cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Faithful Shape Representation for 2D Gaussian Mixtures

It has been recently discovered that a faithful representation for the shape of some simple distributions can be constructed using invariant statistics [1,2]. In this paper, we consider the more general case of a Gaussian mixture model. We show that the shape of generic Gaussian mixtures can be represented without any loss by the distribution of the distance between two points independently drawn from this mixture. In other words, we show that if their respective distributions of distances are the same, then there exists a rigid transformation mapping one Gaussian mixture onto the other. Our main motivation is the problem of recognizing the shape of an object represented by points given noisy measurements of these points which can be modeled as a Gaussian mixture.
Responding to Java-centric CS curricula: Integration of C into a course in computer organization

This paper describes the reform of a sophomore-level course in computer organization for the Computer Science BS curriculum at The University of Texas at El Paso, where Java and integrated IDEs have been adopted as the first and primary language and development environments. This effort was motivated by faculty observations and industry feedback indicating that upper-division students and graduates were failing to achieve mastery of non-garbage-collected, strictly imperative languages, such as C. The similarity of C variable semantics to the underlying machine model enables simultaneous mastery of both C and assembly language programming and exposes implementation details that are difficult to teach independently, such as subroutine linkage and management of stack frames. An online lab manual has been developed for this course that is freely available for extension or use by other institutions.
Direct control of neurogenesis by selector factors in the fly eye: regulation of atonal by Ey and So.

During eye development, the selector factors of the Eyeless/Pax6 or Retinal Determination (RD) network control specification of organ-type whereas the bHLH-type proneural factor Atonal drives neurogenesis. Although significant progress has been made in dissecting the acquisition of `eye identity9 at the transcriptional level, the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression from neuronal progenitor to differentiating neuron remain unclear. A recently proposed model for the integration of organ specification and neurogenesis hypothesizes that atonal expression in the eye is RD-network-independent and that Eyeless works in parallel or downstream of atonal to modify the neurogenetic program. We show here that distinct cis-regulatory elements control atonal expression specifically in the eye and that the RD factors Eyeless and Sine oculis function as direct regulators. We find that these transcription factors interact in vitro and provide indirect evidence that this interaction may be required in vivo. The subordination of neurogenesis to the RD pathway in the eye provides a direct mechanism for the coordination of neurogenesis and tissue specification during sensory organ formation.
Moreno-Caballud, Luis. (2015) Cultures of Anyone. Studies on Cultural Democratization in the Spanish Neoliberal Crisis. Trad. Linda Grabner. Liverpool: Liverpool UP.

La crisis financiera global del 2008 fue especialmente virulenta en el estado espanol, donde sigue causando estragos en una sociedad cada vez mas precarizada. Sin embargo, la emergencia del 15M y sus mutaciones posteriores pueden entenderse, segun Luis Moreno-Caballud, como un proceso de democratizacion cultural en el contexto de una crisis de legitimidad de la logica neoliberal. El libro enfatiza como las politicas neoliberales, que desembocaron en la crisis y despues la ahondaron al gestionarla con la misma racionalidad neoliberal que la genero, fueron normalizadas y legitimadas por un cierto tipo de autoridad cultural: la autoridad de los expertos.
Improved methods and standards for telomerase assay: Quantitative histopathology using antibody staining

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 4983 Clinical studies show a direct association between telomerase activity and cells that are cancerous. The enzyme telomerase has been demonstrated to be expressed in 85-90% of all human cancers, but not in normal tissues. Clinical assays for telomerase in easily obtained body fluids would have great utility as non-invasive, cost-effective methods for the early detection of cancer. However, the use of telomerase as a biomarker has been hindered because of a lack of high-throughput methods essential for large cohort studies that are required to statistically validate telomerase as a biomarker for cancer. In addition, a critical problem has been the lack of universal controls or reference standards. Standards and reference materials would significantly expedite the acceptance and translation of biomarkers, such as telomerase, for expanded diagnostic use. To this end we are developing a direct imaging method using a standard protein chip and antibody staining for the presence of telomerase. A direct histological method has been shown to be a valuable tool to quantify other cancer biomarkers (Xiao and Barker, 2004, Nucleic Acids Research, 32, e28). In the current study we have used confocal microscopy and fluorescent-labeled telomerase antibodies to directly quantify telomerase in cultured human lung tumor A549 cells and human fibroblast IMR90 cells as a control. These measurements were compared to telomerase activity measured by TRAP/PCR and hTERT mRNA by RT-PCR, as described previously (Jakupciak et al., 2005, Clinical Chemistry, 51:1443). The sensitivity was determined for both assays, including the minimal number of determinations and the minimal number of cells required for accurate analyses. Although the measurement of telomerase by antibody staining will not determine whether the telomerase is active, it will be a valuable tool to determine its presence in individual cells where heterogeneity is problem for accurate diagnosis. In addition, the telomerase protein chip would serve as a reference to quantify telomerase concentration at a molecular level. This combination of measurement of telomerase by tissue staining, TRAP/PCR activity and mRNA expression will provide a more complete quantification of telomerase levels in tissues at various stages of cancer.
Public Sector R&D Valuation: A Practical Example

Chapter 4 demonstrates the practical feasibility of prospectively using a real options approach to value a portfolio of government R&D projects characterized by significant technical, commercial, and other interdependencies and uncertainties. The studied R&D projects focused on energy consumption in the chemicals industry and were sponsored by the Department of Energy between 2002 and 2004. Results from this practical example confirm that switching from a discounted cash flow method to a real options method for valuing R&D investments makes a material difference at both the project and portfolio levels. In addition, the risks that are taken with taxpayer money—usually obscured by traditional methods—become plainly visible in the approach that is demonstrated.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: directed by David Fincher, with screenplay by Eric Roth. Burbank, CA: Warner Brothers Pictures, 2008

This film was inspired by a short story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in which a man ages backward. Benjamin (Brad Pitt) is born in 1918 in New Orleans at the end of World War I. His mother dies i...
Imaging techniques for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and the evaluation of response to treatment.

Imaging plays a critical role in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the USA, non-invasive imaging based diagnosis of HCC has largely replaced biopsy because of the high specificity and positive predictive value of imaging features for HCC. Because of the important role of imaging and the need to promote standardization of the management of HCC, several imaging-based algorithms for the diagnosis of HCC in at-risk patients have been developed. Imaging also plays a vital role in the assessment of HCC response to locoregional therapies (LRT) such as ablative and endovascular therapies. Standard imaging response criteria of solid tumors that rely solely on change in tumor size for determination of therapeutic success are not applicable to HCC undergoing LRT. Therefore, several systems have been developed over the years to objectively evaluate HCC response to LRT. In this review, we will describe major and ancillary imaging features of HCC, how these features are incorporated into the various imaging based algorithms, discuss the differences between algorithms, and address the emerging role of new imaging techniques and contrast agents in the diagnosis of HCC. We will also discuss the importance of assessment of HCC response to LRT, describe patterns of imaging response to the various therapies including newer volumetric and functional response measures, and examine and compare proposed response criteria of HCC to LRT.
Replicating Large Genomes: Divide and Conquer

Complete duplication of large metazoan chromosomes requires thousands of potential initiation sites, only a small fraction of which are selected in each cell cycle. Assembly of the replication machinery is highly conserved and tightly regulated during the cell cycle, but the sites of initiation are highly flexible, and their temporal order of firing is regulated at the level of large-scale multi-replicon domains. Importantly, the number of replication forks must be quickly adjusted in response to replication stress to prevent genome instability. Here we argue that large genomes are divided into domains for exactly this reason. Once established, domain structure abrogates the need for precise initiation sites and creates a scaffold for the evolution of other chromosome functions.
The Violence Divide: Taking “Ordinary” Crime Seriously in a Volatile World

Almost twenty-five years ago Jock Young described crime as a “moral barometer” of society—a “key indictor as to whether we are getting things right, achieving the sort of society in which people can live with dignity and without fear” (Young 1992, p. 34). Today, the pattern of violent crime around the world provides a particularly troubling reading of how far we are from “getting things right” in our contemporary global society, and it cries out for serious attention and action. But whether we will see that sustained attention, much less social action, on the scale we need in the coming years is by no means certain.
A Theory of Coupled Anisothermal Chemomechanical Degradation for Finitely-Deforming Composite Materials with Higher-Gradient Interactive Forces

The two-constituent theory of Hall and Rajagopal (2011) is recast for N constituents based on the composite Helmholtz energy and elaborated to display the higher-gradient nature of the interactive forces between constituents. These body forces are essential in the descriptions of the intracell behaviors included in the force balances of each constituent. The model may be both applied to solid composites, e.g. for interrogating the damage and failure processes developed at the constituent level, as well as to diffusion-reaction processes involving e.g. fluids and solids. Applications of interest include the evolution of asymmetric material features potentially involving finite-dimensional growth and recession (oxidation of SiC results in a 2.2x local volume increase), leading to local rotations important to the description of failure, and the description of forces between constituents especially near free edges and cut-outs.
Preoperative Assessment: General Principles

The number of diagnostic and interventional procedures performed outside the operating room (OR) has increased dramatically over the last several years. There are multiple challenges involved in anesthesia provided to patients outside the OR. With improvements in technology for interventional procedures outside the OR, older, younger and sicker patients who may be inoperable are scheduled for these procedures. Appropriate preoperative assessment and optimization of medical status are important aspects of our practice. Safe patient care can be enhanced by adequate patient assessment in the preoperative period, appropriate patient selection and use of targeted interventions to improve outcomes.
Promoting a More Interactive Public Archaeology: Archaeological Visualization and Reflexivity through Virtual Artifact Curation

Stewards of the tangible past are increasingly embracing technologies that enable digital preservation of rare and fragile finds. The Virtual Curation Laboratory (VCL) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) partners with museums, cultural heritage locations, and collections repositories to create three-dimensional (3D) digital models of artifacts from archaeological sites distributed across the globe. In the VCL, undergraduate VCU students bring a fresh perspective unburdened by archaeological orthodoxy as they use a laser scanner to record artifact details, edit the resulting digital models, and print plastic replicas that are painted to resemble the original items. The 3D digital models and printed replicas allow for new ways of visualizing the past, while preserving the actual artifacts themselves. These forms of archaeological visualization enable the broader public and not just a narrow band of researchers to dynamically and meaningfully interact with rare and fragile objects in ways that would otherwise not be possible, empowering their own contributions to interpreting, understanding, and reimagining the past. We must embrace co-creation through virtual artifact curation and recognize that, while we sacrifice some control over the stories that are told about the past, more stories will be told and shared as pieces of the past become more accessible.
Authentication, Encryption, and Secured Communication

WSNs are impacting our daily life and are deployed 24×7 unattended monitoring a given environment. Therefore, many possible attacks are possible. Moreover, authentication of a user is an important factor that needs special consideration. This ensures that the user that is claiming is the correct one and is applied to different SNs. Then, when data are transferred from SNs to BS, the data must be transferred in a secured way. This also applies to transfer query from BS to SNs, and encrypting transmitted data is critical. These are the topics considered in this chapter.
Contaminants in wildlife utilising confined disposal facilities

Voles, shrews and aquatic plants from the Thunder Bay Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) and hatchery–reared ducks, released and recaptured four and 10 weeks after release, were analysed for heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Metal concentrations in duck livers were comparable to our control site values and other reported studies. Metal concentrations in voles and shrews were similar to our control site values or other reported studies. Bioaccumulation of priority PCB congeners was observed in waterfowl muscle samples. Extrapolating our data to other Canadian CDFs in the Great Lakes, waterfowl at the Hamilton Harbour CDF would accumulate PCBs to concentrations greater than the USFDA poultry consumption guideline. Shrews bioaccumulated PCBs to concentrations 10 times higher than voles presumably due the dietary differences between the two species. PCBs concentrations in voles from the Thunder Bay CDF were approximately twice the control site concentrations.
The implementation challenge of pricing decision support systems for retail managers: Research Articles

There has been an explosion in the availability of data and computing ability in retail management that has led to a new desire on the part of managers to implement demand based management. Demand based management uses statistical models to predict consumer price response using historical information. These models can be used to construct pricing decision support systems for retail managers. Currently, many firms have begun offering software to perform price optimization. This article considers how recent advances in academic research can contribute to the implementation of these systems, and in turn consider the new questions likely to be posed by the developers and users of these new systems. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The UNC Reading-Writing in the Content Fields Program Bridges the Gap between Language and Content

(1978). The UNC Reading-Writing in the Content Fields Program Bridges the Gap between Language and Content. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Western College Reading Association: Vol. 11, Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Conference of the WCRA. Learning Assistance: Charting Our Course, pp. 124-128.
The Role of the Immune System in the Development of Osteoporosis

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the current data on patterns of bone loss with aging and gender that lead to osteoporosis in humans and the mechanisms by which these changes lead to osteoporosis, with particular emphasis on the potential role of immune cytokines in mediating these changes. It also focuses on the key role of estrogen deficiency in bone loss in both women and men, acting both by altering the regulatory cytokines and by other mechanisms. These effects are superimposed on age effects on bone cell function that are independent of both estrogen deficiency and alterations in the production and function of immune cytokines. The past decade has witnessed tremendous advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Newer imaging approaches, including central and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and high-resolution peripheral QCT (HRpQCT), have helped to more clearly define the overall pattern of bone mass acquisition and bone loss in both sexes. In addition, fundamental advances in bone biology, such as the discovery and characterization of the receptor-activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL)/RANK/osteoprotegerin (OPG) system, have provided new insights into the mediators of excessive bone resorption following sex steroid deficiency. Concurrent with this greater understanding of bone loss at the clinical and basic levels has been the increasing recognition of the close interactions between bone cells and immune cells, mediated by cytokines produced by both types of cells.
Mass-Balanced Reconstruction of Paleogeology

Mass-balanced paleogeographic reconstruction can be extended into reconstruction of the paleogeology, using information inherent in the mass/age distribution of the sediments.
Extramural Grant II: Instrumentation

The following proposal was submitted to the National Science Foundation’s Major Research Instrumentation program (NSF#0319145). The proposal was a collaborative initiative that built on the existing strengths of the entire academic unit and explicitly details how an award would complement current departmental infrastructures and expand existing initiatives. The key for instrumentation grants is to avoid writing proposals that appear to be “wish lists” that indicate what researchers “might” do with a new toy. Instead, instrumentation grants must be closely associated with current research, unit infrastructures, and individual (as well as unit) capacities. Beyond the current research agenda, this proposal clearly identifies linkages between research and the undergraduate and graduate curriculum. Additionally, the proposal also outlines an outreach component and provides for public data sharing.
Analysis of Epitopes in The Cholera Family of Enterotoxins

It is now over 30 years since the cholera enterotoxin was discovered in India and more than 20 years since it was first purified to homogeneity. Early expectations that, as with diphtheria and tetanus, a toxoid vaccine would solve the cholera problem have not been fulfilled. We are examining the reasons why cholera toxin (CT) vaccines have failed to provide effective immunity.
Twice-daily Thoracic Radiotherapy for Limited-stage Small-cell Lung Cancer Does Not Increase the Incidence of Acute Severe Esophagitis.

Abstract Purpose Acute esophagitis is common after thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) given with chemotherapy for limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS SCLC). Although twice-daily TRT to 45 Gy in 30 fractions is considered standard, some clinicians are reluctant to use this schedule because of its perceived impracticality and risk of severe esophagitis. We reviewed a single-institution experience with severe (grade ≥ 3) esophagitis after TRT with chemotherapy for LS SCLC. Patients and Methods A total of 504 patients were identified as having received TRT (≥45 Gy) with platinum-containing chemotherapy for LS SCLC at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1987 through 2012. Patients with complete or good partial response were offered prophylactic cranial irradiation. Esophagitis was scored retrospectively with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, V3.0. Clinical variables were analyzed for possible association with acute grade ≥ 3 esophagitis. Results At a median follow-up time of 23.9 months (range, 1.2-240.8 months), 103 (20%) patients had experienced grade ≥ 3 esophagitis. In univariate analysis, TRT dose ≥ 60 Gy was the only factor associated with severe esophagitis (odds ratio [OR], 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-3.30; P = .043); use of twice-daily TRT was not (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.61-1.52; P = .867). The significance of TRT to ≥ 60 Gy was maintained in multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for tumor size (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.05-3.46; P = .034). Conclusions TRT to ≥ 60 Gy predicted acute severe esophagitis, but twice-daily fractionation did not. Standard-dose 45-Gy twice-daily TRT should not be avoided for fear of severe esophagitis.
Games and ideal playgrounds

Even though many sport philosophers have worked to delineate clear definitions of play and games, typical language usage often conflates the two phenomena and even provides an undue normative bias ...
A pilot study assessing acceptability and feasibility of hatha yoga for chronic pain in people receiving opioid agonist therapy for opioid use disorder.

Abstract The purpose of this project was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a hatha yoga program designed to target chronic pain in people receiving opioid agonist therapy for opioid use disorder. We conducted a pilot randomized trial in which people with chronic pain who were receiving either methadone maintenance therapy (n = 20) or buprenorphine (n = 20) were randomly assigned to weekly hatha yoga or health education (HE) classes for 3 months. We demonstrated feasibility in many domains, including recruitment of participants (58% female, mean age 43), retention for follow-up assessments, and ability of teachers to provide interventions with high fidelity to the manuals. Fifty percent of participants in yoga (95% CI: 0.28–0.72) and 65% of participants in HE (95% CI: 0.44–0.87) attended at least 6 of 12 possible classes (p = 0.62). Sixty-one percent in the yoga group reported practicing yoga at home, with a mean number of times practicing per week of 2.67 (SD = 2.37). Participant mood improved pre-class to post-class, with greater decreases in anxiety and pain for those in the yoga group (p
Outcomes of audiometric testing in children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder

Abstract Introduction Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) is characterized by hearing loss ranging from normal to profound. Additionally, results are confounded by commonly fluctuating hearing thresholds in ANSD. As such, we sought to evaluate results of audiometric testing on children with ANSD and the impact of age and time on testing results. Methods Retrospective chart review on children Results 75 ANSD patients were analyzed, of which 32 (42.7%) were female. Bilateral and unilateral ANSD was seen in 55 (73.3%) and 20 (26.7%), respectively. A total of 130 ears with ANSD were assessed with 80 (61.5%) meeting inclusion criteria. Of these patients, the median age in years at first audiogram and most recent audiogram were 1.94 (0.45–13.68) and 4.22 (0.97–14.61), respectively. The median ages at which an SDT and PTA could first be acquired on the audiogram in ANSD patients were 1.94 (0.50–13.68) and 2.86 (0.45–13.68), respectively. The average SDT/PTA at the initial and most recent audiogram were 47.5/45.7 and 49.4/53.0 dB, respectively. SDT to PTA within the same audiogram exhibited strong correlation (r = 0.82, p Conclusions SDT and PTA within the same audiogram and initial SDT to SDT acquired at a later time correlate strongly in audiometric testing in children with ANSD. Although not as strong, initial SDT and PTA still correlate with PTA at a later time interval. These findings suggest that audiometric results yielding a reliable SDT and frequency specific information necessary to calculate the PTA is not typically obtained until 2–3 years old. However, once this information is obtained, the child's hearing is fairly stable but may fluctuate over time.
Ecology of SO2 resistance : IV. Predicting metabolic responses of fumigated shrubs and trees.

10 broadleafed trees and shrubs native to the mediterranean climactic zone in California were surveyed for their photosynthetic and stomatal responses to SO2. These species ranged from drought deciduous to evergreen and had diverse responses to SO2. These results suggest an approach for predicting SO2 resistances of plants. We found that conductance values of plants in SO2-free air can be used to estimate the quantity of SO2 which plants absorb. These estimates are based on conductance values for plants in non-limiting environmental conditions. SO2 absorption quantities are then used to predict relative photosynthesis following the fumigation. Thus, relative photosynthesis of plants following fumigation can be predicted on the basis of conductance in SO2-free air. This approach to predicting SO2 resistances of plants includes analysis of their stomatal responses to fumigation, their characteristics of SO2 adsorption and absorption, and their change in photosynthesis resulting from SO2 stress.
Challenges in riveting quality prediction: a literature survey

Abstract Riveting is a prominent joining method due to the capability of easily assembling an innovated material (e.g., dissimilar materials with light-weight and stronger performance) to an enhanced structure (e.g., body-in-white). It receives attention recently in the transportation industry and the packing manufacturing industry (e.g., white goods). The quality prediction of riveting can increase the efficiency of the riveting process and design. Even though there is much potential to data mining technique for the prediction, the mining approach is rarely used for riveting. At this perspective, we carried out a survey to make an accessible bibliography of riveting prediction for helping researchers. In this research, we searched for the past 25 year’s works of literature related to the quality measure and prediction method of riveting with special interests to self-piercing riveting (SPR). To do this, we retrieve research papers indexed at Engineering Village Database. Firstly, we categorize riveting-quality measures and prediction methods. Secondly, we analyze the topic and trend of riveting research from the collected papers. Finally, we conclude with the remaining challenges for the riveting quality prediction as well as in a data mining perspective.
Ignition and Burn in a Hybrid Nuclear Fuel for a Pulsed Rocket Engine

Abstract This work explores the parameter space of a cylindrical hybrid nuclear fuel in support of a z-pinch driven pulsed fission-fusion (PuFF) engine. 0D power balance and 1D burn wave calculations have been performed to explore the parameter space of hybrid cylindrical nuclear fuels. The boundary of minimal initial conditions needed to reach breakeven are found within the context of the model. The effects of initial conditions upon the yield at the end of burn wave expansion are also determined. The model is used to examine the minimum initial energies predicted to result in yields of a few MJ. The goal of this work is to guide fuel design, inform future models and experiments as well as look for the most efficient parameter space for ignition in a z-pinch driven hybrid nuclear reaction. The impact of initial parameters upon ignition, burn, and gain are discussed. It is found that a hybrid cylindrical target may breakeven with initial energy near the axis of approximately 4–6 MJ in lithium deuteride/uranium 235 fuel. It is also found that magnetic field can lower the threshold further of which the magnitude changes across the parameter space. The dual fusion/fission reactions are found to boost each other leading to lower initial driving energies needed to reach breakeven in the hybrid cylindrical nuclear fuel.
Surface Passivation by Excess Sulfur for Controlled Synthesis of Large, Thin SnS Flakes

Tin sulfide (SnS) is a part of the group IV chalcogenides (SnX, GeX; X:S, Se), a family of anisotropic layered materials considered for thin-film photovoltaics, optoelectronics, and valleytronics a...
Quantifying the influence of shoreface shape on coastal responses to sea level rise

Abstract The coastal zone is a very dynamic region, constantly seeking to reach a state of equilibrium due to variations in the external forces. The shallow zone along the inner continental shelf known as the shoreface, can be divided into the upper and lower shoreface. While the former responds to processes operating across time spans ranging from that of a single event, such as storm, through to seasonal variations in environmental conditions, the latter evolution's occurs in geological scale, more in response to mean trends in environmental conditions (decades to millennia). These zones are connected via sedimentary exchanges, by a transition zone that adapts to changes imposed from behaviors and displacements of the upper and lower shoreface, such as upward profile displacement with sea level rise, aeolian transport, alongshore transport gradient, cross-shore transport. To analyze the influence of shoreface morphology variations on coastal response to mean sea level rise (MSLR), computer simulations were performed using synthetic shoreface profiles with variable shoreface shape parameter (‘m’) values. The random shoreface translation model (RanSTM) was used to simulate coastal response through variations in the shape of shoreface profiles. The ‘m’ value was changed in the upper and lower shoreface separately, to check the sensitivity of coastal response (in this case, shoreline recession distance) as a function of morphological change in each of the two zones. In addition, the variations of ‘m’ were analyzed with a variable and a fixed transition zone length (in order to isolate effects of a variable ‘m’). The simulations indicated that changes in ‘m’ on the upper shoreface have minimal influence on shoreline recession distance, especially when the transition zone remained constant. Conversely, profiles with higher ‘m’ values in the lower shoreface exhibited greater shoreline recession. It was also observed that, a longer transition zone produced a higher shoreline recession. Profiles adjusted with ‘m’ values of 0.66 and 0.4 in both shoreface zones had the highest and lowest shoreline recession distances (141.4 and 203.7 m), respectively. Sensitivity tests have shown that an increase of only 0.02 units in ‘m’ in the lower shoreface had a strong positive correlation (r = 0.97, p
Cross sections for the production of radionuclides via natCu(p,X) spallation reactions for proton energies from 250 MeV to 2 GeV

Abstract Spallation cross sections for 250 MeV to 2 GeV protons bombarding thin targets of natural copper were determined via the foil activation technique. This energy range is important for cosmogenic radionuclide production in interplanetary space via bombardment by galactic cosmic-ray protons. Cross sections are reported for the production of 60Co, 58Co, 57Co, 56Co, 56Ni, 59Fe, 54Mn, 52Mng, 51Cr, 48V, 47Sc, 46Sc, 44Scm, and 7Be. The 58Co, 54Mn, 46Sc, and 44Scm cross section measurements provide values at energies not currently reported in the EXFOR cross section database. All measurements are compared to cross sections calculated with the INCL-XX intranuclear cascade reaction code, coupled to the GEMINI, ABLA, and SMM evaporation models. The models generally predict the absolute magnitude and energy-dependent variability of the cross sections to within a factor of two, however the accuracy of the models decreases with increasing mass difference between Cu and the reaction product. The ABLA and GEMINI de-excitation codes performed significantly better than SMM, with the GEMINI deexcitation model also accurately predicting the production of the light cluster nucleus 7Be. The large differences in the predictions for 7Be production between the three deexcitation models demonstrate that the deexcitation stage of spallation reactions is an important contributor to the production of light clusters.
A DNA-origami NanoTrap for studying the diffusion barriers formed by Phe-Gly-rich nucleoporins

SUMMARY DNA nanotechnology provides a versatile and powerful tool to dissect the structure-function relationship of biomolecular machines like the nuclear pore complex (NPC), an enormous protein assembly that controls molecular traffic between the nucleus and cytoplasm. To understand how the intrinsically disordered, Phe-Gly-rich nucleoporins (FG-nups) within the NPC’s central transport channel impede the diffusion of macromolecules, we built a DNA-origami NanoTrap. The NanoTrap comprises precisely arranged FG-nups in an NPC-like channel, which sits on a baseplate that captures macromolecules that pass through the FG network. Using this biomimetic construct, we determined that the FG-motif type, grafting density and spatial arrangement are critical determinants of an effective diffusion barrier. Further, we observe that diffusion barriers formed with cohesive FG-interactions dominate in mixed-FG-nup scenarios. Our DNA-origami platform thus sheds light on how NPCs sieve inert macromolecules and will provide a valuable tool for studying nuclear transport.
Broadband and unidirectional plasmonic hyperlensing in drift-biased graphene

We suggest and explore the possibility to realize broadband and unidirectional plasmonic hyperlensing over a graphene layer biased with two orthogonal drift-biases. This platform relies on the interplay between nonlocality and nonreciprocity to generate ultraconfined states in the direction aligned with the effective biasing current. The presence of these states shapes, elongates, and significantly flattens the isofrequency contour of the supported modes and enforces the canalization of surface plasmons along the two directions defined by the applied biases. Through a dedicated anisotropic Green's function formalism that takes graphene's intrinsic nonlocality into account, we show that this platform resolves the presence of two point-source emitters with a resolution larger than λ 0 / 500 over a broad frequency range ( ∼ 10 − 25 THz) using realistic biasing schemes. We also discuss how spin–orbit interactions can be exploited to construct unidirectional hyperlenses for near-field images with specific polarization distribution. Our findings may open exciting applications in dynamic, subdiffractive, and planar sensing and imaging systems and in the exciting, routing, and processing of surface plasmons.
Colloidal Metal Nanocrystals with Metastable Crystal Structures

In addition to the conventional knobs such as composition, size, shape, and defect structure, the crystal structure (or phase) of metal nanocrystals offers a new avenue for engineering their properties. Various strategies have recently been developed for the fabrication of colloidal metal nanocrystals in metastable phases different from their bulk counterparts. With a focus on noble metals, we begin with a brief introduction to their atomic packing, followed by a discussion about five major synthetic approaches to their colloidal nanocrystals in unconventional phases. We then highlight the success of synthesis in terms of mechanistic insights and experimental controls, as well as the enhanced catalytic properties. We end this Minireview with perspectives on the remaining issues and future opportunities.
Immunity and Infections in the Neonate

Bacterial infection of the newborn is a common problem that causes significant morbidity and mortality for the host. The overall risk of the more common types of neonatal bacterial infection - sepsis and meningitis - ranges from 3 to 6/1000 live births in the United States. Approximately 20%-50% of infected infants die of the illness, and for those who are treated successfully for meningeal infection, neurological sequelae are found in about one-half. Although a number of organisms have been linked etiologically with sepsis and meningitis neonatorum, 60% or more of these infections are primarily due to three pathogens, group B streptococcus (GBS), E. Coli, and L. Monocytogenes.
PROBABILISTIC ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF A RETAINING WALL

In the practice of geotechnical engineering, design decisions are made under a great deal of uncertainty, and the use of deterministic analyses and conventional safety factors can be rather deceptive. Many soil engineering structures can fail by any one of several different mechanisms. The main objective of the presentation is to arrive at optimum and balanced designs for such structures. The procedure is illustrated by analyzing and designing a gravity retaining wall first by conventional, deterministic procedures, and subsequently, by a probabilistic approach. The term safety margin is introduced and defined as the difference between resistance and load, both random variables. It is pointed out that the probability of failure does not depend on the mean value of the safety margin, but on the coefficient of variation. The optimum design for the gravity retaining wall is determined by minimizing the total expected cost considering the uncertainties in the soil parameters and the costs of failure associated with the different failure models.
Assembly and interrogation of regulatory networks elucidates synergistic dependencies in human malignancies (475.3)

The recent onslaught of molecular data, across multiple human malignancies, is producing an unprecedented repertoire of genetic and epigenetic alterations contributing to tumorigenesis and progression. Yet, the direct impact of this knowledge on tumor treatment and prevention is still largely unproven. Loss of tumor suppressor function is difficult to target pharmacologically and, with a handful of exceptions, alterations providing potential drug targets are relatively infrequent in cancer patients and are thus unlikely to support clinical development. By reconstructing and interrogating the in vivo regulatory logic of distinct cancer cells, which integrates multiple aberrant signals resulting from genetic and epigenetic alterations, systems biology is starting to elucidate and mechanistically validate both oncogene and non-oncogene addiction mechanisms. These mechanisms are exquisitely dependent on the molecular landscape of cancer subtypes, can be targeted pharmacologically, and are frequently synergist...
The Multi-level Learning and Classification of Multi-class Parts-Based Representations of U.S. Marine Postures

This paper primarily investigates the possibility of using multi-level learning of sparse parts-based representations of US Marine postures in an outside and often crowded environment for training exercises. To do so, the paper discusses two approaches to learning parts-based representations for each posture needed. The first approach uses a two-level learning method which consists of simple clustering of interest patches extracted from a set of training images for each posture, in addition to learning the nonparametric spatial frequency distribution of the clusters that represents one posture type. The second approach uses a two-level learning method which involves convolving interest patches with filters and in addition performing joint boosting on the spatial locations of the first level of learned parts in order to create a global set of parts that the various postures share in representation. Experimental results on video from actual US Marine training exercises are included.
Nonlinear Dynamic Simulation of Turbomachinery Components and Systems

The following chapters deal with the nonlinear transient simulation of turbomachinery systems. Power generation steam and gas turbine engines, combined cycle systems, aero gas turbine engines ranging from single spool engines to multi-spool high pressure core engines with an afterburner for supersonic flights, rocket propulsion systems and compression systems for transport of natural gas with a network of pipeline systems are a few examples of systems that heavily involve turbomachinery components.
Media at the Margins: Policy and Practice in American, Canadian, and British Community Television

This comparative study addresses the policies and practices of community television in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. In particular, I examine how community media organizations are transforming themselves to meet the demands of a digital world, and how these experiences are reflected in policy and regulation. Findings suggest that the policies governing community television do not correspond to what has been experienced by practitioners. Drawing from theories of the public sphere, the argument is made that policy does a disservice to community television by failing to acknowledge the importance of place, bodies, and practice. This is problematic, as it fails to distinguish community media from user-generated digital content.
KLEE: unassisted and automatic generation of high-coverage tests for complex systems programs

We present a new symbolic execution tool, KLEE, capable of automatically generating tests that achieve high coverage on a diverse set of complex and environmentally-intensive programs. We used KLEE to thoroughly check all 89 stand-alone programs in the GNU COREUTILS utility suite, which form the core user-level environment installed on millions of Unix systems, and arguably are the single most heavily tested set of open-source programs in existence. KLEE-generated tests achieve high line coverage -- on average over 90% per tool (median: over 94%) -- and significantly beat the coverage of the developers' own hand-written test suite. When we did the same for 75 equivalent tools in the BUSYBOX embedded system suite, results were even better, including 100% coverage on 31 of them.We also used KLEE as a bug finding tool, applying it to 452 applications (over 430K total lines of code), where it found 56 serious bugs, including three in COREUTILS that had been missed for over 15 years. Finally, we used KLEE to crosscheck purportedly identical BUSYBOX and COREUTILS utilities, finding functional correctness errors and a myriad of inconsistencies.
A Gas-Chromatographic Method for Separating and Measuring Barbiturates and Glutethimide in Blood

A gas-chromatographic method is described for the quantitative determination of 11 barbiturates and glutethimide in blood. The extracted barbiturates are methylated and injected into a 7% DC-200 column. Use of methohexital as the internal standard, as well as the addition of standards to a drug-free sample of blood, compensates for losses and for differences in the distribution coefficient of the individual barbiturates, and makes the procedure highly precise and accurate.
Mast Cells and Asthma

Publisher Summary Mast cells are primary effector cells of immediate hypersensitivity reactions, and are constitutively found in gas exchange and conducting regions of the human lung. Proteases, along with histamine and heparin proteoglycan, are major constituents of mast cell secretory granules, and serve to divide human mast cells into two major phenotypes. MCTC cells contain tryptase, chymase, mast cell carboxypeptidase and neutrophil cathepsin G, whereas MCT cells contain tryptase alone. MCT cells account for nearly all of the mast cells present in the alveolar wall, while MCTC cells account for an increasing portion of the mast cells as one moves up the airway. In nasal mucosa, approximately equal proportions of these two types of mast cell are found. Throughout the airway, MCT cells are the predominant type in epithelium, while MCTC cells often reside near mucous glands and airway smooth muscle. In active atopics with asthma or rhinitis, increased numbers of MCT cells appear in the epithelium. This may account for the increased numbers of mast cells found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, induced sputum and in bronchial brushings from asthmatics, and also, in part, for the increase in clinical sensitivity to inhaled aeroallergens. However, total numbers of mast cells in the lung do not appear to be increased. Instead, asthma is characterized by ongoing mast cell activation in the airway.
Dipole potential measurements in asymmetric membranes.

WE report here detection of two kinds of asymmetry in planar lipid bilayers which may bear on the problem of asymmetry in biological membranes. One kind of asymmetry arises as a consequence of an asymmetric distribution in the bilayer of lipids with charged polar head groups, and the other from an asymmetric distribution of lipids with different but neutral polar head groups. Several studies indicate that the lipids of the red cell membrane are asymmetrically distributed. In the erythrocyte membrane the outer half of the bilayer consists predominantly of neutral lipids, whereas the inner half contains all the negatively charged phospholipid phosphatidylserine1–3. In nerve axons such lipid asymmetry has not been demonstrated directly but can be inferred from surface charge measurements. These measurements indicate that at least in the neighbourhood of the sodium channel, the negative charge density is greater in the outer monolayer of the membrane4,5.
Dynamic Testing of Regional Viscoelastic Behavior of Canine Sclera

Intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations have gained recent clinical interest and thus warrant an understanding of how the sclera responds to dynamic mechanical insults. The objective of this study was to characterize the regional dynamic viscoelastic properties of canine sclera under physiological cyclic loadings. Scleral strips were excised from the anterior, equatorial, and posterior sclera in ten canine eyes. The dimensions of each strip were measured using a high resolution ultrasound imaging system. The strips were tested in a humidity chamber at approximately 37 °C using a Rheometrics Systems Analyzer. A cyclic strain input (0.25%, 1 Hz) was applied to the strips, superimposed upon pre-stresses corresponding to an IOP of 15, 25, and 45 mmHg. The cyclic stress output was recorded and the dynamic properties were calculated based on linear viscoelasticity. Uni-axial tensile tests were also performed on the same samples and the results were compared to those reported for human eyes. The results showed that the sclera's resistance to dynamic loading increased significantly while the damping capability decreased significantly with increasing pre-stresses for all regions of sclera (P < 0.001). Anterior sclera appeared to have a significantly higher damping capability than equatorial and posterior sclera (P = 0.003 and 0.018, respectively). The secant modulus from uni-axial tensile tests showed a decreasing trend from anterior to posterior sclera, displaying a similar pattern as in the human eye. In conclusion, all scleral regions in the canine eyes exhibited an increased ability to resist and a decreased ability to dampen cyclic stress insults at increasing pre-stress (i.e., increasing steady-state IOP). The regional variation of the dynamic properties differed from those of uni-axial tensile tests. Dynamic testing may provide useful information to better understand the mechanical behavior of the sclera in response to dynamic IOP.
Captopril: pharmacology, metabolism and disposition.

(1984). Captopril: Pharmacology, Metabolism, and Disposition. Drug Metabolism Reviews: Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 841-869.