cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does triploidization produce functional sterility of triploid males of tench Tinca tinca (L.)

Triploidy interferes with gametogenesis in all fish species tested so far. In fish it results in complete female sterility however, males are still able to develop testis. The reason why sterility levels in triploid fishes differ among species and between sexes is unclear. In the present study the reproductive capacity of triploid males of tench was studied. Flow cytometry revealed sperm cells of triploids to be largely aneuploid with high mosaic DNA, oscillating from haploid DNA to diploid DNA content. Analysis of variance showed an insignificant influence of ploidy level on the percentage of motile spermatozoa, as well as on spermatozoa velocity. Experimental crosses between normal diploid female and triploid males resulted in the appearance of triploid progeny, which exhibited genotypes composed of microsatellite alleles inherited from the founder female and additional allele derived from the donor male. We can conclude that the triploid males analysed in the present study were capable to fertilize eggs derived from diploid females.
A Sol–Gel Route To Synthesize Monolithic Zinc Oxide Aerogels

The epoxide addition sol–gel process is a relatively new route to synthesize transition and main group metal oxide aerogels. Zinc oxide monoliths were obtained by sol–gel processing of an alcoholic zinc nitrate solution with propylene oxide as the gelation initiator. The alcogels were dried either by supercritical CO2 fluid extraction (aerogel) or by ambient temperature slow evaporation (xerogel). The resulting materials were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis, and photoluminescence (PL). Annealing of the aerogel at low temperatures (below 250 °C) yields a highly crystalline material which exhibits a significant increase in photoluminescence while retaining the inherent characteristics of the original aerogel, including high surface area (>100 m2/g) and porosity.
Passive localization using rotating anchor pairs in wireless sensor networks

Several range-free and range-based techniques have been proposed to solve the localization problem in wireless adhoc and sensor networks. Although range-based techniques are known to be more accurate than their range-free counterparts, they usually require nodes to be equipped with sophisticated hardware that makes these techniques inappropriate, especially under massive deployments, for the presumably inexpensive sensor nodes. From hardware prospective, it is much easier to obtain received signal strength(RSS) than to obtain angle of arrival(AOA) or time difference of arrival(TDOA). Hence, localization techniques based on RSS are undoubtedly the most acceptable in the literature. A major drawback with RSSI-based distance measurements is the inherent inaccuracy due to the irregularity of signal propagation in different directions. In this paper, we propose and evaluate, a new localization protocol for sensor networks where each sensor is localized based on its angle to at least two of the network anchors. Only angles are determined based on the relative strength of received signals and no distance measurements are needed which in turn reduces the impact of the irregularity of signal propagation on the localization accuracy. Although our protocol requires each sensor to be within the transmission range of only two anchors, it can be easily extended to benefit from the existence of all available anchors for a better localization accuracy. Simulation results under noise-free and noisy conditions show that our protocol achieves higher localization accuracy than other protocols which makes it useful for most WSN applications.
Leadership and Learning in Political Groups: The Management of Advice in the Iran‐Contra Affair

For over two decades, the theory of groupthink proposed by Irving Janis has remained the most prominent analysis of group dynamics in policy-making. Suffering from its own popularity, groupthink has become a catch-all phrase without a clear meaning. Moreover, theories of group decision-making—even when applied to public policy-making—have typically ignored political variables, focusing almost exclusively on psychological arguments. This article offers three more narrowly construed propositions about policy-making groups: (1) that extremes in the distribution of power within a decision group reduces the integrative complexity of that group's deliberations and, thus, a leader's ability to learn; (2) that extremes in group size produce similar effects; and (3) that the integrative complexity of deliberations is improved when power concentration is appropriate to group size. An examination of the Reagan Administration's decision-making in two phases of the Iran-Contra affair lends support to these hypotheses and reveals the importance of political structure in decision group dynamics.
Cognitive Styles and Multicultural Populations

Recruiting minorities into the teacher education programs of historically white institutions will create new demands for pedagogical perspective and practice. Anderson describes the importance of recognizing the existence of cultural as sets and variations when dealing with non-white populations. Traditional in structional approaches will prove dys functional and anachronistic asserts the author. He describes how service deliv ery systems to multi-ethnic populations have been ineffective and why retention programs have failed.
The Effect of Contingency Contracting on the Completion Rate of Behavior Assignments in Assertion Training Groups

In this study clients in six assertion training groups were assigned extragroup homework assignments at each session to complete by the beginning or the following session. Assignments consisted of keeping a diary, rehearsing a situation at home, reading a chapter on assertion training, contacting a buddy, monitoring one's own behavior, and/or performing a new behavior outside the group. The average number of these assignments per person per meeting was four. The assignment completion rate per group was recorded at every session. In each group, contingency contracts were introduced at either the second, third, fourth, or fifth session and continued in each group until the last session. In five groups an increase in the rate of completion followed the introduction of contingency contracts. The findings suggest that contingency contracting is an effective addition to the treatment package in assertion training groups.
Friends with Benefits: Dating Practices of Rural High School and College Students

A specific type of casual relationship known as “Friends with Benefits” (FWB) is becoming increasingly popular among youth. However, current research has often examined the dating practices of urban college students, resulting in a limited understanding of rural youth. Potential risk factors associated with FWB include increased sexual risk behavior. The current study examined FWB among rural high school and college students (N = 100). No differences emerged in the rates of FWB between high school and college youth or males and females. College students and those participating in FWB reported more sexual risk behavior than high school students and those never engaging in FWB. Results suggest that FWB relationships are common among high school students and rural youth.
Hybrid collaborative filtering model for improved recommendation

Collaborative filtering (CF) based recommendation system, which can automatically predict unknown preference of a user to certain products and then generate meaningful recommendations using a explicit known ratings matrix, has become one of the most successful approaches in web-based activities such as e-commerce. As users will typically not bother to rate items they bought, data sparsity is one main challenge for CF task. Item-oriented CF algorithm and user-oriented CF algorithm are two state of the art techniques for recommendation system. However, the utilization of singe item similarity matrix or single user similarity matrix always results in poor prediction accuracy because of sparse data. In this paper, a new hybrid collaborative filtering model is proposed by combining item-based CF algorithm and user-based CF algorithm. Both item similarity matrix and user similarity matrix are considered in this hybrid CF model, which is more robust to sparse problem. Experimental results on MovieLens data set show the superiority of our approach over current state of the art methods.
The life habits and paleoecology of middle Pennsylvanian medullosan pteridosperms based on an in situ assemblage from the Bernice Basin (Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)

Abstract The fossil flora underlying the Middle Pennsylvanian B-coal in the Bernice Basin is an in situ clastic swamp flora which contains the large-scale remains of six pteridosperm species. Petiole remains belong to four architectural types: bifurcating Neuropteris, pseudodichotomizing Alethopteris, distichous Alethopteris, and trifurcating Linopteris. Among the neuropterids, variable petiole diameters and bifurcation angles suggest that more than one Neuropteris petiole architecture existed. The rare pinnule remains support this conclusion since there are three Neuropteris foliage species present (N. rarinervis, N. ovata, and N. scheuchzeri). The swamp also contains some nearly intact pteridosperm stems up to 5 m in length. These stems belong to two taxa. One had widely separated leaves, and the other had densely packed leaves. The stems with the widely separated leaves were contorted and were not self-supporting. These plants grew in poly-specific clusters and supported each other. The stems with dense leaf packing were solitary and free standing. The plants with contorted stems reached heights of 10 m or more (excluding canopy height). The fronds reached maximum lengths of 5 m and maximum diameters of 60 mm. The self-supporting stems were shorter, probably less than 5 m in height.
Using a Molecular-Genetic Approach to Investigate Bacterial Physiology in a Continuous, Research-Based, Semester-Long Laboratory for Undergraduates

Designing investigative laboratory exercises that encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and independent thought for upper-division biology courses is a difficult but worthwhile task. In an effort to do so, we developed a semester-long, continuous, research-based investigative laboratory that integrates numerous genetic and molecular biology methods into the investigation of a bacterial physiological process. In this lab, students use random Tn5 transposon mutagenesis to create prodigiosin pigment mutants in the bacterium, Serratia marcescens. This is followed by phenotypic characterization, cloning, and sequencing the Tn insertion site to identify genes involved in pigment biosynthesis. During this lab, students gain ample experience performing basic lab techniques while learning about — and applying — methods for elucidating gene function. The approach to the laboratory and the outcomes are intimately integrated into the teaching of many fundamental physiological processes underlying prodigiosin production in bacteria. The result is a cohesive course that integrates the theory and application of molecular genetic techniques with the study of bacterial physiology. Assessments of student learning objectives demonstrated that students greatly improved their understanding of both physiological processes and the genetic techniques used to investigate them. In addition, students felt that this semester-long exercise provided the necessary laboratory experience they needed and desired in preparation for careers in molecular biology, microbiology, and biochemistry.
Treatment of Gambling Disorders

Preclinical and clinical research implicate several neurotransmitter systems in the pathophysiology of gambling disorder (GD). In particular, neurobiological research suggests alterations in serotonergic, dopaminergic, glutamatergic and opioidergic functioning. The relative efficacy of medications targeting these systems remains a topic of ongoing research, and there is currently no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication with an indication for GD. Considering co-occurring disorders may be particularly important when devising a treatment plan for GD: extant data suggest that the opioid antagonist naltrexone may by the most effective form of current pharmacotherapy for GD, particularly for individuals with a co-occurring substance-use disorder (SUD) or with a family history of alcoholism. In contrast, lithium or other mood stabilizers may be most effective for GD for patients presenting with a co-occurring bipolar spectrum disorder (BSD). Further, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) may be efficacious in reducing GD symptoms for individuals also presenting with a (non-BSD) mood or anxiety disorder. Finally, elevated rates of GD (and other impulse control disorders; ICDs) have been noted among individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and clinicians should assess for vulnerability to GD when considering treatment options for PD. Reducing levodopa or dopamine agonist (DA) dosages may partially reduce GD symptoms among patients with co-occurring PD. For GD patients not willing to consider drug treatment, n-acetyl cysteine or behavioral therapies may be effective. Ongoing research into the effectiveness of combined behavioral and pharmacotherapies is being conducted; thus combined treatments should also be considered.
Modified Phase Diagram for the Barium Oxide–Titanium Dioxide System for the Ferroelectric Barium Titanate

The ferroelectric phase transition behavior in BaTiO3 was investigated for various annealing times, temperatures, and Ba/Ti ratios by means of a differential scanning calorimeter. Coupling these observations with powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy allowed new insights into the barium oxide (BaO)–titanium dioxide (TiO2) phase diagram. The transition temperature was varied systematically with the Ba/Ti ratio at annealing temperatures from 1200° to 1400°C in air. The transition temperature decreased with increasing concentrations of BaO and TiO2 partial Schottky defects, and showed a discontinuous change at the phase boundaries. Beyond the solubility region, two peritectoid reactions were confirmed and revised; first around 1150°C for Ba1.054Ti0.946O2.946→Ba2TiO4+BaTiO3 and second 1250°C for BaTi2O5→Ba6Ti17O40+BaTiO3, respectively. All other regimes of the BaO–TiO2 were found to be consistent with the reported diagrams in the literature.
Hamiltonian knot projections and lengths of thick knots

Abstract For a knot or link K , L ( K ) denotes the rope length of K and Cr ( K ) denotes the crossing number of K . An important problem in geometric knot theory concerns the bound on L ( K ) in terms of Cr ( K ). It is well known that there exist positive constants c 1 , c 2 such that for any knot or link K , c 1 ·( Cr ( K )) 3/4 ⩽ L ( K )⩽ c 2 ·( Cr ( K )) 2 . In this paper, we prove that there exists a constant c >0 such that for any knot or link K , L ( K )⩽ c ·( Cr ( K )) 3/2 . This is done through the study of regular projections of knots and links as 4-regular plane graphs. We show that for any knot or link K there exists a knot or link K ′ and a regular projection G of K ′ such that K ′ is of the same knot type as that of K , G has at most 4· Cr ( K ) crossings, and G is a Hamiltonian graph. We then use this result to develop an embedding algorithm. Using this algorithm, we are able to embed any knot or link K into the simple cubic lattice such that the length of the embedded knot is of order at most O(( Cr ( K )) 3/2 ). This result in turn establishes the above mentioned upper bound on L ( K ) for smooth knots and links. Moreover, for many knots and links with special Hamiltonian projections, our embedding algorithm ensures that the bound on L ( K ) can be of order O( Cr ( K )). The study of Hamilton cycles in a regular knot projection plays a very important role and many questions can be raised in this direction.
A competitive test of the 1(im)bargaining set, kernel, and equal share models

An experiment was conducted to test three competing theories of payoff allocation in n-person conflicts. One hundred-eighty subjects participated in three-person groups. Subjects were decision makers in nonconstant sum games with sidepayments and nonempty core. With respect to coalition formation, the results showed a propensity for coalitions with large characteristic function values to form more frequently than coalitions with smaller values. With respect to payoffs, results indicated that the M1(im) bargaining set based on the Shapley standard of fairness predicted the observed allocations more accurately than either the kernel theory or the equal share model. The results also showed that relatively few outcomes fell in the core, a surprising observation given the theoretical prominence of this concept. Findings are discussed in the light of previous experimental research on n-person conflicts.
Hyperfine Structure and Intensities of the Forbidden Lines of Pb I

The hyperfine structure of the forbidden lines of lead is studied in order to establish the intensity rules in the hyperfine structure of such lines. Those here investigated arise from transitions between the levels of the $6{p}^{2}$ configuration, and show hyperfine structure because of the presence of a nuclear spin and magnetic moment in the isotope 207. They are excited very intensely by 3-meter standing waves in helium at about 5 mm pressure, containing saturated Pb vapor at 800\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. The type of discharge and its dependence on several factors are studied. Intensities are quantitatively determined from calibrated plates. For the quadrupole line $\ensuremath{\lambda}5313$, the intensity ratio (3: 2), and the ratio of the distances from the center of gravity, are found to agree with the Rubinowicz formulas transcribed for hyperfine structure by Opechowski (selection rule $\ensuremath{\Delta}F=0$, \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1, \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2). For the magnetic dipole line $\ensuremath{\lambda}4618$, these ratios agree with the well-known rules for electric dipole transitions (2: 1). In the case of $\ensuremath{\lambda}7330$, which is of mixed type, the intensities are approximately those for ordinary electric dipole transitions, showing that this line is mostly magnetic dipole radiation and that for such radiation the selection rule $\ensuremath{\Delta}F=0$, \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 holds. An upper limit of the admixture of electric quadrupole can be evaluated from these measurements. The measurements also show that the total transition probabilities for electric quadrupole and magnetic dipole are independent of the existence of a magnetic moment of the nucleus since they are the same for the various isotopes. Finally, the relative intensities of these three lines and of two others, $\ensuremath{\lambda}4659$ and a newly found line at $\ensuremath{\lambda}9250(^{3}P_{2}\ensuremath{-}^{1}D_{2})$, have been measured for comparison with theory. The results are ${I}_{4618}:{I}_{5313}=5.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3$ and ${I}_{4659}:{I}_{7330}:{I}_{9250}=0.023\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.006:1:0.84\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07$. These ratios are independent of the furnace temperature. The ratio ${I}_{5313}:{I}_{4659}$ varies somewhat with temperature, changing from about 15 to 12 in going from the lower to the higher temperatures.
DETERMINATION OF THE FIXED BED WALL HEAT TRANSFER COEFFICIENT USING COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS

Fluid flow and heat transfer in a fixed bed of tube-to-particle-diameter ratio 2.14 is modeled by an arrangement of three staggered spheres in a tube. The problem is solved numerically by a finite element method applied to the three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations and the energy equation. Results are obtained for Reynolds numbers in the range 25-101, with a Prandtl number of 0.72 and particle conductivities in the range 0.25-48.0 W/ (m K) Watt heat transfer coefficients obtained from the calculated temperature profiles are in good agreement with values predicted by a model-matching theory using correlations based on experimental measurements,
Monitoring Pregnancy in Twinning Pygmy Loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) Using Fecal Estrogen Metabolites

Estrone and estrone conjugates were measured in the feces of three female pygmy lorises (Nycticebus pygmaeus) throughout estrus, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. Two females gave birth to twins, while the third had a single stillborn. A comparison between the hormonal profiles of these three pregnancies with each other and with previously reported pregnancies resulting in singletons or twins [Jurke et al., American Journal of Primatology 41:103-115, 1997] revealed a characteristic pattern of hormonal excretion. This report adds data to and confirms previous claims that monitoring estrone in this species provides a tool to assess gestation length (via determination of estrus period) and to predict the date of parturition and the number of offspring. However, there was an exceptional case of a pregnancy which had the hormonal appearance of a twin pregnancy but resulted in a single stillborn infant. This case prompted us to search for new insights into the characteristics and the origin of the estrogens that are excreted into the feces. Aromatase activity was evaluated in five partial placentae.
Control systems challenges in energy efficient portable UV based water sterilizer

1 This paper presents a real world challenge of constructing an energy efficient portable ultra-violet-based water sterilizer. We discuss a novel approach where UV radiation has a dual use, (i) to detect microbial activity through biofluorescence, and (ii) to sterilize the water. This dual use scenario enables us to propose a feedback control based operation scheme. The goal that we want to achieve is to make sure that the bacteria population does not exceed the allowed level, while keeping the energy usage as low as possible. We propose a mathematical model for both the detection and sterilization process, based on experimental data. We then formulate an optimal control problem that minimizes the energy consumption while meeting a probabilistic performance criterion. By using an idea from dynamic programming, we propose a solution where the optimization in the detection and sterilization processes can be decoupled.
Normal-mode analysis of FeCl4- and Fe2S2Cl42- via vibrational mössbauer, resonance Raman, and FT-IR spectroscopies.

[NEt4][FeCl4], [P(C6H5)4][FeCl4], and [NEt4]2[Fe2S2Cl4] have been examined using 57Fe nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS). These complexes serve as simple models for Fe−S clusters in metalloproteins. The 57Fe partial vibrational density of states (PVDOS) spectra were interpreted by computation of the normal modes assuming Urey−Bradley force fields, using additional information from infrared and Raman spectra. Previously published force constants were used as initial values; the new constraints from NRVS frequencies and amplitudes were then used to refine the force field parameters in a nonlinear least-squares analysis. The normal-mode calculations were able to quantitatively reproduce both the frequencies and the amplitudes of the intramolecular-mode 57Fe PVDOS. The optimized force constants for bending, stretching, and nonbonded interactions agree well with previously reported values. In addition, the NRVS technique also allowed clear observation of anion−cation lattice modes below 100 cm-1...
The Use of Felbamate in Patients with Periodic Lateralized Epileptiform Discharges (PLEDs)

This case report refers to a patient with PLEDs whose EEGs did not change while on steady levels of phenytoin and phenobarbital, but showed a complete disappearance of these discharges when felbamate was used. This report may serve to remind EEG'ers and epileptologists that the acute use of this drug may be effective in dealing with PLEDs that are often difficult to eliminate. However, physicians must keep in mind the significant risks of using this medication.
Combined forward error control and packetized zerotree wavelet encoding for transmission of images over varying channels

One method of transmitting wavelet based zerotree encoded images over noisy channels is to add channel coding without altering the source coder. A second method is to reorder the embedded zerotree bitstream into packets containing a small set of wavelet coefficient trees. We consider a hybrid mixture of these two approaches and demonstrate situations in which the hybrid image coder can outperform either of the two building block methods, namely on channels that can suffer packet losses as well as statistically varying bit errors.
Investigation of secondary deformation zone and mean coefficient of friction during the machining of 5083-H34 aluminum alloy

Abstract An experimental analysis was performed to evaluate the width of the secondary deformation zone and the mean coefficient of friction during the machining of 5083-H34 aluminum alloy. Dry orthogonal cutting tests using high speed steel and sintered carbide tools of different rake angles were carried out at a wide range of feed rates at constant cutting speed for tubular workpieces. The width of the secondary deformation zone and the mean coefficient of friction were found to be direct functions of the parameters involved in the cutting process. The results were analyzed in terms of the variation in the mean tool-chip contact temperature and its influence on the specific tangential load and specific normal pressure on the tool face.
A Direct Test of the Mixture of Distributions Hypothesis: Measuring the Daily Flow of Information

This paper proposes and conducts direct tests of the mixture of distributions model for stock prices. By exploiting the model's bivariate conditional normality of price changes and trading volume, these restrictions can be tested under very weak assumptions regarding the daily flow of information to the market. As a technical by product, important parameters governing the distribution of this unobservable information flow are estimated.
Massively parallel data mining using reconfigurable hardware: approximate string matching

Summary form only given. Data mining is an application that is commonly executed on massively parallel systems, often using clusters with hundreds of processors. With a disk-based data store, however, the data must first be delivered to the processors before effective mining can take place. Here, we describe the prototype of an experimental system that moves processing closer to where the data resides, on the disk, and exploits massive parallelism via reconfigurable hardware to perform the computation. The performance of the prototype is also reported.
Disturbances in Atrial Rhythm and Conduction Following the Surgical Creation of an Atrial Septal Defect by the Blalock-Hanlon Technique

Disturbances in atrial conduction or rhythm, or both, were found in 16 of 27 patients undergoing the surgical creation of an atrial septal defect by the Blalock-Hanlon technique. These included P-wave aberrations of intra-atrial block and ectopic atrial rhythm, A-V rhythm, A-V dissociation, sinus bradycardia, atrial flutter, escapecapture bigeminy, and atrial premature beats. Some of these were transient and occurred within 2 weeks after surgery. It seems likely that tissue trauma engendered by the clamp and resection of the atrial septum with possible injury to the internodal conducting pathways may be the genesis of these early postoperative disturbances. Of the eight cases with transient disturbances, six occurred in this period. Later changes, such as intra-atrial block, sinus bradycardia, and atrial flutter, may be atttributed to changes in atrial size secondary to the postoperative pathophysiology. Digitalis intoxication and congestive heart failure cannot be excluded as contributory factors in eith...
Computation of Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors of a Mistuned Bladed Disk Via Unidirectional Taylor Series Expansions

This paper deals with the computation of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a mistuned bladed disk. First, the existence of derivatives of repeated eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors is discussed. Next, an algorithm is developed to compute these derivatives. It is shown how a Taylor series expansion can be used to efficiently compute eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a mistuned system. Numerical examples are presented to corroborate the validity of theoretical analysis.
Couple empowerment in divorce: A comparison of mediated and nonmediated outcomes

This article examines whether empowerment through mediation actually produces tangible outcomes for divorcing couples in a random selection of 120 mediated and nonmediated divorce cases in Harris County, Texas. Data analysis supports the hypothesis: mediated cases result in more changes to the state-ordered possessory arrangement governing access to children than nonmediated cases. A discussion of the significance of the findings for mediators is included.
Learned-Helplessness Theory: Implications for Research in Learning Disabilities

The application of learned-helplessness theory to achievement is discussed within the context of implications for research in learning disabilities. The etiology of academic helplessness is reviewed with respect to attributional style in children who experience performance deficits. Of interest are gender differences, mediating variables, information processing, and strategies of intervention. Research has established that helpless students have a maladaptive style of attribution. Attributing academic failure to an internal, invariant source of poor ability has been significantly associated with an expectancy of noncontrol and poor achievement. Teacher and parental practices have been shown to have an important influence on the development of negative self-attribution. Finally, the similarities between helpless children and learning disabled students in terms of problem-solving and attention are discussed.
ReClick - A Modular Dataplane Design Framework for FPGA-Based Network Virtualization

Network virtualization has emerged as a powerful technique to deploy novel services and experimental protocols over shared network infrastructures. Although recent research has highlighted field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) as attractive platforms for high performance network virtualization, these devices remain inaccessible to the larger networking research community due to the absence of user-friendly programming models. A programming model that can abstract the intricacies of the hardware platform while being aware of the underlying resource constraints is highly desirable. In this paper, we present ReClick, a framework to efficiently design and deploy reconfigurable data planes for FPGA-based network virtualization systems. A hardware-agnostic programming model is described that allows developers to focus on the virtual data plane semantics rather than the implementation details. The framework exposes interfaces similar to the popular software router development framework, Click, and promotes design reuse. Optimization strategies are included in ReClick which use similarities between virtual data plane configurations to implement multiple planes in an area-efficient manner. Data planes exhibiting up to 1 Gbps data rate have been automatically compiled and tested in hardware in a Net FPGA platform.
Maximum a posteriori optimization-a method for calculation of dynamic changes in ventricular contours from angiographic image sequences

A robust and accurate method for automatic determination of dynamic left ventricular function has been developed for application to sequences of angiographic images. The method employs a maximum a posteriori optimization approach. The shape of the ventricle boundary is modeled by an elliptical Fourier series. The intensity cross section of the ventricle boundary is modeled using a derivative of a Gaussian. Prior knowledge of the probability of a given ventricle shape and temporal behavior is encoded using a distribution on the parameters. This prior knowledge is coupled with the spatial and temporal information in the image sequence using a guided gradient descent technique to estimate the dynamic contour coefficients. The results illustrate the performance of the optimization algorithm on two examples of digital subtraction X-ray ventriculograms. >
Assessing Decision-Making Capacity

Physicians frequently are asked to assess whether a patient has the capacity to make informed decisions about his or her medical care. Such assessments may be difficult and controversial. There are few explicit legal standards for judging competency to make medical decisions. Furthermore, clinical practices for evaluating decision-making capacity are problematic. The following case illustrates some of these problems. Mrs. C., a 74 year old widow with congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, and mild dementia, has been admitted to the hospital for shortness of breath and chest pain. In the past three years she has suffered two heart attacks. During the past two months, her symptoms have worsened despite several medications, including maximally tolerated doses of diltiazem, furosemide and enalapril. She now develops shortness of breath and chest pain when walking one block. Because there are no other medical treatments for her condition, her physician recommends angioplasty or bypass surgery in order to ameliorate her symptoms.
Changes in Pectins and Product Consistency during the Concentration of Tomato Juice to Paste

Concentrating tomato juice to paste during the tomato season allows for preservation and long-term storage, but subsequent dilution for formulation of value-added products is known to result in a loss of consistency. To understand the reasons for this, samples of unconcentrated juice, processing intermediates, and concentrated paste were collected from an industrial processing plant during normal commercial production. All samples were diluted with water to 5 °Brix and then analyzed for consistency and pectin content. Whole juice consistency, measured with a Bostwick consistometer, decreased through the course of juice concentration, with the largest change occurring early in the process, as the juice was concentrated from 5 to 10 °Brix. This decrease in consistency occurred during the production of paste from both hot- and cold-break juices. The change in Bostwick value was correlated with a decrease in the precipitate weight ratio. The loss of consistency during commercial processing was not the direct result of water removal because a sample of this same 5 °Brix juice could be concentrated 2-fold in a vacuum oven and then diluted back to 5 °Brix with no change in consistency or precipitate ratio. Total pectin content did not change as the juice was concentrated to paste, but the proportion of the total pectin that was water soluble increased. The greatest increases in pectin solubility occurred during the hot break and late in the process where the evaporator temperature was the highest.
Self-Encryption Scheme for Data Security in Mobile Devices

The pervasive use of wireless networks and mobile devices has been changing our living style significantly. Along with great convenience and efficiency, there are new challenges in protecting sensitive and/or private data carried in these devices. The most challenging part lies in a dilemma: while it should be computationally infeasible for adversaries to decrypt the data, the cryptographic operation should be efficient for legitimate users and minimize battery drain. This paper proposes a novel data encryption and storage scheme to address this challenge. Treating the data as a binary bit stream, our self-encryption (SE) scheme generates a keystream by randomly extracting bits from the stream. The length of the keystream depends on the user's security requirements. The bit stream is encrypted and the ciphertext is stored on the mobile device, whereas the keystream is stored separately. This makes it computationally not feasible to recover the original data stream from the ciphertext alone.
Evaluation of a rapid urine amylase test using post-ERCP hyperamylasemia as a model

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The initial diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is often based on clinical criteria together with elevations of serum amylase and lipase. A reliable bedside urine test could facilitate the early diagnosis of pancreatitis. We evaluated a rapid urine amylase test (Rapignost) by using post-ERCP hyperamylasemia as a human model of acute development of hyperamylasemia suggestive of pancreatitis. METHODS: Seventy-five patients undergoing ERCP were prospectively evaluated. Patients with renal insufficiency, hyperlipidemia, or hyperglycemia were excluded. Before ERCP, patients had serum amylase and lipase measured, and urine amylase tested with the Rapignost test strip. At 4 and 16–24 h post-ERCP, a serum and urine (test strip) amylase were measured again; the adequacy of urine collection was verified by measuring a 2-h creatinine clearance. Patients were clinically assessed for the development of clinical pancreatitis. The concordance of the strip result with post-ERCP hyperamylasemia was assessed. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the test strip for the detection of hyperamylasemia was greatest at 16–24 h post-ERCP (78%). Specificity was uniformally high (100% specificity at 16–24 h post-procedure). The test strip was positive in all cases of clinical pancreatitis. Of three cases of clinically evident ERCP-induced pancreatitis, only one was urine test strip positive by 4 h post-procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Using post-ERCP hyperamylasemia as a model, the Rapignost rapid urine amylase test strip was only marginally sensitive but highly specific for hyperamylasemia. The urine test strip was positive in all cases of clinical pancreatitis and may be a useful bedside test for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.
An overview of issues related to the correction of non-differential exposure measurement error in epidemiologic studies.

Procedures to correct estimates of association in epidemiologic studies for the effects of exposure measurement error have rarely been employed in practice. The application of correction procedures would be enhanced by methods that allow the inclusion of covariates, provide corrected confidence intervals, are compatible with commonly employed analytic methods, and that are clearly communicated to potential users. Before using such a procedure, it is important to clearly specify the conceptual ‘true’ exposure, determine the nature of the measurement error, and decide whether a reproducibility study or validity study is required to quantify the error. The careful use of correction procedures promises to improve our knowledge of the quantitative relationships between many exposures and disease since it is likely that we have substantially underestimated the effects of many exposures and overstated our confidence in null results.
Outcomes of Women Treated for Popliteal Artery Aneurysms.

Background Popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) in women are rare and their outcomes compared with men with PAA are unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of PAA of women with men. Methods All patients who underwent PAA repair at a single institution from 1985 to 2013 were reviewed. All women with degenerative PAA treated during that time frame were matched on year of repair to men. Presentation, mode of repair, and outcomes were reviewed. Survival and amputation-free survival were evaluated by life table analysis. Results During the study interval, 8 women with degenerative PAA underwent surgical treatment (1.6% of 485 total PAA repairs). The overall median follow-up was 5 years (range 1 month to 19 years), but the median follow-up was shorter for women than men (1.6 vs. 6 years, P = 0.04). At the time of repair, women were of similar age compared with men (73.5 vs. 71.7 years) and had similar aneurysm size (2.7 vs. 2.9 cm). Women had similar urgency (25 vs. 17.5% emergent) and symptomatic status (50% vs. 55% acute) even though 7 of the 8 women had a thrombosed PAA at the time of repair. Operative time, approach, graft type, and inflow and outflow sources were similar between genders. No women received endovascular repair (0% vs. 10%, P = 0.5). One patient of each gender underwent major amputation (one woman on post-operative day 158 and one man on post-operative day 3). Overall, women had lower survival and amputation-free survival at 2 years (51% vs. 100% and 20% vs. 94%, P < 0.01 for both, standard error 0.2). Conclusions PAA requiring intervention in women is a rare clinical occurrence. Although our series is limited, women requiring PAA repair had higher long-term mortality compared with men with a similar pathology and treatment strategy.
University of Virginia Investment Management Company (Uvimco) - 2007

This case involves the decision to move investment funds to a new fund manager. The new fund has high percentage of its assets in nontraditional assets such as hedge funds and private equity. The learning objectives of the case are to provide background on the different types of assets available for investment by large endowment portfolios. The case also provides an opportunity to discuss market efficiency and the risk return trades involved with nontraditional assets.
Stochastic Neurodynamics

The main point of this paper is that stochastic neural networks have a mathematical structure that corresponds quite closely with that of quantum field theory. Neural network Liouvillians and Lagrangians can be derived, just as can spin Hamiltonians and Lagrangians in QFT. It remains to show the efficacy of such a description.
The significance of the structure of the medullary loop of the renal tubule of mammalia

A method of maceration has been devised recently1 by means of which it is possible to isolate the entire renal tubule of adult mammals. Certain of the renal tubules thus isolated have been stained and permanently mounted in glycerine. This enables a study of their form in a manner hitherto not possible and admits of an accurate determination of their epithelial lining. Each mammalian renal tubule possesses four types of epithelium: (1) The pavement epithelium surrounding the glomerulus and lining the glomerular capsule; (2) the specific renal epithelium of the proximal convoluted portion and its medullary segment; (3) the pavement epithelium of the medullary loop; (4) the cubic or short columnar epithelium of the ascending or distal arm of the medullary loop and the distal convoluted portion. The following table shows the distribution of the last three types of epithelium in renal tubules of the rabbit, the tubules selected representing A, a tubule with renal corpuscle situated at the periphery of the cor...
Lung scintigraphy in single-lung transplantation simulating pulmonary embolism.

Unilateral absence of lung perfusion may be caused by impaired or altered blood flow to the involved pulmonary artery. The authors present a case of primary pulmonary hypertension treated with single-lung transplantation that shows an unusual perfusion pattern simulating pulmonary embolismon lung scintigraphy.
Photosynthesis, growth and density for the dominant species in a CO2-enriched grassland

Although increased atmospheric CO2 frequently increases short-term photosynthetic rates, longer-term photosynthetic responses are more variable. Plant size, reproduction and ecosystem carbon gain are determined, in part, by such photosynthetic responses. Here we examine photosynthetic regulation for the dominant species in a grassland exposed to elevated CO2 and examine whether the observed photosynthetic responses contribute to changes in growth, reproduction and plant density in the same grassland. Avena barbata in the field showed little evidence of photosynthetic downregulation with elevated CO2 at the end of the growing season (differences between treatments < 10%). Glasshouse studies also showed little evidence for downregulation of photosynthesis measured at various light and intercellular CO2. concentrations. Although specific leaf mass (leaf mass per unit leaf area) for Avena increased 20% in the field with elevated C02, leaf nitrogen concentrations decreased 25%, resulting in an 11% reduction in leaf N on a leaf-area basis. For the relatively wet 1993 growing season, Avena barbata increased its size and reproduction approximately 30% in elevated C02, with a 21% decrease in population density. For the relatively dry 1994 season Avena density was almost doubled in elevated C02, but increases in individual size and reproduction with CO2 were small (6-18%). The primary effect of CO2 in the drier year appears to have been greater Avena survival, rather than increased individual size.
Preliminary probe of strategy for tranfer pricing of intermediate products

Transfer pricing of intermediate products is not only a problem of accounting, but also a rather complicated management problem. The author probes into the following aspects of practical problems: Transfer pricing of intermediate products is acted as the enterprises' strategical management instrument; and all the departments have to make out the optimal tranfer pricing for their maximum overall profits based on their own strategy. The author also explores some transfer pricing methods in different situations.
A Brief Review of Crop's Whole Genome Sequencing by Next Generation Sequencing technology

Next-generation sequencing(NGS) technologies are developed and improved quickly these years as a powerful alternative to genomics researches.NGS platforms have been used more and more for the de novo sequencing of crops or plants genomes in recent years.In this review,we outline some important crops de novo genome assembly projects for which NGS technologies are used as an important part,in order to show the important potential that NGS technologies are expected to advance crop genetics and breeding,leading to crop improvement.
A pro-nociceptive phenotype unmasked in mice lacking fatty-acid amide hydrolase:

Fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is the major enzyme responsible for degradation of anandamide, an endocannabinoid. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic deletion of FAAH (FAAH KO) produces antinociception in preclinical pain models that is largely attributed to anandamide-induced activation of cannabinoid receptors. However, FAAH metabolizes a wide range of structurally related, biologically active lipid signaling molecules whose functions remain largely unknown. Some of these endogenous lipids, including anandamide itself, may exert pro-nociceptive effects under certain conditions. In our study, FAAH KO mice exhibited a characteristic analgesic phenotype in the tail flick test and in both formalin and carrageenan models of inflammatory nociception. Nonetheless, intradermal injection of the transient receptor potential channel V1 (TRPV1) agonist capsaicin increased nocifensive behavior as well as mechanical and heat hypersensitivity in FAAH KO relative to wild-type mice. This pro-nociceptive phenotype w...