cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance management for energy harvesting wireless sensor networks

A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) consists of spatially distributed sensor nodes which monitors environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, sound or pressure, etc. Recently there is increasing need to design Wireless Sensor Network systems that support applications with intensive monitoring and control activities. This application class often has significant data collection and processing requirements, requiring increased levels of energy consumption as compared to other WSN applications. Further, many deeply embedded WSN systems with these data collection and processing requirements are expected to operate without manual battery recharging for several decades, and therefore require energy harvesting techniques. For this class of systems, there are currently few effective approaches that balance careful energy management with high performance communication and computation requirements. My dissertation addresses the above problem. Specifically, I propose a set of algorithms and control methods for energy management in performance-sensitive WSN systems, and harvesting-aware rate allocation for application utility maximization. First I formally define the problem of energy harvesting-aware energy management as two optimization problems, one for individual sensor nodes and another for multi-hop sensor networks. I propose energy management algorithm to solve both problems optimally and efficiently. These solutions combine two energy saving techniques, Dynamic Voltage Scaling (DVS), and Dynamic Modulation Scaling (DMS), alongside with energy harvesting techniques. I then address a harvesting aware rate allocation problem with the objective of utility maximization. The problem is solved with an optimal centralized algorithm and a distributed algorithm. I conducted extensive simulation-based experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of my proposed algorithms. Specifically I developed simulation software using TOSSIM, the standard WSN simulator, and EPANET, a public domain, water distribution system modeling program. This software simulates in high fidelity the computation and communication activities of WSN nodes, and considers a variety of network setups, energy harvesting profiles (solar and water), and application scenarios, etc. My algorithms are implemented within this simulation environment and compared against a series of rival algorithms under various experimental setups. Extensive simulation results demonstrate the significant advantage of my algorithms over the rival algorithms.
Sacubitril-Valsartan versus Standard Anti-Hypertensives in Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients

Introduction Hypertension is a common comorbidity affecting patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). Left uncontrolled, it may lead to a decrease in LVAD support and increase the risk for stroke. The ISHLT defines hypertension in LVAD patients as a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of > 90 mmHg and recommends aggressive management utilizing standard heart failure medications. Sacubitril-valsartan (Entresto®) is an angiotension II blocker-neprilysin inhibitor with potent anti-hypertensive effects approved for the treatment of heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction. Our aim was to assess blood pressure control with sacubitril-valsartan versus standard anti-hypertensive therapy in our LVAD patients. Methods This is a single center evaluation of MAP reduction, stroke and readmission rates associated with sacubitril-valsartan versus standard anti-hypertensives in our HeartMate II (HMII) LVAD patients with a diagnosis of hypertension. Initial MAP measured by Doppler was assessed prior to initiation or intensification of therapy post LVAD implant and compared to the most recent clinic visit MAP. Patients were excluded if they did not have a recent MAP, were on intravenous inotropic therapy, were non-compliant or were implanted with an LVAD other than HMII. Results Due to exclusion criteria, only 26 patients were assessed, with 12 treated with sacubitril-valsartan. Patients treated with sacubitril-valsartan had an average MAP reduction of 20 mmHg. Those on standard anti-hypertensives had an average MAP reduction of 12 mmHg. Of the patients in the standard group, 46% had a documented stroke whereas no patients in the sacubitril-valsartan group had a stroke. Readmissions were also lower in the sacubitril-valsartan group with these patients requiring an average of three fewer hospitalizations. Adverse effects associated with sacubitril-valsartan were reported in three patients and included hypovolemia and lightheadedness leading to two discontinuations. Discussion In this single center retrospective analysis of HMII LVAD patients, sacubitril-valsartan provided a larger reduction in MAP when compared to standard anti-hypertensive therapy. Patients in the sacubitril-valsartan group were less likely to have a stroke and required fewer readmissions than those on standard therapies. Due to the non-randomized, retrospective nature of this study, confounding factors cannot be ruled out. Randomized trials are ongoing to assess the clinical benefits of its use on a larger scale.
Tart Cherry Reduces Inflammation in Adipose Tissue of Zucker Fatty Rats and Cultured 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

Obesity increases adipose tissue inflammation and secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines, which have systemic effects on the organism’s health status. Our objective was to dissect mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects of tart cherry (TC) in adipose tissue of Zucker fatty rats, and cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Rats were fed either a control diet, or 4% TC powder diets for eight weeks. Body and epididymal fat pad weights were not significantly different between control and TC groups. However, rats fed the TC diet had significantly reduced adipose tissue inflammation (p < 0.05), as determined by reduced mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory markers including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and CD-11b, and increased mRNA levels of type-1 arginase (Arg-1) anti-inflammatory marker. Consistent with these in vivo results, TC significantly decreased expression of IL-6 mRNA and protein levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated adipocytes compared to those stimulated with LPS, but no TC. Moreover, both in vivo (rat adipose tissue) and in vitro (3T3-L1 adipocytes), phosphorylation of p65-NF-κB subunit was significantly reduced by TC. Additionally, TC decreased mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN), and increased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), master regulator of lipid oxidation, and anti-oxidant markers nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor (NRFs) in both models. In conclusion, our findings indicate that TC downregulates inflammation in part via the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in adipose tissue. Thus, TC may serve as a potential intervention to reduce obesity-associated inflammation.
Efficient regression modeling for correlated and overdispersed count data

The objective of this paper is to propose an efficient estimation procedure in a marginal mean regression model for longitudinal count data and to develop a hypothesis test for detecting the presen...
Film Dumplin’ and Book Puddin’

Part of a recent foray into adapting YA literature (e.g., 13 Reasons Why, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, etc.) into Netflix Originals, 2018’s Dumplin’ brings Julie Murphy’s 2015 novel of the sa...
Assessment of relationship between extracranial and intracranial carotid calcifications-a retrospective cone beam computed tomography study

Objectives:Cone beam CT scans in current day dental practice are highly collimated yet involve areas along the course of the extracranial carotid artery. Detecting an extracranial carotid calcifica...
Cumulative Disadvantage: A Psychological Framework for Understanding How Innocence Can Lead to Confession, Wrongful Conviction, and Beyond:

False confessions are a contributing factor in almost 30% of DNA exonerations in the United States. Similar problems have been documented all over the world. We present a novel framework to highlight the processes through which innocent people, once misidentified as suspects, experience cumulative disadvantages that culminate in pernicious consequences. The cumulative-disadvantage framework details how the innocent suspect's naivete and the interrogator's presumption of guilt trigger a process that can lead to false confession, the aftereffects of which spread to corrupt evidence gathering, bias forensic analysis, and virtually ensure wrongful convictions at trial or through pressured false guilty pleas. The framework integrates nascent research underscoring the enduring effects of the accumulated disadvantages postconviction and even after exoneration. We synthesize findings from psychological science, corroborating naturalistic evidence, and relevant legal precedents to explain how an innocent suspect's disadvantages can accumulate through the actions of law enforcement, forensic examiners, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, juries, and appeals courts. We conclude with prescribed research directions that can lead to empirically driven reforms to address the gestalt of the multistage process.
Low-Rank Tensor Ring Model for Completing Missing Visual Data

Low rank tensor factorization can be viewed as a higher order generalization of low-rank matrix factorization, both of which have been used for image and video representation and reconstruction from compressive measurements. In this paper, we present an algorithm for recovering low-rank tensors from massively under-sampled or missing data. We use low-rank tensor ring (TR) factorization to model images and videos. We observed that TR factorization models are robust to random missing entries but they fail in the cases when large blocks or slices of data are missing. We developed the following two types of algorithms to fill large missing blocks: An algorithm that incrementally updates the tensor rank and implicitly enforces correlations among different modes of the tensor. A framework to incorporate information about similarities between different modes of the tensor to enforce explicit similarity constraints between the missing and known parts of the tensors. We present simulation experiments on YaleB dataset to demonstrate the performance of our methods.
Chapter 6 – Magnetoresistive heads

Publisher Summary The introduction of magnetoresistive (MR) read heads in drives led to an increase in the annual compound growth rate of areal densities in hard disk drives. Although inductive read head technology was extended to recording densities that were never thought possible, MR heads showed a clear advantage in read signal amplitude and a demonstrated extensibility to much higher densities because of the discovery of giant magnetoresistance (GMR). The future growth in recording densities will be met by advanced MR heads and GMR heads. This chapter examines the basic principle and designs of MR heads, with an emphasis on anisotropic MR heads. The widely practicedbiasing schemes to linearize the MR sensor and to eliminate Barkhausen noise are discussed. Small signal analysis of MR sensors is also given. Reciprocity principle and transmission line model are applied to MR heads. The practical engineering issues of MR heads, such as side read asymmetry, readback nonlinearity, baseline shift, thermal asperity, and electrostatic discharge sensitivity, and MR head fabrication process are also introduced.
A quantitative comparative study of medical dosimetry graduates with and without prior radiation therapy certification

All but a small number of formal medical dosimetry programs require radiation therapy certification for admission. The problem is a lingering perception from the radiation oncology community that medical dosimetry students must have a prior radiation therapy certification and/or experience. There is a paucity of evidence in the literature to support the perception that prior radiation therapy certification equates to better job performance as a medical dosimetrist. The purpose of this quantitative comparative study was to investigate outcomes of medical dosimetry graduates with and without prior radiation therapy certification (RTT and non-RTT). The researcher used archival records to examine comparison data of medical dosimetry graduates with and without radiation therapy certification including track of enrollment, admissions cumulative grade point averages (CGPA) and science grade point averages (SGPA), medical dosimetry program GPAs, radiation therapy work experience, Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) exam pass rates, program completion rates, and job placement rates. Surveys were used to collect and analyze data from clinical supervisors at affiliate internship sites and from employers of program graduates. Key findings from the quantitative study revealed that no relevant differences existed between RTT and non-RTT medical dosimetrist graduates with regard to GPA and program effectiveness data. However, for RTT and non-RTT students combined, there were significantly lower GPAs noted for individuals who did not graduate from the program or graduates that did not pass the MDCB exam on first attempt. Thematic findings from the surveys revealed non-RTT medical dosimetrist students/graduates required more initial training and supervision and differences were noticed among the non-RTT medical dosimetrist students/graduates based on their prior degree. Clinical supervisors and employers had no reservations about hiring RTT or non-RTT medical dosimetry graduates from the program.
SIMD Multi Format Floating-Point Unit on the IBM z15(TM)

The IBM z Systems(TM) is the backbone of the insurance, banking, and retail industry. Innovation in these markets is driving the demand for new and additional applications to better serve the customers. These workloads like machine learning, data analytics, AI, etc. require a rapidly increasing number of computations in smaller precision formats. With IBM z15(TM) we completely redesigned the binary and hexadecimal floating-point unit to efficiently implement SIMD operations at 5.2GHz while maintaining the industry leading reliability, availability and serviceability standard. This paper describes the new design and special techniques used to achieve these goals like reusing the existing double precision unit pipeline for lower precision parallel SIMD, new approaches to formally verify the design, and improving error detection for the 14nm technology node.
Sonication Effectively Reduces Nanoparticle Size in Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers (HBOCs) Produced Through Coprecipitation: Implications for Red Blood Cell Substitutes

Engineered hemoglobin (Hb) particles are O2 delivery vehicles that may be used as red blood cell (RBC) substitutes when blood is unavailable. One promising method produces high-purity Hb particles ...
The impacts of stream acidification on fish assemblages: Assessing three decades of recovery in Shenandoah National Park

Abstract Acid deposition, resulting from the atmospheric transport of acidifying compounds emitted during the combustion of fossil fuels, has historically resulted in stream acidification in many headwater streams in the eastern United States, including streams in Shenandoah National Park (SHEN). Though restrictions on these emissions were established by an amendment to the Clean Air Act in 1990, reductions in stream acidification have not been observed in all regions of SHEN due to variations in the geological composition of SHEN watersheds. Before the implementation of these restrictions, fish assemblages were strongly controlled by a stream’s acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), which is the ability of a watershed to buffer acid inputs. This study investigated changes in the relationship between fish assemblages and ANC within SHEN 21 years after implementation of more stringent restrictions on the emission of sulfur and nitrogen oxides in 1995. Results indicated that recovery trends in water chemistry were observed in some SHEN watersheds; however, fish species richness and total fish biomass continue to be influenced by the legacy of acid deposition in acid sensitive watersheds. Temporal trend analysis indicated little change in ANC within acid sensitive watersheds and minor decreases in stream sulfate concentrations. These findings indicate a persistent impact from previously deposited sulfur oxides and the continued influence of these compounds on fish assemblages within SHEN. Though no further loss of fish species, and in some cases, increases in species richness, suggest the early stages of recovery, many SHEN streams remain as susceptible to acidification as they were over two decades ago, highlighting the need for continued regulation of acidifying emissions and conservation efforts in headwater streams.
Engineered Management in Housing

Two titles were considered for this paper, "Engineered Management in Housing" and "Free Stalls and Cattle Health / Comfort." Being somewhat self-conscious about talking to veterinarians about health, the author chose the first title. Light (1973) defined engineered management as " ... the process of physical design of individual elements of any housing system to have them function in accord with management decisions." He further indicated that the decisions made during the design of a housing system affects how the system will function. The designer, through the ultimate design, imposes upon the operation of the unit a set of management routines which will have to be followed for the life of the unit; management has been "engineered" into the system ( or out of it). In simple terms, this paper will discuss observations as to the affect of barn design and construction on the health and well-being of animals and your ability to keep them healthy.
Nash Equilibrium Control Policy against Bus-off Attacks in CAN Networks.

A bus-off attack is a denial-of-service (DoS) attack which exploits error handling in the controller area network (CAN) to induce an honest node to disconnect itself from the CAN bus. This paper develops a stochastic transmission policy as a countermeasure for the controller-transmitter pair against the bus-off attack. We model this as a non-zero-sum linear-quadratic-Gaussian game between the controller-transmitter pair and the attacker. We derive Nash equilibria of the game for two different information structures of the attacker. We show that the attacker has a dominant attack strategy under both information structures. Under the dominant attack strategy, we show that the optimal control policy is linear in the system state. We further identify a necessary and a sufficient conditions on the transmission policy to have bounded average cost. The theoretical results are complemented by a detailed case study of a bus-off attack on a vehicular adaptive cruise control model.
Investigation of crystal structures of one-way shape memory Nitinol wire actuators for active steerable needle

Due to its outstanding properties of Nitinol, known as shape memory and superelasticity, Nitinol wires have been used as actuators in many medical devices. For the medical applications, it is critical to have a consistent strain response of Nitinol wires. This work focuses on studying the effect of parameters such as biased stress, maximum temperature, and wire diameters that influence the strain response of Nitinol wires. Specifically, Nitinol phase transformations were studied from microstructural point of view. The crystal structures of one-way shape memory Nitinol wires of various diameters under different thermomechanical loading conditions were studied using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) method. The location and intensity of characteristic peaks were determined prior and after the thermomechanical loading cycles. It was observed that Nitinol wires of diameters less than 0.19 mm exhibit unrecovered strain while heated to the range of 70oC to 80oC in a thermal cycle, whereas no unrecovered strains were found in larger wires. The observation was supported by the XRD patterns where the formation of R-phase crystal structure was showed in wire diameters less than 0.19 mm at room temperature.
Binding of myeloperoxidase to bacteria: Effect on hydroxyl radical formation and susceptibility to oxidant-mediated killing

Neutrophils form superoxide anion (O2·−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and release myeloperoxidase (MPO) during ingestion of microbial pathogens. MPO, which adheres to some bacteria, catalyzes the formation of HOCI from H2O2, thereby enhancing H2O2O2·− microbicidal activity. Hydroxyl radical (HO·), also is an important contributor to H2O2 and O2·− microbicidal activity. MPO decreases iron-catalyzed HO· production but also leads to HO· production through the reaction of O2·− and HOCl. We hypothesized that binding of MPO to bacteria could alter the magnitude and site of HO· production upon organism exposure to O−2/H2O2. Incubation of MPO with Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa resulted in stable association of MPO with the bacteria which enhanced their susceptibility to killing by O2·−H2O2. In the absence of MPO preincubation exposure of E. coli, but not P. aeruginosa to O2·−H2O2 led to iron-catalyzed HO· generation. This was associated with different amounts of redox active iron in the two types of bacteria. MPO preincubation slightly decreased HO· detected with E. coli, but markedly increased HO· formation with P. aeruginosa. This likely resulted from decreased iron-catalyzed HO· production counterbalanced by increased iron-independent HO· formation. MPO preincubation did not effect bacterial killing by a system which generated only H2O2, precluding MPO-dependent HO· formation. These data are consistent with a possible role for MPO-derived HO· in the augmentation of bacterial killing by this enzyme.
Properties of Barrier, a novel Saccharomyces cerevisiae acid protease

We have studied the specificity of Barrier, a protease secreted by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, towards its natural substrate alpha-factor, a tridecapeptide mating pheromone. Sub-fragments of alpha-factor synthesized or prepared by cyanogen bromide cleavage and a related pheromone from Saccharomyces kluveri were studied as potential substrates or competitive inhibitors. None of the tested peptides was a potent inhibitor or substrate for Barrier. Barrier shares extensive sequence similarity to the active site residues of aspartyl proteases but universal irreversible inhibitors of this class of enzymes failed to inactivate Barrier, suggesting that it is a novel fungal aspartyl protease.
The potential impact of prophylaxis against bronchiolitis due to the respiratory syncytial virus in children with congenital cardiac malformations.

Aims: To determine the number of infants in the Mersey and North West regions with congenital cardiac disease for whom palivizumab may be appropriate, and to examine the potential impact of introducing prophylaxis with palivizumab on these patients and their economic management. Methods: We identified those infants deemed to be at high risk, matching the population recently studied by the Cardiac Synagis Group, from the database of the cardiology department of the hospital. The number of patients under the care of the paediatric cardiologists admitted to Alder Hey Hospital with respiratory syncytial viral bronchiolitis over the last three seasons was identified from hospital coding records, and the database of the cardiology department. Results: There are 131 patients at high risk each year. Of these, over the last three “bronchiolitis seasons”, 39 infants have been admitted to the hospital with bronchiolitis due to the respiratory syncytial virus. This represents a hospitalisation rate of 10 per cent, as was seen in the study of the Cardiac Synagis Group. Using a monthly dose of 15 milligrams per kilogram for five doses, the cost per patient is 2,650 pounds sterling for the season. To treat the 131 patients seen at Alder Hey, therefore, would cost 346,800 pounds each year. Applying the reductions in hospitalisation identified in the study by the Cardiac Synagis Group to our population would produce an expected reduction in patients hospitalised from 13 to 7 per year, reducing the total length of stay in our hospital wards from 169 to 76 days, and in the paediatric intensive care unit from 93 to 21 days. This amounts to a potential saving of 190,800 pounds per year. Reducing transfers to more distant paediatric intensive care units for referrals refused because of lack of beds could save an additional 50,000 pounds. Discussion: We estimate the net cost of introducing palivizumab for this population to be 106,000 pounds per year. There would, of course, be additional costs involved in setting up this service, as well as additional savings and benefits. This cost is comparable with other new biologic therapies now routinely used in the United Kingdom, such as etanercept for juvenile arthritis. There are, currently, no other obvious therapies that have the potential to reduce admissions to hospital and intensive care during the winter months, when beds are at their most scarce.
Separation of Individual Noise Sources from Compound Noise Measurements in Digital Circuits

Analysis of individual noise sources in pre-nanometer circuits cannot take into account the evolving reality of multiple noise sources interacting with each other. Noise measurement made at an evaluation node will reflect the cumulative effect of all the active noise sources, while individual and relative severity of various noise sources will determine what types of remedial steps can be taken, pressing the need for development of algorithms that can analyze the contributions of different noise sources when a noise measurement is available. This paper presents a method to extract the time characteristics of individual noise sources from the measured voltage in order to study the contribution of each source separately, by applying the technique of blind source separation, which is based on the assumption that the different sources of noise are statistically independent over time. The estimated noise sources can aid in timing and spectral analysis and yield better design techniques.
PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE, SYMPTOMS AND CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients are at an increased risk of disease in other vascular territories. The relationship between PAD and carotid artery disease is unknown. A prospective database was used of over 3.5 million U.S. adults from 2003-2008 who completed a medical and lifestyle
Digestion and absorption in a man with all but three feet of the small intestine removed surgically.

Metabolic studies were conducted on a case of regional ileitis possessing only three feet of small intestine. Balance experiments on carbohydrate, protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus were carried out. Caloric utilization was calculated from the data obtained.
The Caenorhabiditis elegans model as a reliable tool in neurotoxicology.

Caenorhabiditis elegans (C. elegans) offers an attractive experimental platform as it has a short life cycle, is inexpensive to maintain and most importantly has high degree of evolutionary conserv...
Surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus in the premature infant with respiratory distress.

Abstract During the period from February, 1971 to February, 1973, 30 premature infants underwent surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus. The gestational ages ranged from 25 to 36 wk (mean 30), and the birth weights ranged from 760 to 2010 g (mean 1274). The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the indications for assisted ventilation. Group I consisted of 21 patients with severe hyaline membrane disease who required assisted ventilation during the first 2 days of life and could not be weaned off the respirator by 10 days of age. Group II was composed of nine infants who required intermittent positive-pressure breathing after a mean age of 8 days because of repeated apneic spells secondary to uncontrollable heart failure. All infants in Group II survived the operation and left the hospital well. Fourteen of the 21 patients in Group I survived; the seven deaths were all due to underlying severe pulmonary disease (bronchopulmonary dysplasia). The value of PDA ligation in premature infants with uncontrollable heart failure is demonstrated in this study; this procedure also appears to be beneficial in neonates with severe respiratory distress syndrome.
Management of rectal cancer.

The management of rectal cancer is multidisciplinary, involving surgeons working with medical and radiation oncologists.Surgical options include radical resection with or without restoration of bowel continuity and a variety of local procedures.Adjuvant therapy may decrease the incidence of local recurrence in some cases.Laparoscopic resection has introduced a new approach to major resection that can be done following oncologic principles with encouraging early results with regard to survival.The choice of operation depends on the experience of the surgeon and on the individual characteristics and preferences of the patient.
Political Strategy and Cross-Cultural Variation in Games

The author hypothesizes that games of strategy will be more prevalent in societies where political power is based on a "network strategy." In such societies, political leaders manipulate social relations and symbols to aggrandize themselves. The author hypothesizes that such activities will promote the importance of obedience, and will foster the emergence and perpetuation of games of strategy. The author tests this hypothesis using data from a random sample of 26 societies, and finds strong support.
NASA's TReK project: a case study in using the spiral model of software development

Software development projects face numerous challenges that threaten their successful completion. Whether it is not enough money, too little time, or a case of "requirements creep" that turns into a full sprint, projects must meet these challenges or face possible disastrous consequences. The funds needed to purchase supporting software tools or computing hardware may not be available, or they may be available for so short a period that informed purchase decisions become infeasible. Personnel resources are often limited, and it is difficult to adjust to personnel fluctuations during the project. The composition of the team personnel also offers potential challenges. A new software development team may begin with some members unfamiliar with the software development environment and project tools, and their learning curve can affect early productivity.
Aseptic osteomyelitis and necrosis of the mandibular condylar head after intracapsular fracture

Aseptic osteomyelitis and necrosis of the mandibular condylar head is a rare complication which may occur several months after an untreated intracapsular fracture. Clinical symptoms are pain in the temporomandibular joint on the affected side and limitation of opening of the mouth. Radiographically, the condylar head is characteristically eroded and irregular. Treatment consists of surgical removal of the necrotic condylar head and debridement of the area, which are performed via a preauricular approach.
Interactions of Liposomal Opa Proteins with Human Cell Surface Ceacam Receptors

Opacity-associated (Opa) proteins are β-barrel membrane proteins found on the surfaces of pathogenic Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis. These membrane proteins interact with specific human carcinoembryonic antigen-like cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM) receptors in order to induce bacterial phagocytosis into human host cells. Importantly, bacterial phagocytosis can even be induced in typically non-phagocytic cells, such as HeLa cells transfected to express CEACAM receptors. Opa variants interact with one or more members of the CEACAM family: CEACAM1, CEACAM3, CEACAM5, and CEACAM6, which are expressed on different tissue types and coordinate different signaling events during the phagocytic process. Using fluorescence microscopy, we aim to determine whether Opa proteins folded in liposomes can bind with CEACAM receptors on the surface of transfected HeLa cells as well as determine the fate of liposomes upon CEACAM-dependent cell surface interactions. The use of liposomes as membrane mimics enables us to study cellular Opa-CEACAM binding by bridging traditional biochemical and biophysical methods performed in liposomes or detergent micelles. The results indicate that Opa-proteoliposomes bind to CEACAM1 receptors on the surface of transfected HeLa cells. In addition, preliminary data suggest that Opa-proteoliposomes are engulfed into CEACAM1-transfected HeLa cells. These experiments support the hypothesis that liposomes can stabilize folded Opa proteins and retain cellular CEACAM binding.
On the analytic continuation of the Poisson kernel

We give a “heat equation” proof of a theorem which says that for all e sufficiently small, the map \({S_{\epsilon} \colon f \mapsto \exp(- \epsilon \sqrt{\Delta})f}\) extends to an isomorphism from Hs(X) to \({\mathcal{O}^{s + (n-1)/4}(\partial M_{\epsilon})}\). This result was announced by Boutet de Monvel (C R Acad Sci Paris Ser A-B 287(13):A855–A856, 1978) but only recently has a proof, due to Zelditch (Spectral geometry, volume 84 of proceedings of the symposium in pure mathematics, pp 299–339. American Mathematical Society, Providence, RI, 2012), appeared in the literature. The main tools in our proof are the subordination formula relating the Poisson kernel to the heat kernel, and an expression for the singularity of the Poisson kernel in the complex domain in terms of the Laplace transform variable \({s =d^{2}(z, y) + \epsilon^{2}}\) where d2 is the analytic continuation of the distance function squared on \({X,\,z \in M_{\epsilon}}\), and \({y \in X}\).
Development of rain attenuation synthesizers for earth-space and terrestrial links in tropical climates

Radio propagation at frequencies above 10 GHz suffers severe impairments in tropical regions, especially due to rain attenuation. To design and optimize Fade Mitigation Techniques, the use of attenuation time series is required. Time series synthesizers already developed and in study, for terrestrial and satellite links, are presented and tested in this paper.
Spectral-domain interferometry for quantitative DIC microscopy

A spectral-domain differential interference contrast (SD-DIC) microscopy system is presented for quantitative imaging of both reflective and transparent samples. The spectral-domain interferometry, combined with the common-path DIC geometry, provides a shot noise-limited sensitivity of 14.3pm in optical pathlength gradient measurement. The optical resolution of the system was characterized using images of a USAF resolution target. Fused silica microspheres were imaged to demonstrate the reconstruction of two-dimensional optical pathlength topography from measured gradient fields. The exquisite sensitivity of the system showed potential in quantitative imaging of sub-diffraction limit objects such as gold nanoparticles.
Special cutaneous receptor organs of fish. IV. Ampullary organs of the nonelectric catfish, Kryptopterus.

Ampullary organs of the transparent catfish, Kryptopterus bicirrhus, are present in large numbers on the head and in a regular pattern of lines on the body and fins. The organs lie in the epidermis, and have a pore that opens to the surface. Flattened cells form a roof and walls. On the floor of the organ there are a “sensory hillock,” composed of spherical receptor cells and columnar supporting cells, and a “secretory hillock” composed of columnar secretory cells. The receptor cells are nonciliated and have only afferent innervation. The organ cavity is filled with jelly. The organs are compared with ampullary organs of the weakly electric fish Eigenmannia, ampullae of Lorenzini of Raja, and small pit organs of Amiurus. Structural characteristics of the ampullary organs of Kryptopterus make them especially suitable for electrophysiological studies.
Polarization-induced reduction in scintillation of optical beams propagating in simulated turbulent atmospheric channels

It is experimentally demonstrated that the class of partially coherent, partially polarized optical beams can be efficiently used for reduction in scintillations on propagation through turbulent air. The experiment involving the electromagnetic beam generation and its interaction with turbulent air simulator is discussed in details. The collected data is in solid agreement with the recently published theoretical predictions.
Effect of dose on lead retention and distribution in suckling and adult female mice.

Abstract Single doses of lead (trace to 445 mg/kg) were administered per os to suckling and adult mice. Both groups exhibited dose-independent lead retention when doses of 4 to 445 mg/kg were administered. However, developmental differences in the fraction of initial dose (FID) retained were evident for all doses administered. A much larger FID was retained in both age groups following administration of carrier-free 203 Pb. The results are consistent with a mechanism of gastrointestinal lead absorption comprising two or more proceeses. Developmental differences were also observed in organ lead concentration relative to whole body concentration for kidneys, skull, and brain 6 days following lead administration. Lead retentions (relative to whole body retention) in brain and in bone were linearly related to dose of lead administered in both suckling and adult age groups. Though uptake of lead into brain and into femur was observed to be directly related to dose over a wide range, relative blood lead concentrations were not linearly correlated with dose administered. The relationships between lead concentrations of blood and organ(s) were also shown to be nonlinear relative to dose. However, blood lead concentration was found to be a reliable indicator of kidney and liver lead concentrations following an acute lead exposure.
Boundary and inertia effects on conjugate mixed convection-conduction heat transfer from a vertical cylindrical fin embedded in a porous medium

Conjugate mixed convection-conduction heat transfer from a vertical, cylindrical fin embedded in a saturated, high-porosity, porous medium is analyzed. The effects of both boundary and inertia forces were taken into account. The numerical solutions of the problem are obtained by a local nonsimilarity method. Results were obtained for the surface curvature parameter λ = 1, 2, and 4 and other parameters in the range of 0 ≤ Ncc ≤ 2.0 and 0 ≤ Ω ≤ 2.0. The heat transfer coefficients are found to follow trends similar to those of the classical fluids. Both boundary and inertia effects decrease the heat transfer rate and become more significant for mixed convection flow, especially downstream and at large values of N Ncc The total heat transfer rates are higher for lower values of λ, that is, for larger fin radius r No
RNA Elements Directing Translation of the Duck Hepatitis B Virus Polymerase via Ribosomal Shunting

The duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) reverse transcriptase (P) is translated from the downstream position on a bicistronic mRNA, called the pregenomic RNA, through a poorly characterized ribosomal shunt. Here, the positions of the discontinuous ribosomal transfer during shunting were mapped, and RNA elements important for shunting were identified as a prelude to dissecting the shunting mechanism. Mutations were introduced into the DHBV genome, genomic expression vectors were transfected into cells which support reverse transcription, and P translation efficiency was defined as the ratio of P/mRNA. Five observations were made. First, ribosomes departed from sequences that comprise the RNA stem-loop called e that is key to viral replication, but the known elements of e were not needed for shunting. Second, at least two landing sites for ribosomes were found on the mRNA. Third, all sequences upstream of e, most sequences between the cap and the P AUG, and sequences within the P-coding region were dispensable for shunting. Fourth, elements on the mRNA involved in reverse transcription or predicted to be involved in shunting on the basis of mechanisms documented in other viruses, including short open reading frames near the departure site, were not essential for shunting. Finally, two RNA elements in the 5′ portion of the mRNA were found to assist shunting. These observations are most consistent with shunting being directed by signals that act through an uncharacterized RNA secondary structure. Together, these data indicate that DHBV employs either a novel shunting mechanism or a major variation on one of the characterized mechanisms.
Application of satellite communication to hydrographic data processing

Abstract The Hydrographic Department and the Information Systems Department at the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) successfully transmitted coastal area sounding and position data collected by USNS John McDonnell, a recently built survey vessel, from the Gulf of Mexico to NAVOCEANO at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi. Two external modems were used to modulate and demodulate the data that were received from a MICROVAX 3400 aboard USNS McDonnell and sent to the Intergraph Interactive Workstation at NAVOCEANO via the MARISTAT communication satellite. The Kermit file transfer protocol was used to bridge the different operating environments between input/output (I/O) devices and central processors. Office processors were able to evaluate the data prior to the departure of the survey platform from the area. From this data, smooth sheets‐were produced. Equipment upgrades and more efficient use of satellite availability within the entire INMARSAT system should allow near‐real‐time editing and validation o...
Electronic paper — can it be real?

Some people have used the phrase ‘electronic paper’ to suggest that electronic information displays may replace the printed page. Progress towards the ideal of electronic paper is reviewed along several dimensions: the technologies, such as the display surface, the appearance, such as the page layout, and the function, such as the styles of interaction, that are currently available and may become possible in the future.
Human Genome-Wide Association and Mouse Knockout Approaches Identify Platelet Supervillin as an Inhibitor of Thrombus Formation under Shear Stress

Background—High shear force critically regulates platelet adhesion and thrombus formation during ischemic vascular events. To identify genetic factors that influence platelet thrombus formation und...
Seismicity in the twenty years preceding the Loma Prieta California Earthquake

Persistent seismicity occurred at a low rate during at least the twenty years before the Loma Prieta earthquake along the 60 km-long rupture zone. The depth distribution of this seismicity forms a broad “U”-shape that delineates the previously locked rupture zone. Relocations of seismicity during the ten years before the earthquake relative to the Loma Prieta aftershocks show that this “U”-shaped distribution can be partitioned lengthwise into activity on two adjacent subparallel structures: a vertical fault beneath the San Andreas fault trace and an eastward-dipping blind fault beneath the Sargent fault trace. The 11–18 km deep, southwest-dipping part of the Loma Prieta rupture was not active during at least the preceding ten years. The slip geometry of intersecting fault structures in this zone could contribute to both the preparation process and the complexity of the rupture.
Redescending estimators for data reconciliation and parameter estimation

Abstract Gross error detection is crucial for data reconciliation and parameter estimation, as gross errors can severely bias the estimates and the reconciled data. Robust estimators significantly reduce the effect of gross errors (or outliers) and yield less biased estimates. An important class of robust estimators are maximum likelihood estimators or M-estimators. These are commonly of two types, Huber estimators and Hampel estimators. The former significantly reduces the effect of large outliers whereas the latter nullifies their effect. In particular, these two estimators can be evaluated through the use of an influence function, which quantifies the effect of an observation on the estimated statistic. Here, the influence function must be bounded and finite for an estimator to be robust. For the Hampel estimators the influence function becomes zero for large outliers, nullifying their effect. On the other hand, Huber estimators do not reject large outliers; their influence function is simply bounded. As a result, we consider the three part redescending estimator of Hampel and compare its performance with a Huber estimator, the Fair function. A major advantage to redescending estimators is that it is easy to identify outliers without having to perform any exploratory data analysis on the residuals of regression. Instead, the outliers are simply the rejected observations. In this study, the redescending estimators are also tuned to the particular observed system data through an iterative procedure based on the Akaike information criterion, (AIC). This approach is not easily afforded by the Huber estimators and this can have a significant impact on the estimation. The resulting approach is incorporated within an efficient non-linear programming algorithm. Finally, all of these features are demonstrated on a number of process and literature examples for data reconciliation.
The Poincaré series of every finitely generated module over a codimension four almost complete intersection is a rational function

Let (R, M, k) be a regular local ring in which two is a unit and let A = R/J, where J is a five generated grade four perfect ideal in R. We prove that the Poincare series PMA(z) = Σ∞i=0 dimk TorAi(M, k)zi is a rational function for all finitely generated A-modules M. We also prove that the Eisenbud conjecture holds for A, that is, if M is an A-module whose Betti numbers are bounded, then the minimal resolution of M by free A-modules is eventually periodic of period at most two.
A new postirradiation mechanical behavior test-the miniaturized disk bend test

A Miniaturized Disk Bend Test (MDBT) capable of extracting postirradiation mechanical behavior information from disk-shaped specimens no larger than those used for transmission electron microscopy ...
An open-shell INDO study of models for the stabilized O − ion in γ-irradiated alkaline ices

Structural models for stabilized O− in γ-irradiated alkaline ices are evaluated. INDO calculations on hydrated O− indicate octahedral coordination and hydrogen bond orientations for the water molecules are preferred. INDO results for hydrated OH− are compared with crystallographic data for NaOH hydrates: a scaling factor for calculated hydrogen bond lengths is developed and applied to hydrogen bonded O− models. The hydrated O− model is closely similar to the hydrated anions in KF · 4H2O, NaOH · 4H2O, and NaOH · 7H2O. A second model is developed, involving H3O+ along with H2O, in the O− stabilization shell. Both models are discussed in terms of alkaline ice radiation chemistry.