cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New Cloud Composite Climatologies Using Meteorological Satellite Imagery

Atmospheric variability affects the utility of most existing and planned DOD weapons systems. The goal in assessing the impact of the atmosphere is to establish the frequency and extent of the system performance degradation caused by the environment and identify both design changes and operational employment procedures which will minimize the atmospheric impact and thereby optimize the system performance. With proper understanding of the effect of the atmosphere on system performance coupled with reliable evaluations of the spatial and temporal occurrences of the constraining environmental phenomena, optimization of system performance is possible. In the case of high energy beam propagation through the earth's atmosphere, clouds are a limiting atmospheric phenomena. With current technology, clouds in the line-of-sight are "show stoppers". Hence to maximize the availability of high energy weapons, sites with low frequencies of cloud occurrence should be selected. For several reasons we have been collecting and archiving meteorological satellite imagery over the western U.S. for use in evaluating cloud conditions at the local scale. Visible light data have been archived during daylight hours and thermal infrared data collected 24 hours each day from the GOES satellite. Using these data, composite cloud climatology images have been constructed which give the frequency of occurrence of cloud cover by hour and month over the western U.S. with a spatial resolution on the order of the satellite pixel resolution. This paper will describe the techniques used in the construction of these composite cloud climatologies and their use in local area studies. Additional applications of this new satellite-derived cloud climatology will be discussed.
Exploring the microsoft .NET micro framework for prototyping applied Wireless Sensor Networks

Most Wireless Sensor Network platforms - such as the Mica, Iris, and Telos B families of motes - use low-power 8-bit microprocessors which have limited memory and processing capabilities, thus requiring researchers to implement communication protocols and data processing routines using low-level programming practices that are tedious and cumbersome. Rich features available in modern desktop operating systems - such as threads, memory management, and exception-handling - are largely absent. The Microsoft .NET Micro Framework implements a scaled-back .NET framework suitable for development on low-cost, low-power wireless sensors, while providing developers a rapid software development environment for prototyping embedded applications. Here, this technology is explored by comparing performance characteristics with those of traditional 8-bit platforms, as well as Sun SPOT, a popular platform that also uses a managed-language runtime. The .NET Micro Framework platform was found to offer researchers the most flexibility in terms of hardware and software prototyping.
Reducing Curl in Multilayer Blown Film: Experimental Results, Model Development, and Application to A Cereal Liner Film:

Multilayer blown films often curl, particularly if the layers are not distributed symmetrically. Experimental results from simple two- and three-layer structures are described in an effort to understand the underlying mechanisms behind curl. A model from the literature based on “beam theory” was adapted to film applications. In this model, force and momentum balances are used to solve for curl as a function of each layer’s thickness, stiffness, and shrinkage during fabrication. The difficulty in using such an approach is estimating differential shrinkage. Pressure-Volume-Temperature (PVT) data give good qualitative information on differential shrinkage, but they are generated under experimental conditions that differ greatly from commercial blown film processes. To correct the PVT data, a semi-empirical approach was utilized. The model was run “backwards” to compute the differential shrinkage in two-layer structures where the curl has been measured. From this, PVT correction factors are obtained to predic...
TLR7 and TLR9 Trigger Distinct Neuroinflammatory Responses in the CNS

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 7 and 9 recognize nucleic acid determinants from viruses and bacteria and elicit the production of type I interferons and proinflammatory cytokines. TLR7 and TLR9 are similar regarding localization and signal transduction mechanisms. However, stimulation of these receptors has differing effects in modulating viral pathogenesis and in direct toxicity in the central nervous system (CNS). In the present study, we examined the potential of the TLR7 agonist imiquimod and the TLR9 agonist cytosine-phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) to induce neuroinflammation after intracerebroventricular inoculation. CpG-ODN induced a more robust inflammatory response than did imiquimod after inoculation into the CNS, with higher levels of several proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The increase in cytokines and chemokines correlated with breakdown of the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier and recruitment of peripheral cells to the CNS in CpG-ODN–inoculated mice. In contrast, TLR7 agonists induced a strong interferon β response in the CNS but only low levels of other cytokines. The difference in response to these agonists was not due to differences in distribution or longevity of the agonists but rather was correlated with cytokine production by choroid plexus cells. These results indicate that despite the high similarity of TLR7 and TLR9 in binding nucleic acids and inducing similar downstream signaling, the neuroinflammation response induced by these receptors differs dramatically due, at least in part, to activation of cells in the choroid plexus.
A similarity solution for two-phase fluid and heat flow near high-level nuclear waste packages emplaced in porous media

Abstract The emplacement of a heat source, such as a high-level nuclear waste package, into a geologic medium causes strongly coupled thermal and hydrologic behavior. Under certain conditions, a heat pipe may develop, with significant impact on conditions at the heat source. In an infinite, homogeneous, permeable medium with a constant-strength linear heat source, the partial differential equations governing fluid and heat flows in a radial geometry can be converted to ordinary differential equations by using a similarity variable, ν = r/√t. These equations are numerically integrated using an iterative ‘shooting’ method to provide a description of temperature, pressure, saturation, heat flow, gas flow, and liquid flow conditions around a heat source such as a nuclear waste package. The similarity solution is verified by numerical finite-difference simulations. Illustrative solutions are given for a range of hydrologic and thermal parameters, and the likelihood of heat-pipe development for conditions at several proposed repository sites is discussed.
Numerical analysis of displacements in spatial mechanisms with ball joints

Abstract The ball joint, often referred to as a spherical or ‘S’ joint is modeled using dual-number coordinate-transformation matrices. The joint consists of concave and convex spherical surfaces engaged to prevent translations but allowing three degrees of freedom, all of which are rotations. Derivative-operator matrices to be used in the Fischer–Paul adaptation of the Uicker–Denavit–Hartenberg numerical scheme for displacement analysis of spatial mechanisms are developed. The generalized slider-crank (CSSP) mechanism is presented as an example featuring ball joints where coordinate-transformation matrices modeling links with ball joints are used in a concatenation with analogous matrices modeling links with revolute, prismatic or cylindrical joints to analyze the displacements.
Organic Products in Advertising and Street Drugs

The trend toward creating consumers for “organic” products now being widely advertised on television and in magazines is paralleled by a trend creating consumers for “organic” drugs. Young people have bought the idea that “if it's organic, it's safe.” In reality, most organic drugs are substantially different than alleged. It is important for a drug user to have a reasonably accurate idea of what drug he is actually taking.
Surgical establishment and maintenance of esophageal fistulae in small ruminants

Abstract Successful diet sampling using esophageally-fistulated goats and sheep requires gentle animals. Presurgical handling of several weeks is necessary. Surgical establishment of esophageal fistulae has generally been done using blunt dissection to isolate the esophagus. A modification of the standard surgical technique eliminates the need for blunt dissection by allowing direct incision into the esophagus. The modification resulted in quicker surgery, and reduced postoperative swelling and mortality compared to blunt dissection. Fistula plugs made of high molecular weight polyethylene are recommended. These plugs are inexpensive and easy to fashion by hand. Common problems with esophageally-fistulated animals are impaction, pressure necrosis, and fistula shrinkage or expansion.
Transgenic Expression of Spi-C Impairs B Cell Development and Function by Affecting Genes Associated With BCR Signaling

Spi-C is an Ets family transcription factor closely related to PU.1 and Spi-B. Expression of Spi-C is developmentally regulated in the B-cell lineage, but its function remains unknown. To determine the function of Spi-C in B-cell development, we generated mice expressing a B-cell-specific Spi-C transgene under the control of the IgH intronic enhancer. Spi-C transgenic mice had 50% fewer B cells than wild-type littermates. Flow cytometric analyses showed that splenic transitional B cells and bone marrow pre-B or immature B cells from transgenic mice were dramatically reduced compared with those of wild type. Both nonspecific and Ag-specific serum IgM levels were significantly increased in transgenic mice, while serum IgG levels were significantly decreased compared with wild type. Spi-C transgenic B cells proliferated poorly after stimulation by anti-IgM or anti-CD40 in vitro, although they responded normally to LPS stimulation. Using real-time RT-PCR, we found that several BCR signaling-related mediators were downregulated at pre-B-cell and mature B-cell stages in transgenic mice, while an inhibitor of BCR signaling was upregulated. Taken together, these data indicate that ectopic expression of Spi-C can impair B-cell development and function by affecting genes associated with BCR signaling.
Segmentation of Boat Show Attendees by Motivation and Characteristics: A Case of New York National Boat Show

In order to better understand and effectively respond to visitor needs, the organizers of major events need better information about their markets. This study explores a segmentation of visitors who attended a major boat show. The results provide a more robust profile of their characteristics and behaviors for marketing purposes. Factor and clustering analyses were employed to identify and profile market segments based on their motivations for attending the show. A principal component analysis revealed three motivational factors, and three distinct visitor segments were identified using a K-mean clustering method. These segments were “boat purchase seekers,” “multi-purpose seekers,” and “show-event browsers.” Segmenting the boat show attendees based on their motivations can assist organizers in developing and implementing effective promotional and marketing strategies.
Fibronectin Splicing Variants Containing Extra Domain A Promote Atherosclerosis in Mice Through Toll-Like Receptor 4

Objective— Cellular fibronectin containing extra domain A (EDA + -FN) is abundant in the arteries of patients with atherosclerosis. Several in vitro studies suggest that EDA + -FN interacts with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). We tested the hypothesis that EDA + -FN exacerbates atherosclerosis through TLR4 in a clinically relevant model of atherosclerosis, the apolipoprotein E–deficient ( Apoe −/− ) mouse. Approach and Results— The extent of atherosclerosis was evaluated in whole aortae and cross sections of the aortic sinus in male and female EDA −/− Apoe −/− mice (which lack EDA + -FN), EDA fl/fl Apoe −/− mice (which constitutively express EDA + -FN), and control Apoe −/− mice fed a high-fat Western diet for 14 weeks. Irrespective of sex, EDA fl/fl Apoe −/− mice exhibited a 2-fold increase in atherosclerotic lesions (aorta and aortic sinus) and macrophage content within plaques, whereas EDA −/− Apoe −/− mice exhibited reduced atherosclerotic lesions ( P Apoe −/− , n=10–12 mice/group), although cholesterol and triglyceride levels and circulating leukocytes were similar. Genetic ablation of TLR4 partially reversed atherosclerosis exacerbation in EDA fl/fl Apoe −/− mice ( P EDA −/− Apoe −/− mice. Purified cellular FN, which contains EDA, potentiated dose-dependent NFκB-mediated inflammation (increased phospho-NFκB p65/NFκB p65, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β) in bone marrow–derived macrophages from EDA −/− Apoe −/− mice but not from EDA −/− TLR4 −/− Apoe −/− mice. Finally, using immunohistochemistry, we provide evidence for the first time that EDA + -FN colocalizes with macrophage TLR4 in murine aortic lesions and human coronary artery atherosclerotic plaques. Conclusions— Our findings reveal that TLR4 signaling contributes to EDA + -FN–mediated exacerbation of atherosclerosis. We suggest that EDA + -FN could be a therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.
Gastric microvascular endothelium: a major target for aspirin-induced injury and arachidonic acid protection. An ultrastructural analysis in the rat.

. Exposure of the gastric mucosa to aspirin results in exfoliation of the surface epithelium and deep mucosal necrosis. We assessed the changes in the mucosal microvessels during aspirin-induced injury and arachidonic acid protection of the gastric mucosa using transmission electron microscopy. Male Spra-gue-Dawley rats received intragastric pretreatment with either solubilizer (control) or detergent solubi-lized arachidonic acid (148 mg kg-1). One hour later 1-ml suspension of 200 mg kg-1 body weight acidified aspirin was administered intragastrically. The ultra-structure of mucosal microvasculature was assessed at 15 min and 4 h after aspirin administration both qualitatively and quantitatively by determining the number of necrotic or damaged capillaries in standardized mucosal sections. In addition, mucosal specimens were immunostained with a specific antiserum against vimentin, an endothelial marker, and fluorescence intensity was measured with a Nikon FX microscopic photometric system. In control rats, aspirin produced significant damage to both superficial and deeper microvessels consisting of: rupture of capillary walls, necrosis of endothelial cells, damage to endothelial organelles, deposition of fibrin and adherence of platelets to damaged endothelium. Vimentin fluorescence was reduced three-fold. Microvascular injury preceded the development of deep necrotic lesions. Microvascular damage and deep mucosal necrosis were significantly reduced by arachidonic acid pretreatment. We conclude that gastric mucosal microvessels are the major target for aspirin-induced injury and arachidonic acid protection.,
A Model of Venture Capitalist Investment Activity

The paper describes the activities of venture capitalists as an orderly process involving five sequential steps. These are 1 Deal Origination: The processes by which deals enter into consideration as investment prospects, 2 Deal Screening: A delineation of key policy variables which delimit investment prospects to a manageable few for in-depth evaluation, 3 Deal Evaluation: The assessment of perceived risk and expected return on the basis of a weighting of several characteristics of the prospective venture and the decision whether or not to invest as determined by the relative levels of perceived risk and expected return, 4 Deal Structuring: The negotiation of the price of the deal, namely the equity relinquished to the investor, and the covenants which limit the risk of the investor, 5 Post-Investment Activities: The assistance to the venture in the areas of recruiting key executives, strategic planning, locating expansion financing, and orchestrating a merger, acquisition or public offering. 41 venture capitalists provided data on a total of 90 deals which had received serious consideration in their firms. The questionnaire measured the mechanism of initial contact between venture capitalist and entrepreneur, the venture's industry, the stage of financing and product development, ratings of the venture on 23 characteristics, an assessment of the potential return and perceived risk, and the decision vis-i-vis whether to invest. The modal venture represented in the database was a start-up in the electronics industry with a production capability in place and seeking $1 million median in outside financing. There is a high degree of cross-referrals between venture capitalists, particularly for the purposes of locating co-investors. Factor analysis reduced the 23 characteristics of the deal to five underlying dimensions namely 1 Market Attractiveness size, growth, and access to customers, 2 Product Differentiation uniqueness, patents, technical edge, profit margin, 3 Managerial Capabilities skills in marketing, management, finance and the references of the entrepreneur, 4 Environmental Threat Resistance technology life cycle, barriers to competitive entry, insensitivity to business cycles and down-side risk protection, 5 Cash-Out Potential future opportunities to realize capital gains by merger, acquisition or public offering. The results of regression analyses showed expected return to be determined by Market Attractiveness and Product Differentiation R2 = 0.22. Perceived risk is determined by Managerial Capabilities and Environmental Threat Resistance R2 = 0.33. Finally, a discriminant analysis correctly predicted, in 89.4% of the cases, whether or not a venture capitalist was willing to commit funds to the deal on the basis of the expected return and perceived risk. The reactions of seven venture capitalists who reviewed the model's specification were used to test its validity.
Effect of Crystallites on Surface Damage and Fracture Behavior of a Glass‐Ceramic

A study was conducted of the effect of crystallization on the fracture toughness, strength, and resistance to surface damage of glass-ceramic materials with a range of microstructures obtained by different heat treatments. The hardness indentation method was used as a quantitative tool to simulate mechanical surface damage. In the uncrystallized glass and in the glass-ceramic heat-treated to result in a uniform fine-grained structure, crack size increased monotonically with indentation load. In contrast, in the glass-ceramics heat-treated to result in a microstructure consisting of larger crystallites (a few micrometers) contained within a fine-grained matrix, a discontinuity in the crack size vs load curve presented evidence for crack-pinning at crack sizes which were a small multiple of the intercrystallite spacing. At the position of crack-pinning, the fracture toughness showed a discontinuous increase with increasing crack size that was attributed to crack deflection. The strength of the glass and fine-grained glass-ceramic measured in biaxial flexure decreased monotonically with indentation load. The strength at low values of indenter load of the glass-ceramic heat-treated to yield the coarser crystallites within the fine-grained matrix was independent of indentation load, indicating stable crack propagation prior to fast fracture. At the higher values of indenter load, the coarse-grained glass-ceramics exhibited a monotonic decrease in strength with increasing indentation load. The results of this study indicate that the strengthening observed on crystallization of a glass can be attributed to a combination of a decrease in flaw size achieved at a given mechanical surface treatment, an increase in fracture toughness, and a modification in the mode of crack propagation.
CRACK CLOSURE AND PLASTIC ZONE SIZES IN FATIGUE

— An elastic-plastic finite element simulation of growing fatigue cracks which accounts for plasticity-induced crack closure is used to study the size of the forward and reversed plastic zones at the crack tip. Forward plastic zone widths for fatigue cracks and stationary, monotonically loaded cracks are compared and found to be similar. The width of the forward plastic zone at the tip of a fatigue crack is not significantly influenced by closure. The traditional Irwin-Rice estimate for crack tip plastic zone size in plane stress is found to be generally consistent with the finite element results. The width of the reversed plastic zone at the tip of a growing fatigue crack in plane stress is found to be considerably less than one-fourth the size of the forward plastic zone, the traditional Rice estimate. This decrease appears to be due to fatigue crack closure. A simple model is developed which permits estimation of the reversed plastic zone size for any stress ratio from information about maximum and minimum stresses and the closure stress. The predictions of this model agree closely with plastic zone sizes calculated by the finite element analysis. These observations appear to be consistent with experimental measurements of forward and reversed plastic zones sizes reported in the literature.
Poly(vinyl chloride): Effect of molecular weight and vapor environment on viscoelastic and fatigue properties

Viscoelastic and fatigue studies were made on polyvinyl chloride films using oscillatory loading on prestressed samples in dry nitrogen and nitrogen saturated with both water and ethanol vapor. Samples included unfractionated PVC, narrow molecular weight distribution fractions and blends made from the fractions. A combination of SEM photomicrographs and the viscoelastic data showed differences in crazing and plasticization in the different environments. Failure time, loss factor, creep and elastic modulus were all affected by some of the environments. Molecular weight was also a major factor in determining fatigue life as well as the mode of failure. For example rupture times were increased by four orders of magnitude when Mw was raised by a factor of five.
Cholinergic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is a devastating degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that results in gradual deterioration of cognitive function and severe alteration of personality. Degeneration of neurons in the nucleus basalis Meynert, the origin of the major cholinergic projections to the neocortex, occurs early in the course of the disease, and is correlated with the cognitive decline. This link between cholinergic dysfunction in the basal-cortical system and cognitive deficits has focused scientific efforts on developing tools to elucidate the neurobiological role of the cholinergic system in cognition and to develop therapeutic interventions in the disorder. An important step in understanding the mechanisms underlying cognitive dysfunction has been the development of in vivo rodent models that mimic some of the features of Alzheimer's disease. Acute excitotoxic or immunotoxic lesions of the nucleus basalis in rodents have revealed a role of the basal-cortical system in attention, learning and memory. More recent advances in developing mouse gene technology offer newer models to systematically examine the underlying neuropathological cascade leading to dysfunctions in mnemonic processing. Using in vivo rodent models, several cholinergic enhancement strategies have been tested and proven to be effective in alleviating lesion-induced cognitive deficits, including neuropharmacological approaches (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors), neurotrophic factor administration (nerve growth factor), and transplantation of cholinergic-enriched fetal grafts. Successful results have also been obtained using ex vivo gene transfer to deliver nerve growth factor or acetylcholine to compromised regions of the basal-cortical system. Gene therapy may be of particular interest for clinical applications, because this approach provides a method for topographically restricted and selective delivery of therapeutic genes and their products to afflicted areas of the brain. Advanced techniques in molecular biology (e.g., exogenous regulatable gene transfer) and newly developed tools of modern neuroscience (e.g., neural precursor cells) will be important contributions for deciphering the biological bases of neuronal degeneration and for refining therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
Parathyroid Hormone Effects on Serum 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Levels in Patients with X-Linked Hypophosphatemic Rickets: Evidence for Abnormal 25-Hydroxyvitamin D-1-Hydroxylase Activity*

Patients with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) have normal or marginally low serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] levels despite manifesting hypophosphatemia and phosphate depletion, which increase 1,25-(OH)2D production in many animal species. These data are consistent with the possibility that regulation of vitamin D metabolism is abnormal in XLH. However, controversy concerning the role of phosphate in the regulation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1-hydroxylase activity in man has raised doubt about this proposed defect. The presence of a defect in vitamin D metabolism could be established if hormonal or metabolic factors, other than hypophosphatemia, were unable to stimulate 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1-hydroxylase activity normally in patients with XLH. Thus, we compared the effects of parathyroid hormone infusion on serum 1,25-(OH)2D levels in patients with XLH and normals. In response to iv infusion of parathyroid extract (200 U at 0915 and 1700 h), the serum 1,25-(OH)2D concentration increased 218%...
Interventions to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care

In 2005, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation created Finding Answers: Disparities Research for Change, a program to identify, evaluate, and disseminate interventions to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the care and outcomes of patients with cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes. In this introductory paper, we present a conceptual model for interventions that aim to reduce disparities. With this model as a framework, we summarize the key findings from the six other papers in this supplement on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, breast cancer, interventions using cultural leverage, and pay-for-performance and public reporting of performance measures. Based on these findings, we present global conclusions regarding the current state of health disparities interventions and make recommendations for future interventions to reduce disparities. Multifactorial, culturally tailored interventions that target different causes of disparities hold the most promise, but much more research is needed to investigate potential solutions and their implementation.
PRECONCEPTION CARE: An Integral Part of Primary Care for Women

Preconception health care should be an integral part of primary health care services for all women with the potential for childbearing. This article delineates those aspects of preconception care that should be included in a well woman visit. Specific interventions for risks identified in the preconception health care visit are reviewed. Finally, the importance of preconception health care in reducing poor perinatal outcome and promoting overall good health is discussed.
Risk of distal embolization with stent retriever thrombectomy and ADAPT

Background There is a discrepancy in clinical outcomes and the achieved recanalization rates with stent retrievers in the endovascular treatment of ischemic stroke. It is our hypothesis that procedural release of embolic particulate may be one contributor to poor outcomes and is a modifiable risk. The goal of this study is to assess various treatment strategies that reduce the risk of distal emboli. Methods Mechanical thrombectomy was simulated in a vascular phantom with collateral circulation. Hard fragment-prone clots (HFC) and soft elastic clots (SECs) were used to generate middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusions that were retrieved by the Solitaire FR devices through (1) an 8 Fr balloon guide catheter (BGC), (2) a 5 Fr distal access catheter at the proximal aspect of the clot in the MCA (Solumbra), or (3) a 6 Fr guide catheter with the tip at the cervical internal carotid artery (guide catheter, GC). Results from mechanical thrombectomy were compared with those from direct aspiration using the Penumbra 5MAX catheter. The primary endpoint was the size distribution of emboli to the distribution of the middle and anterior cerebral arteries. Results Solumbra was the most efficient method for reducing HFC fragments (p 1000 µm) was significantly increased using GC. A non-statistically significant benefit of direct aspiration was observed in several subgroups of emboli with size 50–1000 µm. However, compared with the stent-retriever mechanical thrombectomy techniques, direct aspiration significantly increased the risk of SEC fragmentation ( Conclusions The risk of distal embolization is affected by the catheterization technique and clot mechanics.
Comparison of on-line lightning monitoring system data with derived EM responses of space launch systems to lightning

In order to gain insights for the measurement data from a newly installed proximal on-line lightning monitoring system (OLMS), a dipole model of the lightning channel was used to generate the induced EM field, which was then allowed to interact with major structures at a space launch site via a field scattering/coupling analysis. The analysis based on remote sensing data makes it possible to compare OLMS data with derived system responses from the legacy remote sensing system data.
Effect of TBI on material properties of rat brain tissue

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by direct impact or sudden movement of the head is one of the major causes of fatality and severe disabilities. To study TBI, the material properties of brain need to be well understood. In this study, changes in the viscoelastic material properties of rat brain tissue due to traumatic diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and the effect of preconditioning were investigated. The impact acceleration model was used to generate DAI in the rat brain stem. The viscoelastic material properties of brain tissue along the corticospinal tract (CSpT) in the brain stem were characterized using an indentation technique. A quasi-linear viscoelastic model was proposed to characterize the behavior of the brain tissue due to deformation. The results show significant reduction in the elastic response of brain tissue due to injury and preconditioning. In regions with significantly more DAI, larger changes in the elastic force response were observed in both un preconditioned and preconditioned tissues. These findings can improve the injury predictability of computational models of brain injury.
Semiautomatic evaluation of retrieval systems using document similarities

Taking advantage of the well-known cluster hypothesis that “closely associated documents tend to be relevant to the same request”, we can use inter-document similarity to provide more accurate and robust evaluation of retrieval systems. Using our method, we are able to accurately rank retrieval systems with up to 99% fewer relevance judgments than collected for the TREC conferences, and significantly more accurately than other algorithms given the same number of judgments.
Decision Analysis: Environmental Learning Automata for Sensor Placement

Detection systems can be designed in a way that responds to the environment. We consider a decision analysis sensor placement problem where the probability of intrusion is driven by environmental factors. We use two types of sensors; those which detect targets, and those which detect the environment (current speeds). We use a learning automata technique to build a mechanism. Our proposed approach is dynamic, and can adapt to environmental changes. The technique is superior in the sense that reoptimization happens continuously, and can be done with distributed control. Our tests show that the achieved configurations are better than spacing sensors equally: detection rates are far higher.
GenomeMixer: a complex genetic cross simulator

Summary: GenomeMixer is a cross-platform application that simulates meiotic recombination events for large and complex multigenerational genetic crosses among sexually reproducing diploid species and outputs simulated progeny to several standard mapping programs. Availability: Documentation, C++ source, and binaries for Mac OS X and x86 Linux are freely available at http://www.nervenet.org/genome_mixer/. GenomeMixer can be compiled on any system with support for the Trolltech Qt toolkit, including Windows.
Linking Pathogenic Mechanisms of Alcoholic Liver Disease With Clinical Phenotypes

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) develops in approximately 20% of alcoholic patients, with a higher prevalence in females. ALD progression is marked by fatty liver and hepatocyte necrosis, as well as apoptosis, inflammation, regenerating nodules, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. 1 ALD develops via a complex process involving parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells, as well as recruitment of other cell types to the liver in response to damage and inflammation. Hepatocytes are damaged by ethanol, via generation of reactive oxygen species and induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Hepatocyte cell death via apoptosis and necrosis are markers of ethanol-induced liver injury. We review the mechanisms by which alcohol injures hepatocytes and the response of hepatic sinusoidal cells to alcohol-induced injury. We also discuss how recent insights into the pathogenesis of ALD will affect the treatment and management of patients.
A Laplacian Equation

(1932). A Laplacian Equation. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 39, No. 9, pp. 515-517.
Student Participation in Marketing Research

There is an untapped potential for accomplishing needed marketing research work by using undergraduate and graduate marketing students. This note summarizes the results from two programs in which t...
Neurorobotics: Opening Novel Lines of Communication Between Populations of Single Neurons and External Devices

Advances in the fields of medicine, biology, physiology, and electronics have ushered in the development of a wide variety of devices to interface with the nervous system in order to restore sensory or motor function after an injury or disease. This field of neural prosthetic devices has now made an important advancement from using the activity of peripheral nerves or muscles to acquire a control signal to implanting devices directly into the brain or central nervous system (CNS) to extract command signals from populations of single neurons regarding the intention to move and to stimulate into the CNS to restore some kind of sensory information. This technological achievement to open novel lines of communication between the populations of single neurons and external devices is often referred to as Brain–Machine Interfaces (BMI) or neurorobotics. This chapter will focus on this fast growing field of neurorobotics in which CNS neuroprosthetic devices that use recording microelectrodes in the brain to capture information from populations of single neurons to create a command signal for a device or machine that can then restore some function to the patient.
Implications of orbital hybridization on the electronic properties of doped quantum dots: the case of Cu:CdSe

This paper investigates how chemical dopants affect the electronic properties of CdSe quantum dots (QDs) and why a model that incorporates the concepts of orbital hybridization must be used to understand these properties. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy measurements show that copper dopants in CdSe QDs occur primarily through a statistical doping mechanism. Ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) experiments provide a detailed insight on the valence band (VB) structure of doped and undoped QDs. Using UPS measurements, we are able to observe photoemission from the Cu d-levels above VB maximum of the QDs which allows a complete picture of the energy band landscape of these materials. This information provides insights into many of the physical properties of doped QDs, including the highly debated near-infrared photoluminescence in Cu doped CdSe QDs. We show that all our results point to a common theme of orbital hybridization in Cu doped CdSe QDs which leads to optically and electronically active states below the conduction band minimum. Our model is supported from current-voltage measurements of doped and undoped materials, which exhibit Schottky to Ohmic behavior with Cu doping, suggestive of a tuning of the lowest energy states near the Fermi level.
Racial Pessimism in the Early Obama Era

Black pessimism about the prospects for racial equality in the United States rose throughout the 1990s and 2000s. By 2005, 80 percent of African Americans expressed slim to no hope that racial equality would be achieved in the near future, while increasingly large majorities of white respondents reported that blacks either had achieved or would soon achieve racial equality. In 2008, public opinion data from just before the presidential election reveal distinct breaks in both of these long-range patterns, with African Americans, in particular, showing dramatically more optimism about the prospects for achieving black racial equality. However, new panel data, collected in three waves between 2008-2010, show extreme volatility in attitudes across racial groups toward the prospects of blacks, Latinos, and Asian Americans achieving racial equality. In this paper, we use data from the Election 2008 and Beyond Survey to model individual-level change in beliefs about the likelihood that non-white groups will achieve racial equality in the U.S. These data (from the Mobilization, Change, and Political and Civic Engagement Project) are nationally representative and feature oversamples of black, Asian, and Latino respondents. We demonstrate different patterns of volatility in racial pessimism across different racial groups, showing that, for example, only white attitudes about the prospects for racial equality have remained stable. In conclusion, we show how the models are consistent with the complicated racial politics of the early Obama era and, at the same time, starkly challenge the notion that the U.S. has become a “post-racial” society.
On numerically predicting the onset and mode of instability in atomistic systems

Abstract We present an accurate and efficient method based on the Lanczos algorithm for predicting the onset and mode of instability in atomistic systems. Specifically, we develop a framework that is identically applicable to all flavors of atomistic simulations, including ab-initio calculations. Notably, we do not make any apriori assumptions regarding the nature of the instability or its location. We verify the accuracy of the proposed approach by studying defect nucleation during the nanoindentation of a triangular lattice and hydrostatic tension test of an aluminum crystal. We demonstrate that the computational cost in practical calculations scales linearly with system size, and is accompanied by a small prefactor. Overall, the proposed method is attractive because it enables the stability analysis of atomistic systems at the mesoscale.
Local Governments' Behavior for Land Finance and Its Negative Impact

Study on local government's behaviors for land finance and its negative impacts are of great significance for improving land finance and fulfilling sustainable land taxation.This paper explores the origin,connotation and features of land finance.This paper analyzes local government's choice for land finance through socio-economic development stage,tax system and land institution of China and rural land expropriation.This paper also discusses the impacts of land finance for farmer's interest loss,local government's land violation,promoting rapid increase of houses price and its accumulating financial risks,uneven development and unsustainable development.This paper also demonstrates the connotation and dilemma of after land finance times.Basing on these analyses,this paper proposes countermeasures for after land finance times from the following aspects: transformation of local government's function,improvement of land finance,reform of real estate taxation and rural land expropriation,development of new urbanization mode and constrain local government's behavior to reduce financial risks.
Changes in pulmonary artery pressure affect survival differently in lung transplant recipients who have pulmonary hypertension or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction can complicate lung transplant. Pulmonary artery pressures affect outcome are uncertain during wait list. We evaluated changes in wait list pulmonary artery pressures on survival after lung transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We queried the United Network for Organ Sharing/Standard Transplant Analysis and Research registry from 1987 to 2012 for all lung transplants. Recipients with unique pulmonary artery pressure measurements upon listing and transplant were included. Mean pulmonary artery pressure was rated as increased (increase > 5 mm Hg), decreased (decrease > 5 mm Hg), or unchanged (variation < 5 mm Hg). RESULTS: There were 23 951 lung transplants and 1677 recipients were included. Diagnoses demonstrated significant changes in mean pulmonary artery pressure during the listing period (P ≤ .0001). In recipients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, survival was poorer when mean pulmonary artery pressure was increased than decreased (P ≤ .03). In recipients with primary pulmonary hypertension, survival was poorer when mean pulmonary artery pressure was decreased than increased (P ≤ .02). Proportional hazards analysis showed that increases in mean pulmonary artery pressure independently affected survival (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: Although the mechanism is unknown, an increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with poorer survival after lung transplant. In contrast, patients with primary pulmonary hypertension with decreased mean pulmonary artery pressure have poorer survival after lung transplant. In patients with primary pulmonary hypertension, changes in pulmonary artery pressure may be a surrogate for a failing right ventricular function. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the change in pressure suggests an undetermined progressive process. Further study of right ventricular function is warranted to determine the effects of changes in pulmonary artery pressure on lung transplant recipients.
The Specific Separation of Enzyme Antigen-Binding Cells by Substrate Affinity Chromatography

The elegant work of Wigzell and his collaborators (1) has clearly established that lymphocyte populations can be deprived of a subfraction of cells reactive with a specific antigen when cells are passed through a column of glass or plastic beads coated with the test antigen. However, little success was experienced in using such columns to enrich for lymphocytes specific to a given antigen. Recently, Wofsy and coworkers (2), using Polyacrylamide beads to which azophenyl-β-lactoside (=LAC) was coupled, have succeeded in not only depleting lymphocyte populations of, but have also enriched for, LAC-re-active cells which are involved in anti-LAC antibody production.
How global MS prevalence is changing: A retrospective chart review in the United Arab Emirates.

Abstract Background Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder leading to central nervous system inflammation. Traditionally, reported MS prevalence rates in the Middle East are low. Few studies include age/sex standardization giving an unreliable estimate of regional prevalence. Objective to determine the prevalence, incidence and characteristics of MS in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted at the four largest hospitals in Abu Dhabi Emirate between 2010 and 2014. Data collected included MS type, age and symptoms at onset, expanded disability status scale, treatment, laboratory findings and family history. Results 510 patients were identified consisting of 318 (62.2%) Emiratis and 192 (37.6%) expatriates. Total crude prevalence rate was 18/100,000 (95% CI: 10-30/100,000). Crude prevalence rate in Emiratis was 57.09 (95% CI:50 to 63/100,000) but increased to 64.44 (95% CI: 57 to 72/100,000) when age standardized. Age-standardized incidence rate in Emiratis was 6.0 MS cases per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: 5.5 to 6.5 cases per 100,000 person-years). Conclusion At 64.44/100,000, the Abu Dhabi Emirati population has one of the highest, most reliable prevalence rate on the Arab peninsula. Age/sex standardized prevalence rates, uncommonly reported in the Middle East, should be standard for all prevalence studies.
Considerations for Immersive Learning in Intelligent Tutoring Systems

Research has examined the benefits and retractors of immersing the learner in an environment. Immersive computer-based training environments are costly to construct and may not always lead to significant learning or transfer benefits over other methods. The current paper presents a brief review of presence and immersion research in computer-based learning and adaptive tutoring. The Generalized Intelligent Framework for Tutoring GIFT is an open source domain-independent framework for creating intelligent tutoring systems ITS. GIFT offers flexibility, and can be interfaced with training applications ranging from highly immersive computer-based learning environments e.g., TC3Sim, VBS2 to less immersive mediums such as PowerPoint. The capabilities of GIFT that can be used to create immersive adaptive tutoring are discussed. Additionally, the use of GIFT to run and generate experimental studies to examine the impact of immersion is highlighted. Finally, recommendations are given on how to provide more opportunities to integrate immersive environments into GIFT.
Symmetry Reduction for Performance Certification of Interconnected Systems

We exploit symmetries in the interconnection topology of a networked system to provide a dimensionality reduction in the certification of performance. The certification method exploits the dissipativity properties of the subsystems; thus the conservatism introduced by the reduction is minimal when the subsystems possess similar dissipativity characteristics. We combine this reduction with distributed optimization techniques to be able to analyze large interconnections efficiently.
A Systematic Review of Interventions to Enhance Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors in Adolescents Delivered via Mobile Phone Text Messaging.

Objective:To systematically review healthy lifestyle interventions targeted to adolescents and delivered using text messaging (TM).Data Source:PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science d...
General aspects of collembolan ecology at the turn of the millenniumProceedings of the Xth international Colloquium on Apterygota, České Budějovice 2000: Apterygota at the Beginning of the Third Millennium

Summary I have tried to summarize some lines of research on collembolan ecology from the last part of the 20th century which I think have general interest and I have given a few examples of the kind of research which in my opinion are promising to follow up in the coming years. This is not to claim that these themes are the only ones worth mentioning or even the most important. I have for instance not elaborated on the development of theoretical models in mutual interaction with advanced mathematics or on simulation modelling which takes advantage of the still accelerating power of computer techniques. These areas will without doubt be developed much further in the present century. However, it should not be forgotten that useful models depend entirely on good experimental — and field data, both as generators of new hypotheses and as representation of the real world against which the theories and models should be tested.