cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Block differential encoding for rapidly fading channels

Rapidly fading channels provide Doppler-induced diversity, but are also challenging to estimate. To bypass channel estimation, we derive two novel block differential (BD) codecs. Relying on a basis expansion model for time-varying channels, our differential designs are easy to implement, and can achieve the maximum possible Doppler diversity. The first design (BD-I) relies on a time-frequency duality, based on which we convert a time-varying channel into multiple frequency-selective channels, and subsequently into multiple flat-fading channels using orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing. Combined with a group partitioning scheme, BD-I offers flexibility to trade off decoding complexity with performance. Our second block differential design (BD-II) improves the bandwidth efficiency of BD-I at the price of increased complexity at the receiver, which relies on decision-feedback decoding. Simulation results corroborate our theoretical analysis, and compare with competing alternatives.
Rhyme in Prose Narrative: A Precaution

A LONG-ENGRAINED reluctance to mix numbers with literature will be shared, I am sure, by most readers. Yet I must yield. The intention of this paper is to show how a very little, very simple arithmetic can rebut an intuitive perception of style: in particular, how the identification of rhyme in prose narrative may be a dangerous adventure if it is not tempered with a minimum of mathematics. In a recent study of the oral cante-fable among the Tonga (a Bantu-speaking people of Southern Zambia) the author, after dealing with the songs that are inset in the story, goes on to describe the prose narrative:
Low level laser therapy wound treatment update

Dr. David H. Sliney participated in the Laser Therapy Session of the meeting, held in the Pallazzo Le Stelline, Milan, Italy on Friday–Sunday, 18–20 June 1999. At the conclusion of his Report Dr. Sliney notes: “Attendance at this meeting was quite interesting. Remarkable benefits continue to be claimed for laser, and even incoherent, light for treating wounds. Despite the fact that those who employ these techniques are impressed with their results, a sound understanding of the underlying photobiological mechanisms of LLLT remain elusive. Highly convincing, objective studies of clinical efficacy which meet all of the demands of the skeptics are required.”
In vitro killing of Babesia bovis by the ornithine analog α-monofluoromethyldehydroornithine methyl ester

The effects of the 2 ornithine decarboxylase inhibitors alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and alpha-monofluoromethyldehydroornithine methyl ester (delta MFMO-ME) on growth of Babesia bovis blood stages in vitro were tested. The DFMO had no apparent effects on in vitro growth of B. bovis nor on the morphology of the parasite at concentrations up to 20 mM. In contrast, delta MFMO-ME had cytotoxic effects on B. bovis at 0.5 mM which were more pronounced at 5 mM. delta MFMO-ME caused both a decrease in percentage parasitized erythrocytes and a degeneration of parasites after 12 h exposure, and the magnitude of both effects was dose-dependent. The effects of delta MFMO-ME were not reversible for B. bovis precultured for 12 h (5 mM) or 24 h (0.5 mM) in drug before culturing the parasite in drug-free medium. Unexpectedly, 300 microM putrescine did not reverse the effects of delta MFMO-ME on B. bovis blood stage, raising the possibility that inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase is not responsible for these effects.
Pregnancy-induced changes in resistance blood vessels.

Abstract This study was designed to examine the effect of reproductive status on the basic mechanical properties of resistance size blood vessels. The hypothesis to be tested was that pregnancy is associated with alterations in both the passive and active properties of blood vessels small enough to be major determinants of peripheral vasculature resistance. Third-order arteries (165 μm in diameter) from the mesenteric arcade of the rat were removed at three stages of gestation and the four stages of the estrous cycle. These were placed in a specially designed myograph system in which their active and passive tension-internal circumference characteristics were measured. Pregnancy was found to be associated with a decrease in stiffness of these vessels and reduction in contractile ability by 20 days' gestation.
Kinetic properties of α-D-galactosidase from Lactobacillus fermenti

The kinetics of α- d -galactosidase (α- d -galactoside galactohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.22) from Lactobacillus fermenti have been investigated to determine the optimum conditions for the hydrolysis of raffinose sugars in soymilk. PNPG activities of the enzyme were highest in late growth on glucose; maximum productivity was 17.8 units l−1 h−1 after 24 h growth. Maximum and specific activities of the enzyme were 1.1 units ml−1 and 4.3 units mg−1 protein, respectively, at 45°C, pH 5.0. Activity and specific activity of the enzyme in 24 h glucose cultures at 37°C, pH 5.8, were 0.6 units ml−1 and 2.2 units mg−1 protein, respectively. The enzyme was inhibited competitively by galactose, non-competitively by sucrose and fructose and retained 64% of its initial activity following 30 days storage at 4°C. After 5 h at 37°C, 94% of the raffinose and 68% of the stachyose were hydrolysed by 0.114 units of enzyme. These sugars were completely hydrolysed in a commercial soymilk of pH 5.2 or 6.5 at 37°C in 7 h by 0.454 units of enzyme.
Reconsidering Human Performance Technology.

This article discusses three perceived challenges in the field of human performance technology: a missing link from training to performance, limitations in gap analysis and cause analysis, and a lack of attention to business and organization performance. It then provides possible alternatives for each issue, such as instructional system development frameworks for organizational learning, a soft performance technology framework, and a proposed framework for four levels of performance.
Single collision chemiluminescence studies of scandium and yttrium oxidation with O2, NO2, N2O and O3

Abstract The chemiluminescent reactions of Sc and Y atoms with O 2 , NO 2 , N 2 O, and O 3 have been studied under single-collision conditions, using a beam-gas arrangement. The reactions of Sc and Y with O 2 are characterized by emission from the A 2 Π and the previously unobserved A ·2 Δ states of ScO and YO. The reactions of Sc and Y with NO 2 , N 2 O and O 3 result in emission from the A 2 ‖ and B 2 Σ + states of ScO and YO. In addition, emission from at least one previously unobserved electronic state, lying higher in energy than the B 2 Σ + state, is observed in the emission resulting from the Sc-O 3 , Sc-N 2 O, Y-O 3 and Y-N 2 O reactions. From the A 2 Π-X 2 Σ + chemiluminescent spectra for the SC-O 2 and Y-O 2 systems, minimum values of 7:13 ± 0.1 eV for the dissociation energy of ScO, and 7.50 ± 0.1 eV for the dissociation energy of YO are deduced. These lower bounds are in good agreement with previous mass spectrometric determinations of these quantities. Upper and lower bounds to the effective rotational temperature of ScO (B 2 Σ + , ν′ = 0) formed in the Sc-NO 2 reaction are determined from rotational structure observed in the B-X chemiluminescent spectrum. Measurements of the dependence of the chemiluminescent intensity on oxidant pressure and metal temperature indicate that all of the reactions studied are first order with respect to both ground state metal atom and oxidant molecule number densities. Relative rate constants for formation of product vibrational and electronic states are determined from the chemiluminescent spectra. In several instances, these rates are found to deviate quite substantially from those predicted on the basis of prior statistical distributions obtained with no dynamical constraints
Environment and child well-being

In recent years there has been a growing interest in understanding how the particular environment in which children and youth develop affect later outcomes. The articles in this special issue all examine ways in which the larger environment is related to children's well-being. In this introduction, we describe some of the historical research "highlights" showing how the environment affects well-being from several disciplines, discuss current trends in environmentally-based research, provide a short review of the literature on the effects of the environment for children and review, and discuss remaining challenges.
Using Multivariate Machine Learning Methods and Structural MRI to Classify Childhood Onset Schizophrenia and Healthy Controls

Introduction: Multivariate machine learning methods can be used to classify groups of schizophrenia patients and controls using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, machine learning methods to date have not been extended beyond classification and contemporaneously applied in a meaningful way to clinical measures. We hypothesized that brain measures would classify groups, and that increased likelihood of being classified as a patient using regional brain measures would be positively related to illness severity, developmental delays and genetic risk. Methods: Using 74 anatomic brain MRI sub regions and Random Forest, we classified 98 COS patients and 99 age, sex, and ethnicity-matched healthy controls. We also used Random Forest to determine the likelihood of being classified as a schizophrenia patient based on MRI measures. We then explored relationships between brain-based probability of illness and symptoms, premorbid development, and presence of copy number variation associated with schizophrenia. Results: Brain regions jointly classified COS and control groups with 73.7% accuracy. Greater brain-based probability of illness was associated with worse functioning (p= 0.0004) and fewer developmental delays (p=0.02). Presence of copy number variation (CNV) was associated with lower probability of being classified as schizophrenia (p=0.001). The regions that were most important in classifying groups included left temporal lobes, bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal regions, and left medial parietal lobes. Conclusions: Schizophrenia and control groups can be well classified using Random Forest and anatomic brain measures, and brain-based probability of illness has a positive relationship with illness severity and a negative relationship with developmental delays/problems and CNV-based risk.
Characterization of Colloidal Stability during Precipitation Reactions

Methods of characterizing colloidal interaction potentials of nanoscale silver particles during their formation are discussed. Silver sols are produced by the borohydride reduction of silver perchl...
A dual spectrometer system for reducing spectral interferences in multielement ICPES

Abstract The 0.75-m Paschen-Runge spectrometer employed for multielement ICPES lacks sufficient resolution for accurate and reliable determinations of environmentally important trace elements in complex sample matrices. If the most sensitive spectral lines are employed for each of these elements, a large number of interelement corrections are needed to compensate for spectral interferences from major constituents of the samples. A method is routinely employed that can correct accurately for spectral interferences amounting to 50% of the uncorrected intensity. The method fails, however, when the signal from the analyte is buried by relatively large amounts of interference. The results of a preliminary study demonstrated that significant reductions in spectral interferences could be achieved with a high-resolution echelle grating spectrometer. An echelle spectrometer which includes a 33-position rotating refractor plate for flexible application of off-line background corrections was interfaced to the existing 1CP source. The interferences of 33 elements upon 22 analytical lines were investigated using the echelle spectrometer to select judiciously 10 lines for multielement operation. Interference comparisons were made for the lines included in the 0.75-m multichannel array using the same plasma excitation conditions, operating both spectrometers simultaneously. These measurements were made with and without off-line background corrections. The combination of high resolution and the ability to choose an optimum position for off-line background corrections resulted in reductions in the total intensity of spectral interferences affecting the following analytical lines (percent reductions are in parentheses): As, 193.676 nm (74); Be, 234.861 nm (99); Cd, 214.438 nm (>99); Mo. 202.030 nm > 99); Pb, 220.353 nm (96); Se, 196.026 nm (>99); and Tl. 377.572 nm (94). Different lines were selected for Ni (214.147 nm over 341.476 nm), Sb (206.833 nm over 231.147 nm), and U (409.014 nm over 367.007 nm) on the basis of fewer interferences and/or better sensitivity. This combination of factors resulted in >99, >99, and 93% reductions in their respective interferences.
Polarimetric brightness temperatures of sea surfaces measured with aircraft microwave radiometers

Aircraft dual-frequency (19 and 37 GHz) radiometer measurements of polarimetric sea surface brightness temperatures are reported in this paper. All measured Stokes parameters showed a few Kelvin azimuth modulations with respect to the wind direction. The wind directional signals observed in the 37 GHz channel were similar to those in the 19 GHz channel. This indicates that the wind direction signals in sea surface brightness temperatures have a weak frequency dependence in the range of 19 to 37 GHz. The harmonic coefficients of the wind direction signals were derived from experimental data versus incidence angle. It was found that the first harmonic coefficients, which are caused by the up and downwind asymmetric surface features, had a small increasing trend with the incidence angle. In contrast, the second harmonic coefficients, caused by the up and crosswind asymmetry, showed significant variations in T/sub /spl upsi// and U data, with a sign change when the incidence angle increased from 45/spl deg/ to 65/spl deg/. Besides the first three Stokes parameters, the fourth Stokes parameter, V, which had never, been measured for sea surfaces before, was measured using our 19-GHz channel. The Stokes parameter V has an odd symmetry just like that of the third Stokes parameter U, but with a smaller wind direction signal than that of U. Theoretical interpretation based on two-scale scattering models was performed to interpret the experimental data. In summary, the sea surface features created by the near surface winds are anisotropic in azimuth direction and modulate all Stokes parameters of sea surface microwave brightness temperatures by as large as a few Kelvin in the range of incidence angles from 45/spl deg/ to 65/spl deg/ applicable to spaceborne observations.
Biology of Scolytus subscaber (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Grand Fir in Idaho

ABSTRACT We studied the biology of Scolytus subscaber LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in grand fir, Abies grandis (Douglas) Lindley, in northern Idaho. Presented are new Idaho distribution records, description of the mature larva and adult, biological features, characteristics of infestation and galleries, and natural control factors. The beetle has one generation per year, taking flight in July to infest live branches in the crowns of mature trees. The uniquely shaped egg gallery deeply scores the wood; its two arms curve inward like the Greek letter e. Eggs are laid along the outer edge of the gallery; hatched larvae mine hidden in the phloem for a short distance after which they mine next to the sapwood where they overwinter. A cerambycid, Tetropium abietis Fall, occurred often in the larger diameter portion of branches infested with S. subscaber. A scolytid, Scolytus abietis Blackman, also infested branches but not those containing S. subscaber. Mortality factors included a braconid pa...
Best-effort parallel execution framework for Recognition and mining applications

Recognition and mining (RM) applications are an emerging class of computing workloads that will be commonly executed on future multi-core and many-core computing platforms. The explosive growth of input data and the use of more sophisticated algorithms in RM applications will ensure, for the foreseeable future, a significant gap between the computational needs of RM applications and the capabilities of rapidly evolving multi- or many-core platforms. To address this gap, we propose a new parallel programming model that inherently embodies the notion of best-effort computing, wherein the underlying parallel computing environment is not expected to be perfect. The proposed best-effort programming model leverages three key characteristics of RM applications: (1) the input data is noisy and it often contains significant redundancy, (2) computations performed on the input data are statistical in nature, and (3) some degree of imprecision in the output is acceptable. As a specific instance of the best-effort parallel programming model, we describe an “iterative-convergence” parallel template, which is used by a significant class of RM applications. We show how best-effort computing can be used to not only reduce computational workload, but to also eliminate dependencies between computations and further increase parallelism. Our experiments on an 8-core machine demonstrate a speed-up of 3.5X and 4.3X for the K-means and GLVQ algorithms, respectively, over a conventional parallel implementation. We also show that there is almost no material impact on the accuracy of results obtained from best-effort implementations in the application context of image segmentation using K-means and eye detection in images using GLVQ.
Recent developments in the job‐shop scheduling problem

The job-shop scheduling problem is a large-scale combinatorial problem of great practical significance. First, a discussion of the size of the combinatorial problem involved will be given. Then, the various methods of attacks for solving this problem will be discussed and criticized by the use of examples. These methods include principally the integral linear programming, the heuristic, the loading rule, the simulation, and the Monte Carlo methods. The latter method, in the form devised by Giffler and Thompson, will be described in detail, and some computational results will he presented.
Distributed teaming on JPL projects

NASA projects are created by teams of people. More frequently than ever before, these project teams include members who are "distributed" rather than colocated -- scattered in place, time, discipline or attention rather than collected and focused in every way. Distributed teams share many characteristics with colocated teams, but their geographic distribution precludes frequent face-to-face meetings among team members. This physical distribution makes shared vision and trust much harder to achieve within the team, and creates a vacuum where social aspects of team behavior would normally be. This paper addresses structures, actions and technologies that contribute to real team development of a distributed team, and the leadership skills and tools that are used to implement that team development. Some of the information is extrapolated from literature describing team development - I say extrapolated, because nearly all of that literature is focused on co-located teams, and almost none on "virtual" or "distributed" teams. Much more of the information in this paper is gathered from real-life experiences of JPL (and other) project managers who have led distributed teams themselves. They were eager to describe the difficulties they encountered, the various means they used to solve those difficulties, and both the successes and failures of their efforts. They left it to me to compare their experiences with the theories of human dynamics, and to generalize on their experiences. These generalizations are increasingly necessary, as the use of distributed teams increases in every industry.
Cystic fibrosis pulmonary guidelines: chronic medications for maintenance of lung health

The natural history of cystic fibrosis lung disease is one of chronic progression with intermittent episodes of acute worsening of symptoms frequently called acute pulmonary exacerbations These exacerbations typically warrant medical intervention. It is important that appropriate therapies are recommended on the basis of available evidence of efficacy and safety. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation therefore established a committee to define the key questions related to pulmonary exacerbations, review the clinical evidence using an evidence-based methodology, and provide recommendations to clinicians. It is hoped that these guidelines will be helpful to clinicians in the treatment of individuals with cystic fibrosis.
Scaling mobile alternate reality games with geo-location translation

Alternate Reality Games (ARGs) are interactive narrative experiences that engage the player by layering a fictional world over the real world. Mobile ARGs use geo-location aware devices to track players as they visit real-world locations to progress the story. ARG stories are often geo-specific, requiring players to visit specific locations in the world and, as a result, ARGs are played infrequently and only by those who live within proximity of the locations that the stories reference. We present a solution to the geo-specificity problem called location translation, which transforms ARG stories from one geographical location to another, making them playable anywhere. We show that location translation addresses fundamental scalability challenges that arise from geo-specificity.
Interpeptide interactions induce helix to strand structural transition in Aβ peptides

Replica exchange molecular dynamics and all-atom implicit solvent model are used to compute the structural propensities in Aβ monomers, dimers, and Aβ peptides bound to the edge of amyloid fibril. These systems represent, on an approximate level, different stages in Aβ aggregation. Aβ monomers are shown to form helical structure in the N-terminal (residues 13 to 21). Interpeptide interactions in Aβ dimers and, especially, in the peptides bound to the fibril induce a dramatic shift in the secondary structure, from helical states toward β-strand conformations. The sequence region 10–23 in Aβ peptide is found to form most of interpeptide interactions upon aggregation. Simulation results are tested by comparing the chemical shifts in Aβ monomers computed from simulations and obtained experimentally. Possible implications of our simulations for designing aggregation-resistant variants of Aβ are discussed.
Directional and Non-directional Movements of Bat Rays, Myliobatis californica, in Tomales Bay, California

The goal of this project was to determine if bat rays, Myliobatis californica, display oriented movements and are thus a viable model species for the further study of geomagnetic topotaxis in elasmobranches. We tracked one male and three female rays during September 1998 and August and September 2001 in Tomales Bay, California. The rays exhibited two modes of travel: (1) rapid and highly directional movements in a straight line along the length of the bay and (2) slow and non-directional movements within small areas. Directional movements were defined as point-to-point vectors in the paths of the bat rays that were oriented in similar directions, and the distribution of these was clustered rather than dispersed and uniform. Mean rates of movement during directional swimming approached 0.5 m s−1. In contrast, vectors in the path of bat rays were at times oriented in varying directions, and a distribution of these was widely dispersed as we would expect if the rays were moving randomly. These were defined as non-directional movements. Oriented straight-line swimming is consistent with the species either being able to orient to the bathymetry of the bay or possessing a compass and (or) piloting sense.
Dynamic downregulation of Nogo receptor expression in the rat forebrain by amphetamine

Nogo receptors (NgRs) are a family of cell surface receptors that are broadly expressed in the mammalian brain. These receptors could serve as an inhibitory element in the regulation of activity-dependent axonal growth and spine and synaptic formation in the adult animal brain. Thus, through balancing the structural response to changing cellular and synaptic inputs, NgRs participate in constructing activity-dependent morphological plasticity. Psychostimulants have been well documented to induce morphological plasticity critical for addictive properties of stimulants, although underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we initiated a study to investigate the response of NgRs to a stimulant. We tested the effect of acute administration of amphetamine on protein expression of two principal NgR subtypes (NgR1 and NgR2) in the rat striatum, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus. We found that a single injection of amphetamine induced a rapid and time-dependent decrease in NgR1 and NgR2 expression in the striatum and mPFC. A relatively delayed and time-dependent decrease in expression of the two receptors was seen in the hippocampus. The drug-induced decrease in NgR1 and NgR2 expression in the three forebrain regions was dose-dependent. A behaviorally active dose of the drug was required to trigger a significant reduction in NgR1 and NgR2 expression. These data indicate that NgRs are subject to the regulation by the stimulant. Amphetamine exposure exerts the inhibitory modulation of basal NgR1 and NgR2 expression in the key structures of reward circuits in vivo.
A day (or 5) in a neutrophil's life.

In this issue of Blood , Pillay and colleagues apply a novel technique to reliably measure the half-life of circulating neutrophils that does not rely on ex vivo isolation and labeling before reintroduction to the circulation.[1][1] Neutrophils are the most common immune cell in blood and function
Does Facebook magnify or mitigate threats to belonging

Abstract. Previous research has yielded mixed findings regarding the interpersonal causes and consequences of Facebook use. The current research examines the role of belonging needs in motivating Facebook use and the protective value of Facebook following exclusion. In four studies we: manipulated exclusion and observed participants’ behavioral preferences (Study 1); measured participants’ belonging needs and their Facebook use (Study 2); and manipulated exclusion, exposed participants to either their Facebook photos/pages or control photos/pages, and measured need satisfaction and aggression (Studies 3–4). We found that exclusion motivated computer-mediated communication, and belonging needs predicted Facebook use. Also, exposure to Facebook protected excluded individuals’ social needs and mitigated aggressive behavior. Altogether, these studies suggest that Facebook is a powerful tool that allows individuals to reaffirm their social bonds.
Auto-tunable microlens chip for sensing applications

An integrated auto-tunable microlens chip, which is capable of adjusting its focal length over a wide range, is reported. The packaged microlens chip consists of a flexible 3D convex polymer lens, thermal actuator and sensor. The actuation mechanism based on the liquid's thermal expansion is introduced for the first time ever into an auto-tunable microlens to obtain relatively large actuation force and displacement. The 3D convex polymer lens provides an initial focal point at no actuation. The focal length change is controlled by varying the voltage applied to the thermal actuator and without any mechanical moving parts. It varies from 9.197 to 2.619 mm, which corresponds to the change of numerical aperture from 0.146 to 0.448. Potential applications include single cell detection and immobilization, optical sensor, lab-on-a-chip, ophthalmologic mimetic system, high throughput scanning and confocal imaging system
Does secretin stimulation add to magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in characterising pancreatic cystic lesions as side-branch intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm?

To assess the value of secretin during magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in demonstrating communication between cystic lesions and the pancreatic duct to help determine the diagnosis of side-branch intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (SB-IPMN). This is an IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant retrospective study of 29 SB-IPMN patients and 13 non-IPMN subjects (control) who underwent secretin-enhanced MRCP (s-MRCP). Two readers blinded to the final diagnosis reviewed three randomised image sets: (1) pre-secretin HASTE, (2) dynamic s-MRCP and (3) post-secretin HASTE. Logistic regression, generalised linear models and ROC analyses were used to compare pre- and post-secretin results. There was no significant difference in median scores for the pre-secretin [reader 1: 1; reader 2: 2 (range -2 to 2)] and post-secretin HASTE [reader 1: 1; reader 2: 1 (range -2 to 2)] in the SB-IPMN group (P = 0.14), while the scores were lower for s-MRCP [reader 1: 0.5 (range -2 to 2); reader 2: 0 (range -1 to 2); P = 0.016]. There was no significant difference in mean maximum diameter of SB-IPMN on pre- and post-secretin HASTE, and s-MRCP (P > 0.05). Secretin stimulation did not add to MRCP in characterising pancreatic cystic lesions as SB-IPMN. • Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is used to evaluate pancreatic cystic lesions. • Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a type of pancreatic cystic neoplasm. • Secretin administration does not facilitate the diagnosis of IPMN on MRCP.
International Technology Transfer: Who Gains and Who Loses?*

When one country has a superior technology in all commodities, a Ricardian model with two goods and two countries is used to examine uncompensated transfers of superior technology in one or both goods. A transfer of the superior but second-best technology always benefits the advanced country because it was improting that good initially and now gets it cheaper. But the free gift of the first-best technology can also benefit the advanced country if a certain productivity condition is satisfied because that country may now export its former import good at an even better terms of trade.
Comparison of Hemodynamics After Aortic Root Replacement Using Valve-Sparing or Bioprosthetic Valved Conduit

Background The purpose of this study is to compare aortic hemodynamics and blood flow patterns using in-vivo four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients after valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) and aortic root replacement with bioprosthetic valves (BIO-ARR). Methods In-vivo 4D flow MRI was performed in 11 patients after VSARR (47 ± 18 years, 6 bicuspid aortic valves, 5 trileaflet aortic valves), 16 patients after BIO-ARR (52 ± 14 years), and 10 healthy controls (47 ± 16 years). Analysis included three-dimensional blood flow visualization and grading of helix flow in the ascending aorta (AAo) and arch. Peak systolic velocity was quantified in 9 analysis planes in the AAo, aortic arch, and descending aorta. Flow profile uniformity was evaluated in the aortic root and ascending aorta. Results Peak systolic velocity (2.0 to 2.5m/second) in the aortic root and AAo in both VSARR and BIO-ARR were elevated compared with controls (1.1 to 1.3m/second, p p p Conclusions The VSARR results in improved hemodynamic outcomes when compared with BIO-ARR, as indicated by reduced peak velocities in the aortic root and less helix flow in the AAo by 4D flow MRI. Longitudinal research assessing the clinical impact of these differences in hemodynamic outcomes is warranted.
A qualitative evaluation of the national centers of excellence in women’s health program

Abstract A qualitative evaluation was conducted at 15 nationally designated Centers of Excellence in Women’s Health (CoEs) that were funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Office on Women’s Health at the time of data collection. The evaluation focused on organizational issues including: 1) the impact of CoE designation on the recipient institutions; 2) the greatest strengths and challenges affecting the CoEs and their core components of research, clinical care, professional education, leadership, and community outreach; and 3) whether the core components developed an interface and coordinated with one another as intended according to the DHHS national model. A total of 91 individuals were interviewed for the evaluation. The study indicates that the national designation served to legitimize and expand the scope of women’s health within the recipient institutions. The CoEs enhanced collaboration among researchers and practitioners, and were able to leverage additional resources. The core components largely were successful at interfacing in accordance with the national model. Notwithstanding these successes, the CoEs remain susceptible to failure if they do not gain additional support for the concept of women’s health within the recipient institutions, and will not remain durable without additional and stable funding sources.
Physiological role of hepatic NPC1L1 in human cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism: new perspectives and open questions

The importance of the cholesterol transporter Niemann-Pick C1 like protein 1 (NPC1L1)in the small intestine for efficient absorption of cholesterol is well documented and its physiological importance is clear (1). Similarly, the drug ezetimibe (Zetia™), which blocks function of this transporter, reduces plasma cholesterol, primarily LDL, by dramatically reducing intestinal absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol (2). There are controversies about the exact mechanism by which NPC1L1 functions: whether the protein is on the apical cell membrane or intracellular vesicles or both (3–5), and whether ezetimibe directly blocks NPC1L1 or interrupts its association with other proteins in the sterol absorption and transport pathway (6–8). Nevertheless, it is now accepted that this protein is the key player in sterol absorption, although other transporters may play ancillary roles (9, 10).
Thermochronologic constraints on the late Cenozoic exhumation history of the Gurla Mandhata metamorphic core complex, Southwestern Tibet

How the Tibetan plateau is geodynamically linked to the Himalayas is a topic receiving considerable attention. The Karakoram fault plays key roles in describing the structural relationship between southern Tibet and the Himalayas. In particular, considerable debate exists at the southeastern end of the Karakoram fault, where its role is interpreted in two different ways. One interpretation states that slip along the dextral Karakoram fault extends eastward along the Indus-Yalu suture zone, bypassing the Himalayas. The other interprets that fault slip is fed southward into the Himalayan thrust belt along the Gurla Mandhata detachment (GMD). To evaluate these competing models, the late Miocene history of the GMD was reconstructed from thermokinematic modeling of zircon (U-Th)/He data. Three east-west transects reveal rapid cooling of the GMD footwall from 8.0 ± 1.3 Ma to 2.6 ± 0.7 Ma. Model simulations show a southward decrease in slip magnitude and rate along the GMD. In the north, initiation of the GMD range between 14 and 11 Ma with a mean fault slip rate of 5.0 ± 0.9 mm/yr. The central transect shows an initiation age from 14 to 11 Ma with a mean fault slip rate of 3.3 ± 0.6 mm/yr. In the south, initiation began between 15 and 8 Ma with a mean fault slip rate of 3.2 ± 1.6 mm/yr. The initiation ages and slip rates match the Karakoram fault across several timescales, supporting the idea that the two are kinematically linked. Specifically, the data are consistent with the GMD acting as an extensional stepover, with slip transferred southward into the Himalayas of western Nepal.
How to Identify Success Among Networks That Promote Active Living

Objectives. We evaluated organization- and network-level factors that influence organizations’ perceived success. This is important for managing interorganizational networks, which can mobilize communities to address complex health issues such as physical activity, and for achieving change.Methods. In 2011, we used structured interview and network survey data from 22 states in the United States to estimate multilevel random-intercept models to understand organization- and network-level factors that explain perceived network success.Results. A total of 53 of 59 “whole networks” met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis (89.8%). Coordinators identified 559 organizations, with 3 to 12 organizations from each network taking the online survey (response rate = 69.7%; range = 33%–100%). Occupying a leadership position (P < .01), the amount of time with the network (P < .05), and support from community leaders (P < .05) emerged as correlates of perceived success.Conclusions. Organizations’ perceptions of suc...
A new reliable adhesion enhancement process for directly plating on molding compounds for package level EMI shielding

Plating on molding compound is a relatively new field which could open up new package designs. One major application is conformal self EMI shielding (package level shielding) of ICs. Generally, EMI shielding is done mainly by metallic cans, however, this technique increases the space requirements and reduces flexibility of component layout on the PCB, that would not be suitable to handset products.
ASP-DPOP: solving distributed constraint optimization problems with logic programming

Researchers have used Distributed Constraint Optimization Problems (DCOPs) to model various multi-agent coordination and resource allocation problems. However, existing DCOP algorithms have focused almost exclusively on imperative programming techniques. This paper explores a new direction, which is to develop algorithms that use declarative programming, specifically logic programming, techniques.
Harmonic Balance Analysis and Experimental Validation of a Nonlinear Broadband Piezoelectric Energy Harvester for Low Ambient Vibrations

It has been shown by several research groups over the past few years that vibration energy harvesters with intentionally designed nonlinear stiffness components can be used for frequency bandwidth enhancement under harmonic excitation for sufficiently strong vibration amplitudes. In order to overcome the need for high excitation intensities that are required to exploit nonlinear dynamic phenomena, we have developed an M-shaped piezoelectric energy harvester configuration that can exhibit a nonlinear frequency response under low vibration levels. This configuration is made from a continuous bent spring steel with piezoelectric laminates and a proof mass, and no magnetic components. Careful design of this nonlinear architecture that minimizes piezoelectric softening further enables the possibility of achieving the jump phenomenon in hardening at base acceleration levels on the order of a few milli-g. In the present work, such a design is explored for both primary and secondary resonance excitations at different vibration levels and for different electrical loads. Following the primary resonance excitation case that offers more than 600 % increase in the half-power bandwidth as compared to the linear system at a root-mean-square excitation level as low as 0.04g, secondary resonance behavior is investigated with a focus on 1:2 and 1:3 superharmonic resonance neighborhoods. A multi-term harmonic balance formulation is employed for a computationally effective yet high-fidelity analysis of this high-quality-factor system with quadratic and cubic nonlinearities. In addition to primary resonance and secondary (superharmonic) resonance cases, multi-harmonic excitation is modeled and experimentally validated.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Atrial Fibrillation Identified During Echocardiography in a Patient with Recurrent Cardioembolic Events: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Stroke is the major cause of disability and the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. In 30-40% of strokes the etiology remains uncertain or unknown. Identifying the cause of a cerebrovascular event offers the opportunity for an intervention that may decrease the risk of future stroke and thus prevent the resultant impairment. CASE REPORT We report the case of an 80-year-old African American woman with a prior right middle cerebral artery stroke, who presented to the hospital with new left-sided weakness and was found to have a new right-sided frontal lobe infarct. Twenty-four hour Holter monitoring performed during this hospitalization and prior 24-h electrocardiogram (ECG) recording did not reveal an arrhythmia. However, the patient was found to have an isolated episode of atrial fibrillation (AF) during an echocardiogram as part of the evaluation for stroke etiology. CONCLUSIONS AF is an important and treatable cause of recurrent stroke and needs to be ruled out by thorough evaluation before the diagnosis of cryptogenic stroke is assigned. Despite meticulous diagnostic work-up, many strokes caused by paroxysmal AF remain undetected and longer ECG monitoring (>24 h) may be required.
Camera Aided Luminance Measurement of the Luminous Surfaces of Different Light Sources

It has been difficult using a luminance meter for lighting professionals to accurately measure the non-uniform luminance of artificial light sources. The emerging HDR photography techniques for luminance acquisition may overcome limitations of the conventional method. This pilot study looked into the quality of HDR images generated under nine types of artificial light sources, including incandescent, tungsten halogen, fluorescent T8, CFL, mercury, MH, HPS, LPS, and LED, for measuring their own luminous surfaces. After comparing field measured luminance data using Minolta LS-100 with those retrieved from the nine HDR images, error percents were fount 29.4% +/- 28.4% if averaging all pixels brighter than 500 cd/m 2 , or 29.5% +/33.5% if manually retrieved using the provided square selection tool in Photosphere. Yet error percents were found much smaller as of 1.5% +/- 1.2% for luminance mapping the uniform white patch of Macbeth color checker. Thus, HDR images may be used for luminance measurement of light sources with enhanced accuracy.
Fused Porphyrin–Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Hybrids: Efficient Formation and Photophysical Characterization

A systematic study of the interaction between π-extended porphyrins and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is reported here. Zinc porphyrins with 1-pyrenyl groups in the 5,15-meso positions, 1, as well as compounds where one or both of the pyrene groups have been fused at the meso and β positions of the porphyrin core, 2 and 3, respectively, have been examined. The strongest binding to SWNTs is observed for porphyrin 3, leading to debundling of the nanotubes and formation of stable suspensions of 3–SWNT hybrids in a range of common organic solvents. Absorption spectra of 3–SWNT suspensions are broad and continuous (λ = 400–1400 nm), and the Q-band of 3 displays a significant bathochromic shift of 33 nm. The surface coverage of the SWNTs in the nanohybrids was estimated by spectroscopic and analytical methods and found to reach 64% for (7,6) nanotubes. The size and shape of π-conjugated porphyrins were found to be important factors in determining the strength of the π–π interactions, as the linear anti...
Temperature Inversions and the Trapping of Air Pollutants

(1965). Temperature Inversions and the Trapping of Air Pollutants. Weatherwise: Vol. 18, No. 4, pp. 172-175.
Method for the preparation of derivatives of heptiptycene: toward dual-cavity baskets.

We have developed a novel synthetic method that enables the preparation of functional derivatives of heptiptycene, i.e., cavitands with two juxtaposed cavities. The homocoupling of bicyclic dibromoalkenes is promoted by Pd(OAc)2 (10%) in dioxane (100 °C) to give cyclotrimers in 27-77% yield under optimized reaction conditions (Ph3P, K2CO3, n-Bu4NBr, N2, 4 A MS). These dual-cavity baskets show a strong π → π* absorption at 241 nm (e = 939,000 M(-1) cm(-1)), along with a subsequent fluorescence emission at 305 nm.
Listening to Hawaiian Spinner Porpoises, Stenella cf. Longirostris, with a Three-Dimensional Hydrophone Array

A three-dimensional array of hydrophones was anchored for 6 days (8 to 13 May 1971) in Kealakekua Bay on the island of Hawaii in order to listen to the underwater sounds of a resident population of spinner porpoises, Stenella cf. longirostris (Gray, 1828). Arrival-times for individual porpoise sounds were measured, and source locations were calculated to provide a three-dimensional indication of position for calling animals. Most sounds originated at depths less than 10 meters, and many of them were exchanges of sounds by porpoises within 10 to 15 meters of each other. Source level calculations indicated a wide range of levels that suggest intentional control of sound level. The three-dimensional array provided information that would not have been available by single hydrophone listening.
Differential relationships between anxiety and treatment-associated pain reduction among male and female chronic pain patients.

Abstract:Objectives:Clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory-based studies have all suggested that female sex and elevated anxiety are associated with greater experience of pain. However, several recent reports have also indicated that sex may moderate the relationship between anxiety and responses
Scale-Dependent Mixing for Adverse Mobility Ratio Flows in Heterogeneous Porous Media

Mixing is a scale-dependent phenomenon that has been shown to increase with increasing heterogeneity, mobility ratio, longitudinal correlation length, aspect ratio and distance traveled. The interface between miscible fluids may be dilated by velocity variations, which are promoted by certain characteristics of a porous medium, or by a high mobility ratio. Here we use a high-resolution numerical scheme to compute local dispersivities by fitting grid-block concentration histories to the 1D convection–diffusion equation. We provide new insights on the scale dependence of local dispersivity in heterogeneous porous media. We explain that irreversible mixing only increases monotonically with increasing longitudinal correlation length (layering) for unit mobility ratio displacements. The combination of an adverse mobility ratio and reservoir layering causes mixing to increase, peak and then decline with distance traveled by the injectant. We show that mixing evolves non-monotonically in layered porous media due to the effect of channeling (and not viscous fingering) at adverse mobility ratios. We also examine the effect of diffusion on local dispersivity as modeled in Eulerian simulation. The level of dispersivity is increased when diffusion is explicitly modeled, although molecular diffusion is much smaller than numerical diffusion, even in our high-resolution simulations. Diffusion is more important to consider when sharp concentration gradients exist, as is the case when mobility ratio is large and permeabilities are highly correlated in the longitudinal direction (i.e., layered). This combination gives rise to pronounced channelized flow in which a sharp concentration gradient drives diffusion over a large area of contact between fluids.