cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide association study of Alzheimer's disease

In addition to apolipoprotein E (APOE), recent large genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified nine other genes/loci (CR1, BIN1, CLU, PICALM, MS4A4/MS4A6E, CD2AP, CD33, EPHA1 and ABCA7) for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). However, the genetic effect attributable to known loci is about 50%, indicating that additional risk genes for LOAD remain to be identified. In this study, we have used a new GWAS data set from the University of Pittsburgh (1291 cases and 938 controls) to examine in detail the recently implicated nine new regions with Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk, and also performed a meta-analysis utilizing the top 1% GWAS single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with P<0.01 along with four independent data sets (2727 cases and 3336 controls) for these SNPs in an effort to identify new AD loci. The new GWAS data were generated on the Illumina Omni1-Quad chip and imputed at ∼2.5 million markers. As expected, several markers in the APOE regions showed genome-wide significant associations in the Pittsburg sample. While we observed nominal significant associations (P<0.05) either within or adjacent to five genes (PICALM, BIN1, ABCA7, MS4A4/MS4A6E and EPHA1), significant signals were observed 69–180 kb outside of the remaining four genes (CD33, CLU, CD2AP and CR1). Meta-analysis on the top 1% SNPs revealed a suggestive novel association in the PPP1R3B gene (top SNP rs3848140 with P=3.05E–07). The association of this SNP with AD risk was consistent in all five samples with a meta-analysis odds ratio of 2.43. This is a potential candidate gene for AD as this is expressed in the brain and is involved in lipid metabolism. These findings need to be confirmed in additional samples.
Captain Cook's Accuracy

IN NATURE, vol. xix. p. 408, there is an article entitled “Captain Cook's Accuracy,” which I think reflects unjustly upon the late Admiral Wilkes, U.S.N. As a specimen of Wilkes's inaccuracy the writer of the article cites first the discrepancy in the position of Turtle Island, the south-easternmost of the Fiji group, Cook and Wilkes differing more than 30′ of longitude. The narrative of the U.S. Exploring Expedition was written on board ship during the progress of the work, and was placed by Wilkes in the hands of the printer immediately upon his return, in order that the general results might be known without delay. The astronomical positions were given as they were recorded at the time, and were not corrected for final chronometric errors and rates, which were carefully ascertained while the charts were being prepared for publication. A comparison of the narrative with the atlas, published subsequently, will exhibit differences of longitude almost throughout.
Second Derivative Infrared Spectroscopy

The analysis of trace gases by infrared spectroscopy is enhanced by computing the second derivative of the spectrum. The peak maxima are increased for sharp bands while contributions from broad, structureless, continua are reduced. For weak absorbers the peak maxima are linear in concentration. The advantages of second derivative infrared spectroscopy in trace gas analysis are illustrated, and an algorithm is described for numerical differentiation of a digitized infrared spectrum.
FOOD AND WATER CONSUMPTION DURING THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF FEMALE GERMAN COCKROACHES

Food and water consumption by adult female German cockroaches has been examined in relation to the reproductive cycle. Daily consumption was recorded for individual insects and was related to certain landmark events in each of four egg-case production cycles. It was shown that peaks of feeding and drinking occur during the egg maturation period, but are abruptly terminated at the appearance of each egg case. During the period when females carry the egg case, they feed and drink sparingly. The possible role played by feeding and especially drinking in the regulation of reproduction in this important pest species is discussed. RESUME Consommation d'eau et d'aliments pendant le cycle reproductif des femelles de Blattella germanica L'examen de la consommation d'eau et d'aliments par les femelles adultes de Blattella germanica a ete lie au cycle reproductif. La consommation individuelle quotidienne des insectes a ete reliee a certains evenements marquants dans chacun de quatre cycles de production d'ootheque. Les pics d'alimentation et d'absorption se produisaient pendant la periode de maturation des oeufs, mais disparaissaient brutalement a l'apparition de chaque ootheque. Pendant la periode ou les femelles portent les ootheques, elles s'alimentent et s'abreuvent parcimonieusement. Le role eventuel joue par l'alimentation et particulierement l'absorption dans la regulation de la reproduction de cet important insecte nuisible est examine.
The erythrocyte: survival-modeling concepts.

Abstract An example of an erythrocyte-survival model occurs in the estimation of the potential life span of an erythrocyte by Ashby differential agglutination or by tracer techniques. The model has been derived by several authors from different levels of generality. The different levels give rise to different classes which contain the model. These classes provide a context for the model and constitute a source of possible alternative models. Dornhorst (1951) derived the model as a special case in a general formulation of the survival of an erythrocyte subjected to a change in environment under the assumption that the influence of the second environment is immediate and that there is no residual influence from the first. Bergner (1962) characterized the destructive processes acting upon an erythrocyte in terms of transition probability functions. Concepts contributed by these and other authors to erythrocyte-survival modeling can be conveyed via a succinct example based upon transition probability functions of relatively simple form. Other choices of the transition probability functions lead to other erythrocyte-survival models.
Management lore continues alive and well in the organizational sciences

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to identify examples of management lore currently in the organizational sciences. Design/methodology/approach – The authors deliberated and developed a series of examples of management lore in the organizational sciences and surveyed management practitioners concerning their beliefs in the lore hypothesized. Findings – Pervasive beliefs that conflict with academic research exist in management practices. Although many of these ideas are commonly accepted as immutable facts, they may be based upon faulty logic, insufficient understanding of academic research, anecdotal evidence and an overdependence upon common sense. Buckley and Eder (1988) called these as examples of management lore. In this conceptual paper, we identify and discuss 12 examples of management lore that persist in day-to-day management practices. Topics we explore include personality, emotional intelligence, teams, compensation, goals, performance, work ethic, creativity and organizational citizenship...
Programming high-performance reconfigurable computers

High Performance Computers (HPC) provide dramatically improved capabilities for a number of defense and commercial applications, but often are too expensive to acquire and to program. The smaller market and customized nature of HPC architectures combine to increase the cost of most such platforms. To address the problems with high hardware costs, one may create more inexpensive Beowolf clusters of dedicated commodity processors. Despite the benefit of reduced hardware costs, programming the HPC platforms to achieve high performance often proves extremely time-consuming and expensive in practice. In recent years, programming productivity gains come from the development of common APIs and libraries of functions to support distributed applications. Examples include PVM, MPI, BLAS, and VSIPL. The implementation of each API or library is optimized for a given platform, but application developers can write code that is portable across specific HPC architectures. The application of reconfigurable computing (RC) into HPC platforms promises significantly enhanced performance and flexibility at a modest cost. Unfortunately, configuring (programming) the reconfigurable computing nodes remains a challenging task and relatively little work to date has focused on potential high performance reconfigurable computing (HPRC) platforms consisting of reconfigurable nodes paired with processing nodes. This paper addresses the challenge of effectively exploiting HPRC resources by first considering the performance evaluation and optimization problem before turning to improving the programming infrastructure used for porting applications to HPRC platforms.
The effect of resin formulation on the degree of conversion and mechanical properties of dental restorative resins

The goal of this study was to determine the effects of resin formulation variables, such as diluent concentration, catalyst type and concentration and cure mode, on the degree of conversion of carbon double bonds and mechanical properties of dental restorative resins. Diametral tensile strength, compressive strength, hardness, flexural modulus and strength, and dynamic mechanical properties were tested, and the results were correlated to the degree of conversion results obtained by infrared analysis. The results showed a significant correlation between increased mechanical properties and higher degrees of conversion. Enhanced conversions were achieved by incorporating higher diluent and lower inhibitor concentrations into the resins. Ambient temperature properties were similarly enhanced by lower inhibitor concentrations, but were not enhanced by higher diluent concentration. Dynamic mechanical properties testing at oral and elevated temperatures elucidated possible differences in resin microstructure and network quality. The storage moduli decreased over the dental temperature range and was lower at all temperatures for resins with lower conversions. The glass transition temperature was also lower in resins with poorer conversions, suggesting that these resins may be more unstable at oral temperatures than more highly converted resins. Dynamic mechanical properties were most closely correlated to degree of conversion in these polymeric systems.
Findings of the 1990 Annual American College of Nurse-Midwives Membership Survey.

Abstract The 1990 Annual ACNM Membership Survey was conducted by the Division of Research for the purpose of obtaining current information about certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) who were members of ACNM. Of the 2,899 surveys sent, 1,992 surveys were returned from 1,877 CNMs and 115 student nurse-midwives (a response rate of 68.7%). The mean age of the CNMs was 41.8 years. Most were female (97.9%) and white (95.3%); 85.1% were active members and 6% were life members of ACNM-The CNMs had been employed in nurse-midwifery-related employment a mean of 8.5 years. The greatest proportion were in clinical nurse-midwifery practice attending births (64.2%). An additional 10.0% were in clinical nurse-midwifery practice not attending births. Experienced nurse-midwives employed full-time reported a mean annual income of $45,229 and being on-call 71.4 hours per week. New nurse-midwives employed full-time reported a mean annual income of $40,504 and being oncall 59.6 hours per week. Most nurse-midwives employed full-time were salaried (57.4%), whereas most CNMs working part-time were paid based on the number of hours worked (49.7%).
Study of curved and planar frequency-selective surfaces with nonplanar illumination

A locally planar technique (LPT) is investigated for determining the forward scattered field from a generally shaped inductive frequency-selective surface (FSS) with nonplanar illumination. The results of an experimental study are presented to assess the LPT accuracy. The effects of a nonplanar incident field are determined by comparing the LPT numerical results with a series of experiments with the feed source placed at varying distances from the planar FSS. The limitations of the LPT model due to surface curvature are investigated in an experimental study of the scattered fields from a set of hyperbolic cylinders of different curvatures. From these comparisons, guidelines for applying the locally planar technique are developed. >
Navier-Stokes calculation of the flow around simplified LOX posts arrays

The steady laminar flow around the Space Shuttle main engine main injector LOX posts is investigated by using a three dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes flow solver and a multiblock technique to calculate the flow around simplified LOX post arrays. Post flow physics and loads are examined. The effect of multiple posts, shields and a secondary post row is calculated.
Fabrication of nanofiber scaffolds with gradations in fiber organization and their potential applications.

A new and simple method for fabrication of nanofiber scaffolds with gradations in fiber organization is reported. The nanofiber organization, achieved by deposition of random fibers on the uniaxially-aligned nanofiber mat in a gradient manner, directed morphological changes of applied adipose-derived stem cells. These morphological changes and resultant biochemical changes can help mimic the structural orientation of complex biomechanical structures like the collagen fiber structure at the tendon-to-bone insertion site. In addition, chemical gradients can be established through nanoencapsulation in this novel scaffold allowing for enhanced biomedical applications.
Methane-derived authigenic carbonates formed by subduction-induced pore-water expulsion along the Oregon/Washington margin

Authigenic magnesian calcite, dolomite, and aragonite are precipitated in the uppermost terrigenous sediments of the Washington/Oregon accretionary prism by subduction-induced dewatering. These distinctive carbonates are methane-derived and occur at sites of concentrated pore-water expulsion. Unique biologic communities that subsist, at least indirectly, on methane (Suess et al., 1985) are also found at some of these sites. The methane, which is dominantly biogenic, is carried to the uppermost sediments of the prism by fluids and is oxidized by sulfate reducers before being incorporated into a carbonate cement. Carbonate precipitation occurs below the oxic layer, probably no deeper than several centimetres to a few metres below the seabed. Cementation may be induced by three factors: (1) increased carbonate alkalinity resulting from microbial sulfate reduction, (2) decreased σCO 2 solubility resulting from a pressure decrease when the pore water escapes the prism, and/or (3) the addition of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ions from sea water near the sediment/water interface. The convergent margin setting engenders precipitation of authigenic carbonates in several ways. Compressive stresses induce anomalously rapid compaction and dewatering rates, and they may cause overpressuring in migrating pore water, thereby delaying precipitation of carbonates until pressure is released near the sediment-water interface. Structural deformation of the accretionary prism creates pathways (such as fault zones), secondary fracture porosity, and dipping permeable layers (often exposed by mass movement) for efficient advection and expulsion of methane-enriched pore water. These characteristic conditions, which lead to the precipitation of methane-derived carbonates, may be found at other convergent margins.
Simultaneous velocity and temperature measurements in a premixed dump combustor

Experimental measurements of velocity and temperature were made in a low-speed turbulent flowfield following an axisymmetric sudden expansion with and without combustion. The combustion case considered here used a lean, completely premixed propane-air mixture whose flame was stabilized by the recirculation zone present in this flow. Simultaneous two-component laser velocimeter measurements were made giving the mean axial and radial velocities and the Reynolds stresses throughout the flowfield. In addition, simultaneous timeresolved temperature measurements were made in the reacting flow using a fast response thermocouple. Velocitytemperature correlations were formed from the velocity and temperature measurements. The reacting flow case was found to have a shorter and stronger recirculation zone, and the turbulence intensity level was found to be suppressed over most of the flowfield when compared with the cold flow case.
Ectopic eyes outside the head in Xenopus tadpoles provide sensory data for light-mediated learning

A major roadblock in the biomedical treatment of human sensory disorders, including blindness, has been an incomplete understanding of the nervous system and its ability to adapt to changes in sensory modality. Likewise, fundamental insight into the evolvability of complex functional anatomies requires understanding brain plasticity and the interaction between the nervous system and body architecture. While advances have been made in the generation of artificial and biological replacement components, the brain's ability to interpret sensory information arising from ectopic locations is not well understood. We report the use of eye primordia grafts to create ectopic eyes along the body axis of Xenopus tadpoles. These eyes are morphologically identical to native eyes and can be induced at caudal locations. Cell labeling studies reveal that eyes created in the tail send projections to the stomach and trunk. To assess function we performed light-mediated learning assays using an automated machine vision and environmental control system. The results demonstrate that ectopic eyes in the tail of Xenopus tadpoles could confer vision to the host. Thus ectopic visual organs were functional even when present at posterior locations. These data and protocols demonstrate the ability of vertebrate brains to interpret sensory input from ectopic structures and incorporate them into adaptive behavioral programs. This tractable new model for understanding the robust plasticity of the central nervous system has significant implications for regenerative medicine and sensory augmentation technology.
Evolution of social belief in multiagent systems

In the paper we study the evolution of social belief among rational agents. The agents receive private signals and use them to make decisions on the hypothesis (of two competing hypothesis) under which the signals are generated. Their individual information is imperfect and so are their decisions. We define the concept of social belief about the truthfulness of the two hypotheses and determine it in two cases. In one of them the agents make decisions simultaneously and independently and report the decisions whereas in the other, the agents make decisions sequentially and while making them they not only use their private signals but also the decisions of the previous agents. We discuss several analytical results and demonstrate some of them by computer simulations.
Recognition of visual activities and interactions by stochastic parsing

This paper describes a probabilistic syntactic approach to the detection and recognition of temporally extended activities and interactions between multiple agents. The fundamental idea is to divide the recognition problem into two levels. The lower level detections are performed using standard independent probabilistic event detectors to propose candidate detections of low-level features. The outputs of these detectors provide the input stream for a stochastic context-free grammar parsing mechanism. The grammar and parser provide longer range temporal constraints, disambiguate uncertain low-level detections, and allow the inclusion of a priori knowledge about the structure of temporal events in a given domain. We develop a real-time system and demonstrate the approach in several experiments on gesture recognition and in video surveillance. In the surveillance application, we show how the system correctly interprets activities of multiple interacting objects.
In vitro ecology of Calopogon tuberosus var. tuberosus (Orchidaceae) seedlings from distant populations: implications for assessing ecotypic differentiation1

Abstract In vitro culture techniques can be used to study the unique growth habits of plants as well as the ecological factors that influence seedling growth and development (i.e., in vitro ecology) such as adaptation to local environmental conditions. The in vitro seedling ecology of Calopogon tuberosus var. tuberosus from Michigan, South Carolina, and Florida was studied with emphasis on timing of corm formation and biomass allocation. In vitro seedling growth and development were monitored for 20 weeks. Corm formation was most rapid in Michigan seedlings, but was progressively delayed in southern populations. Similarly, biomass allocation to corms was highest in Michigan seedlings while south Florida seedlings exhibited the lowest corm biomass allocation. Shoot senescence in vitro also began earlier in more northern populations. The rapid corm formation and biomass allocation in seedlings from more northern populations represents an adaptive response to a shorter growing season. The relative difference...
Feasibility of half-data image reconstruction in 3-D reflectivity tomography with a spherical aperture

Reflectivity tomography is an imaging technique that seeks to reconstruct certain acoustic properties of a weakly scattering object. Besides being applicable to pure ultrasound imaging techniques, the reconstruction theory of reflectivity tomography is also pertinent to hybrid imaging techniques such as thermoacoustic tomography. In this work, assuming spherical scanning apertures, redundancies in the three-dimensional (3-D) reflectivity tomography data function are identified and formulated mathematically. These data redundancies are used to demonstrate that knowledge of the measured data function over half of its domain uniquely specifies the 3-D object function. This indicates that, in principle, exact image reconstruction can be performed using a "half-scan" data function, which corresponds to temporally untruncated measurements acquired on a hemi-spherical aperture, or using a "half-time" data function, which corresponds to temporally truncated measurements acquired on the entire spherical aperture. Both of these minimal scanning configurations have important biological imaging applications. An iterative reconstruction method is utilized for reconstruction of a simulated 3-D object from noiseless and noisy half-scan and half-time data functions.
Abnormalities in the male reproductive system after exposure to diesel and biodiesel blend.

Altering the fuel source from petroleum-based ultra-low sulfur diesel to biodiesel and its blends is considered by many to be a sustainable choice for controlling exposures to particulate material. As the exhaust of biodiesel/diesel blends is composed of a combination of combustion products of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fatty acid methyl esters, we hypothesize that 50% biodiesel/diesel blend (BD50) exposure could induce harmful outcomes because of its ability to trigger oxidative damage. Here, adverse effects were compared in murine male reproductive organs after pharyngeal aspiration with particles generated by engine fueled with BD50 or neat petroleum diesel (D100). When compared with D100, exposure to BD50 significantly altered sperm integrity, including concentration, motility, and morphological abnormalities, as well as increasing testosterone levels in testes during the time course postexposure. Serum level of luteinizing hormone was significantly depleted only after BD50 exposure. Moreover, we observed that exposure to BD50 significantly increased sperm DNA fragmentation and the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines in the serum and testes on Day 7 postexposure when compared with D100. Histological evaluation of testes sections from BD50 exposure indicated more noticeable interstitial edema, degenerating spermatocytes, and dystrophic seminiferous tubules with arrested spermatogenesis. Significant differences in the level of oxidative stress assessed by accumulation of lipid peroxidation products and depletion of glutathione were detected on exposure to respirable BD50 and D100. Taken together, these results indicate that exposure of mice to inhalable BD50 caused more pronounced adverse effects on male reproductive function than diesel.
Ral GTPase and the exocyst regulate autophagy in a tissue‐specific manner

Autophagy traffics cellular components to the lysosome for degradation. Ral GTPase and the exocyst have been implicated in the regulation of stress-induced autophagy, but it is unclear whether they are global regulators of this process. Here, we investigate Ral function in different cellular contexts in Drosophila and find that it is required for autophagy during developmentally regulated cell death in salivary glands, but does not affect starvation-induced autophagy in the fat body. Furthermore, knockdown of exocyst subunits has a similar effect, preventing autophagy in dying cells but not in cells of starved animals. Notch activity is elevated in dying salivary glands, this change in Notch signaling is influenced by Ral, and decreased Notch function influences autophagy. These data indicate that Ral and the exocyst regulate autophagy in a context-dependent manner, and that in dying salivary glands, Ral mediates autophagy, at least in part, by regulation of Notch.
Computational Analysis of Microstructure of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene for Use in Total Joint Replacement

Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, or UHMWPE, is a material commonly used as a bearing between metal components of a knee or hip replacement joint. The ultra-high component is frequently the cause of failure of the joint due to wear, fatigue, or fracture [1,2].Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Beyond the Numbers: A Deeper Look into the Retention of Female Engineering Students

Understanding the retent ion of women in engineering programs involves more than comparing how many women reach a particular milestone with how many began working toward that milestone. A complete picture of retention should also incorporate the factors that affect retention, exa mining how leavers and stayers differ on multiple levels: who, demographically, leaves and stays; when leavers make the decision to leave; why stayers make the decision to stay; and what programmatic factors most influence retention. At the University of Notre Dame's College of Engineering, the study of the retention of female engineering students uses information from a number of sources to understand the many and varied factors that influence retention: demographics, academic performance, experiential information reported on in-class surveys, a week-by-week review of retention and attrition in the first-year Introduction to Engineering Systems two-course sequence (EG 111/112), and anecdotal information obtained by talking with students. Coupling information gleaned from all of these factors has helped to understand the factors that impact whether a student who begins engineering as a first-year student will remain in engineering at the beginning of sophomore year. For example, pre-college demographic information indicates that retention rates have historically differed between female students who select an engineering major on their application for admission (~60%) and those who select some other major but nonetheless begin the first-year enrolled as an engineering major (~30%). Multiple in-class surveys highlight experiential differences between female and male students. Week-by-week tracking of course drops help to pinpoint course events that discourage some students. Anecdotal information gleaned from interviews with stayers and leavers indicates that female students need to have more opportunities to interact with one another outside of class. Longitudinal comparisons from class to class enhance the understanding of how one class differs from the ne xt in key characteristics. This information has led to significant changes to the first- year engineering program that have improved retention of female students from less than 50 percent to nearly 70 percent in one year. This paper discusses these information-gathering efforts and shows how they led to real systemic changes that have positively impacted the retention of female engineering students.
Complications of paraexstrophy skin flaps in the reconstruction of classical bladder exstrophy

AbstractWe reviewed the cases of the exstrophy/epispadias complex treated at our institution between July 1976 and April 1992. A total of 78 patients was identified who had paraexstrophy skin flaps used in the bladder closure, of whom 31 (40%) had a complication as a result of the flaps. The main complication encountered was a urethral stricture where the paraexstrophy skin flaps joined the urethral plate area. Multiple maneuvers were undertaken to correct these problems, including direct vision internal urethrotomy (12 cases), multiple urethral dilations (4), open revision (3) and full thickness skin grafts (5). Seven patients had such a complex stricture situation that they required either continent urinary diversion (5), colon conduit diversion (1) or cutaneous ureterostomy (1), the latter 2 patients having undergone vesicostomy elsewhere before referral. Of the remaining 24 patients who did not undergo a diversionary procedure 12 have undergone an epispadias repair and bladder neck reconstruction, 7 u...
Logically Deduced or Statistically Defined Components in Muscular Fatigue Curves

(1965). Logically Deduced or Statistically Defined Components in Muscular Fatigue Curves. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 113-116.
Calculation of Carrier and Lattice Temperatures Induced in Si and GaAs by Picosecond Laser Pulses

A previously presented computer model was used to calculate melt thresholds and carrier temperatures in crystalline silicon and gallium arsenide subjected to picosecond laser pulses at 532 nm. The energy relaxation time of hot carriers was a variable parameter. For Si, a thermalization time of 1 ps yields results which are in very satisfactory agreement with published experimental data: the melt threshold is 0.19 J/cm2, and the maximum carrier temperature for the threshold pulse is 5500 K. The melt threshold in GaAs is substantially less, 0.03 J/cm2 for a thermalization time of 1 ps.
STATISTICAL DAMAGE ANALYSIS OF HIGH TEMPERATURE COMPOSITE LAMINATES

High temperature polymer matrix composites (PMC) are widely used in high speed transport airframe structures and aircraft engine components exposed to elevated temperatures due to their high strength, high stiffness and light weight considerations. In this study, a statistical analysis was used to study the progressive transverse cracking in a typical high temperature composite. The effects of temperature on mechanical properties of this unidirectional laminate were first characterized. Damage mechanisms of transverse cracking in cross-ply laminates were studied by X-ray radiography and in-test photography technique. Since tensile strength of unidirectional laminate along transverse direction was found to follow Weibull distribution, Monte Carlo simulation technique based on experimentally obtained parameters was applied to predict transverse cracking at various temperatures. Experiments and simulation showed that they agree well both at room temperature and 149 o C (stress free temperature). The probability density function (PDF) of transverse crack spacing considering statistical strength distribution was also developed, and good agreements with simulation were reached. Finally, a generalized master curve that predicts the normalized applied stress vs. normalized crack density for various lay-ups and temperatures was established.
Temporal and spatial variation in heritability and genetic correlations among floral traits in Raphanus sativus , wild radish

Temporal and spatial variation in heritability and genetic correlations among floral traits in Raphanus sativus , wild radish
Product Heterogeneity and Cost Allocations in Trade Cases

The WTO allows members to impose contingent protection, including antidumping duties, within agreed constraints. Antidumping proceedings typically name a single captioned product but include large numbers of individual products within that caption. The inclusion of multiple products creates a variety of issues in both antidumping and other contingent protection instruments, issues that have been prominent in national actions and WTO dispute settlements, but have been largely ignored in research. In this work I focus on the most important such area, the allocation of costs among products in antidumping proceedings. I develop a comprehensive economic analysis for allocation issues, and couple it with the accounting tools that must be used for its implementation. I apply this to the most active area of controversy in this area, the inconsistent national practices in allocating costs to individual goods. These results have direct relevance in other contingent trade contexts, such as injury determinations and subsidy pass-through analysis.The appendices for this paper are available at the following URL: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2435413
The quantitive analysis of sequential development of biofilm spatial structure of P. aeruginosa lasR rhlR mutant tagged with green fluorescence protein

Objective To investigate the effect of quorum-sensing(QS) system on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation in vitro.Method In vitro biofilm models of P.aeruginosa wild-type PA01 and lasR rhlR mutant were established on glass slice.Then,the biofilm development of the two strains tagged with SYT09/PI were detected using confocal laser scanning microscopy on day 3.Quantitative parameters describing biofilm spatial structure were acquired after the image information was calculated by Image Structure Analyzer(ISA) software.Result After being cultured for 3 days,the biofilm was mature in the PA01,whereas it was poorly formed in △lasR△rhlR group.The quantitative data from ISA software showed that the thickness of △lasR△rhlR biofilm was(7.36±0.2)μm,while that of PA01 was(21.64±0.57)μm(P0.05).Meanwhile the areal porosity(AP) was(0.902±0.006) and(0.928±0.002),respectively;Average diffusion distance(ADD) and textural entropy(TE) were(1.503±0.029) and(5.706±0.190) in △lasR△rhlR biofilm,while(1.467±0.015) and(5.213±0.111) in PA01 biofilm.AP of △lasR△rhlR biofilm was less than PA01(t=0.335,P0.05),but ADD and TE of △lasR△rhlR biofilms were larger than that of PA01(P0.05).Conclusion △lasR△rhlR obviously affects the formation of biofilm of P.aeruginosa.QS system plays an important role in the formation of P.aeruginosa biofilm.
Effect of triptolide coated stent on endothelial structure and restenosis in porcine coronary

AIM To investigate the effect of stent coated with triptolide on the expression of NF-κB and ki67 on VSMC proliferation in porcine.METHODS Eight pigs were randomly divided into 2 groups to undergo implantation of stents coated with triptolide(TES) or bare metal stents(BMS) into the proximal of left anterior coronary,left circumflex coronary and right coronary.Twenty weeks after the implantation,the pigs were killed and their coronary arteries with the stents inside were taken out and examined by light microscopy,scanning electron microscopy for neointimal hyperplasia,and immunohistochemistry for the expression of NF-κB and ki67.RESULTS The thickness of neointimal in BMS was [(0.56±0.08) mm],significantly thicker than that of the other group [(0.23±0.07) mm,P0.05].The area of neointimal in BMS was [(2.72±0.32) mm2],significantly larger than that of the other group [(1.36±0.26) mm2,P0.01].Immnmunohistochemistry showed that the expression of NF-κB and ki67 in BMS group was 5.54±0.23 and 12.7±3.2,significantly higher than that in TES group(2.44±0.16 and 9.5±1.3,P0.05).CONCLUSION Triptolide-eluting stents can prevent restenosis through inhibiting neointimal proliferation and inflammation within 12 weeks.
Method for Generating Emergency Alternatives Based on Similar Historical Case Analysis

In order to solve the emergency response problems such as the lack of emergency plan,this paper develops a method for generating emergency alternatives by analyzing similar historical cases.In this method,first,the similarities between target case and historical case are calculated.Then,the similar case set is built by setting similarity threshold and case screening.Furthermore,the comprehensive utilities with regard to emergency response which belongs to each similar historical cases involved can be calculated by evaluating utilities for emergency effect and coping cost,respectively.On the basis of the above,the emergency alternative can be generated according to extracting the emergency alternative of similar historical case which is corresponding to the maximum comprehensive utility for emergency response.Finally,a numerical example is used to illustrate the feasibility and validity of the method proposed in this paper.
The Analysis on the Trade Measures Taken by the U.S.A. in the Business of Government Procurement

As the government procurement of the world brings a huge market of business,the U.S.A.has being call for all the countries to open its government procurement market to foreign enterprises.In the meantime,we can find that the trade measures taken by the U.S.A.in the business of government procurement featured protectionist characte ristics.While having tried all means to open the government procurement market of other countries,the U.S.A.has adopted systematic judiciary and administrative measures to protect its own market.
Use of endorectal surface coil magnetic resonance imaging for local staging of prostate cancer

AbstractA total of 111 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer (stage A or B) underwent endorectal surface coil magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for preoperative staging of the disease. Of the patients 43 with advanced disease on endorectal surface coil MRI (33 with stage C and 10 with stage D disease) received alternative therapy, as did 21 with stage B disease on MRI The overall staging accuracy for the remaining 47 patients was 68%, with a 74% accuracy rate in staging advanced disease and a 91% accuracy rate for depiction of seminal vesicle involvement. Failure to recognize microscopic extracapsular disease was responsible for the majority of staging inaccuracies in this highly select group of patients. Endorectal surface coil MRI provides extremely high resolution images of the prostate and periprostatic structures, and is an exciting new modality for local staging of prostatic carcinoma.
Amplification of 20 fs pulses to the TW power level

We have demonstrated the generation of 20 fs duration amplified pulses, with an energy of greater than 30 mJ, a bandwidth of 44 nm, and a repetition rate of 10 Hz, using a chirped-pulse amplification scheme in T:sapphire. We use 11 fs, 0.5 nJ pulses from a Ti:sapphire oscillator1 as the input for a two-stage Ti:sapphire amplifier. A broadband, low dispersion chirped-pulse stretcher and amplifier design is used for propagation and amplification of the ultrashort pulses.2,3 By adding a prism pair to the stretcher, both the second and third order dispersions are minimized,4 allowing us to generate transform-limited amplified pulses at a duration near the theoretical limit imposed by gain narrowing in Ti:sapphire.
Image processing for the Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) at the National Ignition Facility

The Advance Radiographic Capability (ARC) at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a laser system that employs up to four petawatt (PW) lasers to produce a sequence of short-pulse kilo-Joule laser pulses with controllable delays that generate X-rays to provide backlighting for high-density internal confinement fusion (ICF) capsule targets. Multi-frame, hard-X-ray radiography of imploding NIF capsules is a capability which is critical to the success of NIF's missions. ARC is designed to employ up to eight backlighters with tens-of-picosecond temporal resolution, to record the dynamics and produce an X-ray "motion picture" of the compression and ignition of cryogenic deuterium-tritium targets. ARC will generate tens-of-picosecond temporal resolution during the critical phases of ICF shots. Additionally, ARC supports a variety of other high energy density experiments including fast ignition studies on NIF. The automated alignment image analysis algorithms use digital camera sensor images to direct ARC beams onto the tens-of-microns scale metal wires. This paper describes the ARC automatic alignment sequence throughout the laser chain from pulse initiation to target with an emphasis on the image processing algorithms that generate the crucial alignment positions for ARC. The image processing descriptions and flow diagrams detail the alignment control loops throughout the ARC laser chain beginning in the ARC high-contrast front end (HCAFE), on into the ARC main laser area, and ending in the ARC target area.
Multiple Sclerosis Presenting Symptoms

Clinical and laboratory presentation and course of multiple sclerosis (MS) in 16 children are reported from the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Measurement of secondary tracers in FDG tumor imaging by rapid multi-tracer PET

Rapid multi-tracer PET, where two to three PET tracers are rapidly scanned with staggered injections, can recover certain imaging measures for each tracer based on differences in tracer kinetics and decay. We previously showed that single-tracer imaging measures can be recovered to a certain extent from rapid dual-tracer 62Cu-PTSM (blood flow) + 62Cu- ATSM (hypoxia) tumor imaging. Here we develop improved tracer-separation algorithms and evaluate signal-separation performance for rapidly imaging various combinations of F- FDG plus 62Cu-PTSM and/or 62Cu-ATSM. Dynamic imaging with these three tracers was performed in four dogs with prexisting tumors, and the raw scan data was combined to emulate dual- and triple-tracer imaging, using the single-tracer scans as gold standards. The multi-tracer data were processed for static (SUV) and kinetic (k1-k3, knet) endpoints for each tracer, followed by linear regression analysis of multi-tracer vs. single-tracer results. The FDG information was largely retained in these multi-tracer protocols. Static imaging measures (SUV) for FDG were accurately recovered, with r>0.99 in all protocols studied (four dual-tracer and one triple-tracer). Dynamic FDG imaging measures (k!-k3, knet) were well-correlated with single-tracer values (r>0.99). SUVs for PTSM and ATSM were also recovered well (r=0.97 and 0.92, respectively), and dynamic measures were recovered to varying degrees. The additional and complementary information obtained from PTSM and ATSM imaged simultaneously with FDG has the potential to improve tumor assessment for image-guided therapy and monitoring, warranting further development of the signal-separation algorithms.
Left Atrial Morphology and Function: The Other Side of Cardiovascular Risk.

In the prediction of the risk of cardiovascular events, the role of the left ventricle (LV) has been established for a long time, in the general population and especially in patients with heart failure. LV dimensions and systolic function, the latter mainly expressed as ejection fraction, were the first variables investigated; over the years, the role of predictors of cardiovascular outcomes has been extended to an increased LV mass (ie, hypertrophy) and altered chamber geometry, to an increase in stiffness and parallel reduction in filling properties (diastolic dysfunction), and more recently, to subclinical alterations of systolic function (myocardial strain and strain rate), in an attempt to identify predictors of risk at an early stage of dysfunction, when ejection fraction may still be normal. See Article by Goncalves et al In the last 2 decades, the left atrium (LA) has also attracted considerable attention as a possible predictor of cardiovascular outcomes. The LA is known to dilate in response to mitral valve disease, arterial hypertension, increased LV mass, and in general any condition that increases the LV filling pressures.1–3 As such, LA size may be thought of as an indicator of the combined action of these factors over time and, therefore, also a possible marker of their integrated action on the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Indeed, LA enlargement has been associated with increased risk of death,4,5 stroke,5–7 heart failure,8,9 and development of atrial fibrillation.10–12 The assessment of LA size was initially performed using the antero-posterior diameter, as measured by transthoracic echocardiography at end-systole, when the dimension of the atrium is largest. Although easy to measure, reproducible, and therefore, suitable for both clinical purposes and large population studies, LA diameter is a poor indicator of …
Developing a grounded theory of undergraduate civil engineering professional identity formation

Prior work in engineering education has shown that individuals who do not identify with engineering groups, maintain a sense of belonging to, or perceive themselves as engineers are more likely to leave the profession. While significant research has been conducted on various internal, intimate (e.g., gender, race, sexuality, and religion) and external, social perspectives of identity (e.g., discourse, nature of engineering work, and content knowledge), little is known regarding the ways in which these identities intersect and evolve to form students' professional identities, particularly within a single engineering discipline. In this work in progress paper, we present the preliminary findings of the first phase of a quasi-longitudinal grounded theory study consisting of 20 interviews with sophomore-, junior-, and senior-level undergraduate civil engineering students. By sharing our preliminary findings, we aim to describe and further establish the grounded theory methodology within engineering education research; engage engineering educators in a scholarly discussion regarding the value of this topic; and gain further insights for advancing this work.
Survival of large populations of Listeria monocytogenes on chicken breasts processed using moist heat

The ability of Listeria monocytogenes to survive and proliferate on chicken processed using a moist heating method was investigated. Chicken breasts were inoculated with 106-107 microorganisms/g, cooked to one of five different cooking temperatures, then either vacuum packaged or wrapped in an oxygen permeable film and stored at 4°C for up to 4 weeks or at 10°C for up to 10 d. Lethality was directly related to the cooking temperatures employed in this study, however survivors were encountered at each of the heat treatments employed. By the fourth week of storage at 4°C, the L. monocytogenes population in all of the samples, except those cooked to 82.2°C increased significantly. In contrast, within the first week of storage at 4°C the population increased in only three samples (73.9°C film overwrap, 65.6°C and 71.1°C vacuum packaged). Storage at 10°C allowed microbial populations in 6 of the 10 treatments to significantly increase within 3 d, with the remaining 4 significantly increasing within 10 d. Differences in packaging influenced the growth rate of L. monocytogenes at both storage temperatures.
Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and pesticides in bluefish before and after cooking

Similar levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, and fat were found in 20 correlated uncooked and cooked (baked) bluefish fillets. Fillets averaged 2.5 ppm PCBs as Aroclor 1254 (whole basis) before cooking; after cooking, with the oil drippings and skin discarded, the average PCB level was 2.7 ppm. Although PCBs, lipophilic pesticides, and fat were lost along with oil drippings and skin that were discarded after cooking, the moisture loss in the fillets during cooking compensated for these weight losses almost completely. After the fillets were cooked and the oil drippings and skin were discarded, the PCB content of the fillets was 27% lower on the average.