cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cooperative detection of moving targets in wireless sensor network based on fuzzy dynamic weighted majority voting decision fusion

Multisensor data fusion has many military and civilian applications due to its statistical advantages. In this work, we propose a heuristic to enhance cooperative detection of moving targets within a region that is monitored by a wireless sensor network. This heuristic is based on fuzzy dynamic weighted majority voting for decision fusion. It fuses all the local decisions of the neighboring sensor nodes and determines the number and types of moving targets. A fuzzy logic weights each local decision based on the signal to noise ratio of the acoustic signal for target detection and the signal to noise ratio of the radio signal for sensor communication. The spatial correlation among the observations of neighboring sensor nodes is efficiently utilized. In addition, a finite state machine is proposed to reduce the detection false alarm and to estimate the best time at which the cluster decisions should be reported to the sink or gateway. Simulation results show that there is an optimal sensor number for distributed detection of a random process. This work is compared with the normal majority voting algorithm for hard decision fusion. It shows that the fuzzy weighted majority voting for decision fusion has less detection error than the normal majority voting.
Quantum well infrared photodetector research and development at Jet Propulsion Laboratory

One of the simplest device realizations of the classic particle-in-the-box problem of basic quantum mechanics is the Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP). In this paper we discuss the optimization of the detector design, material growth and processing that has culminated in realization of 15 micron cutoff 128 X 128 QWIP focal plane array camera, hand-held and palmsize 256 X 256 long-wavelength QWIP cameras and 648 X 480 long-wavelength camera, holding forth great promise for myriad applications in 6 - 25 micron wavelength range in science, medicine, defense and industry. In addition, we present the recent developments in broadband QWIPs, mid-wavelength/long-wavelength dualband QWIPs, long- wavelength/very long-wavelength dualband QWIPs, and high quantum efficiency QWIPs for low background applications in 4 - 26 micrometer wavelength region for NASA and DOD applications.
Modulation of prolactin receptors in cultured rat granulosa cells by FSH, LH and GnRH.

Abstract The hormonal modulation of prolactin (PRL)-binding capacity of rat granulosa cells was studied. Granulosa cells obtained from immature, hypophysectomized, estrogen-treated rats were cultured for 2 days in a serum-free medium in the presence of various hormones. FSH treatment in vitro stimulated granulosa cell PRL-binding capacity by ~ 4–6-fold in a dose-dependent manner. Concomitant treatment with 10−8 M GnRH inhibited the FSH-induced increase in PRL-binding capacity by 64%. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of GnRH was blocked by concomitant treatment with 10−6 M of a GnRH antagonist, [D-pGlu1, D-Phe2, D-Trp3,6]GnRH. PRL-binding capacity was also increased (~2-fold) by in vitro treatment with cholera toxin (10 μg/ml). In granulosa cells pre-treated with FSH in vitro for 2 days, hCG treatment for 2 additional days stimulated PRL-binding capacity in a dose-dependent manner (~ 2-fold). Likewise, treatment with LH (100 ng/ml) also stimulated PRL-binding capacity by ~ 2-fold. These in vitro studies demonstrated that gonadotropins (FSH, LH and hCG) directly enhanced PRL binding by granulosa cells, whereas GnRH inhibited FSH action.
A PROGRAMMING MODEL FOR BANK HEDGING DECISIONS

This study constructs, solves, and interprets a normative model that focuses on the risk management needs of a banking institution. The optimization model is a prototype, and it explicitly incorporates uncertainty via the two-stage linear programming format. Both the traditional asset-liability management and the newer hedging risk management strategies are included. The model suggests that although the specific risk management strategy mix depends on the economic scenario, hedging should be actively considered as a workable strategy.
Photon activation—15O decay studies of tumor blood flow

A direct, noninvasive method for measuring absolute values of specific capillary blood flow in living tissue is described. The method is based on the photon activation, i n s i t u, of tissue elements and the measurement of the subsequent decay of the positron activity induced, employing coincidence detection of the photon pairs produced in positron annihilation. Analysis of the time‐dependent coincidence spectrum reveals the contribution to the total signal from the decay of 15O, from which the specific capillary blood flow in the imaged, activated volume is ultimately determined. By virtue of its introduction of the radioisotope of interest (15O) directly and uniformly into the tissue volume under investigation, the method described permits both the nonperfused and well perfused fractions of an activated volume to be estimated and hence, the average specific blood flow within imagedtumor volumes to be computed. The model employed to describe and analyze the data is discussed in detail. Results of application of the technique to measurement of specific blood flow in rhabdomyosarcoma tumors grown in WAG/Rij rats are presented and discussed. The method is shown to be reliable and well suited to studies designed to determined the effects of various agents, such as heat, radiation and drugs, on tumorblood flow.
Molecular cloning and expression of rat torsinA in the normal and genetically dystonic (dt) rat

Deletions within the TOR1A gene cause early-onset (DYT1) torsion dystonia. We have cloned and sequenced the rat cDNA homologue of TOR1A and found a 91% identity with the human sequence. Northern blot analysis detects a single transcript of approximately 1.5 kb. In situ hybridization reveals a widespread distribution of torsinA mRNA within brain. No mutations were identified in the coding region of the gene in the genetically dystonic (dt) rat.
Fiber pathways of cortical areas mediating smooth pursuit eye movements in monkeys.

Recent studies in rhesus monkeys and human patients have increased our understanding of the role of various cortical regions in the generation of smooth pursuit eye movements. Little is known, though, about the cerebral white matter pathways mediating smooth pursuit. In this paper, we describe both the corticocortical and corticosubcortical projections from areas in the monkey brain known to be involved in smooth pursuit. The corticocortical pathways within one hemisphere consists of a sequence of arcuate fiber bundles interconnecting (1) striate cortex with an area in occipitoparietal cortex called the middle temporal (MT) area, (2) area MT with two areas in parietal cortex called the medial superior temporal (MST) and posterior parietal (PP) areas, and (3) area MST with area PP. An interhemispheric pathway interconnecting areas MT and MST consists of fibers sequentially passing through the tapetum, major forceps, and the splenium of the corpus callosum. The corticosubcortical pathway from area MST to the pontine nuclei and accessory optic system consists of fibers sequentially running through the internal sagittal stratum, the retrolenticular part of the internal sagittal stratum, and the cerebral peduncle. Based on the effects of lesions on pursuit eye movements, these corticocortical and corticosubcortical projections can be divided into sensory, motor, and attentional/spatial systems. Evidence from clinical studies suggests that homologous systems exist in the human cerebrum.
American forces network in the cold war: Military broadcasting in postwar Germany

With the end of World War II, many U.S. troops in Germany remained to meet the new requirements of occupation. Staying with them was their own war‐born radio network, the American Forces Network, Europe (AFN). Operating several powerful transmitters, AFN beamed news, information, popular music, and variety over a Western Europe otherwise bombarded by Cold War radio propaganda. This essay examines AFN's postwar programming, the military's influence over the network, and the shadow audience of Europeans who tuned in during this period.
Formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in soils

Abstract The possible formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in soils was examined. Soil samples amended with NO 2 − -N and dimethylamine incubated for 30 days and analysed every 3 days, showed increasing amounts of dimethylnitrosamine up to 12–15 days. The concentration reached as high as 6.5 parts/10 6 , thereafter, a decline was noted. Most of the nitrosamines disappeared in soils after 30 days. Addition of inorganic N reduced the decomposition of dimethylamine. Soil incubation studies with NO 2 − and trimethylamine showed about 80% reduction in the amount of nitrosamines formed as compared to dimethylamine. Analysis of soil samples from fertilized and polluted areas showed significant amounts of NO − 3 -N but no nitrosamines. Application of 10 parts/10 6 of dimethylamine to these soil samples resulted in the formation of 0.10 to 0.50 parts/10 6 of nitrosamines. Autoclaved soil samples incubated with NO 2 − and dimethylamine for 12–15 days produced small amounts of nitrosamines. Addition of glucose to soil samples increased the amounts of nitrosamines formed.
The fractal nature of the surface of cement paste

Abstract The basic nature and properties of a class of geometric forms known as fractals are presented. An X-ray scattering technique for measuring the dimension of a fractal surface is described. The technique is used to demonstrate that the surface of hydrated cement paste is fractal in character, and has a large fractal dimension. This latter fact indicates that the surface of cement paste is extremely irregular. Further, the degree of irregularity is found to depend somewhat on the water: cement ratio. The fractal character of the surface of paste provides a logical explanation for the different surface areas detected by different vapors in a sorption experiment.
Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke--perceptions of African American children and adolescents.

Abstract Background. A study was designed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive efforts with regard to exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) among a sample of urban African American children and adolescents. Methods. A sample of 675 students enrolled in grades 5 through 12 in an urban public school district located in the greater metropolitan area of Detroit, Michigan, was surveyed. Results. Smoking rates among students were higher if someone else in the home was a smoker and lower if there were no other smokers in the home. Forty-eight percent of the students reported that their fathers smoked, while 46% reported mothers who smoked. In each of the areas knowledge, attitudes, and preventive efforts, elementary students scored highest and middle school students scored lowest. Attitude scores were higher if the mother or father was a nonsmoker, and nonsmokers scored higher than smokers on knowledge, attitudes, and preventive efforts. Students' preventive efforts were significantly predicted by their knowledge, attitudes, and gender, while their attitudes in turn predicted by their knowledge, gender, school level, and smoking status and by the proportion of their friends who were smokers. Students' knowledge was significantly predicted by their gender and school level and by the proportion of their siblings who were smokers. Conclusions. It is apparent that many of the African American students surveyed in this study experience significant exposure to ETS, particularly in the home. As is evident from the literature, this has implications for the long term health of these youngsters. Health education and promotion efforts should be directed not only toward the students themselves, but should also address the smoking behavior of parents and others in the home environment.
Elementary school teachers as ``targets and agents of change'': Teachers' learning in interaction with reform science curriculum

This article examines teachers' perspectives on the challenges of using a science reform curriculum, as well as their learning in interaction with the curriculum and parallel professional development program. As case studies, I selected 4 veteran teachers of 2nd or 3rd grade, with varying science backgrounds (including 2 with essentially none). Capitalizing on the first activity of the monthly teacher meetings, wherein each teacher described an issue/challenge in using the curriculum, I analyzed how their conceptualization of issues changed over 5 points in time, 2 in the fall of 1 school year and 3 in the spring of the next. Exit interviews extend the time span under analysis to 32 months. Across this span, I examined the extent to which their thinking about the issues they raised reflected the problematic, in Dewey's sense of catalyst for fruitful taking up of the problem in ways supporting learning. Given the importance of understanding science as a way of knowing, I also analyzed their thinking vis-a-vis S. Carey and C. Smith's (1993) scientific knowledge-construction continuum from “knowledge unproblematic” to “knowledge problematic.” Analyses indicate that 3 of the 4 achieved fundamental advancements in their thinking, although of different forms and through different mechanisms of change. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed93:915–954, 2009
Pre-transplant malignancy: an analysis of outcomes after thoracic organ transplantation.

Background Pre-transplant malignancy (PTM) is a relative contraindication to organ transplantation. Studies examining the effect of PTM on outcomes after lung transplantation (LTx) or orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) are limited. We evaluated the effect of PTM on outcomes after LTx and OHT. Methods We retrospectively reviewed primary adult LTx and OHT recipients in the United Network for Organ Sharing database. Primary stratification was by PTM and secondary stratification by tumor type. Matched cohorts (2:1) and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate mortality. Results From 2000 to 2011, 13,613 adults underwent LTx and 19,817 underwent OHT. PTM was present in 740 LTx patients (5.4%) and in 1,117 OHT patients (5.6%). On unadjusted analysis, LTx patients and OHT patients with PTM had similar 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year survivals ( p p = 0.04), 1 year (HR, 1.93; p p = 0.01). Matched cohort analysis revealed comparable outcomes in LTx patients but confirmed increased univariate 1-year mortality (HR, 1.89; p = 0.006) in OHT patients with LLM. Conclusions This large study evaluating the effects of PTM found the incidence of PTM was in LTx 5.4% and in OHT 5.6%. In general, PTM does not increase mortality in either cohort; however, OHT patients with LLM have an increased hazard of mortality. Therefore, carefully selected patients with PTM should not be excluded from LTx or OHT.
Rules of Thumb versus Dynamic Programming

This paper studies decision-making with rules of thumb in the context of dynamic decision problems and compares it to dynamic programming. A rule is a fixed mapping from a subset of states into actions. Rules are compared by averaging over past experiences. This can lead to favoring rules which are only applicable in good states. Correcting this good state bias requires solving the dynamic program. We provide a generalframework and characterize the asymptotic properties. We apply it to provide a candidate explanation for the sensitivity of consumption to transitory income. (JEL EOO, C63, C61, E21 )
Race and place in the etiology of nasopharyngeal cancer: a study based on California death certificates.

A review of the California death certificates coded to nasopharyngeal cancer as cause of death during 1955–64 revealed that five of 273 white male decedents were born in the Philippine Islands or China, areas where the disease is known to be endemic. The expected number, based on certificates for other cancer deaths, was much less than one. From the death certificate entries for name and birthplace of parents of decedents it was apparent that the five decedents were of Caucasian stock without Mongoloid admixture. This is the first indication that there is a high risk of nasopharyngeal cancer not only for the Mongoloid peoples who are indigenous to Southeast Asia, but also for Whites born in the area.
Prostate implant dosimetric outcomes and migration patterns between bio-absorbable coated and uncoated brachytherapy seeds.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the lung and pelvic seed migration and intraprostatic dose variability for prostate seed implant (PSI) using bio-absorbable polymer “coated” seeds for intraoperative planning. Methods and Materials A total of 100 PSI patients were initially implanted with uncoated I-125 (STM 1251 or I125-SL, N = 85) or Pd-103 (mod 200, N = 15) seeds, and 105 PSI patients were implanted subsequently with coated seeds using inverse optimization with real-time planning. Implant technique, average number of needles, and dose objectives remained identical among the cohorts. Results Day 30 postimplant comparison of seed migration demonstrated a significant reduction in overall lung and pelvic seed migration from 25% (uncoated) to 4% (coated) ( p V 100 , V 150 , and D 90 for prostate, and V 110 for the rectum. A statistically significant reduction in the standard deviation from Day 0 to Day 30 for the above parameters for the prostate as well as for V 110 of rectum was also observed. A significant improvement in implant quality at Day 30 was demonstrated using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) evaluation criteria range with the coated seeds cohort. Conclusions PSI using coated seeds shows lower lung and pelvic seed migration compared with those using uncoated seeds and compares favorably to pelvic stranded seed migration reports. A higher concordance was observed with less dose variability in dosimetric parameters on Day 30 dosimetry compared with that on Day 0. Improvement in the implant quality was also observed using the RTOG criteria, suggesting reduced intraprostatic migration.
Patterns of cell signaling pathway activation that characterize mammary development

Previous work has detailed the histological and biochemical changes associated with mammary development and remodeling. We have now made use of gene expression profiling, and in particular of the previously described signatures of cell signaling pathway activation, to explore the events associated with mammary gland development. We find that there is elevated E2F-specific pathway activity prior to lactation and relatively low levels of other important signaling pathways, such as RAS, MYC and SRC. Upon lactation and continuing into the involution phase, these patterns reverse with a dramatic increase in RAS, SRC and MYC pathway activity and a decline in E2F activity. At the end of involution, these patterns return to that of the adult non-lactating mammary gland. The importance of the changes in E2F pathway activity, particularly during the proliferative phase of mammary development, was confirmed through the analysis of mice deficient for various E2F proteins. Taken together, these results reveal a complex pattern of pathway activity in relation to the various phases of mammary gland development.
Predictive learning with sparse heterogeneous data

Many applications of machine learning involve sparse and heterogeneous data. For example, estimation of predictive (diagnostic) models using patients' data from clinical studies requires effective integration of genetic, clinical and demographic data. Typically all heterogeneous inputs are properly encoded and mapped onto a single feature vector, used for estimating (training) a predictive model. This approach, known as standard inductive learning, is used in most application studies. More recently, several new learning methodologies have emerged. In particular, when training data can be naturally separated into several groups (or structured), we can view learning (estimation) for each group as a separate task, leading to Multi-Task Learning framework. Similarly, a setting where training data is structured, but the objective is to estimate a single predictive model (for all groups), leads to Learning with Structured Data and SVM+ methodology recently proposed by Vapnik. This paper demonstrates advantages and limitations of these new data modeling approaches for modeling heterogeneous data (relative to standard inductive SVM) via empirical comparisons using several publicly available medical data sets.
DELTA-MIN: a search-control method for information-gathering problems

The Δ-MIN method consists of a best-first backtracking algorithm applicable to a large class of information-gathering problems, such as most natural language analyzers, many speech understanding systems, and some forms of planning and automated knowledge acquisition. This paper focuses on the general Δ-MIN search-control method and characterizes the problem spaces to which it may apply. Essentially, Δ-MIN provides a best-first search mechanism over the space of alternate interpretations of an input sequence, where the interpreter is assumed to be organized as a set of cooperating expert modules.
Autonomous data collection from underwater sensor networks using acoustic communication

We examine the problem of planning paths for an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to collect data from an underwater sensor network. The sensors in the network are equipped with acoustic modems that provide noisy, range-limited communication. The AUV must plan a path that maximizes the information collected while minimizing travel time or fuel expenditure. This problem is closely related to the classical Traveling Salesperson Problem (TSP), but differs in that data from a particular sensor has a probability of being collected depending on the quality of communication. We propose methods for solving this problem by extending approximation algorithms for variants of TSP, and we compare our proposed algorithms to baseline strategies through simulated experiments with varying levels of communication quality. Our simulations utilize a realistic model of acoustic communication to determine the probability of acquiring data from each sensor. The results demonstrate that planning the tour for the entire network while exploiting the communication model during planning improves performance versus myopic methods.
Hand, foot and mouth disease associated with Coxsackievirus group B.

AbstractThis study from Frankfurt, although similar to other reports with respect to clinical findings, presents further evidence of a varied etiology for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Of the 6 patients with HFMD, 5 had virologic evidence of coxsackievirus B5 infection, and 1 had definite evidence of coxsackievirus B2 infection. Our data suggest an etiologic association of coxsackievirus group B with HFMD.
The Genes Encoding Anti-NP Antibodies in Inbred Strains of Mice

The phenomenon of recurrent idiotypes has provided access to immunological interactions of various kinds. By definition, the antigenic structures which specify the variable regions of heavy and light chains of antibodies form the idiotypic determinants. They must be generated by B cells yet are apparently recognized and perhaps mimicked by T cells. The expression of idiotypes on B cells poses many questions. Most important to our investigation is determining the nature of the mechanisms causing the selection for the generation of an idiotype. Do the idiotypic structures form a focal point for lymphocyte interactions or are they primarily the consequence of other types of biological regulation?
Concentration–EEG Effect Relationship of Propofol in Rats

Propofol is a unique highly lipid-soluble anesthetic that is formulated in a fat emulsion (Diprivan) for intravenous (i.v.) use. It has the desirable properties of rapid onset and offset of effect following rapid i.v. administration and minimal accumulation on long-term administration. Based on physicochemical properties and preliminary brain solubility data, propofol should have an extended effect-site turnover and a resulting prolonged effect. However, a preliminary study in humans has reported a rapid blood-brain equilibration half-time (T1/2 kE0) of only 2.9 min. We used a chronically instrumented rat model to examine the unique disposition and electroencephalographic (EEG) pharmacodynamics of propofol. Although the pharmacokinetics were variable, there was low interindividual variability in the concentration-EEG effect relationship. The duration of EEG sleep was 26 (+/- 44% CV) min following 11-15 mg/kg doses of propofol. The T1/2 kE0 was 1.7 (+/- 32%) min. Apparent effect-site concentrations of 0.5-1 microg/mL were required to maintain sleep in rats. Like other general anesthetics, the concentration-EEG effect relationship of propofol is biphasic. At a propofol concentration of 0.6 (+/- 35%) microg/mL, the number of EEG waves/s was maximal at 175% of baseline awake state. Further increases in the concentration of propofol depressed EEG activity until complete suppression occurred at 7 (+/- 22%) microg/mL.
Modelling Vegetation-Atmosphere Co2 Exchange By A Coupled Eulerian-Langrangian Approach

A Eulerian-Lagrangian canopy microclimate model wasdeveloped with the aim of discerning physical frombiophysical controls of CO2 and H2O fluxes. The model couples radiation attenuation with mass,energy, and momentum exchange at different canopylevels. A unique feature of the model is its abilityto combine higher order Eulerian closure approachesthat compute velocity statistics with Lagrangianscalar dispersion approaches within the canopy volume. Explicit accounting for within-canopy CO2,H2O, and heat storage is resolved by consideringnon-steadiness in mean scalar concentration andtemperature. A seven-day experiment was conducted inAugust 1998 to investigate whether the proposedmodel can reproduce temporal evolution of scalar(CO2, H2O and heat) fluxes, sources andsinks, and concentration profiles within and above auniform 15-year old pine forest. The modelreproduced well the measured depth-averaged canopy surfacetemperature, CO2 and H2O concentrationprofiles within the canopy volume, CO2 storageflux, net radiation above the canopy, and heat andmass fluxes above the canopy, as well as the velocitystatistics near the canopy-atmosphere interface. Implications for scaling measured leaf-levelbiophysical functions to ecosystem scale are alsodiscussed.
Classical dynamics of resonantly modulated large-spin systems

We study the classical dynamics of resonantly modulated large-spin systems in a strong magnetic field, where the Zeeman energy exceeds the anisotropy energy. We show that these systems have special symmetry. It leads to characteristic nonlinear effects. They include abrupt switching between magnetization branches with varying modulating field without hysteresis and a specific pattern of switching in the presence of multistability and hysteresis. Along with steady forced vibrations, the transverse spin components can display incoherent vibrations at a combination of the Larmor frequency and a smaller frequency determined by the anisotropy constant. The analysis is based on a microscopic theory that takes into account relaxation mechanisms important for single-molecule magnets and other large-spin systems. We find how the Landau‐Lifshitz model should be modified in order to describe the classical spin dynamics. The occurrence of incoherent oscillations depends on the interrelation between the relaxation parameters.
Performance of Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager for Mapping Ice Sheet Velocity

Landsat imagery has long been used to measure glacier and ice sheet surface velocity, and this application has increased with increased length and accessibility of the archive. The radiometric characteristics of Landsat sensors, however, have limited these measurements generally to only fast-flowing glaciers with high levels of surface texture and imagery with high sun angles and cloud-free conditions, preventing wide-area velocity mapping at the scale achievable with synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the newly launched Landsat 8 features substantially improves radiometric performance compared to preceding sensors: enhancing performance of automated Repeat-Image Feature Tracking (RIFT) for mapping ice flow speed. In order to assess this improvement, we conduct a comparative study of OLI and the Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) performance for measuring glacier velocity in a range of surface and atmospheric conditions. To isolate the effects of radiometric quantization and noise level, we construct a model for simulating ETM+ imagery from OLI and compare RIFT results derived from each. We find that a nonlinearity in the relationship between ETM+ and OLI radiances at higher brightness levels results in a particularly large improvement in RIFT performance over the low-textured interior of the ice sheets, as well as improved performance in adverse conditions such as low sun-angles and thin clouds. Additionally, the reduced noise level in OLI imagery results in fewer spurious motion vectors and improved RIFT performance in all conditions and surfaces. We conclude that OLI imagery should enable large-area ice sheet and glacier mapping so that its coverage is comparable to SAR, with a remaining limitation being image geolocation.
A fast algorithm for simulation of a spatially-evolving, two-dimensional planar mixing layer

Abstract An algorithm of exceptional computational efficiency is developed for numerical simulation of spatially-evolving instability waves in an incompressible fluid. The efficiency of the algorithm is demonstrated in a simulation of forced instability waves in a two-dimensional planar mixing layer, computationally analogous to the forced-flow experiment of Miksad. The Navier-Stokes equations in vorticity-streamfunction form are solved on a rectangular domain with inflow-outflow boundary conditions. The finite difference algorithm exhibits (1) an asymptotic count of 2MNlog 2 M operations per discrete time-step on an M × N mesh, comparable in computational efficiency to pseudospectral methods used to model temporally-evolving instabilities, (2) global 2nd-order accuracy in time and space and (3) structure which is vectorizable for implementation on array processors. Execution rate on a Cray X-MP is 0.056 seconds per time-step for a computational mesh of 256 × 144 resolution. Among the recent advances in numerical techniques which contribute to this efficiency are semi-implicit temporal discretization, approximate factorization of the matrix representation of the implicit diffusion operator, and fast direct solution of Poisson's equations. Moreover, the algorithm is shown to extend naturally and efficiently to three spatial dimensions.
Direct pick, break, and placement of nanostructures and their integration with MEMS

A direct, simple, and versatile assembly method for the manipulation of one-dimensional nanostructures and their integration with MEMS has been demonstrated. Using common MEMS equipment — an optical microscope and an unbiased tungsten probe — the facile process has been employed to accurately manipulate titanium dioxide nanoswords and zinc oxide nanowires under a room-temperature, dry environment. The surface morphology of the nanostructures, probe tips, and adhesion forces were characterized. Using this process, a nanosword was integrated with a MEMS device to characterize its sensitivity to ultraviolet light. As such, the technique could enable the rapid assembly of individual nanostructures with CMOS-compatible devices.
Using utility to provision storage systems

Provisioning a storage system requires balancing the costs of the solution with the benefits that the solution will provide. Previous provisioning approaches have started with a fixed set of requirements and the goal of automatically finding minimum cost solutions to meet them. Such approaches neglect the cost-benefit analysis of the purchasing decision. Purchasing a storage system involves an extensive set of trade-offs between metrics such as purchase cost, performance, reliability, availability, power, etc. Increases in one metric have consequences for others, and failing to account for these trade-offs can lead to a poor return on the storage investment. Using a collection of storage acquisition and provisioning scenarios, we show that utility functions enable this cost-benefit structure to be conveyed to an automated provisioning tool, enabling the tool to make appropriate trade-offs between different system metrics including performance, data protection, and purchase cost.
Latino Youths' Experiences with and Perceptions of Involuntary Police Encounters

Research has consistently shown that African American youth report less favorable evaluations of the police than their white counterparts. The literature on police-citizen relations in Latino/a communities is scant and narrowly focused on Mexicana/os and Chicana/os in southern and midwestern U.S. cities. Therefore, we know little about the experiences of Latino/a populations in other parts of the country. This article uses a Latina/o critical theory (LatCrit) perspective to examine thirty Afro-Caribbean youths' experiences with and perceptions of New York City police. Study findings highlight respondents' views that aggressive policing tactics are intended to restrict and criminalize Latino/a youths' use of public space. The authors conclude with recommendations for improving police—community relations with this population.
Redundant and unique regulation of activated mouse B lymphocytes by IL‐4 and IL‐21

IL-21 distinctively regulates B cell growth and death, and it redundantly functions with IL-4 for IgG production. B cells likely encounter IL-4 and IL-21 in vivo, as both are secreted by activated T cells. Therefore, the action of both these cytokines was investigated during activation of B cells. IL-21 or the combination of IL-4 and IL-21 inhibited proliferation by purified mouse B cells to LPS or CpG DNA, whereas these cytokines enhanced proliferation after engaging the BCR or CD40. Although B cell subsets expressed somewhat varied levels of the IL-21 receptor, LPS-stimulated follicular and marginal B cell subsets were also dominantly susceptible to IL-21-induced growth arrest and cell death. After activation of B cells with CD40 and LPS, IL-4 and IL-21 distinctively regulated the expression of CD23, CD44, and CD138, and they cooperatively promoted IgG1 class-switching and synthesis. These findings support a model in which the presence of IL-4 and IL-21 inhibits B cells activated by polyclonal innate signals, and they promote B cell expansion and differentiation during T cell-dependent antibody responses, although the individual responses to IL-4 and IL-21 do not always overlap.
The utility of fine needle aspiration in the management of thyroid nodules

Nodular goitre is a common clinical problem. The last decades have seen a rise in the prevalence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), mostly because of the increasing use of diagnostic tools such as ultrasound. Frequently, newly-diagnosed DTC cases are papillary microcarcinomas (≤1 cm). We reviewed the literature of the last five years in order to evaluate the most appropriate management of thyroid nodules. This included recording the clinical and family history, clinical examination, thyroid and neck ultrasound, hormonal investigation as well as ultrasound guided fine-needle-aspiration (FNA). The therapeutic decisions are mostly based on the cytological findings obtained by FNA combined with the ultrasound findings. Various classifications have been suggested for FNA cytological diagnosis, with the Bethesda System for reporting Thyroid Cytopathology being the most widely used. This system includes six diagnostic categories, each of which includes an estimated cancer risk and recommendation for appropriate clinical management. For indeterminate lesions in FNA specimens, new management algorithms have been proposed. The decision for surgery is based on the risk for malignancy as evaluated by FNA cytological findings.
Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide, and knowledge regarding its cause and pathogenesis is expanding rapidly. Persistent infection with one of about 15 genotypes of carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) causes almost all cases. There are four major steps in cervical cancer development: infection of metaplastic epithelium at the cervical transformation zone, viral persistence, progression of persistently infected epithelium to cervical precancer, and invasion through the basement membrane of the epithelium. Infection is extremely common in young women in their first decade of sexual activity. Persistent infections and precancer are established, typically within 5-10 years, from less than 10% of new infections. Invasive cancer arises over many years, even decades, in a minority of women with precancer, with a peak or plateau in risk at about 35-55 years of age. Each genotype of HPV acts as an independent infection, with differing carcinogenic risks linked to evolutionary species. Our understanding has led to improved prevention and clinical management strategies, including improved screening tests and vaccines. The new HPV-oriented model of cervical carcinogenesis should gradually replace older morphological models based only on cytology and histology. If applied wisely, HPV-related technology can minimise the incidence of cervical cancer, and the morbidity and mortality it causes, even in low-resource settings.
Performance efficient jet noise reduction for supersonic nozzles

The variable area, round, axisymmetric, supersonic exhaust nozzle for high performance military aircraft represents a remarkable technological achievement. These variable exhaust nozzles (VEN) utilize conic contraction and expansion sections and provide a simple mechanical means to control the throat-to-exhaust area ratio as a function of throttle input while maintaining structural and thermal integrity. Despite this admirable design, the result is a jet that unavoidably includes shockwaves both inside the nozzle and in the exhaust. The sharp throat radius provides the potential for flow separation which is exacerbated by shock-boundary-layer interactions within the nozzle resulting in reduced pressure recovery on the wall which translates into reduced thrust. A novel design, patented by Dr. John M. Seiner, is shown to eliminate shocks by altering the contour of the VEN seals. This results in the elimination of shock noise in the far-field spectra. The shape of the contoured seals provides the added benef...
Correspondence Training Using Special Interests to Increase Compliance During Transitions: An Emerging Technology

During a typical school day, most pre-school and elementary students engage in multiple transitions between activities (Sterling-Turner and Jordan 2007). As students may spend an average of 25 % of their day engaged in transition, their ability to quickly move between activities is considered an important behavior for school success (Sainato et al. 1987; Schmit et al. 2000). Often, classroom transition times are unstructured, with ambiguous behavioral expectations, and may be particularly difficult for students with special needs. Such transitions may decrease opportunities for meaningful engagement and elicit or set the occasion for challenging behaviors to occur (Dettmer et al. 2000; Sainato 1990; Sterling-Turner and Jordan 2007).
Water and life: hydroelectric development and indigenous pathways to justice in the Brazilian Amazon

This paper analyzes the Kayapo's struggle against large-scale hydroelectric development in the Brazilian Amazon. Whereas environmental justice efforts that were launched in the 1980s against a similar dam project were met with success, efforts in the past several years to halt the Belo Monte dam, to date, have not stopped licensing or construction. And in spite of the rise of regional and international indigenous movements, environmental awareness, and the democratic turn in Brazil, the building continues. This paper examines the different processes the Kayapo have used to address environmental justice issues, especially their deployment of identity politics as a resistance strategy to achieve recognitional justice. As the new wave of “participation” as an environmental governance norm places most emphasis on procedural forms of justice, a focus on procedure, such as the participation offered in Environmental Impact Assessment processes, does not adequately address and sometimes masks underlying issues of...
FITC-dextran as a probe for endosome function and localization in kidney

Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled endosomes were localized in kidney epithelial cells after tissue fixation and sectioning, and specific membrane transport properties of isolated endocytic vesicles were measured using the same probe. Rats were infused intravenously with 10 kDa FITC-dextran, and kidneys were fixed with paraformaldehyde lysine periodate. FITC-labeled vesicles were visualized in semithin (1 micron) frozen sections of excised tissue by epifluorescent microscopy and by electron microscopy after a photoconversion reaction. Most FITC-labeled endosomes were apically located in epithelial cells lining the urinary tubules. By immunocytochemistry the anti-lysosomal glycoprotein LGP 120 was absent from most of the FITC-labeled vesicles, although some colocalization was noted. The limiting membrane of FITC-labeled endosomes contained a vacuolar proton pump (pHmin = 6.23 +/- 0.033) and a water channel (osmotic water permeability coefficient, Pf = 0.052 +/- 0.005 cm/s) and was highly permeable to ethylene glycol and urea but relatively impermeable to glucose. Methods allowing the attribution of specific membrane functions to vesicles that can be visualized in the apical endocytic pathway of epithelial cells should be of general use for the study of endocytic pathways in a variety of systems.
Comparison of Estimated Fetal Weights Using Volume and 2-Dimensional Sonography and Their Relationship to Neonatal Markers of Fat

Objective. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of traditional 2-dimensional sonographically estimated fetal weight (EW2D) with 3-dimensional volume-based estimated fetal weight (EW3D) and to evaluate the relationship between fetal limb volume, birth weight, and markers of neonatal adiposity. Methods. Fifty singleton pregnancies at 32 to 42 weeks' gestation underwent sonographic evaluation within 48 hours of delivery. We compared the accuracy of the EW2D and EW3D in the prediction of birth weight. The Ponderal index, sum of all skin fold measurements, estimated neonatal fat mass, and percent body fat were calculated. Paired t tests, simple regression analyses, a Χ 2 test, and the Steiger z test were used where appropriate. P <.05 was considered significant. Results. The mean birth weight ± SD was 3130 ± 589 g at 38.8 ± 2.1 weeks. The EW2D (r 2 = 0.66) and EW3D (r 2 = 0.76) estimates were both correlated with birth weight. The birth weight and neonatal fat mass were more highly correlated with the sonographically based thigh volume (r 2 = 0.67 and 0.61) than femur length (r 2 = 0.41 and 0.37). The mean percent error between EW2D and birth weight was larger (-3.3% ± 11.6%) than the mean percent error of EW3D (0.7% ± 9.2%; P =.0004). Conclusions. Sonographically based fetal limb volumes, especially the fractional thigh volume, reflect neonatal fat mass and are better correlated with birth weight.
Trichoderma Species from Douglas-Fir Stumps and Roots Infested with Phellinus Weirii in the Western Cascade Mountains of Oregon

Six species of Trichoderma were isolated from Douglas-fir stumps and roots infested with Phellinus weirii. Trichoderma viride and T. polysporum were the most common species. Trichoderma spp. were isolated more frequently from stem portions of stumps harvested 11 years earlier than from those harvested one year earlier. Colonization by these and other fungi was less extensive in roots than in stems. Although the overall frequency of isolation of Trichoderma spp. was low (70 of 5970 isolations), their greater association with wood decayed by P. weirii, as compared with undecayed wood, may have implications in the control of laminated root rot.
The in vitro effects of instrumentation on multilevel cervical strut-graft mechanics.

Study Design. Biomechanical study using a programmable testing apparatus that replicated physiologic flexion-extension cervical spine motion, and loading mechanics. Objectives. To determine the influence of anterior, posterior, or combined plating on multilevel cervical strut-graft mechanics in vitro. Summary of Background Data. The addition of instrumentation does not prevent construct failure in multilevel (more than two levels) cervical corpectomy. Methods. Six fresh human cadaveric cervical spines (C2-T1) were tested in six sequential conditions that included harvested (H), C4-6 corpectomy, strut grafted, strut grafted with an anterior cervical plate (SGAP), strut grafted with posterior plates (SGPP), and strut grafted with combined anterior and posterior plates (SGAPP). A customized force-sensing strut graft (FSSG) was used to measure axial compression-tension, flexion-extension and lateral bending moments, and axial torsion. Parameters of stiffness, segmental vertebral motion, and strut-graft loads were compared, to determine differences among the spine conditions. Results. Flexion of the strut-grafted spine loaded the FSSG, and extension motion unloaded the FSSG. With the anterior plate, flexion of the SGAP spine significantly unloaded the FSSG; extension loaded the FSSG more than flexion of the unplated spine (P=0.03). The opposite occurred with the posterior plates (SGPP), where flexion of the spine significantly loaded the FSSG (more than the strut grafted spine) and extension unloaded the FSSG (P<0.03). The combined construct (SGAPP) counteracted the tension band effect of the individual plates and demonstrated significantly less overall FSSG load change than either plate alone (P = 0.03). Conclusions. Multilevel cervical instrumentation effectively increases stiffness after corpectomy. However, anterior or posterior plating alone excessively loads the graft with small degrees of motion, which may promote pistoning and failure of multilevel constructs.
Research progress on the immunogenicity of therapeutic biomacromolecules

Therapeutic biomacromolecules have shown significant application value and brought huge benefits with the development of biotechnology,while its immunogenicity can lead to immune responses and cause toxic and adverse reactions.So how to rationally predict,reduce and determine the immunogencity of biomacromolecules is important for its widespread application.This article summarized the research progress on immunogenicity of biomacromolecules from the influences factors,improvement measures and determination methods.