFP is entirely of fetal origin. Decreased maternal serum AFP associated with a trisomic fetus may contribute to an increased risk for fetal demise, pregnancy less, or other adverse outcome.
Nest-site selection in two eublepharid gecko species with temperature-dependent sex determination and one with genotypic sex determination

At present, most turtles, all crocodilians, and several lizards are known to have temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Due to the dependence of sex determination on incubation temperature, the long-term survival of TSD species may be jeopardized by global climate changes. The current study was designed to assess the degree to which this concern is justified by examining nest-site selection in two species of Pattern II TSD geckos (Eublepharis macularius and Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) and comparing these preferences with those of a species with genotypic sex determination (GSD) (Coleonyx mitratus). Temperature preferences for nest sites were found to be both species-specific and female-specific. While H. caudicinctus females selected a mean nest-site temperature (32.4°) very close to the upper pivotal temperature (32°C) for the species, E. macularius females selected a mean nest-site temperature (28.7°C) well below this species' lower pivotal temperature (30.5°C). Thus, the resultant sex ratios are expected to differ between these two TSD species. Additionally, nest-site temperatures for the GSD species were significantly more variable (SE=+0.37) than were temperatures for either of the TSD species (E. macularius SE=±0.10; H. caudicinctus SE =+ 0.17), diereby further demonstrating temperature preferences within the TSD species.
Review of wave optics simulation constraints and extensions to deep turbulence

A general review is presented of the numerical constraints that apply to a wave optics simulation for propagation in atmospheric turbulence. The origins of the limitations are discussed and extensions and implications for application in deep turbulence are described.
ICP-OES and ICP-MS for the Determination of Metals : Application to Oysters

This mini-review gives a general overview of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the determination of metals in oysters. A brief description of the basic principles, instrumentation, and recent developments is provided. A comparison and selected applications of these two analytical techniques for metal determination in oysters is presented. It was noted that the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) standard reference materials (SRM 1556b, Oyster Tissue) were frequently used for accuracy studies in a wide variety of reports.
Sensitivity of larvae, pupae, and adults of the driedfruit beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) to gamma radiation

Raisins infested with three different ages of larvae of driedfruit beetle, Carpophilus hemipterus (L.), were treated with gamma radiation at doses of 130–798 Gy. Pupae and unmated adults were also treated at 338 and 486 Gy. All doses to larvae prevented adult development. Only the oldest treated larvae were able to develop to the wandering stage (late third instar) before dying. Complete larval mortality occurred sooner at higher doses. Most younger larvae died within the raisins. Mortality of irradiated pupae at both doses was 90%, and adults emerging from treated pupae died within 48 h. Irradiated adults produced no progeny and died within 1 wk after treatment.
Addition of mycophenolate mofetil to tacrolimus is associated with decreases in food-specific IgE levels in a pediatric patient with liver transplantation-associated food allergy.

104 Transplantation-associated food allergy is most commonly seen in pediatric liver transplant recipients on tacrolimus and may be associated with atopic dermatitis, eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease, poor weight gain, and clinical reactivity to multiple foods. Reducing the dose of tacrolimus and adding mycophenolate mofetil to the immunosuppressive regimen may lead to resolution of this condition. Clinical trials should investigate whether mycophenolate mofetil facilitates resolution or confers protection from transplantation-associated food allergy.
Condoms, Sex, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Exploring Sexual Health Issues Among Asian-Indian College Students

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to pose a serious risk to college students in the US. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the highest rates of STIs are among college students and adolescents. Specifically regarding Asian-Indian students, more research is needed to thoroughly understand the knowledge, attitudes and sexual behaviors of this population. A comprehensive review of the literature found a paucity of studies involving Asian-Indian involvement in sexual activity. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to fill gaps in the research. The present study examined Asian-Indian college students’ involvement in sexual behaviors, overall STI knowledge, condom use rate, perceived benefits and barriers to condom use, and history of STIs and STI testing. A five page survey was completed by 122 Asian-Indian college students. Results indicated that overall STI knowledge was low. Females, students who perceived fewer barriers to condom use and students who had lived in the US for at least 3 years held significantly higher STI knowledge levels than their counterparts. Such findings could be used by community and university-based health educators to more effectively serve the needs of Asian-Indian students.
Chemokine response of pulmonary artery endothelial cells to hypoxia and reoxygenation.

Abstract Background Chemokines are inflammatory mediators that activate and recruit specific leukocyte subpopulations. We have recently shown a role for certain chemokines in a warm in situ rat model of lung ischemia reperfusion injury. After hypoxic stress, rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells (RPAECS) potentiate and direct neutrophil sequestration, and, therefore, contribute to the development of tissue injury. The present studies were performed to determine whether RPAECS subjected to in vitro hypoxia and reoxygenation (H&R) secrete chemokines, and, if so, to define the regulatory mechanisms involved. Materials and methods RPAECS were isolated from 21-day-old Long-Evans rats and were rendered hypoxic (pO 2 0.5%) for 2 hours and reoxygenated for up to 6 hours. Secreted chemokine content was quantified using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Mechanistic studies assessed chemokine messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression by Northern blot, as well as the nuclear translocation of proinflammatory transcription factors nuclear factor kappa β (NFκB), early growth response (EGR), and activator protein-1 (AP-1) by electromobility shift assays. Supershift analysis for EGR-1 was also performed. Results RPAECS showed a marked increase in the secretion of the chemokines cytokine induced neutrophil chemoattractant and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in response to H&R, which was dependent on de novo mRNA transcription and protein translation. Furthermore, in vitro H&R induced the nuclear translocation of the proinflammatory transcription factors NFκB and EGR-1 early during reoxygenation. Conclusions RPAECS secrete significant amounts of cytokine induced neutrophil chemoattractant and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in response to in vitro H&R. The secretion of both chemokines is dependant on de novo mRNA transcription and protein translation, and may be regulated by NFκB and EGR-1 activation.
THE TUNNELING FREQUENCIES OF THE ISOTOPIC FORMS OF METHANE IN RARE-GAS SOLIDS

Abstract The tunneling frequencies of CH4 and CD4 embedded in rare-gas solids are computed using a Hamiltonian of O O symmetry. The distance between the carbon atom of a CH4 molecule and the nearest-neighbor rare-gas atoms is taken as an empirical parameter and determined by matching the computed and observed J = 0 to J = 1 tunneling frequency. Using this distance, the tunneling frequencies of CH3D embedded in argon and krypton, and CH2D2, CHD3, and CD4 embedded in solid argon are computed. A comparison of the observed and computed tunneling frequencies of these isotopic forms of methane provides evidence of the symmetry of the potential function that should be used for symmetric and asymmetric tops in crystalline fields of cubic symmetry.
Information systems curriculum recommendations for the 80s: undergraduate and graduate programs

The recommendations of the 1972 and 1973 ACM Curriculum Committee on Information Systems programs have been influential in the development of degree programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. The earlier curriculum has been revised and updated based on advances in the field over the past nine years. The report discusses the continuing need for education related to the definition, analysis, design, construction, and management of information systems in organizations. The structure of both bachelor's and master's level programs are described and courses are defined. Course outlines include rationale for the courase, course objectives, instructional modes, and a list of topics. Each topic is weighted in terms of suggested percent of time devoted to the subject.
Thymidine- 3H Study of Developing Tooth Germs and Osteogenic Tissue

Correlated morphological and thymidine-3H autoradiographic observations on dentinogenesis in lower incisor roots and osteogenesis in the associated alveolar bone of young rats were made with the electron microscope. The results support the concept that proliferating osteogenic and dentinogenic cells may undergo two alternative types of cytodifferentiation: fibrogenic and resorptive.
Mechanism of localization of βII-tubulin in the nuclei of cultured rat kidney mesangial cells

Tubulin is an alphabeta heterodimer. Both the alpha and beta polypeptides exist as multiple isotypes. Although tubulin was generally thought to exist only in the cytoplasm, we have previously reported the presence of the betaII isotype of tubulin in the nuclei of cultured rat kidney mesangial cells, smooth-muscle-like cells that reside in the glomerular mesangium; nuclear betaII exists as an alphabetaII dimer, capable of binding to colchicine, but in non-microtubule form [Walss et al., 1999: Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 42:274-284]. We have now investigated the nature of the process by which alphabetaII enters the nuclei of these cells. By micro-injecting fluorescently labeled alphabetaII into mesangial cells, we found that alphabetaII was present in the nuclei of cells only if they were allowed to go through mitosis. In contrast, there were no circumstances in which microinjected fluorescently labeled abetaII or alphabetaIV dimers entered the nuclei. These findings, together with the absence of any nuclear localization signal in alphabetaII, strongly favor the model that alphabetaII, rather than being transported into the intact nucleus, co-assembles with the nucleus at the end of mitosis. Our results also indicate that the nuclear localization mechanism is specific for alphabetaII. This result raises the possibility that alphabetaII may have a specific function that requires its presence in the nuclei of cultured rat kidney mesangial cells.
Hypoxemia and the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Infants with known chronic hypoxemia before death retained a large proportion of the brown fat cells that are normally replaced by white fat cells after birth. Many of these hypoxemic infants also had an abnormal retention of extramedullary hematopoiesis. These same abnormalities were found in many victims of the sudden infant death syndrome.
Was the US Invasion of Iraq NATO'S Worst Crisis Ever? How Would We Know? Why Should We Care?

Abstract This paper focuses on the NATO-in-crisis literature, particularly the variant claiming that the Atlantic Alliance is facing its worst crisis ever. The paper argues that this approach is an analytical dead-end, incapable of producing new, cumulative knowledge about NATO in particular and alliances in general. It also suggests ways of getting out of the blind alley that the NATO-in-crisis literature has become.
Analysis of CpG methylation in the killifish CYP1A promoter.

Abstract Fundulus heteroclitus (Atlantic killifish or mummichog) inhabiting a creosote-contaminated Superfund site on the Elizabeth River (VA, USA), exhibit a lack of induction of cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) mRNA, immunodetectable protein, and catalytic activity after exposure to typical inducers. This “refractory CYP1A phenotype” is not explained by alterations in mRNA expression of known CYP1A transcription factors. Furthermore, the refractory phenotype is lost progressively during development in laboratory-reared F1 generation fish. Thus, while heritable, the refractory CYP1A phenotype does not appear to be genetically based. To test the hypothesis that cytosine methylation at CpG sites in the promoter region of CYP1A underlies the refractory CYP1A phenotype, we employed bisulfite sequencing to compare the methylation status of CpG sites in the CYP1A promoter region of DNA from killifish from the Elizabeth River and a reference site. We examined genomic DNA both from livers of wild-caught adult killifish and from pools of F1 generation embryos raised in the laboratory. In fish from both the contaminated and the reference site, cytosine methylation was not detectable at any of the 34 CpG sites examined, including 3 that are part of putative xenobiotic response elements.
Tracking Vehicles Through Shadows and Occlusions in Wide-Area Aerial Video

We present a new approach for simultaneous tracking and segmentation of multiple targets in low frame rate aerial video. We focus on building an accurate background model that accounts for both global camera motion and moving objects in the scene. We then apply a probabilistic framework for simultaneous tracking and segmentation that incorporates this background model. By using a background model, we are able to track the object through dramatic appearance changes caused by shadows and lighting changes. Furthermore, the incorporation of segmentation into the tracking algorithm reduces the impact of common tracking problems, such as drift and partial occlusion. Results are shown for the Columbus Large Image Format (CLIF) 2007 data set, demonstrating successful tracking under significant occlusions, target appearance changes, and near similar moving objects.