cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Making Sense of Deformed Rocks

The Techniques of Modern Structural Geology Vol. 3: Applications of Continuum Mechanics in Structural Geology. John G. Ramsay and Richard J. Lisle. Academic Press, San Diego, 2000. 372 pp. Paper, $65, £43.95. ISBN 0-12-576923-7. In this long-awaited concluding volume of what has become a classic text, the authors describe mathematical methods for interpreting geometric aspects of naturally deformed rocks.
Fractal analysis of cytoskeleton rearrangement in cardiac muscle during head-down tilt

Thomason, Donald B., Otis Anderson III, and Vandana Menon. Fractal analysis of cytoskeleton rearrangement in cardiac muscle during head-down tilt. J. Appl. Physiol. 81(4): 1522–1527, 1996.—Head-down tilt by tail suspension of the rat produces a volume, but not pressure, load on the heart. One response of the heart is cytoskeleton rearrangement, a phenomenon commonly referred to as disruption. In these experiments, we used fractal analysis as a means to measure complexity of the microtubule structures at 8 and 18 h after imposition of head-down tilt. Microtubules in whole tissue cardiac myocytes were stained with fluorescein colchicine and were visualized by confocal microscopy. The fractal dimensions ( D ) of the structures were calculated by the dilation method, which involves successively dilating the outline perimeter of the microtubule structures and measuring the area enclosed. The head-down tilt resulted in a progressive decrease in D (decreased complexity) when measured at small dilations of the perimeter, but the maximum D (maximum complexity) of the microtubule structures did not change with treatment. Analysis of the fold change in complexity as a function of the dilation indicates an almost twofold decrease in microtubule complexity at small kernel dilations. This decrease in complexity is associated with a more Gaussian distribution of microtubule diameters, indicating a less structured microtubule cytoskeleton. We interpret these data as a microtubule rearrangement, rather than erosion, because total tubulin fluorescence was not different between groups. This conclusion is supported by F-actin fluorescence data indicating a dispersed structure without loss of actin.
Urban influences on the amount and structure of agriculture in the North-Eastern United States

Abstract I examine the oft-stated belief that urbanization causes a decline in agricultural activity. Quantitative and structural changes in the agricultural sector between 1969 and 1982 were analyzed for 190 counties in the densely-populated north-eastern region of the United States. Population density, population growth, the farmer/non-farmer ratio in the rural population and the rate of increase in farmland prices were at most weakly correlated with changes in the number of farms, land in farms or total sales of agricultural products. Nor were they related to the changes in the proportion of farmland in crops or sales of agricultural products ha-1 of farmland. However, these demographic conditions were strongly associated with differences in types of farm, especially part-time vs. full-time and intensive crop farming vs. extensive livestock production. Some of these qualitative adjustments may counteract the most apparent and direct disadvantages of farming in the metropolitan environment.
Project Blacklight: a next generation library catalog at a first generation university

Purpose – This paper sets out to provide an overview of the open source online public access catalog (OPAC) software known as Blacklight. It includes a discussion of the reasons why the University of Virginia decided to create the Blacklight project, rationale behind design decisions, an overview of the technologies used, and some examples of interface designs and object behaviors.Design/methodology/approach – Design approaches discussed include open source methodologies, model/view/controller development patterns, and strategies for efficient staff training and utilization.Findings – The Blacklight project is not yet complete, but initial usability testing is favorable. The project shows particular promise among previously underserved populations such as music researchers, and for previously under‐used collections.Practical implications – Libraries who are considering de‐coupling their OPAC from their Integrated Library System will find useful information about this process as undertaken by the Universit...
Ambulatory ECG-based T-wave alternans predicts sudden cardiac death in high-risk post-MI patients with left ventricular dysfunction in the EPHESUS study.

Background: Exercise microvolt T-wave alternans (TWA) identifies sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk. TWA can be measured from ambulatory ECGs (AECGs) using modified moving average (MMA) method. Whether MMA TWA from AECGs predicts SCD in post-MI patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) is unknown. Methods: EPHESUS enrolled hospitalized post-MI patients with heart failure and/or diabetes with LVD. Before randomization to drug treatment, AECGs were obtained in 493 patients. Of them, 46 died of cardiovascular causes, including 18 of SCD. Patients alive at end of follow-up (N = 92) were matched with 46 nonsurvivors based on age, gender, and diabetes. MMA TWA was analyzed using MARSPC system (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA). The three highest TWA values from artifact-free periods were averaged for AECG channels corresponding to leads V1 and V3. SCD prediction was tested with a prespecified 47 μV cutpoint and at a cutpoint maximizing the separation between SCD patients versus survivors or non-SCD. Results: TWA in either lead was higher for patients with SCD (P ≤ 0.05) versus survivors or non-SCD. TWA ≥ 47 μV was associated with RR = 5.2 (95%CI = 1.8–13.6, P = 0.002) in V1 and RR = 5.5 (95% CI = 2.2–13.8, P < 0.001) in V3 for SCD. The optimal cutpoint for TWA in V1 was ≥43 μV (RR = 5.9 [95%CI = 2.2–15.8, P < 0.001]). The optimal cutpoint in V3 was ≥47 μV. TWA greater than the optimal cutpoint in either lead was associated with RR = 7.1 (95%CI = 2.7–18.3, P < 0.001) for SCD, with 11 out of 18 patients dying of SCD. Conclusions: AECG-based TWA measured with MMA is a powerful predictor of SCD in high-risk post-MI patients with LV dysfunction.
Unsteady vortex-dominated flows around maneuvering wings over a wide range of Mach numbers

The problem of unsteady flow around maneuvering wings is solved using the unsteady Euler equations. The unsteady conservative Euler equations are derived for the flow relative motion with respect to a moving (translating and rotating) frame of reference. The resulting equations can handle the most general case for unsteady three-dimensional flow around maneuvering wings or wing-body configurations undergoing six degrees of freedom motion; three translations and three rotations. The equations are solved using two computational schemes; an explicit multistage finite-volume scheme and an implicit approximately factored finite-volume scheme. The computational applications cover two cases. The first case is for a locally conical supersonic flow of rolling oscillation of a sharp-edged delta wing at zero angle of attack. The second case is for a pitching oscillation around a mean angle of attack of a NACA 0012 airfoil in transonic flow.
Report on the business of acquisitions regional institute

Compte-rendu de la conference de l'institut regional pour l'economie des acquisitions, qui s'est tenue les 6 et 7 avril 1987 au Texas. L'edition des periodiques, l'automatisation de leur gestion et les programmes d'acquisition des bibliotheques ont ete successivement abordes
Microheterogeneity of Telomeric DNA Guanine Residues: pH Dependent Spectroscopic Studies of Fluorescently Labeled Model Trinucleotides

Guanine-rich telomeric DNA (TTAGGG)4 (hT4) folds through Hoogsteen base pairing to form G-quadruplex structures, which inhibit the activity of telomerase, a key enzyme in tumorigenesis. Using a fluorescent guanine analog, 6-methylisoxanthopterin (6MI), we previously observed varying fluorescence intensity and emission wavelength shifts when incorporated into selective quadruplex sequence guanine positions, either in the folded or unfolded conformations. Our data suggest that quadruplexed guanine residues may play differing roles in maintaining global conformational stability through varying base-base, hydrogen bonding and/or solvent interactions. Previously long-wavelength emission spectral shifts of 6MI (Hawkins et al., Analytical Biochemistry (1997) 244, 86) were proposed to arise from possible deprotonation of 6MI at position N3, a key residue involved in Hoogsteen base-pairing. Here the effect of pH on the fluorescence properties of 6-MI (F) has been studied, when incorporated into model trinucleotides of hT4 with varying flanking bases: -AFG-; -GFG-; -GFT-; and -GGF-. All 6MI trinucleotides showed intensity quenching over 6MI, with a greater effect for purine neighbors (GFG>GGF>GFT>AFG) as noted previously (Poulin et al., Biochemistry (2009) 48, 8861). Increasing pH resulted in fluorescence intensity quenching for the parent 6-MI and a red wavelength fluorescence shift (excited-state pKa ∼8.3). Interestingly fluorescence lifetime values appeared invariant over the corresponding pH range (τav ∼ 6.2ns at pH 5 and ∼6.8ns at pH 11). Absorption spectral pH titrations revealed a ground-state pKa for 6MI of ∼9.8. Model 6MI labeled trinucleotides also revealed long-wavelength emission shifts, but associated with a dequenching of fluorescence signals. Increased excited-state pKa values corresponded closer to ground state values for the fluorescent trinucleotides. Effects of microheterogeneity on possible deactivating pathways for 6MI labeled trinucleotides, including possible electron transfer, deprotonation, and quenching mechanisms will be discussed. (1Supported by NIH 5SC3 GM095437).
Kernel density estimation for linear processes

Abstract Let X1,…,Xn be n consecutive observations of a linear process X 1 =μ+ ∑ r=0 ∞ A r Z t−r , where μ is a constant and {Zt} is an innovation process consisting of independent and identically distributed random variables with mean zero and finite variance. Assume that X1 has a probability density ƒ. Uniform strong consistency of kernel density estimators of ƒ is established, and their rates of convergence are obtained. The estimators can achieve the rate of convergence (n −1 log n) 1 3 in L∞ norm restricted to compacts under weak conditions.
Iron-oxide nanoparticles as a contrast agent in thermoacoustic tomography

We investigate the feasibility of using iron oxide nanoparticles as a contrast agent for radiofrequency (RF) induced thermoacoustic tomography. Aqueous colloids of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles have been synthesized and characterized. The synthesis method yielded citrate-stabilized, spherical particles with a diameter of approximately 10 nm. The complex permittivity of the colloids was measured with a coaxial probe and vector network analyzer, and the microwave absorption properties were calculated by using a relationship between the complex permittivity and absorption coefficients. Using our pulsed thermoacoustic imaging system at 3 GHz, the time-resolved thermoacoustic responses of those colloids were measured and compared to that of deionized water. Finally, two-dimensional thermoacoustic images were acquired from iron oxide colloids in a tissue phantom. The iron oxide colloids produced an enhancement in RF absorption of up to three times that of deionized water at 3 GHz. The enhancement increased rapidly with decreasing frequency of the RF excitation source. A corresponding increase in time-resolved thermoacoustic signal of more than two times was demonstrated. Our results indicate that iron oxide nanoparticles have the potential to produce enhanced thermoacoustic signals and to provide molecular imaging with functionalized contrast agents for thermoacoustic tomography.
The consolidation of commingled thermoplastic fabrics

Commingled fabrics composed of yarns containing both the reinforcement and the matrix in fiber form are an innovative preform for thermoplastic composite materials. The material is consolidated into a rigid structure by the application of heat and pressure. A mathematical model of the consolidation process for commingled fabrics has been developed. The model predicts the variation of laminate thickness, fiber volume fraction, and void content during the consolidation process as well as the time required to reach full consolidation. Materials composed of initially separate, commingled or cowoven fiber bundles are considered. The influence of fiber velocity induced by compaction on the flow of matrix is accounted for. An equivalence factor has been derived so that a one-dimensional flow analysis may be used to model the impregnation of elliptical bundles of varying aspect ratio. This permits an analytic solution to the governing equation for fiber bundle impregnation. The model was utilized to examine the influence of various material and processing parameters on consolidation behavior.
Primary salivary gland-type lung cancer: spectrum of clinical presentation, histopathologic and prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND. Primary salivary-type lung cancers are rare tumors that include adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). The clinicopathologic profiles, symptoms on presentation, and long-term outcomes of patients with ACC and MEC as an overall group have not been defined recently. METHODS. In this study, the authors analyzed clinical outcome data from 62 patients who presented with a diagnosis of primary salivary-type lung cancer at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn) from 1972 to 2002. RESULTS. The median age at diagnosis for patients with MEC was 40 years (range, 6–78 years); and, for patients ACC, the median age at diagnosis was 54 years (range, 21–76 years). ACC was observed more frequently among women and girls. The main presenting symptom for both tumors was cough (70%), followed by dyspnea (51.7%), wheezing (38.3%), obstructive pneumonia (30%), hemoptysis (28.3%), and fever (16.7%). Tissues were available for review from all patients. Among the ACC tumors, 29 (74.4%) were cribriform, 7 (17.9%) were tubular, and 3 (7.7%) were the solid type. Most MEC tumors (65%) were intermediate grade (grade 2), and 30% were low grade (grade 1). Most salivary-type lung cancers presented in the trachea, in the carina, or in a main stem bronchus (70.7%). This location was observed more often (82.5%) for ACC tumors compared with MEC tumors (44.4%). Involvement of the lymph nodes was observed in 20% of patients and was more common among the patients with ACC (30.8%). Distant metastases were observed in 30.4% of the patients (15 patients in the ACC group [40.5%] compared with only 2 patients in the MEC group [10.5%]; P = .03). For patients who underwent complete surgical resection, the 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 82%, 70%, and 63%, respectively. The survival rates for surgical MEC patients were 94% at 3 years and 87% at both 5 years and 10 years. For surgical ACC patients, the survival rates were 73%, 57%, and 45% at 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The survival rate for patients with ACC who did not undergo surgery was 74% at 3 years, 53% at 5 years, and 31% at 10 years. The difference in survival between surgical and nonsurgical patients was statistically significant (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS. Patients with MEC and ACC frequently have a good long-term prognosis but do not always have indolent diseases. Local recurrence is likely if complete surgical resection is not achieved. ACC has a higher likelihood than MEC to metastasize. Overall, patients with MEC survive better than patients with ACC. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Considerations on Collective Ion Acceleration as an Intense Ion Injector

A virtual cathode collective acceleration configuration is examined for use as a pulsed, intense ion injector. Numerical calculations of the coll ective acceleration have shown peak ion energies of several times that of the electron beam energy. This is consistent with a variety of experiments. The late time behavior is to accelerate ions to lower energies but at a higher current. This is characteristic of a reflex ion triode, which produces an ion beam largely charge but not current neutralized. Dynamic neutralization must be achieved if accelerator applications, requiring transport and focusing, are to be realized. Representative applications have been simulated and are discussed.
IDENTIFICATION OF CARBONYL AND SULFUR COMPOUNDS FROM NONENZYMATIC BROWNING REACTIONS OF GLUCOSE AND SULFUR‐CONTAINING AMINO ACIDS

SUMMARY– Odor evaluations, chemical analyses and the effect of pH on the nonenzymatic browning reaction products between equimolar concentrations of glucose and each of the sulfurcontaining amino acids, methionine, cysteine and cystine, were conducted. None of the 3 mixtures emitted an odor associated with meat. The cystine-glucose mixture produced no significant aroma, the cysteine-glucose mixture an odor resembling over-boiled egg and the methionine-glucose mixture an objectionable odor associated with boiled potato, the most interesting of the 3 mixtures. The characteristic odor of the last-named mixture was attributed to mercaptans. Only the methionine-glucose mixture was affected by an increase in pH.
Cell migration in cultured cerebral cortical slices.

Abstract In order to investigate the cellular mechanisms of migration and lamination in the mammalian cerebral cortex, we have cultured living slices of the developing telencephalon and tracked the migration of newly generated cortical neutons. Slice cultures made from neonatal ferret cortex were maintained in roller tubes and survived well for several weeks in vitro . Cells generated on Postnatal Day (P) 0 or 1 were labeled with the thymidine analog 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU), and their movements were tracked during the subsequent culture period. At the beginning of the culture period, labeled cells were found almost exclusively in the proliferative zones of the cerebral wall, the ventricular and subventricular zones. Over the first week in culture, there was a dramatic movement of labeled cells out of the proliferative zones and into the cortical plate, the final destination of neocortical neurons. Comparison of the patterns of cell movement in cultured slices with that in intact litter-mate controls revealed that the initial migration of labeled cells into the cortical plate is similar in cultured slices and normal animals. The primary difference between migration in slice cultures and in vivo is that after longer times in culture, cells that migrate into the cortical plate fail to form the tightly clustered laminae characteristic of cells in the intact brain. Labeled cells are instead distributed more widely throughout the cortical plate and other regions of the cerebral wall. Thus, at least during the initial period of migration, cultured slices provide an experimentally manipulable system in which cell migration can be directly observed in a histotypically normal environment.
Transitioning to future air traffic management: effects of imperfect automation on controller attention and performance.

Objective: This study examined whether benefits of conflict probe automation would occur in a future air traffic scenario in which air traffic service providers (ATSPs) are not directly responsible for freely maneuvering aircraft but are controlling other nonequipped aircraft (mixed-equipage environment). The objective was to examine how the type of automation imperfection (miss vs. false alarm) affects ATSP performance and attention allocation. Background: Research has shown that the type of automation imperfection leads to differential human performance costs. Method: Participating in four 30-min scenarios were 12 full-performance-level ATSPs. Dependent variables included conflict detection and resolution performance, eye movements, and subjective ratings of trust and self confidence. Results: ATSPs detected conflicts faster and more accurately with reliable automation, as compared with manual performance. When the conflict probe automation was unreliable, conflict detection performance declined with both miss (25% conflicts detected) and false alarm automation (50% conflicts detected). Conclusion: When the primary task of conflict detection was automated, even highly reliable yet imperfect automation (miss or false alarm) resulted in serious negative effects on operator performance. Application: The further in advance that conflict probe automation predicts a conflict, the greater the uncertainty of prediction; thus, designers should provide users with feedback on the state of the automation or other tools that allow for inspection and analysis of the data underlying the conflict probe algorithm.
Energy-Band Structure and Electronic Properties of SnTe

The energy-band structure of SnTe is calculated using the augmented-plane-wave method, taking into account the relativistic corrections. The resulting wave functions at $L$ are used to calculate momentum matrix elements. These matrix elements are then used in a k\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}p perturbation calculation in the presence of a magnetic field to obtain band parameters at point $L$ in the Brillouin zone. Nonparabolic expansions for the conduction and valence bands at $L$ are obtained using Cohen's model. The effect of strain on the energy levels at $L$ is calculated using the deformation-potential theory. The results indicate a complicated shape for the valence band at $L$, with two maxima at each side of $L$ on the face of the Brillouin zone. A record set of apparent maxima is found in the $\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ direction at $\mathbf{k}=(\frac{\ensuremath{\pi}}{a})(\frac{4}{5},\frac{4}{5},0)$. This is consistent with the "two-valence-band" model suggested to explain the experimental results. We are investigating the possibility that these extrema may be saddle points. The conduction- and valence-band-edge symmetries at $L$ are opposite to those of the lead chalcogenides, as are the band-gap deformation potentials at this point (-8.68 eV for SnTe and 11.55-17.24 eV for the others). This is in agreement with the experimentally proposed "band-inversion" model.
Modulation of glucocorticoid effects and steroid receptor binding in butyrate-treated HeLa S3 cells.

Abstract Two synergistic actions of glucocorticoid hormones and sodium butyrate in HeLa S 3 cells are reported. Growth of HeLa S 3 cells in dexamethasone and sodium butyrate leads to synergistic effects on both increases in alkaline phosphatase activity and inhibition of [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. A 7- to 10-fold increase in alkaline phosphatase activity is seen in cells treated for 96 h with either 1 × 10 −7 , m dexamethasone or 5 m m sodium butyrate. Simultaneous administration of the two compounds, however, elevates alkaline phosphatase activity in a synergistic manner, reaching levels 7-fold higher than those obtained with either compound alone. In addition, both agents inhibit [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation into DNA, and combined administration leads to a synergistic suppression of nucleoside incorporation. These effects are dependent on the steroid hormone concentration employed, being half-maximal at 2 × 10 −8 , m dexamethasone. In addition, only active glucocorticoid hormones act synergistically with sodium butyrate suggesting mediation through high affinity glucocorticoid receptors. Unexpectedly, exposure of cells to 5 m m butyrate for 20–24 h results in a significant reduction in the levels of both nuclear and cytoplasmic dexamethasone receptors (33 and 49% reduction, respectively), without altering binding site affinity. Despite decreases in total cellular receptor binding, butyrate treatment of HeLa S 3 cells does not alter absolute levels of 0.4 m KCl residual nuclear binding sites. Our results show that glucocorticoid effects on alkaline phosphatase activity and [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation are augmented with butyrate treatment, despite reduced cellular binding of the hormone.
Lessons from the Virtual Campus: The Life and Death of a Second Life University

Second Life is a virtual world where many universities have established an educational presence. Hoping to serve as a useful example for others that are considering the creation of a virtual campus, this article follows how the Second Life campus of James Madison University was created in 2008. It details the nontraditional ways that it was used by faculty and students for museum studies, student projects, and in-world conferencing. It also reviews the major reasons why the project failed in April 2012 after four years of successful use, concluding with thoughts on best practices for Second Life university campuses.
Revisiting free riding and the Tit-for-Tat in BitTorrent: A measurement study

In this paper we report new results of our continuous effort on analyzing the impact of incentive mechanisms on user behavior in BitTorrent. In this second measurement and analysis study we find that free riders’ population has significantly increased comparing to our previous measurement study. We relate this increase to the advance in end-users’ connection speeds and to users’ increased knowledge in BitTorrent. We also categorize free riders based on the behavior they exhibit in multiple-torrent system into three types: cheaters, strategic and lucky peers. Furthermore, refuting the findings of other studies, we show that peers who exploit the system in BitTorrent are both high bandwidth capacity peers and low bandwidth capacity peers. Moreover, we argue that the Tit-for-Tat mechanism does not discriminate peers based on their bandwidth capacities and that it reacts successfully against inter-class bandwidth capacity strategic peers. Finally, we propose a memory-backoff approach to the optimistic unchoke policy that reduces the volume of free riding in BitTorrent.
Appetite-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Binge Eating with Purging.

The first-line treatment for bulimia nervosa (BN), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), uses food-based self-monitoring. Six young women presenting with BN or significant purging behavior were treated with a modification, Appetite-Focused CBT (CBT-AF), in which self-monitoring is based on appetite cues and food monitoring is proscribed. This change was designed to direct attention away from the typically excessive focus on type of food. Reinstating “moderate hunger” as the cue to eat and “moderate fullness” as the cue to stop discourages both severe restriction and overeating. Clients are encouraged to eat what they want (defined as what feels good internally) to prevent feelings of deprivation. The appetite monitoring component effectively targeted binge eating, essentially eliminating purging to compensate for binges, but purging that served other functions required additional interventions. Appetite monitoring was highly preferred compared to prior experiences with food monitoring. The results suggest that appetite monitoring is likely a viable alternative to food monitoring that may make CBT more acceptable for some individuals who binge and purge.
Purkinje cell vulnerability to mild traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACT In this study we examined the cerebellar response to mild traumatic brain injury by assessing microglial activation and Purkinje cell loss. Activated microglia were identified using the antibodies OX-42 and ED-1 as well as isolectin B4. The anti-Purkinje cell antibody PEP-19 was used to evaluate Purkinje cell loss after injury. The mechanism of cell injury was examined using a monoclonal antibody to the inducible 72-kDa heat shock protein. A monoclonal antibody to the N-terminal sequence of Fos was used as a marker for neuronal activation. There was progressive activation of microglia in the cerebellar vermis within a few days after forebrain injury. In coronal sections the processes of activated microglia were oriented in "stripes" perpendicular to the cortical surface. In sagittal sections the activated microglia were in irregularly shaped clusters or in a fan-like distribution that radiated from the Purkinje cell layer toward the cortical surface. There was a significant loss of Purkinje cells...
Tissue-specific distribution of a novel component of epithelial basement membranes

Monoclonal antibodies against basement membrane (BM) were generated using the matrix deposited by cultured rabbit corneal epithelial cells as immunogen. BM antibodies were identified by immunofluorescent staining of frozen tissue sections and of extracellular matrix of living cultured cells. BM localization was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. Antibody AE26 immunoprecipitates a 140,000 Mr component from radiolabeled corneal epithelial cells and recognizes this component plus a 95,000 Mr band on Western blots. The antigen resists extraction by high and low salt and by nonionic detergents, but is solubilized in 4 M urea/1% mercaptoethanol. On isoelectric focusing and nonequilibrium pH gradient gels, AE26 antigen migrates to the acidic region (pI less than 3). The molecule is destroyed by trypsin, but is insensitive to bacterial collagenase. In frozen tissue sections, AE26 stains only BM of stratified epithelia plus trachea, ureter, lung, and intestine, but no other epithelial or nonepithelial BM. AE26 antigen is detected on Western blots of cornea, skin, and lung extracts, but not liver, kidney, or muscle, indicating that this is not due to masking of the epitope. This tissue distribution is different from any previously described BM molecule. Although we have not ruled out the possibility that AE26 recognizes a modification or fragment of a known BM component (particularly entactin), the acidic pI, collagenase resistance, and unusual tissue specificity suggest that AE26 recognizes a new BM protein. The BM heterogeneity demonstrated by AE26 may play a structural role or provide positional signals to the overlying epithelium.
Implementing crowdsourcing-based relevance experimentation: an industrial perspective

Crowdsourcing has emerged as a viable platform for conducting different types of relevance evaluation. The main reason behind this trend is that it makes possible to conduct experiments extremely fast, with good results at a low cost. However, like in any experiment, there are several implementation details that would make an experiment work or fail. To gather useful results, clear instructions, user interface guidelines, content quality, inter-rater agreement metrics, work quality, and worker feedback are important characteristics of a successful crowdsourcing experiment. Furthermore, designing and implementing experiments that require thousands or millions of labels is different than conducting small scale research investigations. In this paper we outline a framework for conducting continuous crowdsourcing experiments, emphasizing aspects that should be of importance for all sorts of tasks. We illustrate the value of characteristics that can impact the overall outcome using examples based on TREC, INEX, and Wikipedia data sets.
Transient electron heat diffusivity obtained from trace impurity injection on TFTR

A new method for obtaining a transient ('pulse') electron heat diffusivity (χep) in the radial region 0.38 < r/a < 0.56 in TFTR L mode discharges is presented. Small electron temperature perturbations were caused by single bursts of injected impurities which radiated and cooled the plasma edge. A case of iron injection by laser ablation was found to be more definitive than a supporting helium gas puff case. In this new 'cold pulse' method, the authors concentrate on modelling just the electron temperature perturbations, tracked with electron cyclotron emission diagnostics, and on being able to justify separation of the perturbations in space and time from the cooling source. This χep is obtained for these two cases to be χep = (6.0 m2/s ± 35%) ~ 4χe (power balance), which is consistent with but more definitive than results from other studies that are more susceptible to ambiguities in the source profile
Low Cost Passive Remote Sensor of Chemicals for Expendable UAVs

An inexpensive passive remote sensor of weapon and toxic industrial chemicals is developed for expendable UAVs. Detection and identification are achieved by a “cross-reactive” sensor sensitive to large groups of chemicals and updatable databases.
The vacuolar proton pump (V-ATPase) is required for Notch signaling and endosomal trafficking in Drosophila

Summary We have identified Rabconnectin-3α and β (Rbcn-3A and B) as two regulators of Notch signaling in Drosophila . We found that, in addition to disrupting Notch signaling, mutations in Rbcn-3A and B cause defects in endocytic trafficking, where Notch and other membrane proteins accumulate in late endosomal compartments. We show that Notch is transported to the surface of mutant cells and that signaling is disrupted after the S2 cleavage. Interestingly, the yeast homolog of Rbcn-3A, Rav1, regulates the V-ATPase proton pump responsible for acidifying intracellular organelles. We found that, similarly, Rbcn-3A and B appear to regulate V-ATPase function. Moreover, we identified mutants in VhaAC39 , a V-ATPase subunit, and showed that they phenocopy Rbcn-3A and Rbcn-3B mutants. Our results demonstrate that Rbcn-3 affects Notch signaling and trafficking through regulating V-ATPase function, which implies that the acidification of an intracellular compartment in the receiving cells is crucial for signaling.
Speculative thread decomposition through empirical optimization

Chip multiprocessors (CMPs), or multi-core processors, have become a common way of reducing chip complexity and power consumption while maintaining high performance. Speculative CMPs use hardware to enforce dependence, allowing a parallelizing compiler to generate multithreaded code without needing to prove independence. In these systems, a sequential program is decomposed into threads to be executed in parallel; dependent threads cause performance degradation, but do not affect correctness. Thread decomposition attempts to reduce the run-time overheads of data dependence, thread misprediction, and load imbalance. Because these overheads depend on the runtimes of the threads that are being created by the decomposition, reducing the overheads while creating the threads is a circular problem. Static compile-time decomposition handles this problem by estimating the run times of the candidate threads, but is limited by the estimates' inaccuracy. Dynamic execution-time decomposition in hardware has better run-time information, but is limited by the decomposition hardware's complexity and run-time overhead. We propose a third approach where a compiler instruments a profile run of the application to search through candidate threads and pick the best threads as the profile run executes. The resultant decomposition is compiled into the application so that a production run of the application has no instrumentation and does not incurany decomposition overhead. We avoid static decomposition's estimation accuracy problem by using actual profile-run execution times to pick threads, and we avoid dynamic decomposition's overhead by performing the decomposition at profile time. Because we allow candidate threads to span arbitrary sections of the application's call graph and loop nests, an exhaustive search of the decomposition space is prohibitive, even in profile runs. To address this issue, we make the key observation that the run-time overhead of a thread depends, to the first order, only on threads that overlap with the thread inexecution (e.g., in a four-core CMP, a given thread can overlap with at most three preceding and three following threads). This observation implies that a given thread affects only a few other threads, allowing pruning of the space. Using a CMP simulator, we achieve an average speedup of 3.51 on four cores for five of the SPEC CFP2000 benchmarks, which compares favorably to recent static techniques. We also discuss experiments with CINT2000.
Toward validation of the cepstral spectral index of dysphonia (CSID) as an objective treatment outcomes measure

Summary Objectives To examine the validity of the Cepstral Spectral Index of Dysphonia (CSID) as an objective treatment outcomes measure of dysphonia severity. Method Pre- and posttreatment samples of sustained vowel and connected speech productions were elicited from 112 patients across six diagnostic categories: unilateral vocal fold paralysis, adductor spasmodic dysphonia, primary muscle tension dysphonia, benign vocal fold lesions, presbylaryngis, and mutational falsetto. Listener ratings of severity in connected speech were compared with a three-factor CSID model consisting of the cepstral peak prominence (CPP), the low-to-high spectral energy ratio, and its standard deviation. Two additional variables, the CPP standard deviation and gender, were included in the five-factor CSID model to estimate severity of vowels. Results CSID-estimated severity for sustained vowels and connected speech was strongly associated with listener ratings pretreatment, posttreatment, and change observed pre- to posttreatment. Spectrum effects were examined, and severity of dysphonia did not influence the relationship between listener perceived severity and CSID-estimated severity. Conclusions The results confirm a robust relationship between listener perceived and CSID-derived dysphonia severity estimates in sustained vowels and connected speech across diverse diagnoses and severity levels and support the clinical utility of the CSID as an objective treatment outcomes measure.
Calculation of magnetic helicity of cylindrical flux rope

[1] We examine a method of calculating the magnetic helicity of cylindrical magnetic flux rope of arbitrary cross section from in-situ spacecraft data. First we examine the gauge invariance of the definition of relative helicity by Finn and Antonsen (1985). Two approaches based on Grad-Shafranov equation are then described. A case study is presented to illustrate the method. The results show significant discrepancies from an earlier study utilizing axially symmetric models. We briefly discuss the potential applications for Sun-Earth connection.
Paroxysmal fast activity: an interictal scalp EEG marker of epileptogenesis in children.

Summary Purpose High-frequency oscillations (>100 Hz) have been proposed as localized markers of epileptic networks, but require intracranial electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. This study explored if β- and γ-frequency paroxysmal fast activity (PFA), recorded interictally during non-REM sleep, could be used as a scalp EEG marker of epileptogenesis in children. Methods The presence and scalp location of PFA was visually identified in 681 patients with overnight video-EEG (age 0–18 years), and compared with ictal onset sites. The clinical features of patients with PFA were compared with patients without PFA along with evidence of PFA evolution in 35 patients who had multiple video-EEG records. Results PFA was present in 16% of all patients and in 28% of those with seizures. PFA was more frequently observed in EEGs from patients 3 years of age or younger (>40%), and children with infantile spasms (85%). When present, PFA predicted if the patient had epilepsy with 97% accuracy, and was not found in individuals with non-epileptic events. PFA localized with EEG-ictal onset sites with 91% sensitivity and 82% accuracy. Ictal scalp EEG events began with β- and γ-frequencies in 80% of patients with PFA, and they had increased seizure frequencies compared with non-PFA cases. In patients with multiple video-EEG studies, PFA showed progression over increased numbers of electrodes in 74%, improvement in 15%, and remained unchanged in 12% and correlated with seizure evolution. PFA was not associated with other seizure types, anatomic location, type of antiepileptic drug, etiology, or histopathology. Conclusions While relatively infrequent, interictal PFA was specific in identifying younger children with epilepsy, co-localized with the ictal onset sites on scalp video-EEG, and progressed and correlated with seizure severity. We propose that PFA is a scalp EEG marker of epileptic networks with the advantage of being recorded non-invasively during interictal non-REM sleep.
Phencyclidine during pregnancy: Fetal brain levels and neurobehavioral effects

Abstract Either phencyclidine (PCP) (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) or saline was administered SC to pregnant CF-1 mice during either MID (E6–E15) or LATE (E12–E18) gestation. Because of the reported prolonged persistence of PCP in adult tissues we first determined its half-life in fetal brain for both treatment periods. PCP appeared rapidly in fetal tissues after maternal administration but was not detected after 8 hours. Then, other treated and control litters were fostered to untreated controls, growth determined and the ontogeny of isolation-induced aggressive behavior examined. Subteratogenic doses of PCP produced mild maternal toxicity without lethality. There was an apparent selective embryolethal effect on males but PCP did not produce an effect on postnatal growth. Prenatal PCP did not alter the ontogeny or intensity of isolation-induced aggressive behavior in male offspring. The results are discussed in relation to other prenatal studies of PCP toxicity and teratogenicity.
Identifying Multiple Risks of Low Birth Weight Using Person-Centered Modeling

Abstract Objectives Low birth weight outcomes result from multiple potential risks. The present study used latent class analysis to identify subgroups of women with multiple co-occurring risks and to examine the relationship of these risk classes to low birth weight outcome. Methods Data were analyzed on all live singleton births in 2010 and 2011 in West Virginia (N = 28,820). Ten risks were examined including marital status, stress, mother's age, parity status, reported smoking and drug use during pregnancy, delayed prenatal care, Medicaid coverage, uninsurance, and low education. Results Six latent classes were identified that ranged from a low-risk referent group to higher risk classes characterized by unique constellations of risk factors. Compared with the low-risk referent, all of the remaining five latent classes were significantly associated with increased odds of low birth weight. However, one class was at especially high risk; this class was characterized by unmarried women in the Medicaid program who reported drug use, smoking, stress, and late prenatal care (odds ratio, 4.78; 95% confidence interval, 4.07–5.61). Conclusions The person-centered approach identified subgroups of women with unique risk profiles. The results suggest that eliminating a single risk would not resolve the low birth weight problem. Smoking, for example, co-occurs with higher stress and higher levels of drug use among a Medicaid population. It may be beneficial to develop and test tailored interventions to groups with specific co-occurring risks to reduce low birth weight outcomes. Programs targeted to women in the Medicaid program who also engage in substance use and experience stress are especially indicated.
MediaStation 5000: a multimedia workstation for telemedicine

Building on the success of the MediaStation 5000 (MS5000) multimedia system which was developed in our laboratory in 1994, we have developed a prototype telemedicine workstation which is programmable and supports high-bandwidth telecommunications links to connect together many medical treatment facilities. The system can support various telemedicine and consultation functions to collaboratively transfer, manipulate, and view radiological images, image sequences, audio, and video. The requirements for a telemedicine workstation include high performance, flexibility, and upgradability. The unique components of our workstation include an advanced parallel processor, highly integrated multimedia support circuitry, high- speed network interface, and a graphical user interface. Each of these is a key ingredient to a successful telemedicine system.
Magnetic resonance imaging of triangular fibrocartilage

Due to their small size and complex structure, diagnosing injury of the proximal wrist ligamentous structures can be challenging. The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is an example of one such structure, for which lesions may be missed unless high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) obtained via a standard matrix with a small field of view or high-resolution imaging matrix (small spatial scale matrix elements/large matrix size) is utilized. While there have been recent advances in increasing MRI spatial resolution, attempts at improved visualization by isolated increase in the spatial resolution will be ineffective if the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the images obtained is low. Additionally, high contrast resolution is important to facilitate a more precise visualization of these structures and their pathology. Thus, a balance of the three important imaging factor qualifications of high spatial resolution, high SNR, and high contrast resolution must be struck for optimized TFCC and wrist imaging. The goal of this article, then, is to elucidate the theory and techniques of effective high-resolution imaging of the proximal ligamentous structures of the wrist, balancing SNR and high contrast resolution constraints, and focusing on imaging of the TFCC as a prototypical example.
Reliability analysis for redundancy of industrial power distribution systems

Abstract Redundancy in design of industrial power distribution system reflects the goals of service continuity and improvement of service reliability. However, this results in higher initial cost. A possible means of analyzing costs vs reliability may be reliability analysis which may offer a cost-reliability trade off decision affecting design. In this paper, a set of general equations developed at The Ralph M. Parsons Company is presented for use of computing the failure rate of a redundant system with any given number of identical units, some of which are necessary for successful operation. The remainder are redundant. From the obtained system failure rate, system reliability and system availability can be determined.
The Properties of Simple Vs. Absolute Majority Rule: Cases Where Absences and Abstentions Are Important:

Little attention has been paid to the differences between absolute majority rule and simple majority rule, which differ in their treatment of absences and ‘votes to abstain’. This article fills tha...