cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Statistical Comparison of Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithms Including the MOMGA-II

Many real-world scientific and engineering applications involve finding innovative solutions to \hard" Multiobjective Optimization Problems (MOP). Various Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEA) have been developed to obtain MOP Pareto solutions. A particular exciting MOEA is the MOMGA which is an extension of the single-objective building block (BB) based messy Genetic Algorithm. The intent of this discussion is to illustrate that modifications made to the Multi-Objective messy GA (MOMGA) have further improved its efficiency resulting in the MOMGA-II. The MOMGA-II uses a probabilistic BB approach to initializing the population referred to as Probabilistically Complete Initialization. This has the effect of improving the efficiency of the MOMGA through the reduction of computational bottle-necks. Similar statistical results have been obtained using the MOMGA-II as compared to the results of the original MOMGA as well as those obtained by other MOEAs as tested with standard generic MOP test suites.
Information warfare in the trenches

With the increased potential of a bona fide cyber terrorist attack and the possibility of a future "war in the wires", we must continue to improve the education and training of individuals responsible for defending our national borders--whether those borders are physical or electronic. The Information Analysis and Research (IWAR) laboratory at the United States Military Academy (USMA) has proven to be an exceptional resource for such an education for our cadets and faculty studying information warfare and information assurance. The laboratory has also been successful in motivating the need for continued education and training in this area on a much larger scope. This paper justifies why information warfare laboratories are necessary, describes the phenomenon that is occurring as a result of the IWAR lab, explains the current configuration, and presents lessons learned that others might use in designing an Information Warfare laboratory. While this paper has a military context, the results apply to any university, corporation, or non-profit organization desiring to increase awareness and improve education in the area of information warfare
Say the Magic Word: A Rhetorical Analysis of Contract Drafting Choices

Drafters of complex contracts often face a thorny dilemma – determining whether to retain “magic words” included in form documents, especially when considering the advice of current contract style scholars advocating for the removal of all traditional contract prose. But the drafter need not remove all terms that serve as elegant shorthand for more convoluted legal concepts, particularly where the inclusion of the term advances client interests. The application of rhetorical criticism – the analysis of methods of communicating ideas – to drafters’ use of the term “time is of the essence” sheds light on the dominant motivations of drafters who choose to retain traditional terms, and illustrates the potential benefits of doing so. Exploration of the development of drafting scholarship, along with empirical studies and literary theory, support the retention of certain “magic words” in complex contracts between sophisticated parties, particularly where beneficial to client advocacy.
P2Y12 platelet function assay for assessment of bleeding risk in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background The use of platelet function testing has been advocated to individualize the time needed between discontinuation of P2Y12 inhibitors and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the use of specific point-of-care assays to predict bleeding risk in patients on P2Y12 inhibitors prior to CABG has not been fully validated. Methods From September 2012 to May 2013, 81 patients on P2Y12 inhibitors underwent isolated CABG. Preoperative level of P2Y12 receptor blockade was measured using the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay. Packed red blood cell (pRBC) and platelet transfusions and postoperative chest tube output were correlated with preoperative P2Y12 reaction units (PRUs). Results Patients who stopped P2Y12 inhibitors for ≤3 days received significantly more platelet transfusions as compared to those whose inhibitors were stopped for longer (0.71 ± 1.05 units vs. 0.20 ± 0.71 units, p = 0.01). They also had increased postoperative chest tube output (552.5 ± 325.5 mL vs. 399.8 ± 146.5 mL, p = 0.03). There was no significant difference in platelet transfusions and chest tube output between patients whose preoperative PRU value was <250 compared to those whose values were ≥250. pRBC requirements were correlated with preoperative hematocrit and age but not with timing of discontinuation of P2Y12 inhibitors or with PRU levels. Conclusions In patients on P2Y12 inhibitors undergoing CABG surgery, discontinuation of P2Y12 inhibitors three days prior to surgery rather than VerifyNow PRU values predicts postoperative bleeding and the need for platelet transfusions. Sole reliance on platelet function testing to determine the timing of surgery for patients on P2Y12 inhibitors should therefore be done with caution. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12312 (J Card Surg 2014;29:312–316)
Family Profiles of Expressed Emotion in Adolescent Patients With Anorexia Nervosa and Their Parents

The current study examined expressed emotion (EE) among families of adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) participating in a treatment study. EE ratings were made from 110 adolescents toward their parents and from parents toward their children using videotaped family interviews. Participants were 92% female and 75% Caucasian with a mean age of 14.41 years. Four family profiles were created (low patient EE/low parent EE, high patient EE/high parent EE, low patient EE/high parent EE, high patient EE/low parent EE). Family EE profile was not related to full remission at end of treatment. Groups were then combined according to EE level of parent. The low parent group (defined as low on criticism, hostility, and emotional overinvolvement) had significantly lower scores on a measure of eating disorder psychopathology than the high parent group at the end of treatment. Patients with AN in low EE families do better in treatment than those patients belonging to high EE families. These findings are true regardless of the EE status of the patient.
Improving bipartite graphs using multi-strategy simulated annealing

The technique of simulated annealing combined with various greedy methods is applied to random bipartite graphs of different sizes and densities in order to reduce the number of edge crossings. Experimental results demonstrate that when random moves are combined with systematic steps within simulated annealing, the edge intersections in bipartite graphs can be reduced considerably in a reasonable amount of execution time. In particular, one of the cooling techniques used during the experiments reduces the execution time by half without sacrificing the quality of the layouts. Finally, we conclude by discussing work-in-progress of a prototype tool, which can facilitate the process of visualizing various layouts of bipartite graphs during the experiments.
The effect on maximal electroshock seizures induced by GABA agents and antiepileptic drugs microinfused into the nucleus reticularis pontis oralis.

Abstract The nucleus reticularis pontis oralis (RPO) is necessary for the expression of tonic hindlimb extension (THE) in maximal electroshock seizures (MES) of rats. Previous work in this laboratory has demonstrated that focal RPO microinfusion of NMDA antaagonists inhibited THE while focal RPO microinfusion of NMDA induced convulsive activity similar to the audiogenic seizure response of rats. The purpose of the present study was to identify other receptors in the RPO that influence THE or induce convulsive activity. Bilateral microinfusion of bicuculline had no effect on the THE component of MES except when the bicuculline induced wild-running convulsions in which case the subsequent THE response to the MES stimulus was inhibited. The GABAergic agents muscimol, baclofen or 2-hydroxysaclofen neither altered the THE response nor induced convulsions. In addition, bilateral RPO microinfusion of the clinically effective antiepileptic drugs phenytoin, phenobarbital, valproate, ethosuximide or felbamate had no effect on the THE component of MES. These resuls indicate that the role of GABAergic receptors in the anticonvulsant activity mediated by the RPO is not prominent and that the RPO is unlikely to be the site of antiepileptic drug action in MES.
High-dose IgG therapy mitigates bile duct–targeted inflammation and obstruction in a mouse model of biliary atresia

High-dose IgG therapy mitigates bile duct–targeted inflammation and obstruction in a mouse model of biliary atresia
Surgical retrieval, isolation and in vitro expansion of human anterior cruciate ligament-derived cells for tissue engineering applications.

Injury to the ACL is a commonly encountered problem in active individuals. Even partial tears of this intra-articular knee ligament lead to biomechanical deficiencies that impair function and stability. Current options for the treatment of partial ACL tears range from nonoperative, conservative management to multiple surgical options, such as: thermal modification, single-bundle repair, complete reconstruction, and reconstruction of the damaged portion of the native ligament. Few studies, if any, have demonstrated any single method for management to be consistently superior, and in many cases patients continue to demonstrate persistent instability and other comorbidities. The goal of this study is to identify a potential cell source for utilization in the development of a tissue engineered patch that could be implemented in the repair of a partially torn ACL. A novel protocol was developed for the expansion of cells derived from patients undergoing ACL reconstruction. To isolate the cells, minced hACL tissue obtained during ACL reconstruction was digested in a Collagenase solution. Expansion was performed using DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin (P/S). The cells were then stored at -80 oC or in liquid nitrogen in a freezing medium consisting of DMSO, FBS and the expansion medium. After thawing, the hACL derived cells were then seeded onto a tissue engineered scaffold, PLAGA (Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid) and control Tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS). After 7 days, SEM was performed to compare cellular adhesion to the PLAGA versus the control TCPS. Cellular morphology was evaluated using immunofluorescence staining. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) micrographs demonstrated that cells grew and adhered on both PLAGA and TCPS surfaces and were confluent over the entire surfaces by day 7. Immunofluorescence staining showed normal, non-stressed morphological patterns on both surfaces. This technique is promising for applications in ACL regeneration and reconstruction.
Daytime chlorophyll fluorescence measurement in field-grown maize and its genetic variability under well-watered and water-stressed conditions

Abstract Decreases in photosynthetic activity under drought can be detected by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence emission from plant leaves. Lines of maize (Zea mays L.), derived from three populations adapted to semi-arid climates, were used in the present study. These were evaluated at four sites (Manhattan, Kansas, 1987; Tlaltizapan, Mexico, 1988; and Sidi Elaydi and Khemis Zemamra, Morocco, 1989) under well-watered and water-stressed conditions. The objectives were: (a) to estimate genetic variability for variable fluorescence (Fv), temperature differential (TD), plant height (PH), and grain yield (GY); (b) to study the associations between these traits; and (c) to investigate the feasibility of measuring chlorophyll fluorescence during daytime in the field, when plants are enduring drought. A leaf dark-adapter was developed to dark-adapt portions of attached leaves in the field for measuring chlorophyll fluorescence during daytime. Variable fluorescence (Fv) and TD were taken twice at an interval of 1 week. A portable fluorometer was used to measure chlorophyll fluorescence and an infrared (IR) thermometer to measure TD. Only three sites were used in the statistical analyses, Manhattan (1987) and the two similar sites, Sidi Elaydi and Khemis Zemamra (1989). Results showed that Fv increased slightly from well-watered to water-stressed conditions at all sites. Estimates of broad-sense heritability from similar sites revealed moderate to high heritabilities. These were 44 and 60% for well-watered and water-stressed conditions, respectively. Under water-stressed conditions, grain-yield heritability was higher (71%) than under well-watered (52%), indicating that greater genetic variation for grain yield could be detected if screening is done under moisture-deficit conditions. The lack of correlation between Fv and grain yield under water-stressed condtions might be due to heat and/or severe drought, which affected traits influencing grain yield under drought. Variable fluorescence is a measure of damage to the photosynthetic process due to drought stress. Genetic variability for Fv was detected under limited irrigation, therefore it appears that Fv may be useful as a selection criterion along with yield, temperature differentials and other responses to drought stress for selection among genotypes.
Fast spin-echo, magnetic resonance imaging-measured hippocampal volume: correlation with neuronal density in anterior temporal lobectomy patients.

Summary: To assess the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-measured hippocampal volume in the detection of hippocampal sclerosis, we studied 28 patients undergoing anterior temporal lobectomy for medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Hippocampal volumetry and visual analysis of T2 signal change were performed using fast spin-echo T2-weighted MRI. Quantitative neuronal density measurements were performed in the resected hippocampal specimens. There was a significant correlation between MRI-measured absolute hippocampal volume (AHV) and neuronal density in CA1, CA2, and CA3 subfields (p<0. 0001, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05, respectively). Differential hippocampal volume (side-to-side volume difference) failed to detect bilateral atrophy in three patients, but the bilateral hippocampal atrophy was recognized by considering AHV in these patients. This study suggests that MRI-measured AHV can be of value in evaluating patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, especially when there is no side-to-side difference in hippocampal volumetry.
A solid oxide fuel cell based on Sr- And Mg-doped LaGaO3 electrolyte: The role of a rare-earth oxide buffer

Abstract In this paper we review a systematic study on the properties of the superior oxide-ion conductor Sr- and Mg-doped LaGaO3 (LSGM) and its performance in a single fuel cell. The conductivity of the oxygen-deficient perovskite phase was shown to be purely ionic over a wide range of oxygen partial pressures 10−22≤PO2≤1 atm. The highest values of the oxide-ion conductivity, σo=0.17, 0.08 and 0.03 S/cm, were found for La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.83Mg0.17O2.815 at 800, 700 and 600°C, respectively; they remained stable over a weeklong test. The reactivity of Ni and LSGM suggested use of a thin interlayer at the anode–electrolyte interface to prevent formation of lanthanum nickelates; Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC) was selected for the interlayer. The peak power density of the interlayered cell is 100 mW/cm2 higher than that of the standard cell without the interlayer. This improvement is due to a significant reduction of the anode overpotential; the overpotential of the cathode La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ (LSCo) remained unchanged. Comparison of the peak power density in this study and with that of a previous study, also with a 500-μm-thick electrolyte, indicates a factor of two improvement, i.e. from 270 mW/cm2 to 550 mW/cm2 at 800°C. The excellent cell performance showed that an LSGM-based SOFC operating at temperatures Top≤800°C is a realistic goal.
Models for computing combat risk

Combat always involves uncertainty and uncertainty entails risk. To ensure that a combat task is prosecuted with the desired probability of success, the task commander has to devise an appropriate task force and then adjust it continuously in the course of battle. In order to do so, he has to evaluate how the probability of task success is related to the structure, capabilities and numerical strengths of combatants. For this purpose, predictive models of combat dynamics for combats in which the combatants fire asynchronously at random instants are developed from the first principles. Combats involving forces with both unlimited and limited ammunition supply are studied and modeled by stochastic Markov processes. In addition to the Markov models, another class of models first proposed by Brown was explored. The models compute directly the probability of win, in which we are primarily interested, without integrating the state probability equations. Experiments confirm that they produce exactly the same results at much lower computational cost.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Active shielding of RLC global interconnects

In this paper we apply the concept of active shielding to inductive global interconnections. Active shields, which are shield wires that are switched at the same time as the signal wire, were initially developed to speed global signal propagation in RC dominated lines by ensuring in-phase switching of adjacent nets. This work further investigates this concept by examining RLC wiring. We find a distinct line width crossover point at which in-phase switching of neighbors no longer offers benefits and where the increased inductive behavior introduces substantial ringing. We propose the use of out-of-phase active shielding for such wide inductive lines. This technique is shown to significantly reduce ringing behavior (up to 4.5X) and offer better slopes (up to 40% reduction) and signal propagation delays, all of which are shown in the context of a clock net optimization.
Prostate Needle Biopsies Multiple Variables are Predictive of Final Tumor Volume in Radical Prostatectomy Specimens

BACKGROUND Tumor volume is one of the most powerful predictors of patient outcome in prostatic adenocarcinoma. It is uncertain as to which preoperative variables are most predictive of final tumor volume at radical prostatectomy, especially among patients who have had positive biopsies at multiple biopsy sites. The current study attempted to identify the biopsy variables that are most predictive of final tumor volume. METHODS The authors examined prostate biopsy specimens from 151 consecutive patients with at least 2 positive biopsy sites. The following data were collected: highest percentage of adenocarcinoma at any biopsy site, percentage of adenocarcinoma at the biopsy site with the highest Gleason score, highest percentage of cores positive for adenocarcinoma at any biopsy site, percentage of positive cores with carcinoma at the site with the highest Gleason score, number of positive sites, tumor bilaterality, and percentage of biopsy sites positive for disease. All patients underwent radical prostatectomy. The prostatectomy specimens were entirely embedded and whole mounted. Tumor volume was measured using the grid method. Logarithmic transformation was applied to tumor volumes for the purposes of the analysis. RESULTS Highest percentage of adenocarcinoma at any biopsy site (P = 0.012), percentage of adenocarcinoma at the biopsy site with the highest Gleason score (P = 0.021), number of positive biopsy sites (P = 0.026), tumor bilaterality (P = 0.008), and percentage of biopsy sites positive for disease (P = 0.0001) all were significant predictors of tumor volume on linear regression analysis. Highest percentage of cores positive for adenocarcinoma (P = 0.081) and percentage of positive cores with carcinoma at the site with the highest Gleason score (P = 0.240) were not significant predictors of tumor volume. Based on the model F statistic, percentage of biopsy sites positive for tumor, tumor bilaterality, and highest percentage of adenocarcinoma at any biopsy site were the variables that were most predictive of tumor volume. CONCLUSIONS Highest percentage of adenocarcinoma at any biopsy site, percentage of adenocarcinoma at the biopsy site with the highest Gleason score, number of positive biopsy sites, tumor bilaterality, and percentage of biopsy sites positive for disease all are useful preoperative predictors of tumor volume in radical prostatectomy specimens. Although these preoperative biopsy parameters were significant in linear regression models, none was sufficient as a single predictor of tumor volume. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Active figure maintenance control using an optical truss laser metrology system for a space-based far-IR segmented telescope

A two-stage active control approach was developed addressing the figure control problem for a spaceborne FIR telescope, the Precision Segmented Reflectors Focus Moderate Mission Telescope (FMMT). The first active control stage aligns the optical segments based on images; attention is here given to the second stage, active figure maintenance control system, which maintains the alignment of the optical elements between initializations to hold the mirror figure steady while obtaining data and fixes translational and rotational changes of the optical segments induced by long-term thermal drifts of the support structure. Errors are expected to be 10-100 microns at the nodes of the primary backup structure over the course of an orbit. An rms performance of 0.8 microns of wavefront error can be expected during the maintenance function based on specified nominal sensor noises, actuator accuracies, and system environments. A performance of less than 0.3 microns rms can be expected, based on advanced components.
Optical methods for wireless implantable sensing platforms

Ultra small scale implants have gained lots of importance for both acute and chronic applications. Optical techniques hold the key to miniaturizing these devices to long sought sub-mm scale. This will lead towards long term use of these devices for medically relevant applications. It can also allow using multiple of these devices at the same time and forming a true body area network of sensors. In this paper, we present optical power transfer to such devices and the techniques to harness this power for different applications, for example high voltage or high current applications. We also present methods for wireless data transfer from such implants.
Oxidation of dithiocarbamates to yield N-nitrosamines by water disinfection oxidants

Two most commonly used dithiocarbamate (DTC) pesticides, dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDTC) and diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC), were examined in this study to evaluate their potential to form nitrosamines when in contact with various water disinfection oxidants. Results show that DTCs can serve as nitrosamine precursors, by release of secondary amines through hydrolysis or through reactions with oxidants. The reactions of DTCs with monochloramine and ozone were found to be particularly problematic in the risk of generating nitrosamines, though all four tested oxidants, including free chlorine and chlorine dioxide, formed nitrosamines. NDEA yield from DEDTC was lower, by different degrees, than NDMA yield from DMDTC for all four oxidants, which was attributed to the steric hindrance associated with bulkier reaction intermediate that are more difficult to be further oxidized to form nitrosamine. The yield of nitrosamines increased with the oxidant dosage for both monochloramination and ozonation of DTCs. Results for nitrosamine formation from DTCs at varying pH were found to be consistent with the pH trend of nitrosamine formation from ozonation and monochloramination of secondary amines. Kinetic study results and identification and quantification of reaction products suggest that the DTCs were not significant direct precursors of nitrosamines during monochloramination or ozonation, but rather nitrosamines formed were primarily from reaction of oxidants with the amine which may be generated either through hydrolysis or through oxidation of DTCs.
Tuning dehydrogenation temperature of carbon–ammonia borane nanocomposites

The effect of pore size on dehydrogenation temperature and kinetics of coherent carbon–ammonia borane nanocomposites prepared by sol–gel synthesis as potential on-board hydorgen storage materials is reported.
Heart healthy equals prostate healthy equals statins: the next cancer chemoprevention trial. Part II.

Purpose of review Specific ongoing observations from diverse medical studies do not serve to belittle the impact of prostate or other cancers, but the overall impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individuals at high-risk or in individuals that have been diagnosed with common cancers needs to be addressed by future research. CVD has been the number one cause of death in men and women since the year 1990. Serum cholesterol levels are some of the most accurate long-term predictors of all-cause mortality. CVD has been the number one cause of death in the largest dietary supplement cancer chemoprevention trials. Recent findings The potential for utilizing a cancer chemoprevention agent that may simultaneously reduce the risk of CVD and cancer is not only attractive, but several agents are available immediately that may demonstrate this unique impact. For example, recently statin drugs, low-dose aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and even fish oil supplements may be utilized in the next major cancer chemoprevention trial. Summary Heart healthy agents and interventions seem to also exhibit the ability to be prostate healthy. In addition, their low cost and potential to reduce all-cause mortality may also ensure good compliance. Statins and other heart healthy agents should be considered to be the next most ideal interventions to be utilized in the next major chemoprevention trial, especially now because several popular past dietary supplements and drugs have demonstrated the potential for notable side effects and an inability to impact the risk of CVD.
Syncope in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. II. Coexistence of atrioventricular block and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

the pathologic findings in the conduction system of 22 patients with HC who died suddenly, and noted cystic and vascular abnormalities involving the AV node and His bundle as well as persistent fetal dispersion of these structures. None of these patients had significant coronary artery disease. Thus, involvement of the conduction network in HC would appear to be a distinct possibility. Our patients became asymptomatic after pacemaker implantation. This tends to confirm the participation of the conduction disease in the causation of syncope in these patients. These observations may have important prognostic and therapeutic implications. Since it is amenable to treaknent by cardiac pacing, AV block should be considered as a possible cause of syncope associated with HC.
RNA levels of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits are differentially regulated in axotomized facial motoneurons: an in situ hybridization study

In situ hybridization histochemistry using complementary RNA probes revealed that alpha 3 and beta 2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit mRNAs were expressed in 12% and 40% of facial motoneurons of the rat, respectively. The alpha 3 subunit mRNA signals disappeared in response to axotomy, whereas the beta 2 subunit mRNA signal was remarkably enhanced, suggesting that mRNA levels of receptor subunits are differentially regulated in axotomized motoneurons.
Fragmentation reactions in the mass spectrometry analysis of neutral oligosaccharides.

A method is described to obtain multicollision dissociation threshold (MCDT) values. These values provide relative reaction thresholds for dissociation in the three major gas-phase fragmentation reactions of oligosaccharides complexed to alkali metal ions. The quasimolecular ions are produced using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry. The MCDTs for alkali metal ion dissociation and glycosidic bond and cross-ring cleavages were resolved from the kinetic energy dependence of collision-induced dissociation (CID) products. The relative strengths of alkali metal ion binding to N,N‘-diacetylchitobiose (chitobiose) and N,N‘,N‘ ‘-triacetylchitotriose (chitotriose) were probed using sustained off-resonance irradiation (SORI) CID. Experiments to evaluate MCDT values and the method for obtaining them were performed by studying alkali metal ion coordinated crown ethers. Molecular dynamic simulations were also performed to provide insight into the alkali metal ion binding of...
Temporal variability in water quality of agricultural tailwaters : Implications for water quality monitoring

Abstract Accurate assessments of non-point source pollution and the associated evaluation of mitigation strategies depend on effective water quality monitoring programs. Intensive irrigation season water quality monitoring was conducted on three agricultural drains (6 h to daily sampling) along with analysis of decade long records from two larger agricultural drains (biweekly to monthly sampling) in the San Joaquin Valley, California. Analyses revealed significant temporal variability in concentrations of nutrients, salts, and turbidity over short time-scales (
Resolution limits for imaging through multi-mode fiber

We experimentally demonstrate endoscopic imaging through a multi-mode fiber (MMF) in which the number of resolvable image features approaches four times the number of spatial modes per polarization propagating in the fiber. In our method, a sequence of random field patterns is input to the fiber, generating a sequence of random intensity patterns at the output, which are used to sample an object. Reflected power values are returned through the fiber and linear optimization is used to reconstruct an image. The factor-of-four resolution enhancement is due to mixing of modes by the squaring inherent in field-to-intensity conversion. The incoherent point-spread function (PSF) at the center of the fiber output plane is an Airy disk equivalent to the coherent PSF of a conventional diffraction-limited imaging system having a numerical aperture twice that of the fiber. All previous methods for imaging through MMF can only resolve a number of features equal to the number of modes. Most of these methods use localized intensity patterns for sampling the object and use local image reconstruction.
Cardiac mitochondria in heart failure: decrease in respirasomes and oxidative phosphorylation

Aims Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major factor in heart failure (HF). A pronounced variability of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) defects is reported to occur in severe acquired cardiomyopathies without a consistent trend for depressed activity or expression. The aim of this study was to define the defect in the integrative function of cardiac mitochondria in coronary microembolization-induced HF. Methods and results Studies were performed in the canine coronary microembolization-induced HF model of moderate severity. Oxidative phosphorylation was assessed as the integrative function of mitochondria, using a comprehensive variety of substrates in order to investigate mitochondrial membrane transport, dehydrogenase activity and electron-transport coupled to ATP synthesis. The supramolecular organization of the mitochondrial ETC also was investigated by native gel electrophoresis. We found a dramatic decrease in ADP-stimulated respiration that was not relieved by an uncoupler. Moreover, the ADP/O ratio was normal, indicating no defect in the phosphorylation apparatus. The data point to a defect in oxidative phosphorylation within the ETC. However, the individual activities of ETC complexes were normal. The amount of the supercomplex consisting of complex I/complex III dimer/complex IV, the major form of respirasome considered essential for oxidative phosphorylation, was decreased. Conclusions We propose that the mitochondrial defect lies in the supermolecular assembly rather than in the individual components of the ETC.
Determination of sulfur in ocean particulates by combustion-fluorescence

Abstract A method is described for the determination of organic sulfur at the sub-microgram level in particulate matter present in marine waters. Particulate matter is first collected on filters and combusted at high temperature in an argon-oxygen atmosphere, converting all sulfur-containing compounds to sulfur dioxide. Sulfur is subsequently detected by exposure of the resulting sulfur dioxide to UV light; this produces a fluorescent emission which is then quantified. The detection limit of the method is 0.01 μg S and the precision is 4–11 %, depending on the sample concentration. Using this procedure, organic sulfur was determined in suspended matter collected in the Southern California Bight.
On the Psychological Reality of the Phoneme: Perception, Identification, and Consciousness.

In Experiment I, 40 subjects listened to 100 lists of two-syllable words. They monitored each list for the presence of either a specified word or an initial syllable of a word. Reaction times to respond to these targets were recorded. Reaction times were significantly shorter when the target was a two-syllable word. In Experiment II, 45 subjects listened to the lists and monitored for either a two-syllable word, the initial syllable of a word, or the initial phoneme of a word. Reaction times were shortest for word targets and longest for phoneme targets. Implications of these findings for the “reality” of the units was discussed. A distinction between perception and identification was introduced and, in addition, a proposal about a determinant of consciousness was forwarded.
Brillouin scattering and transmission electron microscopy studies of radiation-induced elastic softening, disordering and amorphization of intermetallic compounds☆

Abstract The crystalline-to-amorphous (c-a) phase transformation in the intermetallic compound Zr 3 Al during room temperature bombardment with 1.0 MeV Kr + was investigated. Transmission electron microscopy and Brillouin scattering techniques were used to determine the lattice parameter and shear elastic constant as a function of the degree of long-range order. The results show that a large (about 50%) elastic softening and dilatation strain (about 3%) due to disordering precede the onset of amorphization. These results indicate that chemical disordering is an important driving force for the c-a transformation and that the mechanism is an elastic shear instability. It is also shown that the volume dependence of the shear elastic constant associated with radiation-induced disordering and eventual amorphization is virtually identical to that associated with the heating to melting of many solids. The origin and implications of this parallelism between solid state amorphization and melting are discussed.
Measuring joint movement through garment-integrated wearable sensing

Garment-Integrated body sensing is an alternative approach to sense body movements in wearable sensing. Textile-integrated sensors have the potential to equip everyday clothes with smart capabilities, making the detection of body movements accessible during normal life activities. The practicality of this solution preserves variables directly related to the wearer's needs such as Comfort, Perceptibility, and Awareness that must be prioritized equally with Accuracy and Precision of the sensor data. The central contribution of this approach is to improve the quality of the measured data while preserving user comfort.
TSLP Promotes Induction of Th2 Differentiation but Is Not Necessary during Established Allergen-Induced Pulmonary Disease

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has been implicated in the development of allergic inflammation by promoting Th2-type responses and has become a potential therapeutic target. Using in vitro T cell differentiation cultures we were able to validate that TSLP played a more critical role in the early development of Th2 immune responses with less significant enhancement of already developed Th2 responses. Adoptive transfer of naive DO11.10 ovalbumin-specific T cells followed by airway exposure to ovalbumin showed an early impairment of Th2 immune response in TSLP-/- mice compared to wild type mice during the development of a Th2 response. In contrast, transfer of already differentiated Th2 cells into TSLP-/- mice did not change lung pathology or Th2 cytokine production upon ovalbumin challenge compared to transfer into wild type mice. An allergen-induced Th2 airway model demonstrated that there was only a difference in gob5 expression (a mucus-associated gene) between wild type and TSLP-/- mice. Furthermore, when allergic animals with established disease were treated with a neutralizing anti-TSLP antibody there was no change in airway hyperreponsiveness (AHR) or Th2 cytokine production compared to the control antibody treated animals, whereas a change in gob5 gene expression was also observed similar to the TSLP-/- mouse studies. In contrast, when animals were treated with anti-TSLP during the initial stages of allergen sensitization there was a significant change in Th2 cytokines during the final allergen challenge. Collectively, these studies suggest that in mice TSLP has an important role during the early development of Th2 immune responses, whereas its role at later stages of allergic disease may not be as critical for maintaining the Th2-driven allergic disease.
Case Study of Autorickshaw Industry in Mumbai, India

With a growing population of more than 12 million in Mumbai, India, intense stress is placed on the transport system. It is crucial that the many moving parts can function together efficiently. The nearly 110,000 autorickshaws of Mumbai are a ubiquitous part of this system and cater to the daily commute needs of a large section of the population. The objective of this paper is to conduct an in-depth assessment of Mumbai's autorickshaw sector to gain insights into its role in the city's transport system and the challenges that the sector faces and to present recommendations for reforms that would benefit autorickshaw drivers and users. It is envisioned that the implementation of these reforms would promote autorickshaws as part of a sustainable urban transport system for the city. The various aspects considered in the research of Mumbai's autorickshaw sector include market characteristics, regulations, operational characteristics, profile of drivers and users, financial aspects, and infrastructure. Quantit...
Probability reparation: The problem of new explanation

L'A. etudie la theorie de la reparation des probabilites chez C. Huygens, selon laquelle la reparation de la distribution des inegalites defectueuses consiste a transformer les distributions de probabilite inconnue. Il s'agit donc de transformer, a l'interieur meme de l'espace de toutes les distributions, les probabilites (a,b,c,d) en possibilites (tt,tf,ft,ff) pour la demonstation de D (donnees) a partir de H (hypothese)
Assessing the sensitivity of commercially available fluorophores to the intracellular environment

The use of fluorescence has become commonplace in the biological sciences, with many studies utilizing probes based on commercially available fluorophores to provide insight into cell function and behavior. As these imaging applications become more advanced, it becomes increasingly important to acquire accurate quantitative measurements of the fluorescence signal. Absolute quantification of fluorescence, however, requires the fluorophores themselves to be insensitive to environmental factors such as nonspecific protein interactions and pH. Here, we present a method for characterizing the sensitivity of fluorophores to the cytosolic environment by comparing their fluorescent intensity to an environment-insensitive reference signal before and after intracellular delivery. Results indicated that although the fluorescent intensity of a few fluorophores, e.g., fluorescein, were highly susceptible to the intracellular environment, other fluorophores, e.g., Dylight 649, Alexa647, and Alexa750, were insensitive t...
The Elections, the Economy and Public Opinion: 1984

Many commentaries on the recent American elections conclude that the United States has taken a long-term move to the right. This shift seemingly began in the late sixties as a reaction to the turmoil occasioned by militant, sometimes violent protest tactics used by the civil rights and antiwar movements, and by the sharp challenge to traditional values encompassed in the changes in family and sex behavior, dress styles, the increased use of drugs, and the like. The Republicans have been victorious in four out of the last five presidential elections, those held from 1968 on. Only one of these, that in 1968, was close, but in that contest a right-wing and racist candidate, George Wallace, received 13 percent. The one election of the five which the Democrats won, that in 1976, was the first one after Richard Nixon's resignation following the Watergate scandal. Yet the conclusion that America has been in a conservative mood for some time is challenged by the results of the races for Congress and state offices and by the findings of the opinion polls. In 1984, in the same election in which Ronald Reagan received 59 percent of the vote, eight percent more than in 1980, his party lost two seats in the Senate and gained only 14 in the much larger House, leaving it behind the Democrats by 252 to 183. The Democrats still hold 34 of the 50 governorships, down by only one. Judged by which party holds most electoral offices, the Democrats remain the majority party.
N-Benzyladriamycin-14-valerate (AD 198) cytotoxicty circumvents Bcr-Abl anti-apoptotic signaling in human leukemia cells and also potentiates imatinib cytotoxicity

Abstract Bcr-Abl activity in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) results in dysregulated cell proliferation and resistance against multiple cytotoxic agents due to the constitutive activation of proliferative signaling pathways. Currently, the most effective treatment of CML is the inhibition of Bcr-Abl activity by imatinib mesylate (Gleevec ® ). Imatinib efficacy is limited by development of resistance through either expression of Bcr-Abl variants that bind imatinib less avidly, increased expression of Bcr-Abl, or expression of multidrug transport proteins. N -Benzyladriamycin-14-valerate (AD 198) is a novel antitumor PKC activating agent that triggers rapid apoptosis through PKC-δ activation and mitochondrial depolarization in a manner that is unaffected by Bcl-2 expression. We demonstrate that Bcr-Abl expression does not confer resistance to AD 198. Further, AD 198 rapidly induces Erk1/2 and STAT5 phosphorylation prior to cytochrome c release from mitochondria, indicating that proliferative pathways are active even as drug-treated cells undergo apoptosis. At sub-cytotoxic doses, AD 198 and its cellular metabolite, N -benzyladriamycin (AD 288) sensitize CML cells to imatinib through a supra-additive reduction in the level of Bcr-Abl protein expression. These results suggest that AD 198 is an effective treatment for CML both in combination with imatinib and alone against imatinib-resistant CML cells.
Digital image gathering and minimum mean-square error restoration

Most digital image restoration algorithms are inherently incomplete because they are conditioned on a discrete-input, discrete-output model which only accounts for blurring during image gathering and additive noise. For those restoration applications where sampling and reconstruction are important, the restoration algorithm should be based on a more comprehensive end-to-end model which also accounts for the potentially important noiselike effects of aliasing and the low-pass filtering effects of interpolative reconstruction. It is demonstrated that although the mathematics of this more comprehensive model is more complex, the increase in complexity is not so great as to prevent a complete development and analysis of the associated minimum mean-square error (Wiener) restoration filter.
Time-warp correction and calibration in photonic time-stretch analog-to-digital converter

We show how time warps caused by nonuniform wavelength-to-time mapping in the photonic time-stretch analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can be digitally measured and removed. This is combined with digital correction of wavelength-dependent Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) bias offset to attain a 10 GHz bandwidth digitizer with >7 effective bits of resolution and 52 dB spur-free dynamic range. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest resolution ADC in 10 GHz bandwidth range, with at least 1 order of magnitude higher signal-to-noise ratio than ever achieved. We also demonstrate concatenation of 30 wavelength interleaved time segments with high fidelity on the path to achieving continuous time operation.
Glycoprotein 96 perpetuates the persistent inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective The mechanisms that contribute to the persistent activation of macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of endogenous gp96 in Toll-like receptor (TLR)–mediated macrophage activation in RA. Methods RA synovial fluid was used to activate macrophages and HEK–TLR-2 and HEK–TLR-4 cells. Neutralizing antibodies to TLR-2, TLR-4, and gp96 were used to inhibit activation. RA synovial fluid macrophages were isolated by CD14 negative selection. Cell activation was measured by the expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) or interleukin-8 messenger RNA. Arthritis was induced in mice by K/BxN serum transfer. The expression of gp96 was determined by immunoblot analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry. Arthritis was treated with neutralizing anti-gp96 antiserum or control serum. Results RA synovial fluid induced the activation of macrophages and HEK–TLR-2 and HEK–TLR-4 cells. RA synovial fluid–induced macrophage and HEK–TLR-2 activation was suppressed by neutralizing anti-gp96 antibodies only in the presence of high (>800 ng/ml) rather than low (<400 ng/ml) concentrations of gp96. Neutralization of RA synovial fluid macrophage cell surface gp96 inhibited the constitutive expression of TNFα. Supporting the role of gp96 in RA, joint tissue gp96 expression was induced in mice with the K/BxN serum–induced arthritis, and neutralizing antibodies to gp96 ameliorated joint inflammation, as determined by clinical and histologic examination. Conclusion These observations support the notion that gp96 plays a role as an endogenous TLR-2 ligand in RA and identify the TLR-2 pathway as a therapeutic target.
Delivering Delivery: Theatricality and the Emasculation of Eloquence

Abstract : Ever since Aristotle noted in the Rhetoric that, when fashionable, delivery ταύτό ποιήσϵι τῆ ύποκριτικῆ (has “the same effect as acting”; 1404a), classical and medieval rhetorical theorists fulminated against a crowd-pleasing oratory that had devolved into a theatrical spectacle more akin to that provided by the comic “actress” or the “effeminate” male. It cannot be coincidental, however, that, as the fifth rhetorical canon documents the theatricalization of rhetoric, it also offers companion testimony about the so-called emasculation of eloquence. In this essay, I examine the early belief that legal and religious rituals crossed gender lines into effeminacy at they same time that they crossed genre lines into theater. Close analysis suggests that the persistent association between theatrics, bad rhetoric, and effeminacy struck four different targets in a single, well-conceived blow: it marginalized women, homosexuals, bad oratory, and theater by casting certain types of speakers and speech as perverse and disempowered. Delivering delivery today thus entails exposing the ways in which early theorists themselves attempted to deliver it from evil.