cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Employing vague prior information in the contruction of confidence sets

Abstract In the problem of estimating the mean, θ, of a multivariate normal distribution, an experimenter will often be able to give some vague prior specifications about θ. This information is used to construct confidence sets centered at improved estimators of θ. These sets are shown to have uniformly (in θ) higher coverage probability than the usual confidence set (a sphere centered at the observations), with no increase in volume. Further, through the use of a modified empirical Bayes argument, a variable radius confidence set is constructed which provides a uniform reduction of volume. Strong numerical evidence is presented which shows that the empirical Bayes set also dominates the usual confidence set in coverage probability. All these improved sets provide substantial gains if the prior information is correct. Also considered are extensions to the unknown variance case, and a discussion of applications to the one-way analysis of variance. In particular, a procedure is presented which uniformly improves upon Scheffe's method of estimation of contrasts.
Syntheses of iron(III) aroyl hydrazones containing pyridoxal and salicylaldehyde. The crystal and molecular structure of two iron(III)-pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone complexes

Abstract Iron(III) complexes of three aroyl hydrazones, pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone (H2pih), pyridoxal benzoyl hydrazone (H2pbh), and salicylaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone (H2sbh), were synthesized and characterized. In aqueous medium at pH 7, [Fe(pih)(Hpih)]·3H2O is formed. In acidic methanol, a 1:1 ligand-to-metal complex is formed, [FeCl2(H2pih)]Cl (1), whereas in aqueous medium at low pH cis-[FeCl2(H2pih)(H2O)]Cl·H2O (2) is formed. Compounds 1 and 2 are high-spin d5 with μeff = 5.88 μB and 5.93 μB (298 K). The crystal structures of 1 and 2 show that H2pih acts as a tridentate neutral ligand in which the phenolic and hydrazidic protons have shifted to the pyridine nitrogen atoms. The co- ordination polyhedron of 1 is ‘square’ pyramidal, whereas that of 2 is pseudo-octahedral. Compound 1 is triclinic, space group P l , with a = 12.704(2) A, b = 8.655(2) A, c = 8.820(2) A, α = 105.42(1)°, β = 89.87(1)°, γ = 107.60(1)°, V = 888 A3, and Z = 2; 2 is monoclinic, space group P21/c, with a = 15.358(4) A, b = 7.304(3) A, c = 17.442(4) A, β = 101.00(2)°, V = 1921 A3, and Z = 4.
A logistic regression framework for information technology outsourcing lifecycle management

We present a methodology for managing outsourcing projects from the vendor's perspective, designed to maximize the value to both the vendor and its clients. The methodology is applicable across the outsourcing lifecycle, providing the capability to select and target new clients, manage the existing client portfolio and quantify the realized benefits to the client resulting from the outsourcing agreement. Specifically, we develop a statistical analysis framework to model client behavior at each stage of the outsourcing lifecycle, including: (1) a predictive model and tool for white space client targeting and selection-opportunity identification (2) a model and tool for client risk assessment and project portfolio management-client tracking, and (3) a systematic analysis of outsourcing results, impact analysis, to gain insights into potential benefits of IT outsourcing as a part of a successful management strategy. Our analysis is formulated in a logistic regression framework, modified to allow for non-linear input-output relationships, auxiliary variables, and small sample sizes. We provide examples to illustrate how the methodology has been successfully implemented for targeting, tracking, and assessing outsourcing clients within IBM global services division. Scope and purpose The predominant literature on IT outsourcing often examines various aspects of vendor-client relationship, strategies for successful outsourcing from the client perspective, and key sources of risk to the client, generally ignoring the risk to the vendor. However, in the rapidly changing market, a significant share of risks and responsibilities falls on vendor, as outsourcing contracts are often renegotiated, providers replaced, or services brought back in house. With the transformation of outsourcing engagements, the risk on the vendor's side has increased substantially, driving the vendor's financial and business performance and eventually impacting the value delivery to the client. As a result, only well-ran vendor firms with robust processes and tools that allow identification and active management of risk at all stages of the outsourcing lifecycle are able to deliver value to the client. This paper presents a framework and methodology for managing a portfolio of outsourcing projects from the vendor's perspective, throughout the entire outsourcing lifecycle. We address three key stages of the outsourcing process: (1) opportunity identification and qualification (i.e. selection of the most likely new clients), (2) client portfolio risk management during engagement and delivery, and (3) quantification of benefits to the client throughout the life of the deal.
Finding a Voice: an Allocentric Worldview to Guide Effective Reduction of Behavioral Health Disparities in African Americans

Reduction and elimination of African American health disparities, a major challenge of our society for the past 20 years, has not been realized, although empirical studies, clinical practice and policy initiatives have made progress in their attempt to achieve this goal. Behavioral health risks are a significant component of such disparities. In this paper the authors maintain that the precise lack of understanding of how much behavioral health is influenced by worldview, and the importance of historical roots of African American people, and the challenges they face in the 21st century need to be explored and understood within the context of worldview. Specifically, the allocentric worldview should be considered an essential component in discussions surrounding behavioral health disparities. This paper argues that anything less than an historical assessment of the conditions leading up to behavioral health ills in African American urban and rural communities today will be incomplete, inaccurate and fall short of achieving the goals of reducing behavioral health disparities in this population. The purpose of this manuscript is to present the allocentric worldview and explore how its adoption is critical to behavioral health recovery among African Americans today. It is proposed that knowing and adopting a cultural and historical worldview that is indigenous to African descended peoples may significantly improve motivation and action among African Americans to adopt healthier behavioral health life styles.
SEPARATION OF INTACT PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE MOLECULAR SPECIES BY HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY

Identification of the molecular species of phosphatidylcholines (PCs) is important for studies of lipid metabolism and the structure of cell membranes. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separations of the intact molecular species of PCs used earlier were mostly on reversed-phase C18 (octadecyl silica) columns, usually with isocratic elution. The eluent used contained a silanol suppressing agent. Volatile silanol suppressing agents are preferred for the purification of PCs because they can be removed from the HPLC fractions easily by nitrogen stream. They must be used when liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) are used because non-volatile silanol suppressing agents cause high background. For the identification of radioactive metabolites, using both the UV detector at 205 nm and radioactivity flow detector sequentially, we recommend the separation on a C8 (octyl silica) column, eluted with a gradient of methanol-water containing con...
Analysis of axisymmetric free vibration of isotropic shallow spherical sheels with a circular hole

Abstract A general solution for the third order differential equations of a thin isotropic shallow spherical shell with a circular hole subject to axisymmetric free vibration is presented in this paper. The frequency equation in terms of Bessel functions and modified Bessel functions is solved for the fundamental vibrational frequency and mode shape. A finite element model is presented for comparison with the analytical solution. The relationship between the vibrational frequency and mode shape and the size of the cutout is discussed.
The importance of local and landscape-scale processes to the occupancy of wetlands by pond-breeding amphibians

Variation in the distribution and abundance of species across landscapes has traditionally been attributed to processes operating at fine spatial scales (i.e., environmental conditions at the scale of the sampling unit), but processes that operate across larger spatial scales such as seasonal migration or dispersal are also important. To determine the relative importance of these processes, we evaluated hypothesized relationships between the probability of occupancy in wetlands by two amphibians [wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) and boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata)] and attributes of the landscape measured at three spatial scales in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. We used cost-based buffers and least-cost distances to derive estimates of landscape attributes that may affect occupancy patterns from the broader spatial scales. The most highly ranked models provide strong support for a positive relationship between occupancy by breeding wood frogs and the amount of streamside habitat adjacent to a wetland. The model selection results for boreal chorus frogs are highly uncertain, though several of the most highly ranked models indicate a positive association between occupancy and the number of neighboring, occupied wetlands. We found little evidence that occupancy of either species was correlated with local-scale attributes measured at the scale of individual wetlands, suggesting that processes operating at broader scales may be more important in influencing occupancy patterns in amphibian populations.
Explaining understanding (or understanding explanation)

In debates about the nature of scientific explanation, one theme repeatedly arises: that explanation is about providing understanding. However, the concept of understanding has only recently been explored in any depth, and this paper attempts to introduce a useful concept of understanding to that literature and explore it. Understanding is a higher level cognition, the recognition of connections between various pieces of knowledge. This conception can be brought to bear on the conceptual issues that have thus far been unclear in the literature. Though this notion of understanding is broad, explaining various concepts of explanation, it is robust enough to underwrite an objective and useful notion of explanation.
Comparison of adaptation motifs: temporal, stochastic and spatial responses.

The cells’ ability to adapt to changes in the external environment is crucial for the survival of many organisms. There are two broad classes of signalling networks that achieve perfect adaptation. Both rely on complementary regulation of the response by an external signal and an inhibitory process. In one class of systems, inhibition comes about from the response itself, closing a negative feedback (NFB) loop. In the other, the inhibition comes directly from the external signal in what is referred to as an incoherent feedforward (IFF) loop. Although both systems show adaptive behaviour to constant changes in the level of the stimulus, their response to other forms of stimuli can differ. Here the authors consider the respective response to various such disturbances, including ramp increases, removal of the stimulus and pulses. The authors also consider the effect of stochastic fluctuations in signalling that come about from the interaction of the signalling elements. Finally, the authors consider the possible effect of spatially varying signals. The authors show that both the NFB and the IFF motifs can be used to sense static spatial gradients, under a local excitation, global inhibition assumption. The results may help experimentalists develop protocols that can discriminate between the two adaptation motifs.
ELECTRON POPULATION INVERSION IN PHOTON-ASSISTED TUNNELING THROUGH A QUANTUM WIRE

Electron-occupation probabilities during the photon-assisted coherent tunneling through a quantum wire between electrodes are investigated by means of the equation of motion for nonequilibrium Green functions. The equation of motion is numerically solved by the renormalization-group method. Due to the intersubband transitions from off-diagonal matrix elements, electron population inversion appears in general in a wide range of photon frequency, revealing a different mechanism of optical pumping. It is also found that the rotating-wave approximation is invalid when the quasiparticle transition is at resonance with incident light.
A Methodology for Assessment of External Issues Facing National Parks, with an Application in Costa Rica

Effective implementation of conservation and development strategies, such as buffer zones adjacent to national parks, requires tailoring these strategies to a park's individual external situation. A methodology is presented for conducting an assessment of adjacent land and local population issues for national parks. The methodology covers three principal subjects: (1) biological conservation issues, (2) the relationship between the park and local people, and (3) the socioeconomic situation of park neighbours.The methodology was applied to lands adjacent to Braulio Carrillo National Park, Costa Rica. The application provides a brief summary of the Park's external situation, for use in management and planning, and identifies the most effective types of conservation and development strategies for the region. In this case, the methodology identified the principal issue facing the Park as being the rapid conversion of lowland forest to pasture on lands adjacent to the Park. Solutions to this problem include stopping the cycles of migration and colonization that drive people to settle forested lands, and increasing the importance of forest in local land-use systems.
Enhancing the resolution of sea ice in a global ocean GCM

Abstract Open water in sea ice, such as leads and polynyas, has a considerable impact on the long-term global deep-ocean properties and circulation. Its representation in ocean general circulation models (GCMs) that are designed for studies of the long-term thermohaline circulation, however, bears large uncertainties. Here, an attempt has been made to reduce such uncertainties by enhancing the resolution of the sea-ice component, while keeping the ocean component at coarse resolution to preserve the necessary efficiency of the GCM. In this study, the higher-resolved sea-ice component has been restricted to the Southern Ocean. Compared to the original model, the new version yields more detailed structures, such as a more detailed representation of coastal polynyas, a realistically sharp ice edge, and an overall enhanced lead fraction. The latter gives rise to a somewhat enhanced rate of Antarctic Bottom Water formation through enhanced near-boundary convection, which is reflected in slightly cooler and fresher global deep-ocean properties and a reduced Antarctic Circumpolar Current as a result of reduced open-ocean convection. Sensitivity studies reveal that it is not the overall enhanced lead fraction but rather the coastal katabatic winds that lead to this behaviour of the higher-resolution model. Artifacts resulting from the coarse-grid coastline were minimized in a separate model version where fine surface grid cells of fast ice were introduced following the fine-grid land/ice-shelf—sea-ice/ocean boundary of satellite-derived microwave data. This study represents an intermediate step toward resolving the sea-ice component of a global coarse-resolution ocean GCM on a scale of about 30 km.
On the Power and Limitations of Affine Policies in Two-Stage Adaptive Optimization

We consider a two-stage adaptive linear optimization problem under right hand side uncertainty with a min–max objective and give a sharp characterization of the power and limitations of affine policies (where the second stage solution is an affine function of the right hand side uncertainty). In particular, we show that the worst-case cost of an optimal affine policy can be $${\Omega(m^{1/2-\delta})}$$ times the worst-case cost of an optimal fully-adaptable solution for any δ > 0, where m is the number of linear constraints. We also show that the worst-case cost of the best affine policy is $${O(\sqrt m)}$$ times the optimal cost when the first-stage constraint matrix has non-negative coefficients. Moreover, if there are only k ≤ m uncertain parameters, we generalize the performance bound for affine policies to $${O(\sqrt k)}$$ , which is particularly useful if only a few parameters are uncertain. We also provide an $${O(\sqrt k)}$$ -approximation algorithm for the general case without any restriction on the constraint matrix but the solution is not an affine function of the uncertain parameters. We also give a tight characterization of the conditions under which an affine policy is optimal for the above model. In particular, we show that if the uncertainty set, $${{\mathcal U} \subseteq {\mathbb R}^m_+}$$ is a simplex, then an affine policy is optimal. However, an affine policy is suboptimal even if $${{\mathcal U}}$$ is a convex combination of only (m + 3) extreme points (only two more extreme points than a simplex) and the worst-case cost of an optimal affine policy can be a factor (2 − δ) worse than the worst-case cost of an optimal fully-adaptable solution for any δ > 0.
On the Communication of Mathematical Reasoning

ABSTRACT This article discusses some methods of describing and referring to mathematical objects and of consistently and unambiguously signaling the logical structure of mathematical arguments.
Simulating Building Motions Using Ratios of the Building's Natural Frequencies and a Timoshenko Beam Model:

A simple prismatic Timoshenko beam model with soil-structure interaction (SSI) is developed to approximate the dynamic linear elastic behavior of buildings. A closed-form solution with complete vibration modes is derived. It is demonstrated that building properties, including mode shapes, can be derived from knowledge of the natural frequencies of the first two translational modes in a particular direction and from the building dimensions. In many cases, the natural frequencies of a building's first two vibrational modes can be determined from data recorded by a single seismometer. The total building's vibration response can then be simulated by the appropriate modal summation. Preliminary analysis is performed on the Caltech Millikan Library, which has significant bending deformation because it is much stiffer in shear.
Notes for a histroy of the IEEE society on Social Implications of Technology

This article presents the history of IEEE Technical Activities Board Committee on Social Implications of Technology (CSIT), that was later known as IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology (SSIT). SSIT draws its members from an eclectic variety of engineering specializations, as well as from professions outside engineering. As awareness of ethical and social implications of new technologies rises, it will make sense for more technically focused societies to participate in further collaborative ventures with SSIT. In principle, every member of IEEE should find something of interest in the activities of SSIT, since it is hard to think of a technology without social implications. But the same factor that makes SSIT such an interesting mix of people with various technical and professional backgrounds also means that SSIT membership is usually not the primary reason that professionals join IEEE. Besides this difference between SSIT and most other IEEE societies, there is a basic philosophical difference as well, at least according to some
Lateral crural techniques for repositioning the nasal tip

The lower lateral crura are critical for providing shape, support, and position to the nasal tip. A variety of nasal tip deformities can be corrected with well-planned surgical modifications of the lateral crura. This article describes in detail three different lateral crural nasal tip techniques. Each technique has been carefully designed to predictably correct a specific problem of nasal tip position.
The analysis of species specific variations in form and growth pattern in Hydra.

The importance of internal factors in determining the polarity of hydroids was first emphasized by Child (1907 a ). He stated that organic form was the result of a ‘reaction complex’ which was present throughout the organism but was expressed only in the region where it was the most concentrated. According to Child, when a segment is cut from a hydroid, the character of the regenerate is dependent on the amount and nature of this physico-chemical complex. Later Child (1907 b ) stated more specifically that the ‘reaction complex’ was an axial gradient in the physiological activity of the hydroid. Initially his basis for the existence of physiological gradients was purely theoretical and depended on the behaviour of regenerating Tubularia . However, Child & Hyman (1919) and Child (1947) showed an axial gradient in the ability of Hydra to reduce methylene blue and an axial gradient in the susceptibility of Hydra to KCN poisoning.
Using obstacle analysis to identify contingency requirements on an unpiloted aerial vehicle

This paper describes the use of Obstacle Analysis to identify anomaly handling requirements for a safety-critical, autonomous system. The software requirements for the system evolved during operations due to an on-going effort to increase the autonomous system’s robustness. The resulting increase in autonomy also increased system complexity. This investigation used Obstacle Analysis to identify and to reason incrementally about new requirements for handling failures and other anomalous events. Results reported in the paper show that Obstacle Analysis complemented standard safety-analysis techniques in identifying undesirable behaviors and ways to resolve them. The step-by-step use of Obstacle Analysis identified potential side effects and missing monitoring and control requirements. Adding an Availability Indicator and feature-interaction patterns proved useful for the analysis of obstacle resolutions. The paper discusses the consequences of these results in terms of the adoption of Obstacle Analysis to analyze anomaly handling requirements in evolving systems.
Keyword Generation for Search Engine Advertising

Keyword3 generation for search engine advertising is an important problem for sponsored search or paidplacement advertising. A recent strategy in this area is bidding on nonobvious yet relevant words, which are economically more viable. Targeting many such nonobvious words lowers the advertising cost, while delivering the same click volume as expensive words. Generating the right nonobvious yet relevant keywords is a challenging task. The challenge lies in not only finding relevant words, but also in finding many such words. In this paper, we present TermsNet, a novel approach to this problem. This approach leverages search engines to determine relevance between terms and captures their semantic relationships as a directed graph. By observing the neighbors of a term in such a graph, we generate the common as well as the nonobvious keywords related to a term.
Isotretinoin for the treatment of granulomatous rosacea: case report and review of the literature.

Background: Granulomatous rosacea is considered a clinical variant of rosacea and is characterized by hard yellow, brown, red or flesh-colored cutaneous papules or nodules that may be severe and may lead to scarring. The lesions typically appear on the cheeks and periorificial lesions; they are monomorphic in each patient and sit on relatively normal-appearing skin. The diagnosis should be established by excluding other granulomatous disorders and rosacea-like eruptions such as sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei. The clinical course is chronic and unpredictable, and management can be very difficult. Case Report: We report the case of a 28-year-old female with granulomatous rosacea who responded successfully to oral isotretinoin. No recurrence was noticed 6 months after the completion of treatment.
Development of ventricular expansion and increased pulsatile CSF flow in a rat model

Adult rats were in ected with kaolin in the basal cistern to impede cerebrospinal fluid flow and induce communicating hydrocephalus. Development and progress of was monitored using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for a period of over days. True FI P images were used to measure volume of the cerebral aqueduct and the lateral, third and fourth ventricles as well as hydrodynamic resistance of the aqueduct. Retrospectively gated phase contrast gradient echo images were used to measure stroke volume of F in the aqueduct, based on ventricular volumes, animals could be divided into groups where groups developed mild and severe hydrocephalus respectively, while roup did not. Ventricular volumes and stroke volumes of group increased over time, as expected, while in roup , ventricular volume increased but stroke volume increased and then decreased, a phenomenon that has not been reported before. Hydrodynamic resistance of aqueductal flow was found to correlate negatively with stroke volume for groups and , although at different levels.
Rhesus monkeys correctly read the goal-relevant gestures of a human agent

When humans point, they reveal to others their underlying intent to communicate about some distant goal. A controversy has recently emerged based on a broad set of comparative and phylogenetically relevant data. In particular, whereas chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) have difficulty in using human-generated communicative gestures and actions such as pointing and placing symbolic markers to find hidden rewards, domesticated dogs (Canis familiaris) and silver foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) readily use such gestures and markers. These comparative data have led to the hypothesis that the capacity to infer communicative intent in dogs and foxes has evolved as a result of human domestication. Though this hypothesis has met with challenges, due in part to studies of non-domesticated, non-primate animals, there remains the fundamental question of why our closest living relatives, the chimpanzees, together with other non-human primates, generally fail to make inferences about a target goal of an agent's communicative intent. Here, we add an important wrinkle to this phylogenetic pattern by showing that free-ranging rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) draw correct inferences about the goals of a human agent, using a suite of communicative gestures to locate previously concealed food. Though domestication and human enculturation may play a significant role in tuning up the capacity to infer intentions from communicative gestures, these factors are not necessary.
Dynamic Collaboration Simulation in Service-Oriented Computing Paradigm

In service-oriented architecture (SOA) and service-oriented computing (SOC), service collaboration is an important aspect. While service collaboration protocols for data exchange are well explored, the dynamic process collaboration (DPC) is still a challenging issue. The DPC brings new features and uncertainty to the current SOA/SOC, such as run-time behavior evaluation, dynamic collaboration performance measurement and dynamic recomposition/reconfiguration capability assessment. This paper presents the dynamic service-oriented collaboration simulation (DSOCS) framework we have developed, which supports the dynamic collaboration, development, simulation, and evaluation of large scale SOA systems. The distinct features of the framework include automated simulation code generation from the specification, code deployment, and simulation of different architectures with a template-based platform builder, service-oriented multi-agent simulation for easy reconfiguration, and dynamic analyses of results from evaluation and monitoring. The framework and the associated tools have been implemented and applied in several governmental and industrial projects
Effects of radiotransmitters on natal recruitment of burrowing owls

Radiotelemetry often is used to estimate survival and home-range size, locate nests, and determine migration patterns and causes of mortality in birds (Amlaner and Macdonald 1980, White and Garrott 1990, Pride and Smith 1992, Kenward 2000, Millspaugh and Marzluff 2001). Most studies implicitly assume that radiomarked individuals behave and survive normally. Studies evaluating the effects of radiotransmitters on survival are not uncommon in waterfowl and upland game birds (Herzog 1979, Paquette et al. 1997, Bro et al. 1999) but are much less common for other avian taxa (but see Paton et al. 1991, Powell et al. 1998). Western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) are listed as endangered in Canada, and populations have declined in many areas of the United States ( James and Espie 1997, Sheffield 1997, Kirk and Hyslop 1998, Desmond et al. 2000, Klute et al. 2003). To prevent further population declines and to design and implement effective recovery efforts, we need to identify which demographic parameter(s) are impaired in areas where owls are declining. Telemetry has proven useful in this regard and recent studies have affixed radiotransmitters to adult (Haug and Oliphant 1990, Sissons et al. 2001, Gervais et al. 2003, Rosenberg and Haley 2004) or juvenile (King and Belthoff 2001, Todd 2001, Todd et al. 2003) burrowing owls. Burrowing owls might be more inhibited by transmitters than other birds due to their use of narrow underground burrows. However, few studies have examined the effects of radiotransmitters on behavior or survival of burrowing owls (but see Clayton and Schmutz 1999; J. Gervais, Utah State University, personal communication). We were interested in the effects of radiotransmitters on juvenile recruitment into the local population (natal recruitment) because natal recruitment may be particularly important for recovery of burrowing owls in local areas. For example, endangered burrowing owl populations in Canada have had lower natal recruitment compared to owl populations near the center of their breeding range (Haug 1985, Haug et al. 1993). As part of a long-term study on natal dispersal and nestling mortality, we examined the effects of radiotransmitters on natal recruitment of burrowing owls in eastern Washington, USA.
Further studies on the generation of hydrogen peroxide by 6-hydroxydopamine. Potentiation by ascorbic acid.

We studied the inhibitory action of various compounds, including hydrogen peroxide, on the uptake of [3H]dopamine by rat brain slices. Dialuric acid, 6-hydroxydopamine, and 5-hydroxydopamine consumed oxygen and generated hydrogen peroxide in solution as a result of aerobic oxidation, as measured with an oxygen electrode. The regeneration by catalase of half the oxygen consumed by 6-hydroxydopamine confirmed that oxygen consumption was equal to H202 production. The rate of oxygen uptake (H202 production by dialuric acid or 6-hydroxydopamine was augmented by the addition of ascorbic acid. In addition, alloxan, which is the oxidized form of dialuric acid, consumed oxygen when ascorbate was added. The mechanism for this can be envisaged as reduction of the oxidized compounds by ascorbate, followed by reoxidation to form more H202, with continuous recycling. Concomitant with increased production of H202, there was increased inhibition of [3H]dopamine uptake. Ascorbate by itself did not inhibit the uptake of [3H]dopamine and did not produce measurable quantities of H202. 6-Hydroxydopamine, a compound that causes nerve terminal degeneration in vivo, was compared with 5-hydroxydopamine, which does not. As both compounds are structural analogues of dopamine, they can inhibit the uptake of [3H]dopamine into brain slices by competing for the uptake mechanisms. Additionally, both may inhibit uptake irreversibly by generating H2O2, which causes oxidative damage. 6-Hydroxydopamine produced H202 at about 12 times the rate yielded by 5-hydroxydopamine. Ascorbate potentiated H2O2 production by 6-hydroxydopamine but suppressed that from 5-hydroxydopamine. These findings are consistent with an important role for H2O2 in the 6-hydroxydopamine-induced degeneration of nerve terminals and may explain why 5-hydroxydopamine does not produce degenerative changes.
BNL alternating gradient synchrotron with four helical magnets to minimize the losses of the polarized proton beam

The principle of using multiple partial helical magnets to preserve the polarization of the proton beam during its acceleration was applied successfully to the alternating gradient synchrotron (AGS) which currently operates with two partial helical magnets. In this paper we further explore this idea by using four partial helical magnets placed symmetrically in the AGS ring. This provides many advantages over the present setup of the AGS, which uses two partial helical magnets. First, the symmetric placement of the four helical magnets and their relatively lower field of operation allows for better control of the AGS optics with reduced values of the beta functions especially near beam injection and allows both the vertical and horizontal tunes to be placed within the ``spin tune gap,'' therefore eliminating the horizontal and vertical intrinsic spin resonances of the AGS during the acceleration cycle. Second, it provides a wider spin tune gap. Third, the vertical spin direction during beam injection and extraction is closer to vertical. Although the spin tune gap, which is created with four partial helices, can also be created with a single or two partial helices, the high field strength of a single helical magnet which is required to generate such a spin tune gap makes the use of the single helical magnet impractical, and that of the two helical magnets rather difficult. In this paper we will provide results on the spin tune and on the optics of the AGS with four partial helical magnets, and compare them with those from the present setup of the AGS that uses two partial helical magnets. Although in this paper we specifically discuss the effect of the four partial helices on the AGS, this method which can eliminate simultaneously the vertical and horizontal intrinsic spin resonances is a general method and can be applied to any medium energy synchrotron which operates in similar energy range like the AGS and provides the required space to accommodate the four helices. In addition, the four partial helix solution is an optimum solution because it eliminates all the spin resonances for any synchrotron which operates in the same energy range as the AGS.
A Pod Design for Nursing Assignments

Eliminating unnecessary steps and increasing patient satisfaction by reconfiguring care assignments.
Small Bowel Obstruction by an Anomalous Congenital Band

We report a case of a 3-year-old boy who presented with symptoms and signs of intestinal obstruction. The patient reported no previous history of abdominal surgery or trauma while clinical and radiographic examinations were not diagnostic. An open laparotomy was subsequently performed and the intraoperative findings were consistent with a congenital band extending from the antimesenteric wall of the jejunum to the root of mesentery. The band was ligated and divided with an uneventful postoperative course. Congenital bands are extremely rare. Their exact incidence is still unknown. This case, therefore, represents an unusual surgical problem in a child in which the diagnosis was clinically unexpected.
Abstract 4739: The upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression by receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in bladder cancerin vitro

Several types of cancer, including transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) overexpress several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), c-kit receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), as well as the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKIs) are used as targeted therapies for patients diagnosed with cancer with high expression of RTKs. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is highly expressed in bladder cancer as well other types of cancers and is one of the key proteins during tumorigenesis. In this study, we validated the effects of RTKIs, Masitinib® (AB1010) and Axitinib on cell proliferation of human (UMUC-3 and T24) and canine (K9TCC#1Lillie, K9TCC#2Dakota, and K9TCC#5Lilly) bladder TCC cells. Using WB analysis, tested human and canine TCC cells, except T24 cells, expressed PDGFR and c-kit receptors. There was no detectable EGFR and VEGFR expressions in any of tested cells by WB analysis. The K9TCC#1Lillie and K9TCC#5Lilly cells had a high expression of COX-2, however K9TCC#2Dakota and human T24 had moderate expression of COX-2, and no COX-2 expression was detected in UMUC3 cells by WB analysis. Both RTKIs, Masitinib® and Axitinib inhibited cell proliferation of the tested human and canine bladder TCC cells in a dose-dependent manner by MTS and apoptosis assays. Interestingly, both tested RTKIs, Masitinib® and Axitinib increased COX-2 protein expressions in tested canine TCC cells. Combined treatment of RTKIs with COX-2 inhibitors decreased cell proliferation of tested TCC cells more effectively as either treatments alone. Our results indicate a possible role of COX-2 signaling pathway in developed RTKIs-resistance in bladder cancer cells in vitro. Co-treatment of RTKIs with COX-2 inhibitors might indicate better clinical outcomes in treatments of patients diagnosed with bladder cancer. Citation Format: Jennifer Bourn, Maria Cekanova. The upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression by receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in bladder cancer in vitro. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4739.
Green roofs: new ecosystems to defend species diversity

Many contributions to the symposium seek to expand the role of green roofs in the conservation of biodiversity. Indeed, if green roofs can be harnessed for biodiversity, they will add area to that now available to nature. That would have the mass effect of increasing the sustainable number of species in simple conformity with the species--area relationship. Because all green roofs are novel ecosystems, all represent instances of reconciliation ecology, i.e., re-engineering human uses to permit simultaneous beneficial use by people and nature. Green roofs can provide a large number of experiments that might teach us how to improve their design. But those experiments, like any in science, must be overtly designed so that their hypotheses are clear and explicit, their methods repeatable, and their data appropriate for rigorous analysis. I present an embryonic example using native plant species growing at ground level in the urban environments of Tucson, AZ, USA. Steps include: (1) formulating a hypothesis; (...
Analysis of 3D combustion measurements using CH-based tomographic VLIF (volumetric laser induced fluorescence)

Abstract Recent results have experimentally demonstrated the feasibility of obtaining 3D (three-dimensional) combustion measurements using tomographic VLIF (volumetric laser-induced fluorescence), specifically of the CH radical, representing the flame surface. To elucidate the fundamental capabilities and limitations of the VLIF technique, this work reports an analysis of its performance in terms of signal level, size of the field of view (FOV) in 3D, and accuracy. Compared to the established PLIF (planar LIF) technique that uses a thin laser sheet to excite the target species in a plane, the VLIF technique uses a thick laser slab to excite the target species in a volume. As a result, the VLIF technique involves more performance metrics compared to PLIF, and the relationship between these metrics is also different from that in the PLIF technique. Therefore, both experimental and computational studies were conducted to analyze the performance metrics of VLIF. First, experiments were conducted on well-controlled flames to examine the relationship among excitation energy, signal level, and FOV in 3D. Second, based on these experimental data, numerical simulations were performed to benchmark the VLIF technique under a range of conditions. These results illustrate the relationship among signal level, 3D FOV, and accuracy and are expected to be valuable for the optimal design of the VLIF technique.
The naked blogger of Cairo: creative insurgency in the Arab world

In The Naked Blogger of Cairo: Creative Insurgency in the Arab World, Marwan M. Kraidy starts by quoting Michel Foucault: What on earth is it that can set off in an individual the desire, the capac...
Floquet band structure of a semi-Dirac system

In this work we use Floquet-Bloch theory to study the influence of circularly and linearly polarized light on two-dimensional band structures with semi-Dirac band touching points, taking the anisotropic nearest neighbor hopping model on the honeycomb lattice as an example. We find that circularly polarized light opens a gap and induces a band inversion to create a finite Chern number in the two-band model. By contrast, linearly polarized light can either open up a gap (polarized in the quadratically dispersing direction) or split the semi-Dirac band touching point into two Dirac points (polarized in the linearly dispersing direction) by an amount that depends on the amplitude of the light. Motivated by recent pump-probe experiments, we investigated the nonequilibrium spectral properties and momentum-dependent spin texture of our model in the Floquet state following a quench in the absence of phonons, and in the presence of phonon dissipation that leads to a steady state independently of the pump protocol. Finally, we make connections to optical measurements by computing the frequency dependence of the longitudinal and transverse optical conductivity for this two-band model. We analyze the various contributions from interband transitions and different Floquet modes. Our results suggest strategies for optically controlling band structures and experimentally measuring topological Floquet systems.
Game As Major Introducing Media To OPT For College

Today's development requires people to have higher education and expertise in a particular field. Because of th at , many universities or colleges are beginning to open new majors to suit the increasingly growing and diverse interests. However, the increasing number of majors could make it difficult for many high school students in determining the university or colleges and department they should take . A lack of understanding of their own personal interests and talents, as well as information about said universities or colleges and majors also add to the difficulty of choosing. Therefore, an interesting and simple media to help students to know their potential, provide information about the majors according to their interests, and help them determine the right path is needed . The concept of this major introducing game is based on sources such as interviews with interviewees and questionnaires . In the game, players can find out their interests , talents and appropriate majors, as well as courses and professions related to those majors. Aptitude test in this game is based on Holland’s Theory.
Sexual Risk Behaviors and Perceptions of Men Who Go to Gay Sex Parties in New York City: Comparisons Between Three HIV Groups

Men who have sex with men (MSM) who attend group-sex events often engage in risky sexual behaviors that contribute to the high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence among this population. We conducted an online survey with 211 New York City MSM who attended sex parties in the prior year and asked them to describe their behaviors and perceptions of risk. We compared responses from HIV-positive-undetectable men (n = 36), HIV-negative men on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP; n = 62), and HIV-negative men never on PrEP (n = 113). In bivariate analyses, undetectable and on-PrEP men had been to more sex parties in the prior six months, had more anal sex partners there, and had higher rates of sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses than men never on PrEP. Although less than the other groups, 43% of the presumably HIV-negative men never on PrEP reported condomless anal sex at a party in the prior six months. About half of participants agreed that, at sex parties, they made assumptions about others' HIV status, that they sometimes took more risks than intended, and that the atmosphere of these events was conducive to risk taking. Most disagreed that there was discussion of HIV status at sex parties. Implications for sexual health interventions are discussed.
An Evaluation of Population Forecast Errors for Florida and its Counties, 1980–2010

Many decisions in both the public and private sectors are based on expectations of future population change. Given the importance of these decisions, it is essential to investigate the forecast accuracy of previously produced population projections, especially those used for official purposes. In this study, we evaluate the precision and bias of several sets of population projections for Florida and its counties, published by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) at the University of Florida between 1980 and 2005. We analyze the effects of population size, growth rate, and length of projection horizon on forecast errors and investigate two different approaches to measuring the uncertainty inherent in population projections, one based on a range of projections and the other based on empirical prediction intervals. We believe that the results presented here will give data users some valuable information regarding the forecast accuracy of state and local population projections and improve their ability to use projections for decision-making purposes.
Immunological characteristics and potential approaches to immunotherapy of HIV infection.

Many of the immunological mechanisms associated with the development and pathogenesis of AIDS are now well understood [10]. Thus, T-cell activation and proliferation facilitate HIV infection and virus proliferation. Macrophages, B cells, endothelial cells, and brain cells may also become infected. T-cell depletion resulting from lysis, syncytium formation, and anti-T-cell autoantibody is the fundamental immunological defect. Neutralizing antibody to virus-membrane antigens may play an important role in prognosis. Pathogenesis is related, in part, to the activity of cofactors such as Epstein-Barr virus EBV and cytomegalovirus CMV infection. Immunological mechanisms in HIV infection are summarized in Fig. 1. Chronic active infections in intravenous drug abusers and homosexuals are important contributing factors. This can itself result in immunodeficiency, which has been demonstrated in EBV, CMV, herpes simplex virus (HSV), and hepatitis B infections. It can also result in chronic antigenic stimulation and immune activation. The latter can also be seen in hemophiliacs, secondary to chronic blood product administration. Surgically induced stress followed by transfusion of HIV-contaminated blood is also important. The immune activation and immune deficiency produced by the above allow for facilitation of the HIV infection.