cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparing Habitat Models Using Ground-Based and Remote Sensing Data: Saltmarsh Sparrow Presence Versus Nesting

Remote sensing data can represent various habitat characteristics, and thus can substitute for detailed ground sampling when constructing habitat models. To predict saltmarsh sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus) distribution and nesting activity, we compared Bayesian hierarchical models in which variables were generated from field or remote sensing data, at a scale of 1-ha plots and at the landscape scale. Field data consisted of plant structure and plant composition variables. Data derived from remote sensing included high and low marsh classifications, LiDAR elevation data, and a classification derived from spectral characteristics specifically associated with saltmarsh sparrow habitat use. The best sparrow presence model used a variable derived from spectral reflectance values associated with plots where sparrows did not occur, indicating that the remote sensing data included additional information about conditions associated with saltmarsh sparrow occurrence than was provided by plant composition, structure, or community classes. In contrast, nest presence was modeled best using vegetation structure variables that required data collection on the ground, although the best remote-sensing model was almost as good. These results reinforce the value of remote-sensing data in habitat modeling, and highlight the need to distinguish between sites that contribute to reproduction and sites where a species is merely present.
Case Report: Treatment of an Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformation in a Patient With Complicated Hemophilia

The authors describe a young man with hemophilia complicated by chronic hepatic dysfunction, hypodysfibrinogenemia, and immune thrombocytopenia that resulted in a complex coagulopathy. The patient had a ruptured occipital arteriovenous malformation. The malformation was managed by temporary correction of the coagulopathy using cryoprecipitate, platelet transfusions, and plasmapheresis with fresh frozen plasma replacement. The patient underwent staged preoperative embolization followed by surgical excision of the lesion. Hemostasis was acceptable during the neurointerventional and subsequent surgical management, and no complications of coagulopathy occurred. Plasmapheresis may provide effective preparation for patients with hemophilia and complex coagulation abnormalities who require neurosurgical intervention.
Subspace Expansion and the Equivalence of Conjugate Direction and Multistage Wiener Filters

We consider iterative subspace Wiener filters for solving minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) and minimum variance unbiased estimation problems in low-dimensional subspaces. In this class of subspace filters, the conjugate direction and multistage Wiener filters comprise two large subclasses, and within these the conjugate gradient and orthogonal multistage Wiener filters are the most prominent. We establish very general equivalences between conjugate direction and multistage Wiener filters, wherein the direction vectors of a conjugate direction filter and the stagewise vectors of a multistage filter are related through a one-term autoregressive recursion. By virtue of this recursion, the expanding subspaces of the two filters are identical, even though their bases for them are different. As a consequence, their subspace filters, gradients, and MSEs are identical at each stage of the subspace iteration. If the conjugate direction filter is a conjugate gradient filter, then the equivalent stagewise filter is an orthogonal multistage filter, and vice-versa. If either the conjugate gradient filter or the orthogonal multistage filter is initialized at the cross-covariance vector between the signal and the measurement, then each of the subspace filters iteratively turns out a basis for a Krylov subspace.
JS-K, a GST-activated nitric oxide generator, induces DNA double-strand breaks, activates DNA damage response pathways, and induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo in human multiple myeloma cells

Here we investigated the cytotoxicity of JS-K, a prodrug designed to release nitric oxide (NO•) following reaction with glutathione S-transferases, in multiple myeloma (MM). JS-K showed significant cytotoxicity in both conventional therapy-sensitive and -resistant MM cell lines, as well as patient-derived MM cells. JS-K induced apoptosis in MM cells, which was associated with PARP, caspase-8, and caspase-9 cleavage; increased Fas/CD95 expression; Mcl-1 cleavage; and Bcl-2 phosphorylation, as well as cytochrome c, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), and endonuclease G (EndoG) release. Moreover, JS-K overcame the survival advantages conferred by interleukin-6 (IL-6) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), or by adherence of MM cells to bone marrow stromal cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that JS-K–induced cytotoxicity was mediated via NO• in MM cells. Furthermore, JS-K induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and activated DNA damage responses, as evidenced by neutral comet assay, as well as H2AX, Chk2 and p53 phosphorylation. JS-K also activated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) in MM cells; conversely, inhibition of JNK markedly decreased JS-K–induced cytotoxicity. Importantly, bortezomib significantly enhanced JS-K–induced cytotoxicity. Finally, JS-K is well tolerated, inhibits tumor growth, and prolongs survival in a human MM xenograft mouse model. Taken together, these data provide the preclinical rationale for the clinical evaluation of JS-K to improve patient outcome in MM.
The role of time in toxicology or Haber’s c×t product

Abstract It happened exactly 100 years ago that Warren established for the first time a quantitative link between dose and time while studying the toxicity of sodium chloride in Daphnia magna (Straus). During this century many toxicologists in different contexts returned to this idea, which has become known as Haber’s rule of inhalation toxicology. Most attempts to explore this relationship ended in frustration because of the supposed occurrence of exceptions. Thus, toxicologists concentrated on the quantitative relationship between dose and effect under mostly isotemporal conditions while time took a back seat and was assigned such arbitrary, semiquantitative designations as acute, subacute, subchronic and chronic. Time itself as a quantifiable variable of toxicity was seldom studied and when it was studied, it was often not under isodosic (steady state) conditions as required by theory. A recent analysis of toxicological time indicated the impact of three independent time scales (toxicokinetic, toxicodynamic, exposure frequency/duration) in toxicological studies, which interact with dose and effect to yield the enormous complexity known to every toxicologist. Based on prototypical examples when toxicokinetic (dioxins), toxicodynamic (nitrosamines, benzene) or exposure frequency (methylene chloride, chloroacetic acid, HgCl 2 , CdCl 2 , etc.) represent the critical time scale, the general validity of the c × t = k concept will be discussed as a starting point for a theory of toxicology. As endpoints of toxicity, (delayed) acute toxicity, blood dyscrasias and cancer will be used to illustrate the critical conditions needed to demonstrate the validity of this theory.
864 EXPLORING THE MECHANISM OF NUCLEAR RNA TRANSPORT WITH MUTANT HUMAN tRNA GENES

Transfer RNA biosynthesis in eucaryotic cells involves processing of a primary transcript to mature tRNA by cleavage of sequences from the 5' and 3' ends. Following processing within the nucleus, mature tRNA is transported into the cytoplasm. We have recently demonstrated the existence of a tRNA transport system in Xenopus oocytes (Proc. Natl. Acad. Soc., 80, 6436-6440, (1983)). Studies of a cloned human variant tRNA (met)i gene, which contains a base substitution in the loop IV region, suggested that nucleolytic processing and transport might be functionally linked. The primary transcript of the variant gene is processed slowly and the mature variant tRNA species, although accurately processed, accumulates in the nucleus and is not transported. In order to define the nucleotides in a normal human tRNA (met)i gene involved in processing and transport, we have generated, by in vitro methods, mutants which contain one or a few C→T transitions in the tRNA coding sequence. The effect of these altered nucleotides on processing has been assessed in vivo by micro-injection of cloned mutant tRNA genes into the oocyte nucleus and in vitro by reaction of the mutant primary transcripts with the purified processing nucleases. The transport properties of the mutant tRNA genes have been analyzed following micro-dissection of nuclear and cytoplasmic components from oocytes injected with mutant tRNAs in the nucleus. Nucleotide changes independently affecting transport or processing have been observed showing the processes are not functionally linked.
Infection, replication, and cytopathology of human papillomavirus type 31 in trophoblasts.

Abstract Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA is preferentially found in spontaneous abortions, specifically residing in trophoblasts, and transfected HPV-16 DNA replicates and produces progeny in 3A trophoblasts in culture. In this study 3A trophoblasts were shown to display both HPV receptors and infection by HPV-31b and HPV-6 virus resulted in de novo (increasing) HPV DNA replication in these cells (inhibited by neutralizing anti-HPV31b antibodies). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that E1^E4, E6, and L1 were significantly expressed at days 5 (early) and 10 (late), respectively, and in situ immunocytochemistry verified L1 protein expression. Perhaps most important, HPV 31b virus infection caused both a decrease in 3A trophoblast cell numbers in a dose-dependent manner and a low trophoblast-endometrial cell adhesion (both inhibited by neutralizing anti-HPV-31 antibodies). These data further support the hypothesis that HPVs are fully active in trophoblasts and may cause some spontaneous abortions.
Experimental method to quantify progressive stages of decay of wood by basidiomycete fungi

A biological exposure method was developed that allows wood samples to be progressively removed for monitoring colonization and decay by basidiomycete fungi. Monitoring involves strength tests, determination of weight loss, and chemical analysis. To optimize the procedure, several variations of the method were tested using two species of brown-rot fungi (Gloeophyllum trabeum and Oligoporus placentus (Postia placenta)) and one white-rot species (Trametes versicolor) against southern pine sapwood. The variations involved type of culture medium and exposure method. All variations enabled substantial and rapid decay. Specimens exposed to brown-rot fungi lost 80-100% strength and 25-40% weight after 12 weeks; the white-rot fungus was less effective, but nevertheless caused 20-40% loss in strength. For both brown- and white-rot fungi, strength loss exceeded weight loss. For brown-rot fungi, there was a direct relationship between strength loss and weight loss, suggesting a quantitative relationship between strength loss and chemical composition (hemicellulose sugars) during incipient decay of southern pine by these fungi.
Design of a PZT Bimorph Actuator Using a Metamodel-Based Approach

The design of a variable thickness piezoelectric bimorph actuator for application to minimally invasive surgery is proposed. The actuator is discretized into five segments along its length, where the thicknesses of the segments are used as design variables in the problem of optimizing both the force and deflection at the tip. Metamodeling techniques are used to construct computationally inexpensive approximations of finite element simulations and to rapidly explore the design space and the Pareto frontier. A prototype device and experimental verification of the analytical results are also discussed.
A retrospective analysis of the TATs of children at risk who subsequently broke down.

A retrospective evaluation of stories told to three Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) cards by children at risk isolated six characteristics that were associated with functioning six to 10 years later. The characteristics included lack of individual initiative, denial of mother-child relationships, denial of negative outcomes, and lack of autonomy. The TATs of children at risk (due to one parent's hospitalization for a psychotic illness) who subsequently suffered major decompensations themselves (requiring hospitalization or intensive outpatient therapy) could be discriminated from those of children at risk with apparently normal development. The TAT characteristics were independent of the level of adjustment at the time the TATs were administered, not related to the child's IQ, socioeconomic status, race, or other family characteristics, and moderately negatively correlated with story length.
Noninvasive His bundle electrogram: Value of three vector lead recordings

Abstract Studies were conducted in 45 patients to determine whether the reliability of the measurement of the His bundle potential from the body surface was increased by signal averaging of three simultaneously recorded electrocardiographic potentials from horizontal (X), frontal (Y) and sagittal (Z) axes as opposed to recording of any of these. Potentials from the X, Y and Z leads were amplified by 250,000, filtered between 80 hertz (12 dB/octave) and 200 hertz (24 dB/octave) and signal averaging of 1,000 beats was performed. The His bundle potential could be clearly defined in 25 of the 45 patients in the X, Y or Z lead. His bundle potentials were evident in the X lead in 17 (68 percent) of these 25 patients, in the Y lead in 19 (77 percent) and in the Z lead in 11 (44 percent). No single lead gave satisfactory His bundle electrographic potentials in all patients. In 20 patients the His bundle electrogram could not be recorded because terminal atrial activity overlapped activity of the His bundle potential. The three lead system defined the His bundle potential in a significantly greater number of patients than did the best single lead because it (1) displayed the vectorial lead with the largest His bundle potential, (2) permitted validation of the His bundle potential in more than one lead, and (3) displayed the vectorial lead with the most isoelectric terminal P wave. It is concluded that reliable His bundle potential measurements are obtained in a significantly greater number of patients with use of the simultaneous three lead system than with use of any single lead.
A Componential Model of Human Interaction with Graphs. III. Spatial Orientation

The Mixed Arithmetic-Perceptual (MA-P) model of graph comprehension proposes that graph users apply combinations of component processes — including Searching for indicators, Encoding the value of indicators, performing Arithmetic Operations on the values, making Spatial Comparisons among the indicators, and Responding — when they answer questions from a graph. The model further suggests that the combination and order of the components that the user applies depends on a user's task and the type of graph. The present research investigated the use of another component process — mental rotation — in interacting with star graphs. Subjects used two star graphs to answer comparison and difference questions in which the differences in orientation of the indicators in question varied from 0 to 288°. The results showed a nonmonotonic change in response time with the difference in orientation. The discussion addresses the effects of mental rotation in reading displays and the role that rotation may play in the hiera...
Abandonment of the patient

Those of us in the United States who have devoted our lives to ensuring quality care to patients and families, and the patients and families who rely on the health care system, face momentous issues. I briefly outline what I consider to be the most critical of these issues. These issues include health care economics, technology and government policies.
A criterion for integrably marginal operators

Abstract A criterion is established for determining the integrably marginal operators in a two-dimensional conformal field theory. The criterion applies to a class of dimension (1, 1) operators which can be written as a sum of products of currents. Whether or not a given operator is integrably marginal is determined by a simple rule involving the structure constants of the current algebra.
Preavoidance hypercapnia and decreased hematocrit in micropigs

Previous studies found that regular confinement of dogs in an experimental environment preceding onset of an avoidance task was associated with increases in blood pressure and decreases in heart rate and respiration rate that were not prevented by adrenergic antagonists. The present study investigated a) whether divergent changes in blood pressure and heart rate also occur in micropigs preceding onset of an avoidance task, and b) the nature of changes in blood gases, plasma pH, plasma bicarbonate, hematocrit, and plasma electrolytes observed under these conditions. Blood pressure increased and heart rate decreased during 2-h preavoidance periods, whereas both blood pressure and heart rate were elevated during 20-min avoidance periods. During preavoidance periods, pO2, plasma pH, and plasma potassium pCO2 were decreased below home kennel levels during early preavoidance, whereas pCO2 and plasma bicarbonate were persistently increased and hematocrit was persistently decreased for the duration of the preavoidance periods. Each of these changes was reversed during the avoidance sessions. These findings suggest that behaviorally induced hypercapnia might participate in blood pressure regulation via increased renal sodium/hydrogen exchange and renal sodium retention.
CME associated forward-reverse shock pairs

Abstract For some coronal mass ejections (CMEs), their interaction with the ambient solar wind can produce a forward-reverse shock pair. The high-speed mass ejecta compresses the plasma near the top of the CME on both sides of the tangential discontinuity which separates the CME plasma from the ambient solar wind plasma. The front of the compressed CME plasma propagates in the reverse direction relative to the ejecta flow, it may steepen to from a reverse slow shock. The front of the compressed solar wind plasma also propagates in the forward direction relative to the ambient solar wind and it may steepen to form a forward shock. The forward-reverse shock pair associated with CMEs moves outward in interplanetary space and evolves into a pair of fast shocks. The interplanetary manifestation of some CMEs is pictured as a magnetic cloud accompanied by a shock pair: a forward shock precedes the cloud and a reverse shock either within or behind the cloud.
Rare earth element fractionation and concentration variations along a groundwater flow path within a shallow, basin-fill aquifer, Southern Nevada, USA

Abstract Rare earth element (REE) concentrations were measured in 5 well water samples and 3 springs located along a groundwater flow path in a shallow, tuffaceous alluvial aquifer from southern Nevada, USA. The REE concentrations in these groundwaters decrease in the direction of groundwater flow. A previous investigation demonstrated that REE solid-liquid phase partitioning coefficients (i.e., Kd’s) for groundwaters from tuffaceous alluvial aquifers in southern Nevada are relatively high (mean Kd = 102.6). Our groundwater REE data, in conjunction with these Kd’s, support strong sorption of aqueous REEs to aquifer surface sites as the primary removal mechanism of REEs from these groundwaters. In addition, relatively high aqueous REE concentrations occur at distinct locations along the groundwater flow path. The elevated REE concentrations are explained by addition of deeper groundwaters, influx of geothermal waters from a hot spring system, differences in solution complexation, and/or mixtures of regional and local recharge sources. Solution complexation modelling of REEs in the groundwaters indicate that carbonate complexes account for more than 99% of each REEs in solution. Moreover, groundwater Yb/Nd ratios (a measure of REE fractionation) are associated with alkalinity (HCO3− + CO32−; r = 0.71). The data and speciation model results indicate that REE fractionation (i.e., the observed heavy REE, HREE, enrichments compared to rock-sources) is controlled by formation of progressively stronger carbonate complexes in solution with increasing atomic number, which inhibits HREE sorption compared to light REEs (LREE); and a greater affinity for the LREEs to sorb to surface sites in the local tuffaceous alluvial aquifers compared to the HREEs.
On forced barotropic vorticity oscillations

Abstract Forced, nonresonant barotropic response at low frequencies (ω ≪ f) and large scales (L ∼ f/β) can be written in terms of a streamfunction, which is similar to the quasigeostrophically derived streamfunction. However, the “nearly equilibrium” forced vorticity equation is valid on the planetary length scale and is influenced not only by the vortex stretching induced by the driving mechanism (tides, atmospheric pressure, or Ekman-pumping displacement) but also by β coupling to the divergent velocity field of the nearly equilibrium response. A similar result follows for topographic coupling, albeit on the topographic length scale.
Asynchronous scheduling for energy optimality in systems with multiple servers

We consider energy-aware scheduling in a multi-server system with N classes of jobs. Jobs arrive randomly and are queued according to their class. Servers operate asynchronously over their own timelines. Each server can be in either the active state or the idle state. At the beginning of each active period, a server chooses a processing mode from a collection of options that affect: (i) which classes of jobs are served, (ii) the service times, and (iii) the energy incurred. After processing, the server chooses an amount of time to remain idle. The goal is to make decisions over time that minimize time average power subject to stabilizing all queues. This is related to a non-convex optimization problem with fractional terms that have different denominators in the objective function and in the constraints. Such problems are generally intractable. However, the system has physical properties with special structure. Exploiting these properties, we develop a novel online algorithm that solves the problem. The algorithm does not require knowledge of the arrival rates. It can push time average power arbitrarily close to optimal, with a corresponding tradeoff in average queue size.
Three-year field evaluation of early and late 20th century spring wheat cultivars to projected increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide

Abstract Carbon dioxide (CO2), along with light, water and nutrients, represents an essential resource needed for plant growth and reproduction. Projected and recent increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide may allow breeders and agronomists to begin intra-specific selection for yield traits associated with CO2 sensitivity. However, selection for maximum yield, particularly for cereals, is continuous, and it is possible that modern cereal cultivars are, in fact, the most CO2 sensitive. To test CO2 responsiveness, we examined two contrasting spring wheat cultivars, Marquis and Oxen, over a 3-year period under field conditions at two different planting densities. Marquis was introduced into North America in 1903, and is taller, with greater tiller plasticity (i.e. greater variation in tiller production), smaller seed and lower harvest index relative to modern wheat cultivars. Oxen, a modern cultivar released in 1996, produces fewer tillers, and has larger seed with a higher harvest index relative to Marquis. As would be expected, under ambient CO2 conditions, Oxen produced more seed than Marquis for all 3 years. However, at a CO2 concentration 250 μmol mol−1 above ambient (a concentration anticipated in the next 50–100 years), no differences were observed in seed yield between the two cultivars, and vegetative above ground biomass (e.g. tillers), was significantly higher for Marquis relative to Oxen in 2006 and 2007. Significant CO2 by cultivar interaction was observed as a result of greater tiller production and an increased percentage of tillers bearing panicles for the Marquis relative to the Oxen cultivar at elevated carbon dioxide. This greater increase in tiller bearing panicles also resulted in a significant increase in harvest index for the Marquis cultivar as CO2 increased. While preliminary, these results intimate that newer cultivars are not intrinsically more CO2 responsive; rather, that yield sensitivity may be dependent on the availability of reproductive sinks to assimilate additional carbon. Overall, understanding and characterizing vegetative vs. reproductive sink capacity between cultivars may offer new opportunities for breeders to exploit and adapt varieties of wheat to projected increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.
Cell division in Escherichia coli: Evidence for regulation of septation by effector molecules

Abstract Evidence regarding the regulation of cell division has been obtained from the study of septation in a mutant of Escherichia coli. The mutant, MX74T2 ts52, gradually stops dividing when transferred from 30 to 41°C in rich medium, but forms long filaments and continues to synthesize DNA and protein. These filaments serve as test objects for the investigation of the regulation of septation. A synchronous cell division of the filaments is induced after 15 minutes, even at 41°C, by the addition of chloramphenicol (100 μg/ml.), rifampicin (200 μg/ml.), or by transfer to minimal medium. Blocking of protein formation with puromycin (500 μg/ml.) or amino-acid analogues does not permit septation. Thus, septation appears to be coupled to inhibition of peptide bond formation rather than protein synthesis. A model for the control of cell division is proposed in which a small effector molecule that is related to peptide bond formation is needed for septation.
Monitoring in the intensive care unit is essential

Patients receiving intraspinal opiates should be monitored in the intensive care unit for at least 24 hours to prevent potentially lethal outcomes. These include respiratory depression caused by sequestration of the morphine in the cerebrospinal fluid and migration of epidural catheters in the subarachnoid or intravascular space. At this time, most hospitals are not equipped or staffed adequately to guarantee the safety of these patients outside the intensive care unit.
A vehicular filter suitable for co-operative automotive safety applications

Research in the automotive field is currently focusing on exploiting the co-operation among vehicles to enhance road safety, efficiency and comfort. In vehicular ad hoc networks, especially in safety related applications, accuracy of the information exchanged through the wireless network, such as position and velocity of each vehicle, is crucial. For this reason a robust and accurate vehicular filter which also reduces measurements' noise is needed. The extended Kalman filter is used as standard technique for performing recursive nonlinear estimation. However, it provides only an approximation to optimal nonlinear estimation. In order to avoid sub-optimal performance an enhanced unscented Kalman filter is used. The enhancement is that a combination of different motion models is exploited, leading to a more accurate modeling of the vehicle's movement. For this combination the curvature of the road from a digital map and the yaw rate and acceleration values from the vehicle are taken into consideration. The performance of the proposed unscented filter is proven to be superior compared to the performance of both the extended Kalman filter and the simple unscented filter which takes into account only a specific motion model.
NG2 cells generate both oligodendrocytes and gray matter astrocytes

NG2 glia constitute a fourth major glial cell type in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) that is distinct from other cell types. Although circumstantial evidence suggests that some NG2 glia differentiate into oligodendrocytes, their in vivo fate has not been directly examined. We have used the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) modification technique to generate transgenic mice that express DsRed or Cre specifically in NG2-expressing (NG2+) cells. In NG2DsRedBAC transgenic mice, DsRed was expressed specifically in NG2+ cells throughout the postnatal CNS. When the differentiation potential of NG2+ cells in vitro was examined using DsRed+NG2+ cells purified from perinatal transgenic brains, the majority of the cells either remained as NG2+ cells or differentiated into oligodendrocytes. In addition, DsRed+NG2+ cells also differentiated into astrocytes. The in vivo fate of NG2 glia was examined in mice that were double transgenic for NG2creBAC and the Cre reporter Z/EG. In the double transgenic mice, the Cre reporter EGFP was detected in myelinating oligodendrocytes and in a subpopulation of protoplasmic astrocytes in the gray matter of ventrolateral forebrain but not in fibrous astrocytes of white matter. These observations suggest that NG2+ cells are precursors of oligodendrocytes and some protoplasmic astrocytes in gray matter.
Effects of Public Policy at the State Level: California's Impact on MR, LD, and ED Categories

California, a state rich in special education tradition, has experimented with a variety of approaches to eligibility and placement of children with learning or behavior disorders. These policies and procedures are discussed with reference to their impact in determining which children are actually served under the categories of mental retardation, learning disabilities, and emotional disturbance, as defined in Public Law 94--142. Major differences in growth or decrease of children served exist in these three categories between California and national figures. A special education “no man's land,” perhaps unique to California, may be emerging in that current policies may lead to even greater numbers of children no longer eligible for special education.
Radial Hermite Operators for Scattered Point Cloud Data with Normal Vectors and Applications to Implicitizing Polygon Mesh Surfaces for Generalized CSG Operations and Smoothing

We describe a new technique for fitting scattered point cloud data. Given a scattered point cloud of 3D data points and associated normal vectors, our new method produces an implicit volume model whose zero level isosurface interpolates the given points and associated normal vectors. In this paper, we concentrate on certain application of these new volume modeling techniques. We take existing polygon mesh surfaces and use the present methods to construct implicit volume models for these surfaces. Implicit models allow for the application of Boolean operations on these surfaces through the techniques of constructive solid geometry. Also, standard wavelet and filter operators can be applied to the implicit volume model leading to effective smoothing and filtering algorithms which are simple to implement.
Distribution and ecology of deep-water benthic foraminifera in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Bathyal and abyssal foraminifera in the Gulf of Mexico are distributed among thirteen generic predominance facies. Five predominance facies nearly encircle the Gulf basin along the slope and rise; a sixth predominance facies blankets the Sigsbee Plain, and a seventh is restricted to the Mississippi Fan. The remaining eight predominance facies have more restricted distributions. The areal patterns of these predominance facies can be related chiefly to water mass and substrate characteristics; modifications are brought about by calcite dissolution, upwelling, and sill depth. Analysis of ancient generic predominance facies is useful in predicting relative paleobathymetry and other paleoenvironmental properties.
Characterization and quantitative analysis of ultra-thin GaAs single-junction solar cells with reflective back scattering

This paper studies the impacts of the non-ideal reflective back scattering, non-radiative recombination, and series resistance on the device performance of ultra-thin GaAs single-junction solar cells. The reflectivity of the textured AlInP/Au interface is calculated by averaging the angular reflectivity against the Lambertian distribution, the value of which is 95% at the GaAs absorption edge. The impact of non-ideal scattering on short-circuit current density (J sc ) and external quantum efficiency (EQE) is investigated using Phong's distribution and a Phong exponent m of ∼12 is determined by fitting both simulated J sc and EQE to their experimental values. The measured open-circuit voltage (V oc ) is lower than the best achievable value, and the difference is attributed to the non-radiative recombination in the device. Fitting of the measured V oc gives a lifetime of ∼130 ns. The impact of series resistance on fill factor is also studied using the single diode equivalent circuit model and the specific series resistivity of the device is determined to be ∼1.2 Ω·cm2.
Adaptive Control of Multi-Tiered Web Applications Using Queueing Predictor

How to effectively allocate system resources to meet Service Level Objectives (SLOs) is a challenging problem for Web services providers. In this paper, we propose a scheme for autonomous performance control of Web applications. It uses a queueing model predictor and an online adaptive feedback. loop that enforces admission control of the incoming requests to ensure the desired response time target is met. The proposed Queueing-Model-Based Adaptive Control approach combines both the modeling power of queueing theory and self-tuning power of adaptive control. Therefore, it can handle both modeling inaccuracies and load disturbances in a better way. To evaluate the proposed approach, we built a multi-tiered Web application testbed with open-source components widely used in industry. Experimental studies conducted on the testbed demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Late Kidney Dysfunction in a Kidney Transplant Recipient

Late kidney transplant dysfunction may be a harbinger of graft failure. For many years, calcineurin inhibitor toxicity was felt to be the main cause for graft dysfunction with fibrosis and transplant loss. Recently this idea has come into question. With the observation that peritubular capillary C4d staining in kidney allografts may indicate antibody-mediated injury in conjunction with biopsy study findings, an appreciation for antibody-mediated rejection as a major cause of late graft dysfunction and loss has emerged. Twenty percent to 30% of patients develop de novo donor-specific antibodies after kidney transplantation. There are no US Food and Drug Administration–approved treatments for antibody-mediated rejection, nor have any randomized controlled trials assessed efficacy. Off-label treatment strategies include some combination of plasma exchange, intravenous immunoglobulin, and rituximab. Other approaches, including splenectomy, bortezomib, and eculizumab, have also been tried.
The End of Empire and the Extension of the Westphalian System: The Normative Basis of the Modern State Order

Winston Churchill confidently remarked in 1942 how he had not "become the King's minister in order to preside over the liquidation of the British Empire." ' The French government similarly ruled out African independence for many years to come at the Brazzaville conference of 1944. The Dutch governor-general proclaimed proudly in 1937 that he expected Dutch rule over the East Indies to last another three hundred years.2 Nevertheless, within two decades all their vast imperial holdings had dwindled to a few scattered territories. Those that remained had been granted considerable autonomy-and ultimately became fully independent as well. The sun had set on the empires that once held sway over the world. The speed and ubiquitousness of the decolonization process demonstrates that this was not an isolated process relating only to the fortunes of individual powers. Small states such as the Netherlands and Belgium were ousted within fifteen years of the war. But more powerful Britain and France similarly lost vast territories in the span of only a few years. Only Portugal fought a rearguard action but eventually had to yield by 1974. The similarity across outcomes and synchronicity of events suggests that a broad systemic process was at work.
Prevalence of regional and distant metastasis in cats with advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma: 49 cases (2005–2011):

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of regional and distant metastasis in cats with advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a retrospective case series. Forty-nine cats with cytologically- or histopathologically-confirmed oral SCC presented to the Matthew J Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. History, clinical and laboratory results, diagnostic imaging findings and survival times were obtained from the medical records of patients who received diagnostic evaluation for metastasis. The prevalence of metastasis was assessed by means of mandibular lymph node cytology and three-view thoracic radiography. The prevalence of mandibular lymph node metastasis was 31% (15/49). Evidence of possible thoracic metastasis was seen in 10% (5/49) of cases. Of the patients with mandibular lymph node metastasis, 53% (8/15) were maxillary, 27% mandibular (4/15), 13% sublingual (2/15) and 7% caudal pharyngeal (1/15). Pulmonary metastasis was seen in three mandibular, one maxillary and one sublingual mass. Forty-one patients died or were euthanased owing to progression of local disease, and seven patients were lost to follow-up. The prevalence of regional metastasis in this study was more common than most previously reported studies, while the rate of pulmonary metastasis was higher than has previously been published. Although significant conclusions cannot be drawn, control of the primary tumor, regardless of tumor size at diagnosis, appears to be an important factor in improving survival time, and therefore treatment of metastasis may be important in those cases where long-term control of the primary tumor is possible.
Maximum entropy inverse reinforcement learning in continuous state spaces with path integrals

In this paper, we consider the problem of inverse reinforcement learning for a particular class of continuous-time stochastic systems with continuous state and action spaces, under the assumption that both the cost function and the optimal control policy are parametric with known basis functions. Our goal is to produce a cost function for which a given policy, observed in experiment, is optimal. We proceed by enforcing a constraint on the relationship between input noise and input cost that produces a maximum entropy distribution over the space of all sample paths. We apply maximum likelihood estimation to approximate the parameters of this distribution (hence, of the cost function) given a finite set of sample paths. We iteratively improve our approximation by adding to this set the sample path that would be optimal given our current estimate of the cost function. Preliminary results in simulation provide empirical evidence that our algorithm converges.
Pigment epithelium-derived factor protects cultured retinal neurons against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a neurotrophic protein synthesized and secreted by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in early embryogenesis and has been shown to be present in the extracellular matrix between the RPE cells and the neural retina. It induces neuronal differentiation and promotes survival of neurons of the central nervous system from degeneration caused by serum withdrawal or glutamate cytotoxicity. Because the role of PEDF in the retina is still unknown, we examined its ability to protect cultured retinal neurons against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced cell death. Retinas of 0-2-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and dissociated, and the neurons were maintained for 2 weeks in a synthetic serum-free medium. Immunocytochemical labeling showed that 50-60% of the cultured cells were rod photoreceptors. Treatment with H(2)O(2) induced significant death of retinal neurons in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Pretreatment with PEDF prior to insult greatly attenuated H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity, and its effect was shown to be dose dependent. Cytotoxicity was determined by 3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase assays, and apoptotic cell death was evaluated by the TdT-mediated digoxigenin-dUTP nick-end labeling assay. The present study also showed that H(2)O(2)-induced retinal neuron death was by apoptosis that could be inhibited by PEDF. Combination of PEDF with basic fibroblast growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or ciliary neurotrophic factor improves the protection. These data strongly suggest that PEDF is a potential neuroprotective agent in the treatment of retinal degeneration.
Participant Perspectives Of An Evidence-Based Pregnancy/STI Prevention Curriculum: The Importance Of Atmosphere, Active Learning, And Accurate Advice

Healthy People 2020 addresses national priorities related to adolescent health with goals that relate to reducing unintended pregnancy, increasing the use of reproductive health services, increasing the practice of abstinence, and increasing sexual health education among the population (USDHHS, 2011). In response to these national priorities, the Office of Adolescent Health awarded seventy-five highly competitive grants to support the replication of evidence-based programming (USDHHS, 2012). One such program - FOCUS (PASHA, 2005) - is being delivered in southwestern Ohio through a unique partnership between the Hamilton YWCA and Miami University’s Department of Nursing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate participant feedback, from a pilot period of three months, in order to identify response themes. In summary, the wrap-up surveys taught us that participants valued the up-to-date content (specifically related to sexually transmitted infections) and that an “open” and “laid back” learning environment, utilizing active learning s trategies, was most effective.
Effects of Variable Life History and Insect Herbivores on Reproduction in Solidago macrophylla (Asteraceae) on an Elevational Gradient

Abstract This study documents variation in the number of florets per flower head and the number of flower heads per flowering shoot for individuals of Solidago macrophylla, a perennial composite, on an elevational gradient in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and asks if variation in floret distribution vs. plant insect attack predicts variation in reproductive success. Fifteen populations were censused over 2–3 yr to document the number of florets per head, the number of heads per shoot, aphid infestation and seedling emergence per flowering shoot. Additionally, levels of seed predation by tephritid flies were measured during the final year. Flowering shoots in populations at higher elevations produced significantly more florets per head and fewer flowering heads than flowering shoots in populations at lower elevations. Overall, populations at lower elevations produced more florets than populations at higher elevations. However, this difference in reproductive potential did not result in differential...
Surgical and Medical Options in the Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Given the increasing detection rate of renal mass with the widespread utilization of cross-sectional imaging and the rising incidence rate of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), it is imperative that the nephrologist understands the behavior of this cancer, the treatment options available, and the impact of treatment on renal functional outcomes. Here, we present a review of various histologic subtypes of RCC, up-to-date surgical and medical treatment options, and their respective outcomes.
The influence of immigrant parent legal status on U.S.-born children's academic abilities: The moderating effects of social service use

ABSTRACTThe present study investigated the relationship between immigrant parent legal status and academic performance among U.S.-born children, ages 7–10. Building on previous research and a social ecological framework, the study further explored how social service use moderates the relationship between parent legal status and academic performance. Participants included 178 low-income, urban parent/child dyads; all parents were immigrants from Mexico, Central America, or the Dominican Republic and all children were U.S.-born citizens. Using a standardized academic assessment as the outcome, parent legal vulnerability was a significant negative predictor of children's academic performance on reading, spelling, and math subtests. Additionally, parent use of social services significantly and positively moderated the relationship between parent legal vulnerability and children's word reading and spelling skills, indicating that social service use can serve as a protective buffer against the negative associat...
Creating Workplace Solutions for Women Attorneys: Report of the Lawyers Club of San Diego Balance Campaign

Individual lawyers have long struggled with the difficulty of finding a proper balance between their personal and professional commitments, as well as the high cost of failing to achieve such a balance. Legal employers and other professional organizations are coming to understand the important stakes they hold in helping individual lawyers achieve such balance in order to retain talented employees in whom they have invested substantial resources. In the spirit of furthering this understanding, Lawyers Club of San Diego has launched its Balance Campaign. The mission of the Balance Campaign is to identify, develop, and promote the adoption and implementation of effective alternative employment policies and practices that encourage and enable the hiring, advancement, and retention of women in the San Diego legal community. This Report is issued in support of that mission.
Effects of moisture level and potassium on NH4+ nitrification and their influence on growth parameters and nutrient uptake of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum. L) grown on Typic Hapludert of central highlands of Ethiopia

To understand the impact of moisture level and potassium on NH 4 + nitrification a greenhouse and laboratory studies were conducted using surface soil of Typic Hapludert (0–30 cm) of Ginchi, central Ethiopia. The treatments were two levels of moisture and three levels of fertilizer (six combinations replicated three times). The Typic Hapludert, which is dominated by smectite and contains relatively high illite, has 6.44% total potassium, high K-fixing (minimum of 4.89 and maximum of 69.88 mg/100 g soil) and buffering (45.05 mmol/) capacities and low potassium availability (2.26 cmol (+) kg soil). The soil contains significant amounts of potassium in the form of micaceous K. Eighty percent of the applied (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 was nitrified and caused sharp increase of NO 3 under both moisture statuses between the 2 nd and 5 th weeks. Maintaining moisture at constant level could only delay nitrification, but could not stop nitrification process completely. Under all treatments the oxidation of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 into NO 3 - ions took place in a very short period. In treatments T 1 (without N and K fertilizers), T 3 (83 mg nitrogen) and T 5 (83 mg nitrogen, 37.5 mg K), which were watered every other day, 86-88% of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 was converted to NO 3 - within 15 days where as in T 2 (without N and K fertilizers), T4 (83 mg nitrogen) and T 6 (83 mg nitrogen, 37.5 mg K), which were moist to 60% water holding capacity of the soil every day, 34-44% of the applied (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 oxidized to NO 3 - within 22 days. High moisture status has discouraged K assimilation without affecting nitrogen uptake significantly. However, Mg 2+ uptake was not affected under both water treatments. Application of potassium was found to shorten the time required for flowering.