cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developing Algorithms to Improve Defect Extraction and Suppressing Undesired Heat Patterns in Sonic IR Images

Sonic IR imaging is an emerging NDE technology. This technology uses short pulses of ultrasonic excitation together with infrared imaging to detect defects in materials and structures. Sonic energy is coupled to the specimen under inspection by means of direct contact between the transducer tip and the specimen at some convenient point. This region which is normally in the field of view of the camera appears as intensity peak in the image which might be misinterpreted as defects or obscure the detection and/or extraction of the defect signals in the proximity of the contact region. Moreover, certain defects may have very small heat signature or being buried in noise. In this paper, we present algorithms to improve defect extraction and suppression of undesired heat patterns in sonic IR images. Two approaches are presented, each fits to a specific category of sonic IR images.
A Convenient Low Order Thermal Model for Heat Transfer Characteristics of Single Floored Low-Rise Residential Buildings

A low order thermal model is introduced to determine the thermal characteristics of a Low-Rise Residential (LRR) building and then predict the energy usage by its Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) system according to future weather conditions. The LRR buildings are treated as a simple lump and the model is derived using the lumped capacitance model for transient heat transfer from bodies. Most contemporary HVAC systems have a thermostat control, which has an offset temperature, and user defined set point temperatures, which defines when the HVAC system will switch on and off. The aim is to predict, with minimal error, the inside air temperature, which is used to determine the switching on and off, of the HVAC system. To validate this lumped capacitance model we have used the EnergyPlus simulation engine, which simulates the thermal behavior of buildings with considerable accuracy. We have predicted using the low order model the inside air temperature of a single family house located in three different climate zones (Detroit, Raleigh & Austin) and different orientations for summer and winter seasons. The prediction error between the model and EnergyPlus is less than 10% for almost all the cases with the exception of Austin in summer. Possible factors responsible for error in prediction are also noted in this work, paving way for future research.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Application of Symbolic Computation to the Analysis of Mechanical Systems, Including Robot Arms,

This paper illustrates the application of symbolic computation in connection with three aspects of mechanical systems: 1. The derivation of dynamical equations by Lagrangian methods. 2. The analysis and synthesis of kinematic mechanisms. 3. A robot manipulator arm.
Analysis of a Payload-based Network Intrusion Detection System Using Pattern Recognition Processors

Intrusion detection systems are a necessary tool to protect computer networks from cyber-attacks. Analyzing the payload of a packet can help in identifying strings that can help to detect attacks. Machine learning can be used to train models based on feature extraction of packet payloads. One important issue is that payload based intrusion detection systems may be too slow for standard processing approaches. Analyzing payloads has advantages over analyzing the standard headers of a packet. However, this approach is more resource intensive. The purpose of this study is to analyze the speed and accuracy performance of a payload based network intrusion detection system using pattern recognition processor with a unigram feature extraction approach. Results of the study are presented and discussed.
Trade, technology and national competition

Trade between advanced countries during the present decade could be defined by intense mercantilistic competition in technology. The components of technological development policy, when taken together as a matter of how to generate and retain advantage in the technologies on which future development will rest, are the basis for conflict amongst the three regions of the western economy. Domestic discussions about how to promote innovation thus become an international debate about which nations will dominate critical technologies in the future, about fair trade, and about competing national development trajectories. This paper develops a pessimistic view. The foundations of this rivalry are already in place. The distinct national lines of technology development and approaches to innovation policy must be reconciled if an open international economy is to be fostered.
A Monte Carlo simulation study of the interfacial tension for water/oil mixtures at elevated temperatures and pressures: Water/n-dodecane, water/toluene, and water/(n-dodecane + toluene)

Abstract Monte Carlo simulations are performed to predict the interfacial tension (IFT) for water/ n -dodecane, water/toluene, and water/(50 wt% n -dodecane + 50 wt% toluene) mixtures at a pressure of 1.83 MPa and temperatures ranging from 383.15 to 443.15 K. Simulations for the binary mixtures are performed in the N 1 N 2 p N A T ensemble and those for the ternary mixtures are performed in the N 1 μ 2 μ 3 p N A T ensemble. In order to control the composition of the organic phase for ternary mixture simulations, separate reservoirs for toluene and n -dodecane molecules are utilized, and the minimum and maximum numbers of these molecules in the interfacial box are monitored. Identity switch moves are applied to facilitate the sampling of the spatial distributions of the organic molecules. Calculations of the IFT for water/ n -decane and water/benzene mixtures are used to benchmark the force fields and to develop mixing rules. The combination of the TraPPE–UA force field and the TIP4P/2005 water model with Lorentz-Berthelot combining rules yields fairly accurate predictions at moderate temperatures for water/ n -decane, but appears to slightly overestimate the IFT at elevated temperatures. For the water/benzene mixtures, the TraPPE–EH//TIP4P/2005 combination significantly overestimates the IFT over the entire temperature range. Subsequent modifications of the energetic Lennard-Jones cross-interaction parameters yield good agreement between experimental and simulated IFT data of water/ n -decane and water/benzene. Using a preliminary set of modified cross-interaction parameters for the TraPPE–UA/EH//TIP4P/2005 combination, our predictions for the Industrial Fluid Properties Simulation Challenge yield satisfactory agreement with the benchmark data (mean signed errors of − 2.2 , − 5.1 , and − 0.1 dyn/cm for water/ n -dodecane, water/toluene, and water/(50 wt% n -dodecane + 50 wt% toluene), respectively). A new set of modified cross-interaction parameters developed later based on longer simulation trajectories and a larger set of experimental data is found to reduce the mean signed errors to − 0.1 , − 0.6 , and + 2.5 dyn/cm, respectively, for these three systems. Although a significant enrichment of toluene molecules at the interface is found for the ternary mixture, this enrichment is not sufficient to reproduce the experimental IFT data.
Structure of monomeric Interleukin-8 and its interactions with the N-terminal Binding Site-I of CXCR1 by solution NMR spectroscopy

The structure of monomeric human chemokine IL-8 (residues 1–66) was determined in aqueous solution by NMR spectroscopy. The structure of the monomer is similar to that of each subunit in the dimeric full-length protein (residues 1–72), with the main differences being the location of the N-loop (residues 10–22) relative to the C-terminal α-helix and the position of the side chain of phenylalanine 65 near the truncated dimerization interface (residues 67–72). NMR was used to analyze the interactions of monomeric IL-8 (1–66) with ND-CXCR1 (residues 1–38), a soluble polypeptide corresponding to the N-terminal portion of the ligand binding site (Binding Site-I) of the chemokine receptor CXCR1 in aqueous solution, and with 1TM-CXCR1 (residues 1–72), a membrane-associated polypeptide that includes the same N-terminal portion of the binding site, the first trans-membrane helix, and the first intracellular loop of the receptor in nanodiscs. The presence of neither the first transmembrane helix of the receptor nor the lipid bilayer significantly affected the interactions of IL-8 with Binding Site-I of CXCR1.
Family-Member and Non-Family-Member Managers in Family Firms: Adding a Seventh Country to the International Database - Kosovo

Extending earlier analyses of the authors in other countries with regard to the inclusion of family-member managers and non-family-member managers in family businesses, and the relationship of this variable to certain management activities, styles and characteristics, this current study analyzes data from Kosovo. Results of statistical testing indicate almost no changes in management attributes as the proportion of non-family-member managers increases in family firms. Implications for practitioners, consultants, and researchers are presented.
Trends of hospitalizations for syncope/collapse in the United States from 2004 to 2013-An analysis of national inpatient sample.

INTRODUCTION Syncope/collapse is a common reason for emergency department visits, and approximately 30-40% of these individuals are hospitalized. We examined changes in hospitalization rates, in-hospital mortality, and cost of syncope/collapse-related hospital care in the United States from 2004 to 2013. METHODS We used the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2004 to 2013 to identify syncope/collapse-related hospitalizations using ICD-9, code 780.2, as the principal discharge diagnosis. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. RESULTS From 2004 to 2013, there was a 42% reduction in hospitalizations with a principal discharge diagnosis of syncope/collapse from 54,259 (national estimate 253,591) in 2004 to 31,427 (national estimate 156,820) in 2013 (P < 0.0001). The mean length of hospital stays decreased (2.88 ± 0.04 days in 2004 vs. 2.54 ± 0.02 in 2013; P < 0.0001), while in-hospital mortality did not change (0.28% in 2004 vs. 0.18% in 2013; P = 0.12). However, mean charges (inflation adjusted) for syncope/collapse-related hospitalization increased by 43.6% from $17,514 in 2004 to $25,160 in 2013 (P < 0.0001). The rates of implantation of permanent pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillator remained low during these hospitalizations, and decreased over time (P for both < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Hospitalization rates for syncope/collapse have decreased significantly in the US from 2004 to 2013. Despite a modest reduction in length of stay, the cost of syncope/collapse-related hospital care has increased.
Azithromycin-Induced Changes to Bacterial Membrane Properties Monitored in Vitro by Second-Harmonic Light Scattering.

We present a nonlinear light scattering method for monitoring, with real-time resolution and membrane specificity, changes in molecular adsorption, and transport at bacterial membranes induced by an antimicrobial compound. Specifically, time-resolved second-harmonic light scattering (SHS) is used to quantify azithromycin-induced changes to bacterial membrane permeability in colloidal suspensions of living Escherichia coli. Variations in membrane properties are monitored through changes in the adsorption and transport rates of malachite green, a hydrophobic cation that gives SHS signal. Regardless of concentration, instantaneous treatment with azithromycin showed no significant changes in membrane permeability. However, 1 h pretreatment with subminimum inhibitory concentrations of azithromycin induced an order-of-magnitude enhancement in the permeability of both the outer membrane and, through facilitation of a new transport mechanism, the cytoplasmic membrane of the bacteria as well. This study illustrate...
Bell’s Theory of Beables and the Concept of ‘Universe’

From its earliest days nearly a century ago, quantum mechanics has proven itself to be a tremendously accurate yet intellectually unsatisfying theory to many. Not the least of its problems is that it is a theory about the results of measurements. As John Bell once said in introducing the concept of ‘beables’, it should be possible to say what is rather than merely what is observed. In this essay I consider the question of whether a universe can be a (nonlocal) beable and what that implies about the fundamental nature of that universe. I conclude that a universe that is a beable within the framework of some theory, cannot also be fundamental.
MEMS and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for non-invasive measurement of cells

Abstract: This chapter discusses the impedance spectroscopy technique, as it applies to whole-cell measurements. The chapter first discusses the importance of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) in cellular assays. Then impedance spectroscopy theory is described, including biological frequency dispersions, electrode configurations, visualization, and modeling. Next, the chapter describes the patch clamp measurement, one of the first electrical measurements of small cells. Lastly, applications of the impedance spectroscopy technique will be described, as it applies to cell cultures and single-cell measurements.
Graph Signal Processing on Neuronal Networks

Abstract Advanced neuroimaging technology has enabled the study of both the structure and function of the brain in more detail than before. The high volume of multisubject, multimodal neuroimaging data poses challenges to the signal processing community as the data is high-dimensional, sensitive to noise, and suffers from high variability across subjects. While many discoveries in neuroscience have been made using massively univariate statistics or time-series analysis, there has been a paradigm shift toward the use of multivariate analysis, graph theoretic methods, and machine learning to decode brain function. Tools from network science and graph theory have been employed to analyze the functional connectivity of the brain by associating nodes with distinct brain regions and edges with pairwise interactions between them. However, these methods focus solely on the network topology and organization without directly correlating the activity in these brain regions with the underlying network. Graph signal processing (GSP) offers a promising tool to address this important gap in the study of neuronal networks. This new framework merges neuroimaging data such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) with the underlying graphical structure to extract rich brain activity missed by analyzing the networks or the signals alone. Given a connectivity network and neuroimaging signals defined on this network, we first illustrate how GSP can be used for robust dimensionality reduction, signal detection and classification, and filtering to extract brain activity corresponding to different levels of spatial variation. We then present GSP-based methods for learning functional connectivity networks given the observed neuroimaging data and the use of graph-based spectral analysis for data and network denoising. Finally, we present how GSP methods can be extended to study the temporal dynamics of functional connectivity networks of the brain.
Cytokeratin 7, inhibin, and p63 in testicular germ cell tumor: superior markers of choriocarcinoma compared to β-human chorionic gonadotropin

Summary Choriocarcinoma can be difficult to differentiate from other subtypes of testicular germ cell tumor and can occur unexpectedly in a distant, late metastasis. The aim of this investigation was to identify a marker superior to β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) for choriocarcinoma. Sixty-two primary and metastatic testicular germ cell tumors (27 choriocarcinomas, 19 yolk sac tumors, 29 embryonal carcinomas, 28 seminomas, 22 teratomas, 3 epithelioid trophoblastic tumors [ETTs]) were analyzed for immunohistochemical expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK7), inhibin, p63, and β-hCG. All choriocarcinomas and ETTs were strongly positive for CK7, whereas seminomas were negative and 52% of embryonal carcinomas had weak reactivity. Eighty-four percent of yolk sac tumors and 59% of teratomas were CK7 positive. Eighty-nine percent of choriocarcinomas and 100% of ETTs were positive for inhibin, with reactivity highlighting syncytiotrophoblasts, whereas seminomas, embryonal carcinomas, yolk sac tumors, and teratomas were negative. Eighty-five percent of choriocarcinomas expressed p63, with staining mostly in mononucleated trophoblasts, whereas seminomas, embryonal carcinomas, and yolk sac tumors were negative. Teratomas expressed p63 in 32% of cases. β-hCG was reactive in 96% of choriocarcinomas, 33% of ETTs, 46% of seminomas, 54% of embryonal carcinomas, 47% of yolk sac tumors, and 32% of teratomas. β-hCG staining within other subtypes was more likely if choriocarcinoma was present elsewhere in the tumor (P = .0002). CK7 is a highly sensitive marker for choriocarcinoma and differentiates choriocarcinoma from seminoma and embryonal carcinoma. Inhibin and p63 are sensitive and specific for choriocarcinoma versus seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, and yolk sac tumor. To identify choriocarcinoma, CK7, inhibin, and p63 are superior to β-hCG.
Values and property charts for anisotropic freeze-cast collagen scaffolds for tissue regeneration

Abstract Presented in this article are systematic microstructural and mechanical property data for anisotropic collagen scaffolds made by freeze casting. Three applied cooling rates (10 °C/min, 1 °C/min, 0.1 °C/min) and two freezing directions (longitudinal and radial) were used during scaffold manufacture. Utilizing a semi-automated image analysis technique applied to confocal micrographs of fully hydrated scaffolds, pore area, long and short pore axes, and pore aspect ratio were determined. Compression testing was performed to determine scaffold modulus, yield strength, and toughness.
PMTest: A Fast and Flexible Testing Framework for Persistent Memory Programs

Recent non-volatile memory technologies such as 3D XPoint and NVDIMMs have enabled persistent memory (PM) systems that can manipulate persistent data directly in memory. This advancement of memory technology has spurred the development of a new set of crash-consistent software (CCS) for PM - applications that can recover persistent data from memory in a consistent state in the event of a crash (e.g., power failure). CCS developed for persistent memory ranges from kernel modules to user-space libraries and custom applications. However, ensuring crash consistency in CCS is difficult and error-prone. Programmers typically employ low-level hardware primitives or transactional libraries to enforce ordering and durability guarantees that are required for ensuring crash consistency. Unfortunately, hardware can reorder instructions at runtime, making it difficult for the programmers to test whether the implementation enforces the correct ordering and durability guarantees. We believe that there is an urgent need for developing a testing framework that helps programmers identify crash consistency bugs in their CCS. We find that prior testing tools lack generality, i.e., they work only for one specific CCS or memory persistency model and/or introduce significant performance overhead. To overcome these drawbacks, we propose PMTest (available at https://pmtest.persistentmemory.org), a crash consistency testing framework that is both flexible and fast. PMTest provides flexibility by providing two basic assertion-like software checkers to test two fundamental characteristics of all CCS: the ordering and durability guarantee. These checkers can also serve as the building blocks of other application-specific, high-level checkers. PMTest enables fast testing by deducing the persist order without exhausting all possible orders. In the evaluation with eight programs, PMTest not only identified 45 synthetic crash consistency bugs, but also detected 3 new bugs in a file system (PMFS) and in applications developed using a transactional library (PMDK), while on average being 7.1× faster than the state-of-the-art tool.
Proximal Tubal Obstruction: Pathogenesis and Management

Abstract Objective: Proximal tubal obstruction is diagnosed with 15% of hysterosalpingograms performed for patients who have infertility. The accepted management is tubal catheterization. The aim o...
To PARP or not to PARP?—Toward sensitizing acute myeloid leukemia stem cells to immunotherapy

A new study reveals that leukemia stem cells (LSCs) in acute myeloid leukemia downregulate natural killer cell-activating receptor ligands to evade immune surveillance via the transcriptional co-factor PARP1. The inhibition of PARP1 sensitizes LSCs to immunotherapy, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.
Overview of care for transgender children and youth

Over the past decade, more and more children and adolescents are identifying as transgender and gender diverse (TGD). Often, they and their parents first turn to their primary care pediatrician for guidance and support. Therefore, in 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a policy statement focusing on the health care of TGD youth.4 The AAP acknowledges that many pediatricians have a lack of training in this area and therefore need to increase their knowledge base and expertise in order to provide culturally competent care. While most sexual and gender minority individuals are healthy and well adjusted, some TGD youth are at an increased risk of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders and suicidality. This is theorized to be due to the experienced or internalized marginalization, stigmatization, victimization, harassment or rejection and not inherent in having gender dysphoria or being transgender. The pediatrician therefore needs to be knowledgeable of, and skilled to screen for, the health disparities that may exist, as well as to be able to support the individual who may disclose their gender identity status during treatment. Parents and guardians may also turn to the pediatrician for guidance when faced with their child who presents with gender non-conforming behaviors or gender dysphoria. Therefore the pediatrician needs to be able to guide the parents as well, as their acceptance and support of their child's journey to gender identity is probably the most important protective factor against health disparities encountered. To deliver optimum care for TGD children and youth, the pediatrician needs to establish an office setting that is inclusive, gender-neutral and TGD friendly. By becoming familiar with the diversity of gender expression and identities, use of gender-appropriate terminology, health disparities often encountered and the importance of providing a safe and welcoming environment, issues that are all covered in this article, the primary care pediatrician will be in position to provide comprehensive health care to this often marginalized population.
Self-perceptions on cognitive versus motor disability among neurologists

The modified Rankin Scale is a functional outcome measure that disproportionately represents motor deficits. We hypothesize that among physicians who most commonly use the modified Rankin Scale to counsel patients on neurological treatment options, personal perception of acceptable or optimal outcome may be discordant with those described in clinical trials. A three-question anonymous voluntary survey was emailed to academic and community practicing neurologists and board-eligible or board-certified neurology fellows inquiring about their personal perception of a better quality of life between two choices featuring clinical scenarios that would qualify as modified Rankin Scale 2 and 4 disability outcome scores. Sixty-nine percent of participants were 30–45 years old, 24% were 45–60 years old, and 7% were over 60 years old. Most responders were general neurologists (31.3%). The remaining responders represented multiple subspecialties including neurocritical care, vascular neurology, neurohospitalist medicine, neuromuscular neurology, neurophysiology, child neurology, neuro-oncology, headache, neuroimmunology, movement disorders, and palliative care medicine. Forty-four of 45 neurologists (97.7%) stated they would choose needing a wheelchair if still able to function at their cognitive baseline at work (p < 0.000001). One responder preferred to get around without assistance, despite new cognitive symptoms that would preclude them from working as a physician. The modified Rankin Scale may not adequately represent preferred outcomes among neurology specialists, particularly with respect to cognitive symptoms. Future studies are needed to characterize long-term cognitive outcomes in patients with acute stroke-related conditions.
Outcomes of kidney donors with pre- and post-donation kidney stones.

Roughly 25% of US transplant centers exclude donor candidates with kidney stones fearing future obstructive consequences and the possible association between stones and CKD. We compared the development of hypertension, proteinuria, and reduced eGFR in 227 kidney donors with kidney stones to 908 propensity score-matched donor controls without kidney stones using data from The Renal and Lung Donor Evaluation (RELIVE) Study which studied intermediate and long-term outcomes of 8922 donors who donated between 1963 and 2007. 200 donors had kidney stones prior to donation, 21 had post-donation stones, and 6 had pre- and post-donation stones. Donors with stones were older, more likely to be Caucasian, less likely to be related to the recipient and had a higher fasting glucose. After 16.5 ± 10.9 years (range 0-44 years) from donation to study close, no ESKD occurred in donors with stones. The multivariable risks of hypertension, proteinuria, and reduced GFR were similar in donors with and without kidney stones. We could not demonstrate an association between stones and adverse renal outcomes in kidney donors, and the occurrence of post-donation stones was distinctly rare. These data may provide a rationale for possibly a wider acceptance of donor candidates with low kidney stones burden.
ATOS Consensus Guidelines

Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome (ATOS) is a form of arterial injury consequent to extrinsic compression at the thoracic outlet. The arterial injury results in vessel wall damage with aneurysmal dilatation of the subclavian artery, endothelial damage with mural thrombus deposition, and atheromatous degeneration. Subsequent thrombosis and embolization are later events of the syndrome.
A note on generalized semitotal point graphs

Abstract Let R s k ( G ) be the graph obtained from a graph G by gluing k distinct path graphs P s + 2 to both vertices incident to each edge of G . In this paper, we derive a factorization formula for the generalized characteristic polynomial of the graph R s k ( G ) , where G is regular. As particular cases, we obtain formulas for the characteristic polynomials of the adjacency, Laplacian, normalized Laplacian, and signless Laplacian matrices of R s k ( G ) , as well as for the Ihara zeta function of R s k ( G ) , where G is regular. We also derive formulas for the Kirchhoff, additive degree-Kirchhoff, and multiplicative degree-Kirchhoff indices of R s k ( G ) , where G is regular. In addition, we determine the weighted Kirchhoff index of R s k ( G ) , for an arbitrary graph G . This work generalizes recent results on semitotal point graphs.
High contact angle embedded barrier layer materials for next-generation 193 immersion lithography

To maximize value in integrated circuit manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturers continually seek materials that enable processing with higher throughput and which provide higher yield. 193nm immersion lithography (193i) has been a mainstay in semiconductor manufacturing for many years. However, 193i throughput is constrained by topcoat layers necessitating additional processing steps, and yield is impacted by defectivity resulting from water droplet interactions with wafer surfaces. To overcome these limitations, a platform of high contact angle embedded barrier layer (EBL) materials was developed and EBL polymers were incorporated directly into advanced photoresist formulations, obviating the need for topcoat, permitting faster wafer scan speeds, and lowering defectivity from water droplet rupture or water leakage during immersion processing. These EBL materials were designed with a built-in solubility switch such that they maintain a hydrophobic surface during scanning but can rapidly solubilize in aqueous base developer and rinse away during development, significantly outperforming previous generation designs. This report will detail the development, evaluation, and optimization of new EBL materials with substantially higher contact angles than previous materials for next-generation 193i applications.
Past, present, and future of ultrafine particle exposures in North America

Abstract There is growing concern that exposure to ultrafine particles (UFP, particles with diameter
Justifying abortion: The limits of maternal idealist rhetoric

In this essay, we explore the logic behind restrictions on abortion and seek possible rhetorical alternatives by turning to an analysis of women’s later abortion narratives published between 2016 a...
Proposing a Broader Scope of Predictive Features for Modeling Refugee Counts

The world-wide refugee problem has a long history, but continues to this day, and will unfortunately continue into the foreseeable future. Efforts to anticipate, mitigate and prepare for refugee counts, however, are still lacking. There are many potential causes, but the published research has primarily focused on identifying ways to integrate already existing refugees into the various communities wherein they ultimately reside, rather than on preventive measures. The work proposed herein uses a set of features that can be divided into three basic categories: 1) sociocultural, 2) socioeconomic, and 3) economic, which refer to the nature of each proposed predictive feature. For example, corruption perception is a sociocultural feature, access to healthcare is a socioeconomic feature, and inflation is an economic feature. Forty-five predictive features were collected for various years and countries of interest. As may seem intuitive, the features that fell under the category of "economic" produced the highest predictive value from the regression technique employed. However, additional potential predictive features that have not been previously addressed stood out in our experiments. These include: the global peace index (gpi), freedom of expression (fe), internet users (iu), access to healthcare (hc), cost of living index (coli), local purchasing power index (lppi), homicide rate (hr), access to justice (aj), and women's property rights (wpr). Many of these features are nascent in terms of both their development and collection, as well as the fact that some of these features are not yet collected at a universal level, meaning that the data is missing for some countries and years. Ongoing work regarding these datasets for predicting refugee counts is also discussed in this work.
HCN1 channels mediate mu opioid receptor long-term depression at insular cortex inputs to the dorsal striatum

Abstract Mu opioid receptors (MORs) are expressed in the dorsal striatum, a brain region that mediates goal-directed (via the dorsomedial striatum), and habitual (via the dorsolateral striatum, DLS) behaviors. Our previous work indicates that glutamate transmission is depressed when MORs are activated in the dorsal striatum, inducing MOR-mediated long-term synaptic depression (MOR-LTD) or short-term depression (MOR-STD), depending on the input. In the DLS, MOR-LTD is produced by MORs on anterior insular cortex (AIC) inputs and MOR-STD occurs at thalamic inputs, suggesting input-specific MOR plasticity mechanisms. Here, we evaluated the mechanisms of induction of MOR-LTD and MOR-STD in the DLS using pharmacology and optogenetics combined with patch clamp electrophysiology. We found that cAMP/PKA signaling and protein synthesis are necessary for MOR-LTD expression, similar to previous studies of endocannabinoid-mediated LTD (eCB-LTD) in DLS. However, MOR-LTD does not require mTOR signaling as eCB-LTD does. MOR-STD does not utilize these same mechanisms. We characterized the role of presynaptic HCN1 channels in MOR-LTD induction as HCN1 channels expressed in AIC are necessary for MOR-LTD expression in the DLS. These results suggest a mechanism in which MOR activation needs HCN1 to induce MOR-LTD, suggesting a new target for pharmacological modulation of synaptic plasticity, providing new opportunities to develop novel drugs to treat alcohol and opioid use disorders.
Post-learning stress enhances long-term memory and differentially influences memory in females depending on menstrual stage.

Abstract Most work has shown that post-learning stress enhances long-term memory; however, there have been recent inconsistencies in this literature. The purpose of the present study was to examine further the effects of post-learning stress on long-term memory and to explore any sex differences that may exist. Male and female participants learned a list of 42 words that varied in emotional valence and arousal level. Following encoding, participants completed a free recall assessment and then submerged their hand into a bath of ice cold (stress) or lukewarm (no stress) water for 3 min. The next day, participants were given free recall and recognition tests. Stressed participants recalled more words than non-stressed participants 24 h after learning. Stress also enhanced female participants' recall of arousing words when they were in the follicular, but not luteal, phase. These findings replicate previous work examining post-learning stress effects on memory and implicate the involvement of sex-related hormones in such effects.
Maria-Kannon: Mary, Mother of God, in Buddhist Guise

Il est clair que la relation etablie entre Marie et Kannon n'est pas basee simplement sur la similarite externe d'une mere portant un enfant mais sur une connexion symbolique intrinseque unissant ces deux figures de la compassion. La maniere dont cette relation se manifeste dans la vie des chretiens caches japonais est une matiere a reflexion theologique. La similarite entre Marie et Kannon constituait egalement pour les Japonais une maniere d'eviter la persecution. L'A. explique les caracteristiques de la piete populaire entourant Kannon dans le bouddhisme japonais
Mononuclear cell tissue factor: cell of origin and requirements for activation

Human mononuclear leukocytes generate the procoagulant material tissue factor (TF) following stimulation by endotoxin, mitogens, or antigens in vitro. We have examined tissue-factor generation by mononuclear cell subpopulations prepared in a variety of ways in order to determine the cell of origin of mononuclear cell TF and the conditions necessary for maximal in vitro TF generation. We have also examined the relationship between in vitro TF generation and in vivo or in vitro measures of delayed hypersensitivity in response to identical antigen stimulation. Our results demonstrate that the monocyte is responsible for the bulk of mononuclear cell TF generation in vitro and that adhesion alone is not sufficient stimulation for significant.
New Formulas for Stresses in Concrete Pavements of Airfields

THE STRESSES INVESTIGATED HERE ARE CAUSED BY LOADS. THE LOAD IS A PRESSURE TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE OBLONG FOOTPRINT OF A TIRE OF A LANDING GEAR. THREE POSITIONS OF THIS LOAD ARE CONSIDERED: THE FIRST IS AT A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE FROM ANY EDGE OR JOINT, IN THE INTERIOR OF THE AREA OF A PANEL OF THE PAVEMENT, THE SECOND POSITION IS NEXT TO AN EDGE OR NEXT TO A JOINT THAT HAS NO CAPACITY FOR LOAD TRANSFER, BUT IS AT AN APPRECIABLE DISTANCE FROM ANY CORNER OF THE PANEL, AND THE THIRD POSITION IS NEXT TO A JOINT THAT PERMITS SOME TRANSFER OF LOAD TO THE ADJACENT PANEL, BUT IS AT AN APPRECIABLE DISTANCE FROM ANY CORNER OF THE PANEL. FORMULAS ARE GIVEN FOR STRESSES AND DEFLECTIONS CAUSED BY SUCH LOADS. THE SIGNIFICANT STRESSES ARE TENSILE STRESSES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SLAB. THE BOUNDARY OF THE FOOTPRINT OF THE TIRE IS USUALLY A CURVE THAT LIES BETWEEN AN ELLIPSE AND A CIRCUMSCRIBED RECTANGLE, BUT FOR PRESENT PURPOSES THIS CURVE CAN BE REPLACED IN MOST CASES BY AN EQUIVALENT SLIGHTLY MORE OBLONG ELLIPSE, AND THE LOAD CAN BE CONSIDERED TO BE DISTRIBUTED UNIFORMLY OVER THE AREA OF THIS ELLIPSE. SPECIFIC FORMULAS ARE DERIVED UNDER THE ASSUMPTION OF SUCH A LOAD, BUT GENERAL FORMULAS ARE ALSO STATED WHICH APPLY FOR ANY SHAPE OF THE FOOTPRINT (INCLUDING THE CASE OF DUAL TIRES). THE BASIC FORMULAS FOR STRESSES UNDER LOADS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE AREA OF A PANEL HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED PREVIOUSLY, BUT THE REMAINING FORMULAS ARE THE RESULT OF NEW DERIVATIONS. /AUTHOR/
GAs: What Are They?

There is a large class of interesting problems for which no reasonably fast algorithms have been developed. Many of these problems are optimization problems that arise frequently in applications. Given such a hard optimization problem it is often possible to find an efficient algorithm whose solution is approximately optimal. For some hard optimization problems we can use probabilistic algorithms as well — these algorithms do not guarantee the optimum value, but by randomly choosing sufficiently many “witnesses” the probability of error may be made as small as we like.
Fiber distributed data interface: an overview

The fiber distributed data interface (FDDI), a 100 megabit per second (Mb/s) local area network (LAN) that uses optical fiber as the medium, and the development of the FDDI standards are briefly reviewed. The FDDI protocol is based on a token ring access method. the FDDI is being developed as an American National Standard in Accredited Standards Committee X3T9. FDDI is also being developed as an International Standard in ISO/IECJTC1/SC 25. Both the basic FDDI and FDDI-II, an upward-compatible enhancement of the basic FDDI that adds a circuit-switched service to the packet service of the basic FDDI, are covered. >
Tris(thio­cyanato-κN)tris­(triphenyl­phosphine oxide-κO)europium(III)–(nitrato-κ2O,O′)bis­(thio­cyanato-κN)tris­(triphenyl­phosphine oxide-κO)europium(III) (1/1)

The title co-crystal, [Eu(NCS)3(C18H15OP)3][Eu(NCS)2(NO3)(C18H15OP)3], contains two distinct neutral complexes. Each complex has threefold symmetry about its central Eu3+ ion. As a result, the nitrate-containing mol­ecule contains disorder of its bidentate nitrate and two N-bound thio­cyanate anions, while the [Eu(NCS)3(OPPh3)3] complex is fully ordered. There is a weak π–π stacking inter­action between the phenyl rings of the two mol­ecules [centroid–centroid distance = 4.138 (4) A].
Clinical presentation and memory function in youth with type 1 diabetes.

Objective While cerebral edema and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) have well-described acute effects on cognition, little is known about the impact of clinical presentation on longer term cognitive outcomes. We hypothesized that clinical factors (degree of hyperglycemia exposure and DKA) at the time of diagnosis would relate to cognition within 3.5 months later in children with T1DM. Methods Cognitive testing was performed on children 7–17 years old with T1DM (n = 66) within 3.5 months of diagnosis and siblings without T1DM (n = 33). Overall intelligence, processing speed, and memory (including a sensitive long-delay spatial memory test; spatial delayed response or SDR) were assessed. Medical records were reviewed for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), DKA status, and other clinical factors at diagnosis. Results Within the group with T1DM, 17 children presented in DKA and 49 did not. After adjusting for age, gender, and socioeconomic status, the subgroup with T1DM and DKA at diagnosis performed worse on the long-delay SDR task compared to sibling controls (p = 0.006). In addition, within the group with T1DM, higher HbA1c at diagnosis was associated with worse performance on the long-delay SDR task (p = 0.027). Performance on the other cognitive tasks was not different across groups or subgroups. Conclusions DKA and degree of hyperglycemia exposure at diagnosis have implications for long-delay spatial memory function within 3.5 months of diagnosis. These findings suggest that early detection of T1DM, which decreases risk for prolonged exposure to hyperglycemia and DKA, may avoid negative effects on memory function.
A Complex of Cdc4p, Skp1p, and Cdc53p/Cullin Catalyzes Ubiquitination of the Phosphorylated CDK Inhibitor Sic1p

In S. cerevisiae, the G1/S transition requires Cdc4p, Cdc34p, Cdc53p, Skp1p, and the Cln/Cdc28p cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk). These proteins are thought to promote the proteolytic inactivation of the S-phase Cdk inhibitor Sic1p. We show here that Cdc4p, Cdc53p, and Skp1p assemble into a ubiquitin ligase complex named SCFCdc4p. When mixed together, SCFCdc4p subunits, E1 enzyme, the E2 enzyme Cdc34p, and ubiquitin are sufficient to reconstitute ubiquitination of Cdk-phosphorylated Sic1p. Phosphorylated Sic1p substrate is specifically targeted for ubiquitination by binding to a Cdc4p/Skp1p subcomplex. Taken together, these data illuminate the molecular basis for the G1/S transition in budding yeast and suggest a general mechanism for phosphorylation-targeted ubiquitination in eukaryotes.
PM2.5 mass and light extinction reconstruction in IMPROVE.

Abstract Compliance under the Regional Haze Rule of 1999 is based on Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) protocols for reconstructing aerosol mass and light extinction from aerosol chemical concentrations measured in the IMPROVE network. The accuracy, consistency, and potential biases in these formulations were examined using IMPROVE aerosol chemistry and light extinction data from 1988–1999. Underestimation of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm (PM2.5) by the IMPROVE mass recon struction formula by 12%, on average, appears to be related to the exclusion of sodium, chlorine, and other elements and to artifacts associated with the measurement of organic carbon, but not to absorption of water by sulfates and nitrates on IMPROVE Teflon filters during weighing. Light scattering measured by transmissometry is not consistent with nephelometer scattering or single-scatter albedos expected for remote locations. Light scattering was systematically overestimated by...
Role of Cytokinins in Carnation Flower Senescence

Stem and leaf tissues of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) plants appear to contain a natural antisenescence factor since removal of most of these tissues from cut carnation flowers hastened their senescence. However, kinetin (5-10 μg/ml) significantly delayed senescence of flowers with stem and leaf tissues removed. In addition, the life span of cut flowers with intact (30-cm) stems was increased with kinetin treatment. Peak ethylene production by presenescent flowers was reduced 55% or more with kinetin treatment and was delayed by 1 day. Kinetin-treated flowers were less responsive to applied ethylene (100 μl/l for 3 hours) than untreated flowers. Possible natural roles of cytokinins in carnation flower senescence are discussed.
Millstone Hill ISR observations of upper atmospheric long-term changes: Height dependency

[1] Ionospheric ion temperature is an excellent approximation to neutral temperature in the upper atmosphere, especially, for altitudes below 300 km. This analysis of long-term ionospheric ion temperature changes between 100 and 550 km at noon is based on a database of incoherent scatter radar observations spanning more than three solar cycles during 1968–2006 at Millstone Hill and provides direct evidence of long-term changes and their height dependency in the upper atmospheric temperature. A cooling trend at altitudes above 200 km and an apparent warming trend below 200 km are found. The cooling increases with height and shows variability with solar activity. The apparent warming varies with season and solar activity. It may result from the thermal subsidence caused by atmospheric contraction and pressure level change and from the ion temperature overestimation in the F1 region due to ion composition long-term changes. These long-term changes in ion temperature are accompanied by changes in electron density, being lower above the F2 peak and higher below the F2 peak. Electron temperature is accordingly enhanced. All these changes appear to be suggestive of a long-term greenhouse gas effect.
An open source stimulator for SSVEP-based BCIs

Steady-State Visual Evoked Potentials (SSVEPs) provide researchers with a mechanism for quickly reading users' inputs into a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) without the need for training or surgery. A visual stimulator is necessary to invoke SSVEP responses. This work describes a stimulator that is accurate, portable, and customizable using open source software packages. Two OpenGL toolkits were used in this project for windowing and timing. Originally, the GLUT toolkit was used, but was replaced by the GLFW toolkit that makes use of the most accurate system time available for timing.
Recent Literature in Discovery History

Primary sources: new or reprint editions/anthologies Barkley, Henry C. A Ride through Asia Minor and Armenia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. (Note: Cambridge University Press has recently published a number of works relating to exploration in its Travel and Exploration Series.) Cabeza de Vaca, Alvar Nunez. The South American Expeditions, 1540–1545. Trans. Baker H. Morrow. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2011. Ibn FadlĀn. Ibn Fadl×n and the Land of Darkness: Arab Travellers in the Far North. Trans. Paul Lunde and Caroline Stone. New York: Penguin Classics, 2012. Watrous, Stephen D., ed. John Ledyard’s Journey through Russia and Siberia, 1787– 1788: The Journal and Selected Letters. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 2011.
Cloning, chromosomal localization, physical mapping, and genomic characterization of HKR3.

The Kruppel-type zinc finger proteins are members of a conserved family of transcription factors that are important in developmental regulation. Altered expression of several of these proteins has been implicated in human diseases, including cancer. We report the cloning, mapping, and characterization of the zinc finger gene Human Kruppel-Related 3 (HKR3). Genomic clones of HKR3 were isolated from a P1 library and localized to human chromosome subband 1p36.3 by human-rodent somatic cell hybrid mapping and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The gene was physically mapped to within 40 kb of D1S214 by YAC content and long-range restriction mapping. HKR3 spans 9.5 kb of genomic DNA and is contained in 11 exons. Sequencing defined each of the exon/intron splice site junctions and identified a CpG island in the 5' region of the gene. HKR3 is ubiquitously expressed in human tissues as at least two major transcripts, the shorter of which excludes a conserved finger-associated box and a putative acidic activation domain contained in the full-length transcript. HKR3 is a novel zinc finger gene that maps to a region of the genome commonly rearranged or deleted in human cancers.
Ultrasound based muscle kinematics measurement with tracklet stitching

The objective of this study is to develop and validate an ultrasound (US) tissue tracking algorithm for measuring muscle velocity. This algorithm is designed to (1) be applicable to a wide variety of muscles, (2) overcome the limitations of previously published methods that required visualization of complete muscle fascicles, and (3) use B-mode imagery from commercially-available equipment that can be applied in a clinical office-type setting. This is accomplished by combining multiple block based tracking methods and filtering their output tracklets to create a velocity estimate. The algorithm was validated with a combination of Field II and in vivo MR velocity measurements. The average rectus femoris displacement error for the US data (average of 12 cycles) ranged from 0.7 to 6.4mm for flexion displacement and from 1.4 to 8.0mm during extension.