cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of culprit lesion calcium with angiographic and clinical outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with fibrinolytic therapy.

Coronary artery calcium has been associated with a greater extent of angiographically significant coronary artery stenoses, but the angiographic and clinical outcomes associated with culprit lesion calcium (CLC) have not been fully evaluated, particularly in the stetting of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. We hypothesized that CLC would be associated with adverse angiographic and clinical outcomes in patients who had ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Data were evaluated in 3,292 patients from 6 trials of fibrinolytic therapy for ST-elevation myocardial infarction; 243 culprit lesions (7.4%) were calcified. CLC was associated with advanced age, history of hypertension, previous coronary artery disease, greater extent of disease, angiographically evident residual thrombus, smaller minimum luminal diameter, and larger percent residual stenosis after fibrinolytic therapy. CLC was associated with lower rates of arterial patency after fibrinolytic therapy (63.3% vs 81.3% p
Radiation-induced human chromosome aberrations: in vitro dose rate studies.

Abstract Human whole blood samples were irradiated with a constant dose of either 250 kV X-rays or 137 Cs γ-rays for various periods of time. The yields of chromosome aberrations showed a striking dependence on the dose rate. Dose-response curves were constructed for acute (exposure time Y = a + bD , Y = a + cD 2 , Y = a + bD + cD 2 . In both instances the centric ring plus dicentric data gave the best fit to the quadratic model. The coefficients for the acute dose curve were b = (0.91 ± 0.2)·10 −3 rings plus dicentrics/cell/R, and c = (6.0 ± 0.7)·10 −6 rings plus dicentrics/cell/R 2 . The coefficients for the chronic dose curve were b = (0.68 ± 0.1)·10 −3 rings plus dicentrics/cell/R and c = (0.68 ± 0.23)·10 −6 rings plus dicentrics/cell/R 2 . The relative biological effectiveness of γ-rays, based on the linear component of the two dose curves, was 0.75.
Mechanistic Studies of Methane Biogenesis by Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase: Evidence that Coenzyme B Participates in Cleaving the C−S Bond of Methyl-Coenzyme M†

Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR), the key enzyme in methanogenesis, catalyzes methane formation from methyl-coenzyme M (methyl-SCoM) and N-7-mercaptoheptanoylthreonine phosphate (CoBSH). Steady-state and presteady-state kinetics have been used to test two mechanistic models that contrast in the role of CoBSH in the MCR-catalyzed reaction. In class 1 mechanisms, CoBSH is integrally involved in methane formation and in C-S (methyl-SCoM) bond cleavage. On the other hand, in class 2 mechanisms, methane is formed in the absence of CoBSH, which functions to regenerate active MCR after methane is released. Steady-state kinetic studies are most consistent with a ternary complex mechanism in which CoBSH binds before methane is formed, as found earlier [Bonacker et al. (1993) Eur. J. Biochem. 217, 587-595]. Presteady-state kinetic experiments at high MCR concentrations are complicated by the presence of tightly bound CoBSH in the purified enzyme. Chemical quench studies in which (14)CH(3)-SCoM is rapidly reacted with active MCRred1 in the presence versus the absence of added CoBSH indicate that CoBSH is required for a single-turnover of methyl-SCoM to methane. Similar single turnover studies using a CoBSH analogue leads to the same conclusion. The results are consistent with class 1 mechanisms in which CoBSH is integrally involved in methane formation and in C-S (methyl-SCoM) bond cleavage and are inconsistent with class 2 mechanisms in which CoBSH binds after methane is formed. These are the first reported pre-steady-state kinetic studies of MCR.
Multiple Myeloma: Lusting for NF-κB

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a late-stage B cell malignancy that has received much attention recently because of its therapeutic susceptibility to proteasome inhibitors. Two papers in this issue of Cancer Cell show that primary MM samples and MM cell lines frequently have mutations in genes encoding regulators and effectors of NF-κB signaling, and that these mutations lead to chronic NF-κB target gene expression, which is required for the viability of these MM tumor cells. These results reveal the molecular basis for constitutive NF-κB activity in many MMs and further validate the NF-κB signaling pathway as an appropriate target for MM therapy.
A Numerical Investigation of Arctic Ocean Dynamics

Abstract A barotropic numerical model of the Arctic Ocean is formulated to include irregular basin shape, variable bathymetry, lateral friction, bottom drag, and nonlinear advection terms. Source-sink distributions around the perimeter of the basin are used to represent exchange between the Arctic and other portions of the world ocean and the actual bathymetry is parameterized to simulate the effects of weak stratification. The model ocean is spun up using averaged annual wind stress distributions for the Arctic and numerically simulated under-ice stress distributions. A number of computer runs were made using what were thought to be appropriate parameter ranges for the Arctic. The controlling dynamics in the development of the circulation was discussed for a number of cases and some comparisons made between the model results and observed circulation patterns. The results of the investigation indicate that topographic Rossby waves play a dominate role in the development and maintenance of general circulat...
Carcinoma of prostate metastatic to breast

Clinically diagnosed breast metastasis from prostatic carcinoma is rare. Primary breast carcinoma in patients with prostatic primary is also uncommon. Four patients who presented with breast malignancies in the course of their prostatic carcinoma are described. All but one of them had diffuse metastatic disease. Three of them were on estrogens at the time breast malignancy was diagnosed. Difficulties always arise in differentiating primary lesions from metastasis clinically and histopathologically. The development of histochemical methods for acid phosphatase, and the newest indirect immunofluorescent antibody technique, used in one of our patients, helped in making the differentiation between primary lesion and metastatic disease. Diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma metastatic to breast carries a poor prognosis, and may be an indication for aggressive therapy.
Organizational context, climate and innovativeness: adoption of imaging technology

Abstract Managers make decisions to adopt technological innovations within an organizational context. This research explores the role of organizational climate as it affects the impacts of organizational context on innovativeness. Context refers here to organizational size, slack resources, and organizational age. We analyze three known climate dimensions as moderator variables: risk orientation, external orientation, and achievement orientation. Data describe the adoption of medical imaging technologies by 70 hospitals. Climate measures come from several technology decision-makers within each organization. Technology measures of radicalness and relative advantage are ratings by five outside experts in the use of these 68 technologies. The study also includes the traditional measure that counts the overall number of innovations adopted. Innovativeness is a multi-dimensional composite variable composed of radicalness, relative advantage, and number of innovations adopted. As expected, results show that organizational size and slack are positively related with innovativeness. Hierarchical regression analyses indicate that the climate measures of risk orientation and external orientation interact significantly with the context dimensions of organizational size and organizational age. The model developed and tested in this project explains over 50% of the total variance in innovativeness.
Phase diagram of the Frenkel-Kontorova-Devonshire model.

We study a generalization of the Frenkel-Kontorova (FK) model where the usual harmonic spring potential between neighboring atoms is replaced by a phenomenological potential identical in form to a sixth-degree Landau free-energy functional proposed by Devonshire. The resulting model is a natural extension of current FK-type models with nonconvex interactions. It also provides a first step toward the construction of a theory of the structure of an epitaxial film that undergoes a first-order phase transition from a high-symmetry phase to a degenerate low-symmetry phase. The phase diagram is obtained as a function of temperature and misfit (for representative choices of the remaining parameters) by use of the effective potential method of Griffiths and Chou. Among other unusual features, we find commensurate phases and soliton structures in which all competing phases are present simultaneously.
Biological effects of electromagnetic fields

Abstract The opening lecture of the Bioelectrochemical Society of India meeting links recent developments in research to the early history of the subject, since both deal with the stimulation of biological processes by external fields. In the past, the fields considered were only electric; now we are finding interesting effects due to electromagnetic (EM) fields. Several systems are discussed, with the main focus on the stimulation of biosynthesis by EM fields. Recent experiments indicate that the patterns of proteins synthesized in EM fields are similar to those seen in response to heat shock, and that cells respond via the stress response pathway. Other data suggest how cells, and especially muscle tissue, may normally respond biosynthetically to changes in electrical stimulation. Studies on a simpler model system, the ion transporting Na,K-ATPase of membranes, have also proven useful, since they have shown how transmembrane signaling can occur through the enzyme.
Rapid shifts in phosphate acquisition show direct competition between neighbouring plants

Direct demonstrations of competition between higher plants for specific soil resources are seldom possible1–3. Previous neighbour plant removal experiments in desert environments have shown increased growth and improved water status of the remaining plants4–6. However, these responses were only measured several months after the removal of neighbours, after which period there would have been ample time for major adjustments in the root distribution of surviving plants. We report here field experiments using dual-isotope labelling to measure opportunistic phosphate acquisition by shrubs within 2 weeks of partial defoliation of neighbouring grass plants. Phosphate isotope uptake from interspaces shared with defoliated grasses increased to as much as six times that of uptake from interspaces shared with unperturbed neighbours. The experiments indicate immediate competition for phosphate and the influence of root physiological activity on this competition.
Plant Growth in Response to Phosphorus Fertilizers in Acidic Soil Amended with Limestone or Organic Matter

Liming or adding organic matter may improve productivity of soils receiving phosphorus (P) fertilizers. This study assessed the effectiveness of amendment of acidic soil with limestone and organic matter on growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), corn (Zea mays L.), and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) with different P fertilizers. These crops were grown in a greenhouse to evaluate superphosphate, bone meal, and rock phosphate as fertilizers and calcitic limestone and peat moss as amendments. Superphosphate was the superior P source to sustain crop growth, limit deficiency symptoms, and enhance P accumulation. Bone meal was less effective than superphosphate but exceeded rock phosphate in these capacities. Rock phosphate was better than adding no P fertilizer. The amendments of limestone or organic matter singly or together had little effect on growth, appearance, or P accumulation. The availability of P in the fertilizers governed the growth responses of the plants.
A robust approach for automatic detection and segmentation of cracks in underground pipeline images

Cracks in underground pipeline images are indicative of the condition of buried infrastructures like sewers and water mains. This paper presents a three step method to identify and extract crack-like structures from pipe images whose contrast have been enhanced. The proposed method is based on mathematical morphology and curvature evaluation that detects crack-like patterns in a noisy environment. Careful observation reveals that the cracks resemble a tree-like geometry in most cases which can be a usable feature for registration between successive images of the same region taken from various depths in the thickness of the buried pipe (3D visualization). In this study, segmentation is performed with respect to a precise geometric model to define crack-like patterns. Cracks in pipe images can be defined as clearly visible patterns (darkest in the image), locally linear and branching in a piece-wise fashion. First, the cracks are enhanced by mathematical morphology with respect to their spatial properties. In order to differentiate cracks from analogous background patterns, cross-curvature evaluation followed by linear filtering is performed. We discuss its implementation on 225 pipe images taken from various cities in North America and statistically evaluate its accuracy and robustness with respect to varying pipe background color, crack geometries and background noise.
The aerobic metabolism of metronidazole by Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes

Abstract 1. Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes actively metabolize metronidazole under aerobic conditions to a polar compound tentatively identified as 2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole-1-yl-acetic acid. 2. The rate of metabolite formation is increased by more than 50% by pretreatment with phenobarbital and inhibited by SKF-525A and metyrapone. 3. The reaction is dramatically stimulated by the addition of flavone which suggests that the metabolite is produced via the cytochrome P-450 system. 4. Apparently the nitro group in the metabolite is maintained intact. 5. Detoxication reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 appear to be more important than previously suspected as a basis to explain at least partially the resistance of these organisms to known antimicrobial agents. 6. However, other factors such as the fate of nitro substituent in metronidazole require further evaluation.
Hypothermal stress resistance in the domestic fowl. 1. Evidence of genetic variability.

Abstract ATTEMPTS have been made to study the effects of hypothermia in the chicken embryo. Moreng and Shaffner (1951) and Moreng and Bryant (1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956) investigated the reactions of the chicken embryo to hypothermia and demonstrated that the embryo exhibited a rather high degree of resistance to low temperature exposure. This resistance seemed to be dependent on rate of cooling, ice formation, ambient temperature, and stage of embryonic development. The poikilothermic nature of the early embryo enables it to withstand hypothermic conditions. Initiation of the homeothermic function occurs between the sixth and the eighth day of embryonic development (Moreng and Shaffner, 1951). Lamson (1918), Taylor et al. (1933) and Moreng and Bryant (1956) suggested that variation in resistance to hypothermia in the chicken embryo may be genetic in origin. Olsen (1951) reported basic differences among varieties and their crosses in the degree of resistance to low temperature exposure,…
Photonic Crystal Microcavities for Classical and Quantum Information Processing

Photonic crystal (PC) cavities enable localization of light into volumes (V) below a cubic optical wavelength (smaller than any other types of optical resonators) with high quality (Q) factors. This permits a strong interaction of light and matter, which is relevant for construction of classical light sources with improved properties (e.g., low threshold lasers) and of nonclassical light sources (such as single and entangled photon sources), which are crucial pieces of hardware of quantum information processing systems. This talk will cover some of our recent experimental results on quantum and classical devices enabled by such interaction, as well as our work on designing such devices and circuits efficiently. We have demonstrated a spontaneous emission rate enhancement by a factor of 8 and suppression by a factor of 5 for a single self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) embedded in a GaAs photonic crystal cavity and on- and off-resonance with the cavity mode, respectively. A strong localization of optical field in such a nanocavity (experimental Q-factor of 5000 and mode volume below a cubic optical wavelength) with a quantum dot embedded inside is of importance for building single photon sources with improved efficiency, photon indistinguishability, and repetition rate. We have demonstrated a single photon source on demand based on the pulsed excitation of a single quantum dot in such a nanocavity, with pulse duration between 200 ps and 8 ns and with a small multi-photon probability (as small as 5% compared to an attenuated laser of the same intensity). In addition, we have shown that colloidal PbS quantum dots coupled to AlGaAs photonic crystal cavities can be used as an alternative to self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots for construction of cheap and reusable quantum and classical light emitters. We have also demonstrated an improved classical light source-laser, based on coupling of a large number (81) of photonic crystal nanocavities inside a two dimensional array. Such a laser exhibits a low lasing threshold (~2.5 mW), operates in a single mode, produces large output powers (greater than 12 muW, which two orders of magnitude larger than a single nanocavity laser), and can be directly modulated as speeds greater than 100 GHz. An inverse problem approach to designing photonic crystal cavities that we have developed enables their rapid optimization in a single step, thereby reducing the cavity optimization time from weeks to hours. We are also pursuing theoretical and experimental work on integration of a number of photonic crystal components (cavities and waveguides) into functional circuits for classical and quantum information processing, including nontrivial two-qubit quantum gates
One qubit almost completely reveals the dynamics of two

From the time dependence of states of one of them, the dynamics of two interacting qubits is determined to be one of two possibilities that differ only by a change of signs of parameters in the Hamiltonian. The only exception is a simple particular case where several parameters in the Hamiltonian are zero and one of the remaining nonzero parameters has no effect on the time dependence of the states of the one qubit. The mean values that describe the initial state of the other qubit and of the correlations between the two qubits also are generally determined to within a change of signs by the time dependence of the states of the one qubit, but with many more exceptions. An example demonstrates all the results. Feedback in the equations of motion that allows time dependence in a subsystem to determine the dynamics of the larger system can occur in both classical and quantum mechanics. The role of quantum mechanics here is just to identify qubits as the simplest objects to consider and specify the form that equations of motion for two interacting qubits can take.
The Mentally Retarded Defendant-Offender

Approximately 20,000 mentally retarded persons, or 10% of the total prison population, are currently incarcerated in our nation's penal system. This is a significantly high percentage as compared with the prevalence of retarded persons in the general population. Although several professionals have suggested possible causes for the disproportionate percentage of imprisoned retardates, only a few have addressed issues of prevention. The authors recently concluded a study of retarded persons prior to and after adjudication proceedings. This was done to identify measures that can be initiated to prevent the apparent injustices currently facing retarded persons accused of violating the law. A study of each state was conducted to determine the current status of legislation and programmatic endeavors as related to the mentally retarded defendant-offender. The results of the study are analyzed, and recommendations are made based on the study results and relevant literature.
Leakage energy estimates for HPC applications

Large-scale high-performance systems are energy constrained. With thousands of processing cores at their disposal, these machines contain large amounts of on-chip caches. With a trend of decreasing thresholds in transistors, the amount of leakage current and energy losses has increased dramatically. Coupling the two trends, on-chip caches are responsible for a large portion of total leakage energy losses. In this work, we quantify the on-chip leakage energy losses across a wide set of applications. Our scheme profiles applications to measure cache accesses in order to estimate energy consumption across various levels of caches. Our study indicates that the leakage energy is the dominant form of energy dissipation in on-chip caches and may account for up to 80% of total cache energy, and this trend is expected to increase with every new generation of semiconductor process. Our results also suggest that compiler optimizations have a very limited effect on the total energy consumption of the caches and irrespective of the compiler optimizations, the problem of leakage in caches cannot be effectively addressed by software techniques but requires intervention at circuit and architectural levels. The problem of leakage in caches cannot be neglected in attacking the energy barrier to building exascale systems.
Precision spectroscopy using a partially stabilized frequency comb

We present a simple method for precision spectroscopy using an optical frequency comb. One mode of a 1 GHz repetition rate mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser is offset-locked to an Rb-stabilized diode laser. This partially stabilized frequency comb stays locked, unattended, for hours at a time. Using the measured offset frequency and repetition rate, we calculate the frequency of each comb mode with absolute uncertainty of about 10 kHz in a 10 s measurement window. We demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of this approach with measurements in Rb, Cs, and Ca.
Skin-tone Macroblock detection for video coding

This paper presents a low complexity color-based skin tone detection classifying skin Macroblocks (MBs) in two categories: Region of Interest (ROI) MBs and No Skin MB as non-ROI MBs (MB; 16×16 block of pixels). The classification is based on empirical thresholds applied to the mean of the color components. With this classification and a modified Rate Control (RC), which smoothly assign various levels of quality, a visual quality increase in human faces is obtained. The challenge is to develop a reliable system that works in real time implementations. Our proposal is a low complexity solution that could run over a single-core DSP as a part of an encoder implementation.
Text Detection Using Edge Gradient and Graph Spectrum

In this paper, we propose a new unsupervised text detection approach which is based on Histogram of Oriented Gradient and Graph Spectrum. By investigating the properties of text edges, the proposed approach first extracts text edges from an image and localize candidate character blocks using Histogram of Oriented Gradients, then Graph Spectrum is utilized to capture global relationship among candidate blocks and cluster candidate blocks into groups to generate bounding boxes of text objects in the image. The proposed method is robust to the color and size of text. ICDAR 2003 text locating dataset and video frames were used to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. Experimental results demonstrated the validity of our approach.
Photoelectron spectroscopy of hydrated electrons

We report a systematic study of the photoelectron spectroscopy of hydrated electrons in liquid water jets using multiple precursors and photodetachment wavelengths. Hydrated electrons were generated in and detached from liquid microjets using two photons from a single nanosecond laser pulse at 266 or 213 nm. Solutions of 50 to 250 mM potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) or potassium iodide were used to provide precursor anions. All of our experimental conditions yield similar results, giving a mean vertical binding energy of 3.6 ± 0.1 eV at a temperature of ∼280 K, a slightly higher value than in recent reports.
Iron and Colorectal Cancer Risk: Human Studies

Some reports have associated iron with cancer risk, particularly of the colorectum. This review will focus on the human studies that have investigated this association. Comparative studies were sought in which people with and without colorectal neoplastic lesions, either cancers or adenomatous polyps, were assessed for iron exposure. Iron exposure variables included dietary iron intake, iron vitamin supplementation, body iron stores as measured by ferritin or transferrin saturation, and gene status for hereditary hemochromatosis. Medline was searched for published reports using the key words iron, cancer, colon, rectum, ferritin, transferrin, and hemochromatosis. In addition, the Cochrane Library was searched for relevant studies and several authors were contacted to investigate their awareness of unpublished studies. Studies were categorized by study design and ranked for quality of innovation in design, sample size, and thoroughness of iron status ascertainment. Thirty-three studies were reviewed in 26 publications. Of the larger studies, approximately three-quarters supported the association of iron, in all three strata of exposure, with colorectal neoplasia risk. Because iron is broadly supplemented in the American diet, the benefits of iron supplementation need to be measured against the long-term risks of increased iron exposure, one of which may be increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Improving photoreduction of CO2 with homogeneously dispersed nanoscale TiO2 catalysts

Significantly improved photoconversion of CO2 was achieved with photocatalysts of nanoscale TiO2 particles homogeneously dispersed in porous cavities of optically transparent ionomer membrane thin films.
Effects of positive action on the emotional health of urban youth: A cluster-randomized trial

Abstract Purpose We examined the effects of Positive Action (PA), a school-based social-emotional learning and health promotion program, on the emotional health of predominately low-income and ethnic minority urban youth. Methods The study was a matched-pair, cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 14 Chicago public schools. Outcomes were assessed over a 6-year period of program implementation for a cohort of youth in each school, followed from grades 3 to 8. Youth reported on their emotional health (positive affect, life satisfaction, depression, anxiety) and social-emotional and character development. Growth-curve and structural-equation modeling analyses assessed overall program effects on the emotional health outcomes as well as mediation of these effects via the program's impact on youths' social-emotional and character development. Results Students in PA schools, compared with those in control schools, had more favorable change over the course of the study in positive affect (standardized mean difference effect size [ES] = .17) and life satisfaction (ES = .13) as well as significantly lower depression (ES = −.14) and anxiety (ES = −.26) at study end point. Program effects for positive affect, depression, and anxiety were mediated by more favorable change over time in social-emotional and character development for students in PA schools. Conclusions Results suggest that universal, school-based programs can benefit the emotional health of youth in low-income, urban settings. The modest magnitude of effects over an extended period of program implementation, however, reflects the challenges of both mounting interventions and offsetting formidable risks for mental health problems in such environments.
Labour market discrimination against indigenous people in Peru

In this article, the component of the gross wage differential that can be explained by productivity‐enhancing attributes and that which is due to unexplained factors and labour market discrimination are empirically determined. Individual data from the 1991 Living Standards Measurements Survey of Peru are used to analyse labour market earnings and to decompose the gross earnings differential. A large portion of the indigenous/non‐indigenous wage gap is unexplained by human capital and other observable differences.
Murine trophoblast stem cells and their immunological capabilities.

At the blastocyst stage of preimplantation development there are two cell lineages. The inner cell mass develops into the embryo and the trophectoderm, an epithelial layer of cells surrounding the ...
Adjustment to Radiative Forcing in a Simple Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Model

AbstractThis study calculates the adjustment to radiative forcing in a simple model of a mixed layer ocean coupled to the overlying atmosphere. One application of the model is to calculate how dust aerosols perturb the temperature of the atmosphere and ocean, which in turn influence tropical cyclone development. Forcing at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) is the primary control upon both the atmospheric and ocean temperature anomalies, both at equilibrium and during most of the adjustment to the forcing. Ocean temperature is directly influenced by forcing only at the surface, but is indirectly related to forcing at TOA due to heat exchange with the atmosphere. Within a few days of the forcing onset, the atmospheric temperature adjusts to heating within the aerosol layer, reducing the net transfer of heat from the ocean to the atmosphere. For realistic levels of aerosol radiative forcing, the perturbed net surface heating strongly opposes forcing at the surface. This means that surface forcing dominates the...
Modeling and Optimization of Printed Spiral Coils in Air, Saline, and Muscle Tissue Environments

Printed spiral coils (PSCs) are viable candidates for near-field wireless power transmission to the next generation of high-performance neuroprosthetic devices with extreme size constraints, which will target intraocular and intracranial spaces. Optimizing the PSC geometries to maximize the power transfer efficiency of the wireless link is imperative to reduce the size of the external energy source, heating of the tissue, and interference with other devices. Implantable devices need to be hermetically sealed in biocompatible materials and placed in a conductive environment with high permittivity (tissue), which can affect the PSC characteristics. We have constructed a detailed model that includes the effects of the surrounding environment on the PSC parasitic components and eventually on the power transfer efficiency. We have combined this model with an iterative design method that starts with a set of realistic design constraints and ends with the optimal PSC geometries. We applied our design methodology to optimize the wireless link of a 1-cm 2 implantable device example, operating at 13.56 MHz. Measurement results showed that optimized PSC pairs, coated with 0.3 mm of silicone, achieved 72.2%, 51.8%, and 30.8% efficiencies at a face-to-face relative distance of 10 mm in air, saline, and muscle, respectively. The PSC, which was optimized for air, could only bear 40.8% and 21.8% efficiencies in saline and muscle, respectively, showing that by including the PSC tissue environment in the design process the result can be more than a 9% improvement in the power transfer efficiency.
Exponentiated Gradient Algorithms for Conditional Random Fields and Max-Margin Markov Networks

Log-linear and maximum-margin models are two commonly-used methods in supervised machine learning, and are frequently used in structured prediction problems. Efficient learning of parameters in these models is therefore an important problem, and becomes a key factor when learning from very large data sets. This paper describes exponentiated gradient (EG) algorithms for training such models, where EG updates are applied to the convex dual of either the log-linear or max-margin objective function; the dual in both the log-linear and max-margin cases corresponds to minimizing a convex function with simplex constraints. We study both batch and online variants of the algorithm, and provide rates of convergence for both cases. In the max-margin case, O(1/e) EG updates are required to reach a given accuracy e in the dual; in contrast, for log-linear models only O(log(1/e)) updates are required. For both the max-margin and log-linear cases, our bounds suggest that the online EG algorithm requires a factor of n less computation to reach a desired accuracy than the batch EG algorithm, where n is the number of training examples. Our experiments confirm that the online algorithms are much faster than the batch algorithms in practice. We describe how the EG updates factor in a convenient way for structured prediction problems, allowing the algorithms to be efficiently applied to problems such as sequence learning or natural language parsing. We perform extensive evaluation of the algorithms, comparing them to L-BFGS and stochastic gradient descent for log-linear models, and to SVM-Struct for max-margin models. The algorithms are applied to a multi-class problem as well as to a more complex large-scale parsing task. In all these settings, the EG algorithms presented here outperform the other methods.
Indirect adaptive robot control

The theoretical issues linked to the development of indirect adaptive robot controllers are discussed, and some possible solutions are proposed. After a review of the prediction models used for robotic parameter estimation, a variety of parameter estimation methods are discussed under a common framework based on an exact solution approach. A novel indirect adaptive controller structure, which consists of a modified computed torque using parameters obtained from any of the estimators discussed, is presented. It is shown that a critical difficulty in using indirect adaptive control is the necessity to explicitly guarantee that the estimated inertia matrix remains positive definite in the course of adaptation, a requirement avoided by both the direct and the composite adaptive controllers. A practical solution to this difficulty is proposed. >
Heritage complexity and tourism: the case of Lumbini, Nepal

Differences in values, interests, expectations and priorities among stakeholders, a major source of dissonance, may create conflict in heritage and can be a challenge for its preservation and management. This study uses Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, to examine heritage complexity and tourism. Lumbini, one of the most important Buddhist sites for the world's 500 million Buddhists, is surrounded by a population of different faiths, mainly Hindus and Muslims. Locals, who are predominantly non-Buddhist, see the local patrimony more as an economic resource than spiritual one, whereas the government uses the site for building national pride, garnering international support and promoting tourism. Furthermore, despite its potential for attracting Western, regional and domestic tourists and a growing trend in arrivals, the community and the region have not benefited well from tourism. Although Lumbini is currently experiencing “latent dissonance,” this can be reduced through communication, coopera...
Quantifying Interactions Within the NADP(H) Enzyme Network in Drosophila melanogaster

In this report, we use synthetic, activity-variant alleles in Drosophila melanogaster to quantify interactions across the enzyme network that reduces nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) to NADPH. We examine the effects of large-scale variation in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity in a single genetic background and of smaller-scale variation in IDH, G6PD, and malic enzyme across 10 different genetic backgrounds. We find significant interactions among all three enzymes in adults; changes in the activity of any one source of a reduced cofactor generally result in changes in the other two, although the magnitude and directionality of change differs depending on the gene and the genetic background. Observed interactions are presumably through cellular mechanisms that maintain a homeostatic balance of NADPH/NADP, and the magnitude of change in response to modification of one source of reduced cofactor likely reflects the relative contribution of that enzyme to the cofactor pool. Our results suggest that malic enzyme makes the largest single contribution to the NADPH pool, consistent with the results from earlier experiments in larval D. melanogaster using naturally occurring alleles. The interactions between all three enzymes indicate functional interdependence and underscore the importance of examining enzymes as components of a network.
Predictive factors in prostate cancer: Implications for decision making

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, accounting for approximately 180,000 cases and 37,000 deaths annually.[[1]] To date, prostate cancer constitutes a major public health pro...
RESPONSES OF TWELVE TREE SPECIES COMMON IN EVERGLADES TREE ISLANDS TO SIMULATED HYDROLOGIC REGIMES

Twelve tree species common in Everglades tree islands were subjected to three hydrologic regimes under controlled conditions for 25 weeks and assessed for growth and physiological responses. Treatments representing high, low, and no flood were maintained in pools of water to mimic seasonal variation in water depths at different positions in tree islands. Soil inundation under the high flood treatment resulted in reduced tree growth (height, basal diameter, crown volume) that was more pronounced and occurred earlier in mesic forest species than in swamp forest species. Physiological responses differed less among species, although stomatal conductance was a better predictor of the effects of flood stress on growth than either relative water content or chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm). Some swamp species appeared to be better adapted to rising water levels than others; Annona glabra, Morella cerifera, and Salix caroliniana responded more positively to flooding, while Magnolia virginiana, Persea borbonia, Chrysobalanus icaco, and Ilex cassine were less flood-tolerant. The highest mortalities and lowest growth were observed in the five upland species: Bursera simaruba, Coccoloba diversifolia, Eugenia axillaris, Sideroxylon foetidissimum, and Simarouba glauca. Of these, Sideroxylon and Simarouba did not survive to the end of the study under the high flood treatment. The moist soil conditions simulated by the low flood treatment resulted in greater growth in all species compared to soil inundation under high flood, except for the most flood-tolerant (Annona, Morella, Salix). The arrangement of species according to their responses to experimental flooding roughly paralleled their spatial distribution in the tree islands. The gradient in species responses demonstrated in this experiment may help guide responsible water management and tree island restoration in the Everglades.
Performance Appraisal & Promotion Practices on Private Commercial Bank in Bangladesh: A Case Study from Pubali Bank Ltd.

This paper has been prepared on performance appraisal & promotion practice of Pubali Bank Ltd. Performance appraisal being a critical part of human resource management carries huge significance to run an organization smoothly. As the name implies management does not have to face obstacles regarding employees if such appraisal is done appropriately with proper implication on promotion. This process of performance appraisal has been presented here the way it is followed by Pubali Bank Ltd. The objective of the paper has also been to present the performance appraisal of employees of this bank. After discussion there is findings section which shows various appraisal problems approaching by the employees and organization as well. To avoid any sudden setback in future, well defined steps have been recommended at the end of this paper.
Learning to identify employees that are engaged, helpful and proactive

Purpose – The purposes of this paper are to: help managers and other practitioners learn about voluntary, helpful employee behavior; provide examples of how such behavior is manifest in everyday work situations, and demonstrate how to assess the behavior for recruitment and selection. A brief study is presented that demonstrates how valid and reliable measures may be used to identify employee predisposition for voluntary, helpful behavior. Design/methodology/approach – Two substantive components of this work are: a detailed literature review that describes and demonstrates the elements of voluntary, helpful behavior (v-hob); and a report of a brief correlational study that demonstrates how two short surveys may help in predicting employee voluntary, helpful behavior. Findings – Literature review reveals that v-hob is related to many positive employee outcomes among which are better work performance, more positive relationships with co-workers and managers, and lower turnover, as contrasted with employees-...
Contexts and pragmatics learning: Problems and opportunities of the study abroad research

Despite different epistemologies and assumptions, all theories in second language (L2) acquisition emphasize the centrality of context in understanding L2 acquisition. Under the assumption that language emerges from use in context, the cognitivist approach focuses on distributions and properties of input to infer both learning objects and process of acquisition. The interactionist approach views context more narrowly by analyzing how a particular linguistic item is attended and processed during a task-based interaction, and how it becomes intake as learning outcomes. For socially-oriented theories such as the sociocultural theory and language socialization, learning is fundamentally situated in context. Through mediated participation in learning as social practice, learners come to appropriate linguistic knowledge. Context is also fundamental in the complex, dynamic systems theory, which views learning as a non-linear, adaptive process emerging through an interaction of resources and individuals within a given context. All of these theories give the central power to context to describe and explain L2 learning. Context serves as the site where acquisition is examined. Context also helps explain the process and outcomes of acquisition.
Epidemiologic studies of nuclear and radiation workers: an overview of what is known about health risks posed by the nuclear industry.

This review focuses on the results of well-designed studies that have been completed on populations of nuclear workers in the U.S. and the U.K. An attempt is made to introduce a quantitative component to this review, an approach previously described as metaanalysis. Such a method requires designation of eligibility criteria and adherence to these criteria in the selection of studies to review.27 references.
Resistance of Forage Plants to the Feeding of Melanoplus sanguinipes

Eight plant species were investigated as suitable food for the migratory grasshopper, Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.), by studying grasshopper preference, antibiosis, and tolerance of food plants. Three grasses—green needlegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, and thickspike wheatgrass— were least preferred by adult grasshoppers, and the females of 4 generations that fed on them averaged low weight gains and laid the fewest egg pods.
CENTRAL PLACES AND CITIES: A CONSIDERATION OF THE PROTOHISTORIC TARASCAN STATE

Systems of human settlement serve as primary sources of evidence for investigating variability in the evolution of complex societies. In particular, the existence of and nature of cities reveals much about the nature and direction of sociopolitical changes characteristic of prehistoric states. The present study places the analysis of prehistoric urbanism within the context of settlement system analyses and applies this approach to the protohistoric Tarascan state of western Mexico. This first synthesis of our knowledge of major Tarascan settlements evaluates the protohistoric communities at Tzintzuntzan, Ihuatzio, Patzcuaro, and Erongaricuaro (within the Lake Patzcuaro Basin) and considers those outside the Tarascan core, especially Zacapu. This study suggests that the Tarascan state did not participate in the Central Mexican urban tradition, and that the historic capital, Tzintzuntzan, may have been unique in its urban status. Rather, the state was characterized by a complex and overlapping network of central places and specialized places. To the extent that this pattern diverges from other prehistoric systems it constitutes one source for understanding the diversity in the protohistoric Mesoamerican world.
A NEW SPECIES OF BOLETUS, SECTION LURIDI, FROM NORTH CAROLINA'

SUMMARY Boletus piedmontensis, a new species, is described from North Carolina. Distinguishing characteristics are the pinkish buff to olive buff pileus, discolorous tubes, distinctive caulocystidia which are arranged in dense reddish clusters resembling reticulations, and pronounced amyloid bodies within the hyphae of the cuticular and subcuticular layers of the pileus. During the summer of 1969 several collections were made of a species of Boletus in section Luridi in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. Attempts to identify this species in published works failed. Initially the species was tentatively identified as Boletus satanus Lenz var. americanus Coker & Beers (1943); however, attempts to locate specimens of this species in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill herbarium were unsuccessful. It is assumed that the collections by Coker are lost or misplaced. The species described here differs from the description of B. satanus var. americanius in the reticulately arranged pruina on the upper portion of the stipe, bluing of the pores, bulbous to subbulbous stipe and lack of bitter-acid taste. The purpose of this paper is to put on record an undescribed species of Boletus from North Carolina as a part of the continuing study of the
In Vivo Fluorescence Cellular Imaging by Side-view Endomicroscopy

We describe a rotational side-view endomicroscope for imaging gastrointestinal tracts in mice with single cell resolution. We demonstrate non-invasive comprehensive visualization of fluorescently labeled cells and microvasculature in vivo.
Evidence for large N phase transition in Script N = 4 super Yang-Mills theory at finite temperature

The AdS/CFT correspondence provides valuable constraints on the possible exact form of various physical quantities in the = 4 super Yang-Mills theory in the large N limit [1-4]. We examine the free energy as the expansions in a small as well as in a large 't Hooft parameter λ. We argue that it is impossible to smoothly extrapolate from the weak coupling regime to the strong coupling regime, thus there must exist a large N phase transition in λ at a finite temperature. We also argue that there is no world-sheet instanton in the background of the Euclidean anti-de Sitter black hole.
On the Construction of National Excellent Resources Sharing Course for Control System Simulation and CAD

The national excellent resources sharing course is an important part of the project of the national excellent resources course,which focuses on the improving the teaching concept,reforming the teaching content and method, enhancing the teaching quality and improving the training of qualified personnel. This paper introduces the research and practice of the Northeastern University "Control System Simulation and CAD"teaching team on the process of course reform and construction,which is based on the project of the national excellent course and realized by enhancing the course basic,optimizing the course structure and highlighting the course characteristic.