cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distributed Dual-Function Radar-Communication MIMO System with Optimized Resource Allocation

In this paper, we propose a novel distributed dual-function radar-communication (DFRC) MIMO system capable of simultaneously performing radar and communication tasks. The radar objective is to achieve the desired target localization performance whereas the communication objective is to optimize the overall data rate. The distributed DFRC MIMO system performs both objectives by optimizing the power allocation of the different transmitters in the DFRC system. A dictionary of radar waveforms is used at each transmitter and the communication information is embedded in the radar waveform by exploiting waveform diversity. The proposed strategy can serve multiple communication receivers located in the vicinity of the distributed DFRC MIMO system. Simulation results illustrate the performance of the proposed strategy.
Aging-Associated Alterations in Myocardial Inflammation and Fibrosis: Pathophysiological Perspectives and Clinical Implications

Senescent hearts exhibit structural and molecular changes that result in impaired function and are associated with diminished ability to meet increased demand. Both animal model studies and clinical investigations suggest that fibrosis is a hallmark of cardiac aging. Expansion of the cardiac interstitium and accumulation of collagen in the aging heart cause a progressive increase in ventricular stiffness, contributing to impaired diastolic function. Increased mechanical load due to increased vascular stiffness and direct activation of senescence-associated fibrogenic signals in the myocardium are implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis in the elderly. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), chemokine-mediated recruitment of mononuclear cells and fibroblast progenitors, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β activation, and angiotensin II signaling may be essential mediators of interstitial and perivascular fibrosis in the senescent heart. Reduced collagen degradation may be more important than increased matrix protein synthesis in the pathogenesis of aging-associated fibrosis. In addition to an age-related baseline activation of inflammatory and profibrotic signals, senescence is also associated with a suppressed and prolonged inflammatory reaction after myocardial injury and with defective activation of reparative fibroblasts in response to growth factors. These reparative defects impair scar formation and may promote adverse dilative remodeling. Understanding the involvement of inflammatory and fibrogenic mediators in repair and remodeling of the aging heart is critical in order to design new strategies for prevention of heart failure in elderly patients.
Imitation Learning from Human-Generated Spatial-Temporal Data

Human dwellers make daily decisions by their own "strategies" governing their mobility dynamics (e.g., Uber drivers have preferred working regions and times, and urban commuters have preferred routes and transit modes). Understanding and characterizing the unique decision-making strategies of human agents has great potential in promoting their individual well-being. In this paper, we outline a novel spatial-temporal imitation learning (STIL) framework that defines, investigates, and addresses the emerging research challenges of analyzing and learning human decision-making strategies from human-generated spatial-temporal data. We present the state-of-the-art imitation learning algorithms, and the limitations of these algorithms in analyzing human-generated spatial-temporal data. Moreover, we present our preliminary studies, and outline the challenging open questions.
Interpersonal trauma exposure and startle reactivity to uncertain threat in individuals with alcohol use disorder.

Abstract Background Exposure to interpersonal trauma is highly prevalent within individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD); however, the mechanisms underlying the pathway between trauma exposure and AUD are unclear. Preliminary evidence suggests that heightened reactivity to threats that are uncertain (U-threat) may characterize individuals with AUD and interpersonal trauma exposure and contribute to alcohol abuse within this subgroup of individuals; however, this hypothesis has yet to be tested. Method The aim of the study was to examine whether heightened reactivity to U-threat characterizes individuals with AUD and a history of interpersonal trauma. Specifically, the study compared defensive reactivity to U-threat (and predictable threat [P-threat]) in those with: 1) AUD and a history of interpersonal trauma (AUD + Trauma); 2) AUD and no history of interpersonal trauma (AUD-Trauma); and 3) matched controls. Participants (N = 77) completed a well-validated threat-of-shock task and startle eyeblink potentiation was collected as an index of aversive responding. Results Results revealed a group by threat condition interaction (F[4, 142] = 3.17, p = 0.03; ηG2 = 0.08) such that individuals with AUD + Trauma exhibited greater startle reactivity to U-threat, but not P-threat, compared with individuals with AUD-Trauma and controls (who did not differ from each other). The findings were significant even when controlling for current anxiety and depression symptoms. Conclusions Within individuals with AUD, those with a history of interpersonal trauma exposure may be a neurobiologically unique subtype characterized by exaggerated U-threat reactivity and high levels of anticipatory anxiety. Reactivity to U-threat may be a promising alcohol use prevention and intervention target for trauma-exposed individuals.
Children's Media as a Conduit for "Unbiased" News: Critical Reflections on the Coverage of Trump's Presidential Campaign.

On 8 November 2016, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States. During his campaign, Trump put on display long held sexist, racist, and bigoted views on women; people of color; lesbian...
Dimension Reduction for Efficient Pattern Recognition in High Spatial Resolution Data Using Quantum Algorithms

With the promising advancement in quantum computing technology in the last decade, there is a strong motivation to find suitable applications for quantum algorithms and quantum computers. Domains such as High Energy Physics (HEP) have an enormous readout count of high-resolution data. Performing pattern recognition on this readout is computationally challenging and time-consuming because of the multi-dimensionality of the data. In this paper, we propose a methodology that employs quantum algorithms such as Quantum Wavelet Transform and Grover’s search algorithm for timeefficient pattern recognition in data sets that are characterized by high spatial resolution and high dimensionality. The motivation behind using quantum algorithms is the potential speedup relative to classical methods, when performed by a quantum computer. In our proposed methodology, Quantum Wavelet Transform is performed on the high spatial resolution data to reduce its dimensionality while quantum Grover’s search algorithm is employed to search for target patterns in the reduced data set. Performing the search operation on data with reduced spatial resolution, minimizes processing overheads and computation times. Moreover, use of quantum techniques yield faster results, compared to classical dimension reduction and search methods. We demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed methodology by emulating the quantum algorithms on classical hardware based on field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). A high performance reconfigurable computer (HPRC) was used for the experimental evaluation. The obtained results are favorable towards our proposed approach.
Bone Marrow-Derived Dendritic Cell Cultures from RAG -/- Mice Include IFN-γ-Producing NK Cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the initiation of an immune response and are known as "professional" APCs because of their ability to activate naive T cells. A widely used method to generate DCs in vitro is to culture bone marrow (BM) cells or blood monocytes in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4. In this study, we show that a small population of NK cells residing in the BM of RAG-/-, but not RAG-/- γc chain-/- mice, remain in the DC culture and is the source of IFN-γ produced after stimulation with LPS. These cells, which may represent early promoters of LPS-induced responses, have to be taken into account when interpreting experiments using BM-derived DCs.
Predation Efficacy of Rove Beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) Adults in Response to Western Flower Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Pupal Stage, Predator–Prey Ratio, and Searchable Area

The rove beetle, Dalotia coriaria (Kraatz) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), is a soil-dwelling predator that preys upon insect pests residing in growing media. Minimal information exists addressing its predation on western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), below-ground life stages. Two laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the effects of western flower thrips pupal stage, predator–prey ratio, and searchable area on predation efficacy of rove beetle adults. In Experiment 1, predation was recorded in response to two thrips pupal stages (prepupae and pupae); three predator–prey ratios (1:5, 1:10, 1:15) and predator–prey ratios that were 2, 3, and 4 times greater. Experiment 2 was designed to assess predation in response to those predator–prey ratios along with searchable areas in 15.2- and 11.5-cm-diameter containers. Response was measured by capturing thrips adults on yellow sticky cards (YSC) as they emerged from pupation. The estimated mean probability of thrips adults captured on the cards was significantly higher for the 1:5 (61.1%) than for the 1:10 (39%) and 1:15 (34.7%) predator–prey ratios. The estimated mean probability of thrips adults captured on the cards for 2 times the predator–prey ratio (57%) was significantly higher than 3 times (37.2%) and 4 times (40.6%) the ratios. A significantly higher estimated mean probability of thrips adults was captured on the cards in the 15.2-cm-diameter containers than in the 11.5-cm-diameter containers. We conclude that a predator–prey ratio of 1:15 would result in fewer rove beetle adults needed to reduce western flower thrips prepupae/pupae stages and subsequent adult populations.
Blanchard, Margaret A. The Institutional Press and Its First Amendment Privileges, 1978 Sup. Ct. Rev. 225

Australian citizen Julian Assange is still locked up in Britain’s most notorious prison1 at the behest of the United States government2 with no end in sight.3 He faces no criminal charges in Britai...
Divergent Trends in the Effects of Early Life Factors on Adult Health

Life course theories have shaped social and health scientists’ understanding of the origins and pathways of health, aging, and mortality. However, few studies have examined how these origins might have changed across cohorts. This study investigates the impact of birth, childhood, and adolescence factors on adult health across birth cohorts born in the second half of the twentieth century in the United States. Data come from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics Family and Individual Files 1968–2013 and the Childbirth and Adoption History File 1985–2013. Multilevel growth models are used to capture the growth trajectories of two adult health outcomes: self-rated health and health summary index. We find the association between three pre-adulthood factors (birth weight, mother’s education, childhood family income-to-needs ratio) and health outcomes weakens in more recent cohorts, while the association strengthens for the other two early life factors (early-life disease index and parental smoking status before age 17). These findings demonstrate the complexity of the social-to-biological embodiment across the life course, and suggest that the effects of early-life factors on adult health can increase or decrease across cohorts due to macro social, economic, policy, technological, and medical changes. They also illuminate the long-term debate on the period and cohort effects in shaping the health trend, and suggest that the cohort effect is multidimensional and is weaker or stronger depending on the dimension of early life examined.
Keynote Talk 2: Eye Movement Detection Sensors, Biometrics, and Health Assessment

The usage of eye tracking sensors is expected to grow in virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR) platforms. In my talk I will discuss the past and present status of eye tracking sensors, along with my vision for future development. I will also discuss appl ications that necessitate the presence of such sensors in VR/AR devices, along with applications that would have the power to benefit society on a large scale when VR/AR solutions are widely adopted.
Genetic determinants facilitating the evolution of resistance to carbapenem antibiotics

In this era of rising antibiotic resistance, in contrast to our increasing understanding of mechanisms that cause resistance, our understanding of mechanisms that influence the propensity to evolve resistance remains limited. Here, we identified genetic factors that facilitate the evolution of resistance to carbapenems, the antibiotic of "last resort," in Klebsiella pneumoniae, the major carbapenem resistant species. In clinical isolates, we found that high-level transposon insertional mutagenesis plays an important role in contributing to high-level resistance frequencies in several major and emerging carbapenem-resistant lineages. A broader spectrum of resistance-conferring mutations for select carbapenems such as ertapenem also enables higher resistance frequencies and importantly, creates stepping-stones to achieve high-level resistance to all carbapenems. These mutational mechanisms can contribute to the evolution of resistance, in conjunction with the loss of systems that restrict horizontal resistance gene uptake, such as the CRISPR-Cas system. Given the need for greater antibiotic stewardship, these findings argue that in addition to considering the current efficacy of an antibiotic for a clinical isolate in antibiotic selection, considerations of future efficacy are also important. The genetic background of a clinical isolate and the exact antibiotic identity can and should also be considered as it is a determinant of a strains propensity to become resistant. Together, these findings thus provide a molecular framework for understanding acquisition of carbapenem resistance in K. pneumoniae with important implications for diagnosing and treating this important class of pathogens.
The Case of Tracking Athletes' Every Move: Biometrics in Professional Sports and the Legal and Ethical Implications of Data Collection

The current state regarding the privacy of a professional athlete’s biometric data relies heavily on self-regulation and the individual leagues’ collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). The majority of these CBAs take into consideration the consent of an athlete but do not address the ethical concerns of wearable devices. However, merely amending a CBA may not be the answer, as leagues are contracting around the player’s right to control their data and the right to commercialize the data with third-party wearable device companies. Wearable devices and the data they provide are continuously evolving, and greater data is being recorded year-after-year. However, professional sports leagues have not addressed this evolution, and as a result, are exposing their players to many ethical and legal implications. These leagues should have a duty to amend their CBAs while considering HIPAA and the rights of foreign players playing in North America. Further, it may be best practice to contract directly with wearable device companies to ensure the protection of players' biometric data.
Association of Primary and Behavioral Health Integrated Care Upon Pediatric Mental Disorder Treatment

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to examine whether linkage with mental health (MH) treatment differed across 3 different integrated care arrangements (ICAs), following incident attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) diagnoses given by primary care providers (PCPs) in the pediatric setting. Methods Using claims linking with multiple public data sources, we examined the treatment initiation among children receiving an incident diagnosis of ADHD or MDD from PCPs working in practices with various ICAs. ICAs were categorized as PCP practiced alone (non–co-located), PCP practiced with specialist outside the practice but co-located at the practice site (co-located), and employed specialists who were co-located (co-located and co-affiliated). Results A total of 4203 incident ADHD and 298 incident MDD cases diagnosed by PCPs were identified, of which 3123 (74%) with ADHD and 200 (67%) with MDD received treatment within 90 days since the diagnosis. Children diagnosed with ADHD by co-located and co-affiliated PCPs were twice as likely to receive treatment as those diagnosed by non–co-located PCPs (odds ratio [OR] = 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24–2.78). Of those treated, children diagnosed by co-located and co-affiliated PCPs were 2 times more likely to receive guideline recommended psychotherapy (OR = 2.15; 95% CI, 1.35–3.44). These patients were also more likely to be treated at the diagnosing site versus elsewhere. Similar beneficial effects were not observed in those first diagnosed by co-located but non-affiliated PCPs. Conclusions Service co-location between co-affiliated PCPs and MH specialists was associated with significant higher ADHD treatment rate and the receipt of guideline-recommended psychotherapy.
Perioperative Glucocorticoids in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Having Total Joint Replacements: Help or Harm?

Objective The optimal strategy for perioperative glucocorticoid (GC) management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on chronic GCs is unknown. Although there is a concern for hypotension if inadequate doses are used, higher GC exposure may increase perioperative complications. We aimed to investigate the relationships between perioperative GCs with hemodynamic instability and short-term postoperative complications following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with RA. Methods This retrospective study included patients with RA who underwent THA and TKA. GC exposure was assessed by the total cumulative dose (in prednisone equivalents) during hospitalization. Perioperative complications and hypotension were assessed. Results Of 432 patients, 387 (90%) received supraphysiologic perioperative GC. Thirty percent of patients were using chronic GCs (mean daily dose, 7 ± 4 mg). Half (54%) underwent TKA. The median age was 65 years, and 79% were women. The median cumulative GC dose during hospitalization was 37 mg (interquartile range, 27-53.3). A lower cumulative dose of GC did not increase odds of hypotension during hospitalization (unadjusted odds ratio, 1.00 [95% confidence interval, 0.99-1.01]; P = 0.66)]. However, postoperative complications were higher among patients who received higher cumulative doses after adjustment for age, body mass index, home GC use, smoking, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. Risk of short-term complications increased by 8.4% (P = 0.017) for every 10-mg increase in GC dose. Conclusion A lower GC dose was not associated with increased hypotension. However, patients with higher GC exposure were more likely to have hyperglycemia and other complications. These findings suggest that harms may be associated with high perioperative GC doses. Further research is needed to determine the optimal perioperative regimen for patients with RA.
Security Hedging After Nazarbayev? The Future of Kazakhstan’s Alignment with Russia

Despite Nursultan Nazarbayev’s oft-proclaimed ‘multivector’ foreign policy—maintaining positive relations with Russia, the West, China, and the Islamic World without firmly committing to any one ‘vector’—Kazakhstan has, instead, pursued a steady policy of aligning itself with Moscow through multilateral and bilateral security agreements. While these do not prevent engagement with other powers within the security realm, they do effectively foreclose Nur-Sultan from seeking other substantive arrangements, reinforce Russia’s regional sphere of influence, and place the country on one side of an increasingly contentious geopolitical environment. The presidential transition in 2019 invites a fresh look at the current state of Kazakhstan’s security relationships and its likely future. This chapter does this by first exploring the concepts of multivectorism, security hedging, and alignment before examining Kazakhstan’s security arrangements under Nazarbayev and the still-emerging Kassym-Jomart Tokayev era to determine whether this new period will be marked by continuity or change.
Introduction to the Open File

After briefly describing the emergence and evolution of the global movement toward Education for All (EFA), the Introduction discusses the difficulties of employing target goals to bring about significant policy change and educational transformation. The article then presents a comprehensive overview of the uneven progress towards EFA since 2000, both across regions and within countries, but also across the six goals themselves. The final section outlines the priority steps to be taken by international agencies, national governments, civil society and donors to support EFA in the years to come.
Telomeres, telomerase, and stability of the plant genome

Telomeres, the complex nucleoprotein structures at the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes, along with telomerase, the enzyme that synthesizes telomeric DNA, are required to maintain a stable genome. Together, the enzyme and substrate perform this essential service by protecting chromosomes from exonucleolytic degradation and end-to-end fusions and by compensating for the inability of conventional DNA replication machinery to completely duplicate the ends of linear chromosomes. Telomeres are also important for chromosome organization within the nucleus, especially during mitosis and meiosis. The contributions of telomeres and telomerases to plant genome stability have been confirmed by analysis of Arabidopsis mutants that lack telomerase activity. These mutants have unstable genomes, but manage to survive up to ten generations with increasingly shortened telomeres and cytogenetic abnormalities. Comparisons between telomerase-deficient Arabidopsis and telomerase-deficient mice reveal distinct differences in the consequences of massive genome damage, probably reflecting the greater developmental and genomic plasticity of plants.
Structure of the North Park and South Park Basins, Colorado: An integrated geophysical study

The CD-ROM geophysical transect passes through the intermontane valleys of central Colorado called parks. However, relatively little is known about their structure. Geophysical exploration of the North and South Park basins is mostly of a proprietary nature and few of these investigations are ever published. In this study, we integrate gravity, geologic, seismic, and digital elevation data to determine the subsurface structure of the North Park and South Park basins of central Colorado and their structural setting. Digital elevation and gravity images and computer modeling of the gravity data show that the subsurface structure of these basins is not as simple as suggested by their surface expression. Modeling of gravity profiles constrained by drilling and geologic data shows that North Park and South Park are underlain by complex, fault-bounded, asymmetric basins. The gravity low over North Park is the result of basin fill of both Cenozoic and Mesozoic age that reaches a thickness of ∼6 km. Very low gravity values found in the northern portion of the South Park are associated with the Colorado mineral belt. Modeling of two profiles south of this area indicates that a series of faults divide the basin. Particularly in the south, the basin is divided into sub-basins by a structural high. This study also provided constraints for the seismic refraction modeling that was part of the CD-ROM project.
Proline transport in Staphylococcus aureus: a high-affinity system and a low-affinity system involved in osmoregulation.

L-Proline enhanced the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in high-osmotic-strength medium, i.e., it acted as an osmoprotectant. Study of the kinetics of L-[14C]proline uptake by S. aureus NCTC 8325 revealed high-affinity (Km = 1.7 microM; maximum rate of transport [Vmax] = 1.1 nmol/min/mg [dry weight]) and low-affinity (Km = 132 microM; Vmax = 22 nmol/min/mg [dry weight]) transport systems. Both systems were present in a proline prototrophic variant grown in the absence of proline, although the Vmax of the high-affinity system was three to five times higher than that of the high-affinity system in strain 8325. Both systems were dependent on Na+ for activity, and the high-affinity system was stimulated by lower concentrations of Na+ more than the low-affinity system. The proline transport activity of the low-affinity system was stimulated by increased osmotic strength. The high-affinity system was highly specific for L-proline, whereas the low-affinity system showed a broader substrate specificity. Glycine betaine did not compete with proline for uptake through either system. Inhibitor studies confirmed that proline uptake occurred via Na(+)-dependent systems and suggested the involvement of the proton motive force in creating an Na+ gradient. Hyperosmotic stress (upshock) of growing cultures led to a rapid and large uptake of L-[14C]proline that was not dependent on new protein synthesis. It is suggested that the low-affinity system is involved in adjusting to increased environmental osmolarity and that the high-affinity system may be involved in scavenging low concentrations of proline.
Predicting the success of a radiopharmaceutical for in vivo imaging

Summary form only given. This presentation focuses on gathering the critical preclinical data and other steps required to optimize the characteristics of a potential new radioligand for use in vivo. It is based on a critical review of successful and unsuccessful radiopharmaceuticals developed in our center and elsewhere over many years. Included among the factors to be considered for predicting the behavior of a potential radiopharmaceutical in vivo are receptor binding affinity, lipophilicity, nonspecific binding, metabolic stability and ease of radiochemical synthesis. Additional factors include the presence or absence of radioactive metabolites, the attainment of an equilibrium or pseudoequilibrium during the practical imaging time of the radiotracer (i.e., reversibility or irreversibility) during and up to 3 or 4 half lives of the radioisotope, degree of protein binding, agonist or antagonist activity, in vivo toxicity or pharmacologic activity. Additional related factors that could help determine a radiopharmaceutical success include the receptor system to be imaged and its characteristics such as its receptor selectivity to a certain receptor system and that receptor system's density, distribution and presence of a "reference region" allowing measurements of nonspecific binding, e.g., in brain. Not only the radiotracer but the target of the radiotracer and other characteristics such as possible internalization versus susceptibility to endogenous receptor ligands are important factors. However, many of these and other factors are yet to be clearly understood. Examples will be provided from the dopamine, serotonin, nicotinic cholinergic and nitrergic transmission systems as well as from the radiosteroid area to describe some of the strengths and pitfalls associated with radiotracer design, development, and their ultimate use in human beings.
Protective effects of PGE2 on diet-induced acute pancreatitis in mice

Abstract Prostaglandins have been noted to have a "protective" effect against gastrointestinal mucosal injury induced by a wide variety of agents although possible protective effects of prostaglandins on injury to other tissues have not been reported. We have tested the effect of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) on acute experimental pancreatitis induced by feeding young female mice a choline-deficient ethionine-supplemented (CDE) diet for 24 hr. Administration of 0.05–0.20 μg PGE 2 /g body wt 1 hr before and 4 hr after institution of the CDE diet lowered the mortality rate of diet-induced pancreatitis from 56% to 31%. Larger and smaller doses of PGE 2 were without effect. Administration of PGE 2 (0.10 μg/g body weight) diminished the rise in in-vitro LDH discharge and the increase in "free" Cathepsin D activity which occur during diet-induced pancreatitis. Similarly, PGE 2 (0.10 μg/g body wt) diminished the magnitude of the increase in in-vitro protein discharge and the elevated concentrations of trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen in pancreas fragments taken from mice given the CDE diet. These findings indicate the PGE 2 has a protective effect against CDE diet-induced acute experimental pancreatitis. The Cathepsin D and LDH changes noted during CDE diet-induced pancreatitis suggest that this diet may decrease membrane integrity and thus allow these enzymes to leak out of the lysosomes and acinar cell, respectively, during pancreatitis. Although the basis for the protective effect of PGE 2 remains unclear, our observations suggest that the prostaglandin may act to reduce the alteration in membrane integrity which occurs during CDE-diet induced pancreatitis.
Retroviral DNA Integration

DNA integration is a unique enzymatic process shared by all retroviruses and retrotransposons. During integration, double-stranded linear viral DNA is inserted into the host genome in a process catalyzed by the virus-encoded integrase (IN). The mechanism involves a series of nucleophillic attacks, the first of which removes the terminal 2 bases from the 3′ ends of the long terminal repeats and of the second which inserts the viral DNA into the host genome. IN specifically recognizes the DNA sequences at the termini of the viral DNA, juxtaposing both ends in an enzyme complex that inserts the viral DNA into a single site in a concerted manner. Small duplications of the host DNA, characteristic of the viral IN, are found at the sites of insertion. At least two host proteins, HMG-I(Y) and BAF, have been shown to increase the efficiency of the integration reaction.
A generalization of distribution data for characterizing the performance of float-sink coal cleaning devices

Abstract The performance of float-sink coal cleaning devices customarily is characterized by a distribution curve, in which the percent of feed reporting to clean coal is plotted against specific gravity. For a given vessel and a given feed a family of distribution curves can be obtained, each having its own specific gravity of separation. This paper presents a method for combining these distribution curves at different specific gravities of separation, for a given coal cleaning vessel and a given feed, into a single, generalized distribution curve which is independent of the specific gravity of separation. This curve can be expressed in tabular form or it can be represented mathematically by an exponential type equation, known as a Weibull function. A different generalized distribution curve will be obtained for each of several different size fractions. A method is presented for utilizing these curves with feeds which encompass a broad spectrum of sizes. The well-known concepts of error area and probable error are extended to the generalized distribution curve. It is shown that the conventional probable error, and — under certain conditions — the conventional error area, are directly proportional to the specific gravity of separation for a given vessel and a given feed size.
Test-case generation with IOGen

The IOGen static-analysis tool for a subset of Ada addresses part of the problem of verification of software reliability. It uses a technique based on symbolic execution and produces a set of I/O pairs that represent execution paths through a program. The authors present IOGen's design and demonstrate how to use it to test programs and validate Ada software interfaces. Although IOGen is specific to an Ada subset, the same technique can be applied to any language with a grammar that uses a left-to-right scan with one look-ahead token producing a leftmost derivation (an LL(1) grammar). >
Prediction of interconnect delay variations using pattern matching

An exploratory Process Variation Net Scanning (PVNS) approach to estimate interconnect delay variations is presented. It is shown that the geometrical response of lithographic nonidealities can be quickly predicted to first order with Pattern Matching. This concept can be extended to other process nonidealities by developing Maximum Lateral Impact Functions to capture the effects of variations in conductor sidewall angle and thickness from etch and CMP processes. The geometrical response for each variation can then be used to model the effective change in resistance and capacitance and perturb the corresponding values in the extracted netlist. The impact of PVNS is demonstrated using a 90nm digital design, and the runtime analysis indicates that this approach may potentially be twice as fast as traditional extraction. This allows for fast electrical analysis of independent process variations on different interconnect layers instead of traditional best and worst case corner analyses.
Electrosorption of 1-Butanol and 2-Butanol at a Constant Chemical Potential of the Base Electrolyte: Effect of Solute Bulk Activity on the Adsorbate Molecular Coarea

The adsorption of 1-butanol and 2-butanol was studied at an uncharged mercury-saturated K2SO4 aqueous solution interface. The rigorous procedure was employed in which the electrolyte activity was held constant and the interfacial tension was measured as a function of alcohol bulk activity and the potential difference between the mercury and a mercury−mercurous sulfate reference electrode containing the same solution as being investigated. The alcohol activities were measured by a gas chromatographic technique. In each case, the π versus ln aA curve was characterized by two linear portions. The molecular coareas resulting from the linear portions at intermediate and high activities were respectively 29.5 and 25.1 A2 for 1-butanol and 30.4 and 25.6 A2 for 2-butanol. The coarea of 25 A2 obtained for 1-butanol is characteristic of condensed layer formation at the mercury−solution interface.
Growth of Junin virus, the etiological agent of Argentinian hemorrhagic fever, in cell cultures.

Propagation of Junin virus, the etiological agent of Argentinian hemorrhagic fever, has been studied in a variety of cell cultures. One line of African green monkey kidney cells (Vero) at the 107th to 165th passage levels supported the multiplication of the virus and developed a marked cytopathic effect (CPE), while no CPE appeared in another line (BS-C-1) at the 34th passage level. CPE was markedly enhanced by rolling the cultures, and the cytocidal nature of virus replication was markedly more pronounced under these conditions. Junin virus also produced well-defined plaques in monolayer cultures of Vero cells under agar overlay. Virus assays obtained by titration endpoint of CPE or by plaque counts in Vero cells were in almost all instances higher than those obtained by titration in suckling mice. A linear relationship was observed between plaque counts and virus concentration. Maximum adsorption was obtained by 120 minutes incubation at 37°C. When the cultures were infected with <0.001 PFU per cell, the maximum virus titer was obtained on the 5th day after inoculation.
Predictors of Localism in Public Television Scheduling in the United States

In the United States, public television claims itself a champion of localism. A prime-time schedule analysis of the Public Broadcasting Service's (PBS) member stations establishes localism scores, ...
Norm Euclidean Quaternionic Orders

We determine the norm Euclidean orders in a positive definite quaternion algebra over Q. Lagrange (1770) proved the four square theorem via Euler’s four square identity and a descent argument. Hurwitz [4] gave a quaternionic proof using the order Λ(2) with Z-basis: 1, i, j, 1 2 (1 + i + j + k). Here i = j = −1 and ij = −ji = k, the standard basis of the quaternions. The key property of Λ(2) is that it is norm Euclidean, namely, given α, β ∈ Λ(2) with β 6= 0, there exist q, r ∈ Λ(2) such that α = βq + r and N(r) < N(β). Liouville (1856) showed there are exactly seven positive definite quaternion norm forms (that is, 2-fold Pfister forms) x+ay+ bz +abw, with a, b positive integers, that represent all positive integers. These are (1, a, b, ab) = (1, 1, 1, 1) and (1, 1, 2, 2) (1, 1, 3, 3) (1, 2, 2, 4) (1, 2, 3, 6) (1, 2, 4, 8) (1, 2, 5, 10). See volume III of Dickson [1] for more details. Recently Deutsch constructed norm Euclidean orders to prove the universality of all but the last. Here we show there are, up to equivalence, exactly three norm Euclidean orders in a positive definite quaternion algebra over Q. This includes one in (−2,−5 Q ). 1 Quaternionic orders Q will denote a positive definite quaternion algebra over Q. Write Q = ( Q ). Here a, b < 0 are rational and Q has a basis e1 = 1, e2, e3, e4 with e 2 2 = a,
Dynamic trapping and release of multiple particles in a polarized optical vortex

We calculate rigorously the optical forces on two interacting particles trapped in an optical vortex with helical phase front and demonstrate the dynamic process of the two particles' evolution. We show that in this two-particle system, a particle trapped by an optical vortex at one moment can be released due to the interaction from the other trapped particle in the next moment. To our best knowledge, this work is the first theoretical description on dynamic evolution of multiple particles trapped by an optical vortex.
Sorafenib and pemetrexed toxicity in cancer cells is mediated via SRC-ERK signaling

The present studies sought to further understand how the anti-folate pemetrexed and the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib interact to kill tumor cells. Sorafenib activated SRC, and via SRC the drug combination activated ERK1/2. Expression of dominant negative SRC or dominant negative MEK1 abolished drug-induced ERK1/2 activation, together with drug-induced autophagy, acidic lysosome formation, and tumor cell killing. Protein phosphatase 2A is an important regulator of the ERK1/2 pathway. Fulvestrant resistant MCF7 cells expressed higher levels of the PP2A inhibitor SET/I2PP2A, had lower endogenous PP2A activity, and had elevated basal ERK1/2 activity compared with their estrogen dependent counterparts. Overexpression of I2PP2A blocked drug-induced activation of ERK1/2 and tumor cell killing. PP2A can be directly activated by ceramide and SET/I2PP2A can be inhibited by ceramide. Inhibition of the de novo ceramide synthase pathway blocked drug-induced ceramide generation, PP2A activation and tumor cell killing. Collectively these findings demonstrate that ERK1/2 plays an essential role downstream of SRC in pemetrexed and sorafenib lethality and that PP2A plays an important role in regulating this process.
Are College Graduates More Responsive to Distant Labor Market Opportunities

Abstract:Are highly educated workers better at locating in areas with high labor demand? To answer this question, I use three decades of U.S. Census data to estimate a McFadden-style model of residential location choice. I test for education differentials in the likelihood that young workers reside in states experiencing positive labor demand shocks at the time these workers entered the labor market. I find effects of changes in state labor demand on college graduate location choice that are several times greater than for high school graduates. Nevertheless, medium-run wage effects of entry labor market conditions for college graduates equal or exceed those of less-educated workers.
Thoughtful considerations for assessing competence in dementia: Competence assessment in dementia. Gabriela Stoppe (Ed.) on behalf of the European Dementia Consensus Network. 2008. Morlenbach, Germany: Springer Wien New York. Pp. 184. ISBN: 978–3–211–72368–5. $69.95.

A growing elderly population in conjunction with increasingly complex legal, medical, and research milieus sets the stage for the exploration of decision-making capacity and personal autonomy in de...
The acute chest syndrome of sickle cell disease

Introduction: Acute chest syndrome (ACS), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD), is an acute illness characterized by fever and/or respiratory symptoms, accompanied by a new pulmonary infiltrate on a chest X-ray. There is increasing knowledge regarding the etiology and pathogenesis of ACS in SCD. A high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis of ACS. Treatment of ACS involves the judicious use of intravenous fluids and analgesics, aggressive incentive spirometer and pulmonary toileting, antibiotics and transfusion therapy. Areas covered: This review evaluates the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory presentation, etiology and pathogenesis of ACS. It also reviews the standard treatments as well as experimental treatments in ACS. Expert opinion: Despite an increased understanding of its etiology and pathogenesis, ACS remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in SCD. In patients admitted with a painful crisis, there is need for a high index of suspicion, a...
Purification and properties of an L-asparaginase from Fusarium tricinctum.

Abstract An l -asparaginase ( l -asparagine amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.1) from the Deuteromycete Fusarium tricinctum , has been purified to apparent homogeneity. The amino acid composition, approximate molecular weight, and certain other properties have been established. In contrast to the l -asparaginase from E. coli B , this enzyme does not appear to cause regression of the Gardner lymphosarcoma in mice. The enzyme does not hydrolyze l -glutamine, contains both galactosamine and glucosamine, and is rapidly cleared from the circulation of the mouse.
Ab initio electron propagator calculations on electron detachment energies of nickel phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate tetraanions

Vertical electron detachment energies of nickel phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate tetraanion (NiPcTSTA) isomers were obtained with ab initio electron propagator methods. Quasiparticle, outer valence Green's function (OVGF), and partial third-order approximations were applied to the most stable C4h, all-δ isomer of NiPcTSTA. Basis set influence on the detachment energies was studied on the most symmetric, D2h, all-δ structure. Nondiagonal, renormalized methods were applied, as well. The OVGF method provided negative binding energy for the highest occupied level in excellent agreement with the experimental findings. Strong correlation effects are revealed for all low-lying π cationic states. These results were compared with those obtained with the same methods for the parent Ni phthalocyanine molecule. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012
Early Experience of Robotic-Assisted Inguinal Lymphadenectomy: Review of Surgical Outcomes Relative to Alternative Approaches

Inguinal lymph node dissection is a diagnostic and potentially curative treatment for penile carcinoma, which has historically been associated with high morbidity rates. This review summarizes the initial outcomes of robotic-assisted inguinal lymphadenectomy (RAIL) compared with the outcomes of the standard open and endoscopic approaches. The early experience suggests that RAIL may yield comparable oncologic outcomes, although future prospective studies of RAIL with greater numbers of participants and long-term follow-up are needed to evaluate the incidence and severity of perioperative and postoperative complications.
OXIDATION OF REDUCED DIPHOSPHOPYRIDINE NUCLEOTIDE BY CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS. I. RELATION OF PEROXIDE TO THE OVER-ALL REACTION

The characteristics of reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide oxidation reactions, as catalyzed by crude and purified extracts. are discussed in relation to the mechanisms of anaerobiosis. Results are reponted from studies using oxidase from Clostridium perfringens and Azotobacter agile to catalyze the reduc tion of oxygen to water, using reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide as the hydrogen donor. (C.H.)
An Ontological Approach to Enterprise Knowledge Modeling in a Shipping Company

Modeling approaches are gaining popularity in knowledge management KM, especially in specifying knowledge contents. This paper addresses the enterprise knowledge modeling. An enterprise knowledge model provides users with an integrated, holistic view of organizational knowledge resources. Employing a reliable methodology is critical to building successful enterprise knowledge models. A good methodology provides an effective and efficient mechanism for developing a model. This paper first reviews the enterprise knowledge modeling EKM and its methodologies. An ontology-based EKM OBEKM methodology is proposed. Its products, procedures, and modeling language are described. The methodology is then applied to the construction of a shipping company's knowledge model for demonstration.
Simulation of a high performance PRT control system

In connection with the second phase of the Advanced Group Rapid Transit (AGRT) project sponsored by UMTA, General Railway Signal Company has refined the design of a control system for a high-performance (3-second headway) Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system. The control system utilizes a variable length moving block control algorithm, and features a combination of multiple wayside and vehicle-borne computers that are connected by a wide bandwidth data link to achieve the desired performance. In this phase of the project, a major effort was directed toward developing a highly detailed simulation of the entire control system. This simulation was undertaken to verify that the deployed system would meet previously defined performance specifications. This paper will discuss the implementation of the simulation and describe its use in verifying system operation at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. Examples of microscopic operations studied include effects of communication delays and errors on system operation and scheduling of different processes on the same computer. Examples of macroscopic operations studied include the operation of several vehicles merging at a junction, the response of several vehicles in a string during normal station stopping maneuvers, and responses to various failures that require emergency action.
Propagation under the influence of interstitial potentials

Interactions between two electrically active fibers were simulated. The fibers were close together and within a restricted volume, so that significant extracellular (interstitial) as well as transmembrane potentials were present, but the fibers were not otherwise interconnected. The propagation velocity in either fiber was found to be markedly affected when the other fiber was active.
Helping Students Understand Occupational Fraud by Applying the ACFE Report to Daytime Television Talk Show Confessions

ABSTRACT: In this case, students develop their understanding of how occupational fraud is committed and detected. They also learn about the traits of victim organizations and characteristics of fraud perpetrators. The students develop their understanding of occupational fraud by applying concepts in the most recent edition of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse (ACFE 2012, hereafter referred to as the Report) to two daytime television talk show episodes in which the hosts (Montel Williams and Dr. Phil) interview individuals convicted of occupational fraud. The results of data collected reflect that students completing the case significantly increased their knowledge about how occupational fraud is committed and detected. Students also significantly increased their knowledge of traits of victim organizations and characteristics of fraud perpetrators. Students reported it was a valuable educational experience to apply knowledge gained to ...