cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrodynamic characteristics of inverse fluidization in liquid—solid and gas—liquid—solid systems

Abstract The flow characteristics of inverse fluidization utilizing low density spherical particles are experimentally investigated for both the liquid—solid and gas—liquid—solid systems. The experimental data for the bed expansion in the liquid-solid system are correlated, both empirically and semi-empirically. In the gas—liquid—solid system in which the gas and liquid flows are countercurrent, two modes of fluidization are examined. They are fluidization with the liquid as a continuous phase and fluidization with the gas as a continuous phase; the former characterizes the inverse gas—liquid—solid fluidized bed, while the latter characterizes the turbulent contacting bed. A flow regime diagram which portrays these modes of fluidization is presented. Correlations of the bed expansion and gas hold-up are proposed for the inverse gas—liquid—solid fluidization.
Conservation strategies for Africa's large mammals

Africa’s large mammals are conserved for their aesthetic, scientific and economic values. Many of these species face a gloomy future precipitated by a combination of factors directly and indirectly influenced by the activities of man, including habitat loss, overexploitation, poor management of designated protected areas, and the vulnerability of small isolated populations. Africa’s designated protected areas and biodiversity hotspots are also under threat, highlighting the importance of embracing community participation to address accelerating poverty and malnutrition. Innovative strategies are required for the conservation of Africa’s mammals, such as the integration of a wide range of species in the production landscape, including the farming community. Transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) have been established with the combined objectives of conserving biodiversity, creating new jobs in the tourism and wildlife industry, and promoting a culture of peace. These areas extend far beyond traditional national parks, providing opportunities for integrating large mammals into sustainable land-use practices, at the same time as addressing some of the continent’s more pressing socioeconomic needs. Research on African mammals will inevitably have to change direction to accommodate the growing threats and changed circumstances. Priorities will include the identification of corridors associated with TFCA establishment, the determination of the economic value of certain species in consumptive use programmes, research on contraception as a management option in restricted areas, and further work on the indirect use value of species. There will also be worthwhile opportunities to be pursued with ex situ conservation programmes, but these need to be focussed more efficiently.
Durophagous Predation in Paleozoic Marine Benthic Assemblages

Fossil evidence of biotic interactions is of considerable importance in understanding broad-scale evolutionary patterns and has long attracted the interest of paleontologists (Clarke, 1921; Moodie, 1923; for exhaustive compendium see Boucot, 1990). Although it is notoriously difficult to document with fossils, predation is ubiquitous in modern communities and often of fundamental importance in controlling the abundance and diversity of organisms in marine environments (e.g., Paine, 1969).
Neurologic complications of Paget disease of bone.

ABSTRACT Objective To review the epidemiology, evaluation, and management of the neurologic complications associated with Paget disease of bone (PDB). Methods We reviewed the English-language medical literature using MEDLINE data sources from 1950 to August 2008 and manually searched cross-references from original articles and reviews. Search terms included “Paget* disease of bone” and “neurologic* complications,” “cranial nerve,” “spinal cord,” or “peripheral nerve.” Results Several neurologic problems in the central and peripheral nervous systems may complicate PDB. Up to 76% of patients may have some form of neurologic involvement. Neurologic complications can occur in patients with a long history of PDB as well as in patients with previously unrecognized disease. The primary mechanisms of nerve damage in PDB involving the spine are ischemic myelitis and compression due to bone hypertrophy. Evaluation includes determining the serum alkaline phosphatase level and imaging by radiography, bone scintigraphy, computed tomographic scanning, and, for lesions of the central nervous system, magnetic resonance imaging. If a soft-tissue mass is found, biopsy should be considered to exclude the presence of sarcoma. Treatment strategies include calcium, vitamin D, bisphosphonates, and possibly surgical intervention for refractory cases. Conclusion Neurologic sequelae of PDB may be underappreciated. Despite the paucity of data guiding treatment, zoledronic acid is a reasonable first-line therapy. Lack of response to treatment or relapse should prompt diagnostic reevaluation with a heightened suspicion for tumor. (Endocr Pract. 2009;15:158-166)
Preliminary outcome and toxicity report of extended-field, intensity-modulated radiation therapy for gynecologic malignancies.

Purpose: The aim of this article is to report a preliminary analysis of our initial clinical experience with extended-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy for gynecologic malignancies. Methods and Materials: Between November 2002 and May 2005, 13 women with gynecologic malignancies were treated with extended-field radiation therapy. Of the women, 7 had endometrial cancer, 4 cervical cancer, 1 recurrent endometrial cancer, and 1 suspected cervical cancer. All women underwent computed tomography planning, with the upper vagina, parametria, and uterus (if present) contoured within the CTV. In addition, the clinical target volume contained the pelvic and presacral lymph nodes as well as the para-aortic lymph nodes. All acute toxicity was scored according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v 3.0). All late toxicity was scored using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group late toxicity score. Results: The median follow-up was 11 months. Extended-field intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for gynecologic malignancies was well tolerated. Two patients experienced Grade 3 or higher toxicity. Both patients were treated with concurrent cisplatin based chemotherapy. Neither patient was planned with bone marrow sparing. Eleven patients had no evidence of late toxicity. One patient with multiple previous surgeries experienced a bowel obstruction. One patient with bilateral grossly involved and unresectable common iliac nodes experienced bilateral lymphedema. Extended-field-IMRT achieved good local control with only 1 patient, who was metastatic at presentation, and 1 patient not able to complete treatment, experiencing in-field failure. Conclusions: Extended-field IMRT is safe and effective with a low incidence of acute toxicity. Longer follow-up is needed to assess chronic toxicity, although early results are promising.
Meta-Analysis of the Use of Rescue Antiemetics Following PONV Prophylactic Failure with 5-HT3 Antagonist/Dexamethasone Versus Single-Agent Therapies

Objective:To assess the use of rescue antiemetic medication following 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (5-HT3RA) plus dexamethasone therapy versus monotherapy with a 5-HT3RA for prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).Data Sources:Reports of randomized, controlled trials were identified via a MEDLINE search (1966–September 2005) using the key terms ondansetron, dolasetron, tropisetron, granisetron, 5-HT3, PONV, vomiting, emesis, and nausea.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Randomized, controlled trials of adult populations that had treatment arms comparing 5-HT3RA/dexamethasone combination therapy with 5-HT3RA or dexamethasone monotherapies versus placebo or 5-HT3RA versus dexamethasone or placebo were selected for analysis. Another criterion was that a proportion of patients required rescue medication 48 hours or less following surgery.Data Synthesis:Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval were calculated to determine incidence rates for use of rescue medications within early (0–6 h), l...
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Turkish Child and Adolescent Survivors Three Years after the Marmara Earthquake

The study investigated the emergence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in child and adolescent survivors in Turkey three years after the 1999 Marmara Earthquake, with consideration of the severity of exposure and the survivors' gender and age. A representative sample of 293 young earthquake survivors (152 female and 141 male between the ages of 8 and 15) participated in the study. Participants' scores on the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index for Children indicated that 31.4% reported moderate, 24.2% reported severe, and 3.8% reported very severe traumatic stress reactions. Analysis of the Revised Impact of Events Scale for Children scores revealed that 56% reported severe PTSD symptoms. While severity of exposure and gender were significantly associated with severity of PTSD symptoms, age was not related to PTSD symptoms. The results indicated a high need for addressing the mental health problems of the child and adolescent trauma survivors in Turkey.
Pressure-Induced Nano-Crystallization of Y2O3

A reversible-phase transformation process to convert coarse-grained polycrystalline cubic-Y2O3 directly into the nanocrystalline state is being developed. The process involves a forward cubic-to-monoclinic phase transition under high pressure and a backward transformation from monoclinic-to-cubic under a lower pressure. The process has been used to reduce the grain size of fully dense cubic-Y2O3 from 300 μm to 0.1 μm. A surface modification effect, comprising a columnar-grained structure, has also been observed. Preliminary work indicates that the surface structure is modified, apparently formed by interaction between the graphite heater and sample.
Late Proterozoic Cratonization in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Early cratonal development of the Arabian Shield of southwestern Saudi Arabia began with the deposition of calcic to calc-alkalic, basaltic to dacitic volcanic rocks, and immature sedimentary rocks that subsequently were moderately deformed, metamorphosed, and intruded about 960 Ma ago by dioritic batholiths of mantle derivation ($^{87}$Sr/$^{86}$Sr = 0.7029). A thick sequence of calc-alkalic andesitic to rhyodacitic volcanic rocks and volcanoclastic wackes was deposited unconformably on this neocraton. Regional greenschistfacies metamorphism, intensive deformation along north-trending structures, and intrusion of mantle-derived ($^{87}$Sr/$^{86}$Sr = 0.7028) dioritic to granodioritic batholiths occurred about 800 Ma. Granodiorite was emplaced as injection gneiss about 785 Ma ($^{87}$Sr/$^{86}$Sr = 0.7028-0.7035) in localized areas of gneiss doming and amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism. Deposition of clastic and volcanic rocks overlapped in time and followed orogeny at 785 Ma. These deposits, together with the older rocks, were deformed, metamorphosed to greenschist facies, and intruded by calc-alkalic plutons ($^{87}$Sr/$^{86}$Sr = 0.7035) between 600 and 650 Ma. Late cratonal development between 570 and 550 Ma involved moderate pulses of volcanism, deformation, metamorphism to greenschist facies, and intrusion of quartz monzonite and granite. Cratonization appears to have evolved in an intraoceanic, island-arc environment of comagmatic volcanism and intrusion.
Feedback-control-based optimal power flow for real-time operation

This paper presents a feedback control approach for the optimal power flow (OPF) problem which is suitable for operation in real-time. Traditionally, OPF is run in discrete instants of time in order to obtain the optimal operating points for the power system under given loading conditions at those instants. Between any two OPF runs, participation factors and/or other means are used to maintain generation-load balance. Hence, optimality is not maintained between OPF runs. This paper proposes the use of feedback control concepts to maintain optimality all the times while satisfying power system constraints. The feedback-control-based optimal power flow (FCOPF) is a reformulation of the well known gradient-based OPF in such a way that enables the use of feedback control concepts. Simulation results show that the proposed approach can keep track of the optimal operating point under varying loading conditions while meeting power system constraints.
Effect of Language Context on Ratings of Shy and Unsociable Behaviors in English Language Learner Children

Purpose The primary goal of this study was to explore the effect of language context on the socially withdrawn behaviors of school-age-children who are English language learners (ELLs) from middle–...
Binding on the Fly: Cross-Sentential Anaphora in Variable-Free Semantics

Combinatory logic (Curry and Feys, 1958) is a “variable-free” alternative to the lambda calculus. The two have the same expressive power but build their expressions differently. “Variable-free” semantics is, more precisely, “free of variable binding”: it has no operation like abstraction that turns a free variable into a bound one; it uses combinators—operations on functions—instead. For the general linguistic motivation of this approach, see the works of Steedman, Szabolcsi, and Jacobson, among others.
A nationwide survey of vascular surgery trainees reveals trends in operative experience, confidence, and attitudes about simulation

Objective There is mounting evidence supporting the benefit of surgical skills training in a simulated environment. However, the use of simulation in vascular surgery has been limited, and its value has been poorly understood. Access to simulation is presumed to be a major barrier to its widespread implementation. While a great deal of discussion is taking place at the national level, input from current trainees has not been obtained. Methods The Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery Committee on Education and Simulation sent a survey to all vascular surgical trainees assessing access to vascular simulation, the perceived value of simulation, and expectations for the future. Data were analyzed for junior (postgraduate year ≤4; n = 73) and senior (postgraduate year ≥5; n = 110) level and program type (traditional = 5 + 2/4 + 2; integrated = 0 + 5). Results A total of 183 of 326 (56%) trainees completed the survey, 72 (0-5), 5 (4+2), 111 (5+2), respectively. Of the respondents, 86% believe there is educational value in simulation. Cadaver dissections, followed by peripheral endovascular simulators and endovascular aortic aneurysm repair simulators, were ranked the most valuable tools by seniors, while anastomotic models are valued most by juniors, followed by cadavers and endosimulators. Fifty-six percent of programs currently offer simulation training, most commonly in the form of peripheral endovascular simulators (70%), anastomotic models (58%), or endovascular aortic aneurysm repair simulation (53%). Senior residents are more likely than juniors to have attended outside simulation courses (37% vs 19%). Overall, 57% of trainees expect that technical skills assessment will be incorporated into the certification process, and 52% endorse skills assessment for certification. Conclusions Trainees report limited operative experience and confidence, and confidence levels are improved for a number of index procedures among those trainees with access to simulation. Trainees endorse the use of simulation to augment their surgical training, and a significant proportion of them already have access to it. These data support a perceived need and utility for implementation of a standardized simulation curriculum in vascular surgical training.
Sounds of Neotropical Rainforest Mammals: An Audio Field Guide

L. H. Emmons, B. M. Whitney, D. L. Ross Jr. 1998. Sounds of Neotropical Rainforest Mammals: An Audio Field Guide. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois. ISBN 0-938-02740-9, price $24.95. This compact disc set will be useful to anyone conducting field research in the Neotropics. Tropical forest mammals are more often seen than heard, and their sounds are often difficult to discern from the cacophony of sounds in a tropical forest, especially for the untrained ear. These recordings will aid both researchers and naturalists alike, whether they are experienced or not, to identify mammalian sounds of the Neotropical rainforest. The 2 compact disc set contains recordings of 109 species and subspecies of mammals: 55 nonprimates and 54 primates. These are arranged into broad taxonomic classes, which themselves are not in strict taxonomic order but are in a logical order nonetheless. Compact disc 1 (CD 1) consists of nonprimate mammals, including marsupials (number of species and subspecies recorded = 1), anteaters (3), armadillos (1), bats (3), canids (2), procyonids (6), mustelids (3), felids (3), dolphins (1), tapirs (1), peccaries (2), deer (2), manatees (2), squirrels (11), murid rodents (4), porcupines (1), capybaras (1), agoutis (2), pacas (1), and echimyid rodents (5). Compact disc 2 (CD 2) is dedicated entirely to primates and includes calls of marmosets, including Cebuella (1) and Callathrix (5); tamarins ( Saguinus ), which are divided into the saddleback group (3), the mustached group (4), and the bare-faced group (4); lion tamarins (3); Goeldi's monkeys (1); …
Observations on Change

Copyright: © 2012 Miller VD. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Observations by outsiders can be informative, provocative, and sometimes even helpful. I write this essay as an outsider observer to Mass Communication and Journalism from the relative safety of my Organizational Communication academic enclave and ask how you are reacting to three readily apparent (from my vantage point) crises.
II. Athletics for the Service of the Nation

(1918). II. Athletics for the Service of the Nation. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 137-143.
The Use of Detailed Cost Studies in Improving Farm Organization in a Community

In presenting this subject I am assuming that the primary purpose of detailed cost studies as well as of all other lines of farm management and farm organization research is to help individual farmers in the organization and operation of their business. Incidentally there are collected through the detailed cost method a large number of general facts pertaining to the business of farming which are exceedingly valuable in studying agriculture as a whole, its relation to other industries, and the general subject of the distribution of the national income. However, I believe that the major emphasis in this type of research should be placed not on the gathering of a large number of general facts in regard to certain groups of farms or concerning farming as an industry, valuable as these may be, but primarily and fundamentally on those specific facts that are most useful to the individual farmer in determining the most profitable or desirable utilization of the resources at his command. It is on these grounds that we can best justify the use of public funds for this type of investigational work and it is by this standard we must measure the success of our projects in this field. It may be well here to review briefly the development of detailed cost studies. The first detailed studies in the cost of producing farm products were commenced January 1, 1902, in Minnesota by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station in cooperation with the Bureau of Statistics of the United States Department of Agriculture. Three groups of fifteen farms each in different sections of the state were studied by the route method. This type of research has been maintained continuously in Minnesota up to the present time with the exception of two years-1918 and 1919-when war conditions so disorganized the personnel and made farming conditions so abnormal that the work was temporarily suspended. It was renewed January 1, 1920, and two routes of twenty-four farms each are now being maintained in cooperation with the Bureau of Agricultural Economics. This type of work has been adopted from time to time in various parts of the country until at present twenty states are conducting detailed cost 69
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Issue of Human Rights Obligations Relating to the Enjoyment of a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment: Climate Change Report

This report describes the increasing attention paid to the relationship between climate change and human rights in recent years, reviews the effects of climate change on the full enjoyment of human rights and outlines the application of human rights obligations to climate-related actions. The report assesses the Paris Agreement in light of the procedural and substantive human rights obligations of States relating to climate change and concludes that in order to ensure that global temperatures do not rise to levels that would impair a vast range of human rights, States should fully implement all of their commitments in connection with the Paris Agreement and strengthen their commitments in the future. Each State must also adopt a legal and institutional framework that assists those within its jurisdiction to adapt to the unavoidable effects of climate change. In all of these actions, States must take care to protect the rights of the most vulnerable.
Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis of the Foot And Ankle: A Review of Six Cases

Pigmented villonodular synovitis is a rare but well recognized proliferative lesion of synovial tissue. It has been most commonly described in the knee and hip, with most series reporting <5% occur...
RECENT RESULTS OF HIGH ACCELERATION EXPERIMENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON RAM ACCELERATOR

I. Introduction Recent results of high acceleration experiments at the University of Washington ram accelerator are presented. Ram accelerators can currently accelerate projectiles up to a velocity of ~ 2.7 km/s, however, many of the potential applications for ram accelerators are dependent on achieving even higher velocities. A research effort is currently underway to maximize the velocity capability of the University of Washington ram accelerator by increasing the sustained acceleration in each stage. For thermally choked operation, thrust will be higher at lower Mach numbers and with propellants having higher levels of chemical energy release. Acceleration at a given thrust can be increased by decreasing the mass of the projectile itself. These characteristics of ram accelerator operation are exploited to demonstrate high velocity capabilities. Previous research into geometry effects identified a low mass projectile configuration which can be accelerated via the thermally choked operating mode to the Chapman-Jouguet detonation velocity. A technique was developed which identifies high acceleration mixtures in relatively few experiments, by comparing the Mach number, chemical heat release, and theoretical acceleration level over a stage of a given length. This technique is utilized to achieve record levels of sustained acceleration. Experiments were performed with the reduced-mass projectile in propellant mixtures of methane, oxygen and helium, staged to minimize the Mach number as the projectile travels down the tube. Average accelerations of 38,000 g over a single 2-m stage and 34,000 g over three 2-m stages have been observed, yielding velocities of 2400 m/s after 6m. These experiments demonstrate a significant improvement in sustained acceleration performance. The ram accelerator is a chemical hypervelocity launcher used to accelerate projectiles to velocities on the order of several kilometers per second.1 It operates on the same operating principles as a conventional supersonic ramjet: a system of shock waves attached to a diffuser compress a fluid to which heat is added via combustion, producing thrust. In a ramjet fuel is added after the air has been decelerated to subsonic speeds. The fuel-air mixture is burned and accelerated to supersonic conditions via a constricting nozzle throat, exhausting out the rear of the engine. In a ram accelerator (Fig. 1), a projectile with a conical nose and tapering rear section is injected into a tube filled with premixed gaseous fuel and oxidizer. The shock waves attached to the projectile compress the propellant mixture, which is then burned. The resulting pressure increase accelerates the projectile down the tube. The combustion stays with the projectile, allowing very high velocities to be attained.
Abstract C20: The epigenomic fingerprint of hepatocellular carcinoma

Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 70% to 85% of primary liver cancers. HCC remains in the top 10 among the most common cancers and ranks second in the leading cause of male cancer death worldwide. Patients are typically diagnosed with late-stage disease leading to poor survival rates in the United States and developing countries. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a key HCC biomarker associated with patient prognosis. However, serum AFP levels are heterogeneous among HCC patients, suggesting that the biology of AFP+ and AFP- tumors may be different. Identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences may improve our understanding of HCC development and guide future approaches to increase survival. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be deregulated in many cancers and are useful biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and treatment. In this vein, we performed global miRNA profiling analyses of HCCs that differ in AFP expression. We found that miR-29 family members, including miR-29a, miR-29b, and miR-29c, are top-ranked downregulated miRNAs in AFP+ tumors whose expression is inversely correlated with AFP in 242 HCC specimens, suggesting that miR-29 may act as a tumor suppressor in AFP+ HCC. In fact, we have found an association between decreased miR-29 and poor survival. In addition, there is a significant association between AFP and DNA methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B, which were recently shown to be direct targets of miR-29. Furthermore, we have found an overall trend toward increased methylation in HCC patients with high levels of AFP. These findings led us to hypothesize that AFP may inhibit miR-29, which in turn increases DNA methyltransferase activity and modulates epigenetic changes that contribute to poor outcome in HCC. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) reveals that AFP and DNMT3B are both inversely correlated with miR-29 expression in HCC cell lines. We are testing currently whether AFP regulates miR-29 expression and alters DNA methylation patterns in HCC cells. We are also examining how miR-29 expression is regulated to determine whether AFP directly targets mir-29 to effect epigenetic changes or whether this occurs through other signaling pathways. Taken together, these studies will elucidate the molecular mechanisms that link AFP and miR-29 expression to epigenetic alterations and may aid in the development of novel therapeutic agents that may improve survival of HCC patients. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2011 Sep 14-18; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(18 Suppl):Abstract nr C20.
Urologic/Clinical Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

The treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) employs a step-wise algorithm to achieve an optimal response. Treatment is progressive, with the initial use of oral pharmacotherapy, and becomes more invasive if initial therapies fail. Vacuum erection devices (VEDs) and intraurethral or intracavernosal vasoactive agents comprise second-line treatments. Comorbid conditions, such as hormonal deficiencies and cardiovascular disease, should be identified and managed concurrently using lifestyle modification or medical therapies. For refractory ED, penile prosthetic surgery is available for appropriate patients, resulting in high satisfaction rates. Addressing psychosocial factors contributing to ED can maximize treatment efficacy.
Corticotropin releasing factor dose-dependently modulates excitatory synaptic transmission in the noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus.

The noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) is critically involved in the stress response and receives afferent input from a number of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) containing structures. Several in vivo and in vitro studies in rat have shown that CRF robustly increases the firing rate of LC neurons in a dose-dependent manner. While it is known that these increases are dependent on CRF receptor subtype 1 and mediated by effects of cAMP intracellular signaling cascades on potassium conductance, the impact of CRF on synaptic transmission within LC has not been clarified. In the present study, we used whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology to assess how varying concentrations of bath-applied CRF affect AMPA-receptor dependent spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic currents (sEPSCs). Compared to vehicle, 10, 25, and 100 nm CRF had no significant effects on any sEPSC parameters. Fifty nanomolar CRF, however, significantly increased sEPSC amplitude, half-width, and charge transfer, while these measures were significantly decreased by 200 nm CRF. These observations suggest that stress may differentially affect ongoing excitatory synaptic transmission in LC depending on how much CRF is released from presynaptic terminals. Combined with the well-documented effects of CRF on membrane properties and spontaneous LC discharge, these observations may help explain how stress and CRF release are able to modulate the signal to noise ratio of LC neurons. These findings have implications for how stress affects the fidelity of signal transmission and information flow through LC and how it might impact norepinephrine release in the CNS.
Measurement of polarization properties of ECRH polarizers at 170 GHz

A combination of circular polarizer and polarization rotator at 170 GHz were designed and constructed by General Atomics (GA) and tested at MIT for Electron Cyclotron Heating in ITER. Cold test measurements were performed using a Vector Network Analyzer to determine the relative amplitudes and phase shifts between two orthogonal components of the reflected field. Measured polarization parameters, ellipticity and rotation, are compared with the numerical simulations done using High Field Structure Simulator (HFSS) software for the designed groove shapes.
Deformable contours: modeling and extraction

This paper considers the problem of modeling and extracting arbitrary deformable contours from noisy images. We propose a global contour model based on a stable and regenerative shape matrix, which is invariant and unique under rigid motions. Combined with Markov random field to model local deformations, this yields prior distribution that exerts influence over a global model while allowing for deformations. We then cast the problem of extraction into posterior estimation and show its equivalence to energy minimization of a generalized active contour model. We discuss pertinent issues in shape training, minimax regularization and initialization by generalized Hough transform. Finally, we present experimental results and compare its performance to rigid template matching. >
Sucrose and the Lipid Environment Modulate Conformational Heterogeneity in the Glutamate Transporter Homologue Gltph

Gltph is a sodium dependent aspartate transporter that is structurally homologous to glutamate transporters; as a result, it provides a model for excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) that facilitate glutamate reuptake. Crystal structures suggest a model for transport but do not provide information on biologically relevant intermediate states or effects of the lipid bilayer on the transport cycle. In the present work, distance distributions were measured for Gltph in three different bilayer systems though site directed spin labelling (SDSL) and double electron-electron resonance (DEER), and membrane depths were measured through SDSL and power saturation to determine if the crystal structures are representative of biologically relevant conformations. Transport domain distances were measured across the subunits of the trimer, and the protective osmolyte sucrose was used to modulate conformational populations. Distance distributions for T375R1 revealed populations with average distances that were close to crystal structure predictions. However, narrowing of the distance distributions and a shift to shorter distances in the presence of substrate suggest that there are biologically relevant states that are not seen in the crystal structures. Sucrose mediated stabilization of the inward facing state suggests increased lipid contacts, and membrane depth measurements showed that T375R1 comes into contact with the lipid environment in the presence of substrate, which suggests a currently unknown role for lipids during the transport cycle. This work was supported by NIGMS, GM035215.
Race, Social Capital, Adjustment, and Intercollegiate Athletics: The Opportunity to Improve Social Acclimation at Academic Institutions

ABSTRACTContemporary research suggests that there is a stratification of adjustment levels for collegiate students. Past scholars have found that ethnic minority students at predominantly White institutions have lower adjustment scores than White students. Further, ethnic minority student-athletes have lower levels of adjustment when on the campus at large, but interestingly they have shown higher levels of adjustment when in the team setting. These circumstances prompted the question: What impact does team social capital have on ethnic minority student-athletes’ adjustment variables? Over 1000 student-athletes were surveyed. Results of the study showed that team social capital is a mediator between race and adjustment. Thus, practical implications are such that athletic teams should consider extending the team concept to the campus environment as much as possible to increase the adjustment of their ethnic minority student-athletes and potentially mitigate some of the negative consequences of the lack of ...
The origin of cold dark matter halo density profiles

N -body simulations predict that CDM halo-assembly occurs in two phases: a rapid accretion phase dominated by major mergers and a slow accretion phase characterised by a gentle addition of mass to the outer halo. We demonstrate that this two-phase accretion leads to CDM halos of the NFW form. During the fast accretion phase fluctuations in the gravitational potential effectively isotropise the velocities of CDM particles and we show that this leads to an inner profile ρ ( r ) ∝ r -1 . Slow accretion onto an established potential well leads to an outer profile with ρ ( r ) ∝ r -3 . Using a simple analytic model that captures much of the important physics we show that the inner r -1 profile of CDM halos is a natural result of hierarchical mass assembly with a initial phase of rapid accretion.
Reconceptualizing cancer immunotherapy based on plant production systems

Plants can be used as inexpensive and facile production platforms for vaccines and other biopharmaceuticals. More recently, plant-based biologics have expanded to include cancer immunotherapy agents. The following review describes the current state of the art for plant-derived strategies to prevent or reduce cancers. The review discusses avenues taken to prevent infection by oncogenic viruses, solid tumors and lymphomas. Strategies including cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and virus nanoparticles are described, and examples are provided. The review ends with a discussion of the implications of plant-based cancer immunotherapy for developing countries.
Dual Task of Fine Motor Skill and Problem Solving in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study

Abstract Objectives To (1) examine and compare dual-task performance in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls (HCs) using mathematical problem-solving questions that included an everyday competence component while performing an upper extremity fine motor task; and (2) examine whether difficulties in dual-task performance are associated with problems in performing an everyday internet task. Design Pilot study, mixed-design with both a within and between subjects' factor. Setting A nonprofit rehabilitation research institution and the community. Participants Participants (N=38) included persons with MS (n=19) and HCs (n=19) who were recruited from a nonprofit rehabilitation research institution and from the community. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Participant were presented with 2 testing conditions: (1) solving mathematical everyday problems or placing bolts into divots (single-task condition); and (2) solving problems while putting bolts into divots (dual-task condition). Additionally, participants were required to perform a test of everyday internet competence. Results As expected, dual-task performance was significantly worse than either of the single-task tasks (ie, number of bolts into divots or correct answers, and time to answer the questions). Cognitive but not motor dual-task cost was associated with worse performance in activities of everyday internet tasks. Conclusions Cognitive dual-task cost is significantly associated with worse performance of everyday technology. This was not observed in the motor dual-task cost. The implications of dual-task costs on everyday activity are discussed.
>270-degree phase shift in aluminum gate tunable conducting oxide metasurfaces for continuous optical beam steering at 1550 nm (Conference Presentation)

In the last several years, metasurfaces have demonstrated promise as both flat optical elements to replace conventional three-dimensional components (prisms or lenses) as well as to access functions that are unachievable in conventional optics. To date, the functional performance of metasurfaces have typically been encoded at the time of fabrication, which fixes the achievable phase and amplitude for each elements in an array. However if actively controlled metasurface elements can be designed to dynamically control the phase shift and amplitude change imposed by each metasurface element, we could realize phased arrays to enable complex spatio-temporal wavefront engineering. We report here design and experimental demonstration of a tunable conducting oxide metasurface that achieves such active control by incorporating materials with voltage-tunable optical permivitties, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), into a metasurface [1]. We design a metasurface that consists of an aluminum back plane, HfO2 gate dielectric followed by a 14 nm thick ITO active layer, and a periodic array of aluminum patch antennas. We choose the dimensions of the Al antennas so that the antenna magnetic dipole resonance occurs at 1550 nm. By applying a gate bias between the Al antenna and ITO active layer, charge accumulation or depletion occurs at the ITO/HfO2 interface. This results in modulation of the ITO complex permittivity, thus altering the metasurface reflection phase and amplitude. The designed metasurface is capable of >270° phase shift. Our design enables independent control of each metasurface element enabling electrical control of the metasurface phase profile, which is an essential requirement for demonstration of continious beam steering. [1] Y.-W. Huang et al., “Gate-Tunable Conducting Oxide Metasurfaces”, Nano Letters 16, 5319-5325 (2016).
The flavor of sin in the Ordo representacionis Ade

The twelfth-century drama Ordo representacionis Ade represents scenes from Genesis (Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel) along with a procession of prophets. This essay argues that the Ordo, allied with both Lent and predication, represents gustatory desire as the source of both sin and salvation. At the heart of the drama lies a tension between the pleasures of flavor (feast) and the pains of self-renunciation (fast). In an effort to convey the value of fasting penitence to a lay community, the drama figures illicit gourmandism as a social danger born of both pride and avarice. At the same time, the Ordo offers itself as a source of aesthetic pleasure. Indeed, its dramatization of penance and redemption participates in a general twelfth-century movement away from corporal experiences (penitential confinement, communion) and toward vicarious experiences through symbolic representation. This process turns participants in ritual into observers of spectacle. As spectators rather than sinners, the audience can be distracted from pious messages by aesthetic pleasures. In both thematic and performative terms, then, the Ordo maintains fundamental tensions between individual tastes and communal responsibilities.
Manipulating plant-arthropod conversations to improve conservation biological control of mites

The potential of using synthetic herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPV) (e.g., methyl salicylate, MeSA) as a cultural tool to enhance conservation biological control of mites is being researched in commercially grown hops in Washington State, USA. Compared to unbaited blocks, hop yards baited with controlled release sachet (CRS) dispensers of synthetic MeSA recruited larger (3-5×) populations of spider mite predators: Stethorus spp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Orius tristicolor (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), Geocoris pallens (Hemiptera: Geocoridae), Deraeocoris brevis (Hemiptera: Miridae), Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, Nabidae, Thripidae. The enhanced community of mite predators controlled spider mite populations in MeSA-baited hops without miticide intervention. All unbaited blocks required at least one miticide for spider mite control. Direct application of natural MeSA (oil of wintergreen) to hop plants contained in canola oil or rosemary/peppermint oil pesticide formulations, resulted in greater attraction of two mite predators (O. tristicolor and Stethorus spp.) to treated than to untreated plants. MeSA-mediated stimulation of the plants to produce predator-attracting volatiles is suggested as the likely mechanism. The use of synthetic or natural versions of HIPV/plant-signaling compounds like MeSA as 'Herbivore-Induced Plant Protection Odors' (HIPPOs), has the potential to provide a novel yet practical strategy for improving the efficacy and reliability of conservation biological control of mites in a variety of agricultural ecosystems.
Dark Web Research Overview

The AI Lab Dark Web project is a long-term scientific research program that aims to study and understand the international terrorism (jihadist) phenomena via a computational, data-centric approach. We aim to collect “all” web content generated by international terrorist groups, including web sites, forums, chat rooms, blogs, social networking sites, videos, virtual world, etc. We have developed various multilingual data mining, text mining, and web mining techniques to perform link analysis, content analysis, web metrics (technical sophistication) analysis, sentiment analysis, authorship analysis, and video analysis in our research. The approaches and methods developed in this project contribute to advancing the field of Intelligence and Security Informatics (ISI). Such advances will help related stakeholders to perform terrorism research and facilitate international security and peace. It is our belief that we (the USA and allies) are facing the dire danger of losing the “The War on Terror” in cyberspace (especially when many young people are being recruited, incited, infected, and radicalized on the web), and we would like to help in our small (computational) way. More details and updated information can be found at the project web site: http://ai.eller.arizona.edu/research/terror/.
Kinship and Inbreeding in Populations of Middle Eastern Origin and Controls

From the Levant to the Bay of Bengal lies a swath of populations with preferential consanguineous marriage, the effects of which are poorly understood. Here we examine the structure of these populations, certain descendant groups, and exogenous populations called controls that are analyzed in the same way. The contrast throws new light on the biological effects of consanguineous marriage.
Full STEAM Ahead With a Space-Age Sound Artist:

The STEAM model emphasizes process-based learning that guides student inquiry, critical thinking, and creativity in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. The children’s pictu...
The minimal model program for the Hilbert scheme of points on P2 and Bridgeland stability

Abstract In this paper, we study the birational geometry of the Hilbert scheme P 2 [ n ] of n -points on P 2 . We discuss the stable base locus decomposition of the effective cone and the corresponding birational models. We give modular interpretations to the models in terms of moduli spaces of Bridgeland semi-stable objects. We construct these moduli spaces as moduli spaces of quiver representations using G.I.T. and thus show that they are projective. There is a precise correspondence between wall-crossings in the Bridgeland stability manifold and wall-crossings between Mori cones. For n ≤ 9 , we explicitly determine the walls in both interpretations and describe the corresponding flips and divisorial contractions.
Development and evaluation of an autonomous camera control algorithm on the da Vinci Surgical System.

Background Manual control of the camera arm in telerobotic surgical systems requires the surgeon to repeatedly interrupt the flow of the surgery. During surgery, there are instances when one or even both tools can drift out of the field of view. These issues may lead to increased workload and potential errors. Methods We performed a 20-participant subject study (including four surgeons) to compare different methods of camera control on a customized da Vinci Surgical System. We tested (a) an autonomous camera algorithm, (b) standard clutched control, and (c) an experienced camera operator using a joystick. Results The automated algorithm surpassed the traditional method of clutched camera control in measures of userperceived workload, efficiency, and progress. Additionally, it was consistently able to generate more centered and appropriately zoomed viewpoints than the other methods while keeping both tools safely inside the camera's field of view. Conclusions Clinical systems of the future should consider automating the camera control aspects of robotic surgery.