cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Option-Based Risk Management: A Field Study of Sequential Information Technology Investment Decisions

This field study research evaluates the viability of applying an option-based risk management (OBRiM) framework, and its accompanying theoretical perspective and methodology, to real-world sequential information technology (IT) investment problems. These problems involve alternative investment structures that bear different risk profiles for the firm, and also may improve the payoffs of the associated projects and the organization's performance. We sought to surface the costs, benefits, and risks associated with a complex sequential investment setting that has the key features that OBRiM treats. We combine traditional, purchased real options that subsequently create strategic flexibility for the decision maker, with implicit or embedded real options that are available with no specific investment required provided the decision maker recognizes them. This combination helps the decision maker to both (1) explicitly surface all of his or her strategic choices and (2) accurately value those choices, including ones that require prior enabling investments. The latter permits senior managers to adjust a project's investment trajectory in the face of revealed risk. This normally is important when there are uncertain organizational, technological, competitive, and market conditions. The context of our research is a data mart consolidation project, which was conducted by a major airline firm in association with a data warehousing systems vendor. Field study inquiry and data collection were essential elements in the retrospective analysis of the efficacy of OBRiM as a means to control risk in a large-scale project. We learned that OBRiM's main benefits are (1) the ability to generate meaningful option-bearing investment structures, (2) simplification of the complexities of real options for the business context, (3) accuracy in analyzing the risks of IT investments, and (4) support for more proactive planning. These issues, which we show are more effectively addressed by OBRiM than the other methods, have become crucial as more corporate finance-style approaches are applied to IT investment and IT services problems. Our evaluative study shows that OBRiM has the potential to add value for managers looking to structure risky IT investments, although some aspects still require refinements.
The Community College Baccalaureate: An Historic and Cultural Imperative

In this article, the debate over the community college baccalaureate is placed in the context of both political culture and the history of public education. Bachelor's degree programs are discussed from the standpoint of their contribution to civic life, and a case is made that academically-inclined colleges are crucial to fostering a public sphere marked by engagement and participation.
Love, sex, and infertility: The impact of infertility on the couple

Infertility can significantly stress a couple relationship in a myriad of ways. Men and women have different ways of coping with infertility and, at times, one or the other partner feels insufficiently understood or supported. Issues of coercion, communication, financial allocation, and empathic failure are common. Furthermore, marital and sexual constriction often occurs, both during the months (or years) of infertility intervention, and when the infertility crisis has apparently been successfully resolved. This article addresses these issues and illustrates them with a case example involving both primary and second infertility. It is noted that empathic, effective individual and couple therapy can be an important resource in dealing with both the immediate and long-term aftermath of infertility on sexual and marital functioning. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Deposition of membrane attack complex in cutaneous lesions of lupus erythematosus

Background : The membrane attack complex (MAC; C5b-9) localizes in the basement membrane zone (BMZ) of cutaneous lesions from patients with lupus erythematosus (LE) and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease. Objective : Our purpose was to compare the frequency of MAC deposition with that of immunoglobulin and C3 deposition (lupus band). Methods : We studied 56 skin biopsy specimens from 42 patients with LE by direct immunofluorescence. Results : MAC was deposited in a granular pattern at the BMZ in 29 of 38 biopsy specimens (76%) from lesional skin; 5 of 38 specimens (13%) had focal or weak segmental deposition and 4 of 38 (11 %) were negative. In contrast, IgG, IgM, IgA, and C3 were detected in 16 of 38 specimens (42%), 30 of 38 (79%), 4 of 38 (11%), and 22 of 38 (58%), respectively. None of the uninvolved skin biopsy specimens was MAC positive, although 4 of 18 (22%), 5 of 18 (28%), 1 of 18 (6%), and 2 of 18 (11%) were positive for IgG, IgM, IgA, and C3, respectively. Conclusion : MAC deposition in lesional skin appears to be a relatively sensitive and specific marker for cutaneous LE and may be useful as an adjunct to the "lupus band" test.
Parasitism of Xiphinema Americanum and X. Rivesi By Catenaria Anguillulae and Other Zoosporic Fungi in Soil Solution, Baermann Funnels, or Soil

In dilute soil extract, Xiphinema rivesi was more susceptible than X. americanum to Catenaria anguillulae; the virulence of six isolates of C. anguillulae to Xiphinema also differed. When added to Baermann funnels, zoosporic fungi infected significant numbers of Xiphinema spp. but did not affect the number of nematodes extracted. In a greenhouse test, soil naturally infested with X. americanum and X. rivesi was amended with zoosporic fungi and planted with sudan grass. After 3 months, the zoosporic fungi had not reduced nematode numbers but infected significant numbers of Xiphinema in Baermann funnels; thus, the fungal inoculum persisted for 3 months in soil.
Ivy Bridge Server: A Converged Design

The Intel microarchitecture code named Ivy Bridge (IVB) represents Intel's first processor (CPU) design that services product markets from high-end desktops to mission-critical computing. With one converged design, IVB enables a rich portfolio of products and meets power, performance, and cost targets through multiple die options and configurations. IVB is the first server CPU using Intel's 22-nm process technology. It achieves scalability in die size, core count, cache size, socket count, and memory size while improving power efficiency and decreasing idle power.
How to authenticate graphs without leaking

Secure data sharing in multi-party environments requires that both authenticity and confidentiality of the data be assured. Digital signature schemes are commonly employed for authentication of data. However, no such technique exists for directed graphs, even though such graphs are one of the most widely used data organization structures. Existing schemes for DAGs are authenticity-preserving but not confidentiality-preserving, and lead to leakage of sensitive information during authentication.In this paper, we propose two schemes on how to authenticate DAGs and directed cyclic graphs without leaking, which are the first such schemes in the literature. It is based on the structure of the graph as defined by depth-first graph traversals and aggregate signatures. Graphs are structurally different from trees in that they have four types of edges: tree, forward, cross, and back-edges in a depth-first traversal. The fact that an edge is a forward, cross or a back-edge conveys information that is sensitive in several contexts. Moreover, back-edges pose a more difficult problem than the one posed by forward, and cross-edges primarily because back-edges add bidirectional properties to graphs. We prove that the proposed technique is both authenticity-preserving and non-leaking. While providing such strong security properties, our scheme is also efficient, as supported by the performance results.
The rate of formation of SiO by the reaction of CO or H2 with silica and silicate slags

The rate of formation of SiO(g) by the reaction of CO and H2 with silica or silicate slags containing SiO2, CaO, and A12O3 has been measured. The rate with hydrogen for both pure silica and silica in slags is controlled by gas phase mass transport. The rate changed with flow conditions, sample size, and gas properties as predicted by the appropriate mass transfer equations. In particular, the rate is faster in H2-He than in H2-Ar gas mixtures with the same hydrogen pressure, which proves conclusively the rate is controlled by gas phase mass transport. The rate of formation of SiO by the reaction of silica with CO did not change with flow conditions or particle size and the rate was the same in CO-He and CO-Ar with the same pressure of CO. In addition, the calculated rate with CO for mass transfer is considerably faster than was observed. These observations strongly indicate the rate is controlled by chemical kinetics on the surface. Similar results were obtained for the rate of reaction of CO with silica in slags and the rate was found to be proportional to the activity of SiO2 and CO pressure. The present results are discussed in relationship to silicon transfer in slag-metal reactions.
Inflammatory consequences in a rodent model of mild traumatic brain injury

Abstract Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), particularly mild “blast type” injuries resulting from improvised exploding devices and many sport-caused injuries to the brain, result in long-term impairment of cognition and behavior. Our central hypothesis is that there are inflammatory consequences to mTBI that persist over time and, in part, are responsible for resultant pathogenesis and clinical outcomes. We used an adaptation (1 atmosphere pressure) of a well-characterized moderate-to-severe brain lateral fluid percussion (LFP) brain injury rat model. Our mild LFP injury resulted in acute increases in interleukin-1α/β and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels, macrophage/microglial and astrocytic activation, evidence of heightened cellular stress, and blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction that were evident as early as 3-6 h postinjury. Both glial activation and BBB dysfunction persisted for 18 days postinjury.
Parallel bundle-based decomposition for large-scale structured mathematical programming problems

In this paper, we present parallel bundle-based decomposition algorithms to solve a class of structured large-scale convex optimization problems. An example in this class of problems is the block-angular linear programming problem. By dualizing, we transform the original problem to an unconstrained nonsmooth concave optimization problem which is in turn solved by using a modified bundle method. Further, this dual problem consists of a collection of smaller independent subproblems which give rise to the parallel algorithms. We discuss the implementation on the CRYSTAL multi-computer. Finally, we present computational experience with block-angular linear programming problems and observe that more than 70% efficiency can be obtained using up to eleven processors for one group of test problems, and more than 60% efficiency can be obtained for relatively smaller problems using up to five processors for another group of problems.
Studies on the Chemistry of the Living Bark of the Black Locust in Relation to Its Frost Hardiness. III. The Validity of Plasmolysis and Desiccation Tests for Determining the Frost Hardiness of Bark Tissue.

Cellular tests which are used in place of actual freezing tests to estimate the resistance to injury by freezing that a plant tissue will show are based on the observations of Levitt and Scarth (2, 5) and Levitt, Scarth and SiMiNoviTCH (3, 6, 7, 10) that the most characteristic physical property of frost hardy cells is their capacity to withstand injury by dehydration. The frost hardiness test described in the first papers of the present series (1, 11) was based on a determination of the percentage survival of cells after dehydration by plasmolysis, as effected by subjecting the tissues to a graded series of strong salt solutions. In subsequent studies hardiness has been determined also by estimating the survival of the cells after desiccation in atmospheres of varied relative humidities produced over a graded series of sulphuric acid solutions. The degree of hardiness has been assumed to be measurable by the extent to which the cells possess the property of surviving dehydration. Experimental verification of the validity of this assumption by comparison of dehydration tests with actual freezing tests has been obtained previously (?, 9) with other plant tissues but not with the bark cells of the black locust, the experimental tissue employed in these studies.
The future of esthetic dentistry

The materials and techniques of esthetic dentistry are provoking reconsideration of the basic principles of operative dentistry. Cavity preparations can be minimized, demands on retention are altered, and prevention can be practiced. Problems remain, particularly in bonding and sealing to dentin. The newer materials have yet to prove themselves in terms of durability, especially in regard to fracture and wear.
V CYCLE DYNAMICAL EXPONENT OF THE MULTI-SCALE-UPDATE ALGORITHM FOR THE 2-d XY MODEL

We have computed the dynamical correlation exponent for the Multi Scale Algorithm recently proposed by us for the 2-d XY model. We find that z = 1.70 (2) in the high temperature phase and z = 1.60 (2) in the low temperature phase.
The Phylogeny of Basal Peristomate Mosses: Evidence from cpDNA, and Implications for Peristome Evolution

Abstract Cladistic analyses based on chloroplast protein coding genes rbcL and rps4, and the chloroplast encoded trnL (UAA) intron were conducted (1) to investigate phylogenetic relationships among basal peristomate mosses, especially the nematodontous mosses (Tetraphidaceae and Polytrichaceae), and the arthrodontous mosses with pleated endostomes (Buxbaumiaceae and Diphysciaceae), and (2) to make inferences on evolution of the peristome. A combined data matrix included 46 taxa and 2206 characters of which 619 were parsimony informative. The results indicate that the basal peristomate mosses, particularly the Tetraphidaceae, Polytrichaceae and Buxbaumiaceae, are paraphyletic. Sister group relationships between the following taxa are newly suggested: Tetraphidaceae and all peristomate mosses; Polytrichaceae and the clade consisting of Buxbaumiaceae, Diphysciaceae, diplolepideous and haplolepideous mosses; Buxbaumiaceae and the clade consisting of Diphysciaceae, diplolepideous and haplolepideous mosses. The...
Pelvic Lymph Node Irradiation for Prostate Cancer: Who, Why, and When?

Prostate cancers are best characterized by their clinical (TNM) stage, Gleason score, and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. These 3 factors are known to influence the risk of pelvic nodal involvement. By combining these prognostic factors, nomograms and equations have been developed and are widely used in clinical practice as an accurate way of predicting the probability of a given pathological stage. Patients who have a significant risk of pelvic nodal metastasis will likely have higher biochemical failure rates. Results from the multi-institutional prospective trials have shown that patients at an intermediate to high risk for pelvic nodal involvement experience disease progression-free survival benefits from the use of whole pelvic radiotherapy combined with hormone therapy. Yet, significant biological interactions between radiation treatment volumes and timing of hormone therapy have been shown. Further study of these issues is necessary to define the best treatment for patients at significant risk of pelvic lymph node involvement.
Myths, Countermyths, and Truths About Intelligence

Ten myths and countermyths about intelligence are considered, as well as what is currently our best account of the truth. We need to be circumspect in our claims for tests of intelligence and for what intelligence can tell us about people in general.
Laser-Pulsed Plasma Chemistry: Surface Oxidation of Niobium

Laser irradiation of a solid surface under an oxidizing ambient gas can activate localized, heterogeneous chemical reactions which modify the surface. Under suitable conditions, the laser initiates a reactive plasma near the gas/solid interface. This plasma mechanism is proposed as the basis for a new surface chemical technique which we denote laser-pulsed plasma chemistry (LPPC). LPPC experiments on niobium metal under one atmosphere of oxygen employed a pulsed CO 2 laser and displayed single-pulse, self-limiting, oxide growth. Product oxide thickness increased with optical intensity. Surface layer thickness and chemical composition were determined for oxide layers between 1 nm and 5 nm thick using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA). Composition of these niobium oxide (Nb 2 O 5−δ ) surfaces was similar to the composition produced by RF plasma oxidation, but the valence defect, δ, for LPPC oxides was approximately two to five times lower. At high laser intensity (≥4 × 10 6 W/cm 2 ), direct optical heating or plasma-mediated thermal coupling to the solid activates interdiffusion at the oxide/metal interface.
Integration of solid-state nanopores in a 0.5 μm CMOS foundry process.

High-bandwidth and low-noise nanopore sensor and detection electronics are crucial in achieving single-DNA-base resolution. A potential way to accomplish this goal is to integrate solid-state nanopores within a CMOS platform, in close proximity to the biasing electrodes and custom-designed amplifier electronics. Here we report the integration of solid-state nanopore devices in a commercial complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) potentiostat chip implemented in On-Semiconductor's 0.5 μm technology. Nanopore membranes incorporating electrodes are fabricated by post-CMOS micromachining utilizing the n+ polysilicon/SiO2/n+ polysilicon capacitor structure available in the aforementioned process. Nanopores are created in the CMOS process by drilling in a transmission electron microscope and shrinking by atomic layer deposition. We also describe a batch fabrication method to process a large of number of electrode-embedded nanopores with sub-10 nm diameter across CMOS-compatible wafers by electron beam lithography and atomic layer deposition. The CMOS-compatibility of our fabrication process is verified by testing the electrical functionality of on-chip circuitry. We observe high current leakage with the CMOS nanopore devices due to the ionic diffusion through the SiO2 membrane. To prevent this leakage, we coat the membrane with Al2O3, which acts as an efficient diffusion barrier against alkali ions. The resulting nanopore devices also exhibit higher robustness and lower 1/f noise as compared to SiO2 and SiNx. Furthermore, we propose a theoretical model for our low-capacitance CMOS nanopore devices, showing good agreement with the experimental value. In addition, experiments and theoretical models of translocation studies are presented using 48.5 kbp λ-DNA in order to prove the functionality of on-chip pores coated with Al2O3.
Head and Neck Melanoma

Wide local excision is the mainstay in the treatment of the primary lesion with consideration given to specific anatomic constraints in head and neck melanoma. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is considered in all lesions with ulceration, mitoses greater than or equal to 1/mm(2), stage1B or higher, and in all high-risk nonmetastatic melanoma. Reconstructive strategy must be considered in multidisciplinary teams with reconstructive surgeons for large head and neck defects.
Making sense of cancer genomic data

High-throughput tools for nucleic acid characterization now provide the means to conduct comprehensive analyses of all somatic alterations in the cancer genomes. Both large-scale and focused efforts have identified new targets of translational potential. The deluge of information that emerges from these genome-scale investigations has stimulated a parallel development of new analytical frameworks and tools. The complexity of somatic genomic alterations in cancer genomes also requires the development of robust methods for the interrogation of the function of genes identified by these genomics efforts. Here we provide an overview of the current state of cancer genomics, appraise the current portals and tools for accessing and analyzing cancer genomic data, and discuss emerging approaches to exploring the functions of somatically altered genes in cancer.
Mitochondrial Myopathy: Biochemical Approaches to Respiratory Chain-Linked Electron Transfer and Energy Coupling

In 1959, Ernster and associates [1] pioneered biochemical studies of isolated mitochondrial preparations from skeletal muscle of patients with neuromuscular diseases. They correlated the clinical, ultrastructural and biochemical studies of a patient with hypermetabolism of non-thyroid origin, and clearly demonstrated the critical role of respiratory control in living cells [1,2]. This disease was later named Luft syndrome. These studies marked the beginning of a new era of research concerning biochemical studies of mitochondrial metabolism on biopsies derived from patients with mitochondrial metabolic disorders. Since then there have been many reports of altered mitochondrial structure and function in patients with neuromuscular diseases. The literature is large and diverse. A number of review articles have appeared in recent years [3–7].
Increased Atherosclerosis in Hyperlipidemic Mice With Inactivation of ABCA1 in Macrophages

The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) encodes a membrane protein that promotes cholesterol and phospholipid efflux from cells. Mutations in ABCA1 lead to HDL deficiency and tissue accumulation of macrophages in patients with homozygous Tangier disease. In this study, we examined whether the complete absence of ABCA1 or selected inactivation in macrophages is accompanied by an increase in atherosclerotic lesion progression in hypercholesterolemic apolipoprotein E–deficient (apoE−/−) mice and LDLR receptor–deficient (LDLr−/−) mice. The absence of ABCA1 led to reduced plasma cholesterol levels in both the apoE−/− and LDLr−/− mice, along with severe skin xanthomatosis characterized by marked foamy macrophages and cholesterol ester accumulation. However, the complete absence of ABCA1 did not affect the development, progression, or composition of atherosclerotic lesions in either the LDLr−/− or the apoE−/− mice fed a chow or atherogenic diet. In contrast, bone marrow transplantation studies demonstrat...
Novel human genetic variants associated with extrapulmonary tuberculosis: a pilot genome wide association study

Background: Approximately 5-10% of persons infected with M. tuberculosis develop tuberculosis, but the factors associated with disease progression are incompletely understood. Both linkage and association studies have identified human genetic variants associated with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis, but few genetic studies have evaluated extrapulmonary disease. Because extrapulmonary and pulmonary tuberculosis likely have different underlying pathophysiology, identification of genetic mutations associated with extrapulmonary disease is important. Findings: We performed a pilot genome-wide association study among 24 persons with previous extrapulmonary tuberculosis and well-characterized immune defects; 24 pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 57 patients with M. tuberculosis infection served as controls. The Affymetrix GeneChip Human Mapping Xba Array was used for genotyping; after careful quality control, genotypes at 44,175 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were available for analysis. Eigenstrat quantified population stratification within our sample; logistic regression, using results of the Eigenstrat analysis as a covariate, identified significant associations between groups. Permutation testing controlled the family-wise error rate for each comparison between groups. Four SNPs were significantly associated with extrapulmonary tuberculosis compared to controls with M. tuberculosis infection; one (rs4893980) in the gene PDE11A, one (rs10488286) in KCND2, and one (rs2026414) in PCDH15; one was in chromosome 7 but not associated with a known gene. Two additional variants were significantly associated with extrapulmonary tuberculosis compared with pulmonary tuberculosis; one (rs340708) in the gene FAM135B and one in chromosome 13 but not associated with a known gene. The function of all four genes affects cell signaling and activity, including in the brain. Conclusions: In this pilot study, we identified 6 novel variants not previously known to be associated with extrapulmonary tuberculosis, including two SNPs more common in persons with extrapulmonary than pulmonary tuberculosis. This provides some support for the hypothesis that the pathogenesis and genetic predisposition to extrapulmonary tuberculosis differs from pulmonary tuberculosis. Further study of these novel SNPs, and more wellpowered genome-wide studies of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, is warranted.
Type A Behavior and Daily Activities of Young Married Couples

Sixteen young married couples completed the Jenkins Activity Survey and a questionnaire dealing with the temporal parameters of marital communication, work around the home, social activity, relaxation, and marital sex. In general, it was found that the coronary-prone behavior pattern has negative implications for the interpersonal and leisurely activity of Type As and their spouses. As Type A characteristics increase, males communicate less with their wives, work more around the home, and engage in less marital sex. With females, coronary-proneness is associated with engaging in relatively infrequent and brief periods of relaxation. For both sexes, those high on the Type A dimension are most likely to report that they derive relatively little pleasure from socializing. Several differences are also reported as a function of spouse standing on the Type A-B dimension.
Profound hyponatremia in cirrhosis: a case report

Introduction Cirrhosis of the liver commonly leads to a state of chronic hypervolemic hyponatremia. Profound exacerbation of the hyponatremic state may occur in patients with decompensated cirrhosis in conjunction with acute stressors such as infection or binge alcohol ingestion.
Issues in the design of tactile input devices for mechanical CAD systems

Although some current CAD systems have successfully integrated expert systems with solid modelers and analysis packages, most of these systems are conspicuously unequipped with the intuitive human-computer interfaces necessary to allow a designer truly to conceptualize a design. It is asserted that the primary reason why many of the current systems serve more as design verification tools than as true design synthesis tools is that the human interfaces used are too awkward to give the designer the flexibility to create and modify a design easily. To date there has been little deviation from the traditional keyboard and mouse or stylus input devices. A brief description is given of initial research efforts to develop an alternative computer input device for mechanical CAD. >
The YouTube Indian: Portrayals of Native Americans on a Viral Video Site

Mainstream media messages contain limited, distorted and negative images of Native Americans, thus promoting continued ethnic marginalization. Community-oriented online venues like the viral video sites have opened up new platforms for depiction. This study employed a quantitative content analysis to examine a sample of YouTube videos relating to Native Americans. The findings reveal a number of promising patterns, suggesting that messages broadcast by viral video sites may depart from the rigid stereotypical depictions of Native Americans in traditional media.
The Bear Brook Watershed Manipulation Project : Watershed science in a policy perspective

The Bear Brook Watershed Manipulation in Maine is a paired watershed experiment. Monitoring of the paired catchments (East Bear Brook — reference; West Bear Brook — experimental) began in early 1987. Chemical manipulation of West Bear Brook catchment began in November 1989. Process studies on the watershed, outflow observation and monitoring, and modeling simulations of predicted versus observed response, are yielding a wealth of information about the behavior of the paired catchments and their responses to the deposition of acidifying substances. Results from the studies are providing important information relevant to national policies on emissions controls.
A constructive deconvolution procedure of bandpass signals by homomorphic analysis

A convolution may be represented as x(.)=r(.)*w(.). The goal of deconvolution is to extract r(.) and w(.) from knowledge of x(.), and finds numerous applications in digital signal processing. Of practical interest in oil exploration, is the case where w(.) is a seismic pressure wavelet, x(.) is the observed seismic response, and r(.) is the reflectivity of the Earth. A number of procedures have been proposed, including predictive, deterministic, and homomorphic deconvolution. Homomorphic deconvolution has been found particularly efficient for those cases where x(.) is known to be full-band. This paper presents a robust constructive procedure for efficient homomorphic deconvolution for those cases where x(.) is a bandpass signal. Analysis and comparison with other methods for deconvolving bandpass signals on measured seismic traces (including the Novaya Zemlya event) illustrate the improvement in the deconvolution.
Maya Resistance, Maya Resolve: The tools of autonomy from Tipu, Belize

This paper summarizes the results of an analysis of the formal stone tools from the Maya site of Tipu, Belize. The lithic tools are dominated by one form, the small, side-notched projectile point. These tools were recovered from Colonial-period contexts at the site. These points were manufactured from prismatic blade and flake blanks and were fairly uniform in terms of their size and method of manufacture, although distinct base styles were observed. A brief discussion of both quantitative and qualitative attributes and a description of the technology used in the manufacture of these points are presented. Also, several ideas on how researchers may be able to see ethnic or subethnic expressions of style in Colonial-period tools is offered. The possible functions of these projectile points is discussed using information from different sources. The use of these small projectile points, a component of bow-and-arrow technology, will be discussed in light of the often hostile nature of the Spanish Conquest, and in particular, the conquest and reconquest of the Tipu area.
Segmentation of magnetic resonance brain image: integrating region growing and edge detection

The authors present a method that combines region growing and edge detection for magnetic resonance (MR) brain image segmentation. Starting with a simple region growing algorithm which produces an over segmented image, the authors apply a sophisticated region merging method which is capable of handling complex image structures. Edge information is then integrated to verify and, where necessary, to correct region boundaries. The results show that this method is reliable and efficient for MR brain image segmentation.
Resistance to Pseudomonas syringae conferred by an Arabidopsis thaliana coronatine‐insensitive (coi1) mutation occurs through two distinct mechanisms

A new allele of the coronatine-insensitive locus (COI1) was isolated in a screen for Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with enhanced resistance to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. This mutant, designated coi1-20, exhibits robust resistance to several P. syringae isolates but remains susceptible to the virulent pathogens Erisyphe and cauliflower mosaic virus. Resistance to P. syringae strain PstDC3000 in coi1-20 plants is correlated with hyperactivation of PR-1 expression and accumulation of elevated levels of salicylic acid (SA) following infection, suggesting that the SA-mediated defense response pathway is sensitized in this mutant. Restriction of growth of PstDC3000 in coi1-20 leaves is partially dependent on NPR1 and fully dependent on SA, indicating that SA-mediated defenses are required for restriction of PstDC3000 growth in coi1-20 plants. Surprisingly, despite high levels of PstDC3000 growth in coi1-20 plants carrying the salicylate hydroxylase (nahG) transgene, these plants do not exhibit disease symptoms. Thus resistance to P. syringae in coi1-20 plants is conferred by two different mechanisms: (i) restriction of pathogen growth via activation of the SA-dependent defense pathway; and (ii) an SA-independent inability to develop disease symptoms. These findings are consistent with the hypotheses that the P. syringae phytotoxin coronatine acts to promote virulence by inhibiting host defense responses and by promoting lesion formation.
Progesterone Accelerates the Completion of Sperm Capacitation and Activates CatSper Channel in Spermatozoa from the Rhesus Macaque

During transit through the female reproductive tract, mammalian spermatozoa are exposed to increasing concentrations of progesterone (P4) released by the cumulus oophorus. P4 triggers massive calcium influx into human sperm through activation of the sperm-specific calcium channel CatSper. These properties of human spermatozoa are thought to be unique since CatSper is not progesterone sensitive in rodent sperm. Here, by performing patch clamp recording from spermatozoa from rhesus macaque for the first time, we report that they express P4-sensitive CatSper channel identically to human sperm and react to P4 by inducing responsiveness to zona pellucida, unlike human sperm, which respond directly to P4. We have also determined the physiologic levels of P4 capable of inducing capacitation-associated changes in macaque sperm. Progesterone (1 μM) induced up to a 3-fold increase in the percentage of sperm undergoing the zona pellucida-induced acrosome reaction with the lowest threshold as low as 10 nM of P4. Submicromolar levels of P4 induced a dose-dependent increase in curvilinear velocity and lateral head displacement, while sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation was not altered. Macaque spermatozoa exposed to 10 μM of P4 developed fully hyperactivated motility. Similar to human sperm, on approaching cumulus mass and binding to zona pellucida, macaque spermatozoa display hyperactivation and undergo an acrosome reaction that coincides with the rise in the sperm intracellular calcium. Taken together, these data indicate that P4 accelerates the completion of capacitation and provides evidence of spermatozoa "priming" as they move into a gradient of progesterone in search for the oocyte.
Identifying Chronic Conditions and Other Selected Factors That Motivate Physical Activity in World Senior Games Participants and the General Population

This study assesses chronic disease or disease-related conditions as motivators of physical activity. It also compares these and other motivators of physical activity between Senior Games participants (SGPs) and the general population. Analyses are based on an anonymous cross-sectional survey conducted among 666 SGPs and 177 individuals from the general population. SGPs experienced better general health and less obesity, diabetes, and depression, as well as an average of 14.7 more years of regular physical activity (p < .0001), 130.8 more minutes per week of aerobic activity (p < .0001), and 42.7 more minutes of anaerobic activity per week (p < .0001). Among those previously told they had diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or depression, 74.2%, 72.2%, 70.4%, and 60.6%, respectively, said that it motivated them to increase their physical activity. Percentages were similar between SGPs and the general population. SGPs were more likely motivated to be physically active to improve physical and mental health in the present, to prevent physical and cognitive decline in the future, and to increase social opportunities. The Senior Games reinforces extrinsic motivators to positively influence intrinsic promoters such as skill development, satisfaction of learning, enjoyment, and fun.
SPICE: A Software Tool for Bridging the Gap Between End-user's Insecure Cyber Behavior and Personality Traits

End users are prone to insecure cyber behavior that may lead them to compromise the integrity, availability or confidentiality of their computer systems. For instance, replying to a phishing email may compromise an end user's login credentials. Identifying tendency toward insecure cyber behavior is critically important to improve cyber security posture and thesis of this paper is that the susceptibility of end-users to be a victim of a cyber-attack may be predicted using personality traits such as trait anxiety and callousness. This paper presents an easily configurable, script-based software tool to explore the relationships between the personality traits and insecure cyber behaviors of end users. The software utilizes well-established cognitive methods (such as dot probe) to identify a number of personality traits for a user and further allows researchers to design and conduct experiments through customizable scripting to study the endusers' insecure cyber behaviors. The software also collects fine-grained data on users for analysis.
Pathology assessment is necessary to validate translational endpoints in preclinical aging studies

The Geropathology Research Network has established a plan to identify and use pathology-based surrogate endpoints for aging intervention in preclinical drug studies to provide a predictable and short-term anti-aging drug response in line with clinical trials. The plan involves pathological assessment of tissues and organs from strains of old mice, by independent pathology groups in a concurrent manner in order to characterize the changes in lesion incidence and severity in response to anti-aging drugs at specific time points. This approach allows for connection with translational endpoints of aging, such as serum factors and physiological parameters, between mice and humans. Preclinical drug testing is a critical component of the plan, designed to shorten testing times from lengthy lifespan studies by comparing lesion grades and composite scores in treated and placebo cohorts at cross-sectional time points. In conclusion, a geropathology-based preclinical testing program is a step toward assuring maximum utilization of translational resources and increasing predictability of efficacy of new or repurposed drugs for clinical aging intervention studies.
Training Simulator Design for a Marine Engine Room at Different Levels of Fidelity

A marine powerplant on a large supertanker is a complex system made up of a number of interconnected subsystems where most functions are automated. A human operator manages the system in supervisory control mode, intervening only when an event occurs requiring his action to restore normal operations. For training marine engineering personnel to detect, diagnose, and compensate for failures, simulators at different fidelity levels are being developed. A low fidelity simulator uses information displayed on an Apple II computer terminal in conjunction with system schematics provided on paper. Details of the low fidelity simulator are described, and the results of a pilot experiment are discussed.
Psychopharmacology in mental retardation

Purpose of review Psychotropic medications are commonly used in individuals with mental retardation (intellectual disability). The evidence base to guide clinicians in this practice is growing rapidly, in combination with improved recognition of the mental health needs of this population and the availability of new drugs. Recent findings Psychotropic drugs, particularly neuroleptics and anticonvulsants, are frequently prescribed to individuals with intellectual disability. The atypical neuroleptic drugs hold much promise in terms of potential benefit for individuals with significant behavioral disturbances including aggression and self-injury. New anticonvulsants may also find an important place in the treatment of some individuals with mental retardation and epilepsy. Antidepressant and adrenergic medications are also enjoying a growing research database. Nootropic or cognitive-enhancing drugs will probably always be a ‘holy grail’ for the population with intellectual disability, but experience from drug-effects on cognitive impairment in conditions such as schizophrenia may become informative. Knowledge derived from animal models of mental retardation syndromes may also yield new insights for pharmacotherapy. Summary Evidence is accumulating to support the shift from typical to atypical neuroleptic agents in individuals with intellectual disability. However, much work remains with respect to elaborating the knowledge base concerning the use of psychotropic medications in this population. The education of patients and care providers regarding psychotropic medications also needs attention. It remains axiomatic that medication should be used in the context of a comprehensive treatment plan for individuals with mental retardation.
Platelet Size In Health and Hematologic Disease

In normal subjects, mean platelet volume (MPV) has an inverse, nonlinear relation with platelet count, while platelet volume heterogeneity has a direct, nonlinear relation with MPV. Compared with the reference range established for normal subjects, patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, atherosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia had normal platelet volume mean and heterogeneity. Patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, patients with megaloblastic anemia, and patients with aplastic anemia had abnormally small platelets with increased heterogeneity. Patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia had abnormally large platelets with increased heterogeneity.
The Study of Start Three-level VSR Over Current Control

This paper aims at the three-level voltage source rectifier(VSR)over current control processi,ts voltage may be dif-ferent from diode rectifier to PWM rectifiert,he outer ring of the PI output can increase suddenly and easily lead to the over-shoot of the inner,producing over-voltage and over-current phenomenon based on the three-level PWM rectifier topol-ogy and synchronous d,q coordinate system mathematical model,using feedforward decoupling approachc,ombining with a combination limiting of PI controller,as the controllers’ output inappropriater,educing the threat of the circuita,chieving the purpose of stable and reliable.The results confirm the correctness of this control strategy.
Analysis on sanitary status of rural drinking water in Sucheng District of Suqian City from 2010-2012

[Objective]To understand the sanitary status of rural drinking water in Sucheng District,provide scientific basis for the reconstruction of rural drinking water project.[Methods]The field sampling and monitoring of rural drinking water in Sucheng District were conducted according to the Standard examination methods for drinking water( GB/T 5750-2006),and the results were analyzed and evaluated according to the Drinking water sanitary standard( GB/T 5749-2006).[Results]A total of 378 water samples were detected in 3 years,and 269 were qualified with the qualified rate of 71. 2%. 5 796 items were detected,and 5 660 were qualified with the qualified rate of 97. 7%. [Conclusion]There exists pollution in rural drinking water in Sucheng District. It is necessary to strengthen the supervision and management of rural drinking water projects.
Life History Theory and Exploitative Strategies

Exploitative strategies involve depriving others of resources while enhancing one’s own. Life history theory suggests that there are individual differences (life history strategy) and environmental...
Vapor-liquid equilibrium involving aqueous, binary nonelectrolytes

Publisher Summary This chapter addresses the equilibrium between coexisting vapor and liquid phases in aqueous mixtures. The chapter provides equation-of-state (EOS) methods to describe the vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) of binary aqueous non-electrolytes. The overall approach implemented is substantially empirical, and is therefore better suited to the correlation of data than to extrapolation outside the ranges of conditions and compositions covered by experimental measurements. No absolute distinction exists between an isolated vapor and an isolated liquid. There is always a continuous, reversible path connecting a vapor phase and a liquid phase. Liquids and vapors are distinguished only by differences in their intensive properties when two such phases are observed in a system. In VLE, the overall system is heterogeneous, but each phase in itself is homogeneous. The homogeneity of each phase is manifested in the uniformity of the (intensive) properties that describe the phase, and the heterogeneity of the system as a whole implies that properties differ between the two phases. The extensive properties, which depend on the amount of substance present, are irrelevant to thermodynamic arguments, although the relative amounts of the two phases are key pieces of information in VLE. The EOS approach, using either chemical potentials or fugacities, is sufficient to determine the equilibrium density and composition of coexisting liquid and vapor phases an expression for the mixture Helmholtz-energy surface and the rules for phase equilibrium allow calculation of the VLE.
Energy level tuning at inorganic/organic semiconductor heterojunctions

In this work we investigate the mechanisms responsible for the energy level alignment at inorganic and organic semiconductors interfaces with photoelectron spectroscopy. We focus on the different contributions that lead to a substantial work function increase (up to 2.5 eV) when depositing thin layers of organic acceptor molecules [1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylenehexacarbonitrile (HATCN) and 2,2'-(perfluoronaphthalene-2,6- diylidene)dimalononitrile (F6-TCNNQ)] on two different inorganic semiconductors (ZnO and GaN). We discuss models to describe this work function increase, which take into account the role of bulk donor concentration of the inorganic semiconductors, their surface state density, and the distance between the inorganic semiconductor and the adsorbed molecules, and we emphasize the importance of surface states on the inorganic semiconductor. The absence of any adsorption-induced core level features for F6-TCNNQ indicates fractional charge transfer, in contrast to HATCN, where additional core level features indicate integer charge transfer. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of this interlayer approach by changing the energy level alignment between the showcase hybrid system ZnO/Sp6
Mechanical design and modeling of an inertial reference unit for laser beam stabilization

Inertially stable platforms (ISPs) have numerous applications from precision laser pointing mechanisms to stabilizing camera images in airborne optical mechanisms. An inertial reference unit (IRU) is one such application that is typically used in line-of-sight optical systems, such as laser weapon systems. The mechanical design of a prototype ISP consisting of an IRU driven by large-angle positioning gimbal was completed. A working ISP with a pointing control system (PCS) will be built as an instructional tool to demonstrate the principles of and operation of feedback control systems.