cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bubble Motion through a Generalized Power‐Law Fluid Flowing in a Vertical Tube

Intravascular gas embolism may occur with decompression in space flight, as well as during cardiac and vascular surgery. Intravascular bubbles may be deposited into any end organ, such as the heart or the brain. Surface interactions between the bubble and the endothelial cells lining the vasculature result in serious impairment of blood flow and can lead to heart attack, stroke, or even death. To develop effective therapeutic strategies, there is a need for understanding the dynamics of bubble motion through blood and its interaction with the vessel wall through which it moves. Toward this goal, we numerically investigate the axisymmetric motion of a bubble moving through a vertical circular tube in a shear-thinning generalized power-law fluid, using a front-tracking method. The formulation is characterized by the inlet Reynolds number, capillary number, Weber number, and Froude number. The flow dynamics and the associated wall shear stresses are documented for a combination of two different inlet flow conditions (inlet Reynolds numbers) and three different effective bubble radii (ratio of the undeformed bubble radii to the tube radii). The results of the non-Newtonian model are then compared with that of the model assuming a Newtonian blood viscosity. Specifically, for an almost occluding bubble (effective bubble radius = 0.9), the wall shear stress and the bubble residence time are compared for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian cases. Results show that at low shear rates, for a given pressure gradient the residence time for a non-Newtonian flow is higher than that for a Newtonian flow.
Stress fractures of the vertebral lamina and pelvis in Thoroughbred racehorses

Summary Thirty-six Thoroughbred racehorses that died at California racetracks between October 1993 and July 1994 were evaluated for stress fractures in the caudal portion of the thoracic and lumbosacral regions of the spine and the pelvis. The lumbosacral spine and pelvis were collected, debrided of soft tissues and examined visually for the presence of an incomplete fracture line and focal periosteal proliferation, characteristic of a stress fracture. Sixty-one per cent of specimens had evidence of stress fracture in the caudal portion of the thoracic and lumbosacral regions of the spine and the pelvis. Vertebral lamina stress fractures were found in 50% of specimens and were positively associated with the severity of dorsal spinous process impingement and overall severity of articular process degenerative changes. Pelvic stress fractures affected 28% of specimens and occurred more frequently in older horses. Pelvic stress fractures were positively associated with the severity of lumbar transverse process impingement and several ilial articular surface degenerative changes. A high prevalence of vertebral and pelvic stress fractures was noted in this sample of Thoroughbred racehorses that died because of unrelated injuries. Vertebral and pelvic stress fractures need to be considered in the clinical evaluation of horses with back problems or hindlimb lameness. Undiagnosed stress fractures of the vertebrae or pelvis could be a significant cause of poor performance and lameness in Thoroughbred racehorses.
A test of a theoretical model of consumer travel behaviour: German consumers’ perception of Northern Ireland as a tourist destination

Data for this study were collected from German travel consumers at the ITB Travel Trade Fair in Berlin, Germany. The subsequent study empirically tested the influences of information source and tra...
Mitochondrial protein hyperacetylation in the failing heart

Myocardial fuel and energy metabolic derangements contribute to the pathogenesis of heart failure. Recent evidence implicates posttranslational mechanisms in the energy metabolic disturbances that contribute to the pathogenesis of heart failure. We hypothesized that accumulation of metabolite intermediates of fuel oxidation pathways drives posttranslational modifications of mitochondrial proteins during the development of heart failure. Myocardial acetylproteomics demonstrated extensive mitochondrial protein lysine hyperacetylation in the early stages of heart failure in well-defined mouse models and the in end-stage failing human heart. To determine the functional impact of increased mitochondrial protein acetylation, we focused on succinate dehydrogenase A (SDHA), a critical component of both the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and respiratory complex II. An acetyl-mimetic mutation targeting an SDHA lysine residue shown to be hyperacetylated in the failing human heart reduced catalytic function and reduced complex II–driven respiration. These results identify alterations in mitochondrial acetyl-CoA homeostasis as a potential driver of the development of energy metabolic derangements that contribute to heart failure.
A Climatology of the Intra-Monthly Temperature Variability in the Conterminous United States 1951-1980.

(1988). A Climatology of the Intra-Monthly Temperature Variability in the Conterminous United States 1951-1980. Physical Geography: Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 99-119.
Widening avoidance in matched and mismatched filter outputs via factored representation with chip compounding

In some digital radar systems, the matched filter is followed by a mismatched filter. In order to achieve computational efficiency, both the matched and mismatched filters could be implemented as several cascaded stages. This is particularly the case when the radar code is compounded from two codes or more. This is also the case when mismatched filters, such as those using sidelobe inversion, are designed as a cascade of several stages. If these filters are implemented with the highly sampled chip included in every stage, then each stage would contribute additional mainlobe widening. The contribution of this work is to isolate the effect of the highly sampled chip by observing that it could be represented in a separate stage following a purely digital implementation of the matched and the mismatched filter stages. In essence the effect of the chip is viewed as compounding of the digital code. As a result, computational efficiency and sidelobe reduction are achieved with only one widening effect due to the chip matched filter, regardless of the number of matched and mismatched filter stages. Using high sampling frequency, the received signal can be processed very accurately making the system suitable for digital radar systems with or without the use of an intermediate frequency. Isolating the chip in its own matched filter allows for replacing it with a different waveform that can lead to additional advantages. We call this subchip encoding and some examples are presented.
Pollution condition for benzene in indoor air after decoration

Objective To investigate the pollution condition for benzene in indoor air after decoration.And to analyze the variation regularity and control measures.Methods Selected the newly decorated houses 32 households in Guiyang City.According to the amount of polyurethane varnish and furniture filled condition were divided into three test groups:low level decoration group,high level decoration group,furniture filled decoration group.Set unused artificial plate,polyester varnish and furniture filled group as control group.Did five monitoring for benzene in these four groups.Used thermal desorption gas chromatography(GB 50325-2010)in determination of benzene.Results In first monitoring,benzene concentration range(0.009-0.24 mg/m3) in the low level group was significantly lower than the high level group(0.078-1.04mg/m3) and furniture filling group(0.077-0.14mg/m3).The benzene concentration of three experimental groups were higher than those in the control group.To fifth time monitoring,benzene concentration level in furniture filled group(0.009-0.089mg/m3) was higher than in the high level group(0.009-0.075mg/m3).At the same time,with the time prolonged,the benzene concentration decreased.Conclusion The indoor benzene concentrations in high level decoration group and furniture filling group are higher than that of the low level decoration group.And the pollution condition of benzene is mainly related with the amount and quality of polyurethane varnish,artificial plate and furniture loading.
Lightning Overvoltage Analysis of Bus Tie Circuit-breaker Fault in 220 kV Banqiao Substation

In accordance to lightning-caused breakdown of insulator supporting fixed contact of phase W of bus tie circuit-breaker on 220 kV line B of Banchen line of 220 kV Banqiao substation,three simulation models for gas insulated metal enclosed switchgear and controlgear(GIS) in condition of severe lightning intruding surge are established by means of ATP for simulation analysis of lightning overvoltage.It is determined that the fault results from foreign body and dust on the insulator surface,which causes insulator property reduction and eventually surface flashover of external insulation under action of both reflected lightning wave and power frequency voltage.Anti-accident measures for strengthening GIS are proposed.
Determination of phosphoric acid in air of workplace by on-line ultrafiltration-Ion chromatography

Objective:To establish a method for determination of phosphoric acid in air of workplace by on-line ultrafiltration-Ion chromatography.Methods:Phosphoric acid in workplace air was collected by micropore filter membrane,Conductance-Ion chromatography and Metrosep A Supp 4-250 separation column were employed and 1.8 mmol/L Na2CO3/1.7 mmol/L NaHCO3 was used as the eluent,the flow rate was 1.0 ml/min.F-in micropore filter membrane soaked in the purified water was extracted by ultrasonic microwave,then injected,on-line ultrafiltered,determined.Results:The detection limit was 0.043 mg/L,when the trapping volume was 75 litters,the lowest detecting concentration was 5.73×10-3 mg/m3,the linear range was 0 mg/L～20 mg/L,relative standard deviation was 0.57%～0.68%,r=0.9999,the recovery rate was 92.8%～100.7%.Conclusion:The method is simple,high sensitive,good selectivity and suitable for determination of phosphoric acid in workplace air.
New "light" for one-world approach toward safe and effective control of animal diseases and insect vectors from leishmaniac perspectives

Light is known to excite photosensitizers (PS) to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of oxygen. This modality is attractive for designing control measures against animal diseases and pests. Many PS have a proven safety record. Also, the ROS cytotoxicity selects no resistant mutants, unlike other drugs and pesticides. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) refers to the use of PS as light activable tumoricides, microbicides and pesticides in medicine and agriculture. Here we describe “photodynamic vaccination” (PDV) that uses PDT-inactivation of parasites, i.e. Leishmania as whole-cell vaccines against leishmaniasis, and as a universal carrier to deliver transgenic add-on vaccines against other infectious and malignant diseases. The efficacy of Leishmania for vaccine delivery makes use of their inherent attributes to parasitize antigen (vaccine)-presenting cells. Inactivation of Leishmania by PDT provides safety for their use. This is accomplished in two different ways: (i) chemical engineering of PS to enhance their uptake, e.g. Si-phthalocyanines; and (ii) transgenic approach to render Leishmania inducible for porphyrinogenesis. Three different schemes of Leishmania-based PDV are presented diagrammatically to depict the cellular events resulting in cell-mediated immunity, as seen experimentally against leishmaniasis and Leishmania-delivered antigen in vitro and in vivo. Safety versus efficacy evaluations are under way for PDT-inactivated Leishmania, including those further processed to facilitate their storage and transport. Leishmania transfected to express cancer and viral vaccine candidates are being prepared accordingly for experimental trials. We have begun to examine PS-mediated photodynamic insecticides (PDI). Mosquito cells take up rose bengal/cyanosine, rendering them light-sensitive to undergo disintegration in vitro, thereby providing a cellular basis for the larvicidal activity seen by the same treatments. Ineffectiveness of phthalocyanines and porphyrins for PDI underscores its requirement for different PS. Differential uptake of PS by insect versus other cells to account for this difference is under study. The ongoing work is patterned after the one-world approach by enlisting the participation of experts in medicinal chemistry, cell/molecular biology, immunology, parasitology, entomology, cancer research, tropical medicine and veterinary medicine. The availability of multidisciplinary expertise is indispensable for implementation of the necessary studies to move the project toward product development.
Genome editing for inborn errors of metabolism: advancing towards the clinic

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) include many disorders for which current treatments aim to ameliorate disease manifestations, but are not curative. Advances in the field of genome editing have recently resulted in the in vivo correction of murine models of IEM. Site-specific endonucleases, such as zinc-finger nucleases and the CRISPR/Cas9 system, in combination with delivery vectors engineered to target disease tissue, have enabled correction of mutations in disease models of hemophilia B, hereditary tyrosinemia type I, ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, and lysosomal storage disorders. These in vivo gene correction studies, as well as an overview of genome editing and future directions for the field, are reviewed and discussed herein.
Can I Use Marijuana Safely? An Examination of Distal Antecedents, Marijuana Protective Behavioral Strategies, and Marijuana Outcomes.

Objective:Given the high prevalence of marijuana use among college students, it is imperative to determine the factors that may reduce risk of problematic marijuana use and/or the development of cannabis use disorder. We examined marijuana protective behavioral strategies (PBS) as a proximal predictor of marijuana-related outcomes and a mediator of the associations between other known risk/protective factors and marijuana-related outcomes.Method:Using data from a sample of 2,129 past-month marijuana users, collected from 11 universities in the United States, we examined marijuana PBS use as a mediator of the effects of sex, age at first use, impulsivity-like traits, and marijuana use motives on marijuana use frequency and marijuana-related consequences.Results:Marijuana PBS was identified as a robust negative predictor of marijuana use frequency and marijuana-related consequences. Further, Marijuana PBS use fully or partially mediated the effects of sex, premeditation, perseverance, coping motives, enhanc...
Improved Short Lattice Signatures in the Standard Model

We present a signature scheme provably secure in the standard model (no random oracles) based on the worst-case complexity of approximating the Shortest Vector Problem in ideal lattices within polynomial factors. The distinguishing feature of our scheme is that it achieves short signatures (consisting of a single lattice vector), and relatively short public keys (consisting of O(logn) vectors.) Previous lattice schemes in the standard model with similarly short signatures, due to Boyen (PKC 2010) and Micciancio and Peikert (Eurocrypt 2012), had substantially longer public keys consisting of Ω(n) vectors (even when implemented with ideal lattices).
Kundenzentriertes vs. effizientes Prozessdesign in einer digitalen Welt – Auswirkungen von Prozess-Design-Entscheidungen auf die (Digital) Customer Experience

Digitale Transformation, weltweite Vernetzung und der daraus resultierende globale Wettbewerb stellen Unternehmen vor grose Herausforderungen. Kunden nehmen die Produkte und Dienstleistungen verschiedener Anbieter als (gleichwertig und) austauschbar wahr, wahrend die durch Onlineportale entstandene hohe Markttransparenz Unternehmen zwingt zu niedrigen Preisen anzubieten. Unter diesen Rahmenbedingungen stehen Unternehmen unter dem Druck ihre Geschaftsprozesse auf Effizienz zu trimmen. Gleichzeitig ist jedoch eine Differenzierung von Wettbewerbern nur durch die Bereitstellung einer uberlegenen Customer Experience moglich. Haufig sind auf Customer Experience ausgerichtete Geschaftsprozesse jedoch kontrar zur geforderten Kosteneffizienz. Unternehmen stehen somit vor der Abwagung, ob sie ihre Geschaftsprozesse lieber effizient gestalten oder sich auf eine moglichst hohe Customer Experience konzentrieren sollten. Die Komplexitat wird sogar noch dadurch erhoht, dass die wachsende Anzahl sogenannter Digital Natives den starken Ausbau des Onlineangebots von Unternehmen fordert. Im Rahmen der Frage der richtigen Ausgestaltung von Prozessen ist also auch noch abzuwagen, ob fur einzelne Prozesse Online- und Offlinekanal bereitgestellt werden mussen, oder ob das Angebot eines der beiden Kanale vorteilhafter ist. Besonders bei Onlineangeboten erkennen Unternehmen auch immer mehr den Wert des Kunden als Value Co-Creator, der bei geeigneter Einbindung einen entscheidenden Beitrag zur Wertschopfung leisten kann. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird im vorliegenden Beitrag ein Bewertungsschema fur Geschaftsprozesse mit direkter Kundenschnittstelle erarbeitet, welches das Unternehmen befahigen soll, Chancen und Risiken einzelner Prozess-Design-Alternativen (effizient versus kundenzentriert) zu erkennen und diese zu bewerten. Daruber hinaus wird auf Kernrisiken beim Onlineangebot von Prozessen hingewiesen, um eine umfassende Bewertung verschiedener Designalternativen sicherzustellen.
Diffusion of steam-powered firefighting equipment in the United States: innovation adoption at the municipal level

ABSTRACTTo date, econometrics-based diffusion studies have focused almost exclusively on the timing of adoption of new technology by firms and individuals. While there are detailed case studies on ...
Novel Therapies for Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a complex, hypertensive gestational syndrome that lacks a clear pathogenesis, which has prevented development of effective therapies. Mechanistic evidence points to an augmented anti-angiogenic balance, with sFlt1 and other soluble factors contributing to maternal hypertension and proteinuria. This chapter will review novel research and therapeutic strategies, including recombinant proteins, small molecules, apheresis, and off-label use of medications.
Blast-Off Mathematics.

XV more appropriate and informative title for this discussion might be "Astronomy, Space Travel, and Arithmetic." An attempt will be made here to support the claim that the study of arithmetic and of topics from space science can be coordinated in the elementary school program. Further, it is claimed that this coordination can enhance both the mathematics and science areas and that each can promote learning in the other. The author hopes to provide some ideas that teachers might use to give variety to their lessons. A number of specific gains can be made through this endeavor. A few that will be illustrated are:
Benefits and challenges of using consumer audio equipment for unattended acoustical monitoring

The quality of an acoustical measurement impacts the accuracy of all inferences that rely on the resulting data. While standard sound level meters are well suited for noise studies requiring high precision, their cost, power consumption, and capabilities constrain the scope of application. Alternatively, the wide variety of consumer audio equipment offers many options for acoustical monitoring. The ability to make high resolution, multichannel audio recordings with packages that are relatively small, inexpensive, and low power is especially attractive for long-term acoustical monitoring in remote areas and large-scale spatial surveys that require many devices. These recordings are more valuable when they are calibrated and processed to yield sound level data. Despite the promise of consumer audio equipment, there are several drawbacks and unknowns. Within the framework of the signal chain, this talk will discuss some of the benefits, challenges, and unknowns of using consumer audio equipment for unattended acoustical monitoring.
Are Generic Immunosuppressive Drugs the Solution for Providing Lifelong Medication Coverage to Transplant Recipients

Achieving lifelong coverage for immunosuppressive drugs through the Medicare Part B benefit has long been a need for the kidney transplant community. A kidney transplant recipient’s Medicare eligibility terminates 3 years post-transplant unless the patient meets alternate criteria for ongoing
Robust Smoothing for State-Space Models with Unknown Noise Statistics

The Kalman smoother provides optimal smoothing for fully-known state-space models. However, model uncertainty degrades the performance of the smoother dramatically. In this paper, we are concerned with state-space models, in which noise statistics are unknown and propose an optimal Bayesian Kalman smoother (OBKS), which is optimal relative to the posterior distribution of the unknown noise parameters. The Bayesian innovation process and Bayesian orthogonality principle lie at the heart of the proposed smoothing framework. Through introducing the effective Kalman smoothing gain, we develop a recursive forward-backward structure, which is analogous to that of the classical Kalman smoother. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed smoother by applying it to a target tracking example.
Response Shift After a 4-Week Multimodal Intervention for Chronic Ankle Instability

Context The accurate evaluation of self-reported changes in function throughout the rehabilitation process is important for determining patient progression. Currently, how a response shift (RS) may...
Atmospheric Composite Sounding Analysis as a Forecasting Tool for Ozone Accumulation in a Semiarid Metropolitan Area during the North America Monsoon: Phoenix, Arizona

AbstractPhoenix, Arizona, observes a high summertime frequency for daily maximum 8-h ozone averages (DMO8) exceeding 70 parts per billion, resulting in nonattainment status by the U.S. Environmenta...
Validation of Algorithmic CT Image Quality Metrics with Preferences of Radiologists.

Purpose Automated assessment of perceptual image quality on clinical Computed Tomography (CT) data by computer algorithms has the potential to greatly facilitate data-driven monitoring and optimization of CT image acquisition protocols. The application of these techniques in clinical operation requires the knowledge of how the output of the computer algorithms corresponds to clinical expectations. This study addressed the need to validate algorithmic image quality measurements on clinical CT images with preferences of radiologists and determine the clinically acceptable range of algorithmic measurements for abdominal CT examinations. Materials and methods Algorithmic measurements of image quality metrics (organ HU, noise magnitude, and clarity) were performed on a clinical CT image dataset with supplemental measures of noise power spectrum from phantom images using techniques developed previously. The algorithmic measurements were compared to clinical expectations of image quality in an observer study with seven radiologists. Sets of CT liver images were selected from the dataset where images in the same set varied in terms of one metric at a time. These sets of images were shown via a web interface to one observer at a time. First, the observer rank ordered the CT images in a set according to his/her preference for the varying metric. The observer then selected his/her preferred acceptable range of the metric within the ranked images. The agreement between algorithmic and observer rankings of image quality were investigated and the clinically acceptable image quality in terms of algorithmic measurements were determined. Results The overall rank-order agreements between algorithmic and observer assessments were 0.90, 0.98, and 1.00 for noise magnitude, liver parenchyma HU, and clarity, respectively. The results indicate a strong agreement between the algorithmic and observer assessments of image quality. Clinically acceptable thresholds (median) of algorithmic metric values were (17.8, 32.6) HU for noise magnitude, (92.1, 131.9) for liver parenchyma HU, and (0.47, 0.52) for clarity. Conclusions The observer study results indicated that these algorithms can robustly assess the perceptual quality of clinical CT images in an automated fashion. Clinically acceptable ranges of algorithmic measurements were determined. The correspondence of these image quality assessment algorithms to clinical expectations paves the way toward establishing diagnostic reference levels in terms of clinically acceptable perceptual image quality and data-driven optimization of CT image acquisition protocols.
The Role of Perceptions and Attributions in Battered Women's Intentions to Permanently End Their Violent Relationships

The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the mediational role of attributions and emotional reactions to partner violence in the relationship between violence severity and frequency, and women's intentions to leave abusive relationships permanently. The results of separate regression analyses indicated that perceived increases in the frequency and severity of violence over time, but not absolute levels of violence, were significantly related to women's attributions for the violence, the severity of nervousness reported subsequent to a violent episode, and the intention to leave the abusive partner permanently. Attributions of partner causality and responsibility for violence were significantly related to nervous reactions and the intention to leave the abusive partner permanently. As predicted by the attributional model tested, the relationship between perceived increases in violence over time and the intention to leave the abusive partner permanently was completely mediated by the extent to which women explained or attributed the causes of the violence to the partner that were stable and global, and attributed blameworthiness, malicious intent, and selfish motivations to the partner for his use of violence.
Effects of Shank Vibration on Lean After-Effect.

Postural adaptability is related to central sensory integration and reweighting efficiency. Incline-interventions lead to lean after-effect (LAE), but it is not fully known how sensory reweighting ...
Drugs that affect blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and hemostasis

Abstract This chapter reviewed 2019 publications that identify side effects of drugs that affect blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and hemostasis. Publications on warfarin, apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, betrixaban, bivalirudin, argatroban, unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin, fondaparinux, aminocaproic acid, tranexamic acid, idarucizumab, andexanet alfa, and tissue plasminogen activators have been reviewed. In addition to the well-known risks of these medications such as bleeding or thrombotic events, rare adverse events reports were recognized.
Epstein-Barr Virus Peptides Derived from Latent Cycle Proteins Prevent the Inhibition of NKG2A Expressing NK Cells

Natural killer (NK) cells control viral infection through the interaction between inhibitory receptors and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands and bound peptide. NK cells expressing the inhibitory receptor NKG2A/CD94 recognize and respond to autologous B cells latently infected with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). The mechanism is not yet understood, thus we investigated peptides derived from the seven latent proteins of EBV in the interaction of NKG2A and its ligand HLA-E. Functional analysis demonstrated that EBV peptides can bind to HLA-E and block inhibition of NK cell effector function. Moreover, analysis of DNA from 79 subjects showed sequence variations in the latent protein, LMP1, which alters NK responses to EBV. We provide evidence that peptides derived from EBV latent cycle proteins can impair the recognition of NKG2A despite being presented by HLA-E, resulting in NK cell activation. Thus, blocking of the NKG2A-HLA-E axis with viral peptides may have therapeutic potential.
Decision-Making and Pathways of Care for ATOS

The diagnosis of arterial thoracic outlet syndrome (ATOS) is made when the patient’s primary symptoms are arterial in nature and, according to the Society for Vascular Surgery’s TOS Reporting Standards Document published in 2016, when objective arterial abnormalities are present, even though the patient may also have neurogenic or venous symptoms. Compression of the neurovascular bundle in the thoracic outlet can be seen when the arm and shoulder are placed in certain positions, even in patients without symptoms. Although it is unclear why certain patients develop symptoms, subclavian-axillary artery lesions may be produced by either abnormal bony structures or normal structures that become abnormal with certain arm positioning. Repeated injury to the artery may occur and produce arterial wall injury leading to endothelial ulceration, clot formation, post-stenotic aneurysmal dilatation, digital embolization, forearm vessel occlusion, and/or proximal arterial occlusion. This process is often silent and progressive. This article will review the clinical decision making and suggested pathway for treatment of patients with arterial thoracic outlet syndrome.
Hinduism and Hindu Nationalism Online

The way people encounter ideas of Hinduism online is often shaped by global discourses of religion, pervasive Orientalism and (post)colonial scholarship. This book addresses a gap in the scholarly debate around defining Hinduism by demonstrating the role of online discourses in generating and projecting images of Hindu religion and culture. This study surveys a wide range of propaganda, websites and social media in which definitions of Hinduism are debated. In particular, it focuses on the role of Hindu nationalism in the presentation and management of Hinduism in the electronic public sphere. Hindu nationalist parties and individuals are highly invested in discussions and presentations of Hinduism online, and actively shape discourses through a variety of strategies. Analysing Hindu nationalist propaganda, cyber activist movements and social media presence, as well as exploring methodological strategies that are useful to the field of religion and media in general, the book concludes by showing how these discourses function in the wider Hindu diaspora. Building on religion and media research by highlighting mechanical and hermeneutic issues of the Internet and how it affects how we encounter Hinduism online, this book will be of significant interest to scholars of religious studies, Hindu studies and digital media.
Combined post-keratoplasty LASIK/AK to treat high astigmatism

Refractive unpredictability and postoperative astigmatism are common complications following penetrating keratoplasty [1–5]. High astigmatism may result in decreased visual acuity, anisometropia, image distortion, and monocular diplopia, thus challenging the visual rehabilitation of patients [1]. Spectacle correction or soft contact lenses are used to manage small amounts of cylinder, while rigid gas permeable lenses are effective for higher levels of regular astigmatism or in the presence of irregular astigmatism [1]. However, contact lenses may not be successful for all patients due to a variety of factors including corneal abnormalities, dry eye, lid abnormalities, or contact lens intolerance. Therefore, when conservative methods fail, other refractive treatments for post-keratoplasty astigmatism are needed.
Death of a parent: Transition to a new adult identity

When a parent dies, most adults are seized by an unexpected crisis that can trigger a profound transformation. Using in-depth interviews and national surveys, Dr Umberson explains why the death of a parent has strong effects on adults and looks at protective factors that help some individuals experience better mental health following the death than they did when the parent was alive. This is the first book to rely on sound scientific method to document the significant adverse effects of parental death for adults in a national population. Exploring the social and psychological risk factors that make some people more vulnerable than others, readers will come to view the loss of a parent in a new way: as a turning point in adult development.
Voice Lessons for the Writer

THE MORNING THEY CAME to take my brother away, we gathered without him on the stoop in our best clothes. Hennie, whose freshly pol ished nails shone ruby-hued as she turned her wrists round and round in the sun, wore her hot-pink stretch pants and white ankle boots. My father, standing behind me silent against the door, left an impression of his backside on the once-taut screen. With one hand he fingered the loose change in his pocket and with the other, over and over again flipped up the lid on the rusted mailbox and then let it drop shut with a hollow clack. He wore his wide, sky-blue necktie with its spaghetti stain specks, his dull white dress shirt and his only jacket with decent elbows. That jacket, which he wore only when he attended church, was thick-lapelled and it was dung-colored, I had decided when I found that word in the Roge? The saurus during a foray there one day. Finding that word at thirteen had been a quiet and solitary miracle of naming; many years later I would use it again in writing to describe the elusive color of my father's eyes. My own dress that day was a style already bygone and all constraint. It had been small even when new, and bound in at waist and collar with wide cords and ribbons, the kind of outfit that Hennie, my father's new wife, always brought me home from Markdown's, where she worked as a salesgirl and had the privilege of discount. It was a dress that I had already begun to outgrow the first time I tugged it down over my head and wide shoulders, but one which I had not yet contrived to free myself from. It was, of course, of two certain halves, two distinct hemispheres: fuchsia flowers spilling out enormous upon my thighs, busting out in bloom and singing, but across my ribs and bosom, under which my heart was hidden, ran thick black stripes, as on the issued attire of an inmate. I sat myself down and covered my knees over with my skirt, pressing flat the rigid folds of the accordian pleats. That early the street was vacant except for the one soul who had come out to maintain her steps, as the act of upkeep was called in the language of our neighborhood. Maintaining again? neighbors called out to one another on Saturdays and Sundays whenever anyone climbed a stepladder and washed his windows, balanced a garden rake on his shoulder and made his way toward the leaves strewn
PROGRAM-LEVEL CURRICULUM PLANNING: An Exploration of Faculty Perspectives on Two Different Campuses

This study explored faculty views about curriculum planning in academic programs. Using a semistructured format, researchers interviewed 59 faculty members at two very different campuses about their assumptions and the influences upon them as they work with colleagues in planning program curriculum. Although many of the same factors influence course and program planning, we observed that, compared to course planning, program planning is irregular (even infrequent), typically responds to a specific catalyst, and is more dependent upon a supportive institutional climate and leadership. We consider ways that institutional researchers can help provide a supportive climate for responsive and regular planning that will link planning and assessment more closely.
Glu-111 is required for activation of the DNA cleavage center of EcoRI endonuclease.

Gap repair in the presence of 2′-deoxycytosine 5′-O-(1-thiotriphosphate) has been utilized to mutagenize the amino-terminal one-half of the structural gene for EcoRI endonuclease. This approach has led to identification of over 200 mutants defective in endonuclease function. One mutant protein, which binds to the EcoRI sequence but displays greatly reduced cleavage activity, is the consequence of a Glu to Gly change at position 111. This protein has been purified to homogeneity and characterized in detail. Subunit interactions governing the tetramer to dimer transition of the mutant endonuclease are near normal as are parameters governing its interaction with specific and nonspecific DNA sequences. However, the rate constants for first and second strand cleavage steps are reduced by 60,000- and 30,000-fold, respectively, as a consequence of the Glu → Gly change. The defect in chemical cleavage steps can be partially overcome by elevating the pH of the reaction buffer from 7.6 to 8.5, conditions which enhance the rate of EcoRI* strand cleavage by wild type enzyme to a similar degree. We suggest that the Glu-111 mutation affects an interface between recognition and cleavage functions of the enzyme, an idea consistent with the suggestion that the cleavage center of the endonuclease is subject to activation upon specific recognition of the EcoRI sequence.
The relation between rainfall and runoff: Review paper

Abstract In a period of about 300 years, we have developed a substantial understanding of the relationship between rainfall and runoff. From Perrault's original crude experiment which confirmed the causal relationship between rainfall and runoff we have passed through a lengthy era of empiricism caused largely by inadequate data, a brief period of a quarter century in which a reasonably adequate descriptive picture of the runoff process was devised and reasonably rational correlations between precipitation and runoff developed. In the last decade we have entered the computer era and have seen a first demonstration that it is possible to simulate the runoff process on a computer with a high order of accuracy. If we take advantage of this development to secure adequate amounts of the proper kinds of hydrologic data, we can look forward in the future to a completely general simulation model which can reproduce the streamflow hydrograph on any stream, gaged or ungaged, with an accuracy at least as good as that of the data supplied to the computer.
Mixed /spl Hscr//sub 2///spl Lscr//sub 1/ control with low order controllers: a linear matrix inequality approach

This paper addresses the problem of designing stabilizing controllers that minimize the /spl Hscr//sub 2/ norm of a certain closed-loop transfer function while maintaining the /spl Lscr//sub 1/ norm of a different transfer function below a prespecified level. This problem arises in the context of rejecting both stochastic as well as bounded persistent disturbances. Alternatively, in a robust control framework it can be thought as the problem of designing a controller that achieves good nominal /spl Hscr//sub 2/ performance, while at the same time, guaranteeing stability against unmodeled dynamics with bounded induced /spl Lscr//sub /spl infin// norm. The main result of this paper shows that, for the state feedback case, a suboptimal static feedback controller can be synthesized by a two stage process involving a finite-dimensional convex optimization problem and a line-search.
An ecological approach to agent population management

The problem of maintaining a desired number of mobile agents on a network is not trivial, especially if what is required is a completely decentralized solution. Decentralized control makes a system more robust and less susceptible to partial failures. The problem of agent population management is exacerbated on wireless ad hoc networks where host mobility can result in significant changes in the network size and topology. System stability is also of critical importance. This paper analyzes the stability of a previously proposed ecology-inspired approach to agent population management, and proposes improvements. The stability of the new ecology based strategy is proved theoretically, and the conclusions are verified with a set of experiments.
Translating Research to Promote Healthy Aging: The Complementary Role of Longitudinal Studies and Clinical Trials

An important challenge in epidemiology is the difficulty in inferring causality from observational studies. Even the best longitudinal studies have limitations in this regard, and when clinical trials are feasible, they will provide more-definite evidence of causality, but even when clinical trials are feasible, a large amount can be learned about the disease process, assessment techniques, subject selection criteria, and the effect of potential interventions from longitudinal studies. This review covers the theoretical issues supporting the value and limitations of longitudinal studies, the practical utilization in clinical trials of different aspects of knowledge that can be gained from longitudinal studies, critical issues in the translation of longitudinal observational studies into clinical trials, and the value of observational studies in broadening the applicability of specific trials. Relevant issues are illustrated with examples of unsuccessful and successful trials, with a major emphasis on clinical trials of physical activity in older persons.
Incentives For Monitors: Director Stock-Based Compensation And Firm Performance

Since the mid-1990s, US corporations have increasingly emphasized stock-based compensation for outside directors in order to align their interests with stockholders and thus boost firm performance. We demonstrate that stock options and stock grants (each as a ratio relative to total compensation) for directors were positively related to future firm performance (measured as stock returns, and, separately, as Jensen’s Alpha) for a panel of 450 Standard and Poor 500 firms over 1995-97. Stock option ratios appeared to have a stronger impact on firm performance than stock grants did.
Sexual differentiation in the developing mouse brain: contributions of sex chromosome genes

Neural sexual differentiation begins during embryogenesis and continues after birth for a variable amount of time depending on the species and brain region. Because gonadal hormones were the first factors identified in neural sexual differentiation, their role in this process has eclipsed investigation of other factors. Here, we use a mouse with a spontaneous translocation that produces four different unique sets of sex chromosomes. Each genotype has one normal X-chromosome and a unique second sex chromosome creating the following genotypes: XY*x, XX, XY*, XXY*. This Y* mouse line is used by several laboratories to study two human aneuploid conditions: Turner and Klinefelter syndromes. As sex chromosome number affects behavior and brain morphology, we surveyed brain gene expression at embryonic days 11.5 and 18.5 to isolate X-chromosome dose effects in the developing brain as possible mechanistic changes underlying the phenotypes. We compared gene expression differences between gonadal males and females as well as individuals with one vs. two X-chromosomes. We present data showing, in addition to genes reported to escape X-inactivation, a number of autosomal genes are differentially expressed between the sexes and in mice with different numbers of X-chromosomes. Based on our results, we can now identify the genes present in the region around the chromosomal break point that produces the Y* model. Our results also indicate an interaction between gonadal development and sex chromosome number that could further elucidate the role of sex chromosome genes and hormones in the sexual differentiation of behavior.
Decentralized adaptive output feedback control of large scale interconnected nonlinear systems

In this paper, we present a global, decentralized adaptive design procedure for a class of large scale nonlinear systems, which utilizes only local output feedback. The advocated scheme guarantees robustness to parametric and dynamic uncertainties in the interconnections, and also rejects any bounded disturbances entering the system. The uncertainties are assumed to be bounded by an unknown pth order polynomial in the outputs. The resulting controller maintains global uniform boundedness of all signals of the closed-loop system with good robustness and disturbance rejection properties.
The fate of untreated concomitant suprarenal aortic aneurysms after endovascular aneurysm repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms.

Objective Many patients treated with endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) have a concomitant suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (sAAA). The natural history of these sAAAs and whether they require intervention after EVAR is unknown. Methods We identified 470 patients from the M2S database (M2S Inc, West Lebanon, NH) as having an infrarenal AAA (iAAA) with a concomitant sAAA (diameter, 2.9-4.7 cm). The analysis included 217 patients with preoperative computed tomography angiography and follow-up imaging of ≥12 months. Patients who did not undergo EVAR (n = 65) served as a control. Patients with EVAR were subdivided into 90 with suprarenal fixation (SR) and 62 with infrarenal fixation (IR). Standard measurements from the M2S images were extracted, and growth rates were calculated for different abdominal aortic segments. Results The average follow-up was 33.0 ± 18.8 months. The average sAAA initial size and growth rate were 34.6 ± 3.0 and 0.6 ± 1.1 mm/y for SR, 34.0 ± 3.3 and 0.6 ± 1.3 mm/y for IR, and 36.6 ± 3.4 and 1.2 ± 1.5 mm/y for controls (SR vs IR, P > .05; SR or IR vs control, P P = .07). At 48 months, the Kaplan-Meier freedom from sAAA growth to ≥50 mm was 99.3% for patients undergoing EVAR and 95.2% for controls ( P = .061). Patients with starting sAAAs sized ≥40 mm had a higher growth rate (1.4 ± 2.1 mm/y) and frequency of growth to ≥50 mm (14.3%) than patients with starting sAAAs sized P Conclusions Isolated treatment of iAAAs via EVAR with a concomitant sAAA is acceptable because endografts with or without SR do not affect sAAA growth rates. Routine EVAR follow-up is sufficient for sAAAs of
Osteopontin inhibits macrophage nitric oxide synthesis to enhance tumor proliferation

Background Interactions between tumor cells and their host environment can play a major role in regulating survival programs required for tumor progression. Osteopontin (OPN) is a glycophosphoprotein overexpressed by tumors, and is a key molecule for tumor progression and metastasis. OPN also inhibits expression of autocrine and paracrine inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Given the cytotoxic effects of macrophage NO expression, we hypothesized that tumor-derived OPN inhibits expression of local macrophage iNOS to potentiate tumor survival. Methods We used a coculture system of murine CT26 colorectal cancer cells with RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells. CT26 expresses OPN at high levels. RNA interference was utilized to produce long-term specific silencing of OPN in CT26. Results Inhibition of constitutive OPN synthesis in CT26 upregulates local NO production with inhibition of CT26 proliferation and promotion of CT26 apoptosis. Macrophage iNOS expression is accompanied by increased binding activity of nuclear factor-κB DNA. When the CT26 culture media were examined for a panel of proinflammatory cytokines, elevated concentrations of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were found. Subsequently, in CT26 cells treated with antisense-G-CSF, NO levels in CT26-RAW cocultures were significantly decreased. Conclusion In our system of CT26-RAW264.7 coculture, we conclude that inhibition of OPN synthesis in CT26 results in G-CSF–mediated induction of macrophage iNOS expression with resultant inhibition of CT26 proliferation via increased apoptosis. Our results suggest that tumor-derived OPN may enhance tumor survival by down regulating expression of NO in the local microenvironment. This is one mechanism by which OPN may potentiate cancer survival and progression.