cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brain DA D2 receptors predict reinforcing effects of stimulants in humans: replication study.

We had shown that striatal DA D2 receptors levels predicted the reinforcing responses to the psychostimulant drug methylphenidate in nondrug-abusing subjects. Here, we assessed the replicability of this finding. We measured D2 receptors with PET and [(11)C]raclopride (twice to determine stability) in seven nondrug-abusing subjects to assess if they predicted the self-reports of "drug-liking" to intravenous methylphenidate (0.5 mg/kg). DA D2 measures were significantly correlated with "drug-liking" in both evaluations (r = 0.82 and r = 0.78); subjects with the lowest levels reported the higher ratings of "drug-liking" and vice versa. These results replicate our previous findings and provide further evidence that striatal DA D2 receptors modulate reinforcing responses to stimulants in humans and may underlie predisposition for drug self-administration.
Internal Electric Field Estimation, Charge Transport and Detector Performance of As-Grown ${\rm Cd}_{0.9}{\rm Zn}_{0.1}{\rm Te:In}$ by THM

In this article we report the evaluation of thick (up to 10 mm) as-grown Cd0.9Zn0.1Te(CZT):In detectors fabricated from ingots grown by traveling heater method (THM). The crystals were investigated by mapping the electron mobility (μe), (μτ)e and the internal electric field of as-grown CZT samples. The detector performance was also evaluated in co-planar grid geometry. The excellent (μτ)e value and the detector performance of 10 mm thick as-grown detectors is the indication that the THM technique can be employed successfully to fabricate the detectors directly from the as-grown boule at substantially lower cost.
Pressor With Promise Using Vasopressin in Cardiopulmonary Arrest

Despite their widespread use, current methods of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced cardiac life support continue to yield poor results. In the United States, the national average for long-term survival after cardiac arrest in patients with an out-of-hospital arrest remains <5%. Surprisingly, the use of epinephrine, the mainstay of pharmacological therapy in cardiac arrest, is supported only by animal studies and anecdotal case reports. We would like to present evidence that vasopressin, alone or in combination with epinephrine, is more effective than epinephrine in the treatment of cardiopulmonary arrest. Its use during advanced cardiac life support may improve the chances of survival after cardiopulmonary arrest. All forms of stress elicit an endocrine response. Cardiopulmonary arrest, the ultimate stress,1 results in the release of endogenous epinephrine and norepinephrine in animals and humans. Systemic vascular resistance increases, with preferential redistribution of blood flow to myocardial and cerebral vessels.2 The discovery of this pressor response prompted trials of catecholamines in animal models of cardiac arrest, ultimately leading to the use of epinephrine in human subjects. For more than three decades, epinephrine has been the drug of choice and the major pharmacological intervention in cardiac arrest. A recent randomized, controlled trial comparing epinephrine with placebo showed that neither high-dose nor standard-dose epinephrine altered survival in cardiac …
Impact of Chlorine Substitution on Spin–Lattice Relaxation of Triarylmethyl and 1,4-Benzosemiquinone Radicals in Glass-Forming Solvents Between 25 and 295 K

Spin–lattice relaxation rates measured by long-pulse saturation recovery in glassy solvents for chlorinated aromatic radicals: perchlorotriphenylmethyl radical, 2,5-dichloro-3,6-dihydroxy-1,4-benzosemiquinone, and tetrachloro-1,4-benzosemiquinone, were compared with relaxation rates for non-chlorinated analogs. The impact of the quadrupolar chlorines is small and less than the effects of changing the rigidity of the glass. The temperature dependence of relaxation rates below the glass transition temperature could be modeled as the sum of contributions from the direct, Raman, and local mode processes.
Localized l window from partial fusion reactions accompanied by proton, deuteron, and triton emission

A high and localized spin population associated with partial fusion reactions has been established through the measurement of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray multiplicity in coincidence with fast forward $p$, $d$, or $t$ produced by 167-MeV $^{14}\mathrm{N}$ on $^{154}\mathrm{Sm}$. The average $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ multiplicities are constant (${M}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}=31$) for all the yrast transitions up to spin $26\ensuremath{\hbar}$ in $^{158}\mathrm{Er}$, which implies that no spins up to $26\ensuremath{\hbar}$ were populated initially. The deduced average angular momentum transferred is $63\ensuremath{\hbar}$, which is comparable to the critical angular momentum ${l}_{\mathrm{cr}}$ predicted for the fusion of $^{13}\mathrm{C}$ and $^{154}\mathrm{Sm}$. The mass distribution of the residual nuclei is appreciably narrower than that for compound nuclear reactions, and this gives another indication of the narrow $l$ window.
Perception of Auditory Feedback Delay: Subjective Estimate of Delay Magnitude

Twenty female subjects were required to select, by the method of fractionation, the delay interval judged by them to be one-half the duration of the standard delay interval with which it was paired...
Semiconducting polymer nanoparticles as the nanoplatform to design nanoprobes for molecular imaging

This talk will highlight our recent work on developing nanoprobes based on semiconducting polymer nanoparticles for optical imaging of cancer, inflammation, and drug-induced liver toxicity in pre-clinical mouse models.
Estrogen therapy for osteoporosis--even in the elderly.

Excerpt Compared with some of the other consequences of estrogen replacement therapy, the skeletal effects are well defined and noncontroversial. This is in contrast to other effects of estrogen. D...
Characterization of gill Na/K-ATPase activity and ouabain binding in Antarctic and New Zealand nototheniid fishes.

Abstract The effects of thermal acclimation in two Nototheniid species, the stenothermal Antarctic Trematomous bernacchii and the eurythermal New Zealand Notothenia angustata , were investigated. Serum osmolality, gill Na/K-ATPase activity, sodium pump density and ouabain affinity were determined. Both fish were acclimated at their upper and lower viable thermal temperatures. Warm acclimation (+4 °C) of the T. bernacchii significantly decreased their serum osmolality from 550 to 450 mOsm/kg compared to cold-acclimation (−1.5 °C) and this was accompanied by a two-fold increase in gill Na/K-ATPase activity. Warm-acclimation (+14 °C) of N. angustata did not significantly change their serum osmolality from 330 mOsm/kg or gill Na/K-ATPase activity compared to the cold-acclimated (+4 °C) N. angustata . Using [ 3 H]ouabain binding techniques, the B max and K d values of gill Na/K-ATPase enzymes were determined. No difference in the B max or K d of the warm-acclimated T. bernacchii accounted for the increase in Na/K-ATPase activity. We conclude that the change in gill Na/K-ATPase activity in the warm-acclimated T. bernacchii is not mediated by an increase in the number of enzyme sites and is not reflected in a change in ouabain affinity for Na/K-ATPase.
The joys of being an NSF program director

It is once again the season when our community needs to find a new volunteer to serve as program director for the "Theory of Computing program" or "Theoretical Foundations cluster" or whatever name our home inside CISE at NSF may have in the future. It feels to me as if I only recently finished my service in that role, but in fact I served from January 2001 through August of 2002, and it is now time for us to find a replacement for the redoubtable William Steiger, my successor's successor.
z-axis oscillation sidebands in FT/ICR mass spectra

Abstract Modulation of the cyclotron and trapping frequencies arising from ion motions in a dual cubic-cell instrument produces sidebands in FT/ICR mass spectra that may be up to a few percent of the amplitude of the associated mass peak. One or two pairs of sidebands occur symmetrically disposed about the peak, with their frequency offsets directly proportional to the square root of the trapping voltage, as expected from theory. Two lines of evidence indicate that the pairs represent first- and second-order modulations: (1) comparison of the theoretical correlation between frequency offset and trapping voltage for the single-ion approximation with the correlation observed in experimental data over a large range of trapping voltages (0.25–10.0 V); and (2) narrow-pulse ejection experiments that identify twice the trapping frequency as the excitation signal that results in maximum energy absorption in the z direction. Under typical operating conditions, a sideband of one mass may occur at the same frequency as the peak of another mass, thereby giving a potential source of error in isotope-ratio measurements.
Kipp generator for the micro Dumas

A singleKipp generator is able to furnish carbon dioxide of sufficient purity for the microdetermination of nitrogen according toDumas, if special care is taken in assembling the generator. The critical connections with the middle bulb of the generator are made gas-tight by coating their outsides with Glyptal (No. 1201 red) while a slight vacuum is maintained inside the generator.
Geological landscapes of the Death Valley region

Death Valley’s location and climate make it one of the most dramatic geological landscapes on Earth. The region lies near the western edge of cratonic North America, and so it contains a record of plate boundary effects that date back to the Proterozoic. These effects include rifting and the development of the passive margin during the Late Proterozoic, crustal shortening and Sierra Nevada magmatism largely during the Mesozoic, and crustal extension and magmatism during the Late Cenozoic. Because crustal extension continues today, the region also showcases spectacular landforms that relate to active mountain-building. When combined with this geology, Death Valley’s harsh climate makes it unique. As the hottest and
Cognitive Task Analysis of Data Mining Processes in Bioinformatics Research

Health care processes generate vast amounts of data of potential value to improve health and health care services. Bio-medical data, such as genetic data, need to be properly stored in data warehouses and analyzed to benefit health care. From a multidisciplinary perspective, Bioinformatics addresses research, development and application of computational tools and approaches for analyzing and thus expanding the use of biological, medical, behavioral and health data. Data mining techniques are often used by bioinformatics researchers. In the current project, a bootstrapping-themed Cognitive Task Analysis was adopted to analyze the data mining processes used by several bioinformatics researchers at the University at Buffalo, SUNY. Two of the Applied Cognitive Task Analysis (ACTA) techniques, “Task Diagram Interview” and “Knowledge Audit Interview,” were integrated with questionnaire surveys and field observations. This paper presents the ACTA portion of the cognitive task analysis, and shows that there was a...
Experimental test of the thermodynamic interpretation of XPS core level shifts in alloys

Abstract X-ray photoemission data are presented for the core level shifts of the solute species in six dilute binary alloys. These data are compared to predictions based on the thermodynamic model employing a Born-Haber cycle and the equivalent cores approximation. The predictions are computed using only the results of thermochemical measurements rather than model calculations, constituting a purely experimental test of the interpretation. The agreement between the predictions and the data is very good.
Relationship between Echocardiographic and Magnetic Resonance Derived Measures of Right Ventricular Size and Function in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension

Background Transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) imaging is the mainstay of clinical practice for evaluating right ventricular (RV) size and function, but its accuracy in patients with pulmonary hypertension has not been well validated. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and TTE images were retrospectively reviewed in 40 consecutive patients with pulmonary hypertension. RV and left ventricular volumes and ejection fractions were calculated using MRI. TTE areas and indices of RV ejection fraction (RVEF) were compared. Results The average age was 42 ± 12 years, with a majority of women (85%). There was a wide range of mean pulmonary arterial pressures (27–81 mm Hg) and RV end-diastolic volumes (111–576 mL), RVEFs (8%–67 %), and left ventricular ejection fractions (26%–72%) by MRI. There was a strong association between TTE and MRI-derived parameters: RV end-diastolic area (by TTE imaging) and RV end-diastolic volume (by MRI), R 2 = 0.78 ( P R 2 = 0.76 ( P R 2 = 0.64 ( P P 2 /m 2 provided excellent discrimination for moderate RV enlargement (area under the curve, 0.89; P Conclusions Echocardiographic estimates of RV volume (by RV end-diastolic area) and function (by RV fractional area change and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) offer good approximations of RV size and function in patients with pulmonary hypertension and allow the accurate discrimination of normal from abnormal.
Time-resolved absorption and fluorescence from the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle in the nanosecond time regime

Picosecond transient absorption (PTA) in the 568–660-nm region is measured over the initial 80 ns of the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle. After photocycle initiation with 573-nm excitation (7-ps pulsewidth), these PTA data reflect the formation during the initial 40 ps of two long-recognized intermediates with red-shifted (relative to that of BR-570) absorption bands, namely J-625 and K-590. PTA signals at 568, 628, and 652 nm are unchanged for the remainder of the 80-ns photocycle interval measured, demonstrating that no other intermediates, including the proposed KL, are observable by absorption changes. Picosecond time-resolved fluorescence (PTRF), measured at 740 nm, is initiated by 7 ps excitation of the species present at various time delays after the photocycle begins. PTRF signals change rapidly over the initial 40 ps, reflecting, first, the depletion of the ground state BR-570 population and, subsequently, the formation of K-590. The PTRF signal then decreases monotonically with a time constant of 5.5±0.5 ns from its maximum near a 50-ps delay until it reaches a minimum at a delay of ≈ 13 ns. For time delays between 13 and 80 ns, the PTRF signal remains unchanged and slightly higher than that measured from BR-570 alone. The rapid decrease in PTRF signals over the same photocycle interval in which the PTA signals remain unchanged suggests that the retinal-protein interactions involving electronically excited K-590 (K*) are being significantly altered.
The Role of Values and Facts in Policy Development for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and Their Families

The purpose of the paper is to explore the relative roles played by facts and values in policymaking for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. A decision model is presented which illustrates the role of values in influencing choices between policy options. The value assumptions that lie behind P.L. 99–457 (Part H) are presented. The role of conflicting values in decision making, and the concept of an individual hierarchy of values influencing policy decisions is developed. Finally, some suggestions are made regarding the implications of values on our professional decision making.
High efficiency transfection of primary skeletal muscle cells with lipid-based reagents.

Lipofection is a convenient method for gene transfer into muscle cells but reportedly is inefficient. We tested the efficacy of commercially available lipid-based and polyamine transfection reagents. Primary rat skeletal muscle cell cultures were transfected at three stages of development and assayed after fusion. Efficiency reached 30% during the proliferation stage and up to 23% when most myoblasts had fused into myotubes. Optimization of transfection conditions with three different vectors yielded efficiencies exceeding 50%. Thus, lipid-based transfection into primary skeletal muscle cells can be several times more efficient than previously reported.
EVALUATION OF WEIGHT-BASED BOLUSES OF UNFRACTIONATED HEPARIN FOR VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM AND ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME IN OBESE PATIENTS

Evaluation of Weight-Based Boluses of Unfractionated Heparin in the Obese Population: What Should be the Maximum Dose? The current ACC/AHA guidelines for NSTEMI and UA recommend a maximum bolus dose of 4000 units for unfractionated heparin based on limited data. There continues to be questions on
IL-10 Inhibits Apoptosis of Promyeloid Cells by Activating Insulin Receptor Substrate-2 and Phosphatidylinositol 3′-Kinase

IL-10 is well known to be a potent inhibitor of the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines, but noninflammatory hemopoietic cells also express IL-10Rs. Here we show that IL-10 directly affects progenitor myeloid cells by protecting them from death following the removal of growth factors. Murine factor-dependent cell progenitors cultured in the absence of growth factors were 43 ± 1% apoptotic after 12 h. Addition of IL-10 at a concentration as low as 100 pg/ml significantly reduced the apoptotic population to 32 ± 3%. At 10 ng/ml, IL-10 caused a 4-fold reduction in the apoptotic population (11 ± 1%). The anti-apoptotic activity of IL-10 was significantly inhibited with a neutralizing IL-10R Ab. Factor-dependent cell progenitor promyeloid cells expressed functional IL-10Rs, as assessed by precipitation of a 110-kDa protein with an Ab to the IL-10R and by the ability of IL-10 to activate Jak1 and Tyk2 and to phosphorylate tyrosine 705 on Stat-3. IL-10 increased tyrosyl phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-2 and stimulated the enzymatic activity of both phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase and Akt. The anti-apoptotic activity of IL-10 was blocked by inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase. Wortmannin and LY294002 also totally inhibited activation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK)1/2 by IL-10. Direct inhibition of ERK1/2 with the mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase inhibitor PD98059 partially, but significantly, impaired the anti-apoptotic activity of IL-10. These data establish that activation of the IL-10R promotes survival of progenitor myeloid cells. This survival-promoting activity is totally due to IL-10 stimulating the insulin receptor substrate-2/PI 3-kinase/Akt pathway, which increases the anti-apoptotic activity of ERK1/2.
Pinch-off of non-axisymmetric vortex rings

The formation and pinch-off of non-axisymmetric vortex rings is considered experimentally. Vortex rings are generated using a non-circular piston–cylinder arrangement, and the resulting velocity fields are measured using digital particle image velocimetry. Three different nozzle geometries are considered: an elliptical nozzle with an aspect ratio of two, an elliptical nozzle with an aspect ratio of four and an oval nozzle constructed from tangent circular arcs. The formation of vortices from the three nozzles is analysed by means of the vorticity and circulation, as well as by investigation of the Lagrangian coherent structures in the flow. The results indicate that, in all three nozzles, the maximum circulation the vortex can attain is determined by the equivalent diameter of the nozzle: the diameter of a circular nozzle of identical cross-sectional area. In addition, the time at which the vortex rings pinch off is found to be constant along the nozzle contours, and independent of relative variations in the local curvature. A formation number for this class of vortex rings is defined based on the equivalent diameter of the nozzle, and the formation number for vortex rings of the three geometries considered is found to lie in the range of 3–4. The implications of the relative shape and local curvature independence of the formation number on the study and modelling of naturally occurring vortex rings such as those that appear in biological flows is discussed.
CELLULAR FUNCTIONS REGULATED BY SRC FAMILY KINASES

Src family protein tyrosine kinases are activated following engagement of many different classes of cellular receptors and participate in signaling pathways that control a diverse spectrum of receptor-induced biological activities. While several of these kinases have evolved to play distinct roles in specific receptor pathways, there is considerable redundancy in the functions of these kinases, both with respect to the receptor pathways that activate these kinases and the downstream effectors that mediate their biological activities. This chapter reviews the evidence implicating Src family kinases in specific receptor pathways and describes the mechanisms leading to their activation, the targets that interact with these kinases, and the biological events that they regulate.
Quasi-Orthogonal Space-Frequency and Space-Time-Frequency Block Codes for MIMO OFDM Channels

In this paper, we propose a novel class of Space-Frequency and Space-Time-Frequency block codes based on Quasi-Orthogonal designs, over a frequency selective Rayleigh fading channel. The proposed Space-Frequency code is able to achieve rate-one and full space and multipath diversity gains available in the MIMO-OFDM channel. As simulation results demonstrate, the code outperforms the existing Space-Frequency block codes in terms of bit error rate performance. By coding across the three dimension of space, time and frequency, we propose a Quasi-Orthogonal Space-Time-Frequency code that is capable of achieving rate-one and exploiting all of the spatial, multipath and temporal diversity gains offered by the channel. In case of a channel which is quasi-static over adjacent OFDM symbol durations, we propose a Space-Time-Frequency code that benefits from a reduced maximum likelihood decoding complexity.
Objects in Films: Analyzing Signs

The focus of this essay is the analysis of daily objects as signs in films. Objects from everyday life acquire several functions in films: they can be solely used as scene objects or to support a particular film style. Other objects are specially chosen to translate a character’s interior state of mind or the filmmaker’s aesthetical or ethical commitment to narrative concepts. In order to understand such functions and commitments, we developed a methodology for film analysis which focuses on the objects. Object interpretation, as the starting point of film analysis, is not a new approach. For instance, French film critic Andre Bazin proposed that use of object interpretation in the 1950s. Similarly, German film theorist Siegfried Kracauer stated it in the 1960s. However, there is currently no existing analytical model to use when engaging in object interpretation in film. This methodology searches for the most representative objects in films which involves both quantitative and qualitative analysis; we consider the number of times each object appears in a film (quantitative analysis) as well as the context of their appearance, i.e. the type of shot used and how that creates either a larger or smaller relevance and/or expressiveness (qualitative analysis). In addition to the criteria of relevance and expressiveness, we also analyze the functionality of an object by exploring details and specifying the role various objects play in films. This research was developed at Concordia University, Montreal, Canada and was supported by the Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada (DFAIT).
Insulator function and topological domain border strength scale with architectural protein occupancy.

Background Chromosome conformation capture studies suggest that eukaryotic genomes are organized into structures called topologically associating domains. The borders of these domains are highly enriched for architectural proteins with characterized roles in insulator function. However, a majority of architectural protein binding sites localize within topological domains, suggesting sites associated with domain borders represent a functionally different subclass of these regulatory elements. How topologically associating domains are established and what differentiates border-associated from non-border architectural protein binding sites remain unanswered questions.
Risk analysis, systems analysis, and Covey's seven habits

This article relates problem solving to the common approaches of the gestalt-holistic philosophies of systems analysis, risk analysis, and Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Guiding principles developed on the basis of these philosophies provide the foundations for methodological frameworks that build on a plethora of theory, methods, tools, and techniques. Although systems analysis and risk analysis differ in their historical evolution and technical maturity, both study and solve problems using methodological frameworks that share a holistic vision.
Expert pattern recognition method for technology-independent classification of video transmission quality

The authors propose a method for objectively determining video transmission quality that is user-oriented and independent of coding/decoding and transmission technologies. The technique uses an expert pattern recognition system that operates on received-image measurements with unknown transmission impairments. The system provides quality classification on a minimum probability-of-error basis relative to subjective classification. The expert system uses statistical pattern recognition rules to perform low-level processing and an initial classification. Additional knowledge about subjective classification, visual perception, user requirements, and application bias are applied by the expert system to obtain a refined classification of image quality. >
A signaling pathway consisting of miR-551b, catalase and MUC1 contributes to acquired apoptosis resistance and chemoresistance

Acquired chemoresistance is a major challenge in cancer therapy. While the oncoprotein Mucin-1 (MUC1) performs multiple roles in the development of diverse human tumors, whether MUC1 is involved in acquired chemoresistance has not been determined. Using an acquired chemoresistance lung cancer cell model, we show that MUC1 expression was substantially increased in cells with acquired apoptosis resistance (AR). Knockdown of MUC1 expression effectively increased the sensitivity of these cells to the apoptotic cytotoxicity of anticancer therapeutics, suggesting that MUC1 contributes to acquired chemoresistance. Decreased catalase expression and increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation were found to be associated with MUC1 overexpression. Scavenging ROS with butylated hydroxyanisole or supplying exogenous catalase dramatically suppressed MUC1 expression through destabilizing MUC1 protein, suggesting that reduced catalase expression mediated ROS accumulation is accounted for MUC1 overexpression. Further, we found that increased miR-551b expression in the AR cells inhibited the expression of catalase and potentiated ROS accumulation and MUC1 expression. Finally, by manipulating MUC1 expression, we found that MUC1 promotes EGFR-mediated activation of the cell survival cascade involving Akt/c-FLIP/COX-2 in order to protect cancer cells from responding to anticancer agents. Thus, our results establish a pathway consisting of miR-551b/catalase/ROS that results in MUC1 overexpression, and intervention against this pathway could be exploited to overcome acquired chemoresistance.
Effect of Interleukin (IL)-15 Priming on IL-12 and Interferon-γ Production by Pathogen-Stimulated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Seropositive and -Seronegative Donors

Hypoproduction of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-12 and interferon (IFN)-gamma is thought to contribute to the impaired immunity seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons. The effects of priming with IL-15 on the production of IL-12 and IFN-gamma by stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV-seronegative and -seropositive donors were studied. Stimuli included 3 pathogens that commonly infect HIV-positive persons-Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis-plus Staphylococcus aureus. Following IL-15 priming of HIV-negative PBMC, pathogen-stimulated IL-12 and IFN-gamma production increased 5-58-fold. However, for the HIV-positive PBMC, IL-15 priming did not lead to significant increases in pathogen-stimulated IL-12 production and caused only modest increases in IFN-gamma production. These data suggest that IL-15 alone may be insufficient to correct the defect in IL-12 and IFN-gamma production in HIV-positive persons.
Integrating a wavelet based perspiration liveness check with fingerprint recognition

It has been shown that fingerprint scanners can be deceived very easily, using simple, inexpensive techniques. In this work, a countermeasure against such attacks is enhanced, that utilizes a wavelet based approach to detect liveness, integrated with the fingerprint matcher. Liveness is determined from perspiration changes along the fingerprint ridges, observed only in live people. The proposed algorithm was applied to a data set of approximately 58 live, 50 spoof and 28 cadaver fingerprint images captured at 0 and 2s, from each of three different types of scanners, for normal conditions. The results demonstrate perfect separation of live and not live for the normal conditions. Without liveness module the commercially available verifinger matcher is shown to give equal error rate (EER) of 13.85% where false reject rate is calculated for genuine-live users and false accept rate is for genuine-not live, imposter-live and imposter-not live. The integrated system of fingerprint matcher and liveness module reduces EER to 0.03%. Results are also presented for moist and dry fingers simulated by glycerin and acetone, respectively. The system is further tested using gummy fingers and various deliberately simulated conditions including pressure change and adding moisture to the spoof to analyze the strength of the liveness algorithm.
STCML: an extensible XML-based language for socio-technical modeling

Understanding the complex dependencies between the technical artifacts of software engineering and the social processes involved in their development has the potential to improve the processes we use to engineer software as well as the eventual quality of the systems we produce. A foundational capability in grounding this study of socio-technical concerns is the ability to explicitly model technical and social artifacts as well as the dependencies between them. This paper presents the STCML language, intended to support the modeling of core socio-technical aspects in software development in a highly extensible fashion. We present the basic structure of the language, discuss important language design principles, and offer an example of its application.
Seeding of Perovskite Lead Magnesium Niobate Crystallization from Pb‐Mg‐Nb‐EDTA Gels

The addition of BaTiO 3 seed particles (50 nm in diameter) to a Pb-Mg-Nb-EDTA solution (where EDTA represents ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) reduces the formation temperature from 700°C to 600°C during combustion synthesis, because of epitaxial effects. The lower perovskite formation temperature eliminates the formation of pyrochlore at the surface of the precursor bed and allows for the direct crystallization of -98% perovskite lead magnesium niobate (PMN) during combustion synthesis. Increasing the nucleation density of the seed particles in the seeded precursor decreases the precursor volume that is associated with each perovskite nucleus and, thus, reduces the PMN particle size from 1 μm to 0.2 μm. The influence of BaTiO 3 seeding is discussed in terms of the thermodynamics of perovskite formation, the influence of BaTiO 3 seed concentration, and epitaxial nucleation.
Culture-Sensitive Question Order Effects of Self-Rated Health Between Older Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Adults in the United States:

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine context effects created by the question order for self-rated health (SRH) by race/ethnicity and language. Method: Differences in SRH estimates for non...
A Longitudinal Assessment of Teacher Education Students' Confidence toward Using Technology.

This article describes the findings of a longitudinal study examining how teachers' confidence toward using technology have evolved, if at all, since taking an educational technology course during their preservice teacher education experience. Pre- and post-surveys were administered to undergraduate and graduate teacher education students at the beginning and end of an educational technology course, as well as several years later. Findings show that the overall instructional and personal confidence scores were significantly higher than when compared to the pre-course survey mean, although lower than the post-course survey mean.
Enabling Opportunistic Navigation in Location-Based Notification Systems

Device-assisted navigation is rapidly becoming a major topic in computer science. PDAs and other small devices are enabling the introduction of navigational assistants to many different spaces. These areas are generally filled with points of interest with which users may choose to interact with. The natural behavior of users in such a space is to explore, interacting with objects the user deems worthy of further interaction. We call this behavior 'opportunistic navigation.' In this paper we define the challenges associated with and put forward several criteria for enabling opportunistic navigation in Location-Based Notification Systems. Our criteria have been implemented in the form of a prototype navigational assistant, SeeVT-ART, and have undergone a preliminary field test.
Predicting patterns of crop damage by wildlife around Kibale National Park, Uganda.

Crop loss to wildlife impedes local support for conservation efforts at Kibale National Park, Uganda. Systematic monitoring of crop loss to uwildlife (mammals larger than 3 kg) and livestock was con- ducted in six villages around Kibale over a 2-year period. Five wildlife species accounted for 85% of crop dam- age events: baboons, bushpigs, redtail monkeys, chimpanzees, and elephants. Marked variation in frequency and extent of damage is reported within villages, between villages, and between wildlife species. Fields lying within 500 m of the forest boundary lost 4- 7% of crops per season on average, but the distribution of damage was highly skewed such that maize and cassava fields were on occasion completely destroyed. Multivariate analysis was used to testpredictors of damage, including human population density, guarding, hunting, sight distance, and distance from the forest. Tests were performed at two levels of analysis, field and village. Dis- tance from the forest edge explained the greatest amount of variation in crop damage, although hunting also influenced the extent of crop damage. Elephants inflicted catastrophic damage to farms but their forays were rare and highly localized. Livestock caused considerable damage to crops butfarmers seldom complained be- cause they had institutionalized modes of restitution. Although most of the crop damage by wildlife is re- stricted to a narrow band offarmers living near the forest edge, risk perception among these farmers has been amplified by legalprohibitions on killing wild animals. Elevating local tolerance for wildlife will require diverse approaches, including channeling economic benefits to Kibale's neighbors and providing compensa- tion in limited cases.
Why Do They Do It? A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis of Crisis Volunteers' Motivations

The literature on volunteers’ motivations is extensive; however, a comprehensive theoretical and empirical knowledge base pertaining to their motivations in crisis settings is lacking. This article furthers the knowledge base related to volunteers’ motivations and demonstrates a unique method of qualitative data analysis rarely used in the field of social work—qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS). The authors conducted a QIMS of five qualitative studies. The method was developed specifically for the field of social work. It is grounded in traditional qualitative methodology, and it draws from other disciplines that have embracedqualitativemeta-synthesisascommonpractice.QIMS involvessynthesizing the results of multiple qualitative studies on a topic into a new, synergistic understanding of the topic under study. The QIMS generated six themes: (1) internal motivation to make an external difference, (2) volunteer existentialism, (3) lived experience, (4) internal/personal fulfillment, (5) lack of direction, and (6) lack of support. Findings demonstrate implications for three areas that relate to the functioning of agencies with volunteers who provide crisis services through hotlines: (1) recruitment, (2) screening, and (3) management (for example, training and supervision). Furthermore, two major strengths in using QIMS were identified: (1) broadening of extrapolation possibilities and (2) extensive triangulation.
Bulky nanowire metamaterials for negative refraction at broadband frequencies from visible to NIR

We report the first bulk metamaterials at visible frequencies that shows intriguing negative refraction for all incident angles. The metamaterial is realized by growing silver nanowire in a porous alumina template.
Development of Picosecond-Resolution Large-Area Time-of-Flight Systems

The measurement of time-of-flight (TOF) of relativistic particles in high-energy colliders with picosecond resolution would qualitatively change the ability to identify underlying parton-level processes at future colliders or upgrades of existing detectors. We have measured the timing properties of three micro-channel plate photo-multiplier tubes (MCPPMTs) from Photonis; one with 1024 anodes and the other two with 64 anodes. The 1024-anode 10-micron pore tube uses a charge-collection scheme at the anode to provide equal arrival time of the signal independent of the hit position of incident light on the face of the tube. The two 64-anode 25-micron pore tubes have a commercially available collection scheme and were used to find a limit on the timing resolution. We have performed these measurements using a newly assembled test-stand based on a Hamamatsu PLP-10 picosecond laser and a commercial CAMAC readout electronics system. We present these results and compare timing properties to earlier versions of the charge collection scheme.
On the Behavior of Surface Plasmons at a Metallo-Dielectric Interface

In an attempt to shed additional light on the extraordinary transmission of an electromagnetic wave through a subwavelength aperture, we undertake a more detailed analysis of the canonical problem of the magnetic field of a line source located at a silver–dielectric interface at optical wavelengths. In particular, we present a closed-form asymptotic evaluation of the branch cut integral and show that the branch cut term initially decays as $x^{ - 1/2} $ , where $x$ is the distance between the source and the field point along the interface, but for larger distances, it falls off more rapidly as $x^{ - 3/2} $ . We also address the effect on a surface plasmon of a tarnished silver substrate. Our analysis supports the extraordinary transmission surface plasmon electromagnetic interaction model, explains the origin of the so-called “creeping wave,” and shows that the tarnish layer has a significant damping effect on the surface plasmon polariton.
Early research on muscle sounds

Summary form only given. A survey of research on muscle sounds is presented, beginning with experiments dating back to 1665 and covering research through the 1900s. The early belief was that muscle sounds were due to the movement of animal spirits. W.H. Wollaston (1810) attributed muscle sounds to repetitions within the muscle mass of small contractions. According to H. Helmholtz (1867), the muscle sounds consist of almost periodic vibrations. Research in the 1800s on sounds produced by facial muscles is discussed. >
Ab initio investigations of the phase stability in group IVB and VB transition metal carbides

Abstract Using a combination of electronic structure density functional theory and an evolutionary algorithm, we predicted the thermodynamically stable structures of the group IVB and VB transition metal nitrides at 0 K. Our results demonstrate that in the group IVB nitrides there is a competition between nitrogen interstitial ordered forms of the hexagonal close packed structure and nitrogen vacancy ordered forms of the B1 structure. The low metal vacancy formation energies in the B1 structure even allowed metal vacancy ordered forms of the B1 HfN structure to be thermodynamically stable. The work also revealed how bond distortion and bond angles allowed the predicted Ti2N and Zr2N P4/mnm phases to be stable as compared to the Pnnm structure for Hf2N. This work also predicted several metal-rich phases to be present in the Zr-N system, which have yet to be observed potentially owing to this system being the least experimentally studied of the group IVB nitrides. In the group VB nitrides, the low formation enthalpies of the e-TaN prototype and Bh structures, as well as the C6 structure, suppress the dominance of the B1 phase at low temperatures. The collective results provide in-depth and inclusive examination of the similarities and differences for phase stability in these two classes of transitional metal nitrides at 0 K.
High power (1.3 W) optically pumped midwave-IR (3.4 µm) InAs/InAs x Sb 1-x superlattice lasers

Midwave-infrared lasers have great potential in many applications, such as pollution monitoring, medical diagnostics, explosive detection, and military countermeasures. This paper reports experimental results on optically pumped InAs/InAsxSb1−x type-II superlattice (SL) laser structures grown by modulated-molecular-beam epitaxy (MMBE) on InAs substrates.
SceneWorld: a game-oriented graphics course starter kit

A starter kit (class library) for a game-oriented advanced computer graphics course is evaluated. The motivation for using a starter kit is briefly described. Student use of the SceneWorld starter kit is discussed. The architecture of SceneWorld is presented. A survey used to assess student's evaluation of the starter kit and an analysis of their opinions is discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of using a starter kit in a game-oriented graphics course are presented. Last, a few suggestions on the future of SceneWorld are made.
Antihypertensive Use and the Effect of a Physical Activity Intervention in the Prevention of Major Mobility Disability Among Older Adults: The LIFE Study

BACKGROUND This subgroup analysis of the Lifestyle Intervention and Independence for Elders trial evaluates the impact of a long-term physical activity (PA) intervention on rates of major mobility disability (MMD) among older adults according to their antihypertensive medication use. METHODS Lifestyle Intervention and Independence for Elders study participants were randomized to center-based PA or health education for a median of 2.7 years. Participants were sedentary men and women aged 70-89 years with objectively measured physical limitations. This analysis evaluated rates of MMD and persistent MMD among 1,633 participants, according to antihypertensive medication use. Participants were designated as either (i) an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor user (ACEi+), (ii) a user of other antihypertensives not including ACEi (ACEi-), or (iii) nonusers of antihypertensive medications (AHT-). Interactions were explored between antihypertensive use and randomized arm. RESULTS Interaction terms for MMD (p = .214) and persistent MMD (p = .180) did not reach statistical significance. For MMD, PA displayed marginal effects among ACEi+ (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.57, 1.02) and ACEi- (HR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.60, 0.97) but not AHT- (HR = 1.19; 95% CI = 0.75, 1.87). For persistent MMD, the effect of PA was greatest among ACEi+ (HR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.39, 0.84) when compared to ACEi- (HR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.55, 1.06) or AHT- (HR = 1.18; 95% CI = 0.59, 2.36). CONCLUSIONS The effects of long-term PA on the incidence of MMD and persistent MMD were similar among three subgroups of older adults stratified by their antihypertensive medication use. However, though statistical interactions did not reach significance, several findings may warrant future study in other cohorts given the post hoc nature of this study.
Distributed listening in automatic speech recognition

While speech recognition systems have come a long way in the last forty years, there is still room for improvement. Although readily available, these systems are sometimes inaccurate and insufficient. The research presented here outlines a technique called Distributed Listening which demonstrates noticeable improvements to existing speech recognition methods. The Distributed Listening architecture introduces the idea of multiple, parallel, yet physically separate automatic speech recognizers called listeners. Distributed Listening also uses a piece of middleware, called an interpreter, which resolves multiple interpretations using a phrase resolution algorithm. The subsequent experiments of the research show that these efforts work together to increase the accuracy of the transcription of spoken utterances and Distributed Listening at worst, is as good as the best individual listener.
Utilizing dynamic laser speckle to probe nanoscale morphology evolution in nanoporous gold thin films

This paper demonstrates the use of dynamic laser speckle autocorrelation spectroscopy in conjunction with the photothermal treatment of nanoporous gold (np-Au) thin films to probe nanoscale morphology changes during the photothermal treatment. Utilizing this spectroscopy method, backscattered speckle from the incident laser is tracked during photothermal treatment and both the characteristic feature size and annealing time of the film are determined. These results demonstrate that this method can successfully be used to monitor laser-based surface modification processes without the use of ex-situ characterization.
Lowcountry Visions: Foodways and Race in Coastal South Carolina

The coastal region surrounding Charleston, South Carolina—commonly referred to as the Lowcountry—is a place famous for its foodways. Lowcountry cuisine is often portrayed as convivial and celebrated as multicultural. This article argues, however, that much of the Lowcountry9s food culture is marked by the region9s history of racism. It is important not only to recognize this dominant tendency, but also to acknowledge attempts to challenge it. Thus, this article also highlights recent efforts to articulate an alternative vision of the region and its cuisine. By investigating what is at stake when regional cuisines are contested, I attempt to place the future of Lowcountry food on firmer footing.
European Corn Borer: Host-Plant Resistance and Use of Insecticides

Application of DDT and fonophos significantly reduced damage by 1st-generation Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) to a susceptible inbred line of corn. However, little benefit resulted from applications to inbred lines that had intermediate or higher levels of resistance.