cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of snow depth using elevation differences determined by interferometric SAR (InSAR)

Snow accumulation is a significant factor for determining sources and amounts of seasonal runoff for a variety of applications. Most current estimates of snow depth, however, consist of manual (spot) measurements combined with weather models, and don't capture snow depth information at appropriate scales for regional forecasting or local use. Remote sensing data have the potential to determine snow depth and other parameters for large areas that are difficult to measure directly using other methods. The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to explore snow depth estimation approaches. SAR interferograms are calculated to produce digital elevation models (DEMs) for both snow-off and snow-on conditions - DEM subtraction provides an estimate of the snow depth over the area of the remotely sensed data.
Cln6 mutants associated with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis are degraded in a proteasome-dependent manner.

NCLs (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses), a group of inherited neurodegenerative lysosomal storage diseases that predominantly affect children, are the result of autosomal recessive mutations within one of the nine cln genes. The wild-type cln gene products are composed of membrane and soluble proteins that localize to the lysosome or the ER (endoplasmic reticulum). However, the destiny of the Cln variants has not been fully characterized. To explore a possible link between ER quality control and processing of Cln mutants, we investigated the fate of two NCL-related Cln6 mutants found in patient samples (Cln6 G123D and Cln6 M241T ) in neuronal-derived human cells. The point mutations are predicted to be in the putative transmembrane domains and most probably generate misfolded membrane proteins that are subjected to ER quality control. Consistent with this paradigm, both mutants underwent rapid proteasome-mediated degradation and complexed with components of the ER extraction apparatus, Derlin-1 and p97. In addition, knockdown of SEL1L [sel-1 suppressor of lin-12-like ( Caenorhabditis elegans )], a member of an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex involved in ER protein extraction, rescued significant amounts of Cln6 G123D and Cln6 M241T polypeptides. The results implicate ER quality control in the instability of the Cln variants that probably contributes to the development of NCL.
Interactive effects between group and single-subject response patterns

Abstract A two-part study was undertaken to investigate the effects of movement experiences on lower extremity function during impact activities. Group and single-subject performances were evaluated for a total of 12 male volunteers during landing (Study I) and running (Study II) activities. Standard biomechanical techniques were used to obtain kinematic (200 Hz) and kinetic (1000 Hz) data during soft, normal and stiff-knee landings (Study I) and for under, normal, and over-stride running (Study II). Performance trials were tested for normality, condition differences were documented and multiple regression models were computed to predict the first (F1) and second (F2) maximum vertical forces during landing and the maximum impact force (IF) during running. Results of the study identified condition differences with no deviations from normality, thereby achieving the goal of increasing performance heterogeneity to benefit the modeling procedures. Group regression model results for F1, F2 and IF each identified a single predictor variable that accounted for 74.7, 98.6 and 81.6% explained variance (EV), respectively. Single-subject predictors and EV values varied and demonstrated a number of different strategies. The group models were not representative of any of the individual subjects' performances and indicate that group models can describe a mythical “average” performer. These results suggest that researchers must be cautious when evaluating group performance patterns.
Biosynthesis of the ansamycin antibiotic rifamycin: deductions from the molecular analysis of the rif biosynthetic gene cluster of Amycolatopsis mediterranei S699.

Background: The ansamycin class of antibiotics are produced by various Actinomycetes. Their carbon framework arises from the polyketide pathway via a polyketide synthase (PKS) that uses an unusual starter unit. Rifamycin (rif), produced by Amycolatopsis mediterranei , is the archetype ansamycin and it is medically important. Although its basic precursors (3-amino-5-hydroxy benzoic acid AHBA, and acetic and propionic acids) had been established, and several biosynthetic intermediates had been identified, very little was known about the origin of AHBA nor had the PKS and the various genes and enzymes that modify the initial intermediate been characterized. Results: A set of 34 genes clustered around the rif K gene encoding AHBA synthase were defined by sequencing all but 5 kilobases (kb) of a 95 kb contiguous region of DNA from A. mediterranei . The involvement of some of the genes in the biosynthesis of rifamycin B was examined. At least five genes were shown to be essential for the synthesis of AHBA, five genes were determined to encode the modular type I PKS that uses AHBA as the starter unit, and 20 or more genes appear to govern modification of the polyketide-derived framework, and rifamycin resistance and export. Putative regulatory genes were also identified. Disruption of the PKS genes at the end of rifA abolished rifamycin B production and resulted in the formation of P8/1-OG, a known shunt product of rifamycin biosynthesis, whereas disruption of the orf6 and orf9 genes, which may encode deoxysugar biosynthesis enzymes, had no apparent effect. Conclusions: Rifamycin production in A. mediterranei is governed by a single gene cluster consisting of structural, resistance and export, and regulatory genes. The genes characterized here could be modified to produce novel forms of the rifamycins that may be effective against rifamycin-resistant microorganisms.
ARV Medication Errors: Experience of a Community-Based HIV Specialty Clinic and Review of the Literature

Objective: To describe antiretroviral (ARV) medication errors reported within a community Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) clinic, identify potential strategies to prevent errors, and review the literature pertaining to ARV medication errors.Design: Review of voluntarily reported ARV errors. Errors were classified using the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCC-MERP) Index. The clinic’s medication distribution process was also analyzed.Setting: Community-based clinic with HIV-experienced clinicians in an urban setting.Results: Thirty-seven errors were reported over 3 years; 81.1% of these were classified as NCC-MERP category C. Most errors resulted from lapses in clinic and pharmacy systems of care (n = 21). Pharmacy and clinic prescribing errors were less (n = 11).Conclusion: ARV medication errors were notable. Changes in drug distribution and prescribing processes may reduce future ARV medication errors.
Steady-state analysis of a renewable energy inverter

As the penetration of small solar photovoltaic (PV) generators increases on the power system it is important for electric power system operators and planners to fully understand the operating characteristics of PV inverters and battery systems. This paper presents detailed results of steady-state testing on one commercial inverter system with lead acid battery storage. The project will continue with transient testing of the same inverter system and development of models for the inverter and batteries.
Macroporous n-GaP in Nonaqueous Regenerative Photoelectrochemical Cells

Macroporous GaP photoelectrodes with wall thicknesses of approximately 500 nm and pore depths ranging from 0 to 45 μm have been prepared from nondegenerately doped single-crystalline n-GaP(100) with a minority-carrier diffusion length of only 110 nm. The photoelectrochemical behaviors of planar and macroporous photoelectrodes have been assessed in nonaqueous regenerative photoelectrochemical cells operated under potentiostatic control and employing dry acetonitrile containing ferrocene/ferrocenium. Enhancements in the short-circuit photocurrents tracked increases in internal quantum yield measurements at long wavelengths for macroporous n-GaP. The observed photocurrent densities and spectral response measurements were consistent with values expected from GaP/liquid heterojunctions controlled by faradaic charge transfer to an outer-sphere, dissolved redox couple. Lower open-circuit photovoltages were observed with macroporous electrodes with increasing pore depth, consistent with distribution of the photoc...
Acetylenic complex formation and displacement via acid-base reactions on Ag(110)

Abstract Acetylene reacts with oxygen atoms on the Ag(110) surface via a Bronsted acid-base pathway to form H2O plus adsorbed acetylide intermediates. The reaction occurs with a high probability and proceeds to complete consumption of adsorbed oxygen. Below 250 K oxygen abstracts one proton per acetylene, forming HC2(a) species. The monodentate acetylides disproportionate at 270 K to yield acetylene plus bidentate acetylides C2(a). The bidentate acetylides give rise to LEED patterns which suggest formation of domains of uniform dimension on the surface. The C2 species are stable to 550 K, at which temperature dissociation to amorphous carbon is observed. The identity of the acetylide intermediates was confirmed by titration reactons. HC2(a) species react with CH3COOD to give HC=CD, C2(a) species react to form C2D2. These reactions completely remove the acetylides as acetylene and result in formation of a stoichiometric coverage of adsorbed acetate intermediates. Results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the stoichiometry of the initial proton-transfer, disproportionation, and titration reactions above. Carbon atoms attached to the surface in the acetylide intermediates exhibit a shift to lower binding relative to acetylene, reflecting the formation of the surface bond. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy shows no evidence for rehybridization of acetylene or acetylides on Ag(110) and further confirms the identity of the C2 species by showing evidence for the C-C σ and π bonding orbitals.
Treatment of experimental hemorrhage with colloid-crystalloid mixtures

Abstract Thirty-six splenectomized dogs were subjected to acute loss of 30% blood volume and resuscitated with colloid solution alone, crystalloid solution alone, or mixtures of colloid and crystalloid solutions. Certain dose-dependent disadvantageous effects associated with either type fluid alone were avoided by employing mixtures of solutions. Depletion of extravascular fluid, and the bleeding tendency associated with colloid use alone was not seen with appropriate mixtures. Excess water deposition in tissues and cardiovascular instability associated with crystalloid solution alone were absent. While ideal results were not obtained in any case, the optimal mixture in this study consisted of 1 part of 6% dextran solution and 4 parts of Hartmann's (lactate Ringer's) solution administered in a volume equal to three times the blood loss.
Radiosensitization of cancer cells by hydroxychalcones.

Radiation sensitization is significantly increased by proteotoxic stress, such as a heat shock. We undertook an investigation, seeking to identify natural products that induced proteotoxic stress and then determined if a compound exhibited radiosensitizing properties. The hydroxychalcones, 2′,5′-dihydroxychalcone (D-601) and 2,2′-dihydroxychalcone (D-501), were found to activate heat shock factor 1 (Hsf1) and exhibited radiation sensitization properties in colon and pancreatic cancer cells. The radiosensitization ability of D-601 was blocked by pretreatment with α-napthoflavone (ANF), a specific inhibitor of cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2), suggesting that the metabolite of D-601 is essential for radiosensitization. The study demonstrated the ability of hydroxychalcones to radiosensitize cancer cells and provides new leads for developing novel radiation sensitizers.
Determination Of Intermetallic Formation Mechanism Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry Of Multilayered Thin Films

The ability to determine which growth mechanism (interface-reaction-rate-limited vs. diffusion-limited) of intermetallic formation by interfacial reactions using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is demonstrated. Suicide formation in multilayered thin films of chromium and amorphous silicon was chosen as a model system. It is shown that suicide formation in this system followed a linear rate law corresponding to an interface-reaction-rate-limited growth mechanism. An activation energy and pre-exponential for the rate constant were determined.
An Analysis of the Klemp and Durran Radiation Boundary Condition as Applied to Dissipative Internal Waves

Abstract Numerical simulations of the oceanic (atmospheric) boundary layer are complicated by the need to specify appropriate “outflow” or “radiation” boundary conditions at the artificial lower (upper) boundary of the computational domain. If the boundary layer is stratified, particular care is necessary to insure that internal-gravity-wave disturbances generated within the domain are not artificially reflected by the computational boundary. A major advance was made almost 20 years ago by Klemp and Durran; their radiation condition relates the Fourier transformed pressure fluctuation to the Fourier transformed vertical-velocity perturbation along the artificial boundary. Because it is local in time, the Klemp and Durran (KD) condition is easily incorporated into a wide variety of numerical models for only a minor computational expense. Indeed, it has been widely used in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences communities. For simulations of dissipative systems, however, perturbation-flux conditions must als...
CarMA: towards personalized automotive tuning

Wireless sensing and actuation have been explored in many contexts, but the automotive setting has received relatively little attention. Automobiles have tens of onboard sensors and expose several hundred engine parameters which can be tuned (a form of actuation). The optimal tuning for a vehicle can depend upon terrain, traffic, and road conditions, but the ability to tune a vehicle has only been available to mechanics and enthusiasts. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of CarMA (Car Mobile Assistant), a system that provides high-level abstractions for sensing automobile parameters and tuning them. Using these abstractions, developers can easily write smart-phone "apps" to achieve fuel efficiency, responsiveness, or safety goals. Users of CarMA can tune their vehicles at the granularity of individual trips, a capability we call personalized tuning. We demonstrate through a variety of applications written on top of CarMA that personalized tuning can result in over 10% gains in fuel efficiency. We achieve this through route-specific or driver-specific customizations. Furthermore, CarMA is capable of improving user satisfaction by increasing responsiveness when necessary, and promoting vehicular safety by appropriately limiting the range of performance available to novice or unsafe drivers.
Diagnosis of Glenoid Labral Tears A Comparison Between Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical Examinations

We studied 54 patients with shoulder pain secondary to anterior instability or glenoid labral tears refractory to 6 months of conservative management with no evidence of rotator cuff lesions. All patients had sufficient preoperative clinical data, magnetic resonance imaging, and shoulder arthroscopy results for analysis. The ability to predict the presence of a glenoid labral tear by physical examination was compared with that of magnetic resonance imaging (conventional and arthrogram) and confirmed with arthroscopy. There were 37 men and 17 women (average age, 34 years) in the study group. Of this group, 64% were throwing athletes and 61% recalled specific traumatic events. Clinical assessment included history with specific attention to pain with overhead activities, clicking, and instances of shoulder instability. Physical examination included the apprehension, relocation, load and shift, inferior sulcus sign, and crank tests. Shoulder arthroscopy confirmed labral tears in 41 patients (76%). Magnetic resonance imaging produced a sensitivity of 59% and a specificity of 85%. Physical examination yielded a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 85%. Physical examination is more accurate in predicting glenoid labral tears than magnetic resonance imaging. In this era of cost containment, completing the diagnostic workup in the clinic without expensive ancillary studies allows the patient's care to proceed in the most timely and economic fashion. Glenoid labral tears have been associated with overhead throwing activities, trauma, and shoulder instability. Assessment of an athlete with shoulder pain should take into account a careful history of clicking sounds or catching, symptoms with overhead activities, reports of instability, or previous trauma. On physical examination, patients with labral tears often demonstrate objective instability with or without clicking or catching during glenohumeral rotation. Plain radiographs have not been helpful, and radiologists have relied on techniques from arthrogram to arthrotomogram, CT arthrogram, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and MR arthrogram to assist in the diagnosis. Various sensitivities and specificities have been reported for these tests. However, a large degree of intra- and interobserver variability has been demonstrated, and the degree to which these studies are helpful in preoperative planning has been questioned. No previous study to our knowledge has involved MRI in a direct comparison of other diagnostic modalities. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the accuracy of MRI and physical examination in the diagnosis of glenoid labral tears.
A Technique for the Surgical Removal of the Ultimobranchial Glands From the Domestic Fowl

Abstract IN BIRDS the ultimobranchial glands (UB) are the source of the hypocalcemic peptide hormone, calcitonin (Copp et al., 1967). Extirpation of these glands permits the study of the role of calcitonin in the hormonal regulation of calcium metabolism. The bird is particularly well suited for these studies because the UB can be removed independently of the parathyroids and of the thyroids while in the mammal the calcitonin secreting cells are imbedded within the thyroid (Hirsch et al., 1964). This report describes the anatomical location of the ultimo branchial glands in the fowl, Gallus domesticus, their surgical removal, and their histological identification. Anatomy. The pair of UB are located (with respect to the bird standing in natural position) posterior to the parathyroid glands, dorsal to the bifurcation of the brachiocephalic artery into the common carotid and the subclavian arteries, and very close to and in the same lateral plane as the…
Yeast Bim1p promotes the G1-specific dynamics of microtubules.

Microtubule dynamics vary during the cell cycle, and microtubules appear to be more dynamic in vivo than in vitro. Proteins that promote dynamic instability are therefore central to microtubule behavior in living cells. Here, we report that a yeast protein of the highly conserved EB1 family, Bim1p, promotes cytoplasmic microtubule dynamics specifically during G1. During G1, microtubules in cells lacking BIM1 showed reduced dynamicity due to a slower shrinkage rate, fewer rescues and catastrophes, and more time spent in an attenuated/paused state. Human EB1 was identified as an interacting partner for the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor protein. Like human EB1, Bim1p localizes to dots at the distal ends of cytoplasmic microtubules. This localization, together with data from electron microscopy and a synthetic interaction with the gene encoding the kinesin Kar3p, suggests that Bim1p acts at the microtubule plus end. Our in vivo data provide evidence of a cell cycle–specific microtubule-binding protein that promotes microtubule dynamicity.
A Second Specimen of the Pleistocene Bermuda Tortoise, Hesperotestudo bermudae Meylan and Sterrer

Abstract A fragmentary radius of Hesperotestudo bermudae from an underwater cave deposit in Bermuda is only the second known specimen of the species. The exact provenance and age of the specimen have been lost, but the record provides additional evidence that there was a population of endemic tortoises on Bermuda in the Pleistocene.
Cannabinoid receptor 2: potential role in immunomodulation and neuroinflammation.

An accumulating body of evidence suggests that endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors type 1 and 2 (CB1, CB2) play a significant role in physiologic and pathologic processes, including cognitive and immune functions. While the addictive properties of marijuana, an extract from the Cannabis plant, are well recognized, there is growing appreciation of the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in multiple pathologic conditions involving chronic inflammation (inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, multiple sclerosis, HIV-1 infection, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease to name a few), mainly mediated by CB2 activation. Development of CB2 agonists as therapeutic agents has been hampered by the complexity of their intracellular signaling, relative paucity of highly selective compounds and insufficient data regarding end effects in the target cells and organs. This review attempts to summarize recent advances in studies of CB2 activation in the setting of neuroinflammation, immunomodulation and HIV-1 infection.
Prophetic Cosmopolitanism: Islam, Pop Psychology, and Civic Virtue in Indonesia

ciso_1067 38..61 In contemporary Indonesia, a new generation of Muslim pop preachers and self-help gurus tap into, and trade on, the symbolic and economic capital of Islam, science, and media technologies. Through television sermons and elaborate Power Point presentations, these pop preachers and self-help gurus summon the Prophet Muhammad’s life and teachings in ways that resonate with the civic concerns, consumerist desires, and aspirational piety of the Muslim middle classes. These sermons and seminars often portray the Prophet Muhammad as the ultimate measure of what it means to be cosmopolitan. In this article I explore “prophetic cosmopolitanism” as a vernacular Muslim cosmopolitanism, but one which is not isolated from, or necessarily prior to, Western liberal-secular ideas about civic virtue. I argue instead that prophetic cosmopolitanism is both informed by, and offered as an alternative to, global discourses about psychology and self, citizen and believer, nation and umma. [Cosmopolitanism, Islam, popular culture, public sphere, transnationalism].
Food shelf life: estimation and optimal design

Shelf life is a specified percentile of the time-until-spoilage distribution of a food product. This paper investigates statistical properties of various estimators of shelf life and develops a genetic algorithm for finding near-optimal staggered designs for estimation of shelf life. MLEs and their associated confidence intervals for shelf life have smaller bias, better performance, and better coverage than the corresponding ad hoc regression-based estimates. However, performance of MLEs for common sample sizes must be evaluated by simulation. The genetic algorithm, coded as an SAS macro, searched the design space well and generated near-optimal designs as measured by improvement to a simulation-based performance measure.
Derivation of a matrix identity

In problems of linear digital filtering and recursive estimation, a matrix identity (1) is often met. Here this matrix identity is derived by use of matrix projection operator's and their properties. This deviation is novel, straightforward, and of tutorial value.
Noise-induced plasticity of KCNQ2/3 and HCN channels underlies vulnerability and resilience to tinnitus

Vulnerability to noise-induced tinnitus is associated with increased spontaneous firing rate in dorsal cochlear nucleus principal neurons, fusiform cells. This hyperactivity is caused, at least in part, by decreased Kv7.2/3 (KCNQ2/3) potassium currents. However, the biophysical mechanisms underlying resilience to tinnitus, which is observed in noise-exposed mice that do not develop tinnitus (non-tinnitus mice), remain unknown. Our results show that noise exposure induces, on average, a reduction in KCNQ2/3 channel activity in fusiform cells in noise-exposed mice by 4 days after exposure. Tinnitus is developed in mice that do not compensate for this reduction within the next 3 days. Resilience to tinnitus is developed in mice that show a re-emergence of KCNQ2/3 channel activity and a reduction in HCN channel activity. Our results highlight KCNQ2/3 and HCN channels as potential targets for designing novel therapeutics that may promote resilience to tinnitus.
Cluster (School) RCT of ParentCorps: Impact on Kindergarten Academic Achievement

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of an early childhood, family-centered, school-based intervention on children’s kindergarten academic achievement. METHODS: This was a cluster (school) randomized controlled trial with assessments from pre-kindergarten (pre-k) entry through the end of kindergarten. The setting was 10 public elementary schools with 26 pre-k classes in 2 school districts in urban disadvantaged neighborhoods serving a largely black, low-income population. Participants were 1050 black and Latino, low-income children (age 4; 88% of pre-k population) enrolled in 10 schools over 4 years. Universal intervention aimed to promote self-regulation and early learning by strengthening positive behavior support and effective behavior management at home and school, and increasing parent involvement in education. Intervention included after-school group sessions for families of pre-k students (13 2-hour sessions; co-led by pre-k teachers) and professional development for pre-k and kindergarten teachers. The outcome measures were standardized test scores of kindergarten reading, writing, and math achievement by independent evaluators masked to intervention condition (primary outcome); developmental trajectories of teacher-rated academic performance from pre-k through kindergarten (secondary outcome). RESULTS: Relative to children in control schools, children in intervention schools had higher kindergarten achievement test scores (Cohen’s d = 0.18, mean difference = 2.64, SE = 0.90, P = .03) and higher teacher-rated academic performance (Cohen’s d = 0.25, mean difference = 5.65, SE = 2.34, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Early childhood population-level intervention that enhances both home and school environments shows promise to advance academic achievement among minority children from disadvantaged, urban neighborhoods.
Efficient implementation of non-standard connectives and quantifiers in deductive reasoning systems

A rule use information (RUI) structure has been proposed to implement nonstandard connectives and quantifiers that generalize conjunction, disjunction, implication, universal quantifier, and existential quantifier. The current implementation of the RUI structure in the SNePS Inference Package (SNIP) maintains a single RUI set for each rule, which causes a combinatorial number of substitution compatibility checks between RUIs as the number of antecedents in a rule and their instances increase. The problem of efficient RUI handling for deduction rules with non-standard connectives and quantifiers is addressed. Two kinds of algorithms are proposed, and methods of distributing RUIs over several sets are discussed. Complexity analyses and test results show that these schemes of RUI set distribution keep the complexity of RUI set handling to polynomial in terms of the number of RUIs and the number of substitution compatibility tests. >
Hotel Managers' Executive Education in Japan Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract Executive education, or “management development,” is not a new concept in Japan, although formal hospitality management-development programs there face a variety of challenges because Japan is a country where in-house management training has been the norm. In fact, few Japanese universities offer executive-education programs of any kind. Executive education in Japan is for the most part limited to in-house efforts, private training and development companies, and consultants, and focuses heavily on the individual rather than on strategically influencing the organization. Still, Japanese corporations must find, hire, and develop people who are capable of leading their organizations through times of cultural changes, economic uncertainty, and technological advancements. Three forms of training in Japanese companies continue to dominate: on-the-job, off-the-job, and self-development. Among the three, on-the-job training has been the most prevalent. Among outsiders, private training firms have the competitive edge relative to consultants, while university-based resources are essentially nonexistent.
Waveguide-coupled resonator filters on AlN on silicon

In the effort to continually reduce the size and cost of wireless communications products the level of integration has improved dramatically in recent years. In order to reduce future generations of wireless systems to single chip form, there is a need for on-chip filtering capabilities. In this paper the first report of an experimental waveguide-coupled resonator filter for cellular radio applications is presented. Measured results indicate a typical insertion loss of 26 dB at a center frequency of 132 MHz using a 2 um AlN film on {001}l110g Si. In addition a laser probe analysis has been conducted and a theoretical analysis of the first order reflection coefficients is presented
Cognitive Radio Scheduling for Overwater Communications

Wireless communications over water may suffer from serious multipath fading due to strong specular reflections from conducting water surfaces. Cognitive radios enable dynamic spectrum access over a large frequency range, which can be used to mitigate this problem. In this paper, we study how to leverage cognitive radios for effective communications in wireless networks over water. We formally define the studied problem as the OVErwater Radio-Time Scheduling (OVERTS) problem which seeks a radio channel with time schedule such that the total of assigned eligible time slots, in which a " good " communication link is maintained between every Mobile Station (MS) and the Base Station (BS), satisfies the time slots requirement of each MS. Two effective heuristic algorithms are presented for the OVERTS problem. Simulation results are presented to justify the performance and efficiency of our proposed scheduling algorithms.
A 0.5-to-2.5 Gb/s Reference-Less Half-Rate Digital CDR With Unlimited Frequency Acquisition Range and Improved Input Duty-Cycle Error Tolerance

Clock and data recovery (CDR) circuits with wide frequency acquisition range offer flexibility in optical communication networks, help reduce link power through activity-based rate adaptation, and minimize cost with a single-chip multi-standard solution. Extracting the bit rate from the incoming random data stream is the main challenge in implementing reference-less CDRs. A conventional rotational frequency detector has a limited acquisition range of about ±50% of the VCO frequency, consumes large power, and is susceptible to harmonic locking. Extending its range requires additional high-speed circuitry and a complex state machine [1]. The DLL-based architecture in [2] requires passing high-speed data through a long string of power-hungry buffers, imposes stringent matching requirements, and works only with ring oscillators. Other approaches require detailed statistical [3] or timing analysis [4]. Further, all the above techniques are only suitable for full-rate CDRs. In this paper, we present a reference-less half-rate CDR that uses a sub-harmonic extraction method to achieve unlimited frequency acquisition range. This technique is capable of locking the CDR to within 40ppm of any sub-rate of the data (making it applicable for any sub-rate CDR architecture), while being immune to undesirable harmonic locking. This CDR also integrates a calibration loop to improve robustness to input duty cycle error.
New Perspectives on Purépecha Urbanism Through the Use of LiDAR at the Site of Angamuco, Mexico

Advances in LiDAR technology promise to change the way that ancient architectural remains are documented, analyzed, and managed at Mesoamerican urban centers. Here we discuss the way that LiDAR has helped document the location, temporal associations, and spatial arrangement of ancient architecture at the Purepecha city of Angamuco, located within the Lake Patzcuaro Basin, Michoacan, Mexico. Angamuco occupies a rugged topographic feature that has served to preserve ancient architectural features to a degree not typically seen within the region. As a supplement to full-coverage survey we obtained dense LiDAR data for 9 sq km of the settlement that clearly show over 20,000 architectural features from the urban core of the city. Through the use of LiDAR we were able to more quickly and accurately determine the size of the ancient city, better document the type and distribution of ancient features, and significantly change the manner in which we conducted the survey.
STUDY OF NEED-ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION AMONG HAWAIIAN COLLEGE STUDENTS

The purposes of the present study were twofold. One goal was to obtain more normative data on the need for achievement (n ach) among Hawaiians for the Work and Family Orientation Questionnaire (1). The authors of the test, using factor analysis, discovered three independent factors of intrinsic achievement motivation which led to three separate scales for their test-Work orientation, Mastery, and Competitiveness. Work orientation reflects the willingness to work hard and desire to perform a task well (3). The Mastery dimension indicates a preference for "difficult tasks and one's internal standards of performance excellence." The Competitiveness Scale is a measure of the desire to compete against others and win. The second goal of the current smdy was to investigate sex differences on the three scales. Two hundred and ninety-four subjects were administered the questionnaire and a biographical information sheet; the latter was designed to obtain facts on sex, age ethniciq (Japanese, Caucasian, Chinese, and "native" Hawaiian), religion, length of residence in Hawaii, and occupations of the subjects' parents. Data were collected only from subjects who had indicated that they had lived in Hawaii for more than half of their lifetimes. The table shows, for male and female college students, the means and standard deviations of the three scales. Also included, for comparison, are the means for college students on the Mainland USA (3). The t values for sex differences are significant
Biomechanical Analysis of Internal Fixation Methods for Distal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis

Background: The biomechanical performance of distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) fixation techniques in response to cyclic and load-to-failure bending loads is generally unknown. The purpose of thi...
The role of orbital fat preservation in facial aesthetic surgery. A new concept

Preservation of lower orbital fat in facial rejuvenation is a new concept for preventing the "operated" appearance that may follow fat removal in conventional blepharoplasty. By creating a narrower, more shallow orbit, the surgeon can create a truly youthful eyelid-cheek complex. Orbital fat advanced over the complete inferior orbital rim hides the bony framework that becomes apparent with normal aging. This technique is used routinely in isolated blepharoplasty and with composite rhytidectomy. It accompanies repositioning of the orbicularis oculi muscle, cheek fat, and facial platysma muscle. It is a procedure that can correct postoperative problems caused by excess orbital fat removal, lower eyelid retraction, and contour problems resulting from malar augmentation. The orbital fat is one of the many deep "pieces" of the human face that must be preserved and repositioned for optimal facial rejuvenation.
Probing the Elastic Properties of Alpha Helices via Buckling Simulations

Alpha helices are ubiquitous structural motifs in proteins. Moreover, their reaction to mechanical stresses is key to understanding SNARE-mediated bilayer fusion and other fundamental biological processes. Previous investigations of alpha-helical rigidity have assumed the alpha helix to be an Euler rod. In this project, we use coarse-grained buckling simulations of alpha-helical segments to measure the bending modulus k; in addition, we use shape-fitting to determine the nonlinear corrections to the Euler model.
Germanium Photodetectors on Amorphous Substrates for Back-End-Of-Line Process Integration

Germanium photodetector are fabricated on silicon dioxide at 350C in order to demonstrate monolithic compatibility with back-end-of-line CMOS manufacturing. Final MSM photodetectors demonstrate a net gain with an internal quantum efficiency greater than 100%. Article not available.
The role of latitudinal, genetic and temperature variation in the induction of diapause of Papilio glaucus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

A key adaptation in insects for dealing with variable environmental conditions is the ability to diapause. The tiger swallowtail butterflies, Papilio glaucus and P. canadensis are ideal species to explore the genetic causes and population genetic consequences of diapause because divergence in this trait is believed to be a salient factor in maintaining a hybrid zone between these species. Yet little is known about the factors that influence diapause induction in this system. Here we explored how spatial (latitudinal), environmental (temperature) and genetic (hybridization) factors affect diapause induction in this system. Specifically, a series of growth chamber experiments using wild caught individuals from across the eastern United States were performed to: (1) evaluate how critical photoperiod varies with latitude, (2) isolate the stage in which induction occurs, (3) test whether changes in temperature affected rates of diapause induction, and (4) explore how the incidence of diapause is affected in hybrid offspring. We find that induction occurs in the larval stage, is not sensitive to a relatively broad range of temperatures, appears to have a complex genetic basis (i.e., is not simply a dominant trait following a Mendelian inheritance pattern) and that the critical photoperiod increases by 0.4 h with each increasing degree in latitude. This work deepens our understanding of how spatial, environmental and genetic variation influences a key seasonal adaptation (diapause induction) in a well-developed ecological model system and will make possible future studies that explore how climatic variation affects the population dynamics and genetics of this system.
Evolution of product quality in European, Japanese and US automotive firms: An exploratory longitudinal analysis

Abstract For years we have been hearing that US automobile manufacturers have been losing market share to their Japanese rivals who are reputed to make better quality vehicles. Most such reports are based on the initial quality surveys on new automobiles. In this paper we address two exploratory questions: (1) how does the quality of an automobile change with its age, and, (2) can firm level variables help explain differences quality. To answer these questions, we collected Consumer Reports’ reliability ratings on approximately 300 automobile models made by European, Japanese and US automotive firms during the 1998–2007; and approximately 240 models made by these firms over period of 2008–2015. For both periods we found that not only do automobiles made by Japanese firms have higher initial quality, but, as automobiles get older the difference in the product quality between Japanese versus European and US firms increases. We also found that the more generalist a European or US automobile firm, i.e., the wider is the firm׳s product offering in the marketplace, the lower its overall automobile quality during the 1998–2007 period. Conversely, Japanese generalist firms were found to have higher quality than specialist firms over the same period. The result is partly explained by the fact that Japanese firms have taken a different path to broadening their product variety – they have ensured a high level of quality of their initial offerings before entering newer market segments. The rate of reliability decline was found to be slower for all firms, and the differences in reliability across the 3 groups of firms were much less pronounced during the 2008–2015 period. This improvement may be as result of restructuring done by US automobile firms.
Finding diverse, high-value representatives on a surface of answers

In many applications, the system needs to selectively present a small subset of answers to users. The set of all possible answers can be seen as an elevation surface over a domain, where the elevation measures the quality of each answer, and the dimensions of the domain correspond to attributes of the answers with which similarity between answers can be measured. This paper considers the problem of finding a diverse set of k high-quality representatives for such a surface. We show that existing methods for diversified top-k and weighted clustering problems are inadequate for this problem. We propose k-DHR as a better formulation for the problem. We show that k-DHR has a submodular and monotone objective function, and we develop efficient algorithms for solving k-DHR with provable guarantees. We conduct extensive experiments to demonstrate the usefulness of the results produced by k-DHR for applications in computational lead-finding and fact-checking, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of our algorithms.
Cytokine Receptor Endocytosis: New Kinase Activity-Dependent and -Independent Roles of PI3K.

Type I and II cytokine receptors are cell-surface sensors that bind cytokines in the extracellular environment and initiate intracellular signaling to control processes such as hematopoiesis, immune function, cellular growth and development. One key mechanism that regulates signaling from cytokine receptors is through receptor endocytosis. In this mini-review, we describe recent advances in endocytic regulations of cytokine receptors, focusing on new paradigms by which PI3K controls receptor endocytosis through both kinase activity-dependent and -independent mechanisms. These advances underscore the notion that the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K has functions beyond regulating PI3K kinase activity, and that PI3K plays both positive and negative roles in receptor signaling. On the one hand, the PI3K/Akt pathway controls various aspects downstream of cytokine receptors. On the other hand, it stimulates receptor endocytosis and down-regulation, thus contributing to signaling attenuation.
Tritium contamination prevention using sacrificial materials

AbstractTritium is produced by irradiating Tritium Producing Burnable Absorber Rods (TPBARs) in a Commercial Light Water Reactor at the Tennessee Valley Authority Watts Bar Reactor 1. The TPBARs are manufactured with strict materials specification for contaminants for all of the components. Despite meeting these requirements, gamma emitting contamination in the form of 65Zn was detected in a glovebox that was designed to contain tritium. A forensic examination of the piping revealed that the zinc was borne from natural zinc. This zinc deposits at an anomalous distance from the extraction furnace based on vapor pressure. A method to capture the zinc was developed that is intended to prevent the further spread of the 65Zn. This method relies on operating filter media at a specific temperature and location. While this approach is acceptable for the facility while it is in limited operation, as the facility undergoes increased utilization, there is a possibility of scheduling conflicts for maintenance and inc...
Finding your inner modeler: An NSF-sponsored workshop to introduce cell biologists to modeling/computational approaches.

In classical Cell Biology, fundamental cellular processes are revealed empirically, one experiment at a time. While this approach has been enormously fruitful, our understanding of cells is far fro...
Health and human development in Kenya: A review of literature from high income, middle income, and low income countries

Purpose This paper aims to critically analyze the empirical literature on health and human development in high-, middle- and low-income countries to develop a sustainable model for investing in human health. The model is critical in building a comprehensive health-care system that fosters the stakeholders’ financial stability, economic growth and high-quality education for the local community. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review was carried out on health, human development and sustainable health investment. After thoroughly examining theoretical frameworks underlying the strategies of successful human health systems, a summary of empirical articles is created. Summaries provided in this paper represent relevant health-care strategies for Kenya. Findings Based on the empirical review of literature, a Nexus Health Care model focusing on human development, social and cultural development, economic development and environmental development in high-, middle- and low-income countries is proposed. The goal of this model is to enhance sustainable development where wealth creation is accompanied with environmental uplifting and protection of social and material well-being. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited to a comprehensive literature review presenting empirical evidence of human development and sustainability. Originality/value Kenya like other developing nations aspires to contribute significantly in improving health through development of health products but the approaches used have been limiting. In most cases, the use of Western theories, lack of empowering the community and dependence on donor support have hindered the country from achieving comprehensive health and human development. This papers seeks to develop a model for health-care investment and provide strategies, operations and structure of successful health systems and human development for a developing country, such as Kenya.
Fallacies of game localization: Censorship and #TorrentialDownpour

Using the Twitter hashtag #TorrentialDownpour, a vocal group of disgruntled, English-speaking gamers launched an attack in early 2016 protesting the localization changes made to the game Fire Emblem Fates. While dismissible as the latest “toxic technoculture” ( Massanari 2015 ), the #TorrentialDownpour campaign’s claims are not unfounded; there are links between localization and censorship, in that both practices adapt texts moving between markets and cultures. This article draws from translation theory and observations of localization practice to problematize #TorrentialDownpour’s claims, and in the process address some of the most prevalent fallacies involving game localization: localization is not censorship; there is no better version; and one person is not ruining gamers’ fun.