cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Introducing the First of Two Special Issues on Group Work in the Schools: Innovative Thinking and Practice to Support School Improvement Initiatives

This is another landmark issue of the Journal for Specialists in Group Work (JSGW). For several years, I have worked to increase the number of articles dealing directly with group work in the schoo...
Multi-Step Usage of in Vivo Models During Rational Drug Design and Discovery

In this article we propose a systematic development method for rational drug design while reviewing paradigms in industry, emerging techniques and technologies in the field. Although the process of drug development today has been accelerated by emergence of computational methodologies, it is a herculean challenge requiring exorbitant resources; and often fails to yield clinically viable results. The current paradigm of target based drug design is often misguided and tends to yield compounds that have poor absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, toxicology (ADMET) properties. Therefore, an in vivo organism based approach allowing for a multidisciplinary inquiry into potent and selective molecules is an excellent place to begin rational drug design. We will review how organisms like the zebrafish and Caenorhabditis elegans can not only be starting points, but can be used at various steps of the drug development process from target identification to pre-clinical trial models. This systems biology based approach paired with the power of computational biology; genetics and developmental biology provide a methodological framework to avoid the pitfalls of traditional target based drug design.
The human follitropin alpha-subunit C terminus collaborates with a beta-subunit cystine noose and an alpha-subunit loop to assemble a receptor-binding domain competent for signal transduction.

FSH is a member of the pituitary/placental glycoprotein hormone family including luteinizing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and chorionic gonadotropin. These heterodimeric hormones share a c...
A framework for decision making in extended enterprises: The FAA NextGen case

Decision making in an extended enterprise is a highly complex task. One of the major causes of complexity of decision making in an extended enterprise is numerous stakeholders with different interests and different backgrounds. In this paper we use the process of decision making for a single decision maker and extend it to multi-agent decision making problem in order to develop a framework for decision making in an extended enterprise. In the first step we extract the interests of each agent, and then we use graph theory to make a representation of shared values. This model enables us to analyze the problem of decision making in an extended enterprise with a new set of tools. An example of FAA NextGen project is provided to show the application of this model.
SK-II China and its skin cream scandal: An extended analysis of the image restoration strategies in a non-Western setting

Abstract SK-II, a global luxury cosmetic and skincare brand of Proctor & Gamble (P&G), was sued by a Chinese consumer in 2005, which raised serious questions about SK-II's product safety and the credibility of its advertisements. This public relations debacle resulted in a dip in SK-II's performance in the China skincare market. The theory of image restoration discourse was applied in this case to analyze SK-II's public relations efforts to rebuild its prestigious brand image in China and to regain Chinese consumers’ trust. More rigorous image restoration strategies for multinational corporations (MNCs) in the Asian market were also discussed.
Rogerian Principles and the Writing Classroom: A History of Intention and (Mis)Interpretation

During WWII psychologist Carl Rogers introduced a verbal counseling technique that could be utilized by clergy, teachers, and USO workers to help veterans overcome problems of readjustment. Rogers's arhetorical principles were adapted for the writing classroom by Young, Becker, and Pike—an adaptation that later led composition historian James Berlin to misinterpret the implementation of Rogers's principles in his study of a WWII communication program. These misinterpretations of Rogers's original intent have resulted in debate over the rhetorical or arhetorical nature of Rogerian rhetoric and have led to an inaccurate association between Rogerian rhetoric and expressivist and therapeutic writing.
Three-dimensional uniform grid modeling of electrical defibrillation on a data parallel computer

Finite element modeling has played an increasingly important role in the study of defibrillation. In order to model well the complex anatomical details, a large number of elements are required in the finite element grid, leading to a large set of equations that often cannot be solved effectively with the computational power of conventional computers. In this paper, we describe the use of a data parallel computer to provide the memory and reduction in solution time for solving these large finite element problems. Using a uniform grid and a nodal assembly technique, the discretized problem domain can be mapped efficiently to the parallel computer, allowing the solution of problems with over two million unknowns. The finite element algorithm for a three-dimensional inhomogeneous anisotropic body is described together with its parallel implementation. Test results for a canine torso model constructed from CT images are also presented.
Development of Intersubjectivity in Social Pretend Play

An analysis of social pretend play as an intersubjective activity suggests three processes involved in the development of shared pretend representations. These are adoption of a shared pretend focus f
An Electrohydraulic Knee-Torque Controller for a Prosthesis Simulator

A new approach for evaluating advanced concepts for knee-joint control in above-knee prostheses involves the use of a simulator prosthesis which can be worn by an amputee and controlled electronically to emulate proposed future prostheses. A critical element in this system is the knee-torque controller. Realization of a powerful, lightweight, easily controlled transducer was essential to the successful development of the simulator system. This paper presents the design of such a controller and evaluates its performance. Brief examples of studies in which the new system has been applied are given. The proven viability of the device suggests that similar actuators might aid other prosthesis/orthesis studies.
On nega-binary sign detectors

Abstract A circuit for detecting sign and zero magnitude w proposed. The proposed ceil is a priority detector and simpler than cells already proposed.
Multifocal periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs): EEG features and clinical correlations

Objective: To analyze the clinical and EEG findings of patients with multifocal periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs). Methods: EEGs containing multifocal PLEDs (3 or more foci of PLEDs) were reviewed. Thirty-five patients (15 males and 20 females), from 2.5 months to 91 years old, met the criteria for multifocal PLEDs. Results: The disease processes identified in the patients included vascular lesions in 9, central nervous system infections in 7, metabolic/toxic disorders in 6, exacerbation of a chronic seizure disorder in 6, hypoxic ischemic insults in 3, and fat embolism, paraneoplastic encephalitis, cerebral metastasis, and multiple sclerosis in one each. Twenty patients died. Detection of the spatiotemporal distribution of multifocal PLEDs was facilitated by the use of Laplacian montages. Conclusions: Multifocal PLEDs were recorded in 35 patients and were associated with processes resulting in diffuse or multifocal cerebral dysfunction. Multifocal PLEDs indicate a significant disturbance of cerebral function and are associated with a mortality rate of 57%.
Conservative management of damaged renal tissue

Abstract We thought it might be of interest to present some cases which, due to factors beyond our control, made conservatism a necessity. Also, some cases in which conservatism is the method of election. We wish it understood that we do not advocate palliative treatment in renal tuberculosis except in cases where it is a necessity. One cannot overemphasize the “come-back” ability of renal tissue following removal of the causative factors of damage. This is especially true in mechanical obstruction of the ureters as seen in ureteral calculi. An analysis of the kidney response in cases as cited above is often of great help in making a vital surgical decision. Damaged renal tissue can often be nursed back to health but when removed is forever lost.
Multilayer relaxation and magnetism of a high-index transition metal surface: Fe(310)

Structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of the Fe(310) surface are studied using first-principles full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method within the generalized gradient approximation. Sizable multilayer relaxation is found to extend to the seventh layer from the surface. While low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) and first-principles calculations on multilayer relaxations generally agree for low-index surfaces, there is a disagreement for this high-index surface. We conjecture that this disagreement might be due to the small data set and variational freedom in the LEED analysis. The spin magnetic moment of the Fe(310) surface and subsurface atoms is enhanced to $2.85{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ and $2.65{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B},$ from a bulk value of $2.23{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}.$ The surface layer enhancement is smaller than that in Fe(100) and larger than that in Fe(111), although all three surfaces have the same coordination number. Subsurface layers are found to play an important role in the magnetization of the surface atoms in the case of an open surface, where the vacuum affects more atomic layers.
Optimal control of boundary habitat hostility for interacting species

We consider boundary control for a parabolic system describing the evolution of two interacting species in a bounded habitat. The control models the hostility of the boundary environment to the maintenance of the species. The objective functional represents the balance between the ecological benefit (modelled by the size of the two populations) and the economic cost of maintaining an ecologically favorable boundary environment (modelled by the boundary friendliness). The unique optimal control is characterized in terms of the solution of the optimality system, which consists of the state system coupled with an adjoint system. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aptamer-based detection and quantitative analysis of ricin using affinity probe capillary electrophoresis.

The ability to detect sub-nanomolar concentrations of ricin using fluorescently tagged RNA aptamers is demonstrated. Aptamers rival the specificity of antibodies and have the power to simplify immunoassays using capillary electrophoresis. Under nonequilibrium conditions, a dissociation constant, Kd, of 134 nM has been monitored between the RNA aptamer and ricin A-chain. With use of this free-solution assay, the detection of 500 pM (∼14 ng/mL) or 7.1 amol of ricin is demonstrated. The presence of interfering proteins such as bovine serum albumin and casein do not inhibit this interaction at sub-nanomolar concentrations. When spiked with RNAse A, ricin can still be detected down to 1 nM concentrations despite severe aptamer degradation. This approach offers a promising method for the rapid, selective, and sensitive detection of biowarfare agents.
Language experience differentiates prefrontal and subcortical activation of the cognitive control network in novel word learning

The purpose of this study was to examine the cognitive control mechanisms in adult English speaking monolinguals compared to early sequential Spanish-English bilinguals during the initial stages of novel word learning. Functional magnetic resonance imaging during a lexico-semantic task after only 2h of exposure to novel German vocabulary flashcards showed that monolinguals activated a broader set of cortical control regions associated with higher-level cognitive processes, including the supplementary motor area (SMA), anterior cingulate (ACC), and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), as well as the caudate, implicated in cognitive control of language. However, bilinguals recruited a more localized subcortical network that included the putamen, associated more with motor control of language. These results suggest that experience managing multiple languages may differentiate the learning strategy and subsequent neural mechanisms of cognitive control used by bilinguals compared to monolinguals in the early stages of novel word learning.
Reduction and immobilization of chromium(VI) by iron(II)-treated faujasite.

Abstract Removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from wastewater typically involves reduction of Cr(VI) to insoluble Cr(III) using zerovalent iron (Fe0) or ferrous iron (Fe(II)). This study investigates the effectiveness of Fe(II)-treated faujasite (zeolite Fe(II)-Y) for reduction of Cr(VI) and immobilization (adsorption/co-precipitation) of the Cr(III) reaction product. The Fe(II)-faujasite material effectively removed high concentrations of dissolved Cr(VI) from aqueous solution resulting in Cr solid loadings as high as 0.30 mmol Cr per gram Fe(II)-faujasite or ∼1.5% Cr (w:w). Results of Cr K-edge X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) confirmed that the oxidation state of Cr in Cr(VI)-treated Fe(II)-faujasite was Cr(III). The local atomic structure of Cr was investigated by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and the structure of Cr in the product was described by a Cr–O first shell of six O atoms at 1.98(±0.02) A plus a second atomic shell of metal (Cr, Fe) at 3.13(±0.02) A. The EXAFS results, combined with SEM imaging and X-ray diffraction analyses, suggested that the product of the reaction of Cr(VI) with Fe(II)-faujasite is primarily a poorly order CrxFe1−x(OH)3 mixed phase similar to previous investigations of the reaction of Cr(VI) with Fe0 and not solely Cr(III) bound directly to zeolite cation exchange sites.
Sleeping to fuel the immune system: mammalian sleep and resistance to parasites

Sleep is an enigma. Why animals forgo eating and reproducing, while potentially increasing their risk of predation remains unknown. Although some may question whether all animals sleep, it is clear that all living organisms possess defenses against attack by pathogens. Immune responses of humans and animals are impaired by sleep loss, and responses to immune challenge include altered sleep. Thus, sleep is hypothesized to be a component of the acute phase response to infection and to function in host defense. Examining phylogenetic relationships among sleep parameters, components of the mammalian immune system and resistance to infection may provide insight into the evolution of sleep and lead to a greater appreciation for the role of sleep in host defense.
Leveraging efficient parallel pattern search for clock mesh optimization

Mesh-based clock distribution network has been employed in many high-performance microprocessor designs due to its favorable properties such as low clock skew and robustness. Such clock distributions are usually highly complex. While the simulation of clock meshes is already time consuming, tuning such networks under tight performance constraints is a more daunting task. In this paper, we address the challenging task of driver size optimization with a goal of skew minimization. The expensive objective function evaluations and difficulty in getting explicit sensitivity information make this problem intractable to standard optimization methods. We propose to explore the recently developed asynchronous parallel pattern search (APPS) method for efficient driver size tuning. While being a search-based method, APPS not only provides the desirable derivative-free optimization capability, but is also amenable to parallelization and possesses appealing theoretically rigorous convergence properties. We show how such a method can lead to powerful parallel sizing optimization of large clock meshes with significant runtime and quality advantages over the traditional sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method. We also show how design-specific properties and speeding-up techniques can be exploited to make the optimization even more efficient while maintaining the convergence of APPS in a practical sense.
Energy transfer in a large-scale thermal solar power farm

Abstract Proposals for large-scale thermal solar power farms using distributed collector modules have met with objections concerning energy losses in transporting the heat transfer fluid to, through, and from the many modules involved. We show herein that a large-scale configuration is possible in which the individual modules are the order of 1 km in length, so that a single pair of central feeder pipes is all that is required in the way of heat-losing piping. An equation is derived for the ratio of power output to power consumed that is independent of the collector parameters.
Lower genital tract inflammatory milieu and the risk of subsequent preterm birth: an exploratory factor analysis

The inflammatory milieu of the cervix may play a role in preventing intrauterine infection and subsequent preterm birth. The objectives of this study were to use exploratory factor analysis to discover the underlying structure of cytokines in the lower genital tract immunologic milieu, and evaluate the association between the cytokine factors and risk of preterm birth. Women (n=613) enrolled in a prospective pregnancy cohort study in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania had cervical cytokine concentrations assayed at <16 weeks and were followed for data on pregnancy outcomes. Principal factor analysis identified 2 primary cytokine patterns at <16 weeks gestation: Factor 1 (proinflammatory / immunomodulatory factor), which loaded highly on interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and IL-10, and Factor 2 (anti-inflammatory factor), which loaded heavily on IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13. Women in the highest tertile of anti-inflammatory cytokine factor scores at <16 weeks had an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth (confounder-adjusted odds ratio (95% CI): 2.4 (1.1, 5.7)). There was no association between pro-inflammatory cytokine factor scores and preterm birth risk. These data support the hypothesis that increased concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines may represent a cervical immune milieu that permits subsequent microbial invasion of the uterus during pregnancy, leading to subsequent spontaneous preterm birth.
Warfarin Dosing and Body Mass Index

Background: Warfarin is still the most commonly used anticoagulant for the treatment of venous thromboembolism and other hypercoagulable states. Warfarin metabolism is affected by multiple factors, including diet, medications, and individual patient characteristics. As both underdosing and overdosing can increase risks to patients, several studies have attempted to develop dosing protocols. However, few have investigated how patient weight and body mass index (BMI) affect warfarin dosing. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the association between BMI and the total weekly dose (TWD) of warfarin. Methods: In this retrospective study, we identified patients taking warfarin who had an international normalized ratio (INR) within the therapeutic range to assess if there was a significant correlation between TWD, that is, maintenance warfarin dosing, and BMI in obese and nonobese patients. Results: A total of 831 patients were studied, with a BMI range between 13.4 and 63.1 kg/m2. We found t...
DSP96002 vs. i860: Digital Signal Processing Applications

This paper provides an overview and comparison of two important new microprocessors for digital signal processing (DSP). Topics discussed include background information, an overview of the each architecture, and a comparison of these two architectures in addressing DSP applications.
ON THE CREATION OF A UNIFIED MODELING LANGUAGE BASED COLLABORATIVE VIRTUAL ASSEMBLY/DISASSEMBLY SYSTEM

Design For Assembly/disassembly (DFA) allows systematic evaluations and analysis of product assembly and disassembly during the product design stage with the goal of reducing assembly costs, improving quality and shortening time to market. These evaluations include assemblability, disassemblability, part accessibility, and part layout [1]. With the growing availability and widespread use of high bandwidth network and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, the issues involved with product assembly, disassembly may be addressed and resolved effectively in a collaborative virtual environment over the Internet. In this paper, an analysis on the framework and definition of a collaborative virtual assembly and disassembly system, called Motive3D [2, 3], is introduced and examined using Unified Modeling Language (UML) [4]. UML is an Object Management Group’s (OMG) standard for object-oriented analysis and software design method, which allows specifying, constructing, visualizing, and documenting a distributed software-intensive system. Carrying out systematic analysis on the Motive3D system using UML, we believe that it expedites system development and will be possible to expedite the product design cycle and enable the assembly and disassembly process over Internet, and thus reduce the assembly and disassembly process bottlenecks.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Case Study: Videogame Distraction Reduces Behavioral Distress in a Preschool-Aged Child Undergoing Repeated Burn Dressing Changes: A Single-Subject Design

Objective This single-subject design study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of passive and interactive videogame distraction on behavioral distress for a preschool-aged child receiving repeated burn dressing changes. Method A 4-year-old girl underwent 3 baseline and 10 videogame distraction sessions (5 passive and 5 interactive) using a restricted alternating treatments design. Observed behavioral distress was coded, and parents and nurses rated the child’s distress and cooperative behavior. Results Relative to baseline, behavioral distress decreased and cooperative behavior increased immediately after the onset of videogame distraction. Single Case Randomization Tests revealed significantly lower behavioral distress and greater cooperation during interactive videogame distraction relative to passive videogame distraction. Conclusions Interactive videogame distraction appears to be a feasible and effective pain management strategy for a preschool-aged child undergoing repeated painful medical procedures.
Arctic Ocean surface warming trends over the past 100 years

[1] Ocean temperature profiles and satellite data have been analyzed for summertime sea surface temperature (SST) and upper ocean heat content variations over the past century, with a focus on the Arctic Ocean peripheral seas. We find that many areas cooled up to ∼0.5°C per decade during 1930–1965 as the Arctic Oscillation (AO) index generally fell, while these areas warmed during 1965–1995 as the AO index generally rose. Warming is particularly pronounced since 1995, and especially since 2000. Summer 2007 SST anomalies are up to 5°C. The increase in upper ocean summertime warming since 1965 is sufficient to reduce the following winter's ice growth by as much as 0.75 m. Alternatively, this heat may return to the atmosphere before any ice forms, representing a fall freeze-up delay of two weeks to two months. This returned heat might be carried by winds over terrestrial tundra ecosystems, contributing to the local heat budget.
COMMON-ONSET MASKING SIMULATED WITH A DISTRIBUTED-CODE MODEL

A distributed-coding model incorporating lateral inhibition in a simulated nerve network has been successful in accounting for many properties of backward masking (Bridgeman, 1971, 1978), linking modeling with neurophysiology and psychophysics. Metacontrast is a variety of backward masking that is of particular interest in uncovering properties of visual coding because target and mask do not overlap in time or space, and it is the first stimulus that is reduced in visibility, not the second. The lateral inhibitory model can also simulate common-onset masking, where a target and mask appear simultaneously but the mask disappears after a variable delay, and it can reproduce qualitatively the effects of attention on object substitution by varying the time interval over which sensory codes are analyzed.
An application-specific adjoint sensitivity analysis framework for clock mesh sensitivity computation

Clock mesh has been widely adopted in microprocessor designs to distribute clock signal to clock sink nodes. The primary goal of clock mesh design is to minimize undesired difference in clock arrival time between different sink nodes, which is also known as clock skew. Moreover, the needs for high-performance low-power chip designs impose other constraints on the clock mesh design such as limited power dissipation and area consumption. Due to the enormous size of clock mesh and those complex constraint conditions, achieving an optimal clock mesh design is very challenging. Most of the gradient-based optimization methods require quick yet accurate calculation of gradients/sensitivities information. In this paper, we present a precise yet efficient adjoint sensitivity analysis framework which computes the sensitivity of clock mesh performance metric with respect to every circuit parameter. By evolving the traditional adjoint sensitivity analysis into an application-specific, customized adjoint sensitivity analysis framework, the daunting task of computing clock mesh performance metric sensitivity with respect to hundreds of thousands of circuit parameters can be accomplished very efficiently, making the optimization as well as incremental design approaches for clock mesh tractable.
Generating compound words with high order n-gram information in large vocabulary speech recognition systems

In this work we concentrate on generating compound words with high order n-gram information for speech recognition. In most existing compound words generation methods, only bi-gram information is considered. They are successful for improving the performance of bi-gram models but doesn't work well in higher order n-gram cases. Since nowadays 3-gram and 4-gram language models are commonly used, here we present a high order n-gram based computation to generate compound words automatically in an exact way which is called gradient criterion. We have this method tested on Mandarin Open Voice Search (OVS) task and make 0.62% absolute improvement over the 16.44% baseline. This result also outperforms the traditional mutual information based methods. Further the history effect and prediction effect of this criterion are tested and we find history effect plays a more important role in the decoding task.
Input, interaction, and corrective feedback in L2 learning

The interaction approach, fueled by interaction-based research in second language acquisition (SLA), has come a long way since it was first proposed during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Researchers have advanced from verifying the positive effects of interaction on second language learning (e.g., Ellis et al. 1994; Long, 1980, 1983; Mackey & Goo, 2007; Swain, 1985) to investigating the internal characteristics of interaction by uncovering the multiple dimensions that are involved in more detail (Long, 1996) and updating constructs and coding systems (Kowal & Swain, 1994). The depth and breadth of information that interaction-based research has generated, as portrayed throughout this book, has helped both researchers and language instructors further understand the conditions under which interaction may benefit instructed SLA. One of the variables that can be manipulated and observed in such interactional settings is feedback, which is emphasized throughout the book as the author’s main research focus.
Influence of distillers dried grain supplementation frequency on forage digestibility and growth performance of beef cattle.

ABSTRACT Three experiments evaluated the influence of supplementation frequency of distillers dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) on forage digestibility (Exp. 1) and growth of yearling heifers (Exp. 2) and steers (Exp. 3). In Exp. 1, 6 steers (371 ± 30 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with three 21-d periods. Treatments were DDGS fed at 16.7% of the diet (DM) either 1) daily, 2) every other day, or 3) every third day. In Exp. 2, 48 heifers (193 ± 20 kg) were fed hay and supplemented with the daily equivalent of 1.3 kg/heifer of DDGS, either 3 or 6 d/wk. In Exp. 3, 48 steers were assigned to replicated supplementation groups. Treatments were 1) hay and supplement fed 6 d/wk in a dry lot (control); 2) native winter range and supplement fed 6 d/wk; 3) native winter range and a DDGS supplement fed 6 d/wk; and 4) native winter range and the same DDGS supplement fed 3 d/wk. In Exp. 1, diet DM ( P = 0.06), OM ( P = 0.07), and hay NDF ( P = 0.03) digestibility decreased linearly as DDGS supplementation frequency decreased. In Exp. 2, heifers fed DDGS 6 d/wk gained more BW ( P = 0.01) than heifers fed 3 d/wk. In Exp. 3, steers fed the control diet, native winter range and supplement fed 6 d/wk, and native winter range and DDGS supplement fed 6 d/wk performed similarly, but performance was decreased when steers were fed native winter range and the DDGS supplement 3 d/wk. Improved animal growth may result from more frequent supplementation of DDGS when fed in excess of 15% of the diet.
TWO-PHOTON FLUORESCENCE IMAGING OF IMPURITY DISTRIBUTIONS IN PROTEIN CRYSTALS

Macromolecular impurities present in solution have profound effects on the growth and quality of protein crystals used for x-ray structure determinations. We have imaged the three-dimensional distribution of ovotransferrin impurities in crystals of the protein hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) using two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy. Impurity concentrations differ between the two types of growth sectors present in tetragonal HEWL crystals and impurities preferentially incorporate along the boundaries between growth sectors. Cracked crystals show large impurity-rich cores that are not observed in uncracked crystals. These nonuniform impurity distributions provide insight into how and why impurities affect crystal quality. Our results have implications for crystal growth and for protein purification.
“Teaching Against Culture” in Geography of Islam

This article explores various ways of how to challenge the “otherness” of Islam and Muslims when teaching geography of Islam. It suggests a critical project of “teaching against culture,” which challenges essentializing notions of Islam as a monolith, and rather demonstrates the complexity of Muslim geographies and “lived” Islam. Furthermore, it implies examining the various identity categories and binaries such as secular–religious and West–East that come about in the classroom itself in the secular academic context of an urban state university. As such, the article engages in questions of significance to a wider set of courses on social and cultural geographies, geography of religion, and postcolonial geographies
Macro Salience: How Economic and Political Contexts Mediate Popular Evaluations of the Democracy Deficit in the European Union

Under what conditions do European publics use economic versus political criteria when evaluating the democratic capacity of the European Union (EU)? Previous analyses of context effects do not explain how citizens evaluate conflicting information arising from national contexts. We argue that a nation’s affluence and governance quality establish the salience of issues and thereby influences the criteria that citizens use when evaluating an attitude object. When applied to the EU, the model predicts that citizens in less affluent nations evaluate the EU mainly on the basis of economic prospects. In more affluent nations, however, the model predicts that publics chiefly rely on political criteria to evaluate the EU’s democracy deficit. The results strongly support our argument, pointing to the changed character of the EU since 2004. Theoretically, the macro-salience model suggests ways in which the influence of conflicting national contexts on mass attitudes may be modeled.
The Sierra Nevada Pluton, California

The term “batholith” is avoided, because as originally coined it does not fit the Sierra Nevada igneous complex, and as newly defined it may lead to confusion. The Sierra Nevada Pluton is composed of an innumerable amount of smaller intrusives, each with its individual structure and following each other at close intervals. Structure studies show that the intrusions progress from west to east and that similar rock types appear at the same time along the entire pluton. The units grow steadily by addition of newer ones and the consolidation of the older ones. In the last stage, the present pluton is jointed as a whole and uplifted.
Four novel spirooxazacamphorsultam derivatives.

The chiral compounds (6aS,9S,10aR)-11,11-dimethyl-5,5-di­oxo-2,3,8,9-tetra­hydro-6H-6a,9-methano­oxaza­olo[2,3-i][2,1]benzisothia­zol-10(7H)-one, C12H17NO4S, (1), (7aS,10S,11aR)-12,12-dimethyl-6,6-dioxo-3,4,9,10-tetra­hydro-7H-7a,10-methano-2H-1,3-oxazino[2,3-i][2,1]benzisothia­zol-11(8H)-one, C13H19NO4S, (2), (6aS,9S,10R,10aR)-11,11-dimethyl-5,5-dioxo-2,3,7,8,9,10-hexa­hydro-6H-6a,9-methano­oxazolo[2,3-i][2,1]benzisothia­zol-10-ol, C12H19NO4S, (3), and (7aS,10S,11R,11aR)-12,12-dimethyl-6,6-dioxo-3,4,8,9,10,11-hexahydro-7H-7a-methano-2H-[1,3]oxazino[2,3-i][2,1]benzisothia­zol-11-ol, C13H21NO4S, (4), consist of a camphor core with a five-membered spiro­sultaoxazolidine or six-membered spiro­sultaoxazine, as both their keto and hydroxy derivatives. In each structure, the mol­ecules are linked via hydrogen bonding to the sulfonyl O atoms, forming chains in the unit-cell b-axis direction. The chains inter­connect via weak C—H⋯O inter­actions. The keto compounds have very similar packing but represent the highest melting [507–508 K for (1)] and lowest melting [457–458 K for (2)] solids.
Structure-preserving properties of bilevel image compression

We discuss a new approach for lossy compression of bilevel images based on Markov random fields (MRFs). The goal is to preserve key structural information about the image, and then reconstruct the smoothest image that is consistent with this information. The image is compressed by losslessly coding the pixels in a square grid of lines and adding bits when needed to preserve structural information. The decoder uses the MRF model to reconstruct the interior of each block bounded by the grid, based on the pixels on its boundary, plus the extra bits provided for certain blocks. The idea is that, as long as the key structural information is preserved, then the smooth contours of the block having highest probability with respect to the MRF provides acceptable reconstructions. We propose and consider objective criteria for both encoding and evaluating the quality and structure preserving properties of the coded bilevel images. These include mean-squared error, MRF energy (smoothness), and connected components (topology). We show that overall, for comparable mean-squared error, the new approach provides perceptually superior reconstructions than existing lossy compression techniques at lower encoding rates.
Detecting buildings in aerial images

Abstract Detecting building structures in aerial images is a task of importance for many applications. Low-level segmentation rarely gives a complete outline of the desired structures. We use a generic model of the shapes of the structures we are looking for — that they are rectangular or composed of rectangular components. We also use shadows cast by buildings to confirm their presence and to estimate their height. Our techniques have been tested on images with density typical of suburban areas.
Using Industry Classification Codes to Sample High-Technology Firms: Analysis and Recommendations

This study develops procedures for selecting and partitioning samples of high-technology firms for North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), Global Industry Classification System (GICS...
Scheduling and Transport for File Transfers on High-Speed Optical Circuits

Scheduling resources on Grids is a well-known problem. The extension of Grids to LambdaGrids requires the scheduling of lambdas, i.e., end-to-end high-speed circuits. In this paper, we propose a scheduling heuristic for such lambdas in support of large-scale scientific applications that require high-throughput transfers of large files. We refer to this heuristic as ‘Varying-Bandwidth List Scheduling’ (VBLS) because the scheduler returns a TimeRange-Capacity (TRC) allocation vector with varying bandwidth levels assigned for different time ranges within the duration of a transfer. The advantage of VBLS over a fixed-bandwidth allocation scheme is that it allows the scheduler to backfill any holes left in resource allocations. Enabling VBLS requires end host applications to specify the file size in their transfer requests. To characterize VBLS, we ran simulation experiments that show that VBLS performance approaches packet-switching performance. This result means that file transfers can take advantage of bandwidth that becomes available subsequent to the start of transfers, a current and critical drawback of typical fixed-bandwidth allocation schemes in circuit-switched networks. Next, we identify the key features needed in a transport protocol that works in conjunction with VBLS and develop the ‘Varying Bandwidth Transport Protocol’ (VBTP). VBTP is a rate based flow control scheme that is coupled with Selective-ARQ based error control. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion on the impact of transport problems on VBLS scheduling.
Splines and Active Shape Model for segmentation of pelvic x-ray images

X-ray segmentation is a challenging problem, particularly when dealing with complex bone structures such as the human pelvis. However, initial diagnosis of traumatic pelvic injuries is typically made via x-ray images, due to low cost and lack of disruption to the patient. Diagnosis is a complex task, as fractures in different regions of the pelvis display different characteristics. An effective decision-making system for such injuries therefore requires accurate segmentation of the key pelvic structures, so specific features may be searched for in the fracture detection process. Previous work in x-ray image segmentation has focused on the use of deformable model techniques, such as Active Shape Model (ASM). However, the low resolution and blurred lines of x-ray images can cause the model to converge to false edges. This paper combines standard Active Shape Model with the use of cubic spline interpolation to regulate deformation, taking advantage of the natural curvature of the pelvic structure. This extended algorithm is compared with standard ASM on both normal and injured cases, and is shown to improve performance even in the presence of fracture.
INVITED REVIEW: Nutrient requirements of ruminants: Derivation, validation, and application1

In the United States, livestock nutrient requirements have been developed by volunteer committees of the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources of the NRC. Estimates of requirements for ruminants are founded on an understanding of digestive physiology and metabolism and are typically determined by empirical approaches based on reviews of the literature and analysis of derived and experimental data sets. Systems for describing nutrient requirements of animals
Introduction to the Handbook of Iris Recognition

Iris recognition is both a technology already in successful use in ambitious nation-scale applications and also a vibrant, active research area with many difficult and exciting problems yet to be solved. This chapter gives a brief introduction to iris recognition and an overview of the chapters in the Second Edition of the Handbook of Iris Recognition.
Quantitative analysis of insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins to identify control mechanisms for insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor phosphorylation.

Background The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system impacts cellular development by regulating proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and is an attractive therapeutic target in cancer. The IGF system is complex, with two ligands (IGF1, IGF2), two receptors (IGF1R, IGF2R), and at least six high affinity IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) that regulate IGF ligand bioavailability. While the individual components of the IGF system are well studied, the question of how these different components integrate as a system to regulate cell behavior is less clear.
Sintering of MoSi2

Despite the fundamental nature of sintering and its importance as a low cost fabrication process, little information exists on the sintering behavior of the structural silicide Mosi 2 . The sintering of commercial Mosi 2 powders in the range of 1-10 μm was investigated as a function of sintering temperature, sintering time, and sintering atmosphere. Initial densities for uniaxially cold pressed powders were in the range of 47-56% theoretical. A maximum sintered density of 90% of theoretical was achieved for 1 μm Mosi 2 powders after sintering for 100 hours at 1600 °C in an argon atmosphere. Larger 10 μm Mosi 2 powders achieved lower sintered densities under these conditions. Avenues to optimize the sintering behavior of Mosi 2 are suggested.
Optical Properties of DBR-Lasers

We have fabricated the InGaAsP/InP DBR-lasers with the wavelength range of 1.5μm, and investigated their optoelectronic properties. High sub-mode suppression ratios of exceeding 35 dB, and very narrow spectral linewidths less than 10 MHz were obtained. Wavelengthtuning was performed by an injection of tuning current in Bragg reflector region. The maximum continuous tuning range was 1.9 nm. In addition, the effects of anti-reflection (AR) coating on the lasing characteristics were investigated. The experimental results show that the AR-coating can improve the sub-mode suppression ratio by about 5 dB. The output power of the lasers with AR-coating are about 1.5 times larger than that of the lasers without AR-coating. These results agree well with theoretical calculations.
Types of liquidity and limits to arbitrage-the case of credit default swaps

Using a sample of Credit Default Swap (CDS) prices and corresponding reference corporate bond yield spreads for the period June 2008 to September 2009, we show that funding liquidity (shadow cost of capital for arbitrageurs) as well as asset-specific liquidity (determinants of margin requirements) explain recent deviations in the arbitrage-based parity relationship between the CDS prices and bond yield spreads (CDS-Bond spread basis). Collectively, our analysis corroborates the theory on the determinants of the basis, and suggests that it is important to distinguish between these types of liquidity in determining the circumstances in which relative prices will converge. Median annualized returns for a sample convergence type trading strategy with typical levels of leverage are 80% with a median holding-period of 127 days, but the path to convergence is not smooth. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark
Writing in Tongues: translating Yiddish in the 20th century

Writing in Tongues opens with, Ver vet blaybn, vos vet blaybn?—Who will remain, what will remain? These haunting questions from Avrom Sutzkever's well-known poem set the tone and Anita Norich does ...
Abstract 1689: Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analysis for 7-carboxymethylguanine and 7-carboxyethylguanine in human liver DNA

The carcinogenic nitrosamines N-nitrososarcosine (NSAR) and 3-(methylnitrosamino)propionic acid (MNPA) have been detected in the diet, tobacco products, and human urine. Metabolic activation of NSAR by methyl hydroxylation would produce a DNA carboxymethylating agent while similar metabolism of MNPA would produce a carboxyethylating agent, each of which would be expected to react at the 7 position of guanine to give 7-carboxymethylguanine (7-CMG) and 7-carboxyethylguanine (7-CEG), respectively. Furthermore, acrylic acid, a major industrial product, environmental contaminant and likely endogenous metabolite, and β-propiolactone, are also known to react with DNA to give 7-CEG. We developed a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS-SRM) method to quantify these adducts in human liver DNA. [ 15 N 5 ]7-CMG and [ 15 N 5 ]7-CEG were synthesized and used as internal standards. After addition of the internal standards, the DNA was hydrolyzed enzymatically and the hydrolysate was partially purified by solid-phase extraction. The fraction containing 7-CMG and 7-CEG was treated with acetyl chloride in methanol to convert them to the corresponding methyl esters. After re-purification by solid-phase extraction, the appropriate fraction was analyzed by LC-ESI-MS/MS-SRM for the transitions m/z 224[M + H] + → m/z 164[(M + H) - C 2 H 4 O 2 ] + for 7-CMG and m/z 238[M + H] + → m/z 152 [BH] + for 7-CEG. Human liver DNA samples had clear peaks co-eluting with [ 15 N 5 ]7-CEG, but no peaks were observed at the retention time of 7-CMG. The on column detection limits were approximately 10 and 5 fmol, respectively, for the methyl esters of 7-CMG and 7-CEG. The detection limit for the methyl ester of 7-CEG in DNA (starting with 1 mg) was approximately 8 fmol. Known addition studies using 7-CEG and calf thymus DNA demonstrated that the method was accurate and precise. Artifactual formation of 7-CEG during DNA isolation and enzyme hydrolysis was excluded. The method was applied for the analysis of 27 human liver samples. 7-CEG, but not 7-CMG, was detected in each sample, mean ± S.D, 408 ± 375 fmol/µmol guanine (82 adducts per 10 9 nucleotides), range 17 − 1491 fmol/µmol guanine. This is the first report demonstrating the presence of 7-CEG in DNA from humans. While MNPA, β-propiolactone and acrylic acid are possible sources of this DNA adduct, we consider acrylic acid to be the most likely because of its ubiquitous occurrence and probable endogenous formation from the lipid peroxidation product acrolein. 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 1689.
Hybrid gold nanoparticles in molecular imaging and radiotherapy

Metallic nanoparticles, because of their size, chemical and physical properties, are particularly attractive as therapeutic probes in treating cancer. Central to any clinical advances in nanoparticulate based therapy will be to produce hybrid nanoparticles that can be targeted to vascular, extracellular or cell surface receptors. Development of hybrid nanoparticles that specifically target cancer vasculature has received considerable attention. Most cancers have leaky vasculature and the defective vascular architecture, created due to the rapid vascularization necessary to serve fast growing cancers, in combination with poor lymphatic drainage allows increased permeation and retention effects. The leaky vasculature, because of higher porosity and permeability, serve as natural high affinity targets to metallic nanoparticles. Another attractive approach toward the application of nanotechnology to nanomedicine is the utility of nanoparticles that display inherent therapeutic properties. For example radioactive gold nanoparticles present attractive prospects in therapy of cancer. The radioactive properties of Au-198 (βmax = 0.96 MeV; t1/2 = 2.7 d) and Au-199 (βmax = 0.46 MeV; t1/2 = 3.14 d) make them ideal candidates for use in radiotherapeutic applications. In addition, they both have imageable gamma emissions for dosimetry and pharmacokinetic studies and Au-199 can be made carrier-free by indirect methods. Gold nanoparticles are of interest for treatment of disease as they can deliver agents directly into cells and cellular components with a higher concentration of radioactivity, e.g. higher dose of radioactivity, to cancerous tumor cells.