cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavior of indentation cracks near free surfaces and interfaces

The purpose of this research was to examine problems associated with the propagation of cracks near a free surface and near the interface of a glass/epoxy bonded system. Crack propagation was induced by placing Knoop indentations in the glass at various sites adjacent to and remote from the surface or interface. These experimental studies were supplemented by finite element stress analysis. Experiments show that for an indent parallel to the surface or interface, the initial direction of crack propagation from the indent is always toward the surface or interface and then as the crack approaches the surface or interface, the crack path deviates away from the surface. Results of finite element analysis show that the initial direction of crack propagation is in the direction normal to the maximum principal stress at the crack tip.
Commentary on “Small-Cell Lung Cancer at the Millennium: Radiotherapy Innovations”

Dr. Murray has compiled an excellent review of the current literature, and his interpretations of the available literature are insightful. However, we would like to add to Dr. Murray’s interpretation of the literature in two areas: first, the optimization of the timing of thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) and second, the interpretation of the two recently published trials of twice-daily TRT (TD-TRT) vs. once-daily TRT (OD-TRT) in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LSCLC). First, the optimization of the timing of thoracic radiotherapy in combination with multi-agent chemotherapy has been the subject of much investigation. Dr. Murray hypothesizes that the randomized studies that have failed to show a survival advantage for the use of early TRT (cycle 1 or 2) vs. late TRT (after cycle 2) have generally displayed overall lower survival rates, compared to studies displaying the opposite finding. He suggests that early TRT (compared to late TRT) may only show a detectable advantage for patients with favorable LSCLC and a low likelihood of gross metastatic disease. His hypothesis is intriguing, and may be valid, but caution should be exercised when comparing subpopulations
SFT: scalable fault tolerance

In this paper we will present a new technology that we are currently developing within the SFT: Scalable Fault Tolerance FastOS project which seeks to implement fault tolerance at the operating system level. Major design goals include dynamic reallocation of resources to allow continuing execution in the presence of hardware failures, very high scalability, high efficiency (low overhead), and transparency---requiring no changes to user applications. Our technology is based on a global coordination mechanism, that enforces transparent recovery lines in the system, and TICK, a lightweight, incremental checkpointing software architecture implemented as a Linux kernel module. TICK is completely user-transparent and does not require any changes to user code or system libraries; it is highly responsive: an interrupt, such as a timer interrupt, can trigger a checkpoint in as little as 2.5μs; and it supports incremental and full checkpoints with minimal overhead---less than 6% with full checkpointing to disk performed as frequently as once per minute.
Fuzzy intersection graphs

Abstract This paper extends the use of graphs to the modelling of systems under unceertainty when random assumptions do not adequately hold. The paper includes the theoretical and computational aspects which are derived from the matrix representation of fuzzy intersection graphs. Their ability for applications is also discussed.
Multisensor image analysis system demonstration

A multisensor image analysis system that locates and recognizes realistic models of military objects placed on a terrain board has been demonstrated. Images are acquired using two overhead video sensors--a wide field, low resolution camera for cueing and a narrow field, high resolution camera for object segmentation and recognition. The red, green, and blue sensor information is fused and used in the digital image analysis. Small regions of interest located within the wide field-of-view scene by a high-speed digital cuer are automatically acquired and imaged by the high resolution camera. A high-speed statistical segmenter produces a binary image of any military object found within a given region and sends it to a computer-controlled binary phase-only optical correlator for recognition. Rotation, scale and aspect invariant recognition is accomplished using a binary tree search of composite binary phase-only filters. The system can reliably recognize any one of ten different objects placed at any location and orientation on the terrain board within ten seconds.
Speckle imaging of coherent sources

Two methods for restoration of images of coherently illuminated objects or coherent sources using multiple short-exposure images are proposed. The first method is based on the same concepts as the Knox-Thompson technique used for incoherent imaging. Sampling resolution requirements are calculated as a function of turbulence strength and lens size. The second method uses a probability maximization technique to form an estimate of the object based on the images taken and knowledge of the statistical nature of atmospheric turbulence. Both techniques require phase information of the electric field in the image plane. Methods of obtaining this information are also discussed.
Home-video content analysis for MTV-style video generation

Intelligent video pre-processing and authoring techniques that facilitate people to create MTV-style music video clips are investigated in this research. First, we present an automatic approach to detect and remove bad shots often occurring in home video, such as video with poor lighting or motion blur. Then, we consider the generation of MTV-style video clips by performing video and music tempo analysis and seeking an effective way in matching these two tempos. Experiment results are given to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed techniques for home video editing.
A study of a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation for patients with hematologic malignancies using Campath-1H as part of a graft-versus-host disease strategy.

Abstract Nonmyeloablative transplantation (NMT) is intended to be less toxic than traditional allografts, but such regimens as fludarabine/melphalan still pose a significant risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We used Campath-1H in an attempt to reduce the risk of GVHD in NMT. Patients with hematologic malignancies suitable for allogeneic transplantation underwent transplantation using a regimen of fludarabine 30 mg/m2 on days −5 to −2 (total, 120 mg/m2), total body irradiation of 200 cGy on day −1, and Campath-1H 20 mg/day on days −7 to −3 (total dose, 100 mg). After loss of graft in 5 of the first 6 patients, the protocol was amended by decreasing the Campath-1H dose to 20 mg on days −4 and −3 and 10 mg on day −2 (total dose, 50 mg) for all subsequent patients. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of only cyclosporine, due to the immunosuppressive effect of Campath-1H. Patients received prophylactic acyclovir, fluconazole, and a quinolone. Other requirements included creatinine clearance ≥ 25 mL/min, diffusing capacity ≥ 45% of predicted, and cardiac ejection fraction ≥ 40%. Twenty-five patients with hematologic malignancies entered the study. The median age was 40 years (range, 26-71 years). Median time to engraftment (defined as a neutrophil count of 500 mm3 and a platelet count of 20,000 mm3 without platelet support on at least 2 days) was 19 days (range, 9-32 days). All patients who were treated after the amendment engrafted with 90%-100% donor cells by day 100 except for 2 early deaths. Acute GVHD developed in 40% of the patients. Patients who underwent related transplants developed GVHD after donor lymphocyte infusions for poor engraftment or relapse whereas those undergoing unrelated transplants developed GVHD de novo. Two patients (8%) developed chronic GVHD, and 48% had cytomegalovirus reactivation, which was easily managed medically. Nonrelapse mortality within the first 12 months was 12%; 32% of the patients survived at a median of 269 days. We conclude that Campath-1H, fludarabine, and melphalan is a reasonable preparative regimen for reduced-intensity transplantation with a low nonrelapse mortality, but that issues of GVHD remain problematic, due to either the use of donor lymphocyte infusions or the use of volunteer unrelated donors.
Task switching is not cue switching

With the aim of reducing cognitive control in task switching to simpler processes, researchers have proposed in a series of recent studies that there is little more to switching tasks than switching cues. The present study addresses three questions concerning this reduction hypothesis. First, does switching cues account for all relevant variance associated with switching tasks? Second, how well does this hypothesis generalize beyond the experimental procedure from which it was developed? Third, how well does this new procedure preserve relevant measures such as task-switch cost? The answers (no; not very; not very) suggest that task switching does not reduce to cue switching.
A kinetic approach to describe trace-element distribution between particles and solution in natural aquatic systems

The partitioning of radioactive trace elements between seawater and particulate matter from surface sediments and sediment traps was investigated in laboratory experiments. For the elements Na, Zn, Se, Sr, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Hg, Th and Pa (group I) constant distribution coefficients (Kd) were found after a few days of equilibration, whereas the elements Be, Mn, Co and Fe (group II) showed an increasing Kd over the whole time of observation of 108 days. The time dependence of Kd is described by an adsorption-desorption equilibrium (group I elements), followed by a lattice transport reaction step (group II elements). The reaction rate constants are compared to Mn oxidation rates and to adsorption rate constants derived from in situ measurements of the UTh disequilibrium as available from literature.
The submersed macrophyte communities of adirondack lakes (New York, U.S.A.) of varying degrees of acidity

The submersed macrophyte communities of nine high-altitude oligotrophic lakes in the Adirondack Mountain region of upstate New York were characterized in detail in terms of percent cover of each species. The pH of these clear-water lakes ranged from 6.9 to 4.4 and the acid neutralizing capacity ranged from 91 μeq 1−1 to −38 μeq l−1. The degree of acidity covaried with lower total ion content and nutrient status. The dominant species in the circumneutral lakes and in the acidic lakes were the same, with several Utricularia species being the major component of the bottom cover. Species richness and diversity were lower in the acidic lakes (pH < 5.5). The plants found in the acidic lakes were typical of oligotrophic systems in general, regardless of pH, and similar to those found in lake surveys in Scandinavia and Eastern Canada. Potamogeton confervoides Reichenb., Scirpus subterminalis Torr., Sphagnum spp. and Utricularia geminiscapa Benj. were the only species that were primarily exclusive to the acidic lakes surveyed. In contrast to the results of Scandinavian studies, Sphagnum was found to be a major component of the plant cover in only two of the five acidic lakes.
Li/Ca in multiple species of benthic and planktonic foraminifera: Thermocline, latitudinal, and glacial-interglacial variation

Li/Ca ratios were measured in planktonic and benthic foraminifera from a variety of hydrographic settings to investigate the factors influencing lithium incorporation into foraminiferal tests including temperature, dissolution, pressure, and interspecies differences. Down-core measurements of planktonic (Orbulina universa, Globigerinoides ruber, and Globigerinoides sacculifer) and benthic foraminifera (calcitic Cibicides wuellerstorfi and aragonitic Hoeglandina elegans) show a systematic variation in Li/Ca with δ18O through the last glacial-interglacial transition. All species examined exhibit an increase in Li/Ca between 14 to 50% from the Holocene to the last glacial maximum. Li/Ca generally increases with decreasing temperature as seen in a latitudinal transect of planktonic O. universa and down-slope benthic species along the Bahama Bank margins. Postdepositional dissolution possibly causes a decrease in planktonic foraminiferal Li/Ca along the Sierra Leone Rise, and increased water depth causes a decrease in benthic foraminiferal Li/Ca in the deep Caribbean. However, none of these effects are sufficient to account for the observed glacial-interglacial changes. Physiological factors such as calcification rate may affect the Li/Ca content of foraminiferal calcite. The calcification rate in turn may be a function of carbonate ion concentration of ambient ocean water. This work shows that incorporation of lithium by foraminifera appears to be influenced by factors other than seawater composition and does not appear to be dominated by changes in temperature, dissolution, or pressure. We hypothesize that the consistent increase in foraminiferal Li/Ca during the last glacial maximum may be linked to changes in seawater carbonate ion concentration. Important parameters to be tested include calcification rate and foraminiferal test size and weight. If foraminiferal Li/Ca is dominantly controlled by calcification rate as a function of seawater carbonate ion concentration, then Li/Ca may act as a proxy of past atmospheric CO2.
Attenuation of sindbis virus variants incorporating uncleaved PE2 glycoprotein is correlated with attachment to cell-surface heparan sulfate

Sindbis virus virions incorporating uncleaved precursor envelope protein PE2 bind efficiently to cell-surface heparan sulfate (HS) because the furin cleavage site (a consensus HS-binding domain) is retained in the mature virus particle. However, they are essentially nonviable. Resuscitating mutations selected in the E3 or E2 protein preserve the PE2 noncleaving phenotype and HS binding, but facilitate fusion, and thereby restore wild-type infectivity on cultured cells. Here, we have demonstrated that the resuscitated PE2 noncleaving virus was almost avirulent in vivo, but mutated during the infection. Mutants had increased virulence and cleavage of PE2, with reduced HS binding capacity. We hypothesize that HS binding leads to sequestration of PE2 noncleaving virus particles and suppression of serum viremia, thereby selecting for evolution of the virus into a PE2-cleaving, low HS-binding phenotype.
Immune Responses to Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen in Patients with Bioterrorism-Related Cutaneous or Inhalation Anthrax

Anti-protective antigen (PA) immunoglobulin (Ig) G, toxin neutralization, and PA-specific IgG memory B cell responses were studied in patients with bioterrorism-related cutaneous or inhalation anthrax and in a patient with laboratory-acquired cutaneous anthrax. Responses were determined for >1 year after the onset of symptoms. Eleven days after the onset of symptoms (15 days after likely exposure), anti-PA IgG was detected in 16 of 17 patients with confirmed or suspected clinical anthrax who were tested. Anti-PA IgG remained detectable 8-16 months after the onset of symptoms in all 6 survivors of inhalation anthrax and in 7 of 11 survivors of cutaneous anthrax who were tested. Anti-PA IgG levels and serum toxin neutralizing activity were strongly associated (R2=0.83). PA-specific IgG memory B cells were detectable in all 6 survivors of inhalation anthrax but in only 2 of 7 patients with cutaneous anthrax who were tested. Anti-PA IgG is an important diagnostic marker of anthrax, a predictor of serum anti-toxin activity, and a marker of immunological memory against anthrax.
Effect of organic wastes on the extractability of cadmium, copper, nickel, and zinc in soil

A soil incubation experiment lasting 6 months was carried out to ascertain the effects of tobacco dust, mushroom compost, and grape marc, which contain high organic matter, on the extractable cadmium, copper, nickel, and zinc in soil. The rates of organic wastes in its moist state added were 0%, 2%, 4%, and 8% of the air-dried soil on mass basis. Soil pH was decreased significantly in soils treated with the mushroom compost and grape march during the incubation period. The addition of all three organic wastes caused a significant increase in the organic matter content of soils. The application of tobacco dust significantly increased the DTPA-extractable Cd content in soil, whereas the addition of grape marc and mushroom compost caused a significant decrease in the extractable Cd content of soils. The DTPA-extractable Cu decreased significantly with increasing rates of grape marc amendment and increased with increasing rates of tobacco dust amendment, but there was no consistent effect of mushroom compost. The amount of DTPA-extractable Ni was higher in mushroom compost added to soil than in grape marc added to soil due to higher organic matter content of grape march. The DTPA-extractable Zn increased with increasing rates of all three organic wastes amendments.
LSC 2011 Abstract: Differential effects of diesel exhaust particules and endotoxin on phagocytosis and cytokine release by monocyte-derived macrophages

Atmospheric pollution is associated with COPD exacerbations. Diesel exhaust particles (DEP) are major contributors to pollution and when inhaled become targets for lung macrophages. The interaction between DEP and bacteria/endotoxin is unclear. Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) from non-smokers (NS), smokers (S) or patients with COPD were exposed to DEP (1-300μg/ml) with or without bacterial endotoxin (LPS; 10ng/ml) for 24h. Release of TNFα, IL-6 and CXCL8 was analysed by ELISA, and phagocytosis of fluorescent beads was assessed by fluorimetry. MDM viability was determined by MTT assay. Exposure of MDM to DEP did not stimulate release of IL-6 or TNFα but increased CXCL8 release (EC 50 : NS 8±4 μg/ml, n=7; S 4±1 μg/ml, n=4 and COPD 10±4 μg/ml, n=7). MDM from COPD patients were 3.3 times more responsive to DEP (30μg/ml; p 50 : NS: 33±14 μg/ml, n=10; smokers: 25±15 μg/ml, n=4; COPD: 18±14 μg/ml, n=10). Exposure of MDM to DEP in both the absence and presence of LPS inhibited phagocytosis of beads in a concentration-dependent manner with 300μg/ml showing ∼80% inhibition (control: 31±3 X 10 3 vs 300μg/ml DEP: 6±1 X 10 3 RFU, n=29), with MDM being 70% viable at this concentration, with no difference in response between the different subject groups. These data show that DEP impair macrophage phagocytosis and promote chemokine release. These data suggest that DEP may lead to reduced clearance of debris and pathogens from airways and promote COPD exacerbations.
Impact of $\hbox{CF}_{4}$ Plasma Treatment on GaN

We present a systematic study of the impact of CF4 plasma treatment on GaN. It was found that CF4 plasma etches GaN at a slow rate and yields a smooth etched surface. The effect of CF4 plasma on electrical characteristics of GaN metal-semiconductor field-effect-transistor structures shows that the CF4 plasma introduces acceptors into the near surface region of the GaN, which depletes mobile electrons. It was further demonstrated that leakage current of AlGaN/GaN (or GaN) Schottky diodes can be significantly suppressed by proper CF4 plasma treatment. These unique properties of CF4 plasma can be utilized for the advanced processing of GaN transistors.
Implications of smart grid technology on transmission system reliability

This research work explores the feasibility of increasing system reliability by applying condition monitoring systems to selected circuit breakers and transformers. Smart grid technology decreases maintenance costs by deploying condition monitoring systems that informs the operator of impending failures or ameliorates those conditions. Since condition monitoring systems can themselves increase operating costs, only selected critical transformers and circuit breakers are chosen to be equipped with these systems. This paper describes a method to identify the most critical transformers and circuit breakers with the aid of contingency ranking methods. Different summer load cases are studied and the results are compared to find the most severe contingencies that affect the study area. Once the critical components of the system are identified, corrective actions are found for each severe contingency to be applied.
Facile synthesis of covalent probes to capture enzymatic intermediates during E1 enzyme catalysis

We report a facile synthetic strategy to prepare UBL–AMP electrophilic probes that form a covalent bond with the catalytic cysteine of cognate E1s, mimicking the tetrahedral intermediate of the E1–UBL–AMP complex. These probes enable the structural and biochemical study of both canonical- and non-canonical E1s.
The demand for proof of quality.

c r c A M 7 i “ p A C t n h A d g Sixty years ago, the Unites States was in the process of adjusting itself to the changes necessary to emerge from the wartime mentality of the early 1940s. Wewere aproudnation, convincedwe were a world leader and comfortable in the knowledge that every individual in thenationdidhisorherpartduring the war. There was a pervasive element of collective societal trust, not only in whatwedidasanationbutespecially in what we did as individuals to support and advance our society. There was probably no higher level of trust placed in any members of our society at that time than there was in physicians. They were the tallest pillars, the most respected and, in some cases, revered individuals in any community. Their word was gospel, and their deeds wereheldhighesteem, ifnot awe,byall who knew them as patients or friends. Since the 1950s, there has been an evolution in this country from a society that produced tangible products to one that largely produces information and entertainment. We have not been forced to create a survival bond of trust aswewere in the1930sand1940s, and our individual and collective access to information has risen exponentially. It is therefore not surprising that we have developed an oversight or watchdog culture inwhichsimpleblindtrust isno longer an accepted or acceptable priority. This oversight mentality pervades our entire society and has become a driving force in the practice of modern medicine. It has taken shape in the gradual emergence of, and now the demand and requirement for, evidencebased medicine and proof of quality. Initially proposed by David Sackett, MD, evidence-based medicine was described by him as “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients” n
Mitochondrial potassium transport: the K+ cycle

Potassium transport plays three distinct roles in mitochondria. Volume homeostasis to prevent excess matrix swelling is a housekeeping function that is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of the organelle. This function is mediated by the K(+)/H(+) antiporter and was first proposed by Peter Mitchell. Volume homeostasis to prevent excess matrix contraction is a recently discovered function that maintains a fully expanded matrix when diffusive K(+) influx declines due to membrane depolarization caused by high rates of electron transport. Maintaining matrix volume under these conditions is important because matrix contraction inhibits electron transport and also perturbs the structure-function of the intermembrane space (IMS). This volume regulation is mediated by the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) channel (mitoK(ATP)). Cell signaling functions to protect the cell from ischemia-reperfusion injury and also to trigger transcription of genes required for cell growth. This function depends on the ability of mitoK(ATP) opening to trigger increased mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This review discusses the properties of the mitochondrial K(+) cycle that help to understand the basis of these diverse effects.
A hybrid systems model for supervisory cognitive state identification and estimation in neural prosthetics

This paper presents a method to identify a class of hybrid system models that arise in cognitive neural prosthetic medical devices that aim to help the severely handicapped. In such systems a ?supervisory decoder? is required to classify the activity of multi-unit extracellular neural recordings into a discrete set of modes that model the evolution of the brain?s planning process. We introduce a Gibbs sampling method to identify the key parameters of a GLHMM, a hybrid dynamical system that combines a set of generalized linear models (GLM) for dynamics of neuronal signals with a hidden Markov model (HMM) that describes the discrete transitions between the brain?s cognitive or planning states. Multiple neural signals of mixed type, including local field potentials and spike arrival times, are integrated into the model using the GLM framework. The identified model can then be used as the basis for the supervisory decoding (or estimation) of the current cognitive or planning state. The identification algorithm is applied to extracellular neural recordings obtained from set of electrodes acutely implanted in the posterior parietal cortex of a rhesus monkey. The results demonstrate the ability to accurately decode changes in behavioral or cognitive state during reaching tasks, even when the model parameters are identified from small data sets. The GLHMM models and the associated identification methods are generally applicable beyond the neural application domain.
On the importance—and the unimportance— of birthweight

Birthweight is one of the most accessible and most misunderstood variables in epidemiology. A baby's weight at birth is strongly associated with mortality risk during the first year and, to a lesser degree, with developmental problems in childhood and the risk of various diseases in adulthood. Epidemiological analyses often regard birthweight as on the causal pathway to these health outcomes. Under this assumption of causality, birthweight is used to explain variations in infant mortality and later morbidity, and is also used as an intermediate health endpoint in itself. Evidence presented here suggests the link between birthweight and health outcomes may not be causal. Methods of analysis that assume causality are unreliable at best, and biased at worst. The category of 'low birthweight' in particular is uninformative and seldom justified. The main utility of the birthweight distribution is to provide an estimate of the proportion of small preterm births in a population (although even this requires special analytical methods). While the ordinary approaches to birthweight are not well grounded, the links between birthweight and a range of health outcomes may nonetheless reflect the workings of biological mechanisms with implications for human health.
Characterization of microRNA in bovine in vitro culture media associated with embryo quality and development

Dairy cattle fertility has declined over time due to factors including reduced fertilization and early embryonic loss. To counter fertility problems and better study preimplantation embryonic development, in vitro production systems have been developed. These systems largely assess embryos based on their morphology, which is not a strong indicator of developmental potential. Currently, no biomarkers can be used to noninvasively survey an embryo's potential in terms of its development and ability to establish a pregnancy. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize and identify microRNA (miRNA) in culture media of embryos of differing developmental competence for future development as noninvasive biomarkers of embryo quality. The MiRNA sequencing of media conditioned by blastocyst and degenerate (those that failed to develop from the morula to blastocyst stage) embryos, revealed 11 differentially expressed miRNA; all were higher in concentration in degenerate conditioned media. Differential expression of mature microRNA (miR)-24, miR-191, and miR-148a was further validated using quantitative real-time PCR. Functional analysis of miR-24 revealed that addition of a mimic miRNA to culture media of morulae embryos resulted in a 27.3% decrease in development to the blastocyst stage. Furthermore, expression of miR-24 was 44.29-fold higher in blastocysts cultured with a miR-24 mimic compared with control blastocysts. Interestingly, the expression of CDKN1b, a target gene of miR-24 was repressed in embryos grown in the presence of the miRNA mimic. Mimic supplementation experiments suggest that miRNA are taken up by the embryo and that extracellular miRNA affect embryonic development. Overall, identification of a rich extracellular milieu in conditioned media sets the framework for future studies to determine the long-term predictive ability of embryo-based miRNA biomarkers on pregnancy outcome.
Numerical Investigation of Algorithms for Multi-Antenna Radiolocation

This article follows upon the author's work in radiolocation of mobile 802.11b communication devices. The need for radiolocation is dictated by two significant problems in radio communication: unknown location of interlocutors, and rapid loss of signal strength with distance. Radiolocation method described in earlier work addresses these problems, both of which are caused by the omnidirectional nature of radio transmission. In this work, the previously introduced iterative pattern-matching algorithm for radiolocation is analyzed, in order to determine how its performance is affected by the characteristics of the radiolocator's antenna. The algorithm's mathematical foundation is discussed, with emphasis on the choice of the variational error measure for pattern matching. Numerical accuracy and rate of convergence are investigated, for several variants of the error measure, and over a range of antennas' lobe widths. The effect of sparse directional sampling (aliasing) is investigated. The analysis of radiolocation algorithm is applied to the helical antennas of the prototype radiolocator, and to two commercially available directional antennas. Design calculations are performed, of the type needed to guide the design of an actual radiolocator antenna.
Attractiveness and Height The Role of Stature in Dating Preference, Frequency of Dating, and Perceptions of Attractiveness

The relationship between height and attractiveness was investigated using self-reports of dating behavior and subjects' ratings of photographs depicting males and females of different heights. Shorter females were preferred more as dates, were dated more frequently, and were rated as more attractive than taller females regardless of the height of the male subjects. For males, the relationship between height and attractiveness was less clear Females expressed a general preference for dating males taller than themselves and reported dating taller males more frequently but did not rate their tall male dates as more attractive. Moreover, no relationship was found between the height of the male subjects and their self-reported dating frequency. Interestingly, females did rate a photographed male as more attractive when he was depicted as tall than when he was depicted as short relative to an adjacent female.
Optimizing treatments for anxiety by age and genetics

This paper highlights recent human neuroimaging and cross-species developmental and genetic studies that examine how fear regulation varies by age and the individual, especially during the period of adolescence, when there is a peak in the prevalence of anxiety disorders. The findings have significant implications for understanding who may be at risk for anxiety disorders and for whom, and when, an exposure-based therapy may be most effective. We provide proof of concept for targeting treatment to the individual as a function of age and genetics, inferred from mouse and human studies, and suggest optimization of treatment for nonresponders.
Modelling of a self timed dataflow processor in VHDL

Using a signal transition approach to design computation systems has many advantages. The authors illustrate the design of a dataflow processor using the signal transition framework proposed by I.E. Sutherland (1989). Dataflow computers differ from most other parallel architectures. They are based on the concept of data-driven computation instead of the program store computation model. Since the data-driven computation model provides the execution of instructions asynchronously, it is natural to implement a dataflow processor using self-timed circuits. The authors present the design of a static dataflow processor implemented using self-timed circuits. They use VHDL to model part of the design to aid the simulation and verification process. >
A general framework for the capacity analysis of wireless ad hoc networks

In this paper, we introduce a general framework for computation of throughput capacity of wireless ad-hoc networks under all kinds of information modalities. We consider point-to-point communication for unicast, multicast, broadcast and any type of anycast routing and under physical model assumption. The general communication is denoted as (n, m, k)-cast where n is the number of nodes in the network, m+1 is the number of elements in (n, m, k)-cast group and k(klesm) is the number of destinations that receive packets from the source in each (n, m, k)-cast group. For example, (m=k=1) and (m=k=n) represent unicast and broadcast routings respectively. We demonstrate that the upper bound of throughput capacity is given by O(radicm(radic(nk))-1) bits/second. The lower bound of throughput capacity is computed as Omega(radicm((nkd)(n))-1), Omega((nkd2(n))-1) and Omega(n-1) bits/second when m=O(d-2(n)), Omega(k)=(d-2(n))=O(m) and Omega(d-2(n))=k respectively, where d(n) is a network parameter. The upper bound capacity is achieved based on (n, m, k)-cast tree constructed for routing and transport capacity while the lower bound capacity is achieved based on TDMA scheme and connected cell graph along (n, m, k)-cast tree.
Optimizing Instruction Scheduling through Combined In-Order and O-O-O Execution in SMT Processors

The resource sharing nature of Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) processors and the presence of long latency instructions from concurrent threads make the instruction scheduling window (IW), which is a primary shared component among key pipeline structures in SMT, a performance bottleneck. Due to the tight constraints on its physical size, the IW faces more severe pressure to handle the instructions from various threads while attempting to avoid resource monopolization by some low-ILP threads. It is particularly challenging to optimize the efficiency and fairness in IW utilization to fulfill the affordable performance by SMT under the shadow of long latency instructions. Most of the existing optimization schemes in SMT processors rely on the fetch policy to control the instructions that are allowed to enter the pipeline, while little effort is put to control the long latency instructions that are already located in the IW. In this paper, we propose streamline buffers to handle the long latency instructions that have already entered the pipeline and clog the IW, while the controlling fetch policies take time to react. Each streamline buffer extracts from IW and holds a chain of instructions from a thread that are stalled by dependency on a long latency load. When the load value returns, the streamline buffer then serves these instructions directly to in-order execution, avoiding any instruction replay. This is done in supplement to the conventional IW that serves in parallel the other instructions for out-of-order (o-o-o) execution. Analysis of SPEC2000 integer and FP benchmarks reveals that instructions dependent on long latency loads, typically have their first source operand ready within 5 percent-15 percent of their total wait time in the IW. Our scheme is able to utilize this asymmetry in source operands' ready time to achieve a complexity effective design. As compared to the baseline SMT architecture, our design when working in conjunction with earlier proposed ICOUNT.2.8 fetch policy for 4-threads effectively reduces the IW full rate by 9.4 percent (11 percent for 2-thread), improves average IPC for MIXED workloads by 9.6 percent (8 percent for MEM workloads and 4.4 percent for CPU workloads), and fairness by 7.56 percent (7.24 percent for 2-thread). Similar enhancements are observed when run in conjunction with an RR.2.8 fetch policy. Further, our scheme when combined with DCRA improves the performance on the average by 21.7 percent, while DCRA improves by 16.3 percent when run alone.
Fourier Transform Photoacoustic Spectroscopy of Solids

Fourier transform photoacoustic spectroscopy is now a well established technique for measuring the optical properties of materials in the visible and infra-red spectral regions [1,2]. Both commercial constant scan-rate spectrometers and custom step-and-integrate spectrometers have been used to provide the modulated radiation required for the photoacoustic method. The measurements have employed gas-microphone, photothermal deflection, and piezoelectric detection of the PAS signal, and have been made in both the absorption and emission modes. This paper discusses the generation of the complex photoacoustic signal using a constant scan-rate spectrometer, and its relationship to the optical properties of the sample, the transfer function of the spectrometer, and the characteristics of the photoacoustic cell.
Calcium Binding Is Required for Calmodulin Function in Aspergillus nidulans

To explore the structural basis for the essential role of calmodulin (CaM) in Aspergillus nidulans, we have compared the biochemical and in vivo properties of A. nidulans CaM (AnCaM) with those of heterologous CaMs. Neither Saccharomyces cerevisiae CaM (ScCaM) nor a Ca2+ binding mutant of A. nidulans CaM (1234) interacts appreciably with A. nidulans CaM binding proteins by an overlay assay or activates two essential CaMKs, CMKA and CMKB. In contrast, although vertebrate CaM (VCaM) binds a spectrum of proteins similar to that for AnCaM, it is unable to fully activate CMKA and CMKB, displaying a higher KCaM and reduced Vmax for both enzymes. In correlation with the biochemical analysis, neither ScCaM nor 1234 can support A. nidulans growth in the absence of the endogenous protein, whereas VCaM only partially complements the absence of wild-type CaM. Analysis of VCaM and AnCaM chimeras demonstrates that amino acid variations in both N- and C-terminal domains contribute to the inability of VCaM to activate CMKB, but differences in the N terminus are largely responsible for the reduced activity towards CMKA. In vivo, the chimeric molecules support growth equivalently, but only to levels intermediate between those of VCaM and AnCaM, suggesting that the reduced ability to activate the CaMKs is not solely responsible for the inability of VCaM to complement the absence of the wild-type protein. Thus, not only is Ca2+ binding required for CaM function in A. nidulans, but the essential in vivo functions of A. nidulans CaM are uniquely sensitive to the subtle amino acid variations present in vertebrate CaM.
Heparin decreases blood pressure and response to exogenous endothelin but does not protect against chronic experimental cyclosporine nephropathy

Cyclosporine nephrotoxicity is caused by renal arteriolar vasoconstriction and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Endothelin has been proposed as a major mediator of these phenomena. Heparin inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and lowers blood pressure by regulating endogenous endothelin I production. In a model of chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity in the rat, animals were treated with cyclosporine alone, cyclosporine plus heparin, and heparin alone for 28 days. Independent experiments determined that these doses of heparin resulted in a marked decrease in responsivity to exogenous endothelin. Despite this, there were no beneficial effects on renal structure or function in this animal model of chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity. Thus, the role of endothelin in the pathogenesis of the chronic tubulointerstitial changes and arteriolopathy in this model is probably minor.
Thermal and pulse NMR analysis of water in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

Hydrophilic three-dimensional methacrylate polymer networks (hydrogels) were prepared from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomer and tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) as crosslinker. The nature and states of water in these hydrogels were studied by differential thermal analysis and pulse NMR relaxation spectroscopy. The thermal studies showed no endotherm peak for ice melting in the lower water content (bound water region); there are two endotherms peaks for higher water content hydrogels near 0°C. The amounts of bound water, intermediate water, and bulklike (free) water in the hydrogels were determined from a quantitative analysis of the endotherms of the water melting transitions. The water structure ordering in the hydrogels were discussed in terms of the fusion entropy and enthalpy obtained from the endotherm. Nuclear magnetic relaxation spectroscopy was also used to understand the mobilities of the water protons in the hydrogels and the interaction of water molecules with the gel networks. The measured spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) values for water protons in the hydrogels are greatly reduced compared to that of liquid water. The measured values of spin–spin relaxation times (T2) of water protons in the hydrogels are approximately 10 times less than that of T1 and are almost constant in the region of bound water content. Beyond the bound water content region in the hydrogels, the T2 values rapidly increase as the water content increases.
Stress, Anxiety, Depression And Psychological Responses Among African Americans: Empirical Investigation And Coping Strategies

This study examined the impact of stress by exploring the relationship between coping strategies and psychological responses such as stress, anxiety and depression among African American women in the academic setting . Research suggests African American women’s coping strategies have an impact on their academic performance. Findings in this study were consistent with previous research that supports a complex coping strategy. Examination of emotion-oriented, task-oriented, and avoidance coping strategies provided insight into the various coping strategies. Avoidance coping strategies were further divided into social diversion and distraction. African- American women who reportedly experienced high levels of stress and low levels of anxiety and depression used a combination of coping strategies. Emotional-oriented coping was found positively correlated with anxiety and depression. Task-oriented and avoidance coping were also correlated with lower levels of anxiety and depression.
Reconnecting Education to Social Justice

This special section of Amerasia Journal is a call to action for Ethnic Studies departments to take a major role in teacher preparation. Ethnic Studies departments were founded on the struggles of people (actually students) of color. At the guest editor's university - California State University, Northridge, which was formerly San Fernando Valley State College.Afro-American students in the late 1960s directly confronted the administration on its racism. In response, the administration brought in police who attacked, beat, and arrested the students. A coalition of Black, Latino, and White students closed down the university with a series of demonstrations, which culminated in a mass arrest. With support from nearby Afro-American and Mexican-American communities, the students ultimately gained major concessions from the university: a huge expansion of the Educational Opportunity Program and the formation of autonomous Pan African Studies and Chicano Studies departments. Today, to honor the legacy of the stu...
The 'Disabled' as a Neutral Subject of Law: Utopian Discourse or Pragmatic Paradigm?

Legal systems across the world have envisaged the ‗subjects of law‘ on the basis of gender, race or disability. The feminist school of thought opines that appropriate interventions are necessary on the identified structures that have the male non disabled as the subject of its legal discourse. The critical legal school believes that legal systems are built in ways that benefit certain groups of persons who seek to perpetuate the status quo. This paper seeks to understand the prevailing law in relation to the access to justice for individuals with disability and answer whether accommodations have been made to comply with India‘s international obligations vis-a-vis the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It shall also be the endeavour of this paper to compare as to how the developed and developing nations fare with relation to their United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities obligations to ensure that persons with disability have effective access to justice within the boundaries of the legal framework. The paper also demonstrates how the Indian legal system might be altered in order to make better procedural and substantive accommodations by drawing lessons from other nations.
Flexible, stretchable, transparent and electrically conductive polymer films via a hybrid electrospinning and solution casting process: In-plane anisotropic conductivity for electro-optical applications

Abstract A new method is developed for the preparation of a transparent electrically conductive hybrid polymer films which maintain their electrical conductivity when subjected to deformation in two and three dimensions including bending, stretching and twisting. These films are made by a hybrid roll to roll (R2R) process where electrically conductive nanofibers are partially embedded in solution cast dielectric polymer films such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyimide (PI) or polyurethanes (PU). Nanofibers partially embedded in films can be laser ablated to obtain in-plane anisotropic electrical conductivity created in the form of parallel conductive lines separated by non-conductive spaces on the film surface. The patterned films can be used for high resolution pixel addressable liquid crystal displays. There are several situations, such as wearable sensors, curved displays and advanced flexible OLED lightings, where elastic extensibility and/or permanent deformability are desired without significant loss of electrical conductivity. To satisfy this demand, the multifunctional films can be made elastic, thermally deformable with the judicious choice of materials comprising the nanofibers and the matrix they are embedded in. The multifunctional transparent conductive films are easily manufactured through a low-cost continuous hybrid roll to roll process. Furthermore, they can be used in future displays, solar cells, wearable electronics and skin attached sensors requiring flexibility as well as stretchability and more desirably subsequent recovery after cessation of stress and strains without any loss of electrical conductivity.
Going Against the Grain in an Urban Arizona High School: Secondary Preservice Teachers Emerging as Culturally Responsive Educators

AbstractThis one year study examines the journey of two preservice urban high-school teachers in Arizona as they enact Culturally Responsive Teaching in a year-long student teaching residency. Factors that influenced their Culturally Responsive Teaching practices are discussed along themes that emerged from interviews and classroom observations. Recommendations for ways of integrating Culturally Responsive Teaching in teacher education programs are provided.