cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of the long wave optical phonons in trigonal Se and trigonal Te

The frequencies of the long wave optical phonons in trigonal Se and Te are compared. Differences in the relative frequencies of the A1 and A2 modes, and in several of the elastic constants as well, are attributed to differences in the intra- and inter-chain bonding. These comparisons are made quantitative by defining reduced lattice dynamical properties in which the nearest and second nearest neighbor distances are used as scaling parameters respectively for the intra- and inter-chain properties. The comparison is extended to the optic mode frequencies of amorphous Se and Te. Die Frequenzen der langwelligen optischen Phononen in trigonalem Se und Te werden verglichen. Die Unterschiede in den relativen Frequenzen der A1- und A2-Moden und einiger elastischer Konstanten werden Unterschieden in den Bindungen innerhalb der Kette (Intra-Bindung) und den benachbarten Ketten (Inter-Bindung) zugeschrieben. Die Vergleiche werden quantitativ ausgewertet, indem die reduzierten, dynamischen Eigenschaften des Gitters definiert werden. Der Abstand nachster Nachbarn definiert die Intra-Bindungen und der nachste Abstand zwischen Atomen benachbarter Ketten definiert die Inter-Bindungseigenschaften. Der Vergleich wird auch auf die optischen Frequenzen von amorphem Se und Te ausgedehnt.
Identifying Gravitational Insecurity in Children: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE. This study developed an observational assessment of gravitational insecurity (GI), the GI Assessment, and examined its preliminary reliability and validity evidence. METHOD. The GI Assessment consisted of 15 activities that created conditions characterized as fear-induc- ing for children with gravitational insecurity. Three behavioral categories—avoidance, emotional, and postural responses—were scored for each activity. Participants were 18 children with gravitational insecurity, ages 5-10 years, and a matched group of children who were typically developing. Forty-eight preschoolers who were typically developing, ages 2-4 years, were examined for developmental trends. RESULTS. Significant differences were found between groups. Discriminant analysis classified 83% of the gravitationally insecure group and 100% of the typical group. Interrater reliability for the total test was .79. Per- formance of preschool children suggested a developmental age trend. CONCLUSION. The GI Assessment is a promising clinical tool for objectively identifying children with grav-
Assessment of Reprocessed Arthroscopic Shaver Blades

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of contaminants on, as well as the quality of, reprocessed shaver blades. Methods: We assessed 7 new shaver blades and 27 shaver blades that had been reprocessed with mechanical cleaning, functional testing, and sterilization with ethylene oxide. A spectrophotometer measured the amount of nucleic acid and protein. The blade quality was assessed by photographing the blades with magnification and determining the percentage of damage present on each blade. A subset of shaver blades were then used to cut meniscal tissue, and the cut surface was measured for smoothness by image processing and automated laser scanning cytometry. In evaluation of the meniscus, for the subset of shavers, an image processing value of 1 indicates a smooth, straight line, and values lower than 1 reflect deviations in the cut surface (the closer the value is to 1, the smoother the surface). Laser scanning cytometry values indicate the percentage of irregularities in the cut surface (the lower the value is, the smoother the surface). Results: Of the 27 reprocessed shaver blades, 13 (48%) had detectable levels of protein and 17 (63%) had detectable levels of nucleic acid. On the reprocessed shaver blades, protein levels ranged from 2.43 μg to 60 μg and nucleic acid levels ranged from 0.40 μg to 3.5 μg. No new shaver blade had contaminants. Twenty reprocessed shaver blades had been manufactured with teeth and could be evaluated for visible damage. Of these, 10 had 1% to 25% damage, 5 had 26% to 50% damage, 3 had 51% to 75% damage, and 2 had 76% to 100% damage. The new blades had no visible damage. Image processing revealed smoothness of the surface cut with new shaver blades, yielding values of 1 ± 0.12, whereas the values for reprocessed shaver blades ranged from 0.62 ± 0.02 to 1 ± 0.07. Laser scanning cytometry values ranged from 3.3% to 7.1% for the new blades as compared with 5.8% to 20.0% for the reprocessed blades. Conclusions: Of the reprocessed shaver blades, 48% had detectable levels of protein and 63% had detectable levels of nucleic acid. All of the reprocessed blades visually evaluated showed some level of damage or wear, whereas no new blade had such damage. In addition, menisci cut with reprocessed shavers showed rougher edges than did menisci cut with new shavers. Clinical Relevance: To make an informed decision regarding the use of reprocessed shaver blades, surgeons will want to know the level of contamination on, and the quality of, reprocessed shaver blades.
Standard Versus Limited Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Prostate Cancer in Patients With a Predicted Probability of Nodal Metastasis Greater Than 1

Purpose: We determined the yield of standard vs limited pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with a predicted risk of lymph node metastasis greater than 1% according to the Partin tables predicted probability of pathological stage. We also determined the feasibility of laparoscopic standard pelvic lymph node dissection.Materials and Methods: Of 1,269 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy, 648 had a Partin’s table predicted probability of lymph node invasion greater than 1%. Of the 648 patients 177 underwent limited pelvic lymph node dissection performed laparoscopically (group 1), and 471 underwent standard pelvic lymph node dissection performed open (367) or laparoscopically (104) (group 2). Templates of limited pelvic lymph node dissection included the external iliac lymph nodes whereas standard pelvic lymph node dissection included the external iliac, obturator and hypogastric lymph nodes. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to compare th...
Epoetin alfa therapy for patients with hematologic malignancies and mild anemia.

Anemia has been reported in approximately 40%-70% of patients with hematologic malignancies, with severity depending on the type and stage of disease and whether the patient has received myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Growing evidence supports the role of epoetin alfa in correcting anemia and improving quality of life (QOL) in patients with hematologic malignancies. Clinical practice guidelines recommend the use of epoetin alfa in patients with cancer-related anemia (including patients with hematologic malignancies) and hemoglobin levels ≤ 10 g/dL. Epoetin alfa treatment is optional for patients with cancer-related anemia and hemoglobin levels > 10 g/dL and < 12 g/dL, depending on clinical circumstances. A prospective, open-label, randomized trial evaluating hematologic response, transfusion use, and QOL after immediate or delayed epoetin alfa treatment in mildly anemic patients (hemoglobin ≤ 12 g/dL) undergoing chemotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, or lymphoma was recently completed. Study objectives included determining any correlation between changes in hemoglobin level and QOL and assessing any correlation between QOL measures and health care resource use. Interim results suggest that epoetin alfa treatment in patients with hematologic cancers and hemoglobin ≤ 12 g/dL who are receiving chemotherapy increases hemoglobin, functional capacity, well-being, work and productivity, and health resource use. Further evaluation of alternative epoetin alfa dosing schedules and use of epoetin alfa in treating anemia in patients with specific hematologic malignancies is ongoing.
The Measurement of Three Lifestyle Values: Resourcefulness, Responsibility and Relationships to others

A theory proposing three distinct, effective types of family systems [1] guided the definition and operationalization of three lifestyle value constructs. A simple, reliable and valid measure of th...
The Law of Man and the Peace of God: Judicial Process as Satiric Theme in the Wakefield Mactacio Abel

THE lively humor and dramatic boldness of the Wakefield Mactacio Abel distinguish it from other medieval treatments of the biblical story and induce critics either to ascribe it to the Wakefield Master or to doubt that its sustained comic action can support significant dramatic statement. When the play's definite allusions are established, however, its serious implications become striking. Scenes like Cain's outrageous perversion of the obligation to tithe take on meaning which at least the more educated members of the original audience must have perceived.1 The play's artistic integrity is even more apparent, I believe, in its use of less recondite allusions to drive home essential meaning in the perplexing last quarter of the play, in moments that otherwise seem purposeless foolery: when Cain, having slain Abel, tries to escape detection and, nevertheless challenged and cursed by God, summons Pikeharnes to help him dispose of the body. This part of the play (lines 330-470) is certainly lively drama; but in the light of its allusions to widely resented abuses of judicial process it appears as well to integrate pointed satire skillfully into the play's overall thematic movement. These scenes strongly criticize fifteenth-century England by associating aspects of its administration of criminal justice with the ethos of Cain's City of Man. Further, these scenes use familiar processes of law to point out the irony of Cain's damnation. His concern for the king's peace calls to mind the divine peace from which he is perpetually removed. And "the special grace of the king," a phrase which figures in legal documents to which Cain alludes, points out the irony of Cain's despair, which cuts him off from the greater Grace sufficient to redeem even him. The play's most striking reference to medieval English judicial process occurs in Cain's efforts to persuade Pikeharnes to aid in disposing of Abel's body (lines 385-439). Pikeharnes, no simpleton, reacts to the confession of murder by formally renouncing Cain's service: "Yey, bot for ferde of grevance, / Here I the forsake" (402 f.). He must realize that to assist Cain would make him an accessory after the fact who, under the law since 1166, would be punishable to the same degree as the convicted principal, unless he could successfully plead coercion by his master.2 But Pikeharnes' next comment shows that his scruples are not perfect. He uses plural pronouns which suggest his cooperation; and, more important, he
ELITE CULTURE IN EARLY NINETEENTH-CENTURY FRANCE: SALONS, SOCIABILITY, AND THE SELF

The cultural world of French elites was profoundly shaken by the long sequence of events we now refer to as the French Revolution. The legal, political, and social world in which elites moved was transformed by successive revolutionary regimes and, more generally, by what Benjamin Constant called “the torrent” of change that began with the Revolution in 1789. Individuals experienced excitement, hope, and enthusiasm, but also suffered trauma, insecurity, and loss. The effects of these experiences on elite sociability and culture are difficult to characterize precisely. Michelle Perrot and Anne Martin-Fugier have written that there was a tendency on the part of French elites during the nineteenth century to retreat increasingly into the sanctuary of their homes, where they practiced more exclusionary forms of sociability, and simultaneously adopted more defensive forms of politics. Alain Corbin reminds us that the vulnerability that accompanied the progress of individuation in nineteenth-century France frequently manifested itself as an obsession with self-scrutiny, as represented by the enriched forms of interior monologue found in diaries and in Romantic poetry and literature. This retreat and concomitant self-scrutiny can be seen as a further refinement of the delicacy and sense of shame—of what we call modesty—that Norbert Elias suggested over sixty years ago was a central characteristic of the advance of European manners.
Characterization and Analysis of Relative Intensity Noise in Broadband Optical Sources for Optical Coherence Tomography

Relative intensity noise (RIN) is one of the most significant factors limiting the sensitivity of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. The existing and prevalent theory being used for estimating RIN for various light sources in OCT is questionable, and cannot be applied uniformly for different types of sources. The origin of noise in various sources differs significantly, owing to the different physical nature of photon generation. In this study, we characterize and compare RIN of several OCT light sources including superluminescent diodes (SLDs), an erbium-doped fiber amplifier, multiplexed SLDs, and a continuous-wave laser. We also report a method for reduction of RIN by amplifying the SLD light output by using a gain-saturated semiconductor optical amplifier.
Hydrogen Sulfide as an Allosteric Modulator of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels in Colonic Inflammation

The ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) in mouse colonic smooth muscle cell is a complex containing a pore-forming subunit (Kir6.1) and a sulfonylurea receptor subunit (SUR2B). These channels contribute to the cellular excitability of smooth muscle cells and hence regulate the motility patterns in the colon. Whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques were used to study the alterations in KATP channels in smooth muscle cells in experimental colitis. Colonic inflammation was induced in BALB/C mice after intracolonic administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. KATP currents were measured at a holding potential of −60 mV in high K+ external solution. The concentration response to levcromakalim (LEVC), a KATP channel opener, was significantly shifted to the left in the inflamed smooth-muscle cells. Both the potency and maximal currents induced by LEVC were enhanced in inflammation. The EC50 values in control were 6259 nM (n = 10) and 422 nM (n = 8) in inflamed colon, and the maximal currents were 9.9 ± 0.71 pA/pF (60 μM) in control and 39.7 ± 8.8 pA/pF (3 μM) after inflammation. As was seen with LEVC, the potency and efficacy of sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) (10–1000 μM) on KATP currents were significantly greater in inflamed colon compared with controls. In control cells, pretreatment with 100 µM NaHS shifted the EC50 for LEV-induced currents from 2838 (n = 6) to 154 (n = 8) nM. Sulfhydration of sulfonylurea receptor 2B (SUR2B) was induced by NaHS and colonic inflammation. These data suggest that sulfhydration of SUR2B induces allosteric modulation of KATP currents in colonic inflammation.
Paper-based electroanalytical devices for accessible diagnostic testing

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) use the passive capillary-driven flow of aqueous solutions through patterned paper channels to transport a sample fluid into distinct detection zones that contain the reagents for a chemical assay. These devices are simple, affordable, portable, and disposable; they are, thus, well suited for diagnostic applications in resource-limited environments. Adding screen-printed electrodes to the detection zones of a μPAD yields a device capable of performing electrochemical assays (an EμPAD). Electrochemical detection has the advantage over colorimetric detection that it is not affected by interference from the color of the sample and can be quantified with simple electronics. The accessibility of EμPADs, however, is limited by the requirement for an external potentiostat to power and interpret the electrochemical measurement. New developments in paper-based electronics may help loosen this requirement. This review discusses the current capabilities and limitations of EμPADs and paper-based electronics, and sketches the ways in which these technologies can be combined to provide new devices for diagnostic testing.
Bats as new models for social communication

Bat echolocation has been the focus of extensive acoustic research for over 50 years. However, our knowledge of bat social communication is in its infancy, having really only begun to develop over the last decade. This is because only recently have ultrasonic recording and playback become affordable, rugged, and portable—making field research highly expedient. These advances have in essence opened up an entirely new frontier in acoustic research. Indeed a very large frontier with over 1000 diverse species, nearly all of which are highly social. Here, I review the types of vocalizations bats produce, from echolocation calls, to simple calls to complex songs. For example, simple infant isolation calls are produced by the majority of mammals with little to no specialization in bats. In contrast, our work on Molossid bats shows that they embed “echolocation” calls into complex song phrases while roosting and in flight. In this case, social communication is likely an exaptation of the highly specialized echolocation system. Finally, I discuss where bats fit into our current models—birds, anurans, cetaceans, and rodents—and how using a comparative approach can greatly expand our understanding of acoustic communication.
Rapid antigen group A streptococcus test to diagnose pharyngitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Pharyngitis management guidelines include estimates of the test characteristics of rapid antigen streptococcus tests (RAST) using a non-systematic approach. Objective To examine the sensitivity and specificity, and sources of variability, of RAST for diagnosing group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Data Sources MEDLINE, Cochrane Reviews, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, Scopus, SciELO, CINAHL, guidelines, 2000–2012. Study Selection Culture as reference standard, all languages. Data Extraction and Synthesis Study characteristics, quality. Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s) Sensitivity, specificity. Results We included 59 studies encompassing 55,766 patients. Forty three studies (18,464 patients) fulfilled the higher quality definition (at least 50 patients, prospective data collection, and no significant biases) and 16 (35,634 patients) did not. For the higher quality immunochromatographic methods in children (10,325 patients), heterogeneity was high for sensitivity (inconsistency [I2] 88%) and specificity (I2 86%). For enzyme immunoassay in children (342 patients), the pooled sensitivity was 86% (95% CI, 79–92%) and the pooled specificity was 92% (95% CI, 88–95%). For the higher quality immunochromatographic methods in the adult population (1,216 patients), the pooled sensitivity was 91% (95% CI, 87 to 94%) and the pooled specificity was 93% (95% CI, 92 to 95%); however, heterogeneity was modest for sensitivity (I2 61%) and specificity (I2 72%). For enzyme immunoassay in the adult population (333 patients), the pooled sensitivity was 86% (95% CI, 81–91%) and the pooled specificity was 97% (95% CI, 96 to 99%); however, heterogeneity was high for sensitivity and specificity (both, I2 88%). Conclusions RAST immunochromatographic methods appear to be very sensitive and highly specific to diagnose group A streptococcal pharyngitis among adults but not in children. We could not identify sources of variability among higher quality studies. The present systematic review provides the best evidence for the wide range of sensitivity included in current guidelines.
Predicting Tumor Cell Repopulation After Response: Mathematical Modeling of Cancer Cell Growth

The kinetics of regrowth of tumor cells after treatment may offer a new end-point for clinical trials. Based on our testing, it is best described in this manner: y(t) = a*exp(-b*t) + c*exp(d*t). Human malignant glioma cells U87 MG were treated with etoposide and allowed to regrow after treatment. The cell number versus time data were fitted mathematically to the two-term exponential model. Parameters b and d were independent of the drug concentration, while a increased c decreased as the drug dose increased. The concentration independence of b and d indicated that both cell proliferation and cell death kinetics were independent of the drug treatment, which suggests constant times for cell cycle and apoptosis. The concentration dependence of c suggests that the time until the cells started regrowing depended on the treatment, repair mechanisms taking longer after heavy damage. The two-term exponential model predicted tumor repopulation in this in vitro system. These results indicated that the velocities of the logarithm of cell growth and cell death were independent of drug treatment, while the recovery time of the tumor repopulation was dependent on the drug dose. The two-term exponential model can be used to predict tumor repopulation in an in vitro system and this model will be further tested using clinical data.
Individual differences in cognitive ability at age 20 predict pulmonary function 35 years later

Background Poor pulmonary function is associated with mortality and age-related diseases, and can affect cognitive performance. However, extant longitudinal studies indicate that early cognitive ability also affects later pulmonary function. Despite the multifaceted nature of pulmonary function, most longitudinal studies were limited to a single index of pulmonary function: forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). In this study, we examined whether early adult cognitive ability predicted five different indices of pulmonary function in mid-life. Methods Mixed modelling tested the association between young adult general cognitive ability (mean age=20), measured by the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT), and mid-life pulmonary function (mean age=55), in 1019 men from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. Pulmonary function was indexed by per cent predicted values for forced vital capacity (FVC%p), FEV1%p, maximum forced expiratory flow (FEFmax%p), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV%p), and by the ratio of FEV1 to FVC (FEV1/FVC), an index of lung obstruction. Results After adjusting for smoking, pulmonary disease, occupation, income and education, age 20 AFQT was significantly (p Conclusions Early adult cognitive ability is a predictor of multiple indices of aging-related pulmonary function 35 years later, including lung volume, airflow and ventilator capacity. Cognitive deficits associated with impaired aging-related lung function may, thus, be partly pre-existing. However, results also highlight that early life risk factors may be differentially related to different metrics of later-life pulmonary health.
Electromigration drift and threshold in Cu thin-film interconnects

The electromigration-induced ionic drift velocity and critical length-current density product, (jl/sub c/) of Cu thin film conductors, were measured using the Blech-Kinsbron edge-displacement technique. Unencapsulated Cu edge-displacement segments on TiN conductors were stressed in vacuum at a modest current density of 6/spl times/10/sup 5/ A/cm/sup 2/ in the temperature range of 175-275/spl deg/C. Drift velocity was observed to be between 1-1/2 to 3 orders-of-magnitude lower than that previously measured for unencapsulated Al in this temperature range. We measured an activation energy for EM-induced drift of 1.25/spl plusmn/0.08 eV which corresponds to grain boundary diffusion in Cu. Critical lengths were measured and the jl/sub c/ threshold was estimated to range between 900-1600 A/cm. We calculated a Cu grain boundary Z* value of -0.7, to our knowledge, this study is the first to measure Z* for electromigration in Cu thin film conductors.
Matrix-Induced Intensity Fluctuations in the Fluorescence from Single Oligo(phenylenevinylene) Molecules

Single molecule spectroscopy on oligo(phenylenevinylene) (OPV) chromophores shows that the fluorescence intermittency strongly correlates to the rigidity of the environment surrounding the molecules. For OPV single molecules, environmental rigidity inhibits twisting about the vinyl linkages, the molecular motion associated with the observed "off" (nonabsorbing) state. By increasing the rigidity of a single molecule's environment, we can tune its room temperature fluorescence from rapid, sub-millisecond "blinking" fluctuations (fluid polymer environment) to completely "on" with no blinking observed (molecules adsorbed to a rigid bare glass substrate). The difference in fluorescence intermittency from environment to environment is immediately apparent and explicit in single molecule intensity trajectories under cw (continuous wave) excitation, demonstrating the sensitivity of these chromophores to their surroundings and emphasizing the importance of morphological control in real-world applications involving phenylenevinylene-based materials.
The assisted corona discharge: The effect of using multiple-electrode configurations

Summary form only given. Corona discharges are one of the more popular types of low-temperature plasmas because they are easy to form and maintain at atmospheric pressure. For this reason, they have been used in applications ranging from electrostatic precipitators to mass spectrometers and more recently have been suggested as electronic cooling devices and gas sensors. Traditionally, a positive corona discharge is generated in a two-electrode configuration using a sharp anode (or corona source) and a blunt cathode (or collecting electrode). The present research studies the effect of an additional collecting electrode on the discharge characteristics. Previous three electrode configurations have been symmetric, where two collecting electrodes were placed equidistant from the corona source and operated with identical potentials (typically ground). However, in our present research, we are exploring asymmetric configurations where the primary collecting electrode is closer to the source than the secondary collecting electrode, and there is a potential difference between these two electrodes. It was observed that the addition of a secondary collecting electrode caused a considerable increase in current from the corona source; in effect enhancing the initial corona discharge between the source and primary collecting electrode. In this work, we explore the properties of this 'assisted discharge' and study its implications for applications such as electrohydrodynamic gas pumps.
Leptin disinhibits nonshivering thermogenesis in infants after maternal separation

Prolonged maternal separation inhibits endogenous heat production in infant mammals exposed to cold. This inhibition of thermogenesis occurs many hours before energy stores have been fully depleted...
Downlink user capacity in a CDMA macrocell with a hotspot microcell

This paper examines the downlink user capacity in a CDMA system composed of a macrocell and a microcell, where both cells use the same frequency channel. The effect of channel dispersion on the number of simultaneous users supported is studied for three different downlink power control methods. Channel dispersion produces in-cell interference and variable fading of the received signal power. Novel analytical methods are developed to account for both effects; these techniques derive user capacity for any delay profile using the results for the uniform delay profile. The downlink user capacities for the three power control methods are compared to the uplink user capacity under the same channel conditions. The results point to the need for fast power control to obtain uplink-limited performance.
Higher Order Unification

Higher-order unification is a method for unifying terms in the Simple Theory of Types [28], that is, given two typed lambda-terms e1 and e2, finding a substitution σ for the free variables of the two terms such that σ(e1) and σ(e2) are equivalent under the conversion rules of the calculus. As discussed above, this problem is fundamental to theorem proving in higher-order contexts (see Chapter §1 for references). In this chapter, we adapt the method of transformations to higher-order unification.
DmPKC: Protein kinase C (D. melanogaster) (eye-PKC, DPKC53 (ey), inaC)

The chapter describes the protein kinase C ( Drosophila melanogaster) that has three known PKCs: DPKC53E(br), a PKCα homologue expressed in the adult brain; DPKC98F, a δ homologue expressed throughout development; and eye-PKC, a PKCα homologue expressed exclusively in photoreceptor cells of the visual system. This chapter focuses on PKC because it is the best characterized of the D. melanogaster kinases. Eye-PKC is a negative regulator of the visual transduction cascade, and it has been known to be required for photoreceptor cell inactivation and light adaptation. Eye-PKC is expressed in the visual system of the adult (retina and ocelli). In the photoreceptor cells, eye-PKC expression is restricted to the rhabdomeres; these are the specialized microvillar organelles containing rhodopsin and the molecules involved in the phototransduction cascade. Two other PKCs have been sequenced in Drosophila, a mammalian PKC δ homologue, dPKC98F, and a second mammalian PKCα homologue, dPKC53E(br).
Projective Grid Mapping for Planetary Terrain

Visualizing planetary terrain presents unique challenges not found in traditional terrain visualization: displaying features that rise from behind the horizon on a curved surface; rendering near and far surfaces with large differences in scale; and using appropriate map projections, especially near the poles. Projective Grid Mapping (PGM) is a hybrid terrain rendering technique that combines ray casting and rasterization to create a view-dependent mesh in GPU memory. We formulate a version of PGM for planetary terrain that simplifies ray-sphere intersection to two dimensions and ray casts the area behind the horizon. We minimize the number of rays that do not contribute to the final image by creating a camera that samples only the area of the planet that could affect the final image. The GPU-resident mesh obviates host-to-device communication of vertices and allows for dynamic operations, such as compositing overlapping datasets. We adapt two map projections to the GPU for equatorial and polar data to reduce distortion. Our method achieves realtime framerates for a full-planet visualization of Mars.
Speciation of iodide, iodine, and iodate in environmental matrixes by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry using in situ chemical manipulation.

Dissolved iodine, iodide, and iodate are determined in environmental matrixes by in situ chemical manipulation and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICPAES). The method uses equipment commonly available to most laboratories involved in environmental inorganic analysis. Total dissolved iodine, iodide, and iodate are determined by ICPAES using iodine vapor generation. Total iodine is determined directly by ICPAES after filtration. Total dissolved iodide (I - ) is oxidized in situ to iodine by the addition of sodium nitrite in sulfuric acid in a simplified continuous flow manifold. Iodate is determined by prereduction at the instrument before analysis by the in situ oxidation ICPAES procedure. A standard nebulizer produces the gas-liquid separation of the total iodine, which is then quantified by ICPAES at 206.16 nm. The instrument detection limit for the iodine analysis was 0.04 μg/mL. Recoveries from seawater, saltwater, and freshwater standard reference materials ranged from 85 to 118% and averaged 98%. For samples containing both iodine and iodide, the total is determined with in situ oxidation, iodine is determined without the oxidizing reagents, and iodide is calculated from the difference. For samples containing all 3 species, pre-reduction is used and the iodine and iodide concentrations are subtracted for quantitation of iodate. The analysis is selective for these 3 species (I - , I 2 , and IO 3 - ). A group of 20-30 samples may be analyzed and quantitated for all 3 individual, commonly occurring iodide species in less than 1 h. The procedure is considerably faster than any other reported techniques. This method is especially well-suited to the analysis of small environmental samples.
Two-joint muscles of the thigh.

Evidence from functional studies in the dog and morphological studies in the human suggests that all of the muscles of the human thigh can, by contraction, produce tension at one joint only. The evidence presented also indicates that movement at the hip without movement at the knee can be produced by a part of the rectus femoris, the sartorius, the gracilis, the semitendinosus, the semimembranosus, and the biceps femoris; and that movement at the knee without movement at the hip can be produced by the gracilis and the biceps femoris. Whereas most of the tension resulting in movement at two joints is transmitted by tendons to attachments to bone, most of the tension resulting in movement at a single joint is transmitted to fascia. Eccentric contraction of the parts of these muscles which act over two joints may facilitate coordinated, simultaneous movements at both the hip and the knee. The muscles which act over two joints are ideally arranged to participate in certain kinds of force couples. When the body weight is raised from a chair, some of the tension produced by the quadriceps femoris can be used by the hamstrings to extend the hip joint, even when the hamstrings are not shortening. Prevention of excessive gliding at the knee joint appears to be one function of two joint muscles.
Mechanisms of enhanced macrophage apoE secretion by oxidized LDL.

Previous studies have demonstrated that atherosclerotic lesions contain apoE synthesized primarily by macrophages. As oxidized LDL has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis, its effect on macrophage apoE synthesis and secretion was examined. Human monocytic leukemia cells, THP-1, and human monocyte-derived macrophages were exposed to various forms of oxidatively modified LDL for determination of their effect on apoE mRNA and protein levels. Extensively copper oxidized (Cu-oxidized) LDL resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent increase in apoE mRNA and protein as compared to other forms of oxidized LDL, i.e., LDL modified by soybean lipoxygenase (SLO), azoamidinopropane HCl (AAPH), and hypochlorite (HOCl). Consistent with these results, experiments using THP-1 cells transfected with the apoE promoter linked to a luciferase reporter gene indicated that Cu-oxidized LDL was the most potent stimulator of apoE transgene expression. Enhanced apoE expression due to Cu-oxidized LDL was shown to be due to cholesterol accumulation as well as additional factors. HPLC analysis of the various forms of modified LDL revealed that 7-ketocholesterol was the major oxysterol present in Cu-oxidized LDL. AAPH-oxidized LDL contained significantly less 7-ketocholesterol than Cu-oxidized LDL and virtually no 7-ketocholesterol was detected in SLO- or HOCl-oxidized LDL. Northern blot analysis indicated an increase in apoE mRNA in response to increasing concentrations of 7-ketocholesterol. These results elucidate a potential role of oxidized LDL, and specifically 7-ketocholesterol, in the stimulation of macrophage apoE secretion in atherosclerotic lesions.
Studies of avian sarcoma and erythroblastosis (strain 13). II. Virus susceptibility to ether and chloroform.

SummaryEther and chloroform destroyed all detectable infectivity of S 13 virus as determined by wing web inoculation of chicks.Appreciation is expressed to Mrs. Ruth E. Matter and Mrs. Marie Dolinger for excellent technical assistance. For dependable care of the chickens, we acknowledge the assistance of Mr. Horace Heald. We also wish to thank Mr. Homer Bicksler and Mr. Al Kish of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau for their co-operation.
Investigation on formaldehyde pollution of public places in Heping District of Tianjin

[Objective] To understand the status of formaldehyde pollution in public places of Heping District of Tianjin,provide the scientific evidence for the prevention of potential danger in the public places,and offer the technical support for scientific decision-making of government departments.[Methods]The monitoring was conducted according to the Technical rules of health monitoring for public places(GB/T 17220-1998) and using PPM400ST formaldehyde detector(PPM Company,England).The evaluation was performed according to the Hygienic standards for public places(GB9663-1996,GB9664-1996,GB9666-1996 and GB9670-1996).[Results]A total of 63 public places and 331 samples were investigated,there included 16 hotels,20 entertainment places,22 beauty salons and 5 shopping malls,which the qualified rate was respectively 83.8%,77.2%,61.1% and 88.2%,and the difference was statistically significant(P0.01).Among 63 public places,26 were newly decorated(after decoration less than 1 year or equal to 1 year) and 37 had not been decorated,which the qualified rate was respectively 64.5% and 85.7%,and the difference was statistically significant(P0.05).[Conclusion]It is necessary to further strengthen the supervision and monitoring in public places of Heping District,especially in beauty industry.
The Spectrum of a Harmonic Oscillator Operator Perturbed by $${\delta}$$ δ -Interactions

We consider the operator $$L = - (d/dx)^{2}y(x) + x^{2} y + w(x) y \quad in L^{2}(\mathbb{R}),$$ where $$w(x) = s \left[ \delta(x - b) - \delta(x + b) \right], \quad b \neq 0 \, \, real, \quad s \in \mathbb{C}.$$ This operator has a discrete spectrum; eventually the eigenvalues are simple and 0.1 $$\lambda_n = (2n + 1) + s^2\, \frac{\kappa(n)}{n} + \rho(n),$$ where 0.2 $$\kappa(n) = \frac{1}{2\pi}\left[(-1)^{n + 1} \sin \left( 2 b \sqrt{2n}\right) - \frac{1}{2} \sin \left( 4 b \sqrt{2n} \right) \right]$$ and 0.3 $$\vert \rho(n) \vert \leq C \frac{\log n}{n^{3/2}}. \label{eq:abstracterr}$$ The analogue of (0.1)–(0.3) is given in the case of any two-point interaction perturbation $$w(x) = c_+ \delta{(x - b)} + c_- \delta{(x + b)}, \quad c_+, c_- \in \mathbb{C}.$$
Democracy and Corruption: Incentives and Reforms

Democracies based on strong legal foundations provide a stable framework for economic activity. For this framework to operate efficiently, however, politicians must seek reelection and must feel insecure about their prospects, but not too insecure. This leads to a “paradox of stability.” Too much security of tenure can further corrupt arrangements. Too much insecurity can have the same effect. The strength of the competitive political environment raises the stakes and reduces the likelihood of corruption. A competitive political system can be a check on corruption. For elected politicians the most immediate form of “punishment” occurs at the polls. The electorate may extract a cost even if the payoffs are kept secret. Bribes and illegal campaign donations are given in return for a benefit. Often the quid pro quo is something the corrupt politician would not have done without the payoff. If politicians vote against the interests of their constituents, they can expect to suffer at the polls. The distinctive incentives for corruption in democracies depend on the organization of electoral and legislative processes and on the methods of campaign finance. These factors may be intertwined. Some electoral systems encourage the development of strong political parties while others encourage politicians to develop personal followings. Corrupt possibilities are related to the relationship between political structure and private wealth. Electoral Systems In a democracy, electoral voting rules and legislative processes interact with underlying political cleavages to affect the opportunities for corruption.
Attachment and Relationships

Decades of research have found support for the notion that the attachment style one develops in infancy continues to impact a person's ability to form, develop, and maintain friendships, family relationships, and romantic partnerships throughout the lifespan. Although one's attachment style is not set in stone (i.e., it can potentially change, especially when individuals are faced with traumatic experiences in life), it remains relatively consistent for most individuals, affecting their perceptions of themselves and others and helping shape their communication skills and efforts. Keywords: children; family communication; interpersonal communication
Real-time activity classification in a wearable system prototype for knee health assessment via joint sounds

An algorithm for performing activity classification for a joint health assessment system using acoustical emissions from the knee is presented. The algorithm was refined based on linear acceleration data from the shank and the thigh sampled at 100 Hz/ch and collected from eight healthy subjects performing unloaded flexion-extension and sit-to-stand motions. The algorithm was implemented on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based processor and has been validated in realtime on a subject performing two minutes of activities consisting of flexion-extension, sit-to-stand, and other motions while standing. When an activity is detected, the algorithm generates an enable signal for high throughput data acquisition of knee joint sounds using two airborne microphones (100 kHz/ch) and two single-axis gyroscope and accelerometer pairs (1 kHz/ch). This approach can facilitate energy-efficient recording of joint sound signatures in the context of flexion-extension and sit-to-stand activities from freely-moving subjects throughout the day, potentially providing a means of evaluating rehabilitation status, for example, following acute knee injury.
Cloud technology applications for area surveillance

Efficient area surveillance in the Big Data era requires the capability of quickly abstracting useful information from the overwhelmingly increasing amount of data. Real-time information fusion is imperative and challenging to mission critical surveillance tasks for variant applications. Cloud computing has been recognized as an ideal candidate for Big Data because of many attractive features including high elasticity, good scalability, supporting pay-as-you-go service models, and capability of overcoming the constraints in both software parallelism and hardware capacities. In this work, we demosntrate that container-based virtualization outperforms the hypervisor-based Cloud Computing platforms. Taking WAMI (Wide-Area Motion Imagery), FMV (Full Motion Video), and text data as case studies, our experimental studies validate the advantages of container-based Cloud for area surveillance applications.
Spatial multiplexing and diversity gain in OFDM-based MIMO systems

Multiple transmit and receive antennas can be used with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing to improve performance and transmission rate. In this paper we investigate trade offs between different techniques in broadband OFDM-based MIMO systems for achieving full diversity or maximum spatial multiplexing gain. The basic model of OFDM-based spatial multiplexer is very suitable for high data rate transmission, and if combined with other techniques such as channel coding or space time coding can provide desired diversity and spatial multiplexing gain.
Non-fiducial PPG-based authentication for healthcare application

Biometrics have a great deal of potential in healthcare applications, most notably authentication for medical record privacy and fraud prevention. In this paper, we examine, for the first time, non-fiducial feature extraction for photo-plethysmography (PPG) based authentication. PPG signals have unique identity properties for human authentication, and are becoming easier to capture by emerging IoT sensors such as MaxFast. Different machine learning techniques are used to compare non-fiducial and fiducial feature extractions. Our experimental results show that 99.84% accuracy with EER of 1.31% can be achieved based on non-fiducial feature extraction.
Quantitative relationship of first metatarsophalangeal head morphology to hallux rigidus and hallux valgus

Abstract Background Previous qualitative studies have linked first metatarsal head morphology with hallux valgus (HV) and hallux rigidus (HR). This study used a quantitative measurement of 1st MT radius of curvature to assess if HR MT heads were flatter than HV heads. Methods Weight bearing foot films were used in HV, HR, and normal patients (no forefoot complaints) to measure the metatarsal head radius of curvature (normalized by dividing the radius of curvature by the first metatarsal length to adjust for magnification and foot size). Results Radiographs from 299 feet were analyzed (105 normal, 57 HR, and 137 HV). The mean normalized radius of curvature was smaller in HV than HR, with normal feet in between (p Conclusion These quantitative measurements are consistent with qualitative observations, validating the use of subjective metatarsal head morphology assessments.
The Masters Program in Physical Education with a Specialization in Physical Education-Recreation for the Handicapped

(1971). The Masters Program in Physical Education with a Specialization in Physical Education-Recreation for the Handicapped. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 42, No. 6, pp. 42-44.
Using Porcelain Replicas for Precision Control in Flintknapping Experiments

The experimental replication of lithic artifacts occasionally encounters issues of standardization and control. Two major issues are how to accurately create a large sample population and how to sample from specific stages over the flaking process. Knappable stone is unpredictable due to inclusions, cracks, and differences in size, texture, and fracture toughness. While this aspect of stone is critical to understanding some aspects of human behavior, decision-making, and skill assessment, in some experimental studies it may hinder other areas. Research for a large study assessing the failure of Folsom preforms during the fluting stage required many knappable facsimiles. The process outlined here uses porcelain as a medium for tackling these requirements. The new method presented here illustrates how a 3-D scanner and printer can be used to record and produce a copy of the artifact form. It then describes how to create a plaster mold of the printed artifact form and, finally, how to cast and fire the artifact replica in porcelain.
Large-scale distributed agent-based simulation for shopping mall and performance improvement with shadow agent projection

In this paper, we introduce the agent-based simulation of a shopping mall with walking and purchasing behavior model and consider the performance of distributed parallel execution. To utilize the agent-based simulation for decision support, distributed parallel execution of large-scale agent-based social simulations is important for evaluating the complex behavior of a realistic number of people with acceptable performance. For this purpose, today's agent-based simulation frameworks often provide the functionality to transfer agents from one node to another. However, intelligent social agents tend to contain a large amount of data including demographics, preferences, and history. Hence, the transfer of such an agent incurs a heavy communication cost that has an adverse effect on performance. To improve the performance of distributed agent-based simulation, we introduce a shadow agent that is a lightweight entity projected among nodes with only required information such as the position and speed required to calculate interaction between agents.