cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probiotics in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

The human microbiome plays many roles in inflammation, drug metabolism, and even the development of cancer that we are only beginning to understand. Colorectal cancer has been a focus for study in this field as its pathogenesis and its response to treatment have both been linked to the functioning of microbiota. This literature review evaluates the animal and human studies that have explored this relationship. By manipulating the microbiome with interventions such as probiotic administration, we may be able to reduce colorectal cancer risk and improve the safety and effectiveness of cancer therapy even though additional clinical research is still necessary.
Shareholder wealth effects of cultural diversity among blockholders: Evidence from cross‐border acquisitions by U.S.‐listed companies

Manuscript Type: Empirical Research Question/Issue: This paper studies whether and how diversity among blockholders in their cultural preferences may affect short-term shareholder wealth. Blockholders often hold diverse objectives, leading to principal-principal (PP) conflicts in cross-border acquisitions (CBAs). The literature, however, is unclear on whether they have diverse cultural preferences when it comes to the location choice in CBAs and, if so, how such diversity affects short-term shareholder wealth surrounding the announcement of a CBA. Integrating agency and resource dependence perspectives, this paper argues that such diversity has an inverted U-shaped relationship with shareholder wealth. Research Findings/Insights: The theory is tested using a sample of 2,571 nonfinancial CBAs made by US listed companies between 2002 and 2014. Results suggest an inverted U-shaped relationship between diversity in host-market cultural distance propensities among five types of blockholders (family, corporations, bank and insurance companies, resistant financial institutions, and government) and the cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) attributable to CBA announcements. Theoretical/Academic Implications: First, international corporate governance scholars should understand the nonfinancial motivations of shareholders when evaluating potential conflicts in internationalization strategy and performance. Second, future studies should recognize that PP issues in the multinational firm are a multidimensional construct, comprised of multiple sources of conflicts beyond the traditional focus on controlling-versus-minority shareholders. Lastly, the PP literature should shift its rhetoric from conflicts to a good balance between benefits and conflicts, depending on the degree of heterogeneity among principals. Practitioner/Policy Implications: An optimal ownership structure may involve moderate diversity among blockholders in their nonfinancial preferences. This optimal level should bring in diverse resources and perspectives from different blockholders, while keeping coordinating costs moderate for aligning different goals of these blockholders.
WATSON: In Situ Organic Detection in Subsurface Ice Using Deep-UV Fluorescence Spectroscopy.

Abstract Terrestrial icy environments have been found to preserve organic material and contain habitable niches for microbial life. The cryosphere of other planetary bodies may therefore also serve...
Study of $\hbox{MgB}_{2}$ Josephson Junction Arrays and Sub- $\mu\hbox{m}$ Junctions

Sandwich-type MgB 2 /MgO/MgB 2 Josephson junctions with sizes ranging from 0.5 μm × 0.5 μm to 10 μm × 10 μm were fabricated using electron beam lithography. The junctions show critical current densities as high as 130 kA/cm 2 . The smallest of the junctions operated free of hysteresis below 4.2 K. They may be ideal for use in rapid single flux quantum circuits with no requirement for external shunt resistors. The 10-μm junctions show good agreement with the expected Fraunhofer-like modulation of critical current with magnetic field; however, the smaller junctions show a sinusoidal modulation, indicating an anomalous current distribution that needs to be further investigated. Series arrays of Josephson junctions were made to quantitatively study the uniformity of junction parameters, which shows a 54% spread in critical current of a 100 junction array of 4-μm junctions.
Crossing boundaries with research tools: the value of a mobile ethnography platform developed for customer experience research for technical communication

This experience report discusses the value of a commercially available mobile ethnography tool used by customer experience researchers in the tourism and retail industries for research in technical communication. It reports on a test study conducted called "Day in the Life" with 5 participants working in technical communication, UX Design, and related fields. Four areas of concern are explored: usability of tool for participants, what the tool can and cannot measure, study designs supported by the tool, and securing IRB approval. Overall, this report discusses whether the tool gathers the right kind of contextual data for technical communication research.
Establishing a transcriptome-based drug discovery paradigm for neurodevelopmental disorders

Advances in genetic discoveries have created substantial opportunities for precision medicine in neurodevelopmental disorders. Many of the genes implicated in these diseases encode proteins that regulate gene expression, such as chromatin associated proteins, transcription factors, and RNA-binding proteins. The identification of targeted therapeutics for individuals carrying mutations in these genes remains a challenge, as the encoded proteins can theoretically regulate thousands of downstream targets in a considerable number of cell types. Here, we propose the application of a drug discovery approach called "transcriptome reversal" for these disorders. This approach, originally developed for cancer, attempts to identify compounds that reverse gene-expression signatures associated with disease states.
The Year in Review: Economics at the Antitrust Division, 2004-2005 †

This paper covers the activities of the Economic Analysis Group (EAG), during 2004–2005. It describes the economic analysis undertaken by EAG in several important investigations, appellate matters, and other activities as an advocate for competition.
Modeling, Simulation, and Visualization of Agricultural and Field Robotic Systems

Agricultural and field robots operating autonomously require several layers of technologies. To achieve the functionality and complexity needed, robot development takes place with simulation and visualization tools that can reduce physical prototyping and compliment field testing. Models are needed to implement simulation process and validate various modeling scopes. The degree of fidelity in reproducing the physical systems must be considered and decided as a part of the development process. Simulations of agricultural and field robots need dynamic system models of the robot, virtual world models, and sensor models, as well as three-dimensional solid models to visualize simulations. Agricultural and field robots often interact with the crop fields or plant environments, and so any simulation development process must also include interaction models between machine systems, soil, biological entities (e.g., plants, pests), and operators. This chapter provides an overview of modeling, simulation, and visualization aspects needed for the development of agricultural and field robotic systems. Different tool set scenarios are also described. In addition, a case study showing the use of Gazebo to model a phenotyping robot is presented.
Materials & Reliability Issues in Total Hip Arthroplasty

Materials currently used in prosthetic hips are briefly discussed. Service performance, of cemented and uncemented total hip arthroplasties and their revision, is reviewed and reasons for prosthetic failure are described. While some implant devices have an excellent survival rate, others do not. Review of the literature shows that in many instances all reasons for failure were not stated, and often listed as due to “other” causes. To help determine possible contributory factors, properties and phenomenological response of bone tissue are considered along with candidates for microsensory systems in bone. It is concluded that advanced materials and smart materials technology could be used to more closely approximate natural tissue behavior. Furthermore there are a host of factors important to implant survival. Modern reliability methodology must be applied if the longest possible services lives are to be achieved. Improved joint prostheses depends on progress in more reliable design and analysis based on in-depth understanding of the important phenomena contributing to deep infection and loosening of joint implants.
Communications satellite business ventures - Measuring the impact of technology programmes and related policies

An economic evaluation and planning procedure which assesses the effects of various policies on fixed satellite business ventures is described. The procedure is based on a stochastic financial simulation model, the Domsat II, which evaluates spacecraft reliability, market performance, and cost uncertainties. The application of the Domsat II model to the assessment of NASA's ion thrusters for on-orbit propulsion and GaAs solar cell technology is discussed. The effects of insurance rates and the self-insurance option on the financial performance of communication satellite business ventures are investigated. The selection of a transportation system for placing the satellites into GEO is analyzed.
Free Speech and Democracy in Ancient Athens: Truth and Tragedy

Today we consider it a matter of decency not to wish to see everything naked, or to be present at everything and “know” everything. “Is it true that God is present everywhere?” a little girl asked her mother; “I think that's indecent” – a hint for philosophers! One should have more respect for the bashfulness with which nature has hidden behind riddles and iridescent uncertainties. Perhaps truth is a woman who has reasons for not letting us see her reasons. (Nietzsche, The Gay Science [V.2.20]) Greek tragedy and comedy, though often set in Thebes or Mycene or in the case of comedy in such places as Cloudcuckoobury, were part of the civic festivals of Athenian democracy and served as venues in which the playwrights might encourage reflection on, among much else, the political life of the city. While Aeschylus' Persian Chorus sing of the unfettered tongue in the free city of Athens, other plays from the remaining corpus of Attic plays also pay tribute in speech to this peculiar freedom enjoyed by the Athenians. But, the appearance of this practice within the dramatic action does not always earn the unqualified praise we find in Aeschylus' Persian Women . The playwrights, especially Euripides, also suggest how this democratic practice has become exclusionary in Athens, freeing some and yet silencing others, and they portray as well the destructive effects of the openness and revelatory power of this practice for members of the community.
Utilization of Glucose in Heterotrophic Media by Thiobacillus intermedius

The growth yield of Thiobacillus intermedius is greater in glucose-yeast extract or glucose-casein hydrolysate broth than in comparable media without glucose. The quantity of glucose utilized in the glucose-supplemented media is much greater than the increase in cell yield observed relative to the unsupplemented media. Addition of glucose to cell-free extracts of glucose-yeast extract or glucose-casein hydrolysate grown cells results in the reduction of endogenous cytochrome c. Thus, in these media, glucose serves as a source of energy. This is in contrast to thiosulfate-glucose broth in which glucose provides only cell carbon. The presence of thiosulfate in glucose-casein hydrolysate broth results in a marked decrease in glucose consumption. Cytochrome c in extracts of cells grown in this medium is not reduced by glucose addition. The data suggest that thiosulfate prevents the utilization of glucose for energy generation. The final growth yield in glucose-casein hydrolysate broth is directly proportional to the initial glucose concentration, although not all the glucose was utilized even at the lowest concentration tested. This effect may be due to an inefficient glucose transport in this organism.
Letter to the editor: Theileria in loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta

The article by Di Santi et al. (2012) titled BHemoparasitization by Theileria in the loggerheads Caretta caretta of the Mediterranean Sea^ describes various stages of what the authors interpret as Theileria organism within erythrocytes and leukocytes of loggerhead sea turtles based on morphologic features of the suspected organism. The identification of an organism that has not been previously documented in reptiles requires its ultrastructural and molecular characterization. For example, Paparini et al. (2012) describe novel Babesia and Theileria genotypes in erythrocytes of marsupials having 0.8–2 μm in diameter intra-erythrocytic inclusions with clearly visible signet ring or dot-like forms containing dark purple nuclear material consistent with a piroplasm. Molecular analysis was used for genotype confirmation and phylogenetic analysis. For reasons provided below, we do not believe that Theileria, or any infectious organism, is present in the images presented in Di Santi et al. (2012). Figure 1c–f by Di Santi et al. (2012) describes schizonts in lymphocytes. However, we believe these to be granules within granulocytes; Fig. 1g is consistent with features of a heterophil with drying or fixation artifact rather than a Theileria schizont. Likewise, inclusions in cells in Fig. 1h–j do not have morphology consistent with schizonts. Figure 1j may be a lysed melanomacrophage, a non-specific finding in blood films of healthy reptiles (Strik et al. 2007). Figures 2 and 3 by Di Santi et al. (2012) have images of erythrocytes that are reported to contain intraerythrocytic rounded, bacilliform, or crescent-shaped parasites. Inclusions were variably described as dividing merozoites, tiny bacilliform parasites, curved trophozoites, and gametocytes. These colorless, refractile, and variably sized Binclusions^ are not consistent with Theileria organisms, but rather appear to be drying or fixation artifacts, which can be observed in erythrocytes and leukocytes of any species, especially in thicker areas of a blood film (Fig. 1 in this correspondence below). Figure 4 a,b by Di Santi et al. are reported to show heterophils phagocytizing parasitized erythrocytes. The morphologic description of erythrophagia in loggerhead turtles has been recently addressed (Stacy and Harvey 2015) in response to another publication by this laboratory (Ruggiero et al. 2013). As stated previously, we disagree that erythrophagia is present in the images in which it is described. The erythrocytes are next to the heterophils but the cell membrane of heterophils does not encircle erythrocytes. The amorphous orange discoloration of the background is consistent with an artifact that may originate from drying, staining (residual stain), or smearing (cytoplasmic contents leaked from damaged heterophils). * Nicole I. Stacy stacyn@ufl.edu
Trace analysis of off-flavor/odor compounds in water using liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with gas chromatography—positive chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, inexpensive and laboratory friendly method was developed for analysis of off-flavor/odor compounds in fresh and salt water using gas chromatography with chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Off-flavor/odor compounds included geosmin, 2- methylisoborneol (MIB), 2-isobutyl-3-methyoxypyrazine (IBMP), and 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (IPMP). Using this method, a single sample can be extracted within minutes using only 1 mL of organic solvent. The ion transitions for IPMP, IBMP, MIB, and geosmin were 153>121, 167>125, 152>95, and 165>109, respectively. The linearity of this method for analyzing MIB ranged from 4 to 200 ng·L–1, and from 0.8 to 200 ng·L–1 for the other analytes. Method recoveries ranged from 97% to 111% and percent relative standard deviations ranged from 3% to 9%, indicating that the method is accurate, precise, and reliable.
Lack of expression on cultured human T-lymphocytes of a T-cell antigen shared by the molt-4 cell line and normal human thymocytes

Four hematopoietic cell lines (CCRF-CEM, HSB-2, MOLT-4, and RPMI-8402), derived from acute lymphoblastic leukemia and expressing T-cell surface markers (T-HCL), were studied with two specific anti-T-cell sera. The sera were raised in rabbits against human thymocytes (anti-HTY) and against T-cells cultured in the presence of conditioned medium derived from lymphocytes stimulated with PHA (anti-CTC). Both sera were absorbed to obtain a T-cell specific pattern of reaction and were further absorbed with normal peripheral blood lymphocytes or with each of the four T-HCL. The anti-HTY sera absorbed with CEM, 8402, and HSB-2 still reacted with MOLT-4. A similar pattern of reactivity was found only with the anti-CTC absorbed with 8402, whereas, after absorptions with the other cell lines, this antiserum was unreactive against MOLT-4. After absorption with normal peripheral blood lymphocytes, anti-HTY still reacted with thymocytes and MOLT-4 but was negative on CTC. In contrast, anti-CTC absorbed with peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was negative on thymocytes and MOLT-4 but still reacted against CTC. Our data confirm the existence of a T-cell antigen (probably an early T-cell differentiation antigen) shared between thymus and MOLT-4. This antigen is not expressed on CTC, although these cells express an antigenic pattern more complex than PBL. Antisera to CTC represents a source of anti-T-cell sera free of contamination with antibodies to early thymus-related antigens but containing other T-cell-related specificities.
Exception Handling for Natural Language Control of Robots

Enabling natural language control of robots is challenging, since human users are often not familiar with the underlying robotic system, and its capabilities and limitations. Many exceptions may occur when natural language commands are translated into lower-level robot actions. This paper gives a brief introduction to three levels of exceptions and discusses how dialogue can be applied to handle these exceptions during human-robot interaction.
Aperture averaging of optical scintillations based on a spectrum with high wave number bump

Analytic expressions are obtained for the aperture-averaging factor associated with optical scintillations of unbounded plane waves and spherical waves in the weak fluctuation regime. This analysis is based on a modified spectrum of refractive-index fluctuations that features inner scale and a high wave number bump. Asymptotic results for both small- and large-aperture receivers compared with the first Fresnel radius (L/k)1/2 are used to construct simple interpolation formulas, which are generally within 5% of exact numerical-integration values in the case of a plane wave and within 12% of exact values for a spherical wave. On comparison with published experimental data on spherical waves, we found similar agreement, with maximum error 8%.
Dose- and time-dependent effects of 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI), a serotonergic 5-HT2 receptor agonist, on local cerebral glucose metabolism in awake rats

Abstract The time course and the relation to dose of regional cerebral metabolic rates for glucose (rCMRglc) were measured in awake male Fischer-344 rats after administration of 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI), a selective serotonergic 5-HT 2 agonist. rCMRglc was determined, using the quantitative autoradiographic [ 14 C]2-deoxyglucose technique, in 75 brain regions at 5, 15, 30, 60 and 90 min after administration of DOI 10 mg/kg i.p., and at 15 min after DOI 2.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg i.p. In non-hippocampal regions, peak effects were observed at 15–30 min, when rCMRglc in 12% of the regions was significantly different from control. In hippocampal regions rCMRglc effects peaked at 30 min (average rCMRglc reduction 21%) and were sustained for at least 60 min. Higher doses of DOI reduced rCMRglc in most prosencephalic regions (25 mg/kg, 35% of all regions studied; 50 mg/kg, 32%), where 5-HT 2 receptors are present in high density. These data suggest that selective 5-HT 2 receptor stimulation leads to rCMRglc reduction in areas with high densities of 5-HT 2 receptors.
Low head hyperfiltration through intact Burlington Limestone and Jefferson City Dolomite discs

Abstract Hyperfiltration is the ability of a membrane to retard the passage of a solute under a hydraulic head in excess of osmotic pressure. Disaggregated and recompacted shales, mudstones, clays and tuff have been shown to exhibit hyperfiltration-induced membrane effects in past experiments. However, limestone and dolomite have not previously been tested. Therefore, eight hyperfiltration experiments were performed on intact Burlington Limestone and Jefferson City Dolomite to assess the membrane properties of these lithologies. Four experiments were conducted on each lithology using 0.0050 and 0.0100 M Cl− solutions at heads of 0.50 and 1.00 m. Reflection coefficients, a measure of osmotic efficiency, ranged from 0.34 to 0.39 for the Burlington Limestone and 0.32 to 0.40 for the Jefferson City Dolomite. At the end of the hyperfiltration experiments, Cl− was concentrated within the cell above input concentrations by 85–95% for the Burlington Limestone and 79–105% for the Jefferson City Dolomite. An additional experiment passed 0.0020 M dissolved silica solution through the Burlington Limestone at a head of 0.965 bar (14 psi). The final concentration of silica within the cell was 0.0043 M dissolved silica at steady-state; a concentration 114% higher than the original input solution concentration. The reflection coefficient for this experiment was calculated to be 0.33. The results of these experiments suggest that membrane properties in these lithologies may be worthy of consideration in some geologic scenarios, including: (1) shallow or perched aquifers bounded by thin limestone or dolomite strata, (2) overpressured aquifers bounded by limestone or dolomite, (3) limestone or dolomite bounded aquifers with significant vertical components of flow, and (4) facies changes with significant lateral component of flow bounded by either lithology. Furthermore, the results suggest that silica cementation may be possible even under relatively low head conditions. Cementation due to hyperfiltration, even at shallow depths and low pressures should be further investigated. Similarly, other low permeability lithologies lacking a charged surface could potentially function as geologic membranes.
Comparative kinetic behaviour of thrombin, plasmin and trypsin toward synthetic substrates.

THROMBIN preparations catalyse the hydrolysis of synthetic arginyl1 and lysyl2 substrates. While plasmin and trypsin may appear as contaminants in thrombin preparations, we present here kinetic data for the action of these three enzymes toward p-toluenesulphonyl-L-arginine methyl ester (I) and the methyl and ethyl esters of lysine which rule out plasmin or trypsin impurities as the origin of the lysyl esterase activity of thrombin.
Requirements for the dGTP-dependent repeat addition processivity of recombinant Tetrahymena telomerase.

Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase responsible for adding simple sequence repeats to chromosome 3′-ends. The template for telomeric repeat synthesis is carried within the RNA component of the telomerase ribonucleoprotein complex. Telomerases can copy their internal templates with repeat addition processivity, reusing the same template multiple times in the extension of a single primer. For some telomerases, optimal repeat addition processivity requires high micromolar dGTP concentrations, a much higher dGTP concentration than required for processive nucleotide addition within a repeat. We have investigated the requirements for dGTP-dependent repeat addition processivity using recombinant Tetrahymena telomerase. By altering the template sequence, we show that repeat addition processivity retains the same dGTP-dependence even if dGTP is not the first nucleotide incorporated in the second repeat. Furthermore, no dNTP other than dGTP can stimulate repeat addition processivity, even if it is the first nucleotide incorporated in the second repeat. Using structural variants of dGTP, we demonstrate that the stimulation of repeat addition processivity is specific for dGTP base and sugar constituents but requires only a single phosphate group. However, all nucleotides that stimulate repeat addition processivity also inhibit or compete with dGTP incorporation into product DNA. By assaying telomerase complexes reconstituted with a variety of altered templates, we find that repeat addition processivity has an unanticipated template or product sequence specificity. Finally, we show that a novel, nascent product DNA binding site establishes dGTP-dependent repeat addition processivity.
Semiplenamides A−G, Fatty Acid Amides from a Papua New Guinea Collection of the Marine Cyanobacterium Lyngbya semiplena

Semiplenamides A (1) to G (7), a series of new anandamide-like fatty acid amides, were isolated from a 1997 Papua New Guinea collection of the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya semiplena. The planar structures of these lipids were determined using standard 1D and 2D NMR methods. The relative stereochemistry of the aliphatic portion of the new metabolites was deduced from 1D NOE data and 1H-decoupling experiments, while the absolute stereochemistry of the amino alcohol moieties was assigned by chemical derivatization and chiral GC−MS methods. All of these new metabolites displayed toxicity in the brine shrimp model system, while semiplenamides A, B, and G showed weak affinity for the rat cannabinoid CB1 receptor and semiplenamide A was a moderate inhibitor (IC50 = 18.1 μM) of the anandamide membrane transporter (AMT).
Nonrational Hilbert Modular Threefolds

Abstract Let k be a totally real cubic number field with ring of integers O k. The Hilbert modular threefold of k is a desingularization of the (natural) compactification of PSL2( O k)\ H 3. The goal of this paper is to prove that all rational Hilbert modular threefolds arise from fields with discriminant less than 75125. Specifically, it is shown that if k is a cubic field of discriminant at least 75125, then the arithmetic genus of the Hilbert modular variety of k is negative and hence the variety is not rational. Smaller bounds on the size of the discriminant are obtained for some special classes of cubic fields.
Keynote talk challenges in chip multiprocessor memory systems

The semiconductor industry appears on the brink of an arms race, competing to see which company can cram the most cores on a single die. Yet early entries are hardly well-balanced, general-purpose computers: Sun's Niagara has feeble floating-point performance and IBM's Cell processor is a thinly disguised GPU. Worse, no company has announced anything that will help address the real problem: programming the multithreaded applications needed to exploit the ample computational resources. This talk will discuss several challenges facing the memory system designers of emerging computation-rich chip multiprocessors.
Bacterial coldwater disease of fishes caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum

Abstract Coldwater disease (CWD) is a bacterial disease that affects a broad host-species range of fishes that inhabit cold, fresh waters. This disease occurs predominately at water temperatures of 16 °C and below, and is most prevalent and severe at 10 °C and below. Coldwater disease occurs in cultured and free-ranging populations, with hatchery-reared young trout and salmon species especially vulnerable to infections. Flavobacterium psychrophilum is the etiological agent of CWD. This Gram-negative bacterium may be recovered from affected host tissues and characterized using standard biochemical techniques, providing that reduced nutrient media are used. There are numerous reports that describe sensitive and specific serologic and genomic diagnostic techniques for CWD. The entire genome of a virulent isolate of F. psychrophilum has been sequenced and described. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry syndrome is also caused by F. psychrophilum with mortalities >50% possible among affected fish lots. Evidence suggests that pathogen transmission occurs both horizontally and vertically. Analogous to many diseases to other animals, prevention and control are essential to avoid losses to CWD, particularly since there is currently no commercially available vaccine and a limited number of antimicrobials have been approved for treating food fish worldwide. This review provides current host and geographic ranges of the pathogen, and covers epizootiology, transmission, pathogenicity, diagnostics, and prevention and treatment.
Planning approximations to the average length of vehicle routing problems with time window constraints

This paper studies approximations to the average length of vehicle routing problems (VRP) with time window, route duration, and capacity constraints. The approximations are valuable for the strategic and planning analysis of transportation and logistics problems. Using asymptotic properties of vehicle routing problems and the average probability of successfully sequencing a customer with time windows a new expression to estimate VRP distances is developed. The increase in the number of routes when time constraints are added is modeled probabilistically. This paper introduces the concept of the average probability of successfully sequencing a customer with time windows. It is proven that this average probability is a unique characteristic of a vehicle routing problem. The approximation proposed is tested in instances with different customer spatial distributions, depot locations and number of customers. Regression results indicate that the proposed approximation is not only intuitive but also predicts the average length of VRP problems with a high level of accuracy.
Content-based retransmission with error concealment for astronomical images

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is expected to produce a vast amount of images that are valuable for astronomical research and education. To support research activities related to JWST mission, NASA has provided funds to establish the Structures Pointing and Control Engineering (SPACE) Laboratory at the California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). One of the research activities in SPACE lab is to design an effective and efficient transmission system to disseminate JWST images across the Internet. This paper presents a prioritized transmission method to provide the best quality of the transferred image based on the joint-optimization of content-based retransmission and error concealment. First, the astronomical image is compressed using a scalable wavelet-based approach, then packetized into independently decodable packets. To facilitate the joint-optimization of two mutually dependent error control methods, a novel content index is declared to represent the significance of the packet content as well as its importance in error concealment. Based on the defined content index, the optimal retransmission schedule is determined to maximize the quality of the received image under delay constraint with the given error concealment method. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach is very effective to combat the packet loss during transmission to achieve a desirable quality of the received astronomical images.
Choosing instrumental variables in conditional moment restriction models

Properties of GMM estimators are sensitive to the choice of instrument. Using many instruments leads to high asymptotic asymptotic efficiency but can cause high bias and/or variance in small samples. In this paper we develop and implement asymptotic mean square error (MSE) based criteria for instrument selection in estimation of conditional moment restriction models. The models we consider include various nonlinear simultaneous equations models with unknown heteroskedasticity. We develop moment selection criteria for the familiar two-step optimal GMM estimator (GMM), a bias corrected version, and generalized empirical likelihood estimators (GEL), that include the continuous updating estimator (CUE) as a special case. We also find that the CUE has lower higher-order variance than the bias-corrected GMM estimator, and that the higher-order efficiency of other GEL estimators depends on conditional kurtosis of the moments.
Delayed visual maturation in otherwise normal infants

Background Children may present in early infancy for evaluation of decreased visual responsiveness. Most such infants have systemic or ocular abnormalities that explain their poor fixation and tracking. Some infants, however, have no other medical or ocular problems. This study evaluated prognostic factors in this latter group of otherwise normal infants with decreased visual responsiveness.
On the mechanism of turbulent drag reduction in dilute polymer solutions: dynamics of vortex filaments

Abstract The localized-induction approximation (LIA) is generalized in the framework of the quasi-one-dimensional approach to include the effect of polymer additives on stretching of thin vortex filaments. It is shown that in dilute polymer solutions vorticity diffusion is negligible for vortices with longwave perturbations, and their strength remains constant in spite of the fact that high longitudinal stress and elongational viscosity may be generated in the course of vortex stretching in shear flow. General governing equations for vortex filaments in a background flow of dilute polymer solution are proposed. Their numerical solution is obtained. It shows that interaction between a spanwise perturbed vortex filament and a background shear flow leads to strong vortex stretching and to emergence of configurations similar to horseshoe or hairpin vortices. In dilute polymer solutions, strong stretching of vortex filaments yields high longitudinal stress (high elongational viscosity). The latter retards or completely arrests vortex stretching, which is similar to the findings of [1] that frequency of turbulence generation in ‘bursts’ decreases in dilute polymer solutions. Therefore, a more gentle mean velocity profile is expected in the boundary layer, which results in drag reduction.
A Safe Space to Speak Above the Silences

A few years ago two social scientists attended a faculty development course on cultural awareness that my colleagues and I offered to medical school faculty. Their research, reported in their paper in this collection, ‘‘lifts the hood’’ on the course, as we tried to do with each other in order to allow us, the faculty, to see ourselves and the course through the eyes of others. Their inclusionary approach of engaging all the voices offers an additional feedback loop now as they invite me to share some comments on their paper and on the course. The process of producing this essay evokes many possibilities; not only for the course, but also regarding the inherent value of making space for voice and reflection in the construction of knowledge. Unavoidably, my comments on the previous article are colored by the perspective of a behavioral health clinician, just one lens of many possible others in the broader discussion of health. Currently, in the United States, we are at a crossroads as a result of health care reform (the Affordable Care Act (ACA)) and budget pressures. Racial/ethnic health and health care disparities in the U.S. are well-documented (Smedley et al. 2003). During the past decade, mental health care disparities have persisted for black and Latino youth in a 2-to-1, white-to-minority ratio despite efforts to reduce them, and the gap is growing even wider for Latino children (Cook et al. 2013). This is alarming given that children’s mental illness is predictive of a variety of poor outcomes later in life. Social advocates need to follow these changes carefully and come together in force to insure that the health care system that emerges as a result of current reforms is more responsive to people of all cultures and social classes. I lose hope for this kind of change when I hear comments from well-intentioned colleagues who make statements like ‘‘we are more concerned about the 75 % percent of children,’’ or who state that public insurance patients are money losers
"Faking bad" on the MMPI, MMPI-2, and Millon-II.

Using the F-minus-K index for MMPI protocols of 134 psychiatric inpatients and MMPI-2 scores of 35 inpatients, and Millon-II Debasement scores of 105 inpatients shows the prevalence of “faking bad,” thereby reflecting the severity of psychopathology in this hospitalized sample.
Molecular Species Identification of Newly Hatched Hawaiian Amphidromous Gobioid Larvae

This report describes a method for the determination of species identity of newly hatched larvae of five sympatric Hawaiian amphidromous gobioids (Lentipes concolor, Sicyopterus stimpsoni, Awaous guamensis, Stenogobius hawaiiensis, and Eleotris sandwichensis). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify a homologous section of the cytochrome b (Cyt b) region of the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) from adults of all five species. The resulting PCR-amplified DNA was subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis producing species-specific restriction patterns. PCR products from the five species were sequenced to substantiate correct amplification, restriction site locations, and fragment sizes. The sequence data were also used to construct a phylogenetic tree. Individual, newly hatched, wild-caught larvae of amphidromous gobioids of unknown species affinity were sorted into six morphotypes based on physical characteristics. These typed larvae and those from two species that spawned in captivity were subjected to the same molecular analysis as the adults. The RFLP results from adults and larvae were compared, allowing larval morphotypes to be assigned to the appropriate species. These comparisons permitted construction of an identification key to the newly hatched larvae of these species based solely on physical characteristics for use in future field studies.
Classroom Behaviors of LD, Seriously Emotionally Disturbed, and Average Children: A Sequential Analysis.

The regular classroom behaviors of LD, seriously emotionally disturbed, and average children were observed via a system that permitted sequential analysis of the data. A minimum of 80 minutes of cl...
Research Implications for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse and neglect is a problem of vast proportions. Research on the effectiveness of child abuse and neglect prevention programs is critical for the provision of effective and efficient services. This article is a critical analysis of the research methodologies on child abuse and neglect prevention programs at the secondary and tertiary levels as represented in the empirical literature. The article describes child abuse and neglect prevention programs, describes and analyzes the research conducted on these programs, and suggests ways to improve and validity of future research. There is a need for greater quantity and quality of research on child abuse and neglect prevention programs, including the increased use of comparison groups, larger sample sizes, and follow-up measurement.
Soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) in biliary atresia and its relationship to disease activity

Abstract Background.Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is strongly expressed on the bile ducts and hepatic parenchyma of livers with biliary atresia. A soluble, circulating form of this membrane protein has been found to be elevated in a number of inflammatory hepatic disorders. However, its expression in biliary atresia is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the presence of soluble ICAM-1 in infants with biliary atresia in relation to disease activity, degree of cholestasis, and standard liver function tests. Materials and methods.A total of nine patients (n= 9) with biliary atresia (seven) and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (two) were studied (age range 6 weeks–9 years). Control samples were obtained from three healthy infants (2–10 months). Serum was collected from each patient and stored at −80°C until assayed. Levels of sICAM-1 were measured in duplicate utilizing an ELISA method (Bioscource International). Standard liver function tests (conjugated bilirubin, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase) were determined at the same time. Results are expressed as the means ± SEM with statistical analysis by Mann-Whitney test. Results.sICAM-1 levels were significantly elevated in all patients with biliary atresia (997 ± 56 ng/ml) when compared to controls (P Conclusions.sICAM-1 is markedly elevated in biliary atresia reflecting the immunopathology of the disease process but does not appear to correlate with markers of liver function. sICAM-1 may be useful in assessing the effects of immunomodulatory therapy.
CONVERGENCE ACCELERATION FOR THE KOHN VARIATIONAL METHOD IN THE PRESENCE OF A LONG-RANGE INTERACTION

Abstract : The paper presents a distorted wave generalization of the S-matrix version of the Kohn variational principal developed by Zhang, Chu, and Miller J. Chem. Phys. 88, 10 (1988). For scattering in the presence of a long range interaction, the large-r asymptotic solution to the Schrodinger equation is built into the Kohn variational principal order by order in an effort to accelerate convergence of the short-range square integrable part of the basis set expansion. The improvement in the rate of convergence is demonstrated by applying the method to a long-range model potential. Multichannel scattering is discussed. (AN)
Vitreal pharmacokinetics of dipeptide monoester prodrugs of ganciclovir.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine vitreal pharmacokinetics of a series of dipeptide monoester ganciclovir (GCV) prodrugs and to study their interaction with the retinal peptide transp...
Identification of novel bone-specific molecular targets of binge alcohol and ibandronate by transcriptome analysis.

Background Our laboratory established that binge alcohol-related bone damage is prevented by aminobisphosphonates, suggesting bone resorption increases following binge exposure. We examined the effects of binge alcohol and antiresorptive therapy on the relationship between bone damage and modulation of the vertebral transcriptome, in an attempt to determine how alcohol-induced bone damage and its prevention modulate bone-related biological pathways.
Effect of dopa-decarboxylase inhibition on Aedes aegypti eggs: evidence for sclerotization.

Abstract Newly deposited fertilized and unfertilized Aedes aegypti eggs are soft and white. Within a short time they darken and harden. Injection of a potent dopa decarboxylase inhibitor ( dl )-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydrazino-2-methylpropionic acid (α-MDH) into females, subsequent to a blood meal, results in oviposited eggs which are pale in colour. Moreover, such fertilized eggs do not hatch. The severity of both effects seems to be positively correlated and is dependent upon the time of α-MDH injection. Extracts of mature ovaries are capable of converting dopa to dopamine in the absence of a pretreatment with α-MDH. Mature ovaries obtained from females who had been previously injected with α-MDH could not accomplish this conversion. The inhibitor does not seem to have any effect on dopa oxidase activity and subsequent melanization. We conclude that dopamine is synthesized by blood-fed females via decarboxylation of dopa by dopa decarboxylase and propose that the normal darkening and hardening of A. aegypti eggs is a result of sclerotization.
Effects of conformationally restricted synthetic retinoids on ovarian tumor cell growth

We have used conformationally restricted retinoids to investigate the role of individual RAR subtypes and RXR in mediating the growth response of ovarian tumor cells to retinoids. Our results show that treatment of all-trans-RA-sensitive CAOV-3 cells with retinoids that bind and activate a single RAR or RXR led to a partial inhibition of growth. Treatment of all-trans-RA- resistant SKOV-3 cells did not alter growth. Maximum inhibition of growth, comparable to that observed following treatment with natural retinoids such as all-trans-RA and 9-cis-RA, was obtained only following treatment with a combination of an RAR-selective compound and an RXR-selective one. These results suggest that activation of both RAR and RXR classes is required in order to obtain maximum inhibition of ovarian tumor cell growth by retinoids. In addition, one compound, AHPN, was found to inhibit both RA-sensitive CAOV-3 and RA-resistant SKOV-3 cells. Further study of the effects of this retinoid showed that AHPN acts through an apoptotic pathway. Taken together, our results suggest that retinoids may serve as effective anti-proliferative agents in the treatment of ovarian cancer.
3D TV using MPEG-2 and H.264 view coding and autostereoscopic displays

There is a renewed interest in the 3DTV research primarily due to the advances in low cost 3D display technologies. The two views required for 3DTV can be compressed using standard video compression techniques. MPEG-2 is widely used in digital TV applications today and H.264/MPEG-4 AVC is expected to be the leading video technology standard for digital video in the near future. The compression gains and quality of 3DTV will vary depending on the video coding standard used. While inter-view prediction will likely improve the compression efficiency, new approaches such as asymmetric view coding are necessary to greatly reduce bandwidth requirements for 3DTV. This demonstration will show the quality of 3D video experience on autostereoscopic displays using H.264 and MPEG-2. We will also show the benefits of using asymmetric view coding as well as the role of eye dominance on 3DTV experience.
Clinical uses of electrically evoked auditory nerve and brainstem responses.

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to summarize current thinking relative to clinical applications for the electrically evoked compound action potential and the electrically evoked auditory brainstem response with the focus on works published between 1998 and 2003.Recent findingsDuring t
Feedbacks between coupled subglacial hydrology and glacier dynamics

On most glaciers and ice sheet outlets the majority of motion is due to basal slip, a combination of basal sliding and bed deformation. The importance of basal water in controlling sliding is well established, with increased sliding generally related to high basal water pressure, but the details of the interactions between the ice and water systems has not received much study when there is coupling between the systems. Here we use coupled subglacial hydrology and ice dynamics models within the Community Ice Sheet Model to investigate feedbacks between the ice and water systems. The dominant feedback we find is negative: sliding over bedrock bumps opens additional cavity space, which lowers water pressure and, in turn, sliding. We also find two small positive feedbacks: basal melt increases through frictional heat during sliding, which raises water pressure, and strain softening of basal ice during localized speedup causes cavities to close more quickly and maintain higher water pressures. Our coupled modeling demonstrates that a sustained input of surface water to a distributed drainage system can lead to a speedup event that decays even in the absence of channelization, due to increased capacity of the system through opening of cavities, which is enhanced through the sliding-opening feedback. We find that the negative feedback resulting from sliding-opening is robust across a wide range of parameter values. However, our modeling also argues that subglacial channelization is required to terminate speedup events over timescales that are commensurate with observations of late summer slowdown on mountain glaciers.