cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Universal relations for a new class of elastic bodies

Universal relations hold in all members that belong to a certain class of bodies, and they are therefore useful in designing experiments in which all members belonging to the particular class of bodies can be tested. It has been shown recently that the class of elastic bodies is much larger than the classical Cauchy elastic bodies. It has also been shown that such elastic bodies have firm thermodynamic underpinnings. In this short paper, we discuss universal relations that hold for a large sub-class of bodies which belong to this new class of elastic bodies. To be more precise, we consider a class of compressible isotropic elastic solids that are a sub-class of the new class of elastic bodies. We show that practically all the universal solutions which are possible in classical Cauchy elastic bodies are also possible within the context of the sub-class of elastic bodies that we consider.
New transformation for optical signal processing

Abstract The use of the optical Mellin transform in several novel optical signal processing applications using the frequency plane correlator and joint transform correlator is discussed.
Capacity credit evaluation of solar power plants

Renewable power generators, such as wind or solar, are not dispatchable since their fuel sources are intermittent in nature. Unlike conventional generators, these generators serve less load than their rated value. Therefore, a mechanism is needed to predict their power outputs and evaluate their capacity value. This prediction helps to estimate to what extent renewable power plants with intermittent sources can substitute for other power generations in the system while maintaining the same reliability standards. These calculations are an important factor in generation planning of power systems with renewable intermittent sources.
How Consumers Allocate Their Time When Searching for Information

The authors assume consumers maximize value subject to a constraint on their time. The value of positive information is the increase in the expected utility of the consideration set; the value of n...
VASCULAR CLOSURE DEVICE USE IN HIGH BLEEDING RISK PATIENTS REDUCES PERI-PROCEDURAL COMPLICATIONS AND IMPROVES COSTS

Bleeding is common in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and increases length of stay (LOS), costs and mortality. Risk assessment scoring prior to PCI may enable physicians to selectively employ bleeding avoidance strategies such as vascular closure devices (VCD) to improve outcomes. We
Relationships among Multiple Task Asymmetries: II. A Large-Sample Factor Analysis

Abstract Samples from published and unpublished factor analytic studies of multiple task asymmetry are combined to produce a large-sample factor analysis of 10 measures, prescreened for significant asymmetry and acceptable reliability, from 9 lateralized tasks. A full correlational matrix is presented, with task pairings having sample sizes ranging from 103 to 479 (mean N = 290). Both significant positive and significant negative correlations between measures are found. Extraction and oblique rotation of five factors fails to reveal any evidence of a global relationship among lateral difference measures, and principal-components analysis likewise fails to reveal a component to which all measures correlate positively. However, evidence for local structure is found. Results are interpreted in terms of dissociable hemispheric processes, and consideration is given of the possible existence of modality-specific characteristic perceptual asymmetry and of single versus multiple determination of lateral differences.
An open-label study of the safety and tolerability of converting stable liver transplant recipients to neoral

Neoral is a new formulation of cyclosporine based on microemulsion technology, designed to provide increased and more reliable absorption of the medication. The aim of this study was to assess whether conversion from Sandimmune to Neoral provides safe and effective oral immunosuppression in stable liver transplant recipients. We studied 59 stable liver transplant recipients (being treated with prednisone, azathioprine, and Sandimmune). All patients were enrolled in an open-label study in which they were converted from Sandimmune to Neoral therapy at a dose ratio of 1:1. Thirty-nine patients underwent duct-to-duct bile duct anastomoses, and 20 underwent Roux-en-Y bile duct anastomoses. After conversion, the Neoral dosage was adjusted on the basis of trough levels measured at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12. To assess safety and tolerability, we prospectively obtained serial information, including laboratory data and information on side effects. Standard statistical methodology was used. A total of 59 patients (23 men, 36 women; mean age, 55 years; mean follow-up after liver transplantation, 5.7 years) completed 3 months of follow-up after conversion from Sandimmune to Neoral. There were 32 dosage changes; 22 (69%) required reduction of the Neoral dose. Mean cyclosporine trough levels remained above 100 ng/mL during the follow-up period. There were no significant differences between cyclosporine levels in patients with duct-to-duct or Roux-en-Y bile duct anastomoses. There were no episodes of rejection during the 3-month follow-up period. The side effect profile was similar in both groups, except for a significant reduction in the number of patients with headaches after Neoral conversion. Liver transplant recipients can safely be converted from Sandimmune to Neoral. Neoral was well tolerated in this population.
Reproductive ecology of the intertidal sea anemones Anthopleura xanthogrammica (Brandt) and A. elegantissima (Brandt): Body size, habitat, and sexual reproduction

Abstract Anthopleura xanthogrammica (Brandt) and A. elegantissima (Brandt) were collected monthly (1974–1976) from a variety of intertidal habitats in Washington State. Histological preparations were used to examine oocyte maturation, testis maturation, gonad number, and gonad volume. Maturation was examined over two years and both species were found to build gonad during the winter, spring, and summer followed by spawning in the late summer and autumn. Gonad volume and gonad number increase with individual size after a certain minimum size has been reached. Gonad volume as a function of body size does not change with habitat although the size structure of the population may change substantially.
An Empirical Analysis of Illegal Insider Trading

Whether insider trading affects stock prices is central to both the current debate over whether insider trading is harmful or pervasive, and to the broader public policy issue of how best to regulate securities markets. Using previously unexplored data on illegal insider trading from the Securities and Exchange Commission, this paper finds that the stock market detects the possibility of informed trading and impounds this information into the stock price. Specifically, the abnormal return on an insider trading day averages 3%, and almost half of the pre-announcement stock price run-up observed before takeovers occurs on insider trading days. Both the amount traded by the insider and additional trade-specific characteristics lead to the market's recognition of the informed trading.
The Trier Social Stress Test protocol for inducing psychological stress.

This article demonstrates a psychological stress protocol for use in a laboratory setting. Protocols that allow researchers to study the biological pathways of the stress response in health and disease are fundamental to the progress of research in stress and anxiety.1 Although numerous protocols exist for inducing stress response in the laboratory, many neglect to provide a naturalistic context or to incorporate aspects of social and psychological stress. Of psychological stress protocols, meta-analysis suggests that the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is the most useful and appropriate standardized protocol for studies of stress hormone reactivity.2 In the original description of the TSST, researchers sought to design and evaluate a procedure capable of inducing a reliable stress response in the majority of healthy volunteers.3 These researchers found elevations in heart rate, blood pressure and several endocrine stress markers in response to the TSST (a psychological stressor) compared to a saline injection (a physical stressor).3 Although the TSST has been modified to meet the needs of various research groups, it generally consists of a waiting period upon arrival, anticipatory speech preparation, speech performance, and verbal arithmetic performance periods, followed by one or more recovery periods. The TSST requires participants to prepare and deliver a speech, and verbally respond to a challenging arithmetic problem in the presence of a socially evaluative audience.3 Social evaluation and uncontrollability have been identified as key components of stress induction by the TSST.4 In use for over a decade, the goal of the TSST is to systematically induce a stress response in order to measure differences in reactivity, anxiety and activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) or sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) axis during the task.1 Researchers generally assess changes in self-reported anxiety, physiological measures (e.g. heart rate), and/or neuroendocrine indices (e.g. the stress hormone cortisol) in response to the TSST. Many investigators have adopted salivary sampling for stress markers such as cortisol and alpha-amylase (a marker of autonomic nervous system activation) as an alternative to blood sampling to reduce the confounding stress of blood-collection techniques. In addition to changes experienced by an individual completing the TSST, researchers can compare changes between different treatment groups (e.g. clinical versus healthy control samples) or the effectiveness of stress-reducing interventions.1
Synthesizing Magnetic Nanocomposite Fibers by Electrospinning Method

Flexible magnetic nanocomposite fibers were produced by electrospinning method using a polymeric solution containing poly(acrylonitrile) and magnetite nanoparticles. Magnetic nanoparticles (∼10 nm) were prepared by a chemical co-precipitation of ferric and ferrous chloride salts in the presence of an ammonium hydroxide solution. The effect of magnetic particle concentrations (e.g., 0%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 30%) on nanocomposite fibers, distribution and morphology were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental study indicated that the average diameters of the magnetic nanocomposite fibers were between 400 nm and 1.08 μm. The magnetic responds were also found to increase linearly with increasing percent loading of the magnetic nanoparticles. It is concluded that this study provides promising results for various applications, such as filtration and separation of micron and nanosize organic and inorganic particles, HF antenna fabrication and biomedical.© 2008 ASME
Emotional networks: The heart of brain design

The concept of emotion as defined by Rolls is based upon reinforcement mechanisms and their underlying neural networks. He shows how these networks process signals at many levels, through both separate and convergent pathways essential for adaptive action. While many behavioral issues related to emotion are omitted from his review, he succeeds admirably in summarizing both the “current state of the art” in single unit analyses and in pointing out how future research directions may be crafted.
Tensile rupture of superelastic thin-walled tube and spherical shell

Abstract A three-dimensional theory of superelasticity is developed, based on the requirement that in the uni-axial case it shall reduce to the one-dimensional Packer–Sherby law. Using Hoff's ductile creep rupture criterion, theoretical values of rupture time are obtained for a thin-walled tube and a spherical shell under a constant internal pressure. Numerical examples are given and discussed.
The perceived relationship between life events and religiosity among individuals raised in a Mormon community

This research explored the perceived relationship between some life events and religiosity among people raised by at least one Mormon parent in a Mormon community. It aimed to answer the following questions: what kinds of life events increase individuals’ perceived level of religiosity and what kinds of life events decrease or simply keep it unchanged? Based on a qualitative survey of some undergraduate students in Utah, asking them to list three most significant positive life events and three negative life events, and how these life events affect their religious level, this research found that positive life events are more likely than negative life events to increase individuals’ level of religiosity. Nevertheless, in contrast to other research findings, negative life events increased, rather than decreased, respondents’ religiosity. Other factors, possibly affecting the impacts, including the types and severity of events, whether the events were finished or ongoing, and respondents’ religious level befo...
Numerical analysis of transient behavior of thermoelectric coolers

Abstract An electrical analog of the thermal model for the thermoelectric (TE) device is developed. The numerical techniques coupled with the computer algorithms developed in this paper allow the researcher to predict the transient and steady state behavior of TE devices. This concept is applicable to both single and multi-stage coolers. The methods are valid even when the material parameters are temperature dependent.
Detection of Structural Dynamics by FRET: A Photon Distribution and Fluorescence Lifetime Analysis of Systems with Multiple States

Two complementary methods in confocal single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy are presented to analyze conformational dynamics by Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements considering simulated and experimental data. First, an extension of photon distribution analysis (PDA) is applied to characterize conformational exchange between two or more states via global analysis of the shape of FRET peaks for different time bins. PDA accurately predicts the shape of FRET efficiency histograms in the presence of FRET fluctuations, taking into account shot noise and background contributions. Dynamic-PDA quantitatively recovers FRET efficiencies of the interconverting states and relaxation times of dynamics on the time scale of the diffusion time td (typically milliseconds), with a dynamic range of the method of about ±1 order of magnitude with respect to td. Correction procedures are proposed to consider the factors limiting the accuracy of dynamic-PDA, such as brightness variations, shortening of the ...
A 100 Mc/s 2 OUT OF 3 GATE.

Abstract A direct-coupled gate to determine when any two out of three inputs are present is described. The gate will function up to at least 100 Mc/s and employs negative logic signals of nominal amplitude −1 V.
Development of a tailored, Internet-based smoking cessation intervention for adolescents

Computer-assisted interventions represent an innovative approach to adolescent smoking cessation that may offer advantages over traditional smoking interventions in their potential to provide adolescents with a variety of appropriate cessation-related activities, as well as interactive feedback tailored to their developmental, psychosocial, behavioral, and biological needs. As part of a larger project to evaluate the effectiveness of an Internet-based approach to smoking cessation among adolescents, this paper will describe the intervention development process. Stomp Out Smokes (S.O.S.), an Internet-based information and support system, was created to address the specific needs and experiences of adolescents who want to quit smoking. The development of S.O.S. involved an iterative process with five distinct yet often overlapping phases: Phase 1: review of the adolescent development, smoking cessation, and health literature; Phase 2: development and implementation of a needs assessment; Phase 3: construction of a site development strategy; Phase 4: development, review, and revision of content; and Phase 5: development of the website architecture and graphic design.
Fluorescence studies of lipid regular distribution in membranes.

This article reviews the use of fluorescent lipids and free probes in the studies of lipid regular distribution in model membranes. The first part of this article summarizes the evidence and physical properties for lipid regular distribution in pyrene-labeled phosphatidylcholine (PC)/unlabeled PC binary mixtures as revealed by the fluorescence of pyrene-labeled PC. The original and the extended hexagonal superlattice model are discussed. The second part focuses on the fluorescence studies of sterol regular distributions in membranes. The experimental evidence for sterol superlattice formation obtained from the fluorescent sterol (i.e. dehydroergosterol) and non-sterol fluorescent probes (e.g. DPH and Laurdan) are evaluated. Prospects and concerns are given with regard to the sterol regular distribution. The third part deals briefly with the evidence for polar headgroup superlattices. The emphasis of this article is placed on the new concept that membrane properties and activities, including the activities of surface acting enzymes, drug partitioning, and membrane free volume, are fine-tuned by minute changes in the concentration of bulky lipids (e.g. sterols and pyrene-containing acyl chains) in the vicinities of the critical mole fractions for superlattice formation.
Optimal tuning and calibration of bendable mirrors with slope-measuring profilers

We describe a technique to optimally tune and calibrate bendable X-ray optics for submicron focusing. The focusing is divided between two elliptically cylindrical reflecting elements, a Kirkpatrick-Baez pair. Each optic is shaped by applying unequal bending couples to each end of a flat mirror. The developed technique allows optimal tuning of these systems using surface slope data obtained with a slope-measuring instrument, the long trace profiler. Because of the near linearity of the problem, the minimal set of data necessary for the tuning of each bender consists of only three slope traces measured before and after a single adjustment of each bending couple. The data are analyzed with software realizing a method of regression analysis with experimentally found characteristic functions of the benders. The resulting approximation to the functional dependence of the desired shape provides nearly final settings. Moreover, the characteristic functions of the benders found in the course of tuning can be used for retuning to a new desired shape without removal from the beamline and remeasuring. We perform a ray trace using profiler data for the finally tuned optics, predicting the performance to be expected during use of the optics on the beamline.
Sti1 and Cdc37 can stabilize Hsp90 in chaperone complexes with a protein kinase.

Hsp90 functions in association with several cochaperones for folding of protein kinases and transcription factors, although the relative contribution of each to the overall reaction is unknown. We assayed the role of nine different cochaperones in the activation of Ste11, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase. Studies on signaling via this protein kinase pathway was measured by α-factor-stimulated induction of FIG1 or lacZ, and repression of HHF1. Several cochaperone mutants tested had reduced FIG1 induction or HHF1 repression, although to differing extents. The greatest defects were in cpr7Δ, sse1Δ, and ydj1Δ mutants. Assays of Ste11 kinase activity revealed a pattern of defects in the cochaperone mutant strains that were similar to the gene expression studies. Overexpression of CDC37, a chaperone required for protein kinase folding, suppressed defects the sti1Δ mutant back to wild-type levels. CDC37 overexpression also restored stable Hsp90 binding to the Ste11 protein kinase domain in the sti1Δ mutant strain. These data suggest that Cdc37 and Sti1 have functional overlap in stabilizing Hsp90:client complexes. Finally, we show that Cns1 functions in MAP kinase signaling in association with Cpr7.
Temperature increase estimates for transabdominal obstetrical exposures

The purpose of the contribution is to estimate the temperature increase for transabdominal obstetrical exposures. The monopole-source solution was used to calculate the 3D complex acoustic pressure field for focused circular apertures from which the 3D temperature distribution was calculated using the bio-heat transfer equation in a layered, perfused media. For the 114 cases, the acoustic field was normalized to the transmit acoustic power required for the derated spatial peak, temporal average intensity I/sub SPTA.3/ equal to 720 mW/cm/sup 2/ for the applicable homogeneous tissue model, the maximum value allowed by the FDA 510(k) diagnostic ultrasound equipment approval process. For the I/sub SPTA.3/=720 mW/cm/sup 2/ condition, the axial temperature increase profiles and maximum temperature increases were determined within the anterior abdominal wall and conceptus. Also, from the normalized acoustic field, the soft-tissue thermal index TIS was determined according to the procedures of the output display standard. The results suggest that the TIS is an adequate indicator for monitoring the myometrium's, and possibly the fetus', maximum temperature increase.
Radiometric Sensitivity Comparisons of Multispectral Imaging Systems

Multispectral imaging systems provide much of the basic data used by the land and ocean civilian remote-sensing community. There are numerous multispectral imaging systems which have been and are being developed. A common way to compare the radiometric performance of these systems is to examine their noise-equivalent change in reflectance, NE Delta-rho. The NE Delta-rho of a system is the reflectance difference that is equal to the noise in the recorded signal. A comparison is made of the noise equivalent change in reflectance of seven different multispectral imaging systems (AVHRR, AVIRIS, ETM, HIRIS, MODIS-N, SPOT-1, HRV, and TM) for a set of three atmospheric conditions (continental aerosol with 23-km visibility, continental aerosol with 5-km visibility, and a Rayleigh atmosphere), five values of ground reflectance (0.01, 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00), a nadir viewing angle, and a solar zenith angle of 45 deg.
Understanding of hot-carrier-injection induced IDLIN kink effect in sub-100nm HV NLDMOS

Hot-carrier-injection (HCI) induced effects in the electrical characteristics of high voltage n-type Lateral-Diffused-MOSFET (NLDMOS) have been studied extensively under various stress conditions. Width (W) dependent HCI induced appearance/disappearance of kink in linear drain current (I DLIN ) of NLDMOS, (i.e. kink appears after stress in large W, but it disappears after stress in narrow W, which presents initially in fresh device I DLIN ) is observed under high gate voltage (V G ) and drain voltage (V D ) stress condition. Such interesting phenomenon has never been seen during maximum substrate current (I SUBMAX ) HCI stress. TCAD simulation results revealed that enhancement in interface state generation and localized electron trapping in the gate oxide along the source side drift region are the main root causes of the appearance/disappearance of I DLIN kink under high V G and V D stress. It is suspected that HCI induced I DLIN kink may cause device reliability modeling/prediction concern, if model target is based on I DLIN degradation.
A computer modeling tool for comparing novel ICD electrode orientations in children and adults.

Background Use of implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) in children and patients with congenital heart disease is complicated by body size and anatomy. A variety of creative implantation techniques has been used empirically in these groups on an ad hoc basis. Objective To rationalize ICD placement in special populations, we used subject-specific, image-based finite element models (FEMs) to compare electric fields and expected defibrillation thresholds (DFTs) using standard and novel electrode configurations. Methods FEMs were created by segmenting normal torso computed tomography scans of subjects ages 2, 10, and 29 years and 1 adult with congenital heart disease into tissue compartments, meshing, and assigning tissue conductivities. The FEMs were modified by interactive placement of ICD electrode models in clinically relevant electrode configurations, and metrics of relative defibrillation safety and efficacy were calculated. Results Predicted DFTs for standard transvenous configurations were comparable with published results. Although transvenous systems generally predicted lower DFTs, a variety of extracardiac orientations were also predicted to be comparably effective in children and adults. Significant trend effects on DFTs were associated with body size and electrode length. In many situations, small alterations in electrode placement and patient anatomy resulted in significant variation of predicted DFT. We also show patient-specific use of this technique for optimization of electrode placement. Conclusion Image-based FEMs allow predictive modeling of defibrillation scenarios and predict large changes in DFTs with clinically relevant variations of electrode placement. Extracardiac ICDs are predicted to be effective in both children and adults. This approach may aid both ICD development and patient-specific optimization of electrode placement. Further development and validation are needed for clinical or industrial utilization.
Verbal fluency in HIV infection: a meta-analytic review.

Given the largely prefrontostriatal neuropathogenesis of HIV-associated neurobehavioral deficits, it is often presumed that HIV infection leads to greater impairment on letter versus category fluency. A meta-analysis of the HIV verbal fluency literature was conducted (k 5 37, n 5 7110) to assess this hypothesis and revealed generally small effect sizes for both letter and category fluency, which increased in magnitude with advancing HIV disease severity. Across all studies, the mean effect size of category fluency was slightly larger than that of letter fluency. However, the discrepancy between category and letter fluency dissipated in a more conservative analysis of only those studies that included both tests. Thus, HIV-associated impairments in letter and category fluency are of similar magnitude, suggesting that mild word generation deficits are evident in HIV, regardless of whether traditional letter or semantic cues are used to guide the word search and retrieval process (JINS, 2007, 13, 183–189.)
Predicting the effects of deep brain stimulation with diffusion tensor based electric field models

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established therapy for the treatment of movement disorders, and has shown promising results for the treatment of a wide range of other neurological disorders. However, little is known about the mechanism of action of DBS or the volume of brain tissue affected by stimulation. We have developed methods that use anatomical and diffusion tensor MRI (DTI) data to predict the volume of tissue activated (VTA) during DBS. We co-register the imaging data with detailed finite element models of the brain and stimulating electrode to enable anatomically and electrically accurate predictions of the spread of stimulation. One critical component of the model is the DTI tensor field that is used to represent the 3-dimensionally anisotropic and inhomogeneous tissue conductivity. With this system we are able to fuse structural and functional information to study a relevant clinical problem: DBS of the subthalamic nucleus for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Our results show that inclusion of the tensor field in our model caused significant differences in the size and shape of the VTA when compared to a homogeneous, isotropic tissue volume. The magnitude of these differences was proportional to the stimulation voltage. Our model predictions are validated by comparing spread of predicted activation to observed effects of oculomotor nerve stimulation in a PD patient. In turn, the 3D tissue electrical properties of the brain play an important role in regulating the spread of neural activation generated by DBS.
DNA barcoding reveals novel insights into pterygophagy and prey selection in distichodontid fishes (Characiformes: Distichodontidae)

DNA barcoding was used to investigate dietary habits and prey selection in members of the African-endemic family Distichodontidae noteworthy for displaying highly specialized ectoparasitic fin-eating behaviors (pterygophagy). Fin fragments recovered from the stomachs of representatives of three putatively pterygophagous distichodontid genera (Phago, Eugnathichthys, and Ichthyborus) were sequenced for the mitochondrial gene co1. DNA barcodes (co1 sequences) were then used to identify prey items in order to determine whether pterygophagous distichodontids are opportunistic generalists or strict specialists with regard to prey selection and, whether as previously proposed, aggressive mimicry is used as a strategy for successful pterygophagy. Our findings do not support the hypothesis of aggressive mimicry suggesting instead that, despite the possession of highly specialized trophic anatomies, fin-eating distichodontids are opportunistic generalists, preying on fishes from a wide phylogenetic spectrum and to the extent of engaging in cannibalism. This study demonstrates how DNA barcoding can be used to shed light on evolutionary and ecological aspects of highly specialized ectoparasitic fin-eating behaviors by enabling the identification of prey species from small pieces of fins found in fish stomachs.
Resurfacing history of Venus

The stratigraphy, impact cratering record, and geoid of Venus indicate that a major change in surface geologic activity has occurred. Before ∼800 Ma Venus was dominated by horizontal movement and tectonic deformation of the crust. A brief period of global volcanism subsequently filled in all low-lying areas and left much of the surface at a nearly uniform elevation. Current geologic activity is dominated by large volcanoes and limited horizontal movement of the crust. This geologic history may have resulted from mantle cooling causing the lithosphere to become positively buoyant globally.
Parameter estimation in orthorhombic media using multicomponent wide-azimuth reflection data

Orthorhombic models with a horizontal symmetry plane adequately describe seismic signatures recorded over many naturally fractured reservoirs. The inversion of wide-azimuth traveltimes of PP and SS (the fast S1 and slow S2) reflections are discussed for Tsvankin's anisotropic parameters and the azimuths of the vertical symmetry planes of orthorhombic media. If shear waves are not excited, SS traveltimes can be found from PP and PS (converted-wave) data, which makes the method applicable to offshore surveys. The feasibility of parameter estimation is strongly dependent on reflector dip and orientation. For a horizontal reflector beneath a single orthorhombic layer, the vertical velocities and reflector depth cannot be found from conventional-spread reflection traveltimes alone. If the reflector is dipping, the inversion is ambiguous when the dip plane is close to one of the vertical symmetry planes of the orthorhombic layer above it. The parameter estimation becomes possible if the dip direction deviates b...
Age of seizure onset, functional reorganization, and neuropsychological outcome in temporal lobectomy

Patients with early onset seizure disorder tend to have less cognitive decline following surgical resection than patients with late onset seizure disorder. Differential opportunity for presurgical cerebral functional reorganization has been proposed to account for this "age of onset" effect. However, the relationships between age of seizure onset, functional organization, and neuropsychological outcome remain incompletely understood. To shed additional light on these issues, we investigated 66 patients with anterior temporal lobectomies (37 left; 29 right), all of whom completed comprehensive neuropsychological assessment prior to and following surgical resection. The sample was divided into two groups: 34 patients with early onset (EO) epilepsy and 32 patients with late onset (LO) epilepsy. We found the typical age of onset effect: post-surgically, EO patients demonstrated relatively better outcome in multiple neuropsychological domains, especially verbal memory, compared to LO patients. Based on presurgical Wada testing, 23 patients were classified as having traditional cerebral functional organization (TFO) and 35 were classified as having nontraditional cerebral functional organization (NTFO). The NTFO group had an earlier age of seizure onset than the TFO group, and NTFO was more frequent in EO patients (70%) than LO patients (50%). NTFO patients demonstrated relatively better post-surgical outcome in several neuropsychological domains, compared to TFO patients. Our findings are consistent with the notion that functional reorganization may be an explanatory factor for the better neuropsychological outcome of EO epilepsy patients following anterior temporal lobectomy.
Research Framework for Social Media in the Context of Private Labels

Private labels evolved since their first appearance to reach nowadays a variety of concepts. However, not only the concepts have evolved but also the objectives of offering private labels, the strategic approaches and the processes used by retailers to make these brands successful. One of the strategic windows open for these brands is the use of social media due to their low costs, high reach, increasing Internet penetration, high adoption by the tech-savvy generation, and its viral effect that has been shown to be more effective than costly traditional communication tools. However, there is a dearth of academic studies tackling the use of social media specifically for private labels. So, we offer in this paper a research framework for future works on this subject by discussing three levels of analysis namely modeling, behavioral and strategy-based research.
Transverse dynamics of a relativistic electron beam in an underdense plasma channel

The transverse dynamics of a relativistic electron beam in a plasma less dense than the beam is analyzed, with particular attention to the electron-hose instability as it appears in a plasma channel of finite radius. A comparison is made between analytic asymptotic forms, linearized “beam break-up” simulations, and particle-in-cell simulations. The analysis provides a framework for the interpretation of projected and time-resolved diagnostics in such a system. Examples used for illustration correspond to parameters of an experiment in progress, employing a 30 GeV electron beam in a 1.5 m plasma cell, with the amplification of beam-centroid offsets on the order of 100–102×, depending on experimental settings.
Rule of Law and the Resource Curse: Abundance Versus Intensity

We examine the ‘resource curse’ using new data on historic resource stocks and an improved econometric methodology. The paper distinguishes between resource abundance (stocks) and extractive intensity (flows), focusing on relationships between resources and rule of law. Previously unavailable information on past resource stocks is estimated. We find that economically large initial natural resource stocks are associated with subsequent lower levels of rule of law and do not directly affect growth, while raw resource exports do not have a significant effect on rule of law when stocks are included in the analysis but do affect average growth rates. Sample size is maximized through the use of an EMis (expectation maximization with importance sampling) algorithm to replace missing data, minimizing the bias and inefficiency associated with listwise deletion, which commonly eliminates half or more of the available data in this setting.
Comparison of probabilistic combination methods for protein secondary structure prediction

Motivation: Protein secondary structure prediction is an important step towards understanding how proteins fold in three dimensions. Recent analysis by information theory indicates that the correlation between neighboring secondary structures are much stronger than that of neighboring amino acids. In this article, we focus on the combination problem for sequences, i.e. combining the scores or assignments from single or multiple prediction systems under the constraint of a whole sequence, as a target for improvement in protein secondary structure prediction. Results: We apply several graphical chain models to solve the combination problem and show that they are consistently more effective than the traditional window-based methods. In particular, conditional random fields (CRFs) moderately improve the predictions for helices and, more importantly, for beta sheets, which are the major bottleneck for protein secondary structure prediction.
U.S. Military Hegemony in the Arabian/Persian Gulf: How Long Can It Last?

Throughout the autumn and into the winter of 2002–2003 the world watched as the United States prepared to wage war against Iraq. After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the Pentagon had added two battalions of troops to the single battalion of 2,500 troops already on station in Kuwait, establishing a mechanized brigade of more than 6,000-strong.1 By the end of August 2002 the United States had added two brigade-sets of materiel, each consisting of equipment for two armored battalions and one mechanized infantry battalion, to the one brigade-set already prepositioned in Kuwait—enough firepower to support 15–25,000 troops.2 In the few days it would take to airlift these soldiers to the region, the United States could quickly add three brigades of soldiers armed with 200-plus tanks, artillery, and armored personnel carriers to the forward deployed troops and firepower already stationed in northern Kuwait near Iraq’s border. While U.N. weapons inspectors were allowed back in Iraq in November, Saddam Hussein got a close-up look at U.S. war fighting capabilities in early December when 12,000 U.S. troops participated in a long-planned war game exercise in northern Kuwait. At the same time, in Qatar, a command exercise was held simulating a full-scale regional war. The Bush administration’s ability to flex U.S. military muscle in the Gulf region is facilitated by the extensive strategic infrastructure the United States constructed in the region following the defeat of Iraq and liberation of Kuwait in 1991. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, the first Bush administration initially had to rely on the “over-the-horizon” military network created under the aegis of the Carter Doctrine during the 1980s. As the Iran hostage situation dragged on and with the Soviet Union having invaded Afghanistan in late December 1979, the United States responded with the Carter Doctrine. …
A Treecode-Accelerated Boundary Integral Poisson-Boltzmann Solver for Electrostatics of Solvated Biomolecules

Abstract We present a treecode-accelerated boundary integral (TABI) solver for electrostatics of solvated biomolecules described by the linear Poisson–Boltzmann equation. The method employs a well-conditioned boundary integral formulation for the electrostatic potential and its normal derivative on the molecular surface. The surface is triangulated and the integral equations are discretized by centroid collocation. The linear system is solved by GMRES iteration and the matrix–vector product is carried out by a Cartesian treecode which reduces the cost from O ( N 2 ) to O ( N log N ) , where N is the number of faces in the triangulation. The TABI solver is applied to compute the electrostatic solvation energy in two cases, the Kirkwood sphere and a solvated protein. We present the error, CPU time, and memory usage, and compare results for the Poisson–Boltzmann and Poisson equations. We show that the treecode approximation error can be made smaller than the discretization error, and we compare two versions of the treecode, one with uniform clusters and one with non-uniform clusters adapted to the molecular surface. For the protein test case, we compare TABI results with those obtained using the grid-based APBS code, and we also present parallel TABI simulations using up to eight processors. We find that the TABI solver exhibits good serial and parallel performance combined with relatively simple implementation, efficient memory usage, and geometric adaptability.
Proteasomal inhibition effects Notch signaling (937.2)

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive cancer with poor clinical outcome and aberrant Notch signaling has been shown to play a central role in disease pathogenesis. Therefore, it is crucial to elucidate the mechanism underlying Notch deregulation. Upon release from the membrane, the Notch Intracellular Domain (NICD) translocates to the nucleus where is associates with CSL, displacing co-repressors and recruiting co-activators (such as Mastermind and CBP/p300), thus resulting in the transcription of target genes (Hes1 and Myc). Our earlier work demonstrated that the NICD could be turned over through a phosphorylation, and subsequent ubiquitination mechanism of degradation. However, it remains unclear if turnover occurs on chromatin or in the nucleoplasm. It is also known that Notch translocation can be pharmacologically inhibited by the drug DAPT. The current work examines the interplay at hand between the inhibition of Notch translocation and the ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degrad...
Adaptation-induced synchronization in laminar cortical circuits

A fundamental feature of information processing in neocortex is the ability of individual neurons to adapt to changes in incoming stimuli. It is increasingly being understood that cortical adaptation is a phenomenon that requires network interactions. The fact that the structure of local networks depends critically on cortical layer raises the possibility that adaptation could induce specific effects in different layers. Here we show that brief exposure (300 ms) to a stimulus of fixed orientation modulates the strength of synchronization between individual neurons and local population activity in the gamma-band frequency (30–80 Hz) in macaque primary visual cortex (V1) and influences the ability of individual neurons to encode stimulus orientation. Using laminar probes, we found that although stimulus presentation elicits a large increase in the gamma synchronization of rhythmic neuronal activity in the input (granular) layers of V1, adaptation caused a pronounced increase in synchronization in the cortical output (supragranular) layers. The increase in gamma synchronization after adaptation was significantly correlated with an improvement in neuronal orientation discrimination performance only in the supragranular layers. Thus, synchronization between the spiking activity of individual neurons and their local population may enhance sensory coding to optimize network processing across laminar circuits.
Carbon monoxide: from silent killer to potential remedy.

All substances are poisonous, there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy. —Paracelsus thoughts that come to mind when the words carbon monoxide (CO) are heard include accidental deaths from malfunctioning home appliances, suicides in closed garages
COMPRESSION CREEP BEHAVIOR OF B2 AL-NI-RU TERNARY ALLOYS

The compression creep behavior of five Al- Ni-Ru ternary alloys with compositions across the NiAl-RuAl B2 phase field has been investigated within the temperature range of 950 °C to 1050 °C. A continuous increase of the melting temperature and creep resistance with increasing Ru/Ni ratio in these alloys was observed. Post-creep dislocation analyses identified the presence of and edge dislocations in the Al-deficient alloys. Conversely, jogged screw dislocations predominated in the Ru-rich ternary alloys. Dislocation substructures and transient experiments suggest a transition of the creep mechanism from viscous glide controlled to jogged screw motion in these alloys.
Actinomycin D acts on an intracellular process to inhibit replication of rhinovirus type 14.

SummaryAct D inhibited replication of RV14 but not mengovirus in HeLa cells. Early processes such as attachment, penetration, and uncoating of RV14 were not affected by Act D. Pretreatment of cells with Act D and removal of the antibiotic prior to infection increased the antiviral effect of Act D on replication of RV14. Yields of RV14 per cell were reduced in Act D-pretreated cell cultures but the number of virus-producing cells was not reduced. Cells treated with Act D for 6 hr prior to inoculation of RV14 synthesized only 28% of the ribonuclease-sensitive and ribonuclease-re-sistant RV14 RNA which was synthesized by cells treated with Act D at the time of virus inoculation. As most ribonuclease-re-sistant RNA is associated with viral replicative-intermediate RNA structures in these cells, the results are compatible with the hypothesis that a cell process is required for synthesis of viral replicative-intermediate RNA and it is the cell process with which Act D interferes and contributes to the reduction...
Implementing Data Definition Consistency for Emergency Department Operations Benchmarking and Research.

Objectives The objective was to obtain a commitment to adopt a common set of definitions for emergency department (ED) demographic, clinical process, and performance metrics among the ED Benchmarking Alliance (EDBA), ED Operations Study Group (EDOSG), and Academy of Academic Administrators of Emergency Medicine (AAAEM) by 2017. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of available data from three ED operations benchmarking organizations supported a negotiation to use a set of common metrics with identical definitions. During a 1.5-day meeting-structured according to social change theories of information exchange, self-interest, and interdependence-common definitions were identified and negotiated using the EDBA's published definitions as a start for discussion. Methods of process analysis theory were used in the 8 weeks following the meeting to achieve official consensus on definitions. These two lists were submitted to the organizations' leadership for implementation approval. Results A total of 374 unique measures were identified, of which 57 (15%) were shared by at least two organizations. Fourteen (4%) were common to all three organizations. In addition to agreement on definitions for the 14 measures used by all three organizations, agreement was reached on universal definitions for 17 of the 57 measures shared by at least two organizations. The negotiation outcome was a list of 31 measures with universal definitions to be adopted by each organization by 2017. Conclusion The use of negotiation, social change, and process analysis theories achieved the adoption of universal definitions among the EDBA, EDOSG, and AAAEM. This will impact performance benchmarking for nearly half of US EDs. It initiates a formal commitment to utilize standardized metrics, and it transitions consistency in reporting ED operations metrics from consensus to implementation. This work advances our ability to more accurately characterize variation in ED care delivery models, resource utilization, and performance. In addition, it permits future aggregation of these three data sets, thus facilitating the creation of more robust ED operations research data sets unified by a universal language. Negotiation, social change, and process analysis principles can be used to advance the adoption of additional definitions.
Polarity effect of DC contamination flashover of composite insulators

The negative contamination flashover voltages of porcelain insulators are lower than the positive ones, and this phenomenon is called polarity effect. Silicone rubber composite insulators have been extensively accepted in the region of external insulation, but up to now, it is not clear yet whether their DC contamination flashovers have polarity effect. In this paper, the polarity effect of DC contamination flashovers of the porcelain insulator is analyzed, and it is thought that those metal hardwares on the porcelain insulator string cause the polarity effect. Each composite insulator only has two hardwares and many short arcs can form in series on it before the flashover, so these arcs are non polarity ones and cause the non polarity effect of the composite insulator.