cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Degrees of freedom of the two-way interference channel with a non causal multi-antenna relay

We characterize the degrees of freedom (DoF) of the full-duplex two-way interference channel with a non causal multi-antenna relay and time-varying channels. In a two-way interference channel (IC), 4 messages and 4 transmitters/receivers form an IC in the forward direction (2 messages) and another IC in the backward direction (2 messages) which operate simultaneously in full-duplex mode. Furthermore, all nodes are permitted to interact, i.e. adapt current channel inputs to past received signals. We propose a novel block Markov coding scheme combining the ideas of interference alignment and successive decoding to achieve the full, maximal, 4 degrees of freedom asymptotically. All source/destination nodes have a single antenna while 4 antennas at the relay are sufficient to achieve the full DoF. Interestingly, this implies that the non causal relay is able to effectively mitigate interference in this two way setting - i.e. each user in the two-way interference channel is able to exchange information with its desired user at interference-free rates thanks to the relay.
Stock prices and the dividend discount model: did their relation break down in the 1990s?

Abstract We examine whether there has been a stable relation between prices and dividends over the past 20 years for firms in the S&P 100. Our results support the present-value model and a close link between stock prices and dividends for most of the sample period. However, since the mid 1990s, the present-value model parameters indicate a 43% overvaluation of stock prices. We show that a short-run decline in long-term interest rates and a breakdown in the historic price–dividend relation can explain the overvaluation.
Induction of human host cell apoptosis by Trichomonas vaginalis cysteine proteases is modulated by parasite exposure to iron

Trichomonas vaginalis is an understudied parasitic organism whose mechanisms of pathogenesis remain unclear. The adherence to host cells, the induction of host cell cytotoxicity and protease activity are all, however, thought to be contributing factors towards the development of the disease. T. vaginalis CP30 is an extracellular fraction containing four cysteine proteases, CP2, CP3, CP4 and CPT that induce apoptosis in primary human vaginal epithelial cells (HVECs) [Sommer U, Costello CE, Hayes GR, Beach DH, Gilbert RO, Lucas JJ, Singh BN. Identification of Trichomonas vaginalis cysteine proteases that induce apoptosis in human vaginal epithelial cells. J Biol Chem 2005; 280: 23853-60]. We now show that CP30, and the induction of HVEC apoptosis are modulated by iron availability in the parasite growth medium. Growth of parasites under high iron conditions results in a decrease in levels of CP30 found in an extracellular soluble fraction (SF), a concomitant decline in protease activity, and a decreased ability of SF to induce host cell death. Conversely, iron restriction leads to an increase in CP30 levels, an increase in CP30 protease activity, and an increased ability to induce HVEC cell death. Iron-loaded lactoferrin, but not transferrin is an effective iron source for parasites. We hypothesize that CP30 induction of host cell apoptosis is crucial for the development of a persistent infection, and that iron plays a determining role in parasite pathogenesis.
Vancomycin pharmacokinetic parameters in patients with acute brain injury undergoing controlled normothermia, therapeutic hypothermia, or pentobarbital infusion.

Therapeutic strategies that cause an alteration in patient temperature, such as controlled normothermia (CN), therapeutic hypothermia (TH), and pentobarbital infusion (PI), are often used to manage complications caused by acute brain injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of vancomycin in patients with acute brain injury undergoing temperature modulation. This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with acute brain injury admitted between May 2010 and March 2014 who underwent CN, TH, or PI and received vancomycin. Predicted PK parameters based on population data were compared with calculated PK parameters based on serum concentrations. Seventeen CN patients and 10 TH/PI patients met inclusion criteria. Traumatic brain injury and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage accounted for the majority of admitting diagnoses. In the CN group, the median dose was 16.7 (15.5–18.4) mg/kg. The median calculated elimination rate constant [0.155 (0.108–0.17) vs. 0.103 (0.08–0.142) hr−1; p = 0.04] was significantly higher than the predicted value. The median measured trough concentration [8.9 (7.7–11.1) vs. 17.1 (10.8–22.3) υg/mL; p = 0.004] was significantly lower than predicted. In the TH/PI group, the median dose was 15.4 (14.7–17.2) mg/kg. No significant differences were found between the median calculated and predicted elimination rate constant [0.107 (0.097–0.109) vs. 0.112 (0.102–0.127) hr−1; p = 0.41] and median measured and predicted trough concentration [14.2 (12.7–17.1) vs. 13.1 (11–17.8) υg/mL; p = 0.71]. Patients who underwent TH/PI did not exhibit PK alterations when compared to predicted PK parameters based on population data, while patients who underwent CN experienced PK alterations favoring an increased elimination of vancomycin.
Neutron tomography of axisymmetric flow fields in porous media

A significant problem in the study of fluid transport in porous media is the ability to visualize the structure of the flow field when moisture contents vary rapidly in space and time. Here we present a method for determining the radial and vertical saturation profiles within axisymmetric preferential flow fields using neutron radiography. Flow fields such as these are surprisingly common in nature and determining the three-dimensional structure of their wetting front region has proven difficult. In this work, the moisture profiles are determined using a simple algorithm for algebraic computed tomography, which gives the three-dimensional structure of the moisture profile with a temporal resolution that is limited only by the desired noise level. The algorithm presented can be translated to radiography done using X-rays or light and is applicable to any rotationally symmetric object.
General formulation of HDMR component functions with independent and correlated variables

The High Dimensional Model Representation (HDMR) technique decomposes an n-variate function f (x) into a finite hierarchical expansion of component functions in terms of the input variables x = (x 1, x 2, . . . , x n ). The uniqueness of the HDMR component functions is crucial for performing global sensitivity analysis and other applications. When x 1, x 2, . . . , x n are independent variables, the HDMR component functions are uniquely defined under a specific so called vanishing condition. A new formulation for the HDMR component functions is presented including cases when x contains correlated variables. Under a relaxed vanishing condition, a general formulation for the component functions is derived providing a unique HDMR decomposition of f (x) for independent and/or correlated variables. The component functions with independent variables are special limiting cases of the general formulation. A novel numerical method is developed to efficiently and accurately determine the component functions. Thus, a unified framework for the HDMR decomposition of an n-variate function f (x) with independent and/or correlated variables is established. A simple three variable model with a correlated normal distribution of the variables is used to illustrate this new treatment.
Homage to Niko Tinbergen and Konrad Lorenz: Is classical ethology relevant to zoos?

A personal account of the impact of the founders of ethology is presented. Niko Tinbergen and Konrad Lorenz profoundly affected the attitudes of people toward animals, showing people, for the first time, the sophistication of animal behavior. Also presented is a personal memoir of working with Tinbergen, and speculation on how zoos might benefit from a closer look at the lessons of animal behavior in both the care of the animals and the education of the public.
Effects of detailed droplet heating models on turbulent sprays vaporization behavior

The effects of three different droplet heating models on the vaporization history and internal structure of turbulent liquid fuel sprays were investigated. The models considered were the infinite-diffusion, diffusion-limit, and effective-conductivity models. A numerical solution for the models was developed and implemented in the KIVA-II computer code. Low temperature and relatively high temperature numerical studies were conducted. The low temperature computations were compared with existing experimental data. The comparisons showed that while the infinite-diffusion and diffusion-limit models respectively overpredicted and underpredicted the fuel vapor peak concentration and distribution in the combustor, the effective-conductivity model gave results that were in better agreement with measurements. A limited study for the high temperature case was performed due to lack of experimental data and predictions using the three models were compared with each other.
NMR-spectra of 1-[2,4,5-triphenylcyclopentenyl] phenyl ketones

NMR-Spectra of 1-[2,4,5-triphenyl-2-cyclopentenyl]phenyl ketone and 1-[2,4,5-triphenyl-1-cyclopentenyl]phenyl ketone indicate that the coupling constants of vicinal hydrogens in the cyclopentene ring vary with structure.
Foundations of Statistical Mechanics—Two Approaches

Abstract This paper is a discussion of David Albert’s approach to the foundations of classical statistical menchanics. I point out a respect in which his account makes a stronger claim about the statistical mechanical probabilities than is usually made, and I suggest what might be motivation for this. I outline a less radical approach, which I attribute to Boltzmann, and I give some reasons for thinking that this approach is all we need, and also the most we are likely to get. The issue between the two accounts turns out to be one about the explanatory role probabilities play in statistical mechanics.
Compact binary systems in scalar-tensor gravity. II. Tensor gravitational waves to second post-Newtonian order

We derive the tensor gravitational waveform generated by a binary of nonspinning compact objects (black holes or neutron stars) in a general class of scalar-tensor theories of gravity. The waveform is accurate to second post-Newtonian order beyond the leading order quadrupole approximation. We use the direct integration of the relaxed Einstein equations formalism, appropriately adapted to scalar-tensor theories, along with previous results for the equations of motion in these theories. The self-gravity of the compact objects is treated with an approach developed by Eardley. The scalar field causes deviations from the general relativistic waveform that depend only on a small number of parameters. Among the effects of the scalar field are new hereditary terms which depend on the past history of the source. One of these, a dipole-dipole coupling, produces a zero-frequency ``gravitational-wave memory'' equivalent to the Christodoulou memory of general relativity. In the special case of two black holes, the waveform reduces to the general relativistic waveform. For a mixed (black hole-neutron star) system, the waveform is identical to that of Einstein's theory to first post-Newtonian order, with deviations at higher order depending only on a single parameter. The behavior in these cases matches that found for the equations of motion.
New One-Dimensional Commensurate and Incommensurate Structural Forms of Sr-Co Oxide

New forms of Sr-Co oxide with one-dimensional structures related to mixed-layer hexagonal perovskites have been synthesized and characterized by TEM. Crystals of Sr5Co2O12 grown from molten KOH flux and oxidized under slow cooling have structures based on a 3/2 ratio of mixed [Sr3CoO6] and [Sr3O9] layers. This is the first known structure with layers of this type stacked in a non-integer ratio, yielding chains of face-sharing octahedral and trigonal prismatic Co-sites with a 3 + 1 sequence along the c-axis. In oxygen-deficient Sr5Co2O12−x, the 110 structural modulation of the stoichiometric 5:4 phase becomes rotated to an irrational orientation, possibly in association with vacancy ordering, forming an incommensurate superstructure. For the compound Sr6Co5O15, previously known to have a 1/1 ratio of [Sr3CoO6] and [Sr3O9] layers with a 4 + 1 octahedral/trigonal prismatic site sequence, introduction of excess oxygen atoms leads to formation of a commensurate rhombohedral superlattice in which c is doubled relative to the stoichiometric 6:5 phase.
Nonsingularity and symmetry for linear normal maps

Normal maps are single-valued, generally nonsmooth functions expressing conditions for the solution of variational problems such as those of optimization or equilibrium. Normal maps arising from linear transformations are particularly important, both in their own right and as predictors of the behavior of related nonlinear normal maps. They are called (locally or globally)nonsingular if the functions appearing in them are (local or global) homeomorphisms satisfying a Lipschitz condition. We show here that when the linear transformation giving rise to such a normal map has a certain symmetry property, the necessary and sufficient condition for nonsingularity takes a particularly simple and convenient form, being simply a positive definiteness condition on a certain subspace.
Symbolic perception-based autonomous driving in dynamic environments using 4D/RCS

4D/RCS is a hierarchical architecture designed for the control of intelligent systems. One of the main areas that 4D/RCS has been applied to recently is the control of autonomous vehicles. To accomplish this, a hierarchical decomposition of on-road driving activities has been performed which has resulted in implementation of 4D/RCS tailored towards this application. This implementation has seven layers and ranges from a journey manager which determines the order of the places you wish to drive to, through a destination manager which provides turn-by-turn directions on how to get to a destination, through a route segment, drive behavior, elemental maneuver, goal path trajectory, and then finally to servo controllers. In this paper, we show, within the 4D/RCS architecture, how knowledge-driven top-down symbolic representations combined with low-level bottom-up tasks can synergistically provide valuable information for on-road driving better than what is possible with either of them alone. We demonstrate these ideas using field data obtained from an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) traversing urban on-road environments.
Fanconi anemia links reactive oxygen species to insulin resistance and obesity.

Abstract Aims: Insulin resistance is a hallmark of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been proposed to play a causal role in insulin resistance. However, evidence linking ROS to insulin resistance in disease settings has been scant. Since both oxidative stress and diabetes have been observed in patients with the Fanconi anemia (FA), we sought to investigate the link between ROS and insulin resistance in this unique disease model. Results: Mice deficient for the Fanconi anemia complementation group A (Fanca) or Fanconi anemia complementation group C (Fancc) gene seem to be diabetes-prone, as manifested by significant hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, and rapid weight gain when fed with a high-fat diet. These phenotypic features of insulin resistance are characterized by two critical events in insulin signaling: a reduction in tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor (IR) and an increase in inhibitory serine phosphorylation of the IR substrate-1 in the liver, muscle, a...
Experimental Series and the Justification of Temin’s DNA Provirus Hypothesis

A notion of experimental series is developed, in which experiments or experimental sets are connected through experimental suggestions arising from previous experimental outcomes. To that end, the justification of Howard Temin’s DNA provirus hypothesis is examined. The hypothesis originated with evidence from two exploratory experimental sets on an oncogenic virus and was substantiated by including evidence from three additional experimental sets. Collectively these sets comprise an experimental series and the accumulative evidence from the series was adequate to justify the hypothesis by persuading the virology community of its veracity. The notion of crucial experiment is also discussed in terms of experimental series.
Purchasing power parity in LDCs: An empirical investigation

Abstract Using the real effective exchange rate (REER) data of sixty-six developing countries and a more extensive monthly dataset from 1980:1 through 2009:10 (i.e., 358 observations), this study examines whether the REER is stationary, using two approaches. The two tests are the KPSS and the KSS test. In contrast to previous studies, we found overwhelming support for the long-run purchasing power parity (PPP) hypothesis; thus, the PPP is a suitable guide for exchange rate determination and exchange rate policy reform in LDCs. We attribute our finding to using REER data as well as linear and nonlinear tests with different null hypotheses.
Quality-related measures of unreliable machines with preventive maintenance

In this paper, we study a production system in which some of the products made are defective. The distribution of such defective products is assumed to depend on the total number of products made since the last maintenance. Quality-related measures of interest are the average out-going quality (AOQ) and the variance of the out-going quality (VOQ) which we define as the mean and the variance of the long-run fraction of non-defective products respectively. The system is periodically maintained. Two maintenance policies are considered: one is to perform maintenance after a fixed number of products have been made; and the other is to perform maintenance when the machine becomes idle or a fixed number of products have been made. The system is modelled as an M/G/1 queue with vacations. The queue length of orders for products, the AOQ and VOQ are analysed for these two policies. Numerical examples are provided to compare the efficiency of the two models.
Targeted Correction of an Episomal Gene in Mammalian Cells by a Short DNA Fragment Tethered to a Triplex-forming Oligonucleotide

Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) can bind to polypurine/polypyrimidine regions in DNA in a sequence-specific manner and provoke DNA repair. We have coupled a TFO to a short donor fragment of DNA that shares homology to a selected gene as a strategy to mediate gene targeting and correction. In this bifunctional oligonucleotide, the TFO domain is designed to bind the target gene and stimulate repair and recombination, with the donor domain positioned for recombination and information transfer. A series of these tethered donor-TFO (TD-TFO) molecules with donor domains of 40-44 nucleotides and TFO domains in both the purine and pyrimidine triplex motifs were tested for their ability to mediate either gene correction or mutation of a supF reporter gene contained in a SV40 shuttle vector in mammalian cells. In vitro binding assays revealed that the attachment of the donor domain via a flexible linker did not significantly alter the binding affinity of the TFO domain for the polypurine site in the supF target DNA, with equilibrium dissociation constants in the 10(-8) M range. Experiments in which the target vector and the linked TD-TFOs were pre-incubated in vitro and co-transfected into cells led to conversion frequencies approaching 1%, 4-fold greater than with the two domains unlinked. When cells that had been previously transfected with the SV40 vector were electroporated with the TD-TFOs, frequencies of base pair-specific gene correction were seen in the range of 0.04%, up to 50-fold over background and at least 3-fold over either domain alone or in unlinked combinations. Sequence conversion by the TD-TFOs was achieved using either single- or double-stranded donor domains and either triplex motif. Substitution of either domain in the TD-TFO with control sequences yielded reagents with diminished activity, as did mixtures of unlinked TFO and donor DNA segments. The boost in activity provided by the attached TFO domain was reduced in cells deficient in the nucleotide excision repair factor XPA but was restored in a subclone of these cells expressing XPA cDNA, suggesting a role for nucleotide excision repair in the pathway of triple helix-stimulated gene conversion. The ability to correct or mutate a specific target site in mammalian cells using the TD-TFO strategy may provide a useful tool for research and possibly for therapeutic applications.
Abstract LB-109: Therapeutic targeting of Heat shock factor 1 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is a stress-activated transcription factor, that up-regulates the transcription of heat shock proteins (Hsps) and a growing list of tumor-promoting genes. HSF1-induced genes promote protein folding and maturation (through Hsps and associated co-chaperones) as well as orchestrate the transcription of tumor-promoting genes (for e.g., VEFGR, HIF1-alpha, GLUT-1, etc). In this study we propose to evaluate the efficacy of inhibiting HSF1 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), a disease that invariably relapses after patients show complete or partial response to first line chemotherapy. Consistent with the established tumor-promoting roles of HSF1, we report that CD19+ B cells isolated from relapsed/refractory CLL patients show high levels of immunofluorescent, nuclear HSF1 staining compared to normal CD19+ B cells, where it is weakly expressed and pre-dominantly cytosolic. CD19+ B primary CLL cells also show enhanced expression of HSF1 as assessed by immunoblot analysis compared to normal CD19+ cells. Treatment of cultured and primary CLL CD19+ B cells with the HSF1 inhibitor triptolide causes a dose-dependent increase in apoptosis, while relatively sparing normal CD19+ B cells. Treatment with triptolide results in the reduced expression of Hsp40, Hsp70 and Hsp27 proteins and a concomitant increase in the PARP cleavage and Caspase 3 cleavage in cultured and primary CLL cells. Lentiviral shRNA-mediated knockdown of HSF1 or triptolide treatment decreased the levels of Bcl-XL and pro-survival signaling molecules, phosphorylated STAT3 (Y-705) and AKT (S473). Based on the established role of Hsps in cytoprotection and resistance to chemotherapy, we hypothesized that inhibition of HSF1 would sensitize CLL cells to agents that promote the accumulation of misfolded proteins (for e.g. Hsp90 inhibitors) or inhibit their disposal (for e.g. treatment with autophagy inhibitors) by inducing proteotoxicity. Consistent with this hypothesis, knockdown of HSF1 or co-treatment with triptolide and the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine resulted in superior anti-CLL activity compared to treatment with either agent alone. Similarly, knockdown of HSF1 or its inhibition with triptolide also sensitized CLL cells to the Hsp90 inhibitor, 17-Dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG). These pre-clinical studies provide a strong rationale to test the in vitro and in vivo activity of HSF1 inhibitors in combination with agents that promote proteotoxic stress against CLL. Citation Format: Rekha M. Rao, Yacoub Abdulraheem, Suman Kambhampati, Siddhartha Ganguly. Therapeutic targeting of Heat shock factor 1 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-109. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-109
Measurement and correction of linear optics and coupling at tevatron complex

The optics measurements have played important role in improving the performance of Tevatron collider. Until recently, most of them were based on the differential orbit measurements with data analysis, which neglects measurement inaccuracies such as differences in differential responses of beam position monitors, their rolls, etc. To address these complications we have used a method based on the analysis of many differential orbits. That creates the redundancy in the data allowing to get more detailed understanding of the machine. In this article, we discuss the progress with Tevatron optics correction, its present status and future improvements.
Location and Adsorbate Interactions of Vanadium in VAPO-5 Molecular Sieve Studied by Electron Spin Resonance and Electron Spin Echo Modulation Spectroscopies

Large-pore vanadium-incorporated aluminophosphate molecular sieve VAPO-5 has been studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) and electron spin echo modulation (ESEM) spectroscopies to determine the vanadium location and interaction with various adsorbate molecules. As-synthesized VAPO-5 contains two paramagnetic vanadyl species A and B with distorted octahedral coordination. After calcination in O2 and exposure to moisture, only species A is observed with reduced intensity. Species A is identified as a VO(H2O)32+ complex coordinated to two framework oxygens bonded to aluminum. Species B is observed only in as-synthesized VAPO-5. Species B is suggested to be similar to species A in which one of the water ligands is replaced by hydroxyl interacting with a protonated amine. When calcined, hydrated VAPO-5 is dehydrated at elevated temperature, species A loses its water ligands and transforms to VO2+ ions coordinated to two framework oxygens (species C). Species C reduces its intensity significantly after treatm...
Replicating DNA: Structure of Colicin Factor E1

Replicating circular molecules of colicin factor E1 have been isolated from minicells produced by a colicinogenic derivative of Escherichia coli P678-54. The replicating structures observed in electron micrographs are circular molecules with two branched points. Several structures found among the replicating molecules are interpretable as replicating rolling circles.
RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE GROUP EMBEDDED FIGURES TEST ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN

Data from a previous investigation were reanalyzed to determine the split-half reliability and two forms of validity, i.e., internal consistency and construct, of the Group Embedded Figures Test across the life span. Subjects were 175 females, ranging in age from 17 to 72 yr., who fell into one of seven age groups. The Group Embedded Figures had adequate split-half reliability for the entire sample and for each age group. Significant, consistent differences between performance on Parts II and III of the GEFT were found. Estimates of internal consistency were adequate. Though satisfactory construct validity for the total correct on Parts II and III was obtained as correlations with the Portable-Rod-and-Frame Test for the entire sample, the construct validity of the Group Embedded Figures and separate parts was not adequately demonstrated within all age groups.
A Developmental Index Using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Implications for the Diagnosis and Nature of ADHD

The possible utility of Wechsler's Deterioration Index (WDI) in analyzing children's Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) results was explored in this study. Clinical records of children with learning disabilities (LD) and children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were reviewed to determine if the WDI predicted the presence or severity of the disorders. The ages of the children ranged from 6 to 14. In two independent samples of children with LD (n = 35 and n = 26), the WDI did not predict LD status or severity. The LD samples were mostly male--85% and 57%, respectively. However, the WDI scores did significantly distinguish children with ADHD (n = 10) from nondisabled children (n = 10). The results were cross-validated on an independent sample of children with ADHD (n = 17) when compared to non-ADHD children (n = 22) who experienced significant behavioral difficulties. The ADHD samples were also mostly male--90% and 89%, respectively. The WDI classified only 59% of the children with ADHD and 86% of the non-ADHD children correctly. It is recommended that the WDI be considered a developmental index rather than a deterioration index in children. It is also recommended that significant WDI elevation (greater than .20) be considered to raise the question of ADHD, rather than simply yielding a diagnosis of ADHD.
Masculine Gender Role Conflict and Negative Feelings about Being Gay

Professional psychologists who work with gay men have noted that traditional masculine ideals play a prominent role in the gay community whereby some endorse these traditional ideals and stigmatize effeminate behavior by other gay men. One hypothesis is that this behavior reflects negative feelings about being gay. This article examined this hypothesis by reporting the results of an online survey of 622 self-identified gay men. Participants completed the Gender Role Conflict Scale, Lesbian and Gay Identity Scale, the Social Desirability Scale, and questions related to the importance of masculinity. Results showed that most participants valued the public appearance of masculinity; and they ideally wished to be more masculine than they felt they were (Cohen's d = 0.42). A multiple regression analysis showed that the degree to which they valued masculinity and were concerned with violating masculine ideals was positively related with negative feelings about being gay (Cohen's f(2) = .67). These findings highlight the importance of exploring the role that masculine ideals play in gay client's lives given that negative feelings about oneself can adversely affect psychological well-being.
Design of a common database for research in mammogram image analysis

Robert M. NishikawaThe Kurt Rossmann Laboratories for Radiologic Image Analysis,Department of Radiology, The University of ChicagoA common database is crucial for the rapid development of mammographic image analysis. It would enable validevaluation of different techniques to be made in a meaningful manner. The current situation, each investigator usingtheir own database, makes it impossible to determine which techniques are most useful or even the validity of a giventechnique.A common database needs to consist of a "large" number of carefully chosen cases. Furthermore, there need to
Serum hsCRP and visfatin are elevated and correlate to carotid arterial stiffness in spinal cord-injured subjects

Cross-sectional comparison, control group. To investigate the relationship between carotid arterial stiffness and circulating markers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in spinal cord-injured (SCI) subjects compared with able-bodied (AB) individuals. University Research Laboratory, University of Louisville. SCI (n=14) and AB (n=13) subjects between 20–52 years of age were recruited to participate in the study. B-mode Doppler ultrasound was used to obtain carotid artery diameter measurements. Arterial stiffness was assessed via the stiffness index and distensibility coefficient. Markers of CVD risk were obtained by fasting blood draw. Carotid arterial stiffness index (P=0.061) and distensibility coefficient (P=0.370) were not different between the SCI and AB groups. The SCI group had higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (P=0.046), triglycerides (P=0.017), leptin (P=0.040) and visfatin (P<0.001) compared with the control group. Visfatin (r=0.559, P=0.047), hsCRP (r=0.633, P=0.037), insulin (r=0.637, P=0.019) and HOMA (r=0.614, P=0.026) significantly correlated with carotid arterial stiffness index in the SCI group. This study demonstrated that SCI subjects are at a high cardiovascular risk as indicated by elevated hsCRP levels. Elevations in hsCRP and visfatin may contribute to accelerated atherogenic processes in the SCI population.
Dynamics of Landfalling Atmospheric Rivers over the North Pacific in 30 Years of MERRA Reanalysis

AbstractA large-scale analysis of landfalling atmospheric rivers (ARs) along the west coast of North America and their association with the upper-tropospheric flow is performed for the extended winter (November–March) for the years 1979–2011 using Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) reanalysis data. The climatology, relationship to the El Nino–Southern Oscillation and the Madden–Julian oscillation, and upper-level characteristics of approximately 750 landfalling ARs are presented based on the 85th percentile of peak daily moisture flux. AR occurrence along the West Coast is dominated by early season events. In composites of upper-level fields during AR occurrences, certain characteristics stand out irrespective of the tropical climate indices. This suggests that extratropical dynamical processes play a key role in AR dynamics.The influence of the large-scale circulation on AR intensity prior to landfall is examined by objectively selecting an extreme subset of 112 landf...
Retinal pigment epithelial cells secrete substances that are chemotactic for monocytes

Monocyte/macrophages play a prominent role in several forms of retinal pathology including proliferative vitreoretinopathy, senile macular degeneration, and retinal wound healing. In each of these entities, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is characteristically involved as well. Since RPE cells are known to secrete chemoattractants for astrocytes, we considered the possibility that they might secrete chemotactic factors for monocytes in addition. We have found in in vitro assays that a 5% concentration of medium from 6 different well-established RPE culture lines each consistently induced monocyte migration greater than that elicited by either buffer or unconditioned medium. “Checkerboard” analysis indicated that RPE culture supernatants induced optimal migration with a stimulus gradient (chemotaxis as opposed to chemokinesis alone). Chemotactic activity could be detected in eluates from ion exchange high performance liquid chromatography or gel filtration columns. Several peaks of activity suggested ...
A texture descriptor for browsing and similarity retrieval

Image texture is useful in image browsing, search and retrieval. A texture descriptor based on a multiresolution decomposition using Gabor wavelets is proposed. The descriptor consists of two parts: a perceptual browsing component (PBC) and a similarity retrieval component (SRC). The extraction methods of both PBC and SRC are based on a multiresolution decomposition using Gabor wavelets. PBC provides a quantitative characterization of the texture’s structuredness and directionality for browsing application, and the SRC characterizes the distribution of texture energy in di!erent subbands, and supports similarity retrieval. This representation is quite robust to illumination variations and compares favorably with other texture descriptors for similarity retrieval. Experimental results are provided. ( 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Hantavirus and Arenavirus Antibodies in Persons with Occupational Rodent Exposure, North America

Rodents are the principal hosts of Sin Nombre virus, 4 other hantaviruses known to cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in North America, and the 3 North American arenaviruses. Serum samples from 757 persons who had worked with rodents in North America and handled neotomine or sigmodontine rodents were tested for antibodies against Sin Nombre virus, Whitewater Arroyo virus, Guanarito virus, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Antibodies against Sin Nombre virus were found in 4 persons, against Whitewater Arroyo virus or Guanarito virus in 2 persons, and against lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in none. These results suggest that risk for infection with hantaviruses or arenaviruses usually is low in persons whose occupations entail close physical contact with neotomine or sigmodontine rodents in North America.
Analysis of products of high-temperature pyrolysis of various hydrocarbons

Abstract Ethane, ethylene, acetylene, propane and neopentane have been pyrolyzed at 1173 K, and methane at 1372 K in a flow system, and the volatile pyrolysis products analyzed. Eleven aromatic hydrocarbons, containing 14 or fewer carbon atoms, accounted for 98 + % of the liquid products recovered in each case. Benzene was the main product, followed by naphthalene. No compounds with branched chains or multiple substituents were present, and compounds containing even numbers of carbons comprised 93–99% of each mixture. Acetylene was a major component of the gaseous effluent from each of the initial hydrocarbons. The effect of temperature on the composition of the gaseous effluent during pyrolysis of methane, ethane and ethylene was determined. Carbon film deposition from methane commenced at about 1273 K; from ethane at 1015 K and from ethylene at 1100 K, in each instance coinciding with the appearance of acetylene in the effluent. As the temperature was raised, at first the increase in the rate of carbon deposition closely followed the increase in the concentration of acetylene in the effluent. It is proposed that acetylene may be a common factor in the pyrolysis of aliphatic hydrocarbons, perhaps acting as the precursor of both surface carbon and aromatic hydrocarbons by a process of head-to-tail linkage of two-carbon units at active surface sites to form chains that then undergo dehydrogenation to carbon or cyclization and desorption as aromatic species.
Writing City History at the Grassroots Level: Jiedaozhi and Their Research Value

Chinese local gazetteers (difangzhi) have been long recognized as an important primary source for the study of local history. Since the 1990s, in addition to projects to publish provincial, city, and county gazetteers, local gazetteers for villages, city districts, and city neighborhoods and streets (jiedao) have also been compiled. This paper focuses on one particular genre of these newly emerged local gazetteers, the city sub-district gazetteer or street gazetteers (jiedaozhi). We track their development, and discuss their characteristics and their research value for Chinese studies. We show that jiedaozhi open windows into grassroots society in urban areas, which may stimulate new research directions in Chinese studies.
When Weak Inhibition Synchronizes Strongly Desynchronizing Networks of Bursting Neurons

We show that weak common inhibition applied to a network of bursting neurons with strong desynchronizing connections can induce burst and complete synchronization. We demonstrate that the weak synchronizing inhibition from the same pacemaker neuron can win out over much stronger desynchronizing connections within the network, provided that the neuron's duty cycle is sufficiently long. We also gain insight into how the changes in burst duty cycles can trigger unexpected clusters of synchrony in bursting networks.
Acidic Lipid, NBD-PG has Crucial Effect on the Voltage-Dependence of Virus Fusion

Previously we have shown that cell-cell fusion mediated by Class II and Class III proteins is voltage-dependent, whereas fusion of cells expressing Class I fusion protein is not affected by voltage. Moreover, by testing chimeras consisting of the ectodomain of a Class I protein and the transmembrane domain (TMD) of a Class III protein, we found that TMD was the candidate for the voltage sensor in fusion mediated by Class II and Class III viral proteins.We hypothesized that, since flip-flop of acidic lipids inherently potential-dependent, incorporation of these lipids into a target membrane should facilitate the fusion at trans-positive membrane potential through affecting the TMD.To test this hypothesis we incorporated a fluorescent acidic lipid (NBD-PG) into target cells membrane and allowed fusion with VSV-G effector cells maintained at negative (−40mV) or positive potential (+40mV) created by the ionophore, SQI-Pr.We determined that when NPD-PG was present in the target (or effector) cell membranes, the extent of fusion was the same at negative and positive potentials, whereas fusion with untreated cells was inhibited in the presence of ionophore.Our result show that accumulation of acidic lipids in membranes during fusion directly affects to potential-dependence of fusion.
Transient stability constrained optimal power flow for cascading outages

This paper presents a strategy to implement transient stability constrained optimal power flow in cascading outages. Anticipatory computing detects transient instability due to weakened system conditions in cascading progressions and prepares transient stability constraints for optimal power flow. The prepared constraints use trajectory sensitivities, which can speed up the analysis by estimating rotor angle response changing with generation levels. The proposed strategy has been tested on a 140-bus, 48-machine system.
An intrinsic time to fracture criterion for amorphous polymers

Abstract An energy probability theory of global fracture is formulated using the notion of intrinsic time starting with first principles. Comparisons are made between the theory and experiments on Styrene-Butadiene Rubber, thus explaining various aspects of failure. It is proposed that fracture occurs as a result of accumulation of broken carbon-carbon bonds. When a critical concentration of broken bonds is reached, catastrophic failure begins and the specimen fractures. It is assumed that the probability of fracture of a single carbon-carbon bond is determined by the energy content of the bond. Non-uniform distribution of the free energy of the specimen among bonds is taken into account by means of an exponential distribution function. The intrinsic time measure pertinent to the constitutive equation of the material is used as the time measure of fracture. This allows use of the time-temperature shift principle, applicable to fracture of polymers, and enables the prediction of lifetimes in high strain rate conditions. Finally the theory predicts correctly that, at constant amplitudes, the number of cycles to failure at low frequencies is directly proportional to the frequency and is independent of the latter at high frequencies.
Symmetric Function Algebra on a Computer

Algorithms and codes are developed for problems related to the theory of symmetric functions. Their uses are illustrated by application to the calculation of transition matrices between different symmetric function bases, multiplication and linear combination of symmetric functions, and the calculation of group characters. On a modern computer, the algorithms require less than a minute to find all the irreducible characters of the symmetric group of order 20, to express all Schur functions of weights up to 20 in terms of monomial symmetric functions, or to compute the multiplication table for all Schur functions of weights up 10, with products expressed as linear combinations of Schur functions.
An Eulerian method for computation of multimaterial impact with ENO shock-capturing and sharp interfaces

A technique is presented for the numerical simulation of high-speed multimaterial impact. Of particular interest is the interaction of solid impactors with targets. The computations are performed on a fixed Cartesian mesh by casting the equations governing material deformation in Eulerian conservation law form. The advantage of the Eulerian setting is the disconnection of the mesh from the boundary deformation allowing for large distortions of the interfaces. Eigenvalue analysis reveals that the system of equations is hyperbolic for the range of materials and impact velocities of interest. High-order accurate ENO shock-capturing schemes are used along with interface tracking techniques to evolve sharp immersed boundaries. The numerical technique is designed to tackle the following physical phenomena encountered during impact: (1) high velocities of impact leading to large deformations of the impactor as well as targets; (2) nonlinear wave-propagation and the development of shocks in the materials; (3) modeling of the constitutive properties of materials under intense impact conditions and accurate numerical calculation of the elasto-plastic behavior described by the models; (4) phenomena at multiple interfaces (such as impactor-target, target-ambient and impactor-ambient), i.e. both free surface and surface-surface dynamics. Comparison with Lagrangian calculations is made for the elasto-plastic deformation of solid material. The accuracy of convex ENO scheme for shock capturing, with the Mie-Gruneisen equation of state for pressure, is closely examined. Good agreement of the present finite difference fixed grid results is obtained with exact solutions in 1D and benchmarked moving finite element solutions for axisymmetric Taylor impact.
Discovery of a new population of high-energy γ-ray sources in the Milky Way

One of the great mysteries of the high-energy gamma-ray sky is the group of approximately 170 unidentified point sources found along the Galactic plane. They are more numerous than all other high-energy gamma-ray sources combined and, despite 20 years of effort, no clear counterparts have been found at other wavelengths. Here we report a new population of such objects. A cluster of approximately 20 faint sources appears north of the Galactic Centre, which is part of a broader class of faint objects at mid-latitudes. In addition, we show in a model-independent way that the mid-latitude sources are distinct from the population of bright unidentified sources along the Galactic plane. The distribution on the sky indicates that the faint mid-latitude sources are associated with the Gould belt of massive stars and gas clouds at approximately 600 light years distance, as has been previously suggested.
Mississippian-Pennsylvanian Unconformity near Somerset, South-Central Kentucky: ABSTRACT

The Mississippian-Pennsylvanian systemic boundary near Somerset, south-central Kentucky, is unconformable. Contact relationships in eastern Kentucky are controversial because of unclear genetic associations displayed by Chesterian(?)-Morrowan Lee Sandstone lobes, which have been interpreted as being of either barrier-beach or fluvial-deltaic origin. The barrier shoreline model stipulates that Meramecian, Chesterian, and Morrowan rocks represent carbonate sediment barriers and carbonate mud islands, offshore clays, quartzarenite barriers, and lagoonal-tidal flat sediments that were penecontemporaneously deposited during north-westerly progradational episodes. The tabular erosion model stipulates that Meramecian, Chesterian, and Morrowan(?) predominantly marine sediments we e deposited and lithified as tabular units before and penecontemporaneous with deposition of Chesterian(?)-Morrowan fluvial-deltaic sediments. Field study of exposures near Somerset indicates that the tabular erosion model satisfactorily explains contact relationships. Tidal flat, tidal channel, and lagoonal lithofacies without barrier sandstones are unconformably overlain by southwesterly progradational fluvial-dominated deltaic lithofacies. Elongate, fining-upward sandstone bodies typically above coal seams, which are oriented parallel with the southwesterly paleoslope, display lag concentrates of carbonized plant debris, epsilon cross-stratification (or apparently lack of stratification), and low-energy ichnofacies, and are enclosed in deltaic lithofacies. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1434------------