cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Heaven to Earth: ‘Cultural Idealism’ and ‘Moral Realism’ as Chinese Contributions to Global International Relations

The discipline of IR is increasingly being criticized for ignoring and marginalizing states and societies outside of the core countries of the West. The idea of a ‘global IR’ has been proposed since 2014 – a pathway toward bridging the ‘West and the rest’ divide and thus developing a more inclusive discipline, recognizing its multiple and diverse foundations. At the same time, there is a trend toward developing theories, or ‘schools’, on a national or regional basis, the leading examples of which come from China. This chapter examines some theoretical constructs emerging in China, such as the ‘relational theory’ of Yaqing Qin, who is the foundational scholar in the ‘Chinese School of IR’, the Tianxia (‘all under heaven’) concept as applied to IR and world order by Tingyang Zhao, and the ‘moral realism’ of Xuetong Yan, who is the leading figure of the ‘Tsinghua School’. To many scholars both inside and outside China, the relationship among the various Chinese approaches and their overall contribution to the IR field remain unclear. Without claiming to capture all their nuances and complexity, this chapter hopes to stimulate a conversation among scholars, Chinese and foreign, with a view to generate greater clarity and highlight their importance to the study of IR. I argue that while making important contributions, the Chinese approaches to IR theory also face a number of challenges. This includes the need for them to offer more convincing proof that the concepts and explanations they propose can apply to other societies and to IR more generally. Moreover, there is the need for these approaches to attract a critical mass of followers worldwide, stimulate a research agenda for other, especially younger, scholars, and distance themselves from the official Chinese policy framings. The global IR approach offers a helpful framework for highlighting and perhaps addressing these challenges, especially in avoiding cultural exceptionalism and ensuring their wider relevance beyond China.
Computation of Cigarette Smoke Exposure Metrics From Breathing

Traditional metrics of smoke exposure in cigarette smokers are derived either from self-report, biomarkers, or puff topography. Methods involving biomarkers measure concentrations of nicotine, nicotine metabolites, or carbon monoxide. Puff-topography methods employ portable instruments to measure puff count, puff volume, puff duration, and inter-puff interval. In this article, we propose smoke exposure metrics calculated from the breathing signal and describe a novel algorithm for the computation of these metrics. The Personal Automatic Cigarette Tracker v2 (PACT-2) sensors, puff topography devices (CReSS), and video observation were used in a study of 38 moderate to heavy smokers in a controlled environment. Parameters of smoke inhalation including the start and end of each puff, inhale and exhale cycle, and smoke holding were computed from the breathing signal. From these, the traditional metrics of puff duration, inhale-exhale cycle duration, smoke holding duration, inter-puff interval, and novel Respiratory Smoke Exposure Metrics (RSEMs) such as inhale-exhale cycle volume, and inhale-exhale volume over time were calculated. The proposed RSEM algorithm to extract smoke exposure metrics named generated interclass correlations (ICCs) of 0.85 and 0.87 and Pearson's correlations of 0.97 and 0.77 with video observation and CReSS, respectively, for puff duration. Similarly, for the inhale-exhale duration, an ICC of 0.84 and Pearson's correlation of 0.81 was obtained with video observation. The RSEMs provided measures previously unavailable in research that are proportional to the depth and duration of smoke inhalation. The results suggest that the breathing signal may be used to compute smoke exposure metrics.
UltraNet: Deep Learning Tools for Modeling Acoustic Wall Clutter

Ultrasonic image quality is often challenged by speckle noise and acoustic clutter which reduces the anatomical conspicuity of medically relevant features. Deep learning approaches show promise in correcting these sources of noise, but there currently lacks a large dataset that i) contains enough feature variation to prevent model over-fitting and ii) captures higher-order effects such as reverberation, aberration, and harmonic generation. To address these needs, we simulated a 180-channel linear transducer acquiring 850,000 transmit-receive events to beamform 10,000 ultrasound images on unique scatter field maps. We fit fully convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to this dataset as a proof-of-concept for noise reduction tasks. We show that CNNs are able to translate from in silico to in vivo images for speckle reduction. However, naive fully convolutional networks are challenged to correct for clutter and aberration simultaneously, even within an in silico training dataset. We hope that this dataset, termed UltraNet, will provide analogous benefits to ultrasound image reconstruction as the ImageNet dataset did for image recognition. These data and tooling will be made available at: https://github.com/ouwen/ultranet.
Optimal Antibiotic Duration for Bloodstream Infections Secondary to Intraabdominal Infection.

Abstract Background Bloodstream infections (BSIs) secondary to intraabdominal infections (IAIs) are common in the intensive care unit (ICU). The Surgical Infection Society guidelines recommend treatment duration after achieving source control in patients with secondary bacteremia; however, literature supporting this recommendation is limited. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes in patients who received shorter versus extended duration of antibiotics for bacteremia secondary to IAI. Materials and methods A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted in adult surgical ICU patients (n = 42) with BSIs and source control procedure(s) for IAI. The primary outcome was recurrent IAI. Secondary outcomes included surgical site infections (SSIs), Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs), secondary fungal infections, and in-hospital mortality. Results Forty-two patients met inclusion criteria and were divided into groups according to antimicrobial duration; 12 patients received 7 d of antibiotics. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the two cohorts except for the presence of sepsis [4/12 (33.3%) versus 27/30 (90.0%); P = 0.001]. Thirty-one percent (13/42) of all organisms isolated from blood cultures were gram-negative bacteria, 12/42 (28.6%) were MDROs, and 2/42 (4.8%) patients experienced a culture mismatch in which cultured bacteria were not susceptible to empiric antibiotic therapy. Rates of recurrent IAI were similar between the two cohorts [1/12 (8.3%) versus 4/30 (13.3%), P = 0.554]. Conclusions Among surgical ICU patients with BSI secondary to IAI, cessation of antibiotic therapy within 7 d of source control was not associated with an increased incidence of recurrent IAI.
Comprehensive network modeling from single cell RNA sequencing of human and mouse reveals well conserved transcription regulation of hematopoiesis.

Presently, there is no comprehensive analysis of the transcription regulation network in hematopoiesis. Comparison of networks arising from gene co-expression across species can facilitate an understanding of the conservation of functional gene modules in hematopoiesis. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to profile bone marrow from human and mouse, and inferred transcription regulatory networks in each species in order to characterize transcriptional programs governing hematopoietic stem cell differentiation. We designed an algorithm for network reconstruction to conduct comparative transcriptomic analysis of hematopoietic gene co-expression and transcription regulation in human and mouse bone marrow cells. Co-expression network connectivity of hematopoiesis-related genes was found to be well conserved between mouse and human. The co-expression network showed “small-world” and “scale-free” architecture. The gene regulatory network formed a hierarchical structure, and hematopoiesis transcription factors localized to the hierarchy’s middle level. Transcriptional regulatory networks are well conserved between human and mouse. The hierarchical organization of transcription factors may provide insights into hematopoietic cell lineage commitment, and to signal processing, cell survival and disease initiation.
Understanding Student Perceptions of Class Participation

Located in the Philippines, this study explored the perceptions secondary English education majors at a public university in Metro Manila, Philippines, have of classroom participation. Through an open-ended questionnaire and a series of interviews, the researcher found participants defined class participation as “recitation,” such as student responses to teacher-generated questions with limited interaction with peers. Participants also reported a strong power distance relationship between student and teacher and suggested a fear of failure restricted their class participation. Despite these challenges, participants expected their participation to be assessed. When examined through the lens of Willingness to Communicate, student perceptions were contrary to the skills expected of 21st century learners. Understanding the student perception of class participation has the potential to mediate perceptual mismatches and create more effective learning environments.
Real World Long-term Assessment of The Efficacy of Tocilizumab in Patients with COVID19: Results From A Large De-identified Multicenter Electronic Health Record Dataset in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown conflicting results on the efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ) for patients with COVID-19, with many confounders of clinical status and limited duration of the observation. Here, we evaluate the real-world long-term efficacy of TCZ in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 using a large US-based multicenter COVID-19 database (Cerner Real-World Data; updated in September, 2020). The TCZ group was defined as patients who received at least one dose of the drug. Matching weight (MW) and a propensity score weighting method were used to balance confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of 20,399 patients were identified. 1,510 and 18,899 were in the TCZ and control groups, respectively. After MW adjustment, no statistically significant differences in all-cause mortality were found for the TCZ vs. control group (Hazard Ratio [HR]:0.76, p=0.06). Survival curves suggested a better trend in short-term observation, driven from a subgroup of patients requiring oxygen masks, BIPAP or CPAP. CONCLUSION: We observed a temporal (early) benefit of TCZ, especially in patients on non-invasive high-flow supplemental oxygen. However, the benefit effects faded with longer observation. The long-term benefits and risks of TCZ should be carefully evaluated with follow-up studies.
Brief, Digital, Self-Directed, and Culturally Adapted: Developing a Parenting Intervention for Primary Care

Abstract Preventive positive parenting interventions support healthy outcomes for children and have the potential to buffer the effects of poverty via changes in parent attitudes and behaviors. Delivering digital parenting interventions that have been adapted for the end-user population within pediatric primary care settings has the potential to support fit, acceptability, and reach of such interventions. This study used an experimental mixed-methods design to develop and test a digital, single-session, self-directed preventive parenting intervention in pediatric primary care during well-child visits. The intervention was developed through integration of common elements of evidence-based parenting practices and surface structure adaptations following end-user (i.e., caregiver) prototyping (Phase 1). The adapted intervention, Parenting A to Z, was tested in a beta-testing randomized controlled trial (N = 60) during well-child visits for children ages 2 to 8 years of age in primary care clinics serving primarily low-income Latinx families (Phase 2). Phase 1 results included adaptations to the procedures, content, and aesthetics using end-user feedback. Phase 2 results indicated the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted intervention and its digital delivery format. The effect size of the intervention on parental stress was commensurate with other, higher dose evidence-based preventive interventions. The results demonstrate how a brief, digital, self-directed parenting intervention aligned with the goals of the end-user population increased the reach and access to underserved children and families.
The relationship between beliefs about the menstrual cycle and choice of fertility regulating methods within five ethnic groups.

The hypothesis that a womans concept about her body functions may i nitiate rejection of certain Fertility Regulating Methods (FRM) specifi cally of oral contraceptives (OCs) and IUDs which modify bodily function s motivated an investigation among 5 ethnic populations (Bahamians Cub ans Haitians Puerto Ricans and Southern American Blacks). The most pr onounced theme among the groups was dissatisfaction with those methods w hich modify menstruation. Ethnically patterned responses showed that an important relationship existed between rejection of those FRMs which mod ify menstrual bleeding and the various concepts of blood. Irregularity of menstrual processes was viewed among all groups as a threat to health and well-being. This investigation suggests that womens concepts of bo dily functions are among the major factors influencing their decisions c oncerning choice use of nonuse of orthodox FRMs.
Role of threonine residues in regulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor tyrosine kinase activity is down-regulated by a number of growth-modulating agents that activate protein kinase C and/or mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Although the mechanism is unclear, it has been hypothesized that phosphorylation of specific threonine residues leads to inhibition of the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase. Two sites phosphorylated on the EGF receptor in response to phorbol esters are possible mediators of this effect: threonine 654, the target of protein kinase C, and threonine 669, the target of MAP kinase and the major site of phosphorylation on the EGF receptor. In order to investigate the role of these residues in receptor regulation, we substituted glutamic acid to mimic the negative charge introduced by phosphorylation at these sites. The wild-type and mutant receptor cDNAs were then transfected into CHO cells that lack endogenous EGF receptor. The EGF binding properties of the mutant receptors were similar to those of the wild-type EGF receptors. EGF stimulated tyrosine kinase activity and DNA synthesis in cells expressing both mutant receptors, indicating that the mutant EGF receptors are biologically active. Treatment of cells with phorbol esters inhibited the high affinity EGF binding and tyrosine kinase activities of both mutant and wild-type EGF receptors. These results indicate that acidic residues at either the Thr-654 or Thr-669 site modulate but do not block EGF receptor signalling. Furthermore, this data demonstrates that the mutant EGF receptors are still a target for inhibition by phorbol esters. Thus, events other than phosphorylation of Thr-654 or Thr-669 appear to be required for receptor down-regulation by protein kinase C or MAP kinase.
Growth hormone-releasing factor enhances sleep in rats and rabbits

Previously, it was suggested that a hypothalamic mechanism links somatotropin [growth hormone (GH)] secretion to sleep regulation, and this may explain the temporal correlation between GH release and nonrapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) on sleep onset. The purpose of these experiments was to study whether growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF), a hypothalamic peptide responsible for stimulation of GH secretion, also has the capacity to promote sleep in rats and rabbits. Artificial cerebrospinal fluid or GRF (human GRF-[1-40], 0.01, 0.1, and 1 nmol/kg) was intracerebroventricularly injected to rats at dark onset, and the electroencephalogram (EEG), brain temperature (Tbr), and motor activity were recorded for 24 h. Rabbits received the same doses of GRF during the light period, and sleep-wake activity was monitored for 6 h. GRF promoted NREMS and rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) and increased EEG slow-wave activity in both rats and rabbits. NREMS increased in postinjection hour 1 after low doses of GRF, whereas the effect was more prolonged after higher doses. REMS increased in response to the low and middle doses of GRF in postinjection hour 1 in rats and in hour 2 after each dose in rabbits. The diurnal rhythms of sleep-wake activity, motor activity, and Tbr were not affected in rats. Because GRF promotes sleep and also stimulates GH secretion, it is a likely candidate for linking GH secretion and sleep regulation.
Lacrimal gland dosimetry for the brain imaging agent technetium-99m-HMPAO

We calculated lacrimal gland dosimetry for the brain imaging agent 99mTc-HMPAO. One hundred thirty-eight patients were studied using a dedicated brain imaging device. Only 11% of the patients showed lacrimal gland uptake. For a 740-MBq (20 mCi) injected dose of 99mTc-HMPAO, the radiation exposure to the lacrimal glands is 10.2 mGy (1.02 rad), or 0.0138 mGy/MBq (0.051 rad/mCi). These values are five times lower than the ones reported by the manufacturer of HMPAO. As the dosimetry calculation is only for subjects showing 99mTc-HMPAO uptake in the lacrimal gland, the average radiation dose to all subjects is considerably lower, 1/10 of the estimated value.
Isolation and Characterization of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis Virus Nucleocapsids

Nucleocapsids from subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus-infected CV-1 cells were concentrated by differential centrifugation employing sucrose cushion techniques and further purified by centrifugation through a linear CsCl density gradient. The bouyant density of (3)H-uridine-labeled nucleocapsids in CsCl was found to be 1.31 g/cm(3). Ultraviolet absorption spectra of the purified SSPE nucleocapsid showed an absorption maximum at 260 to 265 nm and a 280/260 ratio that corresponded to a nucleic acid content of approximately 4.3%. Negatively stained preparations of SSPE nucleocapsids were found to have a width of 18 +/- 1 nm, a periodicity of 5 to 6 nm, and a length between 1-1.4 mum, with the greatest number at 1.3 mum.
Validation of a Bayesian-based isotope identification algorithm

Abstract Handheld radio-isotope identifiers (RIIDs) are widely used in Homeland Security and other nuclear safety applications. However, most commercially available devices have serious problems in their ability to correctly identify isotopes. It has been reported that this flaw is largely due to the overly simplistic identification algorithms on-board the RIIDs. This paper reports on the experimental validation of a new isotope identification algorithm using a Bayesian statistics approach to identify the source while allowing for calibration drift and unknown shielding. We present here results on further testing of this algorithm and a study on the observed variation in the gamma peak energies and areas from a wavelet-based peak identification algorithm.
Preparation and electrochemical studies of tetradentate manganese(III) Schiff base complexes

Abstract Manganese(III) complexes employing a variety of monovalent anions and the dianionic Schiff base tetradentate ligand derived from ortho -phenylenediamine and various substituted salicylaldehydes have been prepared and characterized. Cyclic voltammetry experiments on these high spin manganese materials reveal a quasireversible Mn(III)/Mn(II) redox and a pronounced salicylaldehyde substituent effect on cathodic peak potential. The data can be rationalized in terms of an electronic effect except in the 3-methoxy case where a more distorted geometry about manganese(III) can be anticipated.
Effect of patent ductus arteriosus on left ventricular output in premature infants

A 5 MHz range-gated portable pulsed Doppler velocity meter was used to measure mean ascending aortic blood flow velocity noninvasively. Studies were performed from a suprasternal approach in 18 preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus. Measurements were made in each patient before and after medical or surgical closure of the PDA. The internal ascending aortic diameter was determined echocardiographically and aortic cross-sectional area calculated according to the equation AAo = pi d2/4. Ascending aortic blood flow was computed as QAo (ml/min) = VAo (cm/sec) x AAo (cm2) x 60 (sec/min). Prior to PDA closure, QAo averaged 343 ml/min/kg, well above predicted normal values. After PDA closure, QAo fell to 252 ml/min/kg, significantly lower than the preclosure level (P less than 0.001), but slightly higher than the mean cardiac output of healthy newborn infants. The mean QAo after surgical ligation of the PDA was closer to the predicted normal value than after treatment with indomethacin alone. This study reflects the effect of left-to-right ductus shunting on left ventricular output and emphasizes the demands placed on the neonatal left ventricle by PDA.
Construction of chimaeric genes for mapping a surface-exposed epitope on the pilus of non-typable Haemophilus influenzae strain M37

Summary A murine monoclonal antibody (mAb), designated 3H12, reacts with a surface-exposed conformational epitope on the pilus of non-typable Haemophilus influenzae strain M37. This antibody does not recognize the related pilus from H. influenzae type b, strain MinnA. Although mAb 3H12 does not recognize strain M37 pilin on Western blots, mAb 3H12 recognizes the recombinant M37 pilin protein expressed by Escherichia coli. In order to map the epitope recognized by mAb 3H12, we constructed a series of chimaeric genes. The chimaeric genes were expressed in E. coli and the chimaeric proteins characterized with respect to their reactivity with mAb 3H12. Residues between 37 and 100 of the M37 pilin protein are essential for the expression of the mAb 3H12 epitope. Residues in the carboxyl half of the M37 protein enhance the reactivity of mAb 3H12 when expressed in the presence of residues 37–100. Construction of chimaeric genes may provide a general methodology for mapping of conformational epitopes expressed by one of a related pair of proteins.
Impact of Comorbidity on Colorectal Cancer Screening in the Veterans Healthcare System

Background & Aims: The quality assessment measure of colorectal cancer screening in the veteran's health system reports the proportion of patients aged 52–80 years who were tested. This approach does little to assess for comorbid illnesses, which might limit the utility of screening. Our aim was to determine the relationship between patient comorbidity and screening by fecal occult blood test in a national sample of veterans. Methods: We examined the Veterans Health Administration's national databases (October 2003–February 2005) for a random sample of primary care patients, aged ≥50 years. The Charlson score, a validated measure of comorbidity burden, was calculated from diagnosis codes by the Deyo method. The association between Charlson score and colorectal cancer screening was assessed with logistic regression. Results: The sample of 77,268 was 97% men; mean age was 67 years. Charlson score distribution was 0, 45%; 1, 24%; 2, 14%; 3, 7%; 4, 4%; 5, 2%; 6, 1%; 7, 0.8%; 8, 0.6%; 9, 0.4%; ≥10, 1%. Overall there was no consistent significant association between Charlson score and use of fecal occult blood testing except in the sickest 1%. There was a strong and incremental relationship between Charlson score and 1-year mortality. Conclusions: Although there was a strong relationship in the veteran population between the Charlson score and survival, colorectal cancer screening utilization was not impacted by Charlson score. Instead, resources were expended evenly throughout the population, rather than directed toward screening the patients with the most life-years at stake. The quality measure for colorectal cancer screening should be modified to account for patient comorbidity.
Photosynthesis-irradiance responses and photosynthetic periodicity in the sea anemone Aiptasia pulchella and its zooxanthellae

Sea anemones (Aiptasia pulchella) containing zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium microadriaticum) were maintained in a long-term laboratory culture on a 12 h light (100 μE m-2 s-1):12 h dark cycle. Photosynthetic oxygen production was measured for the symbiotic association and for freshlyisolated zooxanthellae. Light utilization efficiencies (α) were similar for both sets of zooxanthellae, suggesting negligible shading of zooxanthellae by animal tissue in this association. Whereas freshly-isolated zooxanthellae were photoinhibited at high irradiances (800 to 1 800 μE m-2 s-1), zooxanthellae in the host continued to function at photosynthetic capacity. Time of day may influence photosynthetic measurements in symbiotic organisms, as it was found that photosynthesis in A. pulchella followed a diel periodicity at both light-saturating (1 200 μE m-2 s-1) and subsaturating (150 μE m-2 s-1) irradiances. There was a peak period of photosynthesis between 12.00 and 14.00 hrs. Light stimulated dark respiration rates of A. pulchella. Dark respiration of sea anemones increased somewhat towards the end of the light cycle and was always greater after exposure to high irradiances.
Towards software metrics for visual programming

A framework for formulating metrics for visual computing environments is established, based on the concept that for any community of users such environments must be viewed in terms of a multi-faceted collection of relevant attributes. These attributes ultimately allow us to define, for any environment, a pair of measures termed coefficients of attraction and repulsion, which together enable us to select from among several candidate environments that which is best suited, in a certain sense, to the users in question. The exposition and theoretical development are followed by an example of how our tool might be applied to several of the better-known visual environments that had been implemented up to the early 1980's.
PHARMACOLOGY OF PANTETHINE IN NEPHROPATHIC CYSTINOSIS

Oral D-pantethine (PI) as a source of cysteamine in the treatment of nephropathic cystinosis was investigated in two cystinotic patients who were treated with 70-1000 mg/kg/day PI. WBC cystine, and plasma and urinary pantothenate (PA) were measured by RIA. Only PA (no PI) was found in the plasma and urine of PI-treated patients. After a single 30 mg/kg dose, plasma PA levels at 0, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours were consistent with an open two compartment model with rate constants of ca. 0.04/hr for elimination and >1.0/hr for distribution. Peak plasma PA (10 nmol/ml) occurred at 2 hr, and the apparent volume of distribution was 77 liters for a 49 kg boy. Near linearity with dose was found for plasma PA (r=0.97, slight concavity upward) and PA excretion (r= 0.97, slight concavity downward). Average PA excretion from the slope of the linear regression line was only 5% of the dose. At 1000 mg/kg/day, plasma PA was 180 nmol/ml, 300 times baseline. Increased stool frequency (3-4/day) was the only significant side effect. Plasma cholesterol decreased from 251 to 204 mg/dl over an 18 day course of 1000 mg/kg/day PI, supporting this agents role as a hypolipidemic. 50-60% WBC cystine depletion was achieved. Although PI is apparently passively absorbed and hydrolyzed to PA and cysteamine in the intestine and/or plasma, limited absorption producing only modest WBC cystine depletion suggests this agent may not be useful in the treatment of cystinosis.
CURLA: Cloud-Based Spam URL Analyzer for Very Large Datasets

URL blacklisting is a widely used technique for blocking phishing websites. To prepare an effective blacklist, it is necessary to analyze possible threats and include the identified malicious sites in the blacklist. Spam emails are good source for acquiring suspected phishing websites. However, the number of URLs gathered from spam emails is quite large. Fetching and analyzing the content of this large number of websites are very expensive tasks given limited computing and storage resources. Moreover, a high percentage of URLs extracted from spam emails refer to the same website. Hence, preserving the contents of all the websites causes significant storage waste. To solve the problem of massive computing and storage resource requirements, we propose and develop CURLA - a Cloud-based spam URL Analyzer, built on top of Amazon Elastic Computer Cloud (EC2) and Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS). CURLA allows processing large number of spam-based URLs in parallel, which reduces the cost of establishing equally capable local infrastructure. Our system builds a database of unique spam-based URLs and accumulates the content of these unique websites in a central repository, which can be later used for phishing or other counterfeit websites detection. We show the effectiveness of our proposed architecture using real-life spam-based URL data.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Towed-Water Power Generators

Towed-water power generators are used in long-distance sailing to generate power for charging battery banks. A basic configuration consists of a spinning turbine (propeller) towed behind the boat and attached to an alternator or generator via a torque line. In the present work, a series of seven inch diameter, six inch pitch turbines were tested both on the water and using computational fluid dynamics techniques. Turbine rotation rates for both an alternator and generator charging a 12V, 80 AH battery were measured for the on-water tests at a nominal towing speed of 3 m/s. Turbine torque vs. rotation rate results obtained by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations were plotted against generator and alternator torque curves to predict operating rotations per minute and associated power generation. Predicted rotation rate results were in reasonable agreement with those measured on the water.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Particle Swarm Optimization Based Fuzzy Clustering Approach to Identify Optimal Number of Clusters

Fuzzy clustering is a popular unsupervised learning method that is used in cluster analysis. Fuzzy clustering allows a data point to belong to two or more clusters. Fuzzy c-means is the most well-known method that is applied to cluster analysis, however, the shortcoming is that the number of clusters need to be predefined. This paper proposes a clustering approach based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). This PSO approach determines the optimal number of clusters automatically with the help of a threshold vector. The algorithm first randomly partitions the data set within a preset number of clusters, and then uses a reconstruction criterion to evaluate the performance of the clustering results. The experiments conducted demonstrate that the proposed algorithm automatically finds the optimal number of clusters. Furthermore, to visualize the results principal component analysis projection, conventional sammon mapping, and fuzzy sammon mapping were used.
Do Early Onset Conduct Disordered Adolescents Perform Like Brain Injured or Normal Adolescents on Cognitive Tests

In order to better understand whether adolescents with early onset conduct disorder are predisposed to this disorder because of neurological problems, the present study compared the performance of early onset conduct disordered adolescents to adolescents with left hemisphere and right hemisphere brain injuries and normal controls. It was hypothesized that adolescents with early onset conduct disorder would perform similar to adolescents with left hemisphere injury, confirming theories that neurological dysfunction may predispose children to the development of conduct disorder. Fifteen adolescents with conduct disorder were compared on a battery of cognitive tests to 12 left hemisphere brain injured, 11 right hemisphere brain injured, and 15 normal middle school adolescents. F-tests indicated that there were significant differences among the four groups on all measures (p <. 01). According to a series of t-tests on each of the nine cognitive measures, there were no differences found between the early onset...
An embedded reconfigurable architecture for patient-specific multi-paramater medical monitoring

A robust medical monitoring device should be able to provide intelligent diagnosis based on accurate analysis of physiological parameters in real-time. At the same time, such device must be able to adapt to the characteristics of a specific patient and desired diagnostic needs, and continue to operate even in presence of unexpected artifacts and accidental errors. A reconfigurable architecture is proposed for real-time assessment of individual's health status based on development of a patient-specific health index and online analysis and fusion of multi-parameter physiological signals. This is achieved by static configuration of processing elements and communication blocks in the architecture based on the patient's diagnostic needs. The proposed architecture is prototyped as a single integrated device on an FPGA platform and is evaluated using multi-parameter data from intensive care units (ICUs). Three representative test cases of concurrently analyzing Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, and Electrocardiogram (ECG) data from MIMIC database are presented. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed technique in eliminating false alarms caused by patient movements, monitor noise, or imperfections in the detection schemes.
A quadrilateral finite difference plate element for nonlinear transient analysis of panels

Abstract A quadrilateral plate element for the analysis of nonlinear transient response of panels has been developed based on the variational finite difference method for an irregular mesh. Due to the superior computational characteristics of the variational finite difference method with a lesser degree of continuity constraint on the interpolation functions and the use of lower-order polynomials allowing faster numerical integration methods to be implemented, this plate element is quite competitive or perhaps even superior when compared with the conforming finite elements. Three illustrative problems have been solved using this plate element to demonstrate its capability and accuracy in analyzing the large deformation response of panels subject to dynamic loadings. Very favorable correlation was observed between analysis and experiment on large deformations of elasticplastic rectangular plates subject to intensive impulsive loadings. Similar correlation was also observed for circular plates modeled with this quadrilateral plate element under impulsive loadings. Finally, the large dynamic deformations of composite rectangular panels of graphite-epoxy, boron-epoxy, glass-epoxy, and isotropic material were analyzed and found in good agreement with other analytical results.
Reduced mitochondrial buffering of voltage-gated calcium influx in aged rat basal forebrain neurons

Abstract Alterations of neuronal Ca2+ homeostatic mechanisms could be responsible for many of the cognitive deficits associated with aging in mammals. Mitochondrial participation in Ca2+ signaling is now recognized as a prominent feature in neuronal physiology. We combined voltage-clamp electrophysiology with Ca2+-sensitive ratiometric microfluorimetry and laser scanning confocal microscopy to investigate the participation in Ca2+ buffering of in situ mitochondria in acutely dissociated basal forebrain neurons from young and aged F344 rats. By pharmacologically blocking mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, we determined that mitochondria were not involved in rapid buffering of small Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) in the somatic compartment. For larger Ca2+ influx, aged mitochondria showed a significant buffering deficit. Evidence obtained with the potentiometric indicator, JC-1, suggests a significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential in aged neurons. These results support the interpretation that there is a fundamental difference in the way young and aged neurons buffer Ca2+, and a corresponding difference in the quality of the Ca2+ signal experienced by young and aged neurons for different intensities of cytoplasmic Ca2+ influx.
Low-energy cosmic-ray modulation related to observed interplanetary magnetic field irregularities.

Low energy cosmic ray modulation relationship to observed interplanetary magnetic field irregularities in terms of diffusion, using space probes
Control of visual cortical signals by prefrontal dopamine

The prefrontal cortex is thought to modulate sensory signals in posterior cortices during top-down attention, but little is known about the underlying neural circuitry. Experimental and clinical evidence indicate that prefrontal dopamine has an important role in cognitive functions, acting predominantly through D1 receptors. Here we show that dopamine D1 receptors mediate prefrontal control of signals in the visual cortex of macaques (Macaca mulatta). We pharmacologically altered D1-receptor-mediated activity in the frontal eye field of the prefrontal cortex and measured the effect on the responses of neurons in area V4 of the visual cortex. This manipulation was sufficient to enhance the magnitude, the orientation selectivity and the reliability of V4 visual responses to an extent comparable with the known effects of top-down attention. The enhancement of V4 signals was restricted to neurons with response fields overlapping the part of visual space affected by the D1 receptor manipulation. Altering either D1- or D2-receptor-mediated frontal eye field activity increased saccadic target selection but the D2 receptor manipulation did not enhance V4 signals. Our results identify a role for D1 receptors in mediating the control of visual cortical signals by the prefrontal cortex and suggest how processing in sensory areas could be altered in mental disorders involving prefrontal dopamine.
Studies in glycoprotein production: Infection of primary cultures of human amnion with Herpes simplex virus

Abstract Primary human amnion cells, infected with Herpes simplex virus, were examined by cytochemical and morphological technics at intervals over a four day period. The earliest lesion was a cytoplasmic vacuolization. The earliest nuclear lesion was a nucleolar hypertrophy with the accumulation of lipid within the nucleoli. Later, punctate glycoprotein material appeared within the nucleus and the nucleolus disappeared. The most characteristic lesion was a hypertrophy of glycoprotein structures in the Golgi zone which inspissated, lamellated and encroached upon the nucleus during the process of intranuclear disorganization. Glycoprotein was identified by multiple cytochemical procedures involving the fluorescent periodic acid Schiff reaction. Thickened bars of glycoprotein were observed between juxtaposed cells. Bright green fluorescent nuclear and cytoplasmic bodies occurring in late infection were also observed. The cytochemical and morphological changes induced by the virus and the various technics used are discussed.
In situ measurements of neon in the thermosphere

The open source neutral mass spectrometer on the Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite has measured neon in the thermosphere. The absolute density of Ne is close to that predicted by using the ground level fraction by volume of Ne along with the assumption of diffusive equilibrium above 100 km. Data is presented for both geomagnetically quiet and disturbed circular orbits. At 290 km, a typical low latitude value of Ne is 3.0 x 10 to the 4th/cu cm. At this altitude Ne appears to be predominantly controlled by temperature except during magnetic disturbances, when offsetting forces due to wind systems may be present.
Optimal planning under transaction costs: The demand for money and other assets

Abstract A dynamic, continuous-time, inventory optimization model of household behavior is developed and analyzed. In this model, the household is allowed to hold stocks of money and of a single consumption good. A flow of consumption is achieved by depleting the inventory of the consumption good. The household maximizes the present value of the flow of utility, a function only of the rate of consumption. It is found that if the initial stock of the good is positive, there will be a positive demand for both the good and cash balances at each point in time. Further, once purchasing of the good has begun, it occurs continuously thereafter, and the rate of purchase increases with time. The consumption good inventory and the rate of consumption decrease monotonically. Comparative dynamics results are described for a certain class of transaction cost and utility functions.
The unconscious wish an operational examination

The operations involved in the formulation and offering of “unconscious wish” interpretations have been examined. The analyst infers his “unconscious wish” hypothesis from his observation of the patient's inaccurate responses, primarily in the affective sphere. Immediate free association to these inaccurate conscious responses is another commonly used method for the location of the bridge of reminiscence. This method omits the inferential “unconscious wish” step and may thus reduce the time and pain required for psychoanalytic reconstruction.
Electronic structure calculations of radical reactions for poly(methyl methacrylate) degradation

Abstract The hybrid CBS-QB3 electronic structure approach is used to calculate the reaction energetics for decomposition reactions of radicals formed from UV radiation of the polymer poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Relative to the photon created radical species, the decarboxylation reaction to form CO2 is exothermic whereas the reaction to form CO is endothermic. For degradation of the polymer in low-Earth orbit (LEO) conditions, the synergy of the reaction with O(3P) atoms is considered. The addition of O atoms to all of the radicals is exothermic, leading in many cases to the formation of a stable molecule and another radical species.
Bruising and Hemophilia: Accident or Child Abuse?.

Recognition and prompt reporting of suspect child abuse or neglect is necessary to institute programs aimed at preventing further neglect, re-injury or possible death. The families of children with chronic medical conditions, such as hemophilia, may be affected by economic and emotional stresses which may be expressed as abuse or neglect. Because the manifestations of even slight trauma are so common in children with bleeding problems, the physician may not routinely inquire about the cause of injury, delays in seeking medical attention, or accident prevention efforts in the home. Early referral of children with hemophilia to a multidisciplinary team providing medical, psychological, and social care is recommended.
Teratogenic effects of neonatal arenavirus infection on the developing rat cerebellum are abrogated by passive immunotherapy

Abstract The effects of viral infection on the developing nervous system and the potential of passive immunotherapy to protect against infection were examined. When 4-day-old Lewis rats were injected intracerebrally with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) the majority of stem cells within the external granular layer of the developing cerebellum became infected. The infection progressed to the molecular layer, internal granular layer, and the Purkinje cells. By 15 days postinfection the molecular and internal granular layers of LCMV-infected cerebella were noticeably thinner than those in the controls and the individual folia were smaller. Neurons remained infected for up to 40 days as determined by immunohistochemistry. However, in rats treated with rat monoclonal anti-LCMV antibodies the staining was limited to the cells of ependyma and choroid plexus and was not detectable by 15 days postinfection. Macroscopically the infection resulted in pronounced hypoplasia, with the cerebella of 21-day-old LCMV-infected rats weighing 52 ± 10 mg compared with 159 ± 30 mg for control rats. Antibody-treated rats exhibited normal cerebellar size and development. Neutralizing antibodies specific for the viral GP-1 glycoprotein were protective but nucleoprotein-specific antibodies were not. Furthermore, suckling rat pups born of and nursed by LCMV-immune mothers were spared from cerebellar disease following neonatal infection. These results suggest that passive immunotherapy of neonates can provide effective protection against teratogenic effects of neonatal viral infection on the developing CNS.
Early outcome of hybrid external fixation for fracture of the distal tibia.

Objective:To evaluate the early results of treatment when using hybrid external fixation for fractures of the tibial plafond.Design:Retrospective review of patients treated according to protocol. Patients treated with the hybrid fixator were compared with patients treated with open reduction and int
Inverse demand systems and choice of functional form

Abstract Barten (Empirical Economics 18 (1993) 129) recently advocated estimation of a synthetic demand system that mechanically nests four other popular differential demand models. This paper follows a similar strategy, but in the context of four inverse share-equation demand systems: The Inverse Translog Demand System (ITLDS); the Inverse Almost Ideal Demand System (IAIDS); the Inverse Lewbel Demand System (ILDS); and the Inverse Non-Separable Linear Expenditure System (INLES). Each of these specifications is artificially nested in a Hybrid Inverse Demand System (HIDS). An empirical application to three categories of quarterly U.S. meat demand data over the period 1961–1996 indicates the HIDS is a preferred specification.
Effect of experimental diabetes and insulin on lipid metabolism in the isolated perfused rat lung.

Abstract The isolated perfused rat lung was used as a model to study the possible hormonal regulation of lipid metabolism in the mammalian adult lung. Experimental diabetes, whether induced by alloxan or streptozotocin, decreased the incorporation of [U- 14 C] glucose into neutral lipids and phospholipids of both the surfactant fraction and the residual fraction of the lung by 60–80%. Glucose incorporation into phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol is decreased in experimental diabetes in both the surfactant and residual fractions to a comparable degree. Glucose incorporation is decreased in both the fatty acid and the glycerophosphocholine moieties of phosphatidylcholine isolated from the surfactant and residual fractions. Insulin treatment of normal animals 30 or 15 min prior to perfusion resulted in an approximate doubling of the incorporation of glucose into the phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol isolated from the surfactant and residual fractions of the lung. The incorporation of glucose into palmitic acid isolated from phosphatidylcholine was also shown to increase similarly. The results of these investigations indicate that insulin may play a role in regulating the synthesis of the important lipid components of the mammalian pulmonary surfactant complex.