cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Packet Scheduling with Buffer Management for Fair Bandwidth Sharing and Delay Differentiation

Packet delay and bandwidth are two important metrics for measuring quality of service (QoS) of Internet services. Traditionally, packet delay differentiation and fair bandwidth sharing are studied separately. In this paper, we first propose a generalized model for providing fair bandwidth sharing with delay differentiation, namely FBS-DD. It essentially aims to provide multi-dimensional proportional differentiation with respect to both QoS metrics at the same time. We design packet scheduling schemes that take both packet delay and packet size into considerations, without assuming admission control. Furthermore, we propose a control-theoretic buffer management scheme. The packet scheduling with buffer management approach provides delay and bandwidth differentiation in an integrated way, while existing approaches consider delay and loss rate differentiation as orthogonal issues. It enhances the flexibility of network resource management and multi-dimensional QoS provisioning. It is capable of self-adapting to varying workloads from different classes, which automatically builds a firewall around aggressive clients and hence protects network resources from saturation. Simulation results by the use of trace files demonstrate that the approach can provide predictable fair bandwidth sharing with delay differentiation at various situations. The control-theoretic buffer management scheme improves the controllability.
Alterations of myoelectric activity associated with Campylobacter jejuni and its cell-free filtrate in the small intestine of rabbits.

Abstract We evaluated the effects of a culture of Campylobacter jejuni and its cell-free filtrate on myoelectric activity of isolated ileal segments in New Zealand White rabbits. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess the association between histologic changes and alterations in intestinal myoelectric activity. A culture of C. jejuni was shown to cause a significant increase in repetitive bursts of action potentials (RBAPs) (6.9 ± 1.2 RBAP/h; p C. jejuni cultures were also observed to induce RBAPs (5.0 ± 0.9 RBAP/h; p C. jejuni for 8 h, blunting of villi with a cellular infiltrate was noted in rabbits exposed for 24 h. Scanning electron microscopy disclosed patchy villous tip damage in 3 of 5 animals exposed to cell-free filtrates for 8 h. These studies suggest C. jejuni is pathogenic and produces a heat-stable substance that alters intestinal myoelectric activity in rabbits.
The joint resource allocation problem in wireless networks

The fundamental problem underlying any phase of a dynamic resource allocation algorithm in a wireless network is to assign transmission powers, forward and reverse channels, and base stations such that every mobile of the system can establish a connection. The author considers the joint resource allocation problem in a system with two base stations. An algorithm that achieves the optimal assignment is provided. It involves the computation of a maximum matching in a graph that captures the topological characteristics of the mobile locations. The traffic capacities, in terms of expected number of connections per channel, of the forward and reverse channel are obtained and compared. It turns out that when the transmission power is fixed, the capacities of the forward and reverse channel are different, while when power control is allowed they are the same. Finally several versions of the two way channel assignment problem are studied.
Differential Expression of GABAA/Benzodiazepine Receptor Subunit mRNAs and Ligand Binding Sites in Mouse Cerebellar Neurons Following In Vivo Ethanol Administration: An Autoradiographic Analysis

The gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA)/benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor is a pentamer composed of subunits belonging to several classes (alpha 1-6, beta 1-4, gamma 1-4, delta, and rho 1 and rho 2). In situ hybridization, radioligand autoradiography, and immunocytochemistry were used to examine GABAA/BZ receptor alpha 1, alpha 6, beta 2, beta 3, and gamma 2 subunit expression in murine Purkinje, granule, and deep cerebellar neurons after in vivo ethanol exposure. Chronic ethanol treatment resulted in decreased alpha 1 subunit mRNA expression in each cell type, whereas the expression of alpha 6 and gamma 2 subunit mRNA levels increased; no changes were observed in the expression of beta 2 and beta 3 subunit mRNA. GABA and BZ agonist binding and antibody staining paralleled the changes in mRNA levels. Acute ethanol injection resulted in increased expression of alpha 1 and beta 3 mRNAs, whereas levels of alpha 6, beta 2, and gamma 2 mRNAs remained stable. Our results indicate that, in cerebellar neurons, the expression of specific GABAA/BZ receptor subunit mRNAs, polypeptides, and binding sites is independently regulated by in vivo administration of alcohol. The observed changes were not restricted to any one cerebellar cell type, because subunit expression in Purkinje, granule, and deep cerebellar cells was similarly affected.
A quantitative theory of the stern electric double layer

A quantitative theory of the Stern electric double layer is suggested. It is based on the view that every ion possesses a geometrical and an electrokinetic radius, that the ionic atmosphere begins from the geometrical one, and that the difference between these radii is the Stern quantity delta. The equations of the mentioned radii and the quantity delta are established and the values of the different potentials characterizing an ion and its ionic atmosphere are determined.
Osmotic pressure and chemical potential of silica nanoparticles in aqueous poly(ethyleneoxide) solution

Abstract The applications of dispersed nanoparticles depend critically on accurate control and prediction of their stability and phase behavior. In many situations nanoparticles are used in conjunction with adsorbing polymers, oligomers or surfactants that can influence interparticle potentials and dispersion stability either positively or negatively. To advance understanding of these effects, this article presents osmotic pressure measurements of a model system: silica nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous solution of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Based on previous studies, PEO is known to adsorb to the silica surface. Osmotic pressure, itself a sensitive function of interparticle and particle–solution interactions, is used here to calculate nanoparticle chemical potentials. The presence of an adsorbing polymer changes the fundamental dependence of nanoparticle osmotic pressure and chemical potential on composition. In the absence of PEO, the silica chemical potential increases with silica concentration, as expected for a repulsive interparticle potential. In the presence of PEO, however, the nanoparticle chemical potential passes through a minimum as PEO or silica concentration increase. This dependence of chemical potential on concentration and temperature agreed well with Monte Carlo simulations using a coarse-grained Lennar–Jones potential model.
Ventilatory responses to ozone are reduced in immature rats

During ozone (O3) exposure, adult rats decrease their minute ventilation (V˙e). To determine whether such changes are also observed in immature animals, Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 2, 4, 6, 8, or 12 ...
Frequent Frames as a Cue for Grammatical Categories in Child Directed Speech.

This paper introduces the notion of frequent frames, distributional patterns based on co-occurrence patterns of words in sentences, then investigates the usefulness of this information in grammatical categorization. A frame is defined as two jointly occurring words with one word intervening. Qualitative and quantitative results from distributional analyses of six different corpora of child directed speech are presented in two experiments. In the analyses, words that were surrounded by the same frequent frame were categorized together. The results show that frequent frames yield very accurate categories. Furthermore, evidence from behavioral studies suggests that infants and adults are sensitive to frame-like units, and that adults use them to categorize words. This evidence, along with the success of frames in categorizing words, provides support for frames as a basis for the acquisition of grammatical categories.
Implementing a Referral to Telephone Tobacco Cessation Services in Louisiana Community Pharmacies: A Pilot Study

Background:With one of the highest rates of tobacco dependence in the nation, Louisiana has been searching for economical and effective methods for assisting patients in cessation efforts. Community pharmacists are in an excellent position to promote tobacco cessation due to their availability to patients. The “Ask-Advise-Refer” model is a short intervention in which patients desiring to quit smoking are referred to free tobacco cessation telephone counseling services.Objective:To evaluate the implementation of the Ask-Advise-Refer model in a sample of Louisiana pharmacies and identify barriers experienced by pharmacists when identifying and referring appropriate patients.Methods:Nine pharmacists from across the state implemented the Ask-Advise-Refer model in their community pharmacies. Each pharmacist submitted a weekly tally sheet consisting oi number of patients asked about tobacco dependence, number of patients not ready to quit, number referred to tobacco cessation telephone counseling, number enroll...
Effect of Temperature on Toughness Curves in Alumina

The effect of temperature on fracture strength and toughness curves (T-curves) in the short-crack region of a polycrystalline alumina was studied. The indentation-strength technique was used to measure strength and T-curve behavior in the temperature range of 25 to 1,300 C. Grain-localized crack bridging resulted in improved flaw tolerance and rising T-curves in this alumina. Both strength and toughness were observed to decrease with increasing temperature. A theoretical grain-bridging model was used to calculate the T-curves and fit to the experimental data. This allowed the evaluation of the temperature dependence of important bridging parameters.
Simulation of effect of interfacial lithium flux on miscibility gap in non-equilibrium phase transformation of LiFePO4 particles

Abstract Non-equilibrium phase transformation and effect of interfacial Li flux on miscibility gap in two-phase transformation of LiFePO4 have been explored in this study. Our previously developed “Mushy-Zone” (MZ) model, accounting for sluggish Li diffusion across the two-phase interface, has been employed to study the non-equilibrium phase transformation in LiFePO4 materials of Li-ion batteries. Phase transformation rate, variation of two-phase miscibility gap, and interfacial Li composition profiles have been studied for different particle shapes at varying discharge rates. Sluggish Li flux across the two-phase interface, which is believed to be the origin of the kinetically-induced non-equilibrium phase transformation, has been calculated to explain the obtained results. It is found that small particle sizes (radii of 20 nm) and slow discharge rates tend to create homogenous phase transformation (i.e., shrunk or no miscibility gap). Two-phase transformation is remarkably delayed for spherical particles at low discharge rates, leading to a lower capacity compared to that of plated-shaped particles. However, at higher discharge rates spherical particles show better capacity.
Prediction of Femoral Head Collapse in Osteonecrosis

The femoral head deteriorates in osteonecrosis. As a consequence of that, the cortical shell of the femoral head can buckle into the cancellous bone supporting it. In order to examine the buckling scenario we performed numerical analysis of a realistic femoral head model. The analysis included a solution of the hip contact problem, which provided the contact pressure distribution, and subsequent buckling simulation based on the given contact pressure. The contact problem was solved iteratively by approximating the cartilage by a discrete set of unilateral linear springs. The buckling calculations were based on a finite element mesh with brick elements for the cancellous bone and shell elements for the cortical shell. Results of 144 simulations for a variety of geometrical, material, and loading parameters strengthen the buckling scenario. They, particularly, show that the normal cancellous bone serves as a strong supporting foundation for the cortical shell and prevents it from buckling. However, under the development of osteonecrosis the deteriorating cancellous bone is unable to prevent the cortical shell from buckling and the critical pressure decreases with the decreasing Young modulus of the cancellous bone. The local buckling of the cortical shell seems to be the driving force of the progressive fracturing of the femoral head leading to its entire collapse. The buckling analysis provides an additional criterion of the femoral head collapse, the critical contact pressure. The buckling scenario also suggests a new argument in speculating on the femoral head reinforcement. If the entire collapse of the femoral head starts with the buckling of the cortical shell then it is reasonable to place the reinforcement as close to the cortical shell as possible.
Geochemical Consequences of Melt Percolation: The Upper Mantle as a Chromatographic Column

As magmas rise toward the surface, they traverse regions of the mantle and crust with which they are not in equilibrium; to the extent that time and the intimacy of their physical contact permit, the melts and country rocks will interact chemically. We have modeled aspects of these chemical interactions in terms of ion-exchange processes similar to those operating in simple chromatographic columns. The implications for trace element systematics are straightforward: the composition of melt emerging from the top of the column evolves from close to that of the incipient melt of the column matrix toward that of the melt introduced into the base of the column. The rate of evolution is faster in the incompatible than the compatible elements and, as a result, the abundance ratios of elements of different compatibilities can vary considerably with time. If diffusion and other dispersive processes in the melt are negligible and if exchange between melt and solid rock is rapid, extreme fractionations may occur, and the change from initial to final concentration for each element can be through an abrupt concentration front. Integration and mixing of the column output in a magma chamber or dispersive processes within the column, in particular the incomplete equilibration between matrix and fluid due to the slow diffusion in the solid phases, may lead to diffuse fronts and smooth trace element abundance patterns in the column output. If the matrix material is not replenished, the chromatographic process is a transient phenomenon. In some geological situations (e.g., under island arcs and oceanic islands), fresh matrix may be fed continuously into the column, leading to the evolution of a steady state. Aspects of the geochemistry of ultramafic rocks, island arc lavas, and comagmatic alkaline and tholeiitic magmas may be explained by the operation of chromatographic columns.
Lung transplantation for pediatric pulmonary hypertension

Abstract Lung and heart–lung transplantation are accepted therapies for the treatment of end-stage lung or cardiovascular disease in children for whom there are no medical or surgical treatment options. Worldwide, more than 200 children have undergone this procedure since 1986 and 1987, when respectively, the first pediatric heart–lung transplant and the first pediatric lung transplant procedures were performed. The issues that relate to surgical techniques as well as outcomes are distinctly unique for children compared to adults. End-stage pulmonary vascular disease due to primary pulmonary hypertension (PAH) is one of the primary indications for lung or heart–lung transplantation. Generally, for all pediatric lung transplant recipients, the outcomes are comparable to those of adult recipients, with a median survival of 4.3 years. As well, children experience a marked improvement in quality of life. Even though PAH is one of the leading indicators for lung or heart–lung transplantation in children, the survival outcomes for pediatric PAH lung transplant recipients are difficult to accurately calculate, given the very low total numbers of children who have undergone transplantation. Between January of 2000 and June of 2006, 138 children received lung transplantation worldwide. They account for less than 4% of all lung transplants performed since the inception of the procedure for adults in 1982. Adult PAH patients have decreased survival compared to other indicators. There is a higher mortality rate while on the lung waiting list, an increased 90-day mortality post-operatively, and lower expected survival to 5 years after transplant. The immune suppressants generally utilized consist of a triple drug regimen that includes a calcineurin inhibitor, a lymphocyte anti-proliferative agent, and corticosteroid. Until recently, centers varied widely in the specific protocols for drug doses and for treatment of the various complications that occur post-operatively, such as acute cellular rejection, humoral rejection, post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), and emergence of chronic allograft rejection, aka bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). Although survival after pediatric lung and heart–lung transplantation has improved over the last decade, it is still well below that of heart and most other solid organ transplants. BOS is the single most important life-limiting complication of lung and heart–lung transplantation, yet the pathophysiology of BOS appears to be multifactorial and is poorly understood. To date, little advancement has been made in the prevention and treatment for BOS. Ongoing challenges remain to optimize organ allocation as well as treatment regimens. The pediatric lung transplant community is collaborating internationally, and has standardized treatment regimens across centers. In the future, this will permit multi-center studies to compare patient outcome measures head to head and illuminate the pathophysiology of immunological and other mechanisms that lead to graft failure and provide new therapeutic avenues.
Disbond detection through ultrasonic signal classification using an artificial neural network

Summary form only given. An ultrasound technique for detecting disbonds in aircraft lap joints and in the adhesive joints between aircraft skin and reinforcing doublers was discussed. A high-frequency ultrasonic pulse is transmitted into the aircraft skin by a contacting ultrasonic transducer. This pulse is reflected at the bond interface, and is picked up by the transducer. The output is a time-varying ultrasonic signal that characterizes the bond interface. The use of an artificial neural network for classifying the signals as corresponding to bonded and disbonded regions is discussed. Training and classification performances were obtained for several values of network parameters. A peak classification accuracy of 98.7% was obtained on the test signal set. The advantages of using a neural network are its low noise sensitivity, low classification time, high classification accuracy, and convenient threshold capability of output for disbond detection. >
Removal of nonionic surfactants from wastewater using a constructed wetland.

X-100 was used as a standard to express the nonionic-surfactant concentrations. Anionic and cationic surfactants were shown not to interfere during the determination. Nonionic surfactants were degraded (to products undeterminable by the method) with a high average efficiency that reached 98.1% in 2009 and 99.1% in 2010, respectively. The average concentration of nonionic surfactants at the inflow was 0.978 mg/l, while it was close to the limit of quantification at the outflow (0.014 mg/l). A significant fraction of nonionic surfactants (38.7%) was already degraded during the pretreatment, and only 14.0% of the nonionic surfactants remained in the interstitial H2O taken in the vegetation bed at a distance of 1 m from the inflow zone at a 50-cm depth. Nonionic surfactants were degraded both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Introduction. - Nonionic surfactants comprise an important class of surface-active compounds. They are widely used in detergents, paints, pesticides, textile and petroleum recovery chemicals, metal working, and personal products (1). With respect to their structure, surfactants are generally characterized with the ability to emulsify and clean (2). However, this ability to remove nonpolar substances from surfaces may result in removal of protective hydrophobic secretions from the skin of animals after the leakage of surfactants into the environment. The foam forming at the H2O surface lessens the illumination of H2O and obstructs the natural gas exchange between H2O and the atmosphere. Two important nonionic surfactant groups are widely used, viz., alcohol poly- ethoxylates (LAEOs) and alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEOs). LAEOs are accepted as environmentally safe compounds, while the environmental acceptability of APEOs is strongly disputed (3). Commercial substances of the latter contain mixtures with different chain lengths and isomers; however, with high proportions of nonyl- and octyl- groups. They are often converted to more persistent and toxic metabolites (e.g., nonylphenol, octylphenol, nonylphenol mono- or diethoxylates, etc.) during biodegradation. The toxicity of these compounds is attributed to their ability to mimic natural hormones (estrogens) inducing endocrine disruption of aquatic
Adaptive rejection of sinusoidal disturbances of known frequency acting on unknown systems

Adaptive feedback algorithms for the rejection of periodic disturbances are useful in many practical applications involving rotating equipment. The simplest algorithms require knowledge of the disturbance frequency as well as of the system's transfer function or frequency response. This paper considers the case when the plant dynamics are unknown. An existing approach consists in obtaining an estimate of the plant frequency response in a first step and in using the estimate to update the control signal in a second step. The paper presents a new algorithm that enables simultaneous estimation of the frequency response and control signal. The parameters of the controller are updated continuously, as opposed to existing techniques where the parameters are held constant during blocks of time.
Self-Verification and Drug Abusers: Implications for Treatment

The work of Swann and his colleagues suggests that a desire for self-verification is a ubiquitous human motive, as important as the desire for positive evaluations When the self-view is negative, the reinforcement value of self-verification can lead individuals to maintain lifestyles and seek out other individuals who will maintain the negative self-view Trying to change negative self-views by simple verbal invalidation is not often successful The reinforcing qualities of self-verification for most individuals and the apparently aversive qualities of invalidating an individual s self-views have potentially important implications for treatment of drug abusers This commentary briefly reviews self-verification research and discusses implications of findings for psychotherapy, particularly as they relate to strengthening clinical progress and attachment to therapy and to giving feedback to clients
Rapid prototyping and manufacturing by gelcasting of metallic and ceramic slurries

In this work an approach for rapid prototyping and manufacturing of metallic as well as ceramic parts is presented. By using Mold Shape Deposition Manufacturing (MoldSDM), a wax mold is fabricated which is filled with a slurry containing the final part material in powder form. The wax mold is manufactured by first decomposing the desired part geometry into machinable compacts. In a next step the mold is built up in a series of layers by machining either the wax or a sacrificial support material. The surface quality of the final mold is only limited by the abilities of the CNC machine. After casting a ceramic or metallic slurry, the wax mold is removed and the obtained green part debinded and sintered. In this work the mechanical and microstructural properties of the parts obtained by this method are presented. The materials which have been investigated are silicon nitride and stainless steels. Due to the high mold quality the process is suitable for a variety of applications in rapid prototyping and manufacturing where parts made of engineering materials are required.
A Leader-Follower Computational Learning Approach to the Study of Restructured Electricity Markets: Investigating Price Caps

This paper discusses the use of a computational learning approach based on a leader-follower multiagent framework in the study of regulation of restructured electricity markets. In a leader-follower multiagent system (LFMAS), a leader (regulator) determines an appropriate incentive, which motivates a set of self-interested followers (the generators, in this case) to act such that some measure of overall performance is maximized. In the computational learning approach presented, models of followers as well as the leader incorporate reinforcement learning, allowing the exploration of outcomes with different incentives, and also the learning of 'optimal' incentive given some measure of desired overall performance. The approach is demonstrated in studying the effect of price caps on the outcome of electricity auctions (uniform and discriminatory) in oligopoly settings for which analytical treatments do not exist.
Towards Robust Topology of Sparsely Sampled Data

Sparse, irregular sampling is becoming a necessity for reconstructing large and high-dimensional signals. However, the analysis of this type of data remains a challenge. One issue is the robust selection of neighborhoods - a crucial part of analytic tools such as topological decomposition, clustering and gradient estimation. When extracting the topology of sparsely sampled data, common neighborhood strategies such as k-nearest neighbors may lead to inaccurate results, either due to missing neighborhood connections, which introduce false extrema, or due to spurious connections, which conceal true extrema. Other neighborhoods, such as the Delaunay triangulation, are costly to compute and store even in relatively low dimensions. In this paper, we address these issues. We present two new types of neighborhood graphs: a variation on and a generalization of empty region graphs, which considerably improve the robustness of neighborhood-based analysis tools, such as topological decomposition. Our findings suggest that these neighborhood graphs lead to more accurate topological representations of low- and high- dimensional data sets at relatively low cost, both in terms of storage and computation time. We describe the implications of our work in the analysis and visualization of scalar functions, and provide general strategies for computing and applying our neighborhood graphs towards robust data analysis.
PHOSPHATE, PURINES AND PYRIMIDINES AS EXCRETORY PRODUCTS OF TETRAHYMENA.

SYNOPSIS. Tetrahymena pyriformis strain W, incubated for 3 hours in a salts-PO4 medium, showed a net loss of phosphate from the cell. This loss of phosphate was accompanied by release of material having an absorption maximum at 250–260 nvi. The u.v.-absorbing material contained hypoxanthine as well as a pyrimidine component. The release of hypoxanthine was consistent with an absence of detectable xanthine oxidase activity in Tetrahymena homogenates. Studies with homogenates indicated that hypoxanthine formation was paralleled by the formation of perchloric acid-soluble material absorbing at 250 mμ, suggesting the degradation of nucleic acid. While glucose diminished the extent of phosphate and hypoxanthine loss from intact cells, the addition of iodoacetic acid (IAA) resulted in increased losses, as well as release of pentose into the medium. Since IAA did not influence the amount of acid-soluble material formed by homogenates, it is suggested that the effects of glucose and IAA on the extent of excretion represent alterations in the ability of the cells to utilize nucleic acid degradation products in RXA synthesis.
TEMPORALLY FLUCTUATING SELECTION OF SEX-LIMITED SIGNALING TRAITS IN THE TEXAS FIELD CRICKET, GRYLLUS TEXENSIS

Gryllus texensis males produce acoustic mating signals and display extensive heritable variation in when and how much time they spend signaling throughout the night. The goal of this research is to elucidate the potential mechanism responsible for maintaining this heritable variation. Mating signals attract female crickets. In low-density spring populations females select males that signal most often; in high-density fall populations mating appears random with respect to signaling time. Mating signals also inadvertently attract acoustically orienting parasitoid flies; parasitoids are prevalent during the first half of the evening in the fall mating season. I hypothesized that mating signals are influenced by sex-limited temporally fluctuating selection. I predicted how mating signals would respond to this pattern of cyclical selection a priori, and then measured the sexual characters over four successive generations. I provide correlative evidence that mating signals appear to respond to sex-limited temporally fluctuating selection. These results indicate that sex-limited temporally fluctuating selection may play a role in the maintenance of variation in these sexual characters.
Hylobatid Diets Revisited: The Importance of Body Mass, Fruit Availability, and Interspecific Competition

In general, hylobatids are ripe-fruit specialists (MacKinnon and MacKinnon 1980; Chivers 2001) that use figs as fallback resources (Marshall 2004; Marshall et al. this volume). Despite the widespread assumption that siamangs (Symphalangus syndactylus) are true folivores, the idea that siamangs are dependent on figs to the same degree as other hylobatids is not new. Chivers and Raemaekers (1986) proposed that siamangs are more accurately described as ‘‘fig seekers,’’ an idea supported by Palombit’s (1997) research. Chivers and Raemaekers (1986) labeled small-bodied gibbons, by contrast, as fruit-pulp specialists. However, both Palombit (1997) and Marshall (2004) found that small-bodied gibbons (H. lar andH. albibarbis respectively) emphasized fig eating to the same extent as siamangs. Both siamangs and white-handed gibbons have been observed to preferentially feed on figs, even when other, more sugary fruits were available (Palombit 1997). Although nutritionally inferior to sugary fruits, figs occur in large patches, have high species diversity at individual sites and fruit asynchronously both within and between species (Raemaekers 1978b; Raemaekers et al. 1980). Thus, for gibbons, figs have the potential to provide a stable food source to meet their basic energetic requirements. However, fruit availability differs between sites, so that the degree to which each hylobatid population depends on figs may in fact reflect fig availability (Palombit 1997). For example, fig abundance and density are higher in northern Sumatra (Palombit 1992) than inMalaysia (Raemaekers et al. 1980). At sites where figs are more plentiful, hylobatids may exploit the local fig abundance, while reducing their leaf consumption (e.g., Palombit 1997). Although Raemaekers
Frequency-Domain Methods

Spectral methods based on the singular value decomposition (SVD) of the data matrix, as studied in the previous chapter, Chap. 3, apply to the physical (or spatial) domain of the data set. In this chapter, the concepts of frequency and frequency representation are introduced, and various frequency-domain methods along with efficient computational algorithms are derived. The root of these methods is the Fourier series representation of functions on a bounded interval, which is one of the most important topics in Applied Mathematics and will be investigated in some depth in Chap. 6. While the theory and methods of Fourier series require knowledge of mathematical analysis, the discrete version of the Fourier coefficients (of the Fourier series) is simply matrix multiplication of the data vector by some \(n \times n\) square matrix \(F_n\). This matrix is called the discrete Fourier transformation (DFT), which has the important property that with the multiplicative factor of \(1\over {\sqrt{n}}\), it becomes a unitary matrix, so that the inverse discrete Fourier transformation matrix (IDFT) is given by the \(1\over {n}\)- multiple of the adjoint (that is, transpose of the complex conjugate) of \(F_n\). This topic will be studied in Sect. 4.1.
Body Composition of Wintering Canvasbacks in Louisiana: Dominance and Survival Implications

I studied effects of sex, age, and month on body mass and composition of Canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) at Catahoula Lake (CL) and the Mississippi River Delta (MRD), Louisiana, in winter 1987-1988. Size-adjusted body mass and fat varied by age, month, and site. Fat levels in immatures were greater at MRD than at CL, but changed similarly at both sites. Adults at MRD were also fatter than those at CL in early winter, especially in December, but fat levels of all birds increased from early to late winter and were equivalent by late winter. Body protein adjusted for structural size varied by age, month, and site, and sex, month, and site. Protein levels by site were higher in adults and males than in immatures and females, but sexand age-related differences averaged < 11 g (5%). Changes in size-adjusted leg muscle protein (index of feeding activity) and body fat were positively associated. This relation (my measure of feeding efficiency) was not affected by sex or age ofCanvasbacks, implying that all birds at CL or MRD fed at similar efficiencies by month. At both sites, females were fatter than males; thus, although males were larger and potentially dominant to females, it appears that females were not disadvantaged in their acquisition of nutrients during the year of study. Body mass of CL and MRD birds in winter 1987-1988 was greater than that of Canvasbacks wintering elsewhere. If overwinter and annual survival of Canvasbacks are related to their relative body mass during winter, then survival probabilities of CL and MRD birds may be high compared to other wintering populations.
Inversion Structures and Their Relationship to Hydrocarbon Accumulation for Mingshui-suihua Area

Thorough research on the inversion structures of mingshui-suihua area is conducted based on the new processed 2D seismic data,according to its developed characters,it is classed into four structural style: including upper reverse and lower normal fault,both upper and lower are reverse faults,lower fracture and upper fold fault,both upper and lower are normal faults.And earnest probe into the relationship between inversion structure and hydrocarbon accumulation.It is revealed that inversion structure of mingshui-suihua area enriches the structures style and provides favorable trap for hydrocarbon accumulation and improves the reservoir development and physical property.Simultaneous,the inversion structures in the study area show very good reservoir-forming conditions.It will be of benefits to oil and gas exploration in the future.
The Dualist Dilemma in Canadian Judicial Mind

India and Canada as colonial cousins, share the dualist doctrine in respect of incorporation of international norms. Both the judiciaries have recognized the normative values enshrined in the ratified international conventions as external aid of construction and have attempted to accommodate the normative values within the existing constitutional and statutory provisions. In India, the judiciary seems proactive in the reception of international human rights norms and all the challenges based on international norms have been successful in the court room. Though dualist in its constitutional framework, the directive principle under Article 51 and the exclusive legislative powers of the Union parliament have been conducive to the wider interpretation of the existing domestic law in India. But, in Canada, absence of such an express constitutional provision encouraging reception of international norms and absence of exclusive legislative powers for federal government have made the dilemma in judicial minds more difficult and the challenges to the exercise of discretionary power on the basis international human rights norms have not been that much successful.
Membrane depolarization in PC-12 cells during hypoxia is regulated by an O2-sensitive K+ current

The effects of hypoxia on K+ current (IK), resting membrane potential, and cytosolic free Ca2+ in rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells were studied. Whole cell voltage- and current-clamp experiments were performed to measure IK and membrane potential, respectively. Cytosolic free Ca2+ level was measured using the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye fura 2. Depolarizing voltage steps to +50 mV from a holding potential of -90 mV elicited a slowly inactivating, tetraethylammonium chloride-sensitive, and Ca(2+)-insensitive IK that was reversibly inhibited by reduced O2 tension. Graded reduction in PO2 (from 150 to 0 mmHg) induced a graded inhibition of O2-sensitive IK [IK(O2)] up to 46% at 0 mmHg. Moreover, hypoxia induced a 19-mV membrane depolarization and a twofold increase in cytosolic free Ca2+. In Ca(2+)-free condition, inhibition of IK(O2) induced an 8-mV depolarization, suggesting that inhibition of IK(O2) was responsible for initiating depolarization. The effect of reduced PO2 on the current-voltage relationship showed a reduction of outward current and a 14-mV shift in the reversal potential comparable with the amount of depolarization measured in current clamp experiments. Neither Ca(2+)-activated IK nor inwardly rectifying IK are responsible for the hypoxia-induced depolarization. In conclusion, PC-12 cells express an IK(O2), inhibition of which leads to membrane depolarization and increased intracellular Ca2+, making the PC-12 clonal cell line a useful model for studying the molecular and biophysical mechanisms that mediate O2 chemosensitivity.
Is There a Distinct OCD Spectrum

The obsessive-compulsive disorders spectrum concept has grown in recent years because of the common clinical features, such as obsessive thinking and compulsive rituals, biological markers, presumed etiology, and treatment response, that these disorders may share with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This concept has important implications in regard to diagnosis, nosology, neurobiology, and treatment of a wide group of diverse disorders affecting up to 10% of the population. New insights in central nervous system (CNS) mechanisms that drive the repetitive behaviors of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders have heightened interest in the spectrum in researchers, clinicians, and those involved in drug development.An important approach in neuropsychiatry centers on employing a dimensional classification of psychopathology. Psychiatric phenomena often fall on a continuum. A dimensional approach allows for the classification of patients who fall at the border of classical entities or who are otherwise atypical. Diagnostic categories are considered along a spectrum if there is considerable overlap in symptoms and in etiology, as demonstrated by familial linkage biological markers, and pharmacological dissection. Categorical and dimensional approaches to the OCD spectrum could have significant implications for diagnosis, nosology, neurobiology, and treatment of a wide group of disorders affecting a sizable percentage of the population.Recent interest has focused on spectrums in movement disorders, affective disorders, schizophrenia, epileptic and impulsive disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders (which we will examine here); in addition, there has been interest in the overlap between these spectrums. Viewing disorders in terms of overlapping spectrums provides researchers and clinicians a framework with which to better understand and treat these disorders.
Fluorinated N,N'-Diarylureas As Novel Therapeutic Agents Against Cancer Stem Cells

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. More than 50% of patients with colorectal cancer will develop local recurrence or distant organ metastasis. Cancer stem cells play a major role in the survival and metastasis of cancer cells. In this study, we examined the effects of novel AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activating compounds on colorectal cancer metastatic and stem cell lines as potential candidates for chemotherapy. We found that activation of AMPK by all fluorinated N,N-diarylureas (FND) compounds at micromolar levels significantly inhibited the cell-cycle progression and subsequent cellular proliferation. In addition, we demonstrated that select FNDs significantly increased apoptosis in colorectal cancer metastatic and cancer stem cells. Therefore, FNDs hold considerable promise in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, through elimination of both regular cancer cells and cancer stem cells. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(5); 831–7. ©2017 AACR .
Screening for ovarian cancer: imaging challenges and opportunities for improvement

The United Kingdom Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS) recently reported a reduction in the average overall mortality among ovarian cancer patients screened with an annual sequential, multimodal strategy that tracked biomarker CA125 over time, where increasing serum CA125 levels prompted ultrasound. However, multiple cases were documented wherein serum CA125 levels were rising, but ultrasound screens were normal, thus delaying surgical intervention. A significant factor which could contribute to false negatives is that many aggressive ovarian cancers are believed to arise from epithelial cells on the fimbriae of the fallopian tubes, which are not readily imaged. Moreover, because only a fraction of metastatic tumors may reach a sonographically-detectable size before they metastasize, annual screening with ultrasound may fail to detect a large fraction of early-stage ovarian cancers. The ability to detect ovarian carcinomas before they metastasize is critical and future efforts towards improving screening should focus on identifying unique features specific to aggressive, early-stage tumors, as well as improving imaging sensitivity to allow for detection of tubal lesions. Implementation of a three-stage multimodal screening strategy in which a third modality is employed in cases where the first-line blood-based assay is positive and the second-line ultrasound exam is negative may also prove fruitful in detecting early-stage cases missed by ultrasound.
Neurological Manifestations of Sickle Cell Disease and Their Impact on Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

While sickle cell disease (SCD) affects all organ systems, the brain has long been recognized as a major site of SCD-related morbidity. In fact, children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) historically have had higher stroke risk than any other group of children outside of the perinatal period. Overt strokes are widely accepted as an indication for curative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). As we learn more about the broad spectrum of neurological disease due to SCA, from the well-described ischemic strokes and intracranial hemorrhage to the less understood neurocognitive deficits, the indications for and outcomes of allogeneic HSCT are in flux. In this chapter, we review the spectrum of neurological disease associated with SCA and the impact of pre-existing neurological conditions on HSCT complications and outcomes. We identify knowledge gaps and highlight recent developments. We also suggest a standardized clinical approach for assessing neurological complications of SCA before, during, and after HSCT.
Understanding the Legal Essentials of a Bowel Injury Lawsuit in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery.

Abstract Bowel injury is a known inherent complication of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery; however, it does not automatically signify medical malpractice. Plaintiff attorneys representing patients seeking legal recourse from a bowel injury typically allege claims of intraoperative negligence, delay in diagnosis, or lack of informed consent in an effort to circumvent the assertion that it is a known inherent complication. In addition, damage awards in bowel injury lawsuits can easily exceed the amount covered by the policy limits of a medical malpractice insurance plan, leaving the gynecologist financially responsible for the difference. Therefore, it is crucial to understand when it may be appropriate to consent to a settlement offer, which can relieve the gynecologist from financial liability for amounts awarded above the medical malpractice policy limits. The purpose of this medical-legal review is to make minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons more aware of the legal strategies used by plaintiff attorneys representing patients who have incurred bowel injuries, and how to limit liability in lawsuits.
PHENIX measurements of open and hidden heavy flavor in p+p, p+Al, and p/d/ 3 He+Au collisions across a wide range of rapidity

Abstract Despite intense theoretical and experimental investigation, the physical mechanisms governing the suppression of bound quark-antiquark states in nuclear collisions are not yet fully understood. While color screening in a plasma phase is expected to play a role, there are numerous other possible suppression mechanisms that do not require deconfinement, as well as effects on the heavy quark initial state in the nucleus which can also play a role. To study these effects, the PHENIX collaboration has used the flexibility of the RHIC accelerator complex to observe the evolution of open heavy flavor and quarkonia dynamics as both the projectile and target nuclei size are varied. Open heavy flavor in small collision systems can serve as the baseline for interpreting quarkonia production in the nuclear environment, and comparisons of the ψ ( 2 S ) with the ψ ( 1 S ) show that in rapidity regions with relatively high hadron density, the larger 2S state is preferentially more suppressed than the more tightly bound ψ ( 1 S ) . This suggests that late-stage mechanisms may be at least partially responsible for quarkonia suppression in nuclear collisions. In this talk, we will present results on excited-state quarkonia in p+p, p+Al, and p/d/3He+Au collisions and open heavy flavor in small systems, and discuss how these measurements impact our understanding of heavy quark behavior in the quark-gluon plasma.
Resort mystery shopping: A case study of hotel service

Mystery shopping is a common mode of improving customer service in retail and hospitality businesses, but researchers rarely utilize the methodology in academia. In these business entities, high-le...