cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of protein kinase C activators on germinal vesicle breakdown and polar body emission of mouse oocytes.

Abstract Protein phosphorylation mediated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase is instrumental in maintaining meiotic arrest of mouse oocytes. To assess whether protein phosphorylation mediated by calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) might also inhibit the resumption of meiosis, we treated oocytes with activators of this enzyme. The active phorbol esters 12- O -tetra-decanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and 4β-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4β-PDD) inhibited germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), as did a more natural activator of protein kinase, C, sn -1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (diC 8 ). An inactive phorbol ester, 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4α-PDD), did not inhibit GVBD. We then examined whether protein kinase C activators inhibit a step in the cAMP-modulated pathway that regulates resumption of meiosis. TPA did not inhibit the maturation-associated decrease in oocyte cAMP. Microinjected heat-stable protein inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase failed to induce GVBD in the presence of TPA. Both TPA and diC 8 partially inhibited specific changes in oocyte phosphoprotein metabolism that are tightly correlated with resumption of meiosis; these agents also induced the apparent phosphorylation of specific oocyte proteins. These results suggest that protein kinase C activators may inhibit resumption of meiosis by acting distal to a decrease in cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity, but prior to changes in oocyte phosphoprotein metabolism that are presumably required for resumption of meiosis. Finally, we compared the effects of db-cAMP and protein kinase C activators on polar body emission following GVBD. TPA, 4β-PDD or diC 8 , but not 4α-PDD or db-cAMP, inhibited polar body emission in a dose-dependent manner. The morphology and cytology of oocytes in which polar body emission was inhibited by TPA or 4β-PDD differed from that of oocytes treated with diC 8 . Thirty to 60% of the former were round in shape and exhibited a clump of chromosomes but no spindle; the remainder were distended in shape and exhibited a metaphase I spindle. All oocytes treated with diC 8 , however, were round, had dispersed chromosomes, and no spindle. These results suggest that, in contrast to resumption of meiosis, polar body emission is inhibited by activation of protein kinase C but not cAMP-dependent protein kinase.
Hexapole focusing and orientation of HCl and HBr via their hydrogen-bonded complexes with benzene

Abstract Polar diatomic molecules such as the hydrogen halides (HX) cannot be readily oriented by conventional electrostatic field techniques. However, by forming the 1:1 hydrogen-bonded complex with benzene (a floppy C 6v symmetric top) the HX becomes orientable via the electric hexapole focusing method. Oriented-molecule beams of C 6 H 6 -HCl and C 6 H 6 -HBr have been prepared and studied. From the threshold focusing voltage their electric dipole moments have been estimated: 1.6 ± 0.1 and 1.2 ± 0.1 D for C 6 H 6 -HCl and -HBr, respectively. These results confirm the substantial dipole moment enhancement of HX upon hydrogen bonding, measured accurately for the C 6 H 6 -HF complex by Klemperer and co-workers (1983).
Is vote-selling desirable?

We first show that, in general, a majority-voting game with vote-selling will not have any equilibria. We then evaluate the desirability of vote-selling, using a rudimentary ‘theory of blocking trajectories.’
An objective evaluation of a segmented foot model

Abstract Segmented foot and ankle models divide the foot into multiple segments in order to obtain more meaningful information about its functional behavior in health and disease. The goal of this research was to objectively evaluate the fidelity of a generalized three-segment foot and ankle model defined using externally mounted markers. An established apparatus that reproduces the kinematics and kinetics of gait in cadaver lower extremities was used to independently examine the validity of the rigid body assumption and the magnitude of soft tissue artifact induced by skin-mounted markers. Stance phase simulations were conducted on ten donated limbs while recording the three-dimensional kinematic trajectories of skin-mounted and then bone-mounted marker constructs. Segment kinematics were compared to underlying bone kinematics to examine the rigid body assumption. Virtual markers were calculated from the bone mounted marker set and then compared to the skin-mounted markers to examine soft tissue artifact. The shank and hindfoot segments behaved as rigid bodies. The forefoot segment violated the rigid body assumption, as evidenced by significant differences between motions of the first metatarsal and the forefoot segment, and relative motion between the first and fifth metatarsals. Motion vectors of the external skin markers relative to their virtual counterparts were no more than 3 mm in each direction, and 3–7 mm overall. Artifactual marker motion had mild affects on inter-segmental kinematics. Despite errors, the segmented model appeared to perform reasonably well overall. The data presented here enable more informed interpretations of clinical findings using the segmented model approach.
VANET Routing on City Roads Using Real-Time Vehicular Traffic Information

This paper presents a class of routing protocols called road-based using vehicular traffic (RBVT) routing, which outperforms existing routing protocols in city-based vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). RBVT protocols leverage real-time vehicular traffic information to create road-based paths consisting of successions of road intersections that have, with high probability, network connectivity among them. Geographical forwarding is used to transfer packets between intersections on the path, reducing the path's sensitivity to individual node movements. For dense networks with high contention, we optimize the forwarding using a distributed receiver-based election of next hops based on a multicriterion prioritization function that takes nonuniform radio propagation into account. We designed and implemented a reactive protocol RBVT-R and a proactive protocol RBVT-P and compared them with protocols representative of mobile ad hoc networks and VANETs. Simulation results in urban settings show that RBVT-R performs best in terms of average delivery rate, with up to a 40% increase compared with some existing protocols. In terms of average delay, RBVT-P performs best, with as much as an 85% decrease compared with the other protocols.
Soft embossing of nanoscale optical and plasmonic structures in glass.

We describe here soft nanofabrication methods using spin-on glass (SOG) materials for the fabrication of both bulk materials and replica masters. The precision of soft nanofabrication using SOG is tested using features on size scales ranging from 0.6 nm to 1.0 μm. The performance of the embossed optics is tested quantitatively via replica patterning of new classes of plasmonic crystals formed by soft nanoimprinting of SOG. These crystals are found to offer significant improvements over previously reported plasmonic crystals fabricated using embossed polymeric substrate materials in several ways. The SOG structures are shown to be particularly robust, being stable in organic solvent environments and at high temperatures (∼450 °C), thus extending the capacities and scope of plasmonic crystal applications to sensing in these environments. They also provide a stable, and particularly high-performance, platform for surface-enhanced Raman scattering. We further illustrate that SOG embossed nanostructures can se...
A simple speckle smoothing algorithm for synthetic aperture radar images

Speckles appearing in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images are generated by the coherent processing of radar signals. Basically the speckles have the nature of a multiplicative noise. A simple and effective method of smoothing speckle-corrupted images by a digital computer is discussed, based on the recently developed sigma filter. The sigma filter is motivated by the sigma probability of a Gaussian distribution. The pixel to be processed is replaced by an advantage of those neighboring pixels having their gray level within two noise standard deviations from that of the concerned pixel. Consequently the speckles are suppressed without blurring edges and fine detail. Several Seasat SAR images are used for illustration, and comparisons are made with several noise-smoothing algorithms. Extensions of this algorithm to contrast enhancement and signal-dependent noise filtering are also presented. This algorithm is computationally efficient, and has the potential to achieve real or near real-time processing.
Immunochemical studies of horseradish peroxidase: Factors affecting the inhibition of enzyme activity by specific antibody

Abstract Possible mechanisms for inhibition of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) by specific antibody have been investigated. It was found that: (1) antibody Fab fragments are equally effective as whole antiserum in inhibition of enzyme activity; (2) apoenzyme can remove all antibody from anti-holo-enzyme sera; and (3) succinylation of lysine residues of HRP does not alter the enzyme activity or the inhibition of native enzyme by antibody. On the basis of these results it is concluded that inhibition of HRP by specific antibody probably does not involve (1) lattice formation, (2) antibody specific for the prosthetic group or (3) steric hindrance of access of substrate to the catalytic site.
ADIABATIC TREATMENTS OF VIBRATIONAL DYNAMICS IN LOW-ENERGY ELECTRON-MOLECULE SCATTERING

Accurate calculations of vibrational excitation cross sections for low-energy electron-molecule collisions require theoretical treatment of dynamical effects due to the vibrational kinetic energy operator. As alternatives to solving the integrodifferential equations that describe coupled electronic and vibrational motion, adiabatic methods, which parametrize the internuclear geometry, offer practical and conceptual simplifications. Here we investigate two such methods: the energy-modified adiabatic phase matrix method, which retains the vibrational kinetic energy in the fixed-nuclei scattering matrix and approximates the continuum energy, and the first-order non-degenerate adiabatic approximation, which evaluates fixed-nuclei scattering matrices off the energy-momentum shell in order to ensure strict conservation of energy. The present implementation of these methods is improved over previous versions. They are assessed against benchmark results from converged vibrational close-coupling calculations. Specifically, we compare integral and differential and cross sections for e- scattering at energies from their respective thresholds to 10 eV.
Impact d’un protocole pour la réalisation des écho-doppler veineux en urgence

Rationnelle Nous avons evalue l’impact d’un protocole regulant les demandes d’echo-Doppler veineux (EDV) en urgence pour diagnostic des thromboses veineuses profondes (TVP) en dehors des heures d’ouverture sur l’utilisation des ressources et le soin aux patients. Methodes Le 1er juillet 2007, nous avons modifie la strategie pour les demandes d’EDV en urgence pour les patients presentant une suspicion de TVP en dehors des heures d’ouverture (de 17h00 a 7h00 du matin pour les jours de semaine, apres 15h30 le samedi et le dimanche). Au lieu d’un acces permanent, nous avons permis un EDV dans le laboratoire d’explorations vasculaires non invasives (LEVNI) seulement sur des criteres elabores en collaboration avec les differents services. Dans le service d’accueil des urgences (SAU), nous avons base toutes les demandes d’EDV sur un score de Wells modifie (SWM) etabli par les medecins urgentistes. Les patients avec SWM a 0 ou 1 et ceux au-dessus de 1 qui pouvaient recevoir une dose unique d’heparine de bas poids moleculaire (HBPM) de principe avaient un EDV le lendemain matin a moins qu’un avis d’un chirurgien vasculaire ne demande une imagerie en urgence. En parallele, les EDV en urgence pour les patients hospitalises etaient acceptes seulement apres avis du chirurgien vasculaire de garde et si une anticoagulation de principe ne pouvait etre mise en place sans risque. Nous avons etudie l’utilisation du LEVNI, la morbidite des patients, l’occupation des echo-doppleristes, et la satisfaction. Resultats Le nombre d’EDV en dehors des heures d’ouverture a chute de 59 a 19 par mois apres mise en place de ce protocole. L’exploration a ete reporte chez 52 patients du SAU : 15 sont restes au SAU pour un examen le lendemain matin et 37 sont sortis pour etre examines le lendemain. Trente et un des 37 patients sont revenus pour l’examen en externe. Vingt-huit a recu des HBPM au SAU en attendant l’EDV. Aucun evenement defavorable n’est survenu pendant le delai d’attente. Le SWM moyen pour les EDV du SAU en dehors des heures d’ouverture etait de 2,9 ± 1,6 et celui pour les EDV reportes etait de 2,4 ± 1,3 (p = 0,005). Par ailleurs, la quantite de demandes d’EDV en dehors des heures d’ouvertures pour les patients hospitalises et du SAU a diminue de 64% sans survenue de complication pendant la premiere annee. Le taux d’EDV positifs realises en dehors des heures d’ouverture a progresse de 6,7% a 20% (p Conclusion Notre approche de collaboration a permis de diminuer l’utilisation de l’EDV en dehors des heures d’ouverture sans impact negatif sur la qualite des soins.
When Good Characters Do Bad Things: Examining the Effect of Moral Ambiguity on Enjoyment

Some of the most compelling characters are morally ambiguous, but little research has examined these characters. This study (N = 313) empirically tests the effects of good, bad, and morally ambiguous characters (MACs) on audience responses. Findings of an experiment reveal that different character types are appealing for different reasons. Specifically, good characters are enjoyed because they are well liked; bad characters are liked the least, but they are equally as transporting, suspenseful, and thus cognitively engaging as other characters. MACs, on the other hand, are liked less than good characters, but they are nevertheless equally as transporting, suspenseful, cognitively engaging, and thereby enjoyable as good characters. The implications of these findings on various media effects theories are discussed.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma with a Suppressor of Fused (SUFU) Mutation: Case Report and Potential Therapeutic Implications

Introduction Merkel cell carcinoma is a neuroendocrine malignancy. Suppressor of fused (SUFU) is a tumor suppressor oncogene that participates in the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. The aim of the study was to describe a patient whose Merkel cell carcinoma demonstrated a SUFU genomic alteration.
Molecular Determinants and Dynamics of Hepatitis C Virus Secretion

The current model of hepatitis C virus (HCV) production involves the assembly of virions on or near the surface of lipid droplets, envelopment at the ER in association with components of VLDL synthesis, and egress via the secretory pathway. However, the cellular requirements for and a mechanistic understanding of HCV secretion are incomplete at best. We combined an RNA interference (RNAi) analysis of host factors for infectious HCV secretion with the development of live cell imaging of HCV core trafficking to gain a detailed understanding of HCV egress. RNAi studies identified multiple components of the secretory pathway, including ER to Golgi trafficking, lipid and protein kinases that regulate budding from the trans-Golgi network (TGN), VAMP1 vesicles and adaptor proteins, and the recycling endosome. Our results support a model wherein HCV is infectious upon envelopment at the ER and exits the cell via the secretory pathway. We next constructed infectious HCV with a tetracysteine (TC) tag insertion in core (TC-core) to monitor the dynamics of HCV core trafficking in association with its cellular cofactors. In order to isolate core protein movements associated with infectious HCV secretion, only trafficking events that required the essential HCV assembly factor NS2 were quantified. TC-core traffics to the cell periphery along microtubules and this movement can be inhibited by nocodazole. Sub-populations of TC-core localize to the Golgi and co-traffic with components of the recycling endosome. Silencing of the recycling endosome component Rab11a results in the accumulation of HCV core at the Golgi. The majority of dynamic core traffics in association with apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and VAMP1 vesicles. This study identifies many new host cofactors of HCV egress, while presenting dynamic studies of HCV core trafficking in infected cells.
Optimal parameter and uncertainty estimation of a land surface model: A case study using data from Cabauw, Netherlands

[1] Land surface models involve a large number of interdependent parameters that affect the physics of how surface energy fluxes are partitioned between latent heat, sensible heat, net radiative, and ground heat fluxes. The goal of an optimal parameter and uncertainty analysis of a land surface model is to identify a range of parameter sets that enable model predictions to be bounded within observational uncertainties. Here we apply Bayesian stochastic inversion (BSI) using very fast simulated annealing (VFSA) to identify parameter sets of the Chameleon surface model (CHASM) land surface model that are consistent with the uncertainty limits ascribed to a high-quality data set collected from Cabauw, Netherlands. These results are compared to the parameter sets obtained through the multicriteria (MC) approach. All analyses evaluate model performance against daily and monthly mean observations of sensible, latent, and ground heat fluxes. BSI and MC identify similar “best fit” model parameter sets that improve CHASM performance over default parameter settings. The three most important CHASM parameters at Cabauw are minimum stomatal resistance, vegetation roughness length, and vegetation fraction cover. BSI is based on a Bayesian inference model such that that it expresses uncertainty in terms of a posterior probability density function, different moments of which provide information about parameter means and covariances. Although MC gives a range of possible optimal parameters through the concept of a Pareto set, we found that these ranges did not provide a consistent or representative view of the uncertainty within the observational data. The BSI algorithm in the current study is particularly efficient in that it only requires about double the number of model evaluations than the MC algorithm. This is a substantial saving over other more accurate methods to evaluate uncertainty such as the Metropolis/Gibbs' sampler that requires at least 40 times more computations than the BSI algorithm to obtain similar results.
Effect of switchbox topologies and net ordering on 3D FPGA routing

The growing need for smaller form factors of smartphones and other handheld devices with greater computational capabilities has resulted in the emergence of stacked silicon (3D) architectures (also referred to as 2.SD type of devices by industry). The emergence of such devices requires us to re-evaluate existing CAD approaches to placement and routing. The extension of well established place and route tools to stacked (3D) FPGAs poses a new set of challenges. This short preliminary study uses a well known academic tool, TPR (Three-dimensional place and route) to examine the impact of switchbox topologies and net ordering on routing of stacked FPGAs. The results of this study indicate that routing multi-layer nets first yield better overall routing. This study also proposes some future avenues of research that need to be explored to thoroughly understand this problem.
Addressing climate challenges in developing countries

Advanced Study Program/Early Career Scientist Assembly Workshop on Regional Climate Issues in Developing Countries; Boulder, Colorado, 19–22 October 2011 The Early Career Scientist Assembly (ECSA) and the Advanced Study Program of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) invited 35 early-career scientists from nearly 20 countries to attend a 3-day workshop at the NCAR Mesa Laboratory prior to the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Open Science Conference in October 2011. The goal of the workshop was to examine a range of regional climate challenges in developing countries. Topics included regional climate modeling, climate impacts, water resources, and air quality. The workshop fostered new ideas and collaborations between early-career scientists from around the world. The discussions underscored the importance of establishing partnerships with scientists located in typically underrepresented countries to understand and account for the local political, economic, and cultural factors on which climate change is superimposed.
Increased pepper yields following incorporation of biofumigation cover crops and the effects on soilborne pathogen populations and pepper diseases

Abstract The use of brassica cover crops and their associated degradation compounds as biofumigants to manage soilborne pathogens could offer vegetable growers an alternative to the restricted broad-spectrum fumigant methyl bromide. Biofumigation was tested in two experiments to manage Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Pythium spp., and the diseases they cause on pepper. Field plots were seeded in fall 2010 and spring 2011 to oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L.), ‘Pacific Gold’ mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern), or ‘Dwarf Essex’ winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). Cover crops were disked into soil in spring 2011 and immediately covered with virtually impermeable film (VIF) to reduce the escape of volatile pesticidal compounds. Controls included fallow plots with (CVIF) and without (fallow) VIF. Green bell pepper was transplanted into all plots. Concentrations of isothiocyanates (ITCs), the brassica degradation compounds primarily responsible for pesticidal activity, were highest following incorporation of mustard. Rapeseed yielded the second highest ITC concentrations. Radish yielded very low ITC concentrations in experiment 1, and none during experiment 2. ITCs also were detected in low concentrations in CVIF treatments. All treatments that received VIF reduced populations of R. solani compared to fallow, with no differences between biofumigation treatments and CVIF. Biofumigation treatments did not reduce populations of Pythium spp. or S. rolfsii compared to CVIF. Pepper stunting was significantly lower in treatments that received VIF compared to fallow, with no consistently significant differences between biofumigation treatments and CVIF. Pythium isolated from roots of stunted peppers was identified as Pythium aphanidermatum. Biofumigation treatments did not reduce plant mortality. Pepper yields were highest in biofumigation treatments compared to CVIF, and CVIF yields were higher than fallow yields.
Intensity measurements for the /2, O/ gamma-band of O2, b 1Sigma-g/+/ - X 3Sigma-g/-/

Line intensities for the P sub P and P sub Q branches of the (2-O) vibrational band of the magnetic dipole electronic transition for the oxygen red system at 6280 A were measured, and the sum of the R sub R and R sub Q branch intensities was taken. A large number of repetitive spectral scans were required for accuracy, because of low absorption values even at optical path lengths from 300 to 600 m. A total of 557 individual measurements of P-branch lines yielded an intensity value for the P-branches, and equivalent widths for 24 spectral scans yielded an intensity value for the R-branch. R-branch to P-branch intensity ratios were taken for the A-band, B-band, and gamma-band (respectively, O-O at 7620 A, 1-O at 6880 A, and 2-O at 6280 A). Intensities for some rotational lines are found, and effects of combined rotation-vibration interaction are probed.
Towards a Human Rights Culture in Social Work Education

A human rights perspective must be embedded in the institutions, organisations or agencies where social work students find themselves. This paper will focus on one particular strategy that could be helpful to the process of solidifying a commitment to human rights for our students. Using a pedagogical tool from a school of social work in the USA originally developed to combat the social injustice of racism, the example transcends the academic institution and offers a solid link in connecting human rights, social justice and social work. Using the construct of critical realism, we argue that, for social work programmes to take steps towards an explicit commitment to human rights, not only must human rights be infused throughout the curriculum, but educators must provide opportunities for making more overt the links between human rights principles, social justice and social work. By addressing behaviours, tendencies and attitudes, students then acquire not only the skills and deeper understanding, but they internalise the motivation and commitment to broaden their human rights frame. In the process of developing a more firm commitment to human rights, we must not be limited to the walls of the academy, but rather extend beyond to our field agencies, organisations and communities.
Labeled corticospinal neurons one year after spinal cord transection

One year after a T9 spinal cord transection, horseradish peroxidase was inserted into the spinal cord at T3-T4. Only about 7% of the number of corticospinal neurons labeled in control rats were labeled in exactly matched transected rats. This long-term loss of labeled neurons makes cell death the most likely explanation for the failure to identify corticospinal neurons in spinal-cord-transected rats.
The Role of Probiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea and Clostridium Difficile Colitis

Clostridium difficile colitis is the most common gastrointestinal infection, exceeding all other gastrointestinal infections combined. There has been a dramatic increase in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) worldwide during the past decade. Antibiotic therapy is a trigger precipitating antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), which may lead to CDI. The antibiotic alters the protective, diverse bacteria allowing pathogenic bacteria to cause disease. Probiotics have been effective in reducing AAD and preventing CDI.
Improved implementation of the HLL approximate Riemann solver for one-dimensional open channel flows

Several new techniques are proposed to overcome the deficiencies in the conventional formulation of the approximate Riemann solvers for onedimensional open channel flows, which include numerical imbalance and inaccuracy in the solution of discharge. The former arises in the case of irregular geometry and the latter in the presence of a hydraulic jump. These new techniques include: (1) adopting the form of the saint venant equations that include both gravity and pressure in one source term; (2) using water surface level as one of the primitive variables, in stead of cross-sectional area; (3) defining discharge at interface and evaluating it according to the flux obtained by the HLL Riemann solver; and (4) estimating water surface gradient based on piecewise linearly reconstructed variables in the second-order scheme. The performance of the resulting schemes is evaluated by means of theoretical analysis and various test examples, including ideal dam-break flows with dry and wet bed, hydraulic jump, steady f...
Clinical importance of inducible beta-lactamases in gram-negative bacteria

The clinical problems caused by inducible beta-lactamases in certain gram-negative bacteria are being recognized with increasing frequency. These problems include the rapid emergence of multiple beta-lactam resistance during therapy with many of the newer beta-lactam antibiotics. Such multiply resistant organisms are now spreading within the hospital and have become important nosocomial pathogens. This has been a particularly difficult problem for intensive care units, cystic fibrosis centers and burn units where there are clusters of patients who are highly susceptible to infections with organisms likeEnterobacter spp.,Serratia spp. andPseudomonas aeruginosa, which possess inducible beta-lactamases. Only through an awareness of these problems, their cause, and restriction of the use of certain newer betalactam antibiotics can these problems be controlled.
Energy loss rates for light holes in InGaAs/GaAs strained layer single quantum wells

Energy relaxation rates for light holes in InGaAs/GaAs strained layer quantum wells are measured. Two techniques were used to measure light hole temperatures as a function of power dissipated in the hole gas. For T/sub h/ 20K, a photoluminescence technique was employed. 4 figs., 1 tab.
Sexual responding of "nonrapists" to aggressive sexual themes: Normative data

The present study presents data relevant to the sexual responding to aggressive cues of a large sample of nonrapist males recruited from the community. Two hundred three subjects received physiological assessment of sexual arousal to heterosexual and rape stimuli. Results indicated that under instructions not to interfere with sexual responding, approximately 80% of the nonrapists would be correctly classified, which was significantly different from chance. However, under instructions to suppress arousal, classification was no better than chance. The rape index was not related to age, socioeconomic status, sexual experience, or amount of arousal shown in the laboratory. However, there was a small but significant relationship to IQ. Overall, the data suggest that for instructions not to interfere with responding, the error rate seen in this larger-scale sample was equivalent to that in previous studies using smaller normative samples and that classification in general is not biased by the subject characteristics measured in this study.
Differential optical polarization imaging in turbid media with different embedded objects

A Monte Carlo modeling technique was developed to study subsurface polarization imaging of scattering media. Images of embedded absorption, scattering, and reflective objects were simulated with both linearly and circularly polarized incident light. Results indicated that different objects appeared differently in polarization-sensitive images. The effects of object depths on image contrast were also examined.
Dramatically improving knowledge transfer from the laboratory to industry

Summary form only given. A diagnostic tool for examining a research project from inception through transfer of the results has been developed. This instrument allows examination of ten factors for success. In addition, a methodology for application of this diagnostic was developed which uses TQM techniques to identify potential improvements in both the research process and the administrative process. Effective use of these tools can help in improving the effectiveness of the research process and subsequent knowledge transfer.
Radar imaging of a large building based on near-field Xpatch model

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory's ultra-wideband (UWB) radar was used in field experiments for through-the-wall imaging of an abandoned Army barrack with an approximate 33 m by 27 m footprint. In a previous paper, we used a Physical Optics (PO) based ray tracing code simulating a far-field spotlight configuration in order to explain some scattering features observed in the experimental image (obtained via near-field strip-map configuration). In this paper, we use the same code and model for a data collection geometry that closely matches the experimental setup, and the backprojection algorithm (BPA) for image formation. The new simulated image shows an improved correlation with the measured image, further confirming the applicability of ray tracing codes for UWB imaging in a realistic environment.
Active feedback in ad hoc information retrieval

Information retrieval is, in general, an iterative search process, in which the user often has several interactions with a retrieval system for an information need. The retrieval system can actively probe a user with questions to clarify the information need instead of just passively responding to user queries. A basic question is thus how a retrieval system should propose questions to the user so that it can obtain maximum benefits from the feedback on these questions. In this paper, we study how a retrieval system can perform active feedback, i.e., how to choose documents for relevance feedback so that the system can learn most from the feedback information. We present a general framework for such an active feedback problem, and derive several practical algorithms as special cases. Empirical evaluation of these algorithms shows that the performance of traditional relevance feedback (presenting the top K documents) is consistently worse than that of presenting documents with more diversity. With a diversity-based selection algorithm, we obtain fewer relevant documents, however, these fewer documents have more learning benefits.
A low-latency and energy-efficient algorithm for convergecast in wireless sensor networks

In wireless sensor networks (WSN) the process of dissemination of data among various sensors (broadcast) and collection of data from all sensors (convergecast or data aggregation) are common communication operations. With increasing demands on efficient use of battery power, many efficient broadcast tree construction and channel allocation algorithms have been proposed. Generally convergecast is preceded by broadcast. Hence the tree used for broadcast is also used for convergecast. Our research shows that this approach is inefficient in terms of latency and energy consumption. In this paper we propose a heuristic solution for the problem of minimum energy convergecast which also works toward minimizing data latency. This algorithm constructs a tree using a greedy approach where new nodes are added to the tree such that weight on the branch to which it is added is less. The algorithm then allocates direct sequence spread spectrum or frequency hopping spread spectrum codes. Simulation results show that energy consumed and communication latency of our approach is lower than some of the existing approaches for convergecast. We have then used our algorithm to perform broadcast. Surprisingly our results show that this algorithms performance for broadcasting is better compared to other broadcast techniques.
Skimming comprehension in two online document presentation environments

Purpose – Readability applications are the software products designed to make online text more readable. Using information foraging theory as a framework, the purpose of this paper is to study the extent, if at all, using a readability application improves skimming comprehension in a low-clutter online environment. It also seeks to identify the perceived benefits or effects of using a readability application for skimming comprehension. Design/methodology/approach – Ten participants skimmed two articles each, one in a low-clutter online document presentation environment, the other using an online readability application, as a timed, information foraging exercise. After reading each article, respondents answered true/false comprehension questions and follow up questions. Findings – There was little difference in the comprehension of respondents after skimming in the two online documentation presentation environments. The readability environment was the preferred environment. Practical implications – This st...
The methods of BSS used for extraction of FECG

In recent works, blind source separation (BSS) is arising as a promising approach to the biomedical application. From the BSS point of view, fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) extraction is achieved through the estimation of the independent sources of fetal cardiac bioelectric activity. In this contribution, a BSS method based on higher-order statistics is contrasted with a significant classical technique for fetal electrocardiogram extraction. The experimental outcome demonstrates the more robust performance of the blind technique in this important biomedical application.
Study of Plasma Damage at Recess-Channel Gate (RG) Structure During Plasma Nitridation

The plasma induced damage of gate oxide was observed at the recess-channel gate (RG) transistor during the plasma nitridation, which is not observed at the 2-dimensional planar structure. The model of electron shading which is known as a topographical effect in plasma charging can explain the specific structure dependence of the plasma damage. The thinnest bottom gate oxide at the RG structure is found to be severe damaged by positive ions during the plasma nitridation
Analysis of noise sensitivity and reconstruction accuracy of Tchebichef moments

One of the main contributions of this paper is to show that contrary to the common belief Tchebichef moments are more sensitive to noise added to the image than Zernike moments. We show this by imposing different types and levels of noise on various images and measuring the error due to the added noise alone after image reconstruction. To calculate the error due to added noise alone, the image reconstruction error is subtracted from the total error, which initially includes both reconstruction and added noise errors. Another contribution of this paper is to present some analysis and compare the reconstruction capability of Tchebichef moments to that of Zernike and Legendre moments in noise free environments independent of the image used. We show this by spectrally analyzing the performance of Tchebichef, Legendre, and Zernike moments using single frequency images. Here the total reconstruction error of an arbitrary image is equal to the integration of the spectral errors, whose transfer functions are calculated using single frequency images, for all frequencies.
Collagen binding proteins derived from the embryonic fibroblast cell surface recognize arginine-glycine-aspartic acid.

Several cell surface proteins (Mr=120,000, 90,000, 63,000 and 47,000) apparently integral to embryonic fibroblast plasma membranes were extracted with detergent and isolated by collagen affinity chromatography. Certain of these proteins (Mr=120,000, 90,000 and 47,000) were specifically eluted from collagen affinity columns by synthetic peptides containing the amino acid sequence arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD). These data show that a number of collagen binding proteins exist on the embryonic fibroblast cell surface. Some of the proteins may be collagen receptors binding to RGD sequences in the collagen molecule while at least one of the proteins (Mr=63,000) recognizes features other than RGD.
The Results Framework—An Innovative Tool for Program Planning and Evaluation

This article constitutes a case study of the development and implementation of the "results framework," an innovative planning and evaluation tool that is rapidly becoming a standard requirement for United States Agency for International Development (USAID) projects. The framework is used in a USAID-funded regional initiative for HIV/AIDS prevention in Central America. This new program evaluation and monitoring tool provides many advantages over traditional evaluation approaches that use outside consultants to provide midterm and end-of-project evaluations. The results-framework process, which spans the life of the project, provides an opportunity for program staff, donors, partners, and evaluators to work as a team to collect and use rich, longitudinal data for project planning, implementation, and evaluation purposes.
Elimination of land internal multiples based on the inverse scattering series

Despite the explosion of new, innovative technologies in the area of multiple identification and subsequent attenuation, their applicability is mostly limited to marine environments especially in deep water. In land seismic data sets however, the application of such multiple-elimination methodologies is not always straightforward and in many cases poor results are obtained. The unique characteristics of land seismic data (i.e., noise, statics and coupling) are major obstacles in multiple estimation and subsequent elimination. The well-defined surface multiples present in marine data are rarely identifiable in land data. Particularly in desert terrains with a complex near surface and low-relief structures, surface multiples hardly exist. In most cases, we are dealing with so called “near-surface-related multiples.” These are primarily internal multiples generated within the complex near surface.
Mixed-mode J-integral formulation and implementation using graded elements for fracture analysis of nonhomogeneous orthotropic materials

Abstract The path-independent Jk*-integral, in conjunction with the finite element method (FEM), is presented for mode I and mixed-mode crack problems in orthotropic functionally graded materials (FGMs) considering plane elasticity. A general procedure is presented where the crack is arbitrarily oriented, i.e. it does not need to be aligned with the principal orthotropy directions. Smooth spatial variations of the independent engineering material properties are incorporated into the element stiffness matrix using a “generalized isoparametric formulation”, which is natural to the FEM. Both exponential and linear variations of the material properties are considered. Stress intensity factors and energy release rates for pure mode I and mixed-mode boundary value problems are numerically evaluated by means of the equivalent domain integral especially tailored for orthotropic FGMs. Numerical results are discussed and validated against available theoretical and numerical solutions.
Muscular function in late polio and the role of exercise in post-polio patients

Many post-polio individuals note new musculoskeletal and neuromuscular symptoms. In general, post-polio individuals are found to be weaker than non-postpolio individuals. Muscle weakness appears to play a role in functional limitations in post-polio individuals, especially for such activities as walking and stair climbing. Many post-polio individuals also have deficits in muscular work capacity and strength recovery following activity. Importantly, post-polio individuals are known to have normal perception of local muscle fatigue during activity. The perception of fatigue within the working muscle can be used to modify activity and to assist the individual in the avoidance of excessive local fatigue during exercise and performance of activities of daily living. Recent studies have shown that judicious exercise can improve muscle strength, range of motion, cardiorespiratory fitness, efficiency of ambulation as well as add to the patient's sense of well-being. These benefits appear to occur when activity and exercise are kept within reasonable limits in order to avoid excessive muscular fatigue and/or joint or muscle pain. It is suggested that post-polio patients be instructed to avoid activities that cause increasing muscle or joint pain or excessive fatigue, either during or after their exercise program as the performance of activity at too high a level may lead to overuse/overwork problems. The recent literature indicates that exercise within the constraints of fatigue and pain leads to a number of beneficial physiologic adaptations. Judicious exercise should be viewed as an adjuvant in the overall therapeutic program of the post-polio patient, when the individual has the physiologic capacity to exercise.
ON SECOND ORDER LINEAR DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH INVERSE SQUARE SINGULARITIES

We study the differential equation y″ + (a/x 2 + q(x))y = Ey where a, E ∈ ℂ and where q is a complex-valued function which is locally integrable on ℝ - {0} and analytic in a neighborhood of x = 0 (or nearly so). In particular, we are interested in the behavior of solutions of initial value problems as the initial point varies and in the asymptotic behavior of solutions as the parameter E tends to infinity.
The Concentric Model of Health-Bound Networks

The roles become muddled with roles that support health and others that result from nonmedical reasons. It may be a foredawn conclusion that the person’s quality of life (QOL) stays just that—inherent to a personal experience with disease. Moreover, QOL is often analogous to length of life and prognosis. What if the patient believes that life is fine as it has been dealt, imperfect clinically but personally acceptable (or tolerated)? What happens when the self-care decisions of a patient run counter to the evidence-based prescriptivism of medical care? There is a blurring of the penumbras of the public and private spheres in our understanding of QOL. The complexity of social relationships and support require policy for social integration has been shown to be linked to both physical and mental health. As the patient is embedded into a support network, I additionally posit that there is a “shared” collective QOL on the microlevel by which caring others are affected by the life state of the patient. It is an interesting question to explore the final victor in QOL: the psychometrically measured QOL, which is constructed by the “others” in the medical establishment or a patient’s subjective understandings of a sick existence. In light of generational issues of longevity with decreased physical and mental functionalities of patients, what must not be ignored is the network of support.
Detecting image points of diverse imbalance

Imbalance oriented selection scheme was recently proposed to select good candidates of interest points [1]. In this paper, we propose a method to quantify the local diversity of imbalance of an image point, which provides us a new interest strength assignment scheme. We test the proposed approach by repeatability evaluation and stereo matching and obtain promising results.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY AND EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARASITES AT THE ACTIN LOCUS

To further validate previous observations in the taxonomy of Cryptosporidium parasites, the phylogenetic relationship was analyzed among various Cryptosporidium parasites at the actin locus. Nucleotide sequences of the actin gene were obtained from 9 putative Cryptosporidium species (C. parvum, C. andersoni, C. baileyi, C. felis, C. meleagridis, C. muris, C. saurophilum, C. serpentis, and C. wrairi) and various C. parvum genotypes. After multiple alignment of the obtained actin sequences, genetic distances were measured, and phylogenetic trees were constructed. Results of the analysis confirmed the presence of genetically distinct species within Cryptosporidium and various distinct genotypes within C. parvum. The phylogenetic tree constructed on the basis of the actin sequences was largely in agreement with previous results based on small subunit rRNA, 70-kDa heat shock protein, and Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein genes. The Cryptosporidium species formed 2 major clades; isolates of C. andersoni, C. muris, and C. serpentis formed the first major group, whereas isolates of all other species, as well as various C. parvum genotypes, formed the second major group. Intragenotype variations were low or absent at this locus.
Superconductivity: The Ultimate Electronic Technology

The unique properties of the superconducting state can provide an electronic technology with properties not obtainable from any other known technology. Superconducting electronic devices and circuits can exhibit very low loss, zero frequency-dispersion signal transmission, very high Q-value resonators and filters and quantum limited electromagnetic sensors for radiation from dc through the millimeter wave region and into the visible and ultra-violet region. Very high performance signal and data processing systems of interest to both the military and civilian communities can be built using this technology. The impact of the newly discovered high temperature superconducting materials can revolutionize electronic technology as it would bring these very interesting properties and device behavior to an operating temperature where (a) refrigeration requirements are greatly reduced, and (2) where hybrid semiconductor-superconductor circuits can be built which make use of the best features of each technology.