cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HYBRID PERTURBATI0IM-GALERK1N TECHNIQUE FOR NONLINEAR HEAT CONDUCTION PROBLEMS I: STEADY PROBLEMS

Abstract A two-step hybrid analysis technique is applied to steady, nonlinear heat conduction problems involving a parameter. In the first step, a few coordinate functions in a perturbation expansion of the solution are generated. In the second step, an approximate solution consisting of the sum of a subset of these perturbation coordinate functions, each multiplied by an unknown amplitude, is constructed, and then these amplitudes are determined using the Bubnov-Galerkin method. The technique is applied to conduction in a rod with a temperature-dependent conductivity, a problem with a fourth-order radiation term, and Joule heating of an insulated cable with temperature-dependent electrical and thermal conductivities.
Non-invasive fermentation analysis using an artificial nerual network algorithm for processing near infrared spectra

The feasibility of using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to improve the performance of a fibre optic, near infrared (NIR) spectroscopic probe for monitoring fermentation processes was investigated. A miniature diode array spectrometer, operating between 1100 and 1450 nm, was used for on-line, in situ fermentation monitoring by placing a bifurcated fibre bundle inside a fermentation vessel. Non-linearities in the spectral response were complicated by the combined effects of spectral variations in the OH vibrational bands due to temperature fluctuations and pH variation. As the fermentation proceeds interferences from other absorbing molecules and cell masses increase at an exponential rate. The feasibility of accurately predicting both glucose and ethanol concentrations simultaneously during a fermentation process were assessed by applying Partial Least Squares (PLS) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to the NIR spectral data. For a 5% glucose fermentation, a PLS model was able to predict “online” concentrations with standard errors of prediction (SEP) of 0.19% for glucose and 0.11% for ethanol. Three separate on-line fermentation experiments were performed in order to determine the possibility of using a model developed from one experiment to predict the concentrations of another experiment. PLS models produced an average SEP of 0.21% when used to predict different fermentation experiments. The ANN algorithm produced an average SEP of 0.13% on the same data.
Trouble with physics: Time to rethink cosmic inflation?

It promised to iron out all the big bang's problems – but the best theory of our universe's origin has logically self-destructed, argues Max Tegmark
The development by the Centers for Disease Control of a specification for streptococcal serogrouping kits and its application to Streptex and to the Phadebact Streptococcus Test

A Centers for Disease Control (CDC) specification for evaluating commercially produced streptococcal agglutination reagents was developed and used to test Streptex and Phadebact Streptococcus Test kits. Evaluation methods and performance requirements were based on product claims made in the package labelling. 1,2 Except for the reagent for Streptococcus group D, reagents of both systems identified 100% of the blind-coded reference strains when follow-up methods were done according to the manufacturers' directions. Streptex group D reagent did not identify all group D strains, but the manufacturer instructed the user to test with other methods in certain circumstances. The interaction of personnel of the Center for Infectious Diseases (CID), CDC, with commercial producers and consumers in a pre-market evaluation program is described.
Religious affiliation religiosity and male and female fertility.

Religious studies of fertility typically focus on the effect of religious affiliation on fertility; the role of religiosity in determining fertility remains overlooked. Meanwhile most studies focus on studying female fertility; whether religion and religiosity have significantly different impacts on mens and womens fertility rarely has been examined. To fill these gaps this study uses data from the 2002 NSFG Cycle 6 on religious affiliation religiosity and children ever born (CEB) for both men and women to investigate the effects of religious affiliation and religiosity on male and female fertility. A series of hypotheses which aim to demonstrate the critical role of religiosity particularly the importance of religious beliefs in peoples daily life in shaping peoples fertility behavior are tested. The findings show a shrinking pattern of fertility differentials among religious groups. However religiosity particularly religious beliefs shows a substantially positive effect on fertility.The gender interaction terms are not significant which indicates that the effects of religion and religiosity on fertility do not vary by gender. (authors)
Solid state: Integrated optical spectrum analyzer: An Imminent `chip¿: In the fledgling field of integrated optics, designers are poised to fabricate a spectrum analyzer ¿ A key circuit in electronic warfare

Discusses the developments of integrated optics and in particular the fabrication of a spectrum analyzer-a key circuit in electronic warfare.
First Solar Neutrino Observations from SNO

The first solar neutrino observations from the Sudbury Neutrino Obervatory are presented. SNO is a water Cerenkov detector which uses heavy water (D2O) as both the interaction and detection medium. Based on the angular distribution of events with respect to the solar direction and the radial and energy distribution of events in the detector, it is concluded that data in the region of interest is dominated by 8B solar neutrinos detected via the charged current and elastic scattering reactions.
Plasmonically Induced Energy Flow in Monodisperse Quantum Dot Solids

We studied the excitation-power-dependent red shift and broadening of the emission spectra of monodisperse CdSe/ZnS quantum dot solids when they are in close proximity of gold metallic nanoparticles. Our results suggest that these features are the signs of plasmonic enhancement of the interdot energy transfer in such solids leading to (a) efficient funneling of excitons to the locations where quantum dots with large CdSe cores are and (b) near complete depletion of excitons in regions where the quantum dots with incomplete shells or/and small core sizes are located. We studied the impacts of the heat generated by the metallic nanoparticles and discussed the effects of excitation-power-dependent photoionization rates. The uneven spatial distribution of excitons in monodisperse quantum dot solids in the presence of metallic nanoparticles suggests that plasmonic fields can drive significant spatial migration of energy in such structures.
Government size, demographic changes, and economic growth.

This paper examines the effect of government size on the growth rate of per capita output by incorporating demographic variables. Evidence from more than 86 countries suggests that the demographic variables not only affect economic growth, but also determine the size of government. Both the young and the old age dependency ratios were positively related to the size of government, while population density and population size were negatively related to the size of government. Moreover, when the demographic variables are included in the growth equations, the effect of government size on the growth rate of per capita output became insignificant rather than, as prior studies showed, significantly negative. [H 11]
Neurological consequences of psychotropic drug withdrawal in schizophrenic children.

A preliminary study is presented, involving 34 schizophrenic children, 6 to 12 years of age, who were carefully observed following discontinuation of active neuroleptic treatment to ascertain the clinical effects of drug withdrawal. The children had been on maintenance therapy for periods of 6 to 15 months. Five neuroleptics were involved: fluphenazine, haloperidol, thioridazine, trifluoperazine, and thiothixene. All but two children suffered massive clinical relapse within 1 to 2 weeks after drug withdrawal. Fourteen of the children exhibited neurological withdrawal emergent symptoms (WES) characterized by involuntary movements and ataxia. In half the children the WES remitted spontaneously. In the remainder, symptoms disappeared within two weeks of resumption of active treatment with another neuroleptic. The findings are discussed in relation to the syndrome of tardive dyskinesia observed in adult schizophrenics.
Open-mindedness and Religious Devotion

To be open-minded is to be willing to revise or entertain doubts about one’s beliefs. Commonly regarded as an intellectual virtue, and often too as a moral virtue, open-mindedness is a trait that is generally desirable for a person to have. However, in the major theistic traditions, absolute commitment to one’s religious beliefs is regarded as virtuous or ideal. But one cannot be completely resolved about an issue and at the same time be open to revising one’s beliefs about it. It appears, then, that religious devotion is inconsistent with open-mindedness. The more religiously devout a person is, the more firmly she will hold to her convictions. And the stronger her belief commitments, the less open-minded she will be regarding these beliefs. So there appears to be a paradox here, where from the standpoint of religious devotion, it is virtuous to display an intellectual vice, namely closed-mindedness. I discuss this problem and explore some potential routes of escape from the paradox.
Visual image depth enhancement process: an approach to three-dimensional imaging

Abstract Three-dimensional displays utilizing the alternating frame technique, especially the visual image depth enhancement (VISIDEP) method, are described. Recent advances and variations of these techniques have led to improvement in image quality and stability. Special attention is given to the unique application of vertical parallax. The addition of signal mixing and the use of composite images provide further refinement. Some combination and/or variation of these techniques may ultimately achieve depth without discernible motion.
Obama's Second Term: Prospects for Nuclear Arms Reductions

The second term of the Obama administration will doubtless see efforts by the United States to move forward its nuclear arms control and disarmament agenda, especially with Russia. However, there is no certainty of accomplishment in this regard, and much depends upon the political chemistry between a reelected U.S. President Barack Obama and a re-reelected Russian President Vladimir Putin after 2012.1 This discussion considers the political setting and military options for post-New START strategic nuclear arms reductions, as well as other military-strategic and political issues within which U.S., Russian, and NATO nuclear arms control options are embedded.
Spectral quality metrics for terrain classification

Current image quality approaches are designed to assess the utility of single band images by trained image analysts. While analysts today are certainly involved in the exploitation of spectral imagery, automated tools are generally used as aids in the analysis and offer hope in the future of significantly reducing the analysis timeline and analyst work load. Thus, there is a recognized need for spectral image quality metrics that include the effects of automated algorithms. Previously, we have reported on candidate approaches for spectral quality metrics in the context of unresolved object detection. We have continued these efforts through the use of empirical trade studies in the context of ground cover terrain classification. HYDICE airborne hyperspectral imagery have been analyzed for the effects on scene classification accuracy of spatial resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and number of spectral channels. Various classification algorithms including Gaussian maximum likelihood, spectral angle mapper, and Euclidean minimum distance have been considered. Performance metrics included classification accuracy, confusion matrices, and the Kappa coefficient. An extension of the previously developed Spectral Quality Equation (SQE) has been developed for the terrain classification application. As expected, the accuracy of terrain classification shows only modest sensitivity to the parameters considered, except at the extreme cases of high noise, few bands, and small ground resolution. However, these results are useful in continuing to develop the quantitative relationships necessary for characterizing the quality of spectral imagery in various applications.
Bounding separable recourse functions with limited distribution information

The recourse function in a stochastic program with recourse can be approximated by separable functions of the original random variables or linear transformations of them. The resulting bound then involves summing simple integrals. These integrals may themselves be difficult to compute or may require more information about the random variables than is available. In this paper, we show that a special class of functions has an easily computable bound that achieves the best upper bound when only first and second moment constraints are available.
Synthesis of Highly Luminescent GaSe Nanoparticles

The synthesis, characterization, and purification of GaSe nanoparticles are described in this paper. TEM images show that this synthesis produces GaSe nanoparticles in the size range of 2−6 nm. These particles may be size segregated by column chromatography or size selective precipitation, and relatively monodisperse nanoparticles are obtained. Electron diffraction results indicate that these particles have a two-dimensional single tetralayer type structure. The particles have absorption onsets in the 360 to 450 nm region, with the smallest particles absorbing furthest to the blue. The particles are emissive, with emission quantum yields of about 10%.
Single-shot visualization of evolving, light-speed structures by multiobject-plane phase-contrast imaging.

We demonstrate a single-shot method of visualizing the evolution of light-speed, laser-generated structures as they propagate over hundreds of Rayleigh lengths (typically ≥10 cm) through a tenuous medium. An ultrashort probe pulse crosses the object’s path at a small angle (θ<5°) and a specific time delay. Copies of the phase-modulated probe are then relay-imaged to separate detectors from selected object planes along the propagation path. A phase-contrast technique based on Kerr effect and nonlinear absorption converts phase to intensity modulation, improving sensitivity in tenuous media. A continuous record of the probe phase modulation along the propagation path is reconstructed.
Measurement of glomerular filtration rate in ICU patients using 99mTc-DTPA and inulin.

Measurements of glomerular filtration rate in ICU patients using 99mTc-DTPA and inulin. Improved and reliable methods for assessing glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in intensive care patients are needed in light of known deficiencies using creatinine clearance. We compared simultaneous two-hour clearances of inulin (CIn), creatinine (CCr), and 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (CDTPA) in 18 medical or surgical intensive care patients (range, 49 to 92 years old) with blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels >17.9 mmol/liter (0.5 mg/ml), serum creatinine levels >150 µmol/liter (0.02 mg/ml), or estimated Cockcroft clearance
Ecology of the urban forest—Introduction to part II

Abstract Eleven studies of urban forest function are introduced in two general categories: factors influencing the evolution of the urban forest, and effects of the urban forest on human and faunal environments.
New insights into the reaction of Schistosoma mansoni cercaria to the human complement system

Schistosomes are parasitic worms that have a complex life cycle. The larval stage cercaria, infectious to mammals, is described as highly susceptible to the complement system, largely due to the glycocalyx that covers the cercarial membrane. In an attempt to have a more complete understanding of cercaria reaction to the complement system, three different approaches were used. Live cercariae exposed to normal human serum (NHS) as source of complement factors were assessed for (i) membrane attack complex (MAC) deposition on the parasite surface, (ii) cercaria survival rate by Hoechst staining of parasite DNA, and (iii) transformation into schistosomula by detection of the glucose transporter protein 4 (SGTP4), a marker for new tegument formation. We found that 82–95 % of cercariae directly exposed to NHS for 18 h were viable and retained their ability to shed the glycocalyx, suggesting minimal tegument damage. In contrast, inhibition of glycocalyx shedding using eserine caused significant MAC binding and parasite death. Culturing complement-exposed cercariae to measure long-term survival showed that more parasites died over time, reaching a survival rate of 18–31 % by day 6 in culture. The reason for this slow death is unknown, but the surviving parasites were able to form a new tegument as shown by detection of SGTP4 on the parasite surface. Furthermore, we found that complement activation significantly damaged the acetabular gland ducts and lysed secretory vesicles released by transforming cercariae. These findings should contribute for future in vivo studies of the effects of the complement system in skin migrating cercariae.
Reactions to Self-Sampling for Ano-Rectal Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Qualitative Study

Little is known about men's potential motivations and barriers associated with specific sexually transmitted infec- tions (STI) testing methods. In this study, we examined expe- riences of self-sampling for ano-rectal STI among men who have sex with men (MSM) in a midwestern community in the U.S. A total of 75 MSM were recruited from community venues throughout Indianapolis, Indiana. Participants completed semi- structured interviews, were asked to obtain ano-rectal self-sam- ple in a private restroom, and were asked open-ended questions about their experiences with ano-rectal self-sampling for STI. Participants included 35 White, 27 Black, and 13 Latino MSM who ranged in age from 18 to 57 years. Regardless of sexual practices, most participants who obtained an ano-rectal self- sample (68/75) reported that the sampling procedure was rela- tively painless and physically easy. However, regardless of pre- vious receptive anal sex, participants also expressed concerns about the nature of the test (i.e., inserting something into their rectum), which required increased levels of privacy and clean- liness compared to collection of urine samples. Self-sampling proved to be a feasible and acceptable method of collecting ano- rectal STI specimens among MSM. Increased testing for ano- rectal STI among MSM may require addressing the location of sampling and testing sites, existing negative perceptions of ano- rectal self-sampling, and the measures in place to promote pri- vacy and cleanliness.
Different patterns of cancer incidence among African American and Caucasian renal allograft recipients.

Background Little data are available regarding cancer incidence in separately analyzed African American renal allograft recipients, with no study examining in detail the incidence and relative distribution of individual post-transplant malignancies versus those occurring in Caucasians. Methods We compared the incidence of nonskin cancer occurring in 495 African Americans transplanted at our center from 1984 to 2007 and followed through June 2009 with that occurring in 11,155 patients in the Canadian Organ Replacement Registry transplanted from 1981 to 1998 and followed through December 1999, of which 97% were Caucasian. Results Despite a shorter follow-up, the overall incidence of nonskin cancer, as well as that of prostate, renal cell, pancreatic, and esophageal cancer, was significantly higher in the African American group. Cancers of the prostate and pancreas comprised a significantly higher fraction of neoplasms occurring in the African American group, whereas lip cancer did so in the Canadian Organ Replacement Registry group. Conclusion In our pilot study, the overall incidence of nonskin cancers was higher in African American versus Caucasian renal allograft recipients, reflecting a significantly different relative distribution of cancer types that follows cancer incidence trends by race in the general population in several but not all cases. If verified in subsequent studies, these findings have important implications with regard to the need for transplant programs to tailor cancer education and pretransplant and post-transplant surveillance appropriately to the African American patient.
Reserpine attenuates D-amphetamine and MDMA-induced transmitter release in vivo: a consideration of dose, core temperature and dopamine synthesis.

Amphetamine releases dopamine through a transporter-mediated mechanism. The purpose of this report was to further our understanding of the intracellular pool from which amphetamine releases dopamine: the cytoplasmic pool, the vesicular pool, or both. Rats were treated with D-amphetamine (AMPH) (1.0 or 10.0 mg/kg) or an amphetamine analog, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (2.0, 5.0, or 10.0 mg/kg). Pre-treatment with 10.0 mg/kg reserpine (18 h prior to AMPH or MDMA) attenuated dopamine release for high and low AMPH doses; however the low-dose effect showed borderline significance. Pre-treatment with 10.0 mg/kg reserpine attenuated dopamine and serotonin release induced by MDMA. The dopamine effect was seen at all three MDMA doses; the effect on serotonin was only measured at the 10.0 mg/kg dose. Reserpine pre-treatment caused reductions in core body temperature; heating the rats to normal body temperature for 3 h prior to AMPH or MDMA, and during the 4 h post-treatment period partially reversed the reserpine-induced attenuation of dopamine release. However, the intermediate level of dopamine release for the reserpinized-heated animals was not significantly different from either the reserpine group (not heated) or the AMPH or MDMA alone groups. In a separate group of rats, the effects of reserpine and reserpine+heat on dopamine synthesis were measured. DOPA accumulation after treatment with the aromatic acid decarboxylase inhibitor NSD-1015 (100 mg/kg, 30 min before sacrifice), was greater in rats treated with reserpine compared to controls; heating the reserpinized rats did not significantly alter the amount of DOPA accumulation; however there was a trend towards further increase. These results suggest that D-amphetamine releases dopamine that is stored in both vesicles and the cytoplasm. Cooling may contribute to the attenuation of AMPH or MDMA-induced dopamine release observed after reserpine; however, AMPH or MDMA dependence upon vesicular stores most likely explains the diminished release after reserpine. The attenuation of AMPH or MDMA-induced transmitter release by reserpine is thought to be counteracted by a reserpine-induced replenishment of stores. Therefore, all doses of D-amphetamine may use vesicular stores; the degree to which new synthesis counteracts the vesicular depletion may be the variable which differentiates low from high doses of D-amphetamine.
Portal-systemic shunting in patients with fibrosis or cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis C: the minimal model for measuring cholate clearances and shunt.

SUMMARY Background Measurement of portal inflow and portal-systemic shunt using cholate clearances could be useful in monitoring patients with liver disease. Aim To examine relationships of cholate clearances and shunt to cirrhosis and varices and to define minimal sampling requirements. Methods Five hundred forty-eight studies were performed in 282 patients enrolled in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-term Treatment to prevent Cirrhosis (HALT-C) trial. Stable, non-radioactive isotopes of cholate were administered intravenously and orally, clearances (Cliv and Cloral) were calculated from [dose ⁄ area under curve (AUC)] and cholate shunt from [(AUCoral:AUCiv) x (Doseiv:Doseoral) x 100%]. Results Cholate Cloral and cholate shunt correlated with prevalences of both cirrhosis and varices (P < 0.0001 for all). Peripheral venous sampling at 5, 20, 45, 60 and 90 min defined the minimal model. Linear regression of cholate shunt determined from five points within 90 min vs. the standard method of 14 points over 3 h yielded slope of 1.0 and intercept 0.5% (r 2 = 0.98, P < 0.0001). Results were identical in the 189 validation studies (slope 1.0, intercept 0.5%, r 2 = 0.99, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Cholate Cloral and cholate shunt may be useful in monitoring patients with liver disease. The 5-point model enhances application of cholate Cloral and cholate shunt in the non-invasive assessment of the portal circulation.
Environmental radiation: Risk benchmarks or benchmarking risk assessment

In the wake of the compound March 2011 nuclear disaster at the Fukushima I nuclear power plant in Japan, international public dialogue has repeatedly turned to questions of the accuracy of current risk assessment processes to assess nuclear risks and the adequacy of existing regulatory risk thresholds to protect us from nuclear harm. We confront these issues with an emphasis on learning from the incident in Japan for future US policy discussions. Without delving into a broader philosophical discussion of the general social acceptance of the risk, the relative adequacy of existing US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) risk thresholds is assessed in comparison with the risk thresholds of federal agencies not currently under heightened public scrutiny. Existing NRC thresholds are found to be among the most conservative in the comparison, suggesting that the agency's current regulatory framework is consistent with larger societal ideals. In turning to risk assessment methodologies, the disaster in Japan does indicate room for growth. Emerging lessons seem to indicate an opportunity to enhance resilience through systemic levels of risk aggregation. Specifically, we believe bringing systemic reasoning to the risk management process requires a framework that (i) is able to represent risk-based knowledge and information about a panoply of threats; (ii) provides a systemic understanding (and representation) of the natural and built environments of interest and their dependencies; and (iii) allows for the rational and coherent valuation of a range of outcome variables of interest, both tangible and intangible. Rather than revisiting the thresholds themselves, we see the goal of future nuclear risk management in adopting and implementing risk assessment techniques that systemically evaluate large-scale socio-technical systems with a view toward enhancing resilience and minimizing the potential for surprise.
Diurnal variation of plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in subjects suffering from severe brain damage.

Discrepancy from the normal diurnal variation of plasma 17-OHCS has been observed in 4 human subjects suffering from various forms of severe damage to brain tissue associated with a profound degree of impairment of consciousness. A number of explanatory hypotheses as to the mechanism for diurnal variation of plasma 17-OHCS have been reviewed. Although no definite conclusions can be drawn from the data presented, they suggest that higher central nervous system processes may play a role in the regulation of 17-OHCS.
Mechanochromic luminescence and aggregation induced emission for a metal-free β-diketone

Reversible mechanochromic luminescence (ML) is known for difluoroboron β-diketonates (BF2bdks). Here, we report ML for the methoxy-substituted dinaphthoylmethane (dnmOMe) ligand even without coordination to boron. In addition, dnmOMe shows solvatochromism and aggregation-induced emission (AIE). Diketone thin films showed high contrast emission when smeared, and rapid recovery of the pre-smeared state at room temperature.
Fast memory state synchronization for virtualization-based fault tolerance

migration and thus enables a new form of fault tolerance that is completely transparent to applications and operating systems. While initial prototypes show promise, virtualization-based fault-tolerant architecture still experiences substantial performance overhead especially for data-intensive workloads. The main performance challenge of virtualizationbased fault tolerance is how to synchronize the memory states of the Master and Slave in a way that minimizes the end-to-end impact on the application performance. This paper describes three optimization techniques for memory state synchronization: fine-grained dirty region identification, speculative state transfer, and synchronization traffic reduction using active slave, and presents a comprehensive performance study of these techniques under three realistic workloads, the TPC-E benchmark, the SPECsfs 2008 CIFS benchmark, and a Microsoft Exchange workload. We show that these three techniques can each reduce the amount of end-of-epoch synchronization traffic by a factor of up to 7, 15 and 5, respectively.
An explicit time-domain finite-element method that is unconditionally stable

The root cause of the instability is identified for the explicit time-domain method that uses a time step beyond that allowed by the stability criterion. With the identification of the root cause, an unconditionally stable method is successfully developed in the framework of explicit time-domain finite-element methods, and hence removing a major computational bottleneck.
The rapunsel project

By use of a dance game, and after much input and advice from thirteen year old design consultants, we teach Java programming in a way that will interest middle school girls – a critical age group for addressing gender inequity in programming.
Analysis of lacI mutations in Big Blue transgenic mice subjected to parasite-induced inflammation.

Abstract Parasite infections have long been associated with specific types of human cancers. Schistosoma hematobium is an inducer of urinary bladder cancer, Helicobacter pylori is a gastric carcinogen, and hepatitis B virus and Opisthorchis viverrini are causative agents of hepatocellular carcinoma. Another liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, has also been identified as a neoplastic risk agent, primarily in animals. We used F. hepatica-induced inflammation in mice to determine if the presence of an aggressive liver fluke could induce mutagenic events in mammalian tissue. This provides a perspective on the relationship between chronic inflammation and cancer and may be a model for future studies on this complex association. In previous studies using the Big Blue® transgenic mouse assay, we demonstrated an increase in lacI mutations in liver cells harvested from mice harboring F. hepatica flukes when compared to uninfected control animals. In these studies, we report on the types of mutations associated with this parasite infection. The observed mutational spectrum roughly corresponded to the spectrum of spontaneous mutations in liver cells when compared to control (uninfected) animals. However, the spectrum of mutations from parasitized animals showed a significant increase in complex changes and multiple mutations (18.2%) when compared to what would be expected from control animals (2.8%).
A Dynamical Systems Approach to the Development and Expression of Female Same-Sex Sexuality:

Researchers have documented substantial variability in the development and expression of same-sex sexuality, especially among women, posing challenges to traditional linear developmental models. In...
Anatomic and physiologic considerations in ureteroscopy

The successful and safe implementation of ureteroscopic techniques depends on considerations of anatomy and physiology. Combining knowledge of the drainage system of the kidney with its vascular supply, predictive patterns of incisions can be applied within the collecting system to safely avoid vascular injury. In addition, awareness of the variation in normal and pathologic anatomy and physiology is key to effective interventions. An appreciation of the impact of ureteroscopy on normal anatomy and physiology can prevent complications and promote improved therapeutic outcomes.
Orchiopexy without Transparenchymal Fixation Suturing: A 29-Year Experience

Purpose: We sought to gain insight into the outcomes of nontunical orchiopexy through assessment of elective and emergent orchiopexies performed by a single surgeon from 1985 to 2014. We demonstrate that successful orchiopexy does not require a fixation suture that pierces the tunica albuginea.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1,104 orchiopexies in patients 1 day to 25 years old performed by a single urologist during a 29-year period. A total of 155 procedures were performed in 101 patients to remedy torsion, and 949 procedures were performed in 778 patients for undescended testes. The orchiopexy method for all patients was the same, involving no transparenchymal fixation suture. Operative notes, followup appointments and long-term testicular condition were analyzed. Appropriate testicular size and position were considered successful outcomes. Testicular atrophy, suprascrotal location, torsion and long-term pain were considered undesired outcomes.Results: Of the 1,104 orchiopexy cases eva...
Reinterpreting the Great Pyramid of Cholula, Mexico

The Great Pyramid of Cholula is both the largest and oldest continuously occupied building in Mesoamerica. Initial occupation of the ceremonial precinct began in the Late Formative period, and the first building stage of the pyramid dates to the Terminal Formative. The Great Pyramid was built in four major construction stages and at least nine minor modifications. Early stages shared stylistic similarities with Teotihuacan, but toward the end of its construction history external contacts shifted to the Gulf Coast, particularly El Tajin, and probably relate to occupation by ethnic Olmeca-Xicallanca. The fourth and final stage was contemporary with extensive construction on the south side at the Patio of the Altars, and dates to the Early Postclassic period. This period ended, however, with the partial abandonment of the pyramid when ethnic Tolteca-Chichimeca constructed a ceremonial center around their “new” Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl. The Great Pyramid continued as an important shrine dedicated to mountain worship and a rain deity until the Spanish Conquest. It remains one of the most important religious sites in Mexico, where the shrine of the Virgin of the Remedies attracts pilgrims to the church atop the pyramid mound during the annual festival. This paper summarizes the archaeological and ethnohistorical information available to reinterpret the construction history and ideological content of the pyramid throughout its long existence.
Dyspnea affective response: comparing COPD patients with healthy volunteers and laboratory model with activities of daily living

Laboratory-induced dyspnea (breathing discomfort) in healthy subjects is widely used to study perceptual mechanisms, yet the relationship between laboratory-induced dyspnea in healthy volunteers and spontaneous dyspnea in patients with chronic lung disease is not well established. We compared affective responses to dyspnea 1) in COPD patients vs. healthy volunteers (HV) undergoing the same laboratory stimulus; 2) in COPD during laboratory dyspnea vs. during activities of daily living (ADL). We induced moderate and high dyspnea levels in 13 COPD patients and 12 HV by increasing end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) during restricted ventilation, evoking air hunger. We used the multidimensional dyspnea profile (MDP) to measure intensity of sensory qualities (e.g., air hunger (AH) and work/effort (W/E)) as well as immediate discomfort (A1) and secondary emotions (A2). Ten of the COPD subjects also completed the MDP outside the laboratory following dyspnea evoked by ADL. COPD patients and HV reported similar levels of immediate discomfort relative to sensory intensity. COPD patients and HV reported anxiety and frustration during laboratory-induced dyspnea; variation among individuals far outweighed the small differences between subject groups. COPD patients reported similar intensities of sensory qualities, discomfort, and emotions during ADL vs. during moderate laboratory dyspnea. Patients with COPD described limiting ADL to avoid greater dyspnea. In this pilot study, we found no evidence that a history of COPD alters the affective response to laboratory-induced dyspnea, and no difference in affective response between dyspnea evoked by this laboratory model and dyspnea evoked by ADL.
How Confident Are You to Win Your Fantasy League: Exploring the Antecedents and Consequences of Winning Expectancy

The purpose of this study is to propose a conceptual model for investigating the antecedents and consequences of winning expectancy in the fantasy sport consumption context. Employing the illusion of control theory as a conceptual framework, the study hypothesized that perceived football knowledge, perceived ease of use the service Website, and enjoyment as predictors of winning expectancy and time and money involvement as consequences. The proposed model is tested using a convenience sample (N = 244) of college students and the SEM results supported all hypotheses. Further, the proposed model was more parsimonious and performed better than the competing model.
Hrd1p/Der3p is a membrane- anchored ubiquitin ligase required for ER-associated degradation

In eukaryotes, endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) functions in cellular quality control and regulation of normal ER-resident proteins. ERAD proceeds by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, in which the covalent attachment of ubiquitin to proteins targets them for proteasomal degradation. Ubiquitin-protein ligases (E3s) play a crucial role in this process by recognizing target proteins and initiating their ubiquitination. Here we show that Hrd1p, which is identical to Der3p, is an E3 for ERAD. Hrd1p is required for the degradation and ubiquitination of several ERAD substrates and physically associates with relevant ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s). A soluble Hrd1 fusion protein shows E3 activity in vitro - catalysing the ubiquitination of itself and test proteins. In this capacity, Hrd1p has an apparent preference for misfolded proteins. We also show that Hrd1p functions as an E3 in vivo, using only Ubc7p or Ubc1p to specifically program the ubiquitination of ERAD substrates.
Homology Between an Alloantigen and a Self MHC Allele Calibrates the Avidity of the Alloreactive T Cell Repertoire Independent of TCR Affinity

The self-restricted T cell repertoire exhibits a high frequency of alloreactivity. Because these alloreactive T cells are derived from the pool of cells selected on several different self MHC alleles, it is unknown how development of the alloantigenic repertoire is influenced by homology between a self MHC allele and an alloantigen. To address this, we used the 2C transgenic TCR that is selected by K(b), is alloreactive for L(d), and cross-reacts with L(q). L(q) is highly homologous to L(d) and binds several of the same peptide ligands, including p2Ca, the peptide recognized by 2C. We find that L(d)/p2Ca is a high avidity agonist ligand, whereas L(q)/p2Ca is a low avidity agonist ligand for 2C T cells. When mice transgenic for the 2C TCR are bred to L(q)-expressing mice, 2C(+) T cells develop; however, they express lower levels of either the 2C TCR or CD8 and require a higher L(d)/p2Ca ligand density to be activated than 2C(+) T cells selected by K(b). Furthermore, the 2C T cells selected in the presence of L(q) fail to detect L(q)/p2Ca complexes even at high ligand density. Thus, despite possessing the identical TCR, there is a functional avidity difference between 2C(+) T cells selected in the presence of L(q) vs K(b). These data provide evidence that homology between the selecting ligand and an alloantigen can influence the avidity of the T cell repertoire for the alloantigen, and suggest that thymic selection can fine tune T cell avidity independent of intrinsic TCR affinity.
Mining estrogen microarray data: an approach using contrast data analysis

Estrogen is a steroid hormone, secreted by ovarian antral follicles, which regulates divergent functions of ovarian granulosa cells ranging from differentiation, apoptosis and proliferation. Cellular signals of estrogen are transduced by its cohort receptors. Estrogen receptors belong to nuclear receptor superfamily and comprise two subtypes, namely, estrogen receptor alpha (ER-a) and estrogen receptor beta (ER-s).
The psmα Locus Regulates Production of Staphylococcus aureus Alpha-Toxin during Infection

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of human bacterial infection, causing a wide spectrum of disease ranging from skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening pneumonia and sepsis. S. aureus toxins play an essential role in disease pathogenesis, contributing to both immunomodulation and host tissue injury. Prominent among these toxins are the membrane-active pore-forming cytolysin alpha-toxin (Hla) and the amphipathic α-helical phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) peptides. As deletion of either the hla or psm locus leads to a phenotypically similar virulence defect in skin and soft tissue infection, we sought to determine the relative contribution of each locus to disease pathogenesis. Here we show that production of Hla can be modulated by PSM expression. An S. aureus mutant lacking PSM expression exhibits a transcriptional delay in hla mRNA production and therefore fails to secrete normal levels of Hla at early phases of growth. This leads to attenuation of virulence in vitro and in murine skin and lung models of infection, correlating with reduced recovery of Hla from host tissues. Production of Hla and restoration of staphylococcal virulence can be achieved in the psm mutant by plasmid-driven overexpression of hla. Our study suggests the coordinated action of Hla and PSMs in host tissue during early pathogenesis, confirming a major role for Hla in epithelial injury during S. aureus infection. These findings highlight the possibility that therapeutics targeting PSM production may simultaneously prevent Hla-mediated tissue injury.
Photorefractoriness in turkey breeder hens is affected by age and season

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine if the incidence or temporal characteristics of photorefractoriness (PR) in turkey hens were influenced by age or season. Age effects on PR were determined by comparing characteristics of PR in the same hens through two consecutive lay periods. Seasonal influences on PR were evaluated by comparing characteristics of PR in hens photostimulated into lay at different seasons of the year. The onset of PR was evaluated by the spontaneous cessation of lay. Data were collected from daily egg production records for time to onset of PR, time to spontaneous termination of PR, and time required for the transition from photosensitive to the PR state. Percentage incidence, repeatability between consecutive cycles, and persistence (duration) of PR were calculated. Age did not influence the mean time to onset of PR following photostimulation but did affect percentage incidence. All second-year hens (recycled) expressed PR, whereas 89% of the first-year hens did so. Time to onset of PR was not correlated between first- and second-year (recycled) hens. Most, but not all, first-year (84.4%) and recycled (92%) hens were transiently PR and spontaneously terminated PR after 20 to 21 wk of unchanged photoperiod. Hens photostimulated in the winter (December) had delayed mean time to onset of PR from that observed with hens photostimulated in spring (May) by about 7.7 wk. Percentage incidence of PR and duration of PR were similar in both seasons of the year. It was concluded that age and season could affect PR.
Stability Analysis of Planetary Satellite Orbiters: Application to the Europa Orbiter

Thestability oforbit dynamicsaround a planetary satelliteisstudied using analyticaland numerical techniques. The Europa orbiter mission is used to motivate our analysis and to provide specie c numerical data for verie cation of our analytical results. After verie cation, the results are applied to a large number of planetary satellites in the solar system. The motivation is that numerically integrated, low-altitude spacecraft orbits about Europa often impacton thatmoon’ ssurfaceafterashortperiod ofafewdaystoweeks.Numericalintegrationsindicatethatthese impact orbits only occurfor inclinations within » 45 deg of a polarorbit. An analytical study of this problem using averaging theory, which resultsin an approximate, closed-form solution fortheorbiterdynamics, is described. The solution includes the effect of theplanetgravity and theplanetary satellite oblateness, with theassumption that the eccentricity of the nominal orbit is small. This solution is used to compute limits for impacting and nonimpacting orbits at Europa and provides good agreement with numerical computations of these limits performed with highprecision numerical integrations of the motion. The analytical result predicts a set of initial conditions that can postpone impact with the planetary surface for considerable lengths of time.
Optical Spectra of Protected Diamine 10-Bond-Bridged Intervalence Radical Cations Related to N,N,N‘N‘-Tetraalkylbenzidine

The optical absorption spectra of the delocalized intervalence radical cations of seven o,o‘-linked benzidine derivatives that have the nitrogens protected as 9-(9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one) derivatives are discussed and compared with that of the p-phenylene radical cation. The linking units are CH2, CH2CH2, NMe, S, SO2, and CO, and we also studied H,H (the unlinked benzidine). The lowest-energy absorption band is assigned as the transition from the antibonding combination of symmetrical N and aromatic orbitals to the antibonding combination of the antisymmetric N and aromatic orbitals using TD-DFT calculations, and a good correlation between the observed transition energies and those calculated using the simple Koopmans theorem-based “neutral in-cation geometry” calculations on the UB3LYP/6-31G* structures is found. The use of the two-state model that equates the electronic interaction through the bridge between the amino groups with half of the lowest transition energy is seriously incorrect for the...
Change Detection in Dynamic Scenes using Local Adaptive Transform.

In this paper, we propose a framework that can be used for detecting relevant changes in highly dynamic scenes, where the background has several changing elements. To establish a clear distinction between what is relevant and what is not is a very challenging task. Therefore, we first categorize the changes into two main classes called ordinary changes and relevant changes. Detected changes are considered as irrelevant if they are recurrent elements and changes pertaining on the dynamic background of the scene. The proposed framework makes use of a set of orthogonal linear transforms to capture spatiotemporal signatures of local ordinary change patterns and subsequently employ them in the detection of relevant changes. The use of this framework is demonstrated in a variety of videos with highly dynamic backgrounds including lakes, pools, and roads. Compared to existing methods reported on the same test videos, the proposed framework detects the relevant changes more accurately.