cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
WAVE SCATTERING FROM A STEP CHANGE IN SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY

abstract Scattering of body waves to surface waves is a means for converting energy with essentially infinite horizontal wavelength to motion with short wavelengths. This process, of interest to engineers designing structures with large horizontal dimensions such as pipelines, tunnels, and bridges, has received little attention from seismologists. Finite-difference calculations have been performed for the simple case of vertically incident SV and P waves impinging on a step change in surface elevation. These calculations predict scattered Rayleigh waves with amplitudes as large as 0.4 times the amplitude of the surface motion of the incident waves in the absence of any topographic relief, even for incident wavelengths several times the height of the step. Both vertical and inclined steps are examined.
Body paint, feathers, and vcrs: aesthetics and authenticity in Amazonian activism

In this article I seek to motivate critical reflection on the centrality of exotic body images in defining cultural authenticity for Western audiences and to raise questions about the political implications of replicating these constructs in indigenous identity politics. Focusing on Amazonian Indian activism in Brazil, I examine how the rise of environmentalism and the spread of new communications technologies in the 1980s transformed Amazonian interethnic politics and the self-representations of native activists. Indigenous images constructed in relation to Western concepts of primitivism, exoticism, and authenticity proved to be strategically effective political tools, but there are contradictions and liabilities in using such symbolic constructs to pursue indigenous goals of self-determination.
Catadioptric omnidirectional vision sensor integration for vehicle-based sensing

This paper presents a new imaging sensor that combines lenses and mirrors (catadioptric sensors) with a common optical axis to perceive different information around a vehicle. The imaging sensor consists of a central view catadioptric system that returns a panoramic view of the surrounding area using a hyperbolic mirror and a non-central catadioptric system that returns a wide perspective view of the ground plane. Together, these catadioptric sensors provide over 70% of the spherical view, with two image views around the vehicle. By configuring the sensors to be co-axial with a displacement along the optical axis, the sensors retain their field of view with minimal occlusion. This new imaging sensor has applications in driver assistance systems and automated vehicles where the visual information can be used for vehicle classification, lane detection, as well as stereo vision. In this paper, we present the sensor setup, the calibration method as well as an experimental scenario for a driver assistance system that recovers depth for a sparse set of distinct features in both views.
USE OF THE DEOXYURIDINE SUPPRESSION TEST TO EVALUATE LOCALIZED FOLATE DEFICIENCY IN RAT COLONIC EPITHELIUM

In this study the deoxyuridine suppression test (dUST) was performed on isolated rat colonocytes to establish its value as an indicator of folate status in the colonic epithelium. [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA was suppressed greater than 90% by deoxyuridine (dU) concentrations greater than 2.5 mumol/L. Preincubation of cells with 5-fluorouracil (1-100 mumol/L) but not methotrexate (10-100 mumol/L) resulted in a significant decrease in the degree of suppression. The dUST performed on colonocytes from folate-deficient animals displayed less suppression than on colonocytes from folate-replete animals (P less than 0.05). The abnormal degree of suppression was corrected by adding 100 mumol folinic acid/L. There was a negative correlation between the degree of suppression and the folate concentration of the colonic epithelium (P less than 0.001). These data indicate that the dUST is useful for detecting folate deficiency in the colonic epithelium and may therefore be valuable in assessing a deficiency state localized to that epithelium.
Clinical presentation, immunopathology, and treatment of juvenile-onset mycosis fungoides: A case series of 34 patients

Background Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, typically presents in middle-aged to elderly individuals. Objective We sought to study the demographics, clinicopathologic features, treatment response, and prognosis of patients with biopsy-proven MF diagnosed before 20 years of age. Methods Patients were identified from a prospectively collected database for retrospective analysis. Results Of 1902 patients with MF, 34 had juvenile-onset MF: 41% were stage IA, 56% were stage IB, and 3% were stage IIB at diagnosis. The male to female ratio was 1.1:1. The median age of symptom onset was 9 years (range 3-19 years), with a delay in diagnosis between 1 month and 14 years. Patients primarily presented with hypopigmented (53%), hyperpigmented (29%), and pink-violaceous (41%) patches/plaques. Immunohistochemistry revealed 39% with CD8 + immunophenotype, 67% of which had hypopigmented lesions. The phototherapy response rate in 21 patients was 81%. All patients who completely responded to narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy had hypopigmented MF. Limitations This is a single cancer center study. Conclusion Juvenile-onset MF presents with early-stage disease with an overrepresentation of hypopigmented MF and CD8 + immunophenotype. Narrowband ultraviolet B is an effective treatment option for juveniles, especially for those with the hypopigmented variant.
Coastal Oceanography Using a Small AUV

Bathymetry, current, temperature, and depth (CTD) measurements using a small, mobile, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) platform are described. Autonomous surveys of a shallow water column off the east coast of Florida during December 1997 were carried out using a 2.13-m long, 0.53-m maximum diameter Ocean Explorer series AUV, equipped with a 1200-kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) and a CDT package. At a speed of 1‐2 m s21, this AUV can perform preprogrammed missions over a period of several hours, collecting in situ oceanographic data and storing it on an onboard datalogger. The vehicle may also carry sidescan sonar or a custom small-scale turbulence measurement package or other instruments for subsidiary measurements. The versatility of the AUV allows measurement of oceanographic data over a substantial region, the motion of the platform being largely decoupled from that of any surface mother ship. In the missions of 5 and 11 December 1997, ‘‘lawn mower pattern’’ AUV surveys were conducted over 1 km2 regions on the east coast of Florida, north of Fort Lauderdale, at depths of 7 and 3 m, respectively, in a water column where the depth ranged from 10 to 32 m. During 5 December, the region was subjected to a cold front from the northwest. Local wind measurements show presence of up to 10 m s21 winds at temperatures of up to 108‐158C below normal for the time of the year. The fixed ADCP indicates occurrence of significant internal wave activity in the region. The data collected using the mobile AUV are utilized to develop a map of the bottom topography and examine current, temperature, and density variations in the context of the background information from a fixed bottom‐mounted ADCP and Coastal-Marine Automated Network buoys. The work described here is a significant step in the development of an autonomous oceanographic sampling network, illustrating the versatility of an AUV platform. The data collected during the missions described will form part of a bank for information on the impact of a cold front on shallow subtropical waters. The authors expect to repeat the missions during other such fronts.
Allocation-phase aware thread scheduling policies to improve garbage collection performance

Past studies have shown that objects are created and then die in phases. Thus, one way to sustain good garbage collection efficiency is to have a large enough heap to allow many allocation phases to complete and most of the objects to die before invoking garbage collection. However, such an operating environment is hard to maintain in large multithreaded applications because most typical time-sharing schedulers are not allocation-phase cognizant; i.e., they often schedule threads in a way that prevents them from completing their allocation phases quickly. Thus, when garbage collection is invoked, most allocation phases have yet to be completed, resulting in poor collection efficiency. We introduce two new scheduling strategies, LARF (lower allocation rate first) and MQRR (memory-quantum round robin) designed to be allocation-phase aware by assigning higher execution priority to threads in computation-oriented phases. The simulation results show thatallthe reductions of the garbage collection time in a generational collector can range from 0%-27% when compare to a round robin scheduler. The reductions of the overall execution time and the average thread turnaround time range from -0.1%-3% and -0.1%-13%, respectively.
In Vitro Analysis of Transneuronal Spread of an Alphaherpesvirus Infection in Peripheral Nervous System Neurons

The neurotropic alphaherpesviruses invade and spread in the nervous system in a directional manner between synaptically connected neurons. Until now, this property has been studied only in living animals and has not been accessible to in vitro analysis. In this study, we describe an in vitro system in which cultured peripheral nervous system neurons are separated from their neuron targets by an isolator chamber ring. Using pseudorabies virus (PRV), an alphaherpesvirus capable of transneuronal spread in neural circuits of many animals, we have recapitulated in vitro all known genetic requirements for retrograde and anterograde transneuronal spread as determined previously in vivo. We show that in vitro transneuronal spread requires intact axons and the presence of the viral proteins gE, gI, and Us9. We also show that transneuronal spread is dependent on the viral glycoprotein gB, which is required for membrane fusion, but not on gD, which is required for extracellular spread. We demonstrate ultrastructural differences between anterograde- and retrograde-traveling virions. Finally, we show live imaging of dynamic fluorescent virion components in axons and postsynaptic target neurons.
A Novel Graph Model for Maximum Survivability in Mesh Networks under Multiple Generic Risks

This paper investigates the path protection problem in mesh networks under multiple generic risks. Disjoint logical links may fail simultaneously if they share the same components in the physical layer. Each component is associated with one or more risks, and each risk may involve more than one logical link. This property introduces failure dependence for different logical links in layered networks. In this paper, the network failure scenario is under multiple risks. Each risk is a generic failure event, which may result in single-link failure, multiple-link failure, or all-link failure associated with a node (node failure). The objective aims at minimizing the end-to-end failure probability, or equivalently, maximizing the survivability by using two disjoint paths under multiple generic risks. The problem is shown to be NP-complete, and a novel graph model and corresponding heuristic algorithm are proposed. The time efficiency of the algorithms is analyzed, and the simulation results show that, compared to some existing diverse routing algorithms, the proposed heuristic algorithm can significantly improve the survivability at the cost of higher hop distance.
The CIA Confronts the Tito-Stalin Split, 1948–1951

After relations between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia broke down in 1948, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) devoted a good deal of attention to Yugoslavia. Initially, however, the Truman administration was reluctant to provide extensive security assistance to the regime of Josip Broz Tito, who until 1948 had been a brutal Stalinist. The outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950 changed the situation. The United States developed much closer political, economic, and military ties with Yugoslavia, and the CIA established a formal agreement of cooperation with the Yugoslav Ministry of State Security, especially on intelligence-sharing and covert operations. U.S. officials were particularly concerned about ensuring that Yugoslavia would be able to defend itself, if necessary, against a Soviet invasion.
Clustering declustered data for efficient retrieval

Modern databases increasingly integrate new kinds of information, such as multimedia information in the form of image, video, and audio data. Both the dimensionality and the amount of data that need to be processed is increasing rapidly, increasing the demand for the efficient retrieval of large amounts of multi-dimensional data. Declustering techniques for multi-disk architectures have been effectively used for storage. In this paper, we first establish that besides exploiting the parallelism, a careful organization of each disk must be considered for fast searching. We introduce the notion of page allocation and data space mapping which can be used to organize and retrieve multidimensional data. We develop these notions based on three different partitioning strategies: regular grid partitioning, concentric hypercubes and hyperpyramids. We develop techniques that satisfy efficient retrieval by optimizing the number of buckets retrieved by the query, disk arm movement and I/O parallelism. We prove that concentric hypercube-based mapping satisfies the optimal clustering and optimal parallelism. We develop a technique based on hyperpyramid partitioning that reduces the number of buckets retrieved by the query and has efficient inter- and intra-disk organizations. We evaluate the performance of proposed techniques by comparing them with the current approaches. The new techniques lead to very significant improvement over the existing techniques, and result in fast retrieval of multi-dimensional data.
Focused ultrasound facilitated adenoviral delivery for optogenetic stimulation

Optogenetics is a recently developed technique that has been widely implemented in the field of neuroscience. Channelrhodopsins (ChR), i.e., proteins that function as optically activated ion channels, are introduced into neurons either by viral transduction or transgenic manipulations. Recent advances in focused ultrasound (FUS) offer an alternative, non-invasive approach to carrying out viral transduction in the brain. In this study, we propose a FUS-based, non-invasive adenoviral delivery scheme that is suitable for optogenetic applications. Wild-type mice were used in this study, and each animal was sonicated using a single-element FUS transducer (center frequency 1.5 MHz). The acoustic parameters used for each sonication are: peak-rarefactional pressure 0.55 MPa, pulse length 10 ms, pulse repetition frequency 5 Hz, and a duration of 120 s. Viral vectors (both AAV1 and AAV9) were mixed with in-house manufactured polydisperse microbubbles prior to intravenous injections. Animals were survived for 12 days after sonication and electrode (with optic fiber) was implanted for electrophysiology recording. Upon optical stimulation, neuronal depolarization was observed in mice that received FUS-facilitated AAV transduction. In addition, fluorescence imaging revealed abundant ChR expression in the FUS sonicated brain regions. In conclusion, the successful non-invasive AAV delivery can provide an alternate and safer route for Channelrhodopsin neuronal transduction for optogenetic stimulation.
An inhomogenous nonlinear boundary value problem in model reactive media

We consider the differential equation uu′ + qλ(u)′ = βu″ + f(x) in R1 subject to the conditions that u approaches constant values at x = ±∞ and u′(±∞) = 0. The problem arises from studying steady viscous solutions with sources in the Fickett-Majda model of detonation in the case where the chemical kinetics is governed by a reversible reaction R⇌P, whose equilibrium curve is λ = λ(u), where λ is the mass fraction of the product species P and u is temperature. Both necessary and sufficient conditions for a solution are found in terms of the heat of reaction q > 0 and the L1-norm ‖f‖of the energy source term. Critical values of q are determined where bifurcations occur. Existence of solutions is shown by combining a comparison theorem for terminal boundary value problems and a continuation theorem for initial value problems.
Sampling for Conditional Inference on Network Data

Random graphs with given vertex degrees have been widely used as a model for many real-world complex networks. However, both statistical inference and analytic study of such networks present great challenges. In this article, we propose a new sequential importance sampling method for sampling networks with a given degree sequence. These samples can be used to approximate closely the null distributions of a number of test statistics involved in such networks and provide an accurate estimate of the total number of networks with given vertex degrees. We study the asymptotic behavior of the proposed algorithm and prove that the importance weight remains bounded as the size of the graph grows. This property guarantees that the proposed sampling algorithm can still work efficiently even for large sparse graphs. We apply our method to a range of examples to demonstrate its efficiency in real problems.
The Intimate Economies of Bangkok: Tomboys, Tycoons, and Avon Ladies in the Global City

The Intimate Economies of Bangkok: Tomboys, Tycoons, and Avon Ladies in the Global City. Ara Wilson. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2004. 272 pp.
Variations on a Theme: Scoring the Clinical Skills Assessment

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how failure rates are influenced by 1) normversus criterion-referenced scoring, 2) case specificity and case weights, and 3) compensatory and conjunctive standards. This paper will highlight comparisons of student performance using passing scores from three different standard setting procedures. The comparisons are as follows: 1) norm-referenced passing scores versus criterion-referenced passing scores, 2) weighted versus nonweighted passing scores, 3) equally weighted versus unequally weighted cases, and 4) compensatory versus conjunctive pass/fail decisions. Practical issues will be introduced.
Interpretation of outside imaging studies: Solutions from a tertiary care trauma center

p S a C ( b r r m s i c o d h c e u d T l i t m a INTRODUCTION There has been increasing public awareness of radiation safety since the Fukushima nuclear crisis and reports in the media suggesting that patients are being overly irradiated at hospitals across the country [1,2]. As radiologists, we must be increasingly aware of the appropriateness of the examinations we perform. Many radiology departments will only interpret studies performed at their institutions, resulting in a significant number of unnecessary repeat examinations. Providing interpretations of outside imaging studies, as opposed to repeating examinations, may be the more appropriate course of action. Referring physicians are also feeling increased pressure to request fewer repeat examinations. At our institution alone, there was a 1,400% annual increase in requests for interpretations of outside imaging studies from 2010 to 2011 (Table 1). There has also been a significant increase in pressure for these studies to be interpreted by attending radiologists during off hours (9 PM to 8 AM). We currently have 24/7 coverage by postgraduate year 3 or higher radiology residents, with attending radiologist backup from home between 9 PM and 8 AM. Our institution is a 640ed, tertiary care referral center in the udson Valley, with nearly 7,000 ransfer patients per year. Several authors have discussed the ncreased workload from interpreting utside imaging studies [3,4] and liaility implications, along with logisical problems with interpreting outide imaging studies [5]. At estchester Medical Center, we ave developed a streamlined process or uploading and interpreting out-
Draft Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Strain ATCC 23506 (Serovar O10:K5:H4).

We report the 4.682-Mbp high-quality draft assembly of the Escherichia coli strain ATCC 23502 (serovar O5:K4:H4, also known as NCDC U1-41) genome. This uropathogenic strain, commonly referred to as E. coli K4, produces a glycosaminoglycan-like capsular polysaccharide with a backbone similar in structure to unsulfated chondroitin, a precursor to the nutraceutically and potentially pharmaceutically valuable compound chondroitin sulfate. Metabolic reconstruction of this genome will enable prediction of genetic engineering strategies leading to increased chondroitin production.
Simulation of non-Newtonian flow of rubber compounds in a pin barrel screw extruder

Abstract A simulation is presented of flow of a rubber compound, modeled as a power law non-Newtonian fluid, in screw designs including screws with slices and a pin barrel extruder. Calculations were carried out using the flow analysis network (FAN) technique. Pressure fields, flux fields, and screw characteristic curves were determined. Introducing non-Newtonian (shear-thinning viscosity) characteristics reduces screw pumping ability. Slices in screw flights produce backward fluxes in the screw channel and reduce pumping capacity. Introduction of pins into the barrel has only a minor effect on screw pumping characteristics, and the pumping capacity of a pin barrel extruder closely resembles that in a screw extruder with slices in its screw flights.
High-Throughput Tissue Bioenergetics Analysis Reveals Identical Metabolic Allometric Scaling for Teleost Hearts and Whole Organisms

Organismal metabolic rate, a fundamental metric in biology, demonstrates an allometric scaling relationship with body size. Fractal-like vascular distribution networks of biological systems are proposed to underlie metabolic rate allometric scaling laws from individual organisms to cells, mitochondria, and enzymes. Tissue-specific metabolic scaling is notably absent from this paradigm. In the current study, metabolic scaling relationships of hearts and brains with body size were examined by improving on a high-throughput whole-organ oxygen consumption rate (OCR) analysis method in five biomedically and environmentally relevant teleost model species. Tissue-specific metabolic scaling was compared with organismal routine metabolism (RMO2), which was measured using whole organismal respirometry. Basal heart OCR and organismal RMO2 scaled identically with body mass in a species-specific fashion across all five species tested. However, organismal maximum metabolic rates (MMO2) and pharmacologically-induced maximum cardiac metabolic rates in zebrafish Danio rerio did not show a similar relationship with body mass. Brain metabolic rates did not scale with body size. The identical allometric scaling of heart and organismal metabolic rates with body size suggests that hearts, the power generator of an organism’s vascular distribution network, might be crucial in determining teleost metabolic rate scaling under routine conditions. Furthermore, these findings indicate the possibility of measuring heart OCR utilizing the high-throughput approach presented here as a proxy for organismal metabolic rate—a useful metric in characterizing organismal fitness. In addition to heart and brain OCR, the current approach was also used to measure whole liver OCR, partition cardiac mitochondrial bioenergetic parameters using pharmacological agents, and estimate heart and brain glycolytic rates. This high-throughput whole-organ bioenergetic analysis method has important applications in toxicology, evolutionary physiology, and biomedical sciences, particularly in the context of investigating pathogenesis of mitochondrial diseases.
Vitamin B12: Physiology, Dietary Sources, and Requirements

Vitamin B 12 , a cobalamin, is required for only two enzyme reactions in humans and animals: The conversion of methylmalonyl CoA to succinyl CoA and addition of a methyl group to homocysteine to form methionine. Vitamin B 12 does not occur in plants, and the only natural sources are animal source foods, a low intake of which can cause deficiency. Vitamin B 12 release from food and its subsequent absorption are complex processes, which can be impaired by many factors leading to depletion of body stores over time. Several laboratory tests can be used to assess vitamin B 12 status but the mechanisms underlying the neurological and cognitive symptoms of deficiency are not yet understood.
US sub-national governmental response to the ‘Great Recession’: implications for the ‘equitable distribution of the costs and benefits of public services’:

Experts suggest that when faced with fiscal stress public managers can engage in three coping practices: an actual cutback in services, expansion of existing financial resources, or reduction in work force. During the Great Recession (2007–2012), US subnational governments utilized all three of these practices. The purpose of this article is to identify coping mechanisms used by state and local governments to respond to the Great Recession, and identify approaches to minimize the negative and disproportionate impact of these actions on women, minorities, and the economically disadvantaged. The authors provide specific examples of tactics employed by US subnational governments in response to fiscal stress and evaluate the equity of their consequences on the distribution of goods and services. A review of the concept of social equity, its related literature, and an analysis of the disparate impact of coping practices on underrepresented groups is provided. Finally, the article presents mitigating strategies...
Demographic and Reproductive Factors Associated with Hemifacial Microsomia

Abstract Objective: To identify demographic and reproductive risk factors for hemifacial microsomia in offspring. Design: In a case-control study, maternal interviews were conducted within 3 years after delivery. Cases with hemifacial microsomia were ascertained from craniofacial centers in 26 cities in the United States and Canada. Controls were patients of the cases' pediatricians. Two hundred thirty-nine cases were compared with 854 controls. Odds ratios for various infant and maternal factors were estimated. Results: Cases had lower birth weights, were more often male or a twin, and had more relatives with craniofacial malformations or hearing loss than controls. Case mothers had lower family incomes, had a lower body mass index, had more vaginal bleeding in the second trimester, and were more likely to have had a spontaneous abortion in a previous pregnancy. Conclusions: Nonmodifiable factors (age and parity) were not associated with hemifacial microsomia risk. Factors that are related to poverty (lo...
Studies on infiltrating host cells harvested from acutely rejecting rat cardiac allografts.

Abstract Although the cellular events of rejection of organ allografts have been fully described histologically, little information exists regarding actual mechanisms of graft destruction. Available concepts are based primarily upon assays performed in vitro. This study describes a model designed to correlate such in vitro information with events occurring in vivo within acutely rejecting organ allografts. Infiltrating host cells had been harvested by two techniques from heterotopic cardiac allografts in rats. The various cell classes have been noted and their differential rates of accumulation compared to serial histological observations. Subpopulations of cells have been identified by surface markers, and specific cytotoxicity against donor alloantigen has been determined as a T lymphocyte function. These techniques may be of aid in unraveling the complexities of graft rejection.
Trauma Anesthesia for Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury is a dynamic condition with varying severities, classifications, and periods. Treatments and interventions through these periods can dramatically affect its morbidity. Anesthesiologists have a unique opportunity to be involved in the care of traumatic brain injury patients from their admission, through the operative period, and into postoperative intensive care. In this article, we will review current treatment, standards for monitoring, and goals for resuscitation, both intraoperatively and postoperatively. Co-morbidities that affect resuscitation will also be discussed.
Behavior of Botulinum Toxin in Alimentary Tract of Rats and Guinea-Pigs

The behavior of botulinum toxin introduced into the alimentary tract is different from that in other portions of the body. Mice will tolerate large doses of the toxin given orally without showing any symptoms of botulism, but they are susceptible to the toxin injected intraperitoneally, even in high dilutions. Similar differences more or less pronounced are noted in rats and other animals. The object of this investigation is to compare the behavior of the toxin in animals resistant to oral injections with that in animals that are susceptible. Guinea-pigs and rats were used for the most part, but in one series guinea-pigs and mice were compared. The general literature has been well reviewed by Bengtson.1 Reference will be made here only to the literature bearing on the particular subject of this paper. Observations on the absorption of botulinum toxin by the tissues have been negative, except in the case of the nervous tissue. Kempner and Schepilewsky 2 found that emulsions of liver, kidney, spleen and muscle tissue from the guinea-pig did not absorb toxin, but that 1 c c. of brain emulsions would neutralize 3 to 4 minimal lethal doses of toxin if mixed in vitro. Schiibel,3 in working with tissue emulsions from the guinea-pig and rabbit, found the same thing. He used frogs in testing for toxin, and noted that emulsions of brain and toxin after a suitable incubation period required much longer to produce the characteristic symptoms than was the case with the other tissue emulsions and toxin. The behavior of botulinum toxin in different portions of the intestine in vivo has been studied by several workers. Charrin and Claude 4 injected botulinum toxin into loops of intestines of guinea-pigs and rabbits and later made a histologic examination of the tissue. They found that the intestinal muscosa had remained intact. Their findings are
Schubert's Self-Elegies

The later music of Franz Schubert confers a remarkable blend of impact and intimacy. Some masterpieces, such as Die schone Mullerin and Winterreise, capture striking images of despair and loneliness. Others, such as the String Quartet in A minor, the Piano Trio in E major and the String Quintet in C major, carry stirring impressions of struggle culminated by success. Yet all captivate us with sensitivity and sincerity, the products of considerable self-investment.
SMPTE VC-1 [Microsoft Windows media]

The paper is a powerpoint presentation on the Microsoft implementation of SMPTE VC-1. This paper emphasizes that Windows Media Audio and Video 9 Series/VC-1 codec can be used in a wide range of bit rates and resolutions, any CE device, any transport stream and any optical disc format. It includes a subject comparison between the WMV-9, MPEG and DVD formats.
The Effects of a Direct Mail Coupon on Brand Choice Behavior

The authors examine the effects of a manufacturer coupon on brand choice behavior. The level of coupon redemption and changes in brand choice behavior after redemption are examined as a function of...
Evaluation of Solar Optical Modeling Tools for Modeling Complex Receiver Geometries

Solar optical modeling tools are valuable for modeling and predicting the performance of solar technology systems. Four optical modeling tools were evaluated using the National Solar Thermal Test Facility heliostat field combined with flat plate receiver geometry as a benchmark. The four optical modeling tools evaluated were DELSOL, HELIOS, SolTrace, and Tonatiuh. All are available for free from their respective developers. DELSOL and HELIOS both use a convolution of the sunshape and optical errors for rapid calculation of flux profiles on the receiver surfaces. SolTrace and Tonatiuh use ray-tracing methods to determine reflected solar rays on the receiver surfaces and construct flux profiles. We found the ray-tracing tools, although slower in computation speed, to be more flexible for modeling complex receiver geometries, whereas DELSOL and HELIOS were limited to standard receiver geometries. We provide an example of using SolTrace for modeling non-conventional receiver geometries. We also list the strengths and deficiencies of the tools to show tool preference depending on the modeling and design needs.© 2014 ASME
Effect of Temperature on the Hydration Process of Hemihydrate Calcium Sulfate Whiskers

The hydration process of hemihydrate calcium sulfate whiskers with different hydration temperature was studied. The hydration product was investigated by means of XRD and SEM. The results shows that the hemihydrate calcium sulfate whiskers hydration process is delayed with increasing static hydration temperature and that the whiskers doesn't hydrate when hydration temperature is higher than 100℃. A decreasing trend of whiskers 'aspect ratio gradually is weakened with the hydration temperature increasing. Hemihydrate calcium sulfate whiskers' aspect ratio can maintain about 30 for 30 min. When water temperature is 80 ℃.
Design of vehicle maintenance cueing system based on SPCE061A SCM

To solve the problem that it is difficult to get messages of vehicle maintenance,SPCE061A SCM is used as a control chip to remind the users with messages of vehicle maintenance for realization of the accurate and timely vehicle maintenance and tell the users how to do with their vehicles after gathering the key factors(time and mileage) of vehicle maintenance.Voice reporting and LCD display are gathered togather in the cueing mode,which makes the users to get and check messages of vehicle maintenance easily.The systerm realized the purpose of reminding the users to carry out the vehicle maintenance.
Chemopreventive potential of carotenoid rich foods on chemically induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in Fisher 344 male rats.

Fifth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, Nov 12-15, 2006 A62 Carotenoids are considered as one of the most powerful phytochemicals in protecting against free radical damage due to their potent antioxidative properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of carotenoids rich foods; carrots (CAR), Mangoes (MAN), tomato juice (TMJ) and watermelon juice (WMJ) at 2.5 and 5.0% levels on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in Fisher 344 rats. Rats were randomly assigned into 9 groups (n=6) and fed AIN-93G as control (CON), and diets containing 2.5 and 5% CAR, MAN, TMJ and WMJ. The rats were given 2 azoxymethane injections at 7 and 8 wks of age and were killed at 17wk of age by CO2 asphyxiation. ACF were significantly (P<0.05) higher in CON than in rats fed CAR, MAN, TMJ and WMJ. Total ACF (± SEM) in CON was 154.4 ± 2, in rats fed 2.5% CAR, MAN, TMJ and WMJ total ACF were; 34.6 ± 2, 30.3 ± 1, 29.3 ± 4 and 40.7 ± 2, respectively, and in rats fed 5% CAR, MAN, TMJ and WMJ ACF were; 28.6 ± 3, 28.6 ± 3, 28.3 ± 2 and 39± 15, respectively. Total hepatic glutathione-S-transferase (GST) (mg/μmol), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase activities were significantly higher in rats fed carotenoid rich foods compared to CON. These results showed that feeding carotenoid rich foods to rats significantly (p<0.05) reduced the formation of ACF and may thus have chemopreventive potential if incorporated into diets rather than their individual bioactive components.
Abstract 4314: Using antioxidant to enhance liver cancer preventive effect of n-3 PUFAs

In various animal models, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have demonstrated cancer preventive effects. This protective effect is associated with reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). On the other hand, an endogenous DNA adduct formed from the peroxidation of ω-3 PUFAs, γ-hydroxy-1, N2-propanodeoxyguanosine (γ-OHPdG), is known to be mutagenic. In light of these observations, we hypothesized that the combination of n-3 PUFAs with an antioxidant to inhibit lipid peroxidation (e.g. α-lipoic acid) will result in an enhanced cancer preventive effect than n-3 PUFAs alone. The chemical carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced HCC model is employed in this study. The DEN-induced HCC model has a histology and genetic signature similar to that of human HCCs, such that it has poor prognosis and recapitulates a dependence on inflammatory signaling. It also reflects the same gender disparity seen in human HCCs. Fat-1 transgenic mice were used because they express a Caenorhabditis elegans desaturase converting n-6 to n-3 PUFAs endogenously without using dietary supplementation. This model underlies the importance of dietary control of PUFAs intake and ratios due to the inability of mammalian cells to generate anti-inflammatory n-3 PUFAs from pro-inflammatory n-6 PUFAs, which are a major component of the standard Western diets. The results showed that antioxidant can efficiently suppress the elevated level of γ-OHPdG in fat-1 mice. The tumor incidence, multiplicity, and size are monitored continuously. This work was supported by the NCI grant: RO1-CA-134892. Y.F. thanks the Prevent Cancer Foundation for his fellowship (Marcia and Frank Carlucci Charitable Foundation Award in Cancer Prevention and Early Detection) Citation Format: Ying Fu, Angela Y. Bai, Marcin Dyba, Jing X. Kang, Fung-Lung Chung. Using antioxidant to enhance liver cancer preventive effect of n-3 PUFAs. [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 4314.
Teaching NeuroImages: Intracranial hypotension in a patient with Marfan syndrome

An 18-year-old man with Marfan syndrome and migraine headaches presented with acute worsening of headaches with postural changes following spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis. Lumbar spine MRI done before surgery showed diffuse dural ectasia (figure 1). Brain MRI after surgery showed distended transverse and sagittal dural venous sinuses1 and an enlarged pituitary gland suggesting intracranial hypotension (figure 2). He was treated conservatively with rest, fluids, and caffeine. Patients with Marfan syndrome frequently have dural ectasia2 and are at risk of CSF leaks after spinal surgery leading to intracranial hypotension. Our case highlights subtle changes on brain MRI suggesting intracranial hypotension.
Fresnel Refraction and Diffraction of Surface Plasmon Polaritons in Two-Dimensional Conducting Sheets

The propagation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) along two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene, is a complex phenomenon linking the microscale electronic properties to macroscale optical properties. Complex geometries increase the complexity of understanding the nature and performance of optoelectronic devices based on surface wave propagation. Here, we demonstrate that under a proper design of macroscopic conductivity profile, the propagation characteristics of SPPs in 2D materials can be made analogous to the propagation of plane waves in homogeneous layers with minimal out-of-plane scattering. Such a direct resemblance enables prediction, design, and calculation of SPP propagation through advanced geometries using fundamental laws of optics. We demonstrate that the propagation of surface waves can be manipulated in-plane using reflection, refraction, diffraction, and also generalized refraction laws analogous to plane waves. We present simple mathematical models to calculate the scattered ...
Womanist Pedagogical Love as Justice Work on College Campuses: Reflections from Faithful Black Women Academics

In this chapter, the authors decenter soulless curricular and administrative practices in collegiate settings and re-conceptualize justice work through faith as a labor of love.
Wallerian Degeneration of the Optic Nerve in Light of Histological and Biochemical Studies1

Wallerian degeneration of the rabbit optic nerve was produced by enucleation. The ultrastructure, enzyme histochemistry, myelin output as well as the lipid composition of degenerated nerve were studied. The obtained results lead to following conclusions: 1. Esterified cholesterol appeared in the lipid spectrum of myelin membranes undergoing Wallerian degeneration preceding a significant drop of myelin mass, without an involvement of lipomacrophages and without notable changes in the structure of myelin. 2. Esterification of cholesterol could function as a primary factor injuring the myelin membrane in central Wallerian degeneration, similarly as in other demyelinating processes. 3. Lipomacrophages occurring in the later stage of Wallerian degeneration of the optic nerve are of astroglial origin. 4. The slow progress of phagocytosis in the degenerating optic nerve might explain the almost unaffected pattern of myelin lipids in the course of Wallerian degeneration of this structure. 5. Lysocompounds play an important role in the pathomechanism of demyelination in the central nervous system including the optic nerve during further steps of myelin decay.
Reproduction, Culling, and Mortality Levels on Current Commercial Sow Farms

Sow longevity is a large component of profitability for commercial swine operations with the sow needing to produce three litters to recover her investment costs. With current culling rates averaging near 50% and mortality rates averaging almost 9%, a small proportion of the sows have the responsibility of making a profit. Past research has shown the primary reasons for culling to be reproductive failure and structural soundness (Chagnon et al., 1991; Stone, 1981), but much of this work is outdated, especially in regards to the genetic background of the sows analyzed. Therefore, a new 20 month study starting in 2005 was conducted on 2,000 commercial sows. This study revealed that the primary culling reasons for sows from current genetic lines has not changed markedly over the years with a large portion of sows being culled for reproductive failure and structural soundness, despite emphasis by genetic companies to improve longevity. The primary reason removal reason listed for sows over parity 5 was “old age” even though most of these sows are still producing at or above herd average. Sows from the group that produced at least 5 parities (parity5+) out performed the young group for number born alive (NBA) when compared at the same parity and had a shorter wean-to-first-service interval than the young group following their first parity. Additional comparisons among sows in the young group revealed that sows that dropped out of production earlier were inferior for reproductive traits when compared to those sows lasting at least four parities. This study shows that sow removal reasons have not changed over the years and sheds new light on differences between sows that drop out of production relatively early and those females that remain productive longer. This study also confirmed that selecting for longevity in sows is not counterproductive to selecting sows for reproductive performance and is actually quite beneficial to reproductive performance.
Aggregation bounds in stochastic production problems

A method for simplifying multi-stage capacitated stochastic production problems has been presented. The method employs the principle of aggregation and combines both random variables and time period. The solution of the aggregated problem provides bounds on the optimal value of the original problem. These bounds may be improved by using the same principles on less extremely aggregated problems that may allow for more than one period and for some randomness in the demands.
Diversity of Cropping Systems in Chittagong Region

The study was conducted over all 42 upazilas of Chittagong region during 2016 using pre-tested semistructured questionnaire with a view to document the existing cropping patterns, cropping intensity and crop diversity in the region. The most dominant cropping pattern Boro−Fallow−T. Aman occupied about 23% of net cropped area (NCA) of the region with its distribution over 38 upazilas out 42. The second largest area, 19% of NCA, was covered by single T. Aman, which was spread out over 32 upazilas. A total of 93 cropping patterns were identified in the whole region under the present investigation. The highest number of cropping patterns was 28 in Naokhali sadar and the lowest was 4 in Begumganj of the same district. The lowest crop diversity index (CDI) was observed 0.135 in Chatkhil followed by 0.269 in Begumganj. The highest value of CDI was observed in Banshkhali, Chittagong and Noakhali sadar (around 0.95). The range of cropping intensity values was recorded 103−283%. The maximum value was for Kamalnagar upazila of Lakshmipur district and minimum for Chatkhil upazila of Noakhali district. As a whole the CDI of Chittagong region was 0.952 and the average cropping intensity at the regional level was 191%. Bangladesh Rice j. 2017, 21(2): 109-122
Introduction to Biophysics of DNA–Protein Interactions: From Single Molecules to Biological Systems

The field of biophysics grows as new methods are applied to increasingly complex biological problems. For example, the field of single molecule biophysics has made new contributions to many areas of biology, from molecular to cellular levels. These insights enhance our quantitative understanding of biology. Recent studies that combine in vitro bulk biochemical methods, single molecule experiments, and in vivo approaches to molecular interactions have advanced many areas of biology. Particularly relevant illustrative examples are provided by the field of DNA–protein interactions. This book focus on some of these examples, involving application of in vitro bulk solution methods to probe interactions at the molecular level, single molecule methods, and in vivo measurements in the same systems. The book ­presents an overview of modern quantitative methods used for studying DNA–protein interactions, and displays the various levels of complexity involved in studying these interactions in biological systems. These chapters should therefore be of interest to all workers in the field of DNA–protein interactions.
Associations of Cigarettes Smoked Per Day with Biomarkers of Exposure Among U.S. Adult Cigarette Smokers in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Wave 1 (2013-2014)

Background: The dose-response relationships between number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) and health outcomes such as cancer and heart disease are well established, but much less is known about the relationships between CPD and biomarkers of exposure. Methods: We analyzed biomarker data by CPD from over 2700 adult daily cigarette smokers in Wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Tobacco use categories consisted of exclusive cigarette smokers, dual cigarette and e-cigarette users, and dual cigarette and smokeless tobacco users. Results: Biomarker concentrations consistently increased with CPD for each tobacco user group, although concentrations tended to level off at high smoking levels, such as those at and above 20 CPD. Dual cigarette and e-cigarette users had higher levels of some biomarkers such as TNE (Total Nicotine Equivalents)-2 (p=0.0036) than exclusive cigarette smokers, and dual cigarette and smokeless tobacco users had higher levels of NNAL (p<0.0001) and NNN (p=0.0236) than exclusive cigarette smokers. Conclusions: Among daily smokers, exposure to tobacco toxicants and constituents exhibits a dose-response relationship by number of cigarettes smoked, but the relationship is not necessarily linear in form. Dual users of cigarettes with either e-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco are exposed to higher levels of certain toxicants and carcinogens than exclusive cigarette smokers. Impact: Availability of biomarker data by CPD may aid in comparisons between cigarette smoking and use of new and potentially reduced exposure tobacco products, which may result in different levels of constituent and toxicant exposure.