cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biosecurity and Censorship: the H5N1 Influenza Controversy

forBiosecurity(NSABB),provideahistorical perspective of the issues raised and propose howtomoveforward inafashion that benefits society and minimizes the risk of catastrophic consequences. JID is deeply interested in freedom of scientific expression, as well as the risks involved in this type of research, and has closely followed the issues raised as the NSABB, the World Health Organization, involved scientists, and others wrestle with the proper balance among scientific freedom, censorship, individual safety, and national security. We are well aware that JID may face similar issues as manuscripts dealing with potentially dangerous pathogens are submitted. Together with the Infectious Diseases Society of America leadership and the editorial board of our sister journal, Clinical Infectious Diseases, the JID editorial board is developing policies that address these issues on a case-by-case basis, so that freedom of scientifi ce xpression can be maintained without sacrificing individual safety or national security. We hope that the Perspective articles in the current issue contribute to the dialogue necessary to solve these thorny issues.
Information Exchange in Group Decision Making: The Hidden Profile Problem Reconsidered

Group decision making provides a mechanism for channeling individual members' knowledge into productive organizational outcomes. However, in hidden profile experiments in which group members have common information favoring an inferior choice, with private information favoring a superior choice, groups typically choose an inferior alternative. We report a hidden profile experiment where we induce homogenous preferences over choice characteristics and provide financial incentives so that the common purpose assumptions of the model hold more completely than in past experiments. Nevertheless, groups continue to choose an inferior alternative most of the time. These failures primarily result from mistakes in recalling information. Mistakes in recalling common information (which favors an inferior candidate) are typically corrected, whereas mistakes in recalling the private information needed to uncover the hidden profile cannot be corrected. Therefore, the dismal performance of groups in pooling the information needed to identify the superior option primarily result from the structure of the problem rather than deficiencies in how groups share and process information. The discussions necessary to resolve mistakes in recalling common information also help to explain the often noted fact that groups spend a disproportionate amount of time discussing common information.
Spectral transmission characteristics of shocked optical fibers.

An experimental configuration has been developed and examined for transmitting spectral information through an optical fiber placed in contact with the specimen of interest in shock compression experiments. The experimental results obtained for silica and sapphire fibers in the stress range of 33–91 kbar demonstrate that shocked optical fiber can transmit light without loss or spectral variation for the duration of a typical shock experiment (≈1 μs) if some lateral confinement is provided. In general, it is preferable to confine the fiber laterally with a disk of the same material to ensure a condition of uniaxial strain in the fiber. In the one case of fused silica fiber confined in a polymethylmethacrylate disk that we examined, satisfactory fiber performance was observed. Results of a 2-D wave propagation calculation to examine this experiment are presented. The present results demonstrate the feasibility of using optical fiber as a component in remote optical sensors for shock experiments.
Advances on 32nm NiPt Salicide process

The two steps RTP program for 32nm NiPt silicide formation process has been evaluated to improve source-drain resistance (Rsd), resistance uniformity and device leakage reduction behavior. A lower RTP-1 process has been investigated over the Nickel rich silicide phase formation and physical defect reduction. A higher millisecond anneal (MSA) RTP-2 has been investigated of its process window on Nickel monosilicide formation without Nickel silicide agglomeration and additional nickel piping. Then the optimized RTP program which combines a lower RTP-1 and higher RTP-2 by MSA has been demonstrated effective reduction of Nickel piping by e-beam inspection count, improved source to drain resistance (Rsd) and CMOS drive current (Ion/Ioff) improvement 4% on NMOSFET and 3% on PMOSFET, respectively.
Two-dimensional measurement of n + -p asymmetrical junctions in multicrystalline silicon solar cells using AFM-based electrical techniques with nanometer resolution

Lateral inhomogeneities of modern solar cells demand direct electrical imaging with nanometer resolution. We show that atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based electrical techniques provide unique junction characterizations, giving a two-dimensional determination of junction locations. Two AFM-based techniques, scanning capacitance microscopy/spectroscopy (SCM/SCS) and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM), were significantly improved and applied to the junction characterizations of multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) cells. The SCS spectra were taken pixel by pixel by precisely controlling the tip positions in the junction area. The spectra reveal distinctive features that depend closely on the position relative to the electrical junction, which allows us to indentify the electrical junction location. In addition, SKPFM directly probes the built-in potential over the junction area modified by the surface band bending, which allows us to deduce the metallurgical junction location by identifying a peak of the electric field. Our results demonstrate resolutions of 10–40 nm, depending on the techniques (SCS or SKPFM). These direct electrical measurements with nanometer resolution and intrinsic two-dimensional capability are well suited for investigating the junction distribution of solar cells with lateral inhomogeneities.
Immune Cells Link Obesity-associated Type 2 Diabetes and Periodontitis

The clinical association between obesity-associated type 2 diabetes (T2D) and periodontitis, coupled with the increasing prevalence of these diseases, justifies studies to identify mechanisms responsible for the vicious feed-forward loop between systemic and oral disease. Changes in the immune system are critical for both obesity-associated T2D and periodontitis and therefore may link these diseases. Recent studies at the intersection of immunology and metabolism have greatly advanced our understanding of the role the immune system plays in the transition between obesity and obesity-associated T2D and have shown that immune cells exhibit similar functional changes in obesity/T2D and periodontitis. Furthermore, myeloid and lymphoid cells likely synergize to promote obesity/T2D-associated periodontitis despite complexities introduced by disease interaction. Thus the groundwork is being laid for researchers to exploit existing models to understand immune cell dysfunction and break the devastating relationship between obesity-associated T2D and oral disease.
Dominance rank influences female space use in wild chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes : towards an ideal despotic distribution

Studies from many different taxa have demonstrated that dominance rank greatly influences individual space use. While the importance of dominance among female chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes, was debated in the past, mounting evidence now shows that rank is very important. In particular, rank has been shown to influence body mass, foraging strategies, association patterns, and ultimately, reproductive success. In this study, we investigated how rank influenced female space use among chimpanzees, P.t. schweinfurthii, at Gombe National Park, Tanzania. Analysing 10 years of data, we found that new immigrants used areas away from dominant females, and that subordinates had lower site fidelity. We also found that high-ranking females had smaller core areas and that this size difference was pronounced during periods of food scarcity when food competition is highest. These patterns suggest that dominant females outcompete subordinates, forcing them to settle elsewhere, range more widely, and shift their space use across time.
A rig test to measure friction and wear of heavy duty diesel engine piston rings and cylinder liners using realistic lubricants

Laboratory tests to evaluate piston ring and cylinder liner materials for their friction and wear behavior in realistic engine oils are described to support the development of new standard test methods. A ring segment was tested against a flat specimen of gray cast iron typical of cylinder liners. A wide range of lubricants including Jet A aviation fuel, mineral oil, and a new and engine-aged, fully formulated 15W40 heavy duty oil were used to evaluate the sensitivity of the tests to lubricant condition. Test temperatures ranged from 25 to 100 °C. A stepped load procedure was used to evaluate friction behavior using a run-in ring segment. At 100 °C, all lubricants showed boundary lubrication behavior, however, differences among the lubricants could be detected. Wear tests were carried out at 240 N for 6 h at 100 °C with new ring segments. The extent of wear was measured by weight loss, wear volume and wear depth using a geometric model that takes into account compound curvatures before and after testing. Wear volume by weight loss compared well with profilometry. Laboratory test results are compared to engine wear rates.
Prospects for Multimodality Imaging in Peripheral Artery Disease

Asymptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an important marker for elevated risk of coronary and cerebrovascular disease. Symptomatic PAD adds to this burden by affecting quality of life and limiting function. This runs the spectrum of claudication impeding walking and mobility to critical limb ischemia with rest pain, gangrene, and risk of major amputation.1 Article see p 92 Symptomatic PAD is a product of several abnormal factors. These include impaired blood flow to muscle and limb tissue because of stenosis or occlusion of the large conduit arteries, endothelial dysfunction affecting blood flow in all arteries, and abnormal muscle bioenergetics.2 Therapies for symptomatic PAD target these defects.2–7 For example, revascularization improves blood flow in large arteries, and risk factor modification, such as smoking cessation, walking programs, and hydroxy-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, aims to improve endothelial function and muscle bioenergetics during exercise. Arteriogenesis and angiogenesis of the small arteries and capillaries may be mechanisms for some of the benefits from risk factor modification and are the foundation for cell-based therapies that offer the potential for improved perfusion in critical limb ischemia. Currently, the clinical diagnosis of PAD relies on clinical symptoms, clinical signs, and physiological tests of blood flow at rest and exercise. These include …
Induction of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Balloon-Injured Baboon Arteries: A Novel Role for Reactive Oxygen Species in Atherosclerosis

Neovascularization is a hallmark of neointimal formation in atherosclerotic plaques and restenotic lesions. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes neovascular growth, whereas oxidative stress is a potent factor in vascular cell proliferation. To investigate the mechanisms of neovascular formation, we treated human and rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) with H2O2. Northern blot analysis demonstrated a dose- and time-dependent increase in VEGF mRNA, with a maximum of 4-fold at 3 hours (200 mumol/L). As determined by immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, VEGF protein expression and secretion were similarly increased. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with conditioned medium from VSMCs incubated with 200 mumol/L H2O2. DNA synthesis, measured by thymidine incorporation, was increased 4-fold compared with control, an effect that was blocked by a neutralizing anti-VEGF antibody. The lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal (1 mumol/L), an endogenous reactive oxygen species present in human atherosclerotic lesions, also increased VEGF secretion in VSMCs in a similar time-dependent fashion. Immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization of aortic sections from balloon-injured baboons demonstrated increased VEGF expression in discrete areas of the neointima and media compared with control sections, and expression correlated with the generation of 4-hydroxynonenal. Regulators of VEGF expression, such as reactive oxygen species, may enhance neovascularization of atherosclerotic and restenotic arteries.
Perinatal palliative care: Parent perceptions of caring in interactions surrounding counseling for risk of delivering an extremely premature infant.

Objective When infants are at risk of being born at a very premature gestation (22-25 weeks), parents face important life-support decisions because of the high mortality for such infants. Concurrently, providers are challenged with providing parents a supportive environment within which to make these decisions. Practice guidelines for medical care of these infants and the principles of perinatal palliative care for families can be resources for providers, but there is limited research to bridge these medical and humanistic approaches to infant and family care. The purpose of this article is to describe how parents at risk of delivering their infant prior to 26 weeks gestation interpreted the quality of their interpersonal interactions with healthcare providers. Methods Directed content analysis was employed to perform secondary analysis of data from 54 parents (40 mothers and 14 fathers) from the previously coded theme "Quality of Interactions." These categorized data described parents' encounters, expectations, and experiences of interactions that occurred prenatally with care providers. For this analysis, Swanson's theory of caring was selected to guide analysis and to delineate parents' descriptions of caring and uncaring interactions. Results Parents' expectations for caring included: (a) respecting parents and believing in their capacity to make the best decisions for their family (maintaining belief); (b) understanding parents' experiences and their continued need to protect their infant (knowing); (c) physically and emotionally engaging with the parents (being with); (d) providing unbiased information describing all possibilities (enabling); and (e) helping parents navigate the system and creating a therapeutic environment for them in which to make decisions (doing for). Significance of results Understanding parents' prenatal caring expectations through Swanson's theory gives deeper insights, aligning their expectations with the palliative care movement.
Endothelial-stromal interactions in angiogenesis.

Purpose of reviewAngiogenesis often occurs in the context of a wound or tumor stroma. This review will focus on the recent findings on the interactions between angiogenic endothelial cells and the other components of the stroma – fibroblasts, pericytes and extracellular matrix.Recent findingsLarge-s
EVALUATING THE ANTECEDENTS OF FOUNDATIONAL INNOVATIONS: A LONGITUDINAL LOOK AT PATENTS FROM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY

Past research has shown that foundational innovations is often contingent upon access to technologies whose influence/application exceeds the territory of that technology’s definition (technology-application diversity) and sourcing innovation outside a firm’s focal industry (sourcing diversity). However, going outside one’s focal industry can be expensive, complicated, and distracting, possibly leading to mixed results. We theorise that while technology-application diversity enhances foundational innovations, sourcing diversity impedes it. In addition, we argue that sourcing diversity negatively moderates the relationship between technology-application diversity and foundational innovation. Finally, we argue that high technology-application diversity and low sourcing diversity will have the strongest relationship with foundational innovation. To test our assertions, we studied patent filings between 1996 and 2009 from the IT industry from the S&P 500 database. The empirical evidence supported our claims. Findings recommend that to maximise chances of foundational innovation, firms must combine high instances of technologies whose application transcend their definitions with the minimum possible contacts outside their focal industry. Thus, there is an optimum combination of sourcing diversity and technology-application diversity with which foundational innovation is maximised. We close the paper by summarising the key conclusions, conferring implications for theory and practice, and proposing avenues for future research.
Biogenic origin of coastal honeycomb weathering

Honeycomb weathering occurs in two environments in Late Cretaceous and Eocene sandstone outcrops along the coastlines of south-west Oregon and north-west Washington, USA, and south-west British Columbia, Canada. At these sites honeycomb weathering is found on subhorizontal rock surfaces in the intertidal zone, and on steep faces in the salt spray zone above the mean high tide level. In both environments, cavity development is initiated by salt weathering. In the intertidal zone, cavity shapes and sizes are primarily controlled by wetting/drying cycles, and the rate of development greatly diminishes when cavities reach a critical size where the amount of seawater left by receding tides is so great that evaporation no longer produces saturated solutions. Encrustations of algae or barnacles may also inhibit cavity enlargement. In the supratidal spray zone, honeycomb weathering results from a dynamic balance between the corrosive action of salt and the protective effects of endolithic microbes. Subtle environmental shifts may cause honeycomb cavity patterns to continue to develop, to become stable, or to coalesce to produce a barren surface. Cavity patterns produced by complex interactions between inorganic processes and biologic activity provide a geological model of ‘self-organization’. Surface hardening is not a factor in honeycomb formation at these study sites. Salt weathering in coastal environments is an intermittently active process that requires particular wind and tidal conditions to provide a supply of salt water, and temperature and humidity conditions that cause evaporation. Under these conditions, salt residues may be detectable in honeycomb-weathered rock, but absent at other times. Honeycomb weathering can form in only a few decades, but erosion rates are retarded in areas of the rock that contain cavity patterns relative to adjacent non-honeycombed surfaces. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applying Mutation Testing to Web Applications

As our awareness of the complexities inherent in web applications grows, we find an increasing need for more sophisticated ways to test them. Many web application faults are a result of how web software components interact; sometimes client-server and sometimes server-server. This paper presents a novel solution to the problem of integration testing of web applications by using mutation analysis. New mutation operators are defined, a tool (webMuJava) that implements these operators is presented, and results from a case study applying the tool to test a small web application are presented. The results show that mutation analysis can help create tests that are effective at finding web application faults, as well as indicating several directions for improvement.
The impedance of a short dipole antenna in a magnetoplasma

A formula for the impedance of a short cylindrical dipole in a magnetoplasma is derived using quasi-static electromagnetic theory. The formula is valid in a lossy plasma and for any dipole orientation with respect to the magnetic field. The dipole impedance is found to have a positive real part under lossless conditions when the quasi-static differential equation is hyperbolic; this indicates that the quasi-static theory predicts a form of radiation. It is shown that the quasi-static theory can be interpreted in terms of scaled coordinates and that a cylindrical dipole in a magnetoplasma has a free space equivalent with a distorted shape. A conductance correction term obtained from Langmuir probe theory is shown to be significant. Laboratory measurements of monopole impedance are compared with the theoretical calculations.
Power grid reduction based on algebraic multigrid principles

With the scaling of technology, power grid noise is becoming increasingly significant for circuit performance. A typical power grid circuit contains millions of linear elements, making noise analysis and verification challenging in terms of both run time and memory. We propose a power grid reduction scheme based on algebraic multigrid principles, in which the coarser-level grid and the restriction operators are constructed automatically from the circuit matrices. This method is suitable for large-scale power grid transient and AC analysis. Experimental results show an order of magnitude speed up over flat analysis in addition to practical tradeoffs for accuracy, CPU time and memory usage.
NOTES ON EAST ASIAN PLATOR (ARANEAE, GNAPHOSOIDEA)

Hitoegumoa KISHIDA is newly synonymized with Plator SIMON. Plator insolens SIMON and P. nipponicus (KISHIDA) are redescribed, and a new species, P. pennatus, is described from southern China.
The Dynamic contribution of chronic conditions to temporal trends in disability among U.S. adults

Abstract Background Although evidence has shown that U.S. late-life disability has been declining, studies have also suggested that there has been an increase in chronic diseases between 1984 and 2007. Objectives To further illuminate these potentially contradictory trends, we explicate how the contribution of chronic conditions changes across four common types of disability (ADL, IADL, mobility disability, and functional limitations) by age (A), period (P), and birth cohorts (C) among adults aged 20 and above. Methods Our data came from seven cross-sectional waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We utilize a cross-classified random effect model (CCREM) to simultaneously estimate age, period, and cohort trends for each disability. Each chronic condition was sequentially then simultaneously added to our base models (sociodemographics only). Reductions in predicted probability from the base model were then calculated for each chronic condition by each temporal dimension (A/P/C) to assess the contribution of each chronic condition. Results There was increasing age-based contribution of chronic conditions to all disabilities. The period-based contribution remained quite stagnant across years while cohort-based contributions showed a continual decline for recent cohorts. Arthritis showed the greatest contribution to disability of all types which was followed by obesity. Cancer was the least important contributor to disabilities. Conclusion Although chronic conditions are becoming less disabling across recent cohorts, other competing risk factors might suggest prevailing causes of disability.
Studies of hypoxemic/reoxygenation injury:: I. Linkage between cardiac function and oxidant damage

Surgical correction of cardiac defects causing cyanosis is done with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in early infancy with increasing frequency. Postoperative cardiac dysfunction is the major cause of morbidity and mortality despite successful anatomic correction and is more severe than after repair of acquired defects in adults with normoxic conditions. 1 Intraoperative management differs principally in that reversal of hypoxemia occurs with initiation of extracorporeal circulation and precedes the surgical ischemia used for operative repair in children with cyanotic disease. The conventional method of starting CPB" in infants and children with hypoxemia is to raise oxygen tension (P02) to approximately 400 mm Hg by priming the extracorporeal circuit with hyperoxic fluid. We have speculated that this causes an "unintended reoxygenation injury" that adds to subsequent intraoperative stress when surgical ischemia is needed to provide a bloodless field. 2 The role of reoxygenation injury as a contributory factor has yet to be established, despite experimental evidence that functional, biochemical, and structural alterations that follow reoxygenation are similar to changes that follow reperfusion after ischemia: these include stunned myocardium, 3' 4 lipid peroxidation, 5 enzyme release, 6 and necrosis. 7 Several clinical observations support this hypothesis including (1) myocardial lipid peroxidation in preischemic right ventricular biopsy samples from children with cyanotic Conditions supported by CPB, 8 (2) reduced myocardial endogenous antioxidants in cyanotic versus normoxic patients, 9 (3) strong correlation between Po 2 and endogenous antioxidant enzymes, a°
The role of font size and font style in younger and older adults’ predicted and actual recall performance

We examined how font sizes (18pt., 48 pt.) and font styles (regular, italic, bold) influenced younger and older adults' judgments of learning (JOLs) and recall. In Experiment 1 younger adults gave higher JOLs and obtained higher recall than older adults. However, JOLs and recall varied for both age groups as a function of font size and font style manipulations despite a tendency for both groups to predict higher recall for items in large and in regular and italic styles than for small and bold fonts and achieve higher recall for regular than italic or bold items. No age differences were found in relative accuracy, with near-perfect calibration in absolute accuracy for younger and older adults. Experiment 2 presented a description of Experiment 1 and asked participants to predict recall for the various font size/style combinations. Younger and older adults predicted higher recall for large than small font items, regardless of font style, and higher recall for bold than regular or italic styles, regardless of font size. Memory predictions did not align across experiments, suggesting that memory beliefs combine with processing fluency to affect JOLs and recall.
Lung compliance changes on high-frequency ventilation in normal dogs

To test the hypothesis that high-frequency ventilation (HFV) promotes lung stability we compared the temporal course of dynamic lung compliance changes after two inflations on HFV with those occurring on conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) at two different lung volumes, specifically with and without 5 cmH2O positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). In our first set of experiments we ventilated six anesthetized paralyzed dogs first with CMV, then with HFV, then again with CMV using tidal volumes of 15 ml/kg at rates of 16–18 times/min for CMV and less than 90 ml and a rate of 15 Hz for HFV. In our second set of experiments we ventilated six dogs for 4 h, the 1st h with CMV at 0 cmH2O end-expiratory pressure, the 2nd h with CMV with 5 cmH2O PEEP, the 3rd h with HFV at the same mean pleural pressure, and the 4th h again with CMV with 5 cmH2O PEEP. We found the decreases in dynamic compliance with time following hyperinflations were similar on HFV and CMV (P greater than 0.5) at both lung volumes. With the lower lung volume the initial dynamic compliance following hyperinflation also tended to fall progressively from one hour to the next despite the inflations. However, with PEEP the initial dynamic compliance over successive hours tended to rise from one hour to the next. We found that changes in dynamic compliance were not necessarily reflected in the venous admixture or alveolar to arterial O2 partial pressure gradients. We thus conclude that lung stability in normal dogs is not improved during HFV, and blood gases cannot be used to predict compliance changes.
Influence of ashing techniques on the analysis of trace elements in animal tissue : I. Wet ashing.

A multitude of methods exists at present for the solubilization of biological tissues for atomic absorption analysis. We have examined several common methods of wet ashing using NBS bovine liver in order to determine which acids, acid combinations, or bases should be used as digesting agents for accurate and precise measurement of iron, copper, zinc, and manganese. Nitric acid proved to be the most effective wet ashing agent. With nitric acid, mean concentrations for iron, copper, and zinc differed from NBS certified values by less than 1.5% while those for manganese differed by 4%.
ON THE EVOLUTION OF PARTHENOGENESIS IN LONCHOPTERA (DIPTERA)

In recent years much time and thought has been devoted to answering the questions: what are the forces and mechanisms that promote evolutionary change, and how do they operate? The usual direct approach to this problem has involved study of forms which are believed to have undergone recent evolutionary change and may still be actively evolving. One indirect method of studying the problem would involve examination of those forms which are not believed to be evolving rapidly. By studying such stable species it may become possible to determine what series of events may block evolutionary change, and thus what must not happen if evolution is to occur. Probably the most extreme form of evolutionary stability in animals may be expected to occur among those species which are obligatorily parthenogenetic, and thus have lost the ability to produce genetically novel types through effective genetic recombination. Such species are of special interest from two points of view. First, have they really entered an evolutionary blind alley as genetic orthodoxy would have us believe? Second, what conditions may exist which could lead to parthenogenesis in an originally bisexual form? This second problem is of general importance since parthenogenesis has arisen repeatedly in many different kinds of animals and plants. It is the purpose of this paper to report work carried out on the dipterous genera Lonchoptera and Drosophila which bears on these questions.
PUSHAPA-PŪJĀ, FLOWER OFFERING IN BUDDHISM

"On the occasion of the Buddha's birth, heaven and earth trembled and flowers rained from the skies" describes Lalitavistra (Taisho Showa Tripitaka, abbreviated henceforth as TST, v. I6, p. 493). It also mentions "Indra and the Four Deva Kings descended and bathed Him with perfumed water and sprinkled flowers over Him". Such are very familiar scenes in the many stone carvings of Amaravati preserved in the Calcutta Museum and elsewhere in paintings. Pushapa-puija, flower offerings, is but one of the numerous homages that His disciples paid honoring the Buddha whenever they appeared in His presence as we read in the Smaller Sukhavati-vyiiha (TST, v. 12, p. 347a), "Heavenly beings, or devas, showered Him with heavenly flowers in token of esteem and gratitude". Or, from a discourse from Mahaprajfin-paramita Sastra (TST, v. 25, p. I23b): Question: Why are flowers showered upon the Buddha? Answer: To honor Him with homage in token of reverence and esteem.
Clustering Vehicle Class Distribution and Axle Load Spectra for Mechanistic-Empirical Predicting Pavement Performance

AbstractPast studies have determined the effects of the pavement mechanistic-empirical (ME) default (Level 3) values of vehicle class distribution (VCD) and axle load spectra (ALS) on pavement performance. However, it is still not clear how the clustered VCD and ALS affect the ME predicted pavement performance. In this study, traffic data from 10 weigh-in-motion (WIM) stations were gathered and analyzed to develop the VCD and ALS values using arithmetic average and clustering methods (Level 2). Next, using Level 2, Level 3, and site-specific (Level 1) inputs of VCD and ALS, the pavement ME predicted performance was determined. The results show that the predicted performance by the cluster (Level 2) data are very close to those of the site-specific data (Level 1). Performance generated by the ME default values (Level 3) are significantly different from those generated by the site-specific or cluster values. When comparing the performance of the ME design default (Level 3) with those of the statewide averag...
Party Ideologies in America, 1828–1996: The Search for a Method

Because a great many works have already been written on the general subject of ideology, and the specific histories of the American parties have been told many times, readers may be skeptical about the empirical and theoretical yield of the current project. Is there anything new to say about such an established topic? Chapter i set forth the substantive claims justifying this enterprise. Here, I shall stake methodological claims. Specifically, I shall argue (i) that ideology needs to be brought to the forefront of the study of the American parties, (2) that these ideologies can be approached through the medium of presidential rhetoric, (3) that 1828 marked the beginning of competitive party politics in America and hence constitutes an appropriate beginning point for this study, and (4) that the textual medium of election rhetoric should be analyzed both quantitatively and nonquantitatively. Since the persuasiveness of the evidence presented in the foregoing chapters rests upon these methodological choices, I shall cover this ground slowly and with considerable care, making clear how my own approach to the subject differs from others'. Party Ideology in the Academic Mold Political scientists have studied the American parties within electoral, organizational, and policy-making contexts, but rarely within an ideational context. Leon Epstein's magisterial survey of the field, for example, provides chapters on the congressional parties, the presidency, state and local parties, candidate selection, national organization, party identification, and campaign finance; only in passing does this otherwise splendid book directly address the question of what the parties stand (or stood) for.
Abstract 206: Expansion Of Emergency Medical Services Routing For Stroke In The United States

Background: Organized stroke systems of care include preferential emergency medical services (EMS) routing to deliver suspected stroke patients to designated hospitals. EMS transport of stroke patients is regulated at the State and County level in the United States (US). We aimed to characterize the growth of EMS regional systems of acute stroke care by describing the number and proportion of nationwide stroke hospitalizations in areas with EMS systems of care over a 10-year period. Methods: Data on ischemic stroke using ICD-9 coding was collected from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from the years 2000-2010. The NIS contains all discharge data from 1,051 hospitals located in 45 States, approximating a 20-percent stratified sample. Data on EMS systems of care was obtained from a review of archives, reports, and interviews with state EMS officials. NIS hospital data is not reported at the county level in the state of Texas. Thus although Harris county ...
Applying Mass Cytometry to the Analysis of Lymphoid Populations in Transplantation

Single-cell flow cytometric techniques have been indispensable to improving our understanding of the phenotype and function of immune cell subsets that are important in both rejection and tolerance after transplant. Mass cytometry, or cytometry by time of flight, is a single-cell-based platform that utilizes antibodies conjugated to rare heavy metal ions for analysis of cellular proteins by a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This new technology allows for the evaluation of >40 simultaneous cellular parameters in a single sample because the limitation of spectral overlap, seen in conventional flow cytometry, is eliminated. In this review, we discuss the current state of mass cytometry, describe the advantages and disadvantages compared with multiparameter flow cytometry, introduce novel methods of high-dimensional data analysis and visualization, and review some recent studies using mass cytometry to profile the immune systems of healthy people and transplant recipients.
Dysregulation of the Fas/FasL system in an experimental animal model of HELLP syndrome.

Abstract Introduction Placental FasL is up-regulated in women with HELLP (hemolysis elevated liver enzyme and low platelet) syndrome and has been proposed to contribute to the liver damage seen in these patients. Objective This study aimed to determine if an experimental rodent model of HELLP also had dysregulation of Fas/FasL compared to normal pregnant (NP) rats. We also set out to determine if blockade of the endothelin system regulated Fas/FasL expression in HELLP rats. Study design On gestational day (GD) 12, sEng (7ug/kg) and sFlt-1 (4.7ug/kg) infusion began via mini-osmotic pump into NP rats. On GD19 plasma and tissue were collected and FasL and Fas were measured via enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and gene expression via real-time PCR. Results HELLP rats had significantly more circulating and placental FasL compared to NP rats, whereas hepatic FasL was decreased and placental Fas was increased compared to NP rats. Administration of an endothelin A receptor antagonist (ET A ) beginning on GD12 significantly decreased placental expression of Fas in HELLP rats. Liver mRNA transcript of Fas was significantly increased in HELLP rats compared to NP rats. Conclusion These data suggest that rats in this experimental model of HELLP syndrome have abnormal expression of the Fas/FasL system. Future studies will examine the sources of Fas/FasL dysregulation in this model and if blockade could reduce some of the inflammation and hypertension associated with HELLP syndrome.
Association Between Sleep Timing, Obesity, Diabetes: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Cohort Study.

Study Objectives Recent studies implicate inadequate sleep duration and quality in metabolic disease. Fewer studies have examined the timing of sleep, which may be important because of its potential impact on circadian rhythms of metabolic function. We examined the association between sleep timing and metabolic risk among Hispanic/Latino adults. Methods Cross-sectional data from community-based study of 13429 participants aged 18-74 years. People taking diabetic medications were excluded. Sleep timing was determined from self-reported bedtimes and wake times. Chronotype was defined as the midpoint of sleep on weekends adjusted for sleep duration on weekdays. Other measurements included body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose levels, estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glucose levels 2 hours post oral glucose ingestion, and hemoglobin A1c. Survey linear regression models tested associations between sleep timing and metabolic measures. Analyses were stratified by diabetes status and age-group when significant interactions were observed. Results Among participants with diabetes, fasting glucose levels were positively associated with bedtime (approximately +3%/hour later, p < .01) and midpoint of sleep (approximately +2%/hour later, p < .05). In participants with and without diabetes combined, HOMA-IR was positively associated with midpoint of sleep (+1.5%/hr later, p < .05), and chronotype (+1.2%/hour later, p < .05). Associations differed by age-group. Among those < 36 years, later sleep timing was associated with lower BMI, lower fasting glucose, and lower HbA1c, but the opposite association was observed among older participants. Conclusions Later sleep timing was associated with higher estimated insulin resistance across all groups. Some associations between sleep timing and metabolic measures may be age-dependent.
Effect of tumor necrosis factor-α on skeletal muscle metabolism

Over the past year, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of biologic actions by which tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) may influence skeletal muscle metabolism. Reports published during this period highlighted three general actions with metabolic consequences: accelerated catabolism (protein loss, insulin resistance), contractile dysfunction, and disruption of myogenesis. Recent research also indicates that skeletal muscle myocytes synthesize TNF-alpha and that the cytokine functions as an endogenous mediator of muscle adaptation via autocrine/paracrine effects. These advances demonstrate the fundamental importance of TNF-alpha effects on skeletal muscle myocytes and provide a focus for future studies of intracellular mechanism.
Using Monte Carlo Normal Distributions to Evaluate Structural Models with Nonnormal Data

Statistical theories of goodness-of-fit tests in structural equation modeling are based on asymptotic distributions of test statistics. When the model includes a large number of variables or the population is not from a multivariate normal distribution, the asymptotic distributions do not approximate the distribution of the test statistics very well at small sample sizes. A variety of methods have been developed to improve the accuracy of hypothesis testing at small sample sizes. However, all these methods have their limitations, specially for nonnormal distributed data. We propose a Monte Carlo test that is able to control Type I error with more accuracy compared to existing approaches in both normal and nonnormally distributed data at small sample sizes. Extensive simulation studies show that the suggested Monte Carlo test has a more accurate observed significance level as compared to other tests with a reasonable power to reject misspecified models.
Evidence for resistance of deciduous azaleas to azalea lace bug

Abstract Five deciduous Rhododendron species (R. albamense Rehder, R. austrinum (Small) Rehder, R. calendulaceum (Michaux) Torrey, R. canescens (Michaux) sweet, and R. prunifolium (Small) Millais) were tested for resistance to oviposition by the azalea lace bug (ALB), Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott). Control plants were R. mucronatum ‘Delaware Valley White’ (DVW), a susceptible evergreen variety. Rhododendron canescens and R. prunifolium were the least suitable for adult survival and the most resistant to oviposition in no-choice tests repeated six times during a two year study. All deciduous species were significantly less preferred than DVW early in the season corresponding with activity of first generation ALB adults. In late season assays corresponding to activity of second and third generation ALB adults, only R. canescens was consistently less preferred than DVW.
Electromagnetic Field Equations

In this chapter, I present a parallel development of electromagnetic theory based on the traditional Gibbsian vector formalism (using grad, div, and curl), and using the methods of differential forms. In the framework of this new approach, Maxwell's equations appear naturally from the basic equations of the field theory for the differential forms. I provide the physical interpretation of Maxwell's equations as well. The boundary conditions for the vector fields are introduced based on Maxwell's equations. This chapter also develops the basic aspects of electromagnetic theory which are common to the many techniques of electrical exploration that will be discussed later in the book. We introduce the basic theorems characterizing the distribution of the energy of electromagnetic field (Poynting's theorems) and the concept of electromagnetic Green's tensors. The chapter concludes with a description of the reciprocity relations and Lorentz lemma.
Orbital fat regeneration following hormonal treatment of metastatic breast carcinoma

Enophthalmos in the setting of breast cancer metastatic to the orbit results primarily from the disease pathogenesis, or secondary to treatment effects. Orbital volume restoration and fat regeneration following endocrine treatment monotherapy has not been previously reported. A 76- year-old previously healthy female presented with progressive right enophthalmos secondary to metastatic lobular breast carcinoma. Treatment with an aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) resulted in tumor regression and orbital fat restoration with a corresponding improvement in orbital volume and enophthalmos on clinical exam. The patient is alive on continued letrozole with no progressive disease ten years after diagnosis. This case illustrates the resilience of orbital soft tissues and ability of orbital fat to regenerate in face of breast cancer metastasis. We hypothesize that endocrine monotherapy, and avoidance of radiation therapy, allowed for differentiation of remaining orbital stem cells, and facilitated the fat regenerative process.
Provenance-Based Scientific Workflow Search

Due to data intensive and sophisticated tasks in scientific experiments, workflows have been widely used to enable repetitive task automation and data reproducibility. This yields to the need for effective and efficient search mechanisms for scientific workflows discovery as workflow retrieval systems require a model which fulfills several requirements: unification, accuracy, and rich representations. Motivated by the recent uptake in provenance based models for scientific workflow discovery, in this paper, we propose a provenance-based architecture for retrieving workflows. Specifically, the paper presents an architecture which transforms data provenance into workflows and then organizes data into a set of indexes to support efficient querying mechanisms. The architecture enables composite queries supporting three types of search criteria: keywords of workflow tasks, workflow structure patterns, and metadata about workflows&#x2013;e.g., how often a workflow was used.
Blockchains: Past, Present, and Future

Blockchain technology is assembled from pieces that have long pedigrees in the academic literature, such as linked timestamping, consensus, and proof of work. In this tutorial, I'll begin by summarizing these components and how they fit together in Bitcoin's blockchain design. Then I'll present abstract models of blockchains; such abstractions help us understand and reason about the similarities and differences between the numerous proposed blockchain designs in a succinct way. Here is one such abstraction. Blockchains can be understood in terms of (1) a log of messages: for example, a ledger of financial transactions; (2) the state that summarizes the result of processing the log: for example, a set of account balances; (3) a set of validity rules for messages/state updates: for example, transactions must spend no more than the available balances, must have verifiable signatures, etc; (4) consistency rules that determine whether two views of the log by different participants on the network are consistent with each other. In the second half of the tutorial I'll describe several research directions, focusing on those likely to be of interest to the PODS community. Here are a few examples. Efficient verification of state. A participant might want to verify a statement about a small part of the global state, such as the inclusion of a particular transaction in the blockchain. While the basics have been worked out, and involve techniques such as hash pointers, Merkle trees, and other "authenticated data structures", many interesting questions remain. Reconciling different views of consensus. In the game theory view of blockchains, all players are rational and follow their incentives; there are no honest, faulty, or malicious players. When does this view lead to similar or different predictions compared to the traditional consensus literature? Can we come up with hybrid models that reconcile these assumptions? Scaling and sharding. In traditional designs, the blockchain is fully replicated by every node, leading to massive inefficiency and severely limiting transaction throughput. What are the fundamental limits to scaling, and how can we improve scalability without weakening security? In particular, is it possible to shard the blockchain, that is, partition it among subsets of nodes, given the Byzantine setting?