cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hijab and the Abrahamic Traditions: A Comparative Analysis of the Muslim Veil

Modesty is a common theme in the Abrahamic traditions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Although modesty norms are largely based in religious scripture, the form in which they play out is largely shaped by cultural norms and social factors. This essay explores how Muslim women in North America negotiate modesty norms by exploring cross-cultural research on veiling, highlighting the differences and similarities these women share with their Christian and Jewish counterparts. Research suggests that Muslim women’s modesty norms are contingent on culture, socioeconomic status, geopolitical factors, race and religiosity.
Corticotropin-releasing factor release from the mediobasal hypothalamus of the rat as measured by microdialysis

Procedures were developed to permit the measurement of corticotropin-releasing factor in perfusate collected from microdialysis probes implanted in various brain areas of anesthetized and awake rats. Initially in vitro experiments were carried out to optimize the recovery of corticotropin-releasing factor and the radioimmunoassay conditions. Addition of a specific antiserum against corticotropin-releasing factor to the perfusion medium (artificial cerebrospinal fluid) increased the relative in vitro recovery over a range of different flow rates (1-10 microliters/min) using commercially available microdialysis probes with a membrane cutoff of 20,000 mol. wt. This procedure increased recovery from 3% to 6% at flow rate of 2.5 microliters/min, and from 4% to 8% at a flow rate of 5 microliters/min. In vivo experiments were performed with a flow rate of 3.3 microliters/min and 50-microliters fractions were used for radioimmunoassay. In each experiment, the standard curve of the radioimmunoassay was constructed from aliquots of the same medium used to perfuse the probe. Basal levels of corticotropin-releasing factor in dialysate collected from the mediobasal hypothalamus of anesthetized rats were estimated to be 0.75 +/- 0.07 fmol/50 microliters. Raising the concentration of potassium (60 mM) in the perfusate increased corticotropin-releasing factor levels to 2.04 +/- 0.37 fmol/50 microliters. Hypertonic stress induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1.5M NaCl (20 ml/kg) elevated the levels to 1.32 +/- 0.07 fmol/50 microliters. A marked increase of corticotropin-releasing factor levels was also produced by a 10-min pulse of the potassium-channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (10 mM) included in the perfusate. A second stimulation pulse with 4-aminopyridine, administered 2 h after the first pulse again increased the levels, with a mean ratio between the first and second pulse of 0.97. Corticotropin-releasing factor efflux produced by the second stimulation pulse was completely inhibited by perfusion with calcium-free medium containing calcium-chelating agent ethyleneglycol tetraacetic acid (10 mM). In separate experiments, microdialysis probes were implanted in several brain areas of anesthetized rats. Basal and potassium-evoked levels of corticotropin-releasing factor were measured in dialysate collected from the amygdala (1.20 +/- 0.22 and 2.05 +/- 0.48 fmol/50 microliters, respectively) and frontal cortex (0.51 +/- 0.10 and 1.64 +/- 0.15 fmol/50 microliters, respectively). Corticotropin-releasing factor levels in the dorsal part of the third ventricle and in the striatum were below the detection limits. In awake rats, corticotropin-releasing factor levels in the mediobasal hypothalamus were 0.98 +/- 0.03 fmol/50 microliters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Inducers of cytochrome P-450d: Influence on microsomal catalytic activities and differential regulation by enzyme stabilization

The interaction of isosafrole, 3,4,5,3',4',5'-hexabromobiphenyl (HBB) and hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB) with cytochrome P-450d was evaluated by characterization of estradiol 2-hydroxylase activity. Displacement of the isosafrole metabolite from microsomal cytochrome P-450d derived from isosafrole-treated rats resulted in a 160% increase in estradiol 2-hydroxylase. The increase was fully reversed by incubation with 1 microM HBB. Although isosafrole is capable of forming a complex with many different cytochrome P-450 isozymes, it appears to bind largely to cytochrome P-450d in vivo as was demonstrated by measuring the enzymatic activity of microsomal cytochromes P-450b, P-450c, and P-450d from isosafrole-treated rats. When estradiol 2-hydroxylase was measured in rats treated with increasing doses of HCB, there was a gradual decrease in microsomal enzyme activity despite a 20-fold increase in cytochrome P-450d. The ability of cytochrome P-450d ligands to stabilize the enzyme was investigated in two ways. First, cytochromes P-450c and P-450d were quantitated immunochemically in microsomes from rats treated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), at a dose which maximally induced total cytochrome P-450, followed by a single dose of a second inducer. The specific content of cytochrome P-450d was significantly increased when isosafrole or HCB was the second inducer but not when 3-methylcholanthrene was the second inducer. Second, the relative turnover of cytochrome P-450d was measured by the dual label technique. Following TCDD treatment, microsomal protein was labeled in vivo with [3H]leucine, the second inducer was given and protein was again labeled 3 days later with [14C]leucine. A higher ratio of 3H/14C in the cytochrome P-450d from isosafrole + TCDD- and HCB + TCDD-treated rats relative to TCDD (control)-treated rats suggested that isosafrole and HCB were able to retard the degradation of cytochrome P-450d, presumably by virtue of being tightly bound to the enzyme.
Further investigations of sampling errors in mean terrain height estimation

Abstract The modelling of terrain height by multivariate distributions in Gaussian, Exponential and Bessel forms is investigated. The purpose of the modelling is to improve estimation on the electromagnetic wave scattering from rough terrain. The parameters of these distribution models are estimated by using sampled and quantized terrain height data. Of concern here are the effects of sampling and quantization on the estimation error. The paper is limited to the estimation of mean terrain height only and the statistics of sampling error are determined with the help of elliptical distribution properties. Also, the effects of different correlation and sampling frequency are discussed. The effect of quantization will be analysed in a subsequent paper.
Altered Thermodynamics from Remote Mutations Altering Human toward Bovine Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase

Human (HsPNP) and bovine (BtPNP) purine nucleoside phosphorylases are homotrimers with the catalytic sites located near the subunit−subunit interfaces. Despite the high amino acid sequence similarity (87% identical) and the fully conserved catalytic site contacts between BtPNP and HsPNP, crystal structures reveal that the subunits interact differently and isotope effect studies indicate distinct transition-state structures. The subunit interfaces and crystallographic packing properties of BtPNP differ from HsPNP. Hypothetically, mutating HsPNP toward BtPNP might alter the dynamic, catalytic and subunit packing properties of HsPNP to become more similar to BtPNP. Amino acids Lys22 and His104 in HsPNP were target candidates based on crystal packing contacts and were replaced with their BtPNP counterparts to give Lys22Glu:His104Arg (E:R-PNP). The kinetic properties (steady and pre-steady state), inhibition constants, and thermodynamic properties of E:R-PNP were compared to HsPNP and BtPNP. The E:R-PNP is sim...
Difficulties for field theoretical inflation in string models

Abstract We consider the possibilities for De Sitter solutions of the gravitational equations of motion in string theory. When the potential for the dilaton field is taken to be zero, no such solution exists. At the tree level when dilaton self-interactions are included we find an approximate De Sitter solution in the limit α ′ R ⪡1 (exact when α ′ = 0). We also solve for exact solutions of the equations of motion leading to linear expansion and comment on conditions necessary to yield a background vacuum energy density.
First-principles study of ordering properties of substitutional alloys using the generalized perturbation method.

Ab initio calculations of effective cluster interactions which make up the ordering energy of a substitutional alloy are reported. Tendencies toward ordering or phase separation and more generally phase stability in PdV and PdRh substitutional alloys are discussed. The study is based on an extension of the generalized perturbation method to systems describable by muffin-tin Hamiltonians in the framework of the multiple-scattering formalism in conjunction with the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker coherent potential approximation. Future applications of the method are discussed.
Novel [2 + 2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition of enediynes catalyzed by rhodium complexes.

The first Rh-catalyzed intramolecular [2 + 2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction of enediynes and CO is reported. This novel higher order cycloaddition process gives the corresponding 5-7-5 ring systems in high yield and selectivity. This process is another significant addition to the arsenal of cycloaddition-based synthetic methods, which provide powerful tools for rapid and efficient construction of complex polycyclic systems.
THE CATECHOLAMINE HYPOTHESIS OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS: A REVIEW OF SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

The "catecholamine hypothesis of affective disorders" proposes that some, if not all, depressions are associated with an absolute or relative decrease in catecholamines, particularly norepinephrine, available at central adrenergic receptor sites. Elation, conversely, may be associated with an excess of such amines. Evidence supporting this hypothesis was reviewed. Data from pharmacological studies, mainly in animals, suggest that the actions of both major classes of antidepressant drugs are mediated through the catecholamines. The monoamine oxidase inhibitors increase brain concentrations of norepinephrine while imipramine-like agents potentiate the physiological effects of norepinephrine. Reserpine, a drug which can cause clinical depression, depletes catecholamines, but other amines may also be involved in its mechanism of action. A rigorous extrapolation from pharmacological studies to pathophysiology clearly cannot be made. Clinical studies relevant to the catecholamime hypothesis are limited and the ...
An Application of Porter's Strategic Management Framework to Fast Food Retailing Performance

This study critically examines the link between strategy and performance of several major companies in foodservice retailing. Porter's framework for gaining sustainable competitive advantage is applied to assess the firms' strategic behavior. Our findings indicate that success in this industry typically hinges on five strategic factors: concept, personnel, adaptation, growth, and location.
Update on antiplatelet agents, including MATCH, CHARISMA, and ESPRIT

Despite recent advances in the acute treatment of stroke, prevention and risk factor modification remain the mainstays of management for patients with ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack. The majority of noncardioembolic ischemic strokes are atherothrombotic, presumed to be associated with the activation and aggregation of platelets. Antiplatelet medications have been shown to be effective in the secondary prevention of stroke of presumed arterial origin, both as monotherapy and in combination. Among combination of antiplatelet agents, aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole has demonstrated statistically significant additive benefit over monotherapy with each agent. Clopidogrel plus aspirin does not prevent recurrent ischemic stroke over each component individually, and the combination increases the risk of hemorrhagic side effects. This article reviews the most recent studies on antiplatelet medications, including the combination of aspirin and clopidogrel or extended-release dipyridamole, and discusses some of the controversies that still exist with the use of antiplatelet agents.
Nutrients in the Southern Ocean GLOBEC region: variations, water circulation, and cycling

Abstract As part of the US Southern Ocean Global Ecosystem Dynamics (SO GLOBEC) study on the West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) continental shelf, four surveys were conducted along a grid of close-spaced stations lying within an area composed of Marguerite Bay (MB) and the adjacent continental margin. The surveys occurred in the autumn and winter of both 2001 and 2002. A detailed repetitive plan of the SO GLOBEC surveys permitted the delineation of the important features of nutrient processes. Horizontal intrusions of Upper Circumpolar Deep Water onto the WAP continental shelf do not appear to produce fluxes of nitrate and phosphate onto the shelf but appear to lead to a dilution of the silica inventory on the shelf. High silica concentrations (>115 μM) observed in the near-bottom waters on the shelf were most likely generated locally through dissolution of opal in sediments. Nutrient deficits and net community production (NCP) were calculated by the integration of decreases in nutrient concentrations in the mixed-layer below corresponding values in the underlying remnant Winter Water layer. Waters in MB and other coastal areas were strongly depleted in nutrients—deficits of total inorganic nitrogen (TIN=NO3−+NO2−+NH4+) and silica were >0.6 mol m−2 and >2.5 mol m−2, respectively—and enriched in ammonium stocks (>0.25 mol m−2) relative to other parts of the grid, especially in the autumn of 2001. Autumn NCP values calculated from TIN deficits in MB equaled or exceeded autumnal NCP values from the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study Ross Sea study in 1997. Observed ΔN/ΔP and ΔSi/ΔN removal ratios were 12.4±1.6 and 3.9±1.2, respectively, in 2001; and 11.1±1.3 and 4.1±1.1, respectively, in 2002. These results strongly suggest the dominance of diatoms in the study region. Co-location of maxima in ammonium stocks with the areas of the highest TIN and silica deficits indicated a spatial coupling between primary and heterotrophic production in both years. This co-location highlights the finding that temporal trends in ammonium were usually the opposite of trends in the other nutrients.
N-(6,7-Dichloro-2,3-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalin-5-yl)-N-alkylsulfonamides as peripherally restricted N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists for the treatment of pain

It has been hypothesized that peripherally restricted NMDA receptor antagonists may be effective analgesics for osteoarthritis pain. A class of novel quinoxalinedione atropisomers, first discovered for an NMDA receptor antagonist program for the treatment of stroke, was evaluated and further optimized with the goal of finding peripherally restricted NMDA receptor antagonists.
Placental miRNA expression profiles are associated with measures of infant neurobehavioral outcomes

Placental miRNA expression profiles are associated with measures of infant neurobehavioral outcomes
TB vaccines: the paradigms they are a-shifting

Traditional roadblocks to effective TB control (e.g., lack of attention to the disease, lack of resources, antiquated diagnostic tests, lack of patient compliance with therapy and a huge reservoir ...
Chiral hydroxymethyl groups: 1H NMR assignments of the prochiral C-5′ protons of 2′-deoxyribonucleosides

2′-Deoxyadenosine, 2′-deoxycytidine, 2′-deoxyguanosine and 2′-deoxyuridine were prepared with stereoselective deuteriation at C-5′ and used to assign the prochiral C-5′ protons in 300 MHz 1H NMR spectra obtained in 2H2O. In all cases, the more shielded C-5′ proton was found to be the pro-R proton. From these assignments, C-4′–C-5′ rotamer populations were determined using three previously published methods based on the spin couplings, 3J(H-4′,H-5′R) and 3J(H-4′,H-5′S), and the errors associated with these methods were assessed. The effects of base structure, furanose and N-glycoside bond conformation on the relative populations of hydroxymethyl rotamers in nucleosides are discussed.
Metal-insulator-Si (MIS) structure for advanced DRAM cell capacitor

The conventional DRAM cell capacitor with silicon-insulator-silicon (SIS) structure limits the scaling of capacitor cell size because the depletion layer of the polycrystalline-Si electrode becomes more severe as the cell dielectrics (ONO) thickness reaches the sub-50 /spl Aring/ region. This paper demonstrates that capacitance can be significantly increased by using a metal-insulator-Si (MIS) structure where the top electrode is metal TiN and the bottom electrode is semi-hemisphere Si grain (HSG). Capacitance can be further enhanced with PH/sub 3//NH/sub 3/ anneal to the HSG. The effects of post high-temperature anneal on the stability of the MIS structure are also discussed.
Patients with thrombocytopenia: outcome of radiologic placement of central venous access devices.

PURPOSE: To determine prospectively the outcome of radiologic placement of central venous access devices in patients with thrombocytopenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 105 patients, 87 catheters, 10 arm port systems, and eight chest port systems were placed radiologically. Devices and patients were separated into group A (n = 37; platelet count 100,000 x 10(6)/L [100 x 10(9)/L]). Patients in group A received platelet transfusions during implantation. Patients were followed up for up to 8 weeks (mean, 41.2 days). Success and complication rates (immediate and delayed) were determined for each group. RESULTS: There were no bleeding complications that necessitated intervention in patients with thrombocytopenia (groups A and B). There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates per "catheter days" among the three groups (4.2 per 1,000 cathet...
Midterm outcomes of femoral arteries after percutaneous endovascular aortic repair using the Preclose technique.

Objective Percutaneous access during endovascular aortic repair has been shown to be feasible and safe using a suture-mediated closure device ("Preclose" technique) for closure of up to 24F introducer sheaths. The purpose of this study is to examine the late outcomes of those femoral arteries repaired in this manner. Methods The Preclose technique has been previously described. Briefly, the technique involves two Perclose Proglide devices deployed in the femoral artery prior to insertion of the large diameter introducer sheath and then closure of the arteriotomy by tying down knots of the Proglide following removal of the sheath. The medical records of all patients who underwent endovascular aortic repairs using the Preclose technique between December 2004 and August 2007 were reviewed. Follow-up protocol consisted of computed tomography (CT) angiograms performed at 1, 6, and 12 months, and annually thereafter. All Preclose patients who had at least a 6-month postoperative scan were included in the study. For each patient, the most recent postoperative scan was compared with the preoperative scan for evidence of any new anatomic abnormalities of the femoral artery such as dissection, stenosis, or pseudoaneurysm. Three-dimensional post processing with multiplanar reconstructions was also performed as necessary to confirm axial scan findings. Results A total of 292 patients underwent percutaneous endovascular aortic repairs (TEVAR-125, EVAR-167). Four hundred thirty-two femoral arteries were closed with 870 devices. Four hundred eighteen vessels were approximated with two devices, while 30 arteries required three devices for hemostasis and an additional four vessels only required a single device. Two hundred seventy-eight (64.3%) vessels were accessed with sheaths 18 to 24F. Four hundred eight femoral arteries (94.4%) were closed successfully with the Preclose technique. There were 100 patients (TEVAR-35, EVAR-65) who had adequate postoperative CT scan at 6-months or later. The mean follow up was 11.6 ± 5.0 months. Of the 156 femoral arteries in these 100 patients repaired using the Preclose technique, there were 3 late complications in 3 patients, 1 asymptomatic femoral artery dissection, and 2 femoral artery pseudoaneurysms requiring surgical repair, resulting in a late complication rate of 1.92% (3/156). Conclusion Percutaneous closure of femoral arteries after large diameter introducer sheaths using the Preclose technique has a low incidence of early and late complications related to the closure site.
Induction of Cell Death in Murine Fibroblasts by a c-myc Promoter Binding Protein'

The c-myc promoter binding protein (MBP-1) was identified previously from a human cervical carcinoma cell (HeLa) cDNA expression library (R. Ray and D. M. Miller, Mol. Cell. Biol., 11: 2154-2161, 1991). This study demonstrated that MBP-1 binds to the mouse c-myc P2 TATA box sequences and exerts a negative regulatory role on c-myc transcription. The role of MBP-1 on cell growth was initially examined by transfection of fibroblast cells with MBP-1 cDNA and resulted in rapid cell death. Subsequently, MBP-1 cDNA bearing an inducible promoter was introduced in murine fibroblast cells (NIH3T3) to control the expression of the exogenous MBP-1. Upon induction of exogenous MBP-1 expression, stable transfectants showed reduced c-myc expression, cell death, and DNA fragmentation. To further analyze whether c-myc inhibition mediates or complements the effect of MBP-1, the exogenous MBP-1 when introduced into NIH3T3 cells expressing deregulated human c-myc gene, cell death was interrupted. This study suggested that exogenous expression of MBP-1 induces cell death in fibroblasts by blocking cell proliferation.
An implementation of reliable broadcast using an unreliable multicast facility

The authors consider the problem of reliable broadcast in a point-to-point asynchronous network. Such a network consists of host computers and a communication subnetwork. The latter, in turn, is a collection of switches (special-purpose computers that have the ability to store and forward messages), interconnected by point-to-point bidirectional communication links. The subnetwork is unreliable, i.e. a message is never guaranteed to be delivered in a finite interval of time. Broadcast is to be implemented among the hosts of the network. The basic mode of operation for the proposed broadcast mechanism is the posting by the source of multiply addressed data messages to be delivered to all participating hosts, combined with a distributed redelivery algorithm that ensures that those messages that were lost in transit do eventually arrive at all intended destinations. At the heart of the algorithm is a set of structures called priority lists. The use of the priority lists to encode topological information and the performance of the algorithm are discussed. >
Helminths of the Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in Bayou Traverse, Louisiana, U.S.A

Helminth parasites of mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were surveyed in Bayou Traverse, a waterway in the LaBranche wetlands of southeastern Louisiana, U.S.A. In total, 1,255 parasites belonging to 8 species were collected and identified, including Ascocotyle ampullacea, Ascocotyle mcintoshi, Ascocotyle tenuicollis, Phagicola diminuta, Phagicola sp., Echinochasmus swartzi, Posthodiplostomum minimum, and Glossocercus sp. Adult parasites were obtained by infecting mice (Mus musculus), ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), and chicks (Gallus domesticus) with metacercariae from G. affinis. Bayou Traverse is characterized by snails and fish typical of brackish water habitats and is home to a rich piscivorous bird and mammal fauna. The parasites found in this study are consistent with helminths that parasitize birds and mammals as adults. This study is a survey of the trematodes and cestodes from an estuarine habitat.
Detect Information-Hiding Type and Length in JPEG Images by Using Neuro-fuzzy Inference Systems

In this paper, we present a scheme of steganalysis of JPEG images with the use of polynomial fitting and computational intelligence techniques. Based on the Generalized Gaussian Distribution (GGD) model in the quantized DCT coefficients, the errors between the logarithmic domain of the histogram of the DCT coefficients and the polynomial fitting are extracted as features to detect the adulterated JPEG images and the untouched ones. Computational intelligence techniques such as Support Vector Machines (SVM), neuro-fuzzy inference system, etc. are utilized. Results show that, the designed method is successful in detecting the information-hiding types and the information-hiding length in the multi-class JPEG images.
A multi-wavelength thermal infrared and reflectance scene simulation model

Several theoretical calculations are presented and our approach discussed for simulating overall composite scene thermal infrared exitance and canopy bi-directional reflectance of a forest canopy. Calculations are performed for selected wavelength bands of the DOE Multispectral Thermal Imagery and comparisons with atmospherically corrected MTI imagery are underway. NASA EO-1 Hyperion observations also are available and the favorable comparison of our reflective model results with these data are reported elsewhere.
Environmental Regulation in New Jersey: Innovations and Limitations

New Jersey demonstrates the growing capacity of American states to devise sophisticated regulatory systems in response to environmental problems. The state has erected a complex regulatory structure over the past decade that has served as a model for other states and the federal government. It has proven particularly innovative in addressing toxic substance and hazardous waste problems and in forging cooperation among departments. At the same time, New Jersey serves as a reminder of the inherent limitations of environmental regulation by one state in a federal system. Despite its regulatory rigor, New Jersey continues to encounter problems in interstate regulatory coordination, depends heavily on the federal government for funding to implement ambitious programs, and relies increasingly on export of pollutants and wastes rather than managing them within state boundaries.
Maintaining food value of wild rice (Zizania palustris L.) using comparative genomics

Wild rice (Zizania palustris) is a naturally-occurring, aquatic plant species that is important to wildlife, aquatic biological systems and humans. Populations of Z. palustris across the geographic range continue to decline in their natural habitat. In some cases, natural populations are being lost. Sometimes referred to as American wild rice, it is genetically similar to Oryza sativa, or cultivated Asian rice. This similarity coupled with modern advances in rice genomics have allowed for comparative genetics and genomics studies between Z. palustris and O. sativa and genetic diversity studies, which have been useful for characterizing the available natural genetic resources. The ongoing wild rice breeding program has been successful in supporting and expanding the cultivated wild rice industry. The incorporation of modern molecular genetics approaches to selection have improved the ability to breed for cultivated wild rice varieties that are more resistant to seed shattering, which has contributed to increased grain production.
Retrieving Target Gestures Toward Speech Driven Animation with Meaningful Behaviors

Creating believable behaviors for conversational agents (CAs) is a challenging task, given the complex relationship between speech and various nonverbal behaviors. The two main approaches are rule-based systems, which tend to produce behaviors with limited variations compared to natural interactions, and data-driven systems, which tend to ignore the underlying semantic meaning of the message (e.g., gestures without meaning). We envision a hybrid system, acting as the behavior realization layer in rule-based systems, while exploiting the rich variation in natural interactions. Constrained on a given target gesture (e.g., head nod) and speech signal, the system will generate novel realizations learned from the data, capturing the timely relationship between speech and gestures. An important task in this research is identifying multiple examples of the target gestures in the corpus. This paper proposes a data mining framework for detecting gestures of interest in a motion capture database. First, we train One-class support vector machines (SVMs) to detect candidate segments conveying the target gesture. Second, we use dynamic time alignment kernel (DTAK) to compare the similarity between the examples (i.e., target gesture) and the given segments. We evaluate the approach for five prototypical hand and head gestures showing reasonable performance. These retrieved gestures are then used to train a speech-driven framework based on dynamic Bayesian networks (DBNs) to synthesize these target behaviors.
Time-Dependent Implementation of Argonne’s Model for Universal Solvent Extraction

Argonne’s Model for Universal Solvent Extraction (AMUSE) simulates multistage counter-current solvent extraction processes for species of interest to spent nuclear fuel reprocessing; it is a model of a liquid–liquid extraction unit operation. This work extends the model from its original steady-state implementation to include a time-dependent description of all species of interest. Major components of this extension include a differential mass transfer term, a description of interstage flow rates, and a reaction network for plutonium reduction. The mass transfer term has been formulated using a lumped efficiency term in place of a mass transfer coefficient; the plutonium reduction reactions have been formulated to ensure consistency at all operating conditions. Several nonequilibrium behaviors during simulations have been identified, which allows for improved safety monitoring during process start up and disturbance response.
Elution of an esterase from antigen-antibody aggregates treated with human complement.

SummaryAn eluate (AE) prepared from antigen-antibody aggregates previously treated with fresh human serum contains esterase and anti-complementary activities. A corresponding eluate (UE) prepared from aggregates treated with serum heated at 56° for 30 min. does not contain these activities. The anti-complementary activity of AE is directed primarily against C'4; the esterase activity is demonstrable using TAMe and AcTyEe as substrates. Antigen-antibody aggregates adsorb C'1 or a factor closely resembling it, which upon elution appears to be identical to a previously described esterase derived from partially purified C'1. These results indicate that C'1 exists in serum as a proenzyme which is converted to an active esterase by antigen-antibody aggregates.
Partial copula methods for models with multiple discrete endogenous explanatory variables and sample selection

We present a flexible parametric approach for models with multiple discrete endogenous explanatory variables (EEV) with finite support. The joint distributions of each EEV and structural error are modeled by using copulae and their marginal distributions, but the ones among the EEV’s are left unspecified. Our partial copula approach can be applied in any models with discrete EEV’s. It can be also used for correcting selection bias and finding average treatment effects.
Online Detection Methodology of Decomposition Product SO_2 in SF_6 Electrical Equipment Based on Ultraviolet Spectroscopy

Present chemical detection methods by which it takes a long time and is hard to detect discharge failures in SF6-insulated electrical equipment are outdated. Thus, we proposed to identify the presence of SO2 in gas insulated switchgear(GIS) by using ultraviolet spectroscopy(UV) so as to realize online monitoring discharges in SF6 electrical equipment. Moreover, we used the fast Fourier transform(FFT), autocorrelation analysis, and power spectral density(PSD) to process the data of two feature spectroscopy areas, 209~219 nm and 295~305 nm, and chose five characteristic values, namely, the number of correlation peaks, the expectation and standard deviation of the distance between adjacent peaks, the peak frequency components of FFT and PSD, to determine whether SO2 exists based on the voting principle. Through a designed experiment using standard SO2 gas, we defined the thresholds of the characteristic values, and proved that the minimum detectable value was below 10-6. Meanwhile, we tested an operating current transformer with suspect discharge failure in field. The results prove that the method is valid for detecting SO2 trace, and confirm that the suspect discharge failure is in accordance with the result obtained by a comprehensive SF6 test instrument.
EXTENDED NEUROMONITORING : NEW THERAPEUTIC OPPORTUNITIES?

AbstractIn order to optimize therapy for the injured brain it is desirable to continuously monitor substrate delivery in the critically ill patient. Interruption of substrate delivery is a major factor of the great vulnerability to ischemic damage, which affects a majority of patients after severe head injury, stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage. An approach to protecting the brain during ischemia is to increase the delivery of oxygen via residual blood flow through ischemic tissue. Hypothermia is also an important means of protecting brain cells from the deleterious effects of ischemia, after severe head injury, because it reduces metabolic demands. In this study we continuously measured brain oxygen, brain CO2, brain pH and brain temperature, as well as hourly brain glucose and lactate. A multiparameter sensor was inserted into brain tissue, via a three lumen bolt, along with a ventriculostomy catheter and a microdialysis probe in 60 severely head injured patients. Brain oxygen delivery was increased by s...
The mechanisms of destruction of antibody-altered cells.

The mechanisms by which erythrocytes are destroyed are exceedingly complex and involve both the humoral and cellular immune systems. In most cases, the signal for cell destruction is mediated by antibody. Although complement is a useful adjuvant to immune destruction, it now appears that, by itself, it is a relatively poor effector of immune destruction.
The effect of simulated narratives that leverage EMR data on shared decision-making: a pilot study

Shared decision-making can improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. To participate in shared decision-making, patients need information about the potential risks and benefits of treatment options. Our team has developed a novel prototype tool for shared decision-making called hearts like mine (HLM) that leverages EHR data to provide personalized information to patients regarding potential outcomes of different treatments. These potential outcomes are presented through an Icon array and/or simulated narratives for each “person” in the display. In this pilot project we sought to determine whether the inclusion of simulated narratives in the display affects individuals’ decision-making. Thirty subjects participated in this block-randomized study in which they used a version of HLM with simulated narratives and a version without (or in the opposite order) to make a hypothetical therapeutic decision. After each decision, participants completed a questionnaire that measured decisional confidence. We used Chi square tests to compare decisions across conditions and Mann–Whitney U tests to examine the effects of narratives on decisional confidence. Finally, we calculated the mean of subjects’ post-experiment rating of whether narratives were helpful in their decision-making. In this study, there was no effect of simulated narratives on treatment decisions (decision 1: Chi squared = 0, p = 1.0; decision 2: Chi squared = 0.574, p = 0.44) or Decisional confidence (decision 1, w = 105.5, p = 0.78; decision 2, w = 86.5, p = 0.28). Post-experiment, participants reported that narratives helped them to make decisions (mean = 3.3/4). We found that simulated narratives had no measurable effect on decisional confidence or decisions and most participants felt that the narratives were helpful to them in making therapeutic decisions. The use of simulated stories holds promise for promoting shared decision-making while minimizing their potential biasing effect.
Methods to reduce crosstalk in flex circuit and PCB

This paper presents a practical method to mitigate crosstalk in flex circuit due to high density routing. The method will maintain the routing density while the signal integrity performance will be improved. Practical flex construction method is also proposed for high speed flex interconnects between two chips. The effectiveness of the method is proved by 2D/3D modeling of the flex transmission lines.
SEE-OFDM: Spectral and energy efficient OFDM for optical IM/DD systems

In the next major phase of mobile telecommunications standards “5G,” Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology or light fidelity (Li-Fi) has great potential to be a breakthrough technology in the future of wireless Internet access. We propose a novel real-valued unipolar version of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) that is suitable for direct intensity modulation with direct detection (IM/DD) optical wireless systems including VLC. Without additional forms of interference estimation and cancelation to recover the symbols, the Spectral and Energy Efficient OFDM (SEE-OFDM) almost doubles the spectral efficiency of unipolar optical OFDM formats. In our scheme, multiple signals are generated and added/transmitted together, where both odd and even indexed subcarriers of the inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) operation carry data and are not affected by any kind of interference, (e.g., clipping). Monte Carlo simulations under additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) show gains of up to 6dB in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) compared to the conventional energy-efficient asymmetrically clipped optical OFDM (ACO-OFDM). Moreover, a peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) reduction of 2.5dB is obtained as a bonus. Therefore, advantages such as increased data rate and reduced PAPR make the proposed SEE-OFDM very attractive for optical wireless systems.
Solder material experiencing low temperature inelastic stress and random vibration loading: predicted remaining useful lifetime

Although there exist promising ways to avoid inelastic strains in solder joints of the second level interconnections in IC package designs, it still appears more typical than not that the peripheral joints of a package/PCB assembly experience inelastic strains. This takes place at low temperature conditions, when the deviation from the high fabrication temperature is the largest and the induced thermal stresses are the highest. On the other hand, it is well known that it is the combination of low temperatures and repetitive dynamic loading that accelerate dramatically the propagation of fatigue cracks, whether elastic or inelastic. Accordingly, a modification of the recently suggested Boltzmann–Arrhenius–Zhurkov model is developed for the evaluation of the remaining useful lifetime of the second level solder joint interconnection whose peripheral joints experience inelastic strains. The experimental basis of the approach is the highly focused and highly cost-effective failure-oriented-accelerated-testing (FOAT). The FOAT specimens are subjected in our methodology to the combined action of low temperatures (not to elevated temperatures, as in the classical Arrhenius model) and random vibrations with the given input energy spectrum. The suggested methodology is viewed as a possible, effective and attractive alternative to temperature cycling. As long as inelastic deformations take place, it is assumed that it is these deformations that determine the fatigue lifetime of the solder material, and the state of stress in the elastic mid-portion of the assembly does not have to be accounted for. The roles of the size and stiffness of this mid-portion have to be considered, however, when determining the very existence and establishing the size of the inelastic zones at the peripheral portions of the designs. The general concept is illustrated by a numerical example. Although this example is carried out for a ball-grid-array design, it is applicable to highly popular column-grid-array (CGA) and quad-flat-no-lead (QFN) designs as well. It is noteworthy that it is much easier to avoid inelastic strains in CGA and QFN structures than in the addressed BGA design. The random vibrations are considered in the developed methodology as a white noise of the given (m/s2)2/Hz—the ratio of the acceleration amplitudes squared to the vibration frequency.
Targeted Advertising and Cumulative Exposure Effects: The Impact of Banning Advertising to Children in Quebec

We examine the impact of advertising to children using Canadian data after the 1980 passage of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) in Quebec province that prohibited advertising targeted to children under 13. Using difference-in-differences methodology, we estimate that the CPA significantly reduced household toy expenditures by 15–35% in Quebec from 1984 through 1992, with the largest impact (35%) 10 and 12 years after the ban’s imposition. The overall impact over time tentatively supports the view that advertising has cumulative exposure effects: Its sales impact increases as consumers are exposed to longer periods of targeted advertisements.
East Asia and the Pacific

Overview. The United States has enduring economic, political, and strategic interests in the AsiaPacific region. The region accounts for 25 percent of the global economy and nearly $600 billion in annual two-way trade with the United States. Asia is vital to American prosperity. Politically, over the past two decades, democracy has taken root in and spread across the region. Former authoritarian regimes in the Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan have been transformed into vibrant democracies. For over a century, U.S. strategic interests have remained constant: access to the markets of the region, freedom of the seas, promotion of democracy and human rights, and precluding domination of the region by one power or group of powers. While major war in Europe is inconceivable for at least a generation, the prospects for conflict in Asia are far from remote. The region includes some of the world’s largest and most modern armies, nucleararmed major powers, and several nuclear-capable states. Hostilities that could involve the United States could arise at a moment’s notice on the Korean peninsula and in the Taiwan Strait. The Indian subcontinent is also a major flashpoint. In each of these areas, war has the potential for nuclear escalation. At the same time, lingering turmoil in Indonesia, the world’s fourth largest country, threatens stability in Southeast Asia and global markets. China is facing momentous social and economic changes, the consequences of which are not yet clear; meanwhile, Taiwan’s future remains an unresolved and sensitive political issue for China’s leadership. The modernization of China’s conventional and nuclear forces continues to move ahead, while transparency on force structure and budgeting continues to lag behind Western standards. At present, Beijing reluctantly tolerates Asia’s de facto security architecture, the U.S. bilateral alliances with Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, the Philippines, and Thailand, which support the U.S. forward-deployed presence. Indonesia is important to U.S. regional interests and military strategy. The largest nation in Southeast Asia, stretching 5,000 miles from east to west, the Indonesian archipelago straddles the critical sea lanes of communication that run from the Persian Gulf to Northeast Asia. The combination of size, location, population, and resources has made Indonesia the center of gravity in Southeast Asia and the acknowledged leader of the subregion. Indonesia’s stability is critical in turn to the stability of Southeast Asia and a matter of vital interest to U.S. allies, Australia, the Philippines, and Japan, as well as to friendly Singapore. This paper will focus on four key areas that require early attention by the Bush administration— East Asia and the Pacific
The Role of Real Time Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Elastography for Targeting EUS-FNA of Suspicious Pancreatic Masses: A Review of the Literature and A Single Center Experience.

Background Endoscopic ultrasound guided elastography is an imaging modality that can be used to evaluate tissue stiffness and to assess solid pancreatic lesions. It can also assist in optimizing the diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsies. Aims To review the literature on solid pancreatic lesions, the use of EUS guided fine needle aspiration and endoscopic ultrasound guided elastography and to present a single center experience using elastography to direct fine needle aspiration biopsies of solid pancreatic lesions. Methods We present a review of the literature and a single center experience describing the use of EUS guided elastography in directing fine needle aspiration biopsies of solid pancreatic lesions. Results Thirteen male veterans with an average age of 62.3 (SD±11.8) years were enrolled in the study. The mean pancreatic mass size on EUS was 5.1×5.2 (SD±4.4×4.5) cm. A total of 13 lesions were identified during elastography. The lesions were most commonly found in the body (n=5), followed by multifocal lesions (n=4), pancreatic head (n=3) and tail (n=1). The seven concerning pancreatic lesions were stratified based on color pattern identified on EUS and EUS-elastography. Three lesions were homogenously blue, and four lesions were heterogeneously blue. The remaining six lesions which were less concerning were predominantly green. Of the three lesions, that were homogenously blue, two were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma (n=2) and chronic pancreatitis (n=1) respectively. Of the four heterogeneously blue lesions two were adenocarcinomas, while the other two represented a large B-cell lymphoma and chronic pancreatitis. Patients whose lesions were characterized as homogenous or heterogeneous green were benign and remained disease free after a median of two years of regular follow up. Limitations Relatively small number of patients studied. Conclusions In our single center experience we found that the use of real time endoscopic ultrasound guided elastography for targeting fine needle aspiration of suspicious pancreatic lesions may be beneficial as an adjunct modality to complement conventional EUS. Larger prospective studies need to be conducted to evaluate the utility of this modality in targeting pancreatic lesions.
Astronomy Education Research in the Planetarium

From the first moment intervening clouds obscured the beauty of the overhead stars, our ancestral sky watchers created pictures and maps to represent the heavens. For some, precise star positions were needed for navigation and wayfinding.
A measurement error model approach to survey data integration: combining information from two surveys

Combining information from several surveys from the same target population is an important practical problem in survey sampling. The paper is motivated by work that authors undertook, sponsored by the Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance III Project (FANTA), with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau of Food Security (BFS). In the project, two surveys were conducted independently for some areas and we present a measurement error model approach to integrate mean estimates obtained from the two surveys. The predicted values for the counterfactual outcome are used to create composite estimates for the overlapped areas. An application of the technique to the project is provided.