cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Supply chain technology: the role of environment in predicting performance

The research examines the moderating effect of environmental unpredictability on the relationships of two supply chain information technologies (IT) on operational and financial performance. The results show that the greater the environmental unpredictability, the weaker the effect of B2B e-commerce that integrates the firm with supply chain members on operational and financial performance. In contrast, the greater the environmental unpredictability, the stronger the effect of supply chain analytic IT that fosters operational and strategic decision-making on operational and financial performance.
Natural Suppression of Rhizoctonia Bare Patch in a Long-Term No-Till Cropping Systems Experiment.

Abstract The soilborne fungus Rhizoctonia solani AG-8 is a major concern for farmers who practice no-till in the inland Pacific Northwest of the United States. Bare patches caused by Rhizoctonia spp. first appeared in 1999 during year 3 of a 15-year no-till cropping systems experiment near Ritzville, WA (269 mm of annual precipitation). The extent and pattern of patches were mapped each year from 1999 to 2012 at the 8-ha study site with a backpack-mounted global positioning system equipped with mapping software. Bare patches appeared in winter and spring wheat (SW; Triticum aestivum), spring barley (SB; Hordeum vulgare), yellow mustard (Brassica hirta), and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius). At its peak in years 5 to 7, bare patches occupied as much as 18% of total plot area in continuous annual monoculture SW. The area of bare patches began to decline in year 8 and reached near zero levels by year 11. No measurable patches were present in years 12 to 15. Patch area was significantly greater in continuous ...
Wetlands Drainage, River Modification, and Sectoral Conflict in the Lower Illinois Valley 1890‐1930

In the United States, many households buy flood insurance to hedge losses due to rivers overtopping their banks and inundating property mortgage institutions require homebuyers to purchase insurance when property lies within the “100-year floodplain,” where floods have a 1% chance of occurrence each year. Yet haven't we all read about communities experiencing several extreme floods within a few years? Haven't we read about disputes between property developers and community planners over flood risks and flood insurance rates?
A statistical mechanical model for inverse melting

Inverse melting is the situation in which a liquid freezes when it is heated isobarically. Both helium isotopes exhibit intervals of inverse melting at low temperature, and published data suggests that isotactic poly (4-methylpentene-1) also displays this unusual phase behavior. Here we propose a statistical mechanical model for inverse melting. It is a decorated modification of the Gaussian core model, in which particles possess a spectrum of thermally activated internal states. Excitation leads to a change in a particle’s Gaussian interaction parameters, and this can result in a spatially periodic crystal possessing a higher entropy than the fluid with which it coexists. Numerical solution of the model, using integral equations and the hypernetted chain closure for the fluid phase, and the Einstein model for the solid phases, identifies two types of inverse melting. One mimics the behavior of the helium isotopes, for which the higher-entropy crystal is denser than the liquid. The other corresponds to inverse melting in poly(4-methylpentene-1), where the high-entropy crystal is less dense than the liquid with which it coexists.
Abstract 2985: DNA-damage related histone marks can distinguish the anti-tumor effects of established and novel histone deacetylase inhibitors in ovarian cancer cells

The majority of epithelial ovarian carcinomas harbor molecular alterations in DNA-damage response genes. Epithelial ovarian cancers are surprisingly sensitive to DNA-damaging platinum-based (cisplatin or carboplatin) chemotherapy, suggesting that the dependencies of ovarian cancers on impaired DNA-damage response pathways can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. Our group and others have shown that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are promising anti-tumor agents, particularly when combined with DNA-damaging drugs in ovarian cancer cells. In this study, H2AX phosphorylation (pH2Ax), a known histone mark of DNA damage and other histone marks related to DNA damage and repair pathways, including the newly recognized acetylated lysine K56 on histone 3 (H3K56ac) were used to distinguish the biological effects of a unique and diverse panel of clinically utilized and novel HDAC inhibitors. Ovarian cancer cell lines with diverse molecular alterations, including mutations in p53, Brca1, Akt, Ras, and overexpression of MDR1, were utilized in these screens. The HDAC inhibitors that induced the highest levels of pH2Ax produced the greatest anti-tumor effects (growth inhibition and apoptosis). Furthermore, a screen of DNA-damage response histone marks led to the selection of novel HDAC inhibitors that exerted synergistic anti-tumor effects when combined with cisplatin and other DNA-damaging drugs. Taken together, our results support a role of HDAC inhibitors in the treatment of ovarian cancer and suggest that pH2Ax is a potential surrogate biomarker of the efficacy of HDAC inhibitor combination therapy with DNA-damaging agents. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2985.
Effect of hypochloremia on loop segment chloride and solute reabsorption in the rat during volume expansion.

Effect of hypochloremia on loop segment chloride and solute reabsorption in the rat during volume expansion. Hypochloremia has been associated by inference from clearance studies with disturbances in free water reabsorption and renal renin release by a macula densa mechanism. To examine directly these relationships, we studied chloride, fluid, and solute transport in the loop segment (LS) of rat superficial nephrons by micropuncture techniques following acute volume expansion with 0.15M sodium chloride (CVE) or sodium bicarbonate (BVE). Plasma renin activity was suppressed in group CVE but not in group BVE. Blood pressure, plasma volume expansion, whole kidney GFR, urinary sodium excretion, late proximal and early distal SNGFR, and fluid delivery to the LS were not different between groups CVE and BVE despite different plasma chloride concentrations (102 ± 5 mEq/ liter for CVE vs. 74 ± 3 for BVE; P Effet de l' hypochloremie sur la reabsorption de chlore et de substances dissoutes dans l'anse chez le rat au cours de l'expansion volemique. Des etudes de clearance ont associe l'hypochloremie a des desordres de la reabsorption d'eau libre et a la liberation de renine par un mecanisme impliquant la macula densa. Pour examiner directement ces relations nous avons etudie les transports de chlorure, d'eau et de substances dissoutes dans l'anse (LS) de nephrons superficiels de rats par des techniques de microponction a la suite d'une expansion volemique aigue avec chlorure de sodium 0,15M (CVE) ou bicarbonate de sodium (BVE). L'activite renine plasmatique a ete supprimee dans le groupe CVE mais pas dans le groupe BVE. La pression arterielle, l'expansion du volume plasmatique, le debit de filtration glomerulaire global, l'excretion urinaire de sodium, les debits de filtration glomerulaire individuels mesures dans le proximal tardif et le distal precoce et le debit de liquide a LS n'etaient pas differents entre les groupes CVE et BVE malgre les differences de concentration de chlore plasmatique (102 ± 5 mEq/litre pour CVE vs. 74 ± 3 pour BVE; P
Cultural intelligence, personality, and cross-cultural adjustment: A study of expatriates in Japan

Abstract Cultural Intelligence (CQ) has been theorized as the ability of individuals to adapt effectively in cross-cultural settings. This study sought to extend the literature by investigating whether CQ accounts for variance in cross-cultural adjustment of expatriates beyond what is accounted for by the five factor model of personality. Questionnaire responses from 154 expatriates in Japan were analyzed using hierarchical regression. The results indicate that motivational CQ can explain variance in expatriate general, interaction, and work adjustment over and above the five factor model of personality.
Traffic Barriers under Vehicular Impact: From Computer Simulation to Design Guidelines

This paper investigates the problem of vehicular impact on a portable concrete barrier (PCB). An available crash test is modeled and the impact response was simulated through a finite element (FE) model. On the basis of insight gained through this detailed FE analysis, a simpler rigid body model is then used to perform a comprehensive study of the barrier response under vehicular impact. The results from FE simulation and the rigid body model are found to be consistent with each other and in good agreement with the full-scale crash test. Based on results from a series of simpler analyses, a set of charts for assessing the barrier displacement and related variables are developed for the purpose of design.
Attitudes and dating aggression: a cognitive dissonance approach

This study examined the association between attitudes about dating aggression and select dating aggressive behaviors (verbal aggression and jealous behavior) in high school students. Our hypothesis, derived from cognitive dissonance theory, was that discrepancies between self-reported attitudes and aggressive behavior at Time 1 (i.e., putative cognitive dissonance) would predict decreases in aggression between Time 1 and Time 2 beyond what would be predicted by change in attitudes over the same period. Results indicated that cognitive dissonance (as indexed by the discrepancy between attitudes and behavior) was generally a significant predictor of behavior change, providing significant improvement in prediction of behavior over attitude change alone. We discuss the implications of these findings for prevention efforts and directions for future research in this area.
Correlation between spin lattice relaxation time and radiation sensitivity in human tissues

The water proton spin lattice relaxation time of normal and tumorous tissues of human and radiosensitivity yield a linear relationship.
Reference repulsion in the categorical perception of biological motion.

Perceiving biological motion is important for understanding the intentions and future actions of others. Perceiving an approaching person’s behavior may be particularly important, because such behavior often precedes social interaction. To this end, the visual system may devote extra resources for perceiving an oncoming person’s heading. If this were true, humans should show increased sensitivity for perceiving approaching headings, and as a result, a repulsive perceptual effect around the categorical boundary of leftward/rightward motion. We tested these predictions and found evidence for both. First, observers were especially sensitive to the heading of an approaching person; variability in estimates of a person’s heading decreased near the category boundary of leftward/rightward motion. Second, we found a repulsion effect around the category boundary; a person walking approximately toward the observer was perceived as being repelled away from straight ahead. This repulsive effect was greatly exaggerated for perception of a very briefly presented person or perception of a chaotic crowd, suggesting that repulsion may protect against categorical errors when sensory noise is high. The repulsion effect with a crowd required integration of local motion and human form, suggesting an origin in high-level stages of visual processing. Similar repulsive effects may underlie categorical perception with other social features. Overall, our results show that a person’s direction of walking is categorically perceived, with improved sensitivity at the category boundary and a concomitant repulsion effect.
Arene trifluoromethylation: an effective strategy to obtain air-stable n-type organic semiconductors with tunable optoelectronic and electron transfer properties.

Modulation of organic semiconductor band gap, electron affinities (EA), ionization potentials (IP), and reorganization energies (λ) associated with charge transfer is critical for its applications. We report here that trifluoromethylation not only increases both IP and EA significantly as expected but also narrows the HOMO–LUMO band gaps and increases considerably the air-stability of arene-based n-type organic semiconductors. The increased air-stability results from relatively high EA energies and a change in oxidation mechanism. Calculated EAs and IPs show that trifluoromethylated arenes are excellent candidates for n-type semiconductor materials; though a moderate increase of inner-sphere reorganization energy (λi) associated with charge transfer is the penalty for the improved performance of the trifluoromethylated compounds. However, since λi decreases as the π conjugation increases, a rational design to produce air-stable n-type semiconductor materials with reasonably small λi is simply to prepare t...
Exploring the reactivity of 1,5-disubstituted sulfonyl-triazoles: thermolysis and Rh(II)-catalyzed synthesis of α-sulfonyl nitriles

The reactivity of a series of 1,5-disubstituted sulfonyl-triazoles was explored using either thermolytic or metal-catalyzed conditions. Both the thermolysis and the Rh(II)-catalyzed reactions led to the synthesis of a-sulfonyl-nitriles, which presumably occurred through a carbene or carbenoid mechanism. The reactivity of the carbenes and carbenoids resulting from the loss of dinitrogen from the 1,5-disubstituted sulfonyl-triazoles were different from those of the previously explored 1,4-disubstituted sulfonyl-triazoles. It was observed by NMR that the Rh(II)-catalyst coordinates strongly but reversibly with the 1,5-disubstituted sulfonyl-triazoles. Other catalysts, including both Bronsted and Lewis acids, were found to catalyze this transformation, although less efficiently compared to neat thermolysis or Rh(II)-catalyzed conditions. These data illustrate both the unique nature of 1,5-disubstituted sulfonyl-triazoles and potential future avenues for their utilization.
Value and limitations of myocardial thallium washout rate in the noninvasive diagnosis of patients with triple-vessel coronary artery disease.

Abstract This study tested the hypothesis that recognition of delayed washout of thallium from myocardial scan zones with apparently normal thallium uptake is useful for identifying patients with triple-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Exercise thallium stress tests were performed in 21 patients with angiographically proven triple-vessel CAD (≥50% stenosis of all three major vessels). Anterior and left anterior oblique thallium images were obtained 5 to 10 minutes after stress and 2 hours later. Background corrected scans (bilinear interpolative method) were analyzed by computer (radial analysis program) for the presence of initial uptake defects as well as delayed thallium washout. Twenty-five patients with single or double-vessel CAD and 14 patients with normal coronary arteries also were studied to obtain specificity data regarding the diagnosis of triple-vessel coronary disease. In patients with triple-vessel CAD, 50 of 63 (79%) stenosed vessels were detected by combined use of uptake and washout criteria. However, only 8 of 63 (13%) diseased vessels were detected by washout criteria alone. Nevertheless, use of washout criteria did increase the number of patients correctly identified as having triple-vessel disease from seven (identified on the basis of uptake defects alone) to 10. Accordingly, sensitivity using both uptake and washout criteria was 48% (10 of 21 patients). Specificity for the diagnosis of triple-vessel disease using combined uptake and washout criteria was 76% for patients with single- or double-vessel CAD and 95% for normals, and was little different from values obtained based on uptake criteria alone (80% and 100%, respectively). Thus even though relatively few stenosed vessels in patients with triple-vessel CAD are associated with isolated thallium wahout abnormalities, use of washout criteria does increase the sensitivity of the thallium stress test for the detection of such patients and therefore is a worthwhile addition to routine uptake analysis of thallium images of the myocardium.
The comparative effects of phenylbutazone and G27202 (metabolite I) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an assessment of methods for antirheumatic drug evaluation.

The effects of phenylbutazone and its metabolite, MI, on certain manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis were studied in 24 patients by a double-blind method. Grip strength and the duration of morning stiffness were influenced significantly by both the parent drug and its derivative. By such partially subjective criteria the metabolite MI had greater antirheumatic activity than phenylbutazone. Sedimentation rates and joint swelling (circumference) were not altered appreciably by either agent. Le effectos de phenylbutazona e de su metabolite MI super certe manifestationes de arthritis rheumatoide esseva studiate in 24 patientes per medio de un methodo bis-occulte. Le fortia del stringer manual e le duration del rigiditate matinal esseva influentiate de maniera significative tanto per le droga mesme como etiam per su metabolito. Secundo iste criterios de character partialmente subjective, MI habeva un plus grande activitate antirheumatic que phenylbutazona. Le sedimentation erythrocytic e le tumescentia articular non esseva alterate appreciabilemente per le un o le altere agente.
Water relations and mucopolysaccharide increases for a winter hardy cactus during acclimation to subzero temperatures

Thickness, relative water content (RWC), osmotic pressure, water potential isotherms, and mucopolysaccharide content were measured for the photosynthetic chlorenchyma and the water-storage parenchyma of the winter hardy cactus, Opuntia humifusa, after shifting from day/night air temperatures of 25° C/15° C to 5° C/−5° C. After 14 d at 5° C/−5° C, the average fraction of water contained in the symplast decreased from 0.92 to 0.78, the water potential of saturated (fully hydrated) tissue was essentially unchanged, but the osmotic pressure of saturated tissue decreased (by 0.15 MPa for the chlorenchyma and 0.12 MPa for the water-storage parenchyma). After 7 weeks at 5° C/−5° C, tissue thickness was reduced by 61% for the chlorenchyma and 65% for the water-storage parenchyma, and the RWC decreased by 42% and 68%, respectively; these changes contributed to an osmotic pressure increase of 0.55 MPa for the chlorenchyma and 0.34 MPa for the water-storage parenchyma. During the 7 week acclimation to low temperature, mucopolysaccharide increased by 114% for the chlorenchyma and by 89% for the water-storage parenchyma. The water potential of the extracted mucopolysaccharide was relatively constant for an RWC between 1.00 and 0.30, decreasing abruptly below 0.30. Changes in water relations parameters and in mucopolysaccharide content during low-temperature acclimation may reduce water efflux from the cells, and thus reduce damage due to rapid dehydration during extracellular freezing.
Classroom Community and Peer Culture in Kindergarten

This study reflects a naturalistic, interpretive 5-month study in a public school morning kindergarten regarding the children’s social development and creation of a peer culture during the transitional months into public education. The main focus of the research was the children’s perspectives on these transitions and their evolving classroom community and peer culture in response to the teacher, classroom and school environment. This study captures the dynamic and complex flow of activity that occurs in classrooms, the give and take of relationships, and the agency that children take in developing peer culture as one piece of community. Elements of the peer culture that are foregrounded include secondary adjustments as realized in clean-up strategies, protecting play materials over time, and hypothetical competition with the afternoon kindergarten class.
Recent clinical developments in thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction.

Intracoronary streptokinase can accomplish reperfusion in 70 to 75% of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and intravenous streptokinase in approximately 50% of those with prior documented coronary occlusion. The time constraints for accomplishing significant myocardial salvage have proved to be quite restrictive, however. Studies in which treatment has begun after an average of 4 hours of symptoms have not shown significant improvement in ventricular function. In contrast, those in which intervention has been applied earlier, particularly in less than 2 to 3 hours, have consistently shown benefit. The price for applying thrombolytic therapy includes the risk of severe bleeding (about 5%) but, fortunately, mortality as a result of bleeding has been rare (⩽ 0.5%). Reperfusion may be only transient or incomplete (and insufficient). An early reocclusion rate of about 15 to 20% has been commonly noted, in fact. Recently, major studies have pointed to a reduction in early mortality in patients treated early (within about 3 hours) after the onset of symptoms. Much interest is now being focused on developing safer, more effective thrombolytic agents such as tissue plasminogen activator and anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex (APSAC). Adjunctive therapy with coronary angioplasty is also being applied. In the judgement of many, reperfusion therapy may represent the greatest advance in the approach to AMI of the current decade.
Can gravity probe B usefully constrain torsion gravity theories

In most theories of gravity involving torsion, the source for torsion is the intrinsic spin of matter. Since the spins of fermions are normally randomly oriented in macroscopic bodies, the amount of torsion generated by macroscopic bodies is normally negligible. However, in a recent paper, Mao et al. (arXiv:gr-qc/0608121) point out that there is a class of theories, including the Hayashi-Shirafuji (1979) theory, in which the angular momentum of macroscopic spinning bodies generates a significant amount of torsion. They further argue that, by the principle of action equals reaction, one would expect the angular momentum of test bodies to couple to a background torsion field, and therefore the precession of the Gravity Probe B gyroscopes should be affected in these theories by the torsion generated by the Earth. We show that in fact the principle of action equals reaction does not apply to these theories, essentially because the torsion is not an independent dynamical degree of freedom. We examine in detail a generalization of the Hayashi-Shirafuji theory suggested by Mao et al. called Einstein-Hayashi-Shirafuji theory. There are a variety of different versions of this theory, depending on the precise form of the coupling to matter chosen for the torsion. We show that, for any coupling to matter that is compatible with the spin transport equation postulated by Mao et al., the theory has either ghosts or an ill-posed initial-value formulation. These theoretical problems can be avoided by specializing the parameters of the theory and in addition choosing the standard minimal coupling to matter of the torsion tensor. This yields a consistent theory, but one in which the action equals reaction principle is violated, and in which the angular momentum of the gyroscopes does not couple to the Earth's torsion field. Thus, the Einstein-Hayashi-Shirafuji theory does not predict a detectable torsion signal for Gravity Probe B. There may be other torsion theories which do.
EFFECT OF DEGREE OF COMPRESSION ON TEXTURE PROFILE PARAMETERS

Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) was performed on apple, carrot, frankfurter, cream cheese and pretzels with the Instron and the effect of the degree of compression on TPA parameters measured at a compression speed of 5 cm/min. Fracturability is almost independent of the degree of compression. Hardness, area 1, area 2, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness usually increase with increasing compression but the rate of increase varies widely. Springiness increases for pretzel sticks and decreases for the four other commodities as compression increases. Adhesive force and adhesive area of cream cheese increase but stringiness decreases with increasing compression. Since the TPA parameters vary so widely with degree of compression, all TPA measurements should standardize the degree of compression and clearly state in reports what compression was used.
Effects of acute ovariectomy on the lordosis response of female rats

The sexual receptivity of intact females with 4- or 5-day estrous cycles was compared to that of other females which had been ovariectomized at particular times during their cycles. The quality and frequency of lordosis responding were more degraded the earlier during the cycle ovariectomy was performed. This effect was more pronounced in 4-day than in 5-day cyclic females. Because exogenous progesterone was administered to all ovariectomized females, these behavioral deficits were attributed to removal of ovarian estradiol. Ovariectomy 6 hr before the critical period for luteinizing hormone release significantly shortened the duration of behavioral estrus, even though it had no effect when lordosis was tested at the time intact estrous females are maximally receptive. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the continual availability of estradiol throughout the 18--24 hr interval perior to the onset of behavioral estrus is essential for optimal conditioning of sexual receptivity to occur under physiological conditions. The relevance of triggering and maintenance functions of estradiol to these results is discussed.
EXPRESSION OF THE PIM-1 PROTOONCOGENE : DIFFERENTIAL INDUCIBILITY BETWEEN ALPHA /BETA - AND GAMMA /DELTA -T CELLS AND B CELLS

The pim-1 gene encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase with expression restricted primarily to cells of hematopoietic lineage and is thought to play a role in the signal transduction events associated with lymphocyte activation. A rapid increase in pim-1 mRNA levels was found after stimulation of normal unseparated PBMCs with phorbol ester (PMA) and a calcium ionophore (ionomycin) with the peak level occurring 4 hr poststimulation. Treatment of PBMCs with ionomycin alone caused only a minimal increase in pim-1 mRNA, whereas treatment with PMA alone induced a large increase in pim-1 mRNA, suggesting that the activation of a signaling pathway involving protein kinase C is responsible for the accumulation of this transcript. In enriched subpopulations of resting alpha/beta-T cells, gamma/delta-T cells, and B cells, pim-1 expression was found to be constitutively expressed, albeit at lower levels in T cells. This basal level of pim-1 expression could be increased by stimulation of alpha/beta-T cells (approx fivefold) and gamma/delta-T cells (approximately sevenfold) with PMA plus ionomycin. In contrast, pim-1 expression was not inducible in B cells. In PBMCs, half-life determination studies showed that turnover of pim-1 mRNA was markedly prolonged as a result of message stabilization induced by PMA plus ionomycin treatment. In addition, stable pim-1 transcripts were also observed in all transformed lymphoid cell lines examined. Taken together, these results suggest that the stability of pim-1 transcripts may be linked to the regulation of cell growth and represent the first direct demonstration that pim-1 expression is indeed regulated in a cell-type-specific manner.
Latent inhibition of the rabbit’s nictitating membrane response: Summation tests for active inhibition as a function of number of CS preexposures

Rabbits received classical conditioning of the nictitating membrane response to a light CS. Experimental animals then received 18, 36, 118, or 354 nonreinforced tone presentations followed by summation tests for active inhibition in which the tone was compounded with the light. Control animals sat restrained in the conditioning chambers for periods of time corresponding to the experimental animals, but did not experience the tone between initial conditioning to the light and the summation test phase. The degree to which addition of the tone depressed conditioned responding to the light was essentially the same for experimental and control groups, thereby negating the possibility that the tone possessed active or conditioned inhibitory properties.
Design and planning problems in flexible manufacturing systems: a critical review

This review paper describes the state-of-the-art research on flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) design and planning issues. The emphasis is on presenting research results coming out of the current FMS literature that help the FMS manager in setting up a highly efficient manufacturing system. In addition to that, it discusses relevant research contributions after 1986, that were not part of any of the previous survey papers on operations research models for FMSs. Also, applications of combinatorial optimization approaches to FMS planning problems are adequately exposed in the paper.
LiDAR data reduction using vertex decimation and processing with GPGPU and multicore CPU technology

Airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) topographic data provide highly accurate representations of the earth's surface. However, large data volumes pose computing issues when disseminating and processing the data. The main goals of this paper are to evaluate a vertex decimation algorithm used to reduce the size of the LiDAR data and to test parallel computation frameworks, particularly multicore CPU and GPU, in processing the data. In this paper we use a vertex decimation technique to reduce the number of vertices available in a triangulated irregular network (TIN) representation of LiDAR data. In order to validate and verify the algorithm, the authors have used last returns only (LRO) and all returns (AR) of points from four tiles of LiDAR data taken from flat and undulating terrains. The results for flat terrain data showed decimation rates of roughly 95% for last returns only and 55% for all returns without significant loss of accuracy in terrain representation. Accordingly, file sizes were reduced by about 96.5% and 60.5%. The processing speed greatly benefited from parallel programming using the multicore CPU framework. The GPU usage demonstrated an additional impediment caused by noncomputational overhead. Nonetheless, tremendous acceleration was demonstrated by the GPU environment in the computational part alone.
RATIONALE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TREATMENT OF RADIATION INJURY WITH CYTOKINES

Abstract—Treatment of the hematopoietic syndrome includes replacement with blood products, stem cell transplantation, and the use of hematopoietic cytokines. Cytokines have predictable effects based upon their mechanism of action. Those acting on early hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells have multil
Dynamical theory of artificial optical magnetism produced by rings of plasmonic nanoparticles

We present a detailed analytical theory for the plasmonic nanoring configuration first proposed by Al\`u et al. [Opt. Express 14, 1557 (2006)], which is shown to provide negative magnetic permeability and negative index of refraction at infrared and optical frequencies. We show analytically how the nanoring configuration may provide superior performance when compared to some other solutions for optical negative-index materials, offering a more ``pure'' magnetic response at these high frequencies, which is necessary for lowering the effects of radiation losses and absorption. Sensitivity to losses and the bandwidth of operation of this magnetic inclusion are also investigated in detail and compared with other available setups.
Characterization of continuous convective powder mixing processes

Abstract The Process Analytical Technology (PAT) initiative has encouraged the development of new technology to improve upon the current manufacturing paradigm. As a result substantial attention has recently focused on continuous processing due to the ability to control disturbances online, avoiding the loss of processing materials and enabling effective process scale-up. In this paper, a pharmaceutical formulation is blended using a continuous flow “high shear” mixer utilizing different operating and design parameters. The mixing efficiency is characterized by extracting samples at the discharge of the blender, and analyzing them using Near Infrared Spectroscopy to determine compositional distribution. Operational conditions such as the inclination angle of the mixer and impeller rotation rate were investigated and showed to affect the mean residence time. The effects of mixer angle, agitation speed, number of blades, blade angle, number of passes through the mixer on the mixing performance of a powder continuous convective mixer are also examined and shown to affect mixing performance whereas the cohesive properties of the material did not significantly affect the mixing operation.
Supporting industrial hyperwebs: lessons in scalability

Open hypermedia is one approach to managing the relationships that exist in software development projects. A key technical issue in this endeavor is support for scalability. Our experience supporting scalability in open hypermedia has revealed several key insights including the notion of the transitivity of scalability, the need to consider issues of scale in moving from design to implementation, the need to apply multiple techniques in tandem, and the unexpected nontechnical issues that arise when scaling a system to meet the demands of industrial software engineering. These insights are grounded in observations of a development project that scaled an open hypermedia system, Chimera, two orders of magnitude to meet the demands of an industrial user.
Minimum Convex Risk Equivariant Finite Population Prediction for Linear Functions in Regression Models

Abstract This paper addresses the problem of equivariant prediction of linear functions in a finite population under a linear regression super- population model. Of particular interest is the finite population total. A theorem that gives a necessary and sufficient condition for a predictor to be minimum risk equivariant predictor of any linear function with respect to a convex loss function is established. Illustrative examples are discussed.
Weight loss improves fecal incontinence severity in overweight and obese women with urinary incontinence.

Introduction/hypothesis To estimate the effect of weight loss on fecal incontinence (FI) severity among overweight and obese women with urinary incontinence, we analyzed data from women randomized to a weight loss intervention or control condition.
Guanine: Formation during the Thermal Polymerization of Amino Acids

The action of heat on a mixture of amino acids was studied as a possible abiological pathway for the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines. Guanine was detected. This result is significant in the context of chemical evolution.
A study of drag forces on solid spherical particles in power law bounded flow: applications to aseptic processing

Drag forces on rigid spherical particles suspended at specific points in a tube carrying viscous solutions of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were measured using a load cell. Polystyrene spheres of diameter 1, 2.22 and 3.175 cm were used in a plexiglass tube of 4.75 cm internal diameter. the range of consistency coefficient of the carrier fluid studied was 5 to 16 Pa-sn. Mass flow rate was varied between 0.01 and 0.9 kg/s. the drag coefficient-generalized particle Reynolds number correlation developed from linear regression was: Cd = 101.35/[(NRe)p]0.84/n. This correlation may be used to estimate drag forces on suspended spherical food solids in aseptic holding tubes.
The New Biology in Poland after the Second World War: Polish Lysenkoism.

Genetic research was banned in the Polish People's Republic from 1949 to 1956 as a result of the activities of Trofim D. Lysenko, a pseudo-biologist in the Soviet Union. This article examines the impact upon education in biology in Poland, including textbook revision, curriculum reform and revised understandings of the purpose of scientific research. Most importantly, it focuses on the impact of scientific controversies upon the relationship between teachers and students.
A Modified Reverse‐Phase HPLC Method for the Analysis of Mexiletine Hydrochloride

Abstract Mexiletine hydrochloride is an orally active class I antiarrythmic agent. The purpose of this work is to develop a sensitive, selective, and stability indicating reverse phase HPLC assay for the quality control analysis and stability testing of mexiletine hydrochloride dosage forms. The method was developed to quantify the drug for various formulations. Analysis was carried out on a 4 mm × 150 mm C‐18 microsorb column, using a 50:50 methanol:0.053 M sodium acetate buffer. The pH of the mobile phase was adjusted to 4.8. The flow rate was set at 1 mL/min and the analysis was carried out at 254 nm. The internal standard used in the analysis was thiamine hydrochloride. The drug eluted at about 8 min, while the internal standard eluted at about 3 min. The stability of the assay was studied by subjecting the drug to extreme pH conditions. The limit of quantification (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD) were found to be 0.06 µg and 0.02 µg, respectively. The reproducibility of the method was tested by car...
Evaluating Political Leaders in Times of Terror and Economic Threat: The Conditioning Influence of Politician Partisanship

We theorize that evaluations of leaders under terrorist and economic threat vary by both incumbency status and politician partisanship. This argument is based on insights from theories of rally effects, economic voting, and issue ownership, and we assess it with data from four national studies. The first two are experiments featuring hypothetical candidates; consistent with expectations based on issue ownership, the analyses show that Republican incumbents (Democratic challengers) are viewed comparatively better in times of terrorist (economic) threat. Then, with another experiment and with survey data, we consider evaluations of President Obama, whose image under terrorist threat should be helped by his incumbency but harmed by his partisanship, and the reverse for economic decline. We again find evidence supporting our argument and, further, individual-level evidence of issue ownership effects. We conclude that threats, incumbency status, and politician partisanship interact in important ways as they af...
Photoconductivity of amorphous semiconductors

Abstract An analysis of photoconductivity is presented for a material with a carrier mobility which decreases as a power law with time. We calculate the steady state and transient response, and show that the model applies to hydrogenated amorphous silicon and other amorphous semiconductors. In a-Si:H the effective mobility is obtained from 10−6 to 1 sec. The recombination is of bimolecular type and the carrier density is almost independent of excitation intensity.
The measurement of the presampled MTF of a high spatial resolution neutron imaging system

A high spatial resolution neutron imaging device was developed at the Mark II TRIGA reactor at The University of Texas at Austin. As the modulation transfer function (MTF) is recognized as a well-established parameter for evaluation of imaging system resolution, the aliasing associated with digital sampling adds complexity to its measurement. Aliasing is especially problematic when using a high spatial resolution micro-channel plate (MCP) neutron detector that has a pixel grid size similar to that of a CCD array. To compensate for the aliasing an angulated edge method was used to evaluate the neutron imaging facility, overcoming aliasing by obtaining an oversampled edge spread function (ESF). Baseline correction was applied to the ESF to remove the noticeable trends and the LSF was multiplied by Hann window to obtain a smoothed version of presampled MTF. The computing procedure is confirmed by visual inspection of a testing phantom; in addition, it is confirmed by comparison to the MTF measurement of a scintillation screen with a known MTF curve.
Impact of Antiplatelet Therapy on Clinical Manifestations and Outcomes of Cardiovascular Infections

Despite advances in medical and surgical management, infective endocarditis remains associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Septic embolization to the brain and other organs is one of the most dreaded complications of infective endocarditis. Given the critical role of platelets in bacterial vegetation formation on cardiac valves or cardiac device leads, antiplatelet agents, including aspirin, have recently generated much interest as adjunctive therapies in cardiovascular infections. In this article, we review the published evidence evaluating the role of platelets in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular infections and the rationale for using antiplatelet agents in these infections.
Hyperuricemia and carotid artery dilatation among young adults without metabolic syndrome

It is not known if hyperuricemia is associated with early vascular changes signifying arteriosclerosis. We performed a cross sectional study of 163 young adults without metabolic syndrome in Allegheny County, PA, USA. Doppler ultrasound was used to measure two metrics of early arteriosclerosis: carotid artery dimensions and aortic pulse wave velocity. Individuals in the highest quartiles of serum uric acid (>6.2 mg/dL for men and >4.6 for women) were more likely to be of younger age, and to possess greater measures of adiposity and an adverse cardiovascular risk profile. Higher serum uric acid concentration was associated with larger luminal and adventitial diameters as well as changes in diameters between the phases of the cardiac cycle (P<0.001) but not with carotid intima media thickness, pulse wave velocity, or pressure strain modulus. In multivariable linear regression models where the effects of age, ethnicity, serum creatinine, systolic blood pressure, current alcohol use, body mass index and smoking status were accounted for, the highest quartile of serum uric acid was associated with greater luminal and adventitial diameters and change in luminal diameter between the phases of cardiac cycle (P<0.05), but not with pulse wave velocity, pressure strain modulus or carotid intima media thickness. We can conclude that hyperuricemia is associated with larger carotid artery diameters signifying an early adaptive response to vascular stress. This has implications on the observed link between hyperuricemia and hypertension.
A critical appraisal of assimilationist and radical ideologies underlying same-sex marriage in LGBT communities in the United States.

Debates over same-sex marriage have reached the main stage of contemporary U.S. politics. The purpose of this essay is to identify and examine how sexual ideologies in U.S. LGBT communities inform and influence relationship construction in general and same-sex marriage in particular. To accomplish this, we first discuss the nature of sexual ideologies. Next, we identify current sexual ideologies in LGBT communities and examine some of their fundamental features and their implications for relationship construction with a focus on same-sex marriage. We conclude with a discussion of what is potentially gained and lost by same-sex matrimonial bonds and explore some of the prospects of relationship construction within LGBT communities in the future.
Phasing of tandem crystals for nonlinear optical frequency conversion

Abstract We point out that tandem nonlinear crystals for optical frequency conversion made of the same material can in most cases be oriented to obtain walk-off reversal, as well as the same sign and magnitude of the nonlinear coefficient. This is always possible when there are two o-rays, and in most cases is possible when there are two e-rays.
HLA-B27 homozygosity in ankylosing spondylitis: Relationship to risk and severity

The observed frequency of apparent homozygotes for HLA--B27 (15.5%) was significantly greater than the estimated expected frequency (4.2%) among 58 B27-positive Caucasian patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (P less than 0.0005). Search of the literature uncovered four other studies in each of which the frequency of apparent homozygotes was shown by our analysis to be greater than expected. These analyses indicated that B27 homozygotes are more susceptible to developing AS than are B27 heterozygotes. Comparison of the clinical features of AS showed no differences between heterozygotes and apparent homozygotes except for a higher frequency of involvement of peripheral joints in the latter group.
Effects of chronic methadone treatment on cocaine- and food-maintained responding under second-order, progressive-ratio and concurrent-choice schedules in rhesus monkeys

The effects of chronic infusion with saline or methadone (0.032-1.0 mg/kg/h) were examined on cocaine- and food-maintained responding in rhesus monkeys using three procedures. In one procedure, cocaine injections (0.0032-0.032 mg/kg per injection) and food pellets were available under a second-order schedule during alternating daily sessions. During saline treatment, cocaine maintained a dose-dependent increase in the number of cocaine injections per day, and monkeys usually responded for the maximum number of pellets. Methadone dose-dependently decreased cocaine self-administration, and methadone doses that decreased cocaine self-administration had variable effects on food-maintained responding. In the second procedure, 0.032 mg/kg per injection cocaine or food pellets were available under a progressive-ratio schedule. During saline treatment, cocaine and food maintained similar break points. Methadone produced a dose-dependent and non-selective decrease in break points maintained by both cocaine and food. In the third procedure, cocaine injections (0-0.1 mg/kg per injection) and food pellets were available under a concurrent-choice schedule. During saline treatment, increasing unit doses of cocaine produced a dose-dependent increase in cocaine choice. Methadone had little effect on the cocaine choice dose-effect curve up to doses that eliminated responding. These results provide little evidence to suggest that chronic methadone altered the reinforcing effects of cocaine; rather methadone appeared to non-selectively decrease rates of operant responding.
Development and tolerance of natural killer cells

A natural killer (NK)/T cell-restricted progenitor cell in the fetal blood, with a phenotype of NK1.1+ CD117 (c-kit)+, can give rise to NK cells. IL-15 is probably required for NK cell differentiation and, in addition, stimulates expression of at least one of the MHC-specific inhibitory receptor families expressed by NK cells. Evidence supports the role of multiple mechanisms in rendering NK cells self tolerant — including selection for expression of self-specific inhibitory receptors, anergy and modulation of the cell surface levels of MHC-specific inhibitory receptors.