cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathology requirements for rodent two-year studies. I. A review of current procedures.

In the early 1970s the National Cancer Institute (NCI) initiated an animal bioassay program to determine if chemicals, to which the public are exposed, are hazardous by nature of their ability to induce cancer in animals. Experience with such tests led to the development of program guidelines in 1976. The pathology portion of this protocol included the histopathologic examination of a minimum of 25 organs/tissues from every animal on study. Since 1976 additional tissues have been added so that the current National Toxicology Program (NTP) protocol includes the histopathologic examination of 42-44 sections of 31-33 tissues from each animal. Thus an average of 25,000-26,000 sections are evaluated on a typical 600 animal (300 rats and 300 mice) study. A review of 277 NCI/NTP chemical bioasssys which used this protocol revealed that this extensive list appears to be in excess of what is required to answer the question of whether a given chemical causes cancer in the test species. In addition, this protocol may be flawed in its ability to detect non-neoplastic chemically related disease.
THE MYSTERIES OF OUR EXISTENCE: ESTRANGEMENT AND THEATRICALITY

“Theater” has become a fashionable metaphor that theologians and ethicists deploy to correct what they see as a Gnostic or antinomian impulse to prioritize “inner state” over “outer action.” But their turn to theater as an easy way to valorize “outer action” conflates person and role, generating a confused anthropology that 1) obscures what theater could make obvious about occupational roles; 2) misses the distinctively non-theatrical character of performing Christ and church; and 3) renders actions more easily legible than they in fact are. These losses are traced in the work of several theater theologians, and their resultant distortions in self, power, and freedom are elaborated with the help of Stephen Mulhall's critique of Alasdair MacIntyre and Charles Taylor. Gregory of Nyssa's use of theater, by contrast, avoids such distortions by invoking theater together with the “mysteries of our existence”—death and creatio ex nihilo. Theater, for Gregory, becomes a way to describe the estrangement Christians must live into in a world beholden to wealth and power. The anthropology embedded in his metaphor of theater elaborates how Christians might approach their occupational roles, the world, and skepticism.
Quantum dispersion cancellation in frequency and in space

We describe our theoretical and experimental results demonstrating two new techniques for manipulating dispersion in quantum interferometry using spectral and spatial properties of optical entanglement. First, we present a novel interferometer design allowing to demonstrate a new effect of simultaneous even- and odd-order spectral dispersion cancellation in a single experiment using entangled photons with frequency anti-correlated spectrum. Second, we for the first time demonstrate a spatial counterpart of the known quantum dispersion cancellation [1,2] that leads to the removal of a detrimental effect of spatial aberrations. We discuss potential applications of novel technologies in high-resolution optical measurement and for designing aberration-free imaging schemes.
Growing genetic regulatory networks from seed genes

Motivation: A number of models have been proposed for genetic regulatory networks. In principle, a network may contain any number of genes, so long as data are available to make inferences about their relationships. Nevertheless, there are two important reasons why the size of a constructed network should be limited. Computationally and mathematically, it is more feasible to model and simulate a network with a small number of genes. In addition, it is more likely that a small set of genes maintains a specific core regulatory mechanism. Results: Subnetworks are constructed in the context of a directed graph by beginning with a seed consisting of one or more genes believed to participate in a viable subnetwork. Functionalities and regulatory relationships among seed genes may be partially known or they may simply be of interest. Given the seed, we iteratively adjoin new genes in a manner that enhances subnetwork autonomy. The algorithm is applied using both the coefficient of determination and the Boolean-function influence among genes, and it is illustrated using a glioma gene-expression dataset. Availability: Software for the seed-growing algorithm will be available at the website for Probabilistic Boolean Networks: http://www2.mdanderson.org/app/ilya/PBN/PBN.htm
A parallel algorithm for planar orthogonal grid drawings

In this paper we consider the problem of constructing planar orthogonal grid drawings (or more simply, layouts) of graphs, with the goal of minimizing the number of bends along the edges. We present optimal parallel algorithms that construct graph layouts with O(n) maximum edge length, O(n2) area, and at most 2n+4 bends (for biconnected graphs) and 2.4n+2 bends (for simply connected graphs). All three of these quality measures for the layouts are optimal in the worst case for biconnected graphs. The algorithm runs on a CREW PRAM in O(log n) time with n/log n processors, thus achieving optimal time and processor utilization. Applications include VLSI layout, graph drawing, and wireless communication.
Autonomic dysfunction in women with fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is an idiopathic disease characterized by widespread pain and a myriad of symptoms. Symptoms are diverse and include not only pain but also anxiety, depression, orthostatic intolerance, and cold intolerance. While the etiology of FM is not fully understood, data have suggested that FM may stem from dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. This dysfunction has been reported at rest, and after a physiological stressor such as exercise. However, few studies have examined the responses during exercise. This novel approach may shed some new light on the effect of exercise in women with FM.
Using TwitterTrails.com to Investigate Rumor Propagation

Social media have become part of modern news reporting, used by journalists to spread information and find sources, or as a news source by individuals. The quest for prominence and recognition on social media sites like Twitter can sometimes eclipse accuracy and lead to the spread of false information. As a way to study and react to this trend, we demo TWITTERTRAILS, an interactive, web-based tool (twittertrails.com) that allows users to investigate the origin and propagation characteristics of a rumor and its refutation, if any, on Twitter. Visualizations of burst activity, propagation timeline, retweet and co-retweeted networks help its users trace the spread of a story. Within minutes TWITTERTRAILS will collect relevant tweets and automatically answer several important questions regarding a rumor: its originator, burst characteristics, propagators and main actors according to the audience. In addition, it will compute and report the rumor's level of visibility and, as an example of the power of crowdsourcing, the audience's skepticism towards it which correlates with the rumor's credibility. We envision TWITTERTRAILS as valuable tool for individual use, and especially for amateur and professional journalists investigating recent and breaking stories.
Increased Expression of HIF-1α, VEGF-A and Its Receptors, MMP-2, TIMP-1, and ADAMTS-1 at the Venous Stenosis of Arteriovenous Fistula in a Mouse Model with Renal Insufficiency

Purpose A mouse model of renal insufficiency with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and venous stenosis was created. The authors tested the hypothesis that there is increased gene expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α); vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and its receptors (VEGFR-1, -2); matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), -9 (MMP-9); tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, -2 (TIMP-1, -2); and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase thrombospondin-1 (ADAMTS-1) at the venous stenosis. Materials and Methods Nineteen male C57BL/6 mice underwent a left nephrectomy and a surgical occlusion of the right upper pole to induce renal function characterized in eight animals. Twenty eight days later, an AVF (n = 11) was created from the right carotid artery to ipsilateral jugular vein, and the mice were killed at day 7 (n = 4) and day 14 (n = 4). The outflow and control veins were removed for gene expression. Three mice were killed at day 28 for histologic analysis. Results The mean serum blood urea nitrogen level remained significantly elevated for 8 weeks when compared with baseline ( P P Conclusions A mouse model of renal insufficiency with AVF was developed that had increased expression of HIF-1α, VEGF-A, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, MMP-2, TIMP-1, and ADAMTS-1 at the outflow vein with venous stenosis by day 28.
Affect induction through musical sounds: an ethological perspective

How does music induce or evoke feeling states in listeners? A number of mechanisms have been proposed for how sounds induce emotions, including innate auditory responses, learned associations and mirror neuron processes. Inspired by ethology, it is suggested that the ethological concepts of signals, cues and indices offer additional analytic tools for better understanding induced affect. It is proposed that ethological concepts help explain why music is able to induce only certain emotions, why some induced emotions are similar to the displayed emotion (whereas other induced emotions differ considerably from the displayed emotion), why listeners often report feeling mixed emotions and why only some musical expressions evoke similar responses across cultures.
Performance limitations on travel time and phase data extraction for bathymetry side-scan sonars

Bathymetry side-scan sonars (BASS), using two rows of transducers and the phase measuring technique, offer a simple approach to single swath mapping sonar systems which integrate both seafloor bathymetry and imagery. This paper discusses both BASS system design and the environmental factors which influence our ability to accurately determine travel time and arrival angle-the two parameters required to determine bathymetry. The authors have recently examined bathymetric performance limitations for an upgraded GLORIA system belonging to the USGS. Theoretical GLORIA phase data are presented along with the first field data. Phase difference estimates using different phase estimation algorithms are presented. >
Channel aware sensor selection in distributed detection systems

We propose a novel censoring scheme for the distributed detection problem in a wireless sensor network (WSNs) with N sensors, where the channels between the sensors and the fusion center (FC) is subject to fading and noise. To achieve the best tradeoff between energy efficiency and detection reliability, the FC forms the maximum ratio combing (MRC) fusion rule by integrating the partial knowledge of fading channel state information (CSI) and the local sensor performance indices, finds the best set of K (K ≪ N) sensors that maximizes the total detection probability in the Neyman-Pearson (NP) sense, and informs the selected sensors via one bit feedback. The FC learns the Rayleigh flat fading channels, utilizing training symbols sent by the sensors, via applying minimum mean square error (MMSE) channel estimator. Assuming the sensors employ BPSK to modulate their binary local decisions, we derive the MRC fusion rule that depends on the channel estimates and the sensors' performance indices, and incorporates the effect of channel estimation error. Simulation results are provided to support the analytical derivations.
Development and use of soil productivity ratings in the United States

Abstract This paper provides historical documentation of major U.S. efforts to develop numerical ratings of soil productivity. Nearly all of these efforts stemmed from needs to compare different soils objectively for purposes of agricultural land use planning and the equalization of land values and tax assessments. Several approaches are described, including U.S.D.A. work following World War I, ratings based solely on crop yield data, Storie's (1933, 1937, 1976) multiplicative factor approaches and the variations that evolved from them, and “Soil property systems” that add, rather than multiply, effects of separate factors. Taken together, these various approaches highlight a large number of soil properties, weather conditions, and crop yield data that need to be considered to develop ratings of soil productivity. They illustrate a variety of techniques for evaluating the effects of soil properties quantitatively and for combining soil factor values into overall soil ratings. Each approach has certain advantages and limitations, and these are discussed throughout. The collective experiences with the development and use of productivity ratings cover a diversity of soil and climatic conditions throughout the United States.
Color schemes to represent the orientation of anisotropic tissues from diffusion tensor data: Application to white matter fiber tract mapping in the human brain

This paper investigates the use of color to represent the directional information contained in the diffusion tensor. Ideally, one wants to take into account both the properties of human color vision and of the given display hardware to produce a representation in which differences in the orientation of anisotropic structures are proportional to the perceived differences in color. It is argued here that such a goal cannot be achieved in general and therefore, empirical or heuristic schemes, which avoid some of the common artifacts of previously proposed approaches, are implemented. Directionally encoded color (DEC) maps of the human brain obtained using these schemes clearly show the main association, projection, and commissural white matter pathways. In the brainstem, motor and sensory pathways are easily identified and can be differentiated from the transverse pontine fibers and the cerebellar peduncles. DEC maps obtained from diffusion tensor imaging data provide a simple and effective way to visualize fiber direction, useful for investigating the structural anatomy of different organs. Magn Reson Med 42:526‐540, 1999. r 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Classification of the Amazon rain forest using JERS-1 SAR data

Imaging radar offers potential for regular monitoring of changes in this region. In particular, the JERS-1 satellite carries an L-band HH SAR system which, via an on-board type recorder, can collect data from almost anywhere on the globe, at any time of year. The authors show how JERS-1 radar images can be used to accurately classify different forest types (i.e. flood plain vs. upland forest) and river courses in the Amazon basin. JERS-1 data has also shown significant differences between data obtained during the dry season and the wet season, indicating a strong potential for monitoring seasonal change. The algorithms used to classify JERS-1 data is a standard maximum-likelihood classifier, using the radar image local mean and standard deviation of texture as input. Rivers are detected using an edge detection and edge-following algorithm. This work was performed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract from NASA. >
Nondeterminism in ORBs: The Perception and the Reality

Nondeterminism is a source of problems for distributed replication because it makes it difficult to keep replicas consistent as they execute, process invocations and modify their internal states. Even if a middleware application is completely deterministic, the underlying middleware, e.g., the ORB, can continue to remain a source of nondeterminism. The paper presents our analysis of an open-source ORB from the viewpoint of nondeterminism. Our approach identifies the various sources of nondeterminism within the ORB. Our results demonstrate that while ORBs can contain several apparently nondeterministic system calls and functions, only a fraction of them manifest as actual nondeterminism and pose a threat to replica consistency.
Time and frequency-Gated FID: a new approach to study the vibrational dephasing of water

The ultrafast frequency-resolved upconverted vibrational free induction decay (FID) of HDO in D20 was measured, allowing extraction of the amplitude and phase of the coherent transient. The FID Wigner spectrogram shows evidence of λ-dependent dynamics.
SeeDB: visualizing database queries efficiently

Data scientists rely on visualizations to interpret the data returned by queries, but finding the right visualization remains a manual task that is often laborious. We propose a DBMS that partially automates the task of finding the right visualizations for a query. In a nutshell, given an input query Q, the new DBMS optimizer will explore not only the space of physical plans for Q, but also the space of possible visualizations for the results of Q. The output will comprise a recommendation of potentially "interesting" or "useful" visualizations, where each visualization is coupled with a suitable query execution plan. We discuss the technical challenges in building this system and outline an agenda for future research.
Variations on Uzbek identity: strategic choices, cognitive schemas, and political constraints in identification processes

Variations on Uzbek Identity by Peter Finke is a very compelling book. Finke studies four diverse populations, all living within different social, economic and ecological niches. None of this was e...
Role of Phosphatidic Acid Phosphatase Domain Containing 2 in Squalestatin 1–Mediated Activation of the Constitutive Androstane Receptor in Primary Cultured Rat Hepatocytes

Farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) is a branch-point intermediate in the mevalonate pathway that is normally converted mainly to squalene by squalene synthase in the first committed step of sterol biosynthesis. Treatment with the squalene synthase inhibitor squalestatin 1 (SQ1) causes accumulation of FPP, its dephosphorylated metabolite farnesol, and several oxidized farnesol-derived metabolites. In addition, SQ1 treatment of primary cultured rat hepatocytes increases CYP2B expression through a mechanism that requires FPP synthesis and activation of the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). Because direct farnesol treatment also increases CYP2B expression, it seems likely that SQ1-mediated CAR activation requires FPP dephosphorylation to farnesol. The lipid phosphatase, phosphatidic acid phosphatase domain containing 2 (PPAPDC2), was recently reported to catalyze FPP dephosphorylation. We therefore determined the effect of overexpressing or knocking down PPAPDC2 on SQ1-mediated CAR activation in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Cotransfection of rat hepatocytes with a plasmid expressing rat or human PPAPDC2 enhanced SQ1-mediated activation of a CAR-responsive reporter by 1.7- or 2.4-fold over the SQ1-mediated activation that was produced when hepatocytes were cotransfected with empty expression plasmid. Similarly, transduction of rat hepatocytes with a recombinant adenovirus expressing PPAPDC2 enhanced SQ1-mediated CYP2B1 mRNA induction by 1.4-fold over the induction that was seen in hepatocytes transduced with control adenovirus. Cotransfection with a short hairpin RNA targeting PPAPDC2 reduced SQ1-mediated CAR activation by approximately 80% relative to the activation that occurred in hepatocytes transfected with nontargeting short hairpin RNA. These results indicate that PPAPDC2 plays an important role in SQ1-mediated CAR activation, most likely by catalyzing the conversion of FPP to farnesol.
Linear free‐energy relationships in semiquinone species and their Mn(II) and Cu(II) complexes

Linear free-energy relationships for a series of functionalized semiquinone ligands and their MnII- and CuIIhydro-tris(3-cumenyl-5-methylpyrazolyl) borate complexes were examined. Quinone–semiquinone cycle half-wave reduction potentials and semiquinone hydrogen hyperfine coupling constants (aH) were determined and their correlation with Hammett σ parameters reported. A new σ parameter, σaH, has been proposed. MnII and CuII metal complex metal–ligand charge transfer and n π* UV transitions were found to be modulated by substituents. Satisfactory Hammett correlations between UV transitions and various σ values have been determined and compared in a number of instances. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychometric assessment of the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory in a sample of low-income single mothers.

The Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI) is a 32-item inventory widely used to identify adolescents and adults at risk for inadequate parenting behaviors. It includes four subscales representing the most frequent patterns associated with abusive parenting: (a) Inappropriate Expectations; (b) Lack of Empathy; (c) Parental Value of Corporal Punishment; and (d) Parent-Child Role Reversal. Although it has been used in a variety of samples, the psychometric properties of the AAPI have not been examined in low-income single mothers. The purposes of this study were to: (a) examine the reliability and validity of the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI) in a sample of 206 low-income single mothers; (b) assess the mother's risk for inadequate parenting by comparing their AAPI subscale scores with normative subscale scores on the AAPI; (c) assess the construct validity of the AAPI by testing the hypothesis that mothers with lower AAPI scores have a higher level of depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem in comparison to mothers with higher AAPI scores; and (d) determine whether the 4-factor structure proposed by Bavolek (1984) could be replicated. AAPI scores indicated these mothers were at high risk for child abuse when compared with normative data for parents with no known history of abuse. Higher risk for abusive parenting was associated with a higher level of depressive symptoms, less education, and unemployment. The subscales, Inappropriate Expectations and Parental Value of Corporal Punishment demonstrated poor internal consistency with Cronbach's alphas of .40 and .54, respectively. Hypothesis testing supported the construct validity of the AAPI. Bavolek's 4-factor structure was not supported. A 19-item modified version of the AAPI with three dimensions was identified. This modified version of the AAPI may provide a more efficacious tool for use with low-income single mothers.
Assessing and maintaining membrane performance in a post-sedimentation ultrafiltration process

A pilot test program was conducted to evaluate methods for maintaining the productivity of a hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane operating at constant flux values of 49.2 and 62.3 gallons/ft2-day. The ultrafiltration pilot filtered settled water from a conventional surface water treatment plant in Florida. The testing assessed the impact of different chemical maintenance protocols on UF membrane performance. Seasonal variations in water quality necessitated changes in the type and combination of cleaning agents used to maintain membrane performance. Sodium hypochlorite, citric acid and sodium hydroxide were used during pilot testing as the fouling characteristics of the water changed with time. Pilot results were used to develop alternative chemically enhanced backwash strategies that varied with seasonally-impacted changes in feed water quality. Citric acid, with a target pH of <3, was found to be effective in August and September; whereas, a combination of citric acid and high pH sodium hydroxide chemically enhanced backwashes successfully maintained performance between November, 2010 and May, 2011.
Real-time averaging of position data from multiple GPS receivers

Abstract Making GPS more accurate and/or reliable by combining it with other sensors and applying sophisticated data processing techniques has been attempted many times. Our approach to enhancing the performance of GPS is much simpler than most. We combine multiple (up to eight) consumer-grade GPS receivers into a system that averages their data in real time, requiring no other sensors, augmentation technologies, or powerful processors. The results show significant improvement in both accuracy and reliability of the data over that of a single receiver, and the distribution of error more closely resembles the normal distribution (as compared to a single receiver). Our multi-GPS system shows potential to be an inexpensive way to achieve better GPS performance with only “off-the-shelf” equipment.
Zinc Content Dependence of Permeability and Permeability Temperature Factor for Low Temperature Sintered NiCuZn Ferrites Prepared by Sol-Gel Method

The fine powder of Ni1-a-xZnxCuaFe2O4 ferrites with 0.15≤a0.25, 0.1≤x≤0.65 was prepared bysol-gel method. The Zn content x dependence of properties of the sintered specimens were illustrated, including theinitial permeability μi, the Q value, the Curie temperature TC and TC μ Ms , the saturation magnetization Ms, and thecoercive force Hc. The temperature curves of μi reveals that values of αμ/μi (20~60℃), i.e. the temperature factor ofμi, alter signs at x=0.55-0.65. The NiCuZn ferrites with properties of μi1000, TC=125℃, tanδ/μi2×10-5 andαμ/μi=-0.9×10-6/℃ at sintering temperature 880±20℃ were obtained. The problem of sol-gel method in the ratio ofperformance to cost is indicated due to its high cost of raw materials.
Survey on the current status of nosocomial infection management in 25 primary medical institutions

Objective To know the current status and deficiency in primary medical institutions in Guangzhou,and to provide scientific basis for strengthening the management of nosocomial infection. Methods The filed investigation and questionnaire methods were used to study the current status of nosocomial infection management in primary medical institutions,which included county hospital,community health service center,township hospitals,countryside village clinic and individual clinic. Results Twenty five primary medical institutions were investigated,the questionnaire results showed that 84. 00% of the situations full- time / part- time staff for nosocomial infection management. Sterile devices and hand hygiene facilities were well equipped,but 44. 00% of investigated institutions did not have sewage treatment equipment or the equipment was not working. The monitor of disinfection efficacy showed that the total qualified rate was 83. 94%. Conclusion There are many deficiencies in primary medical institutions in nosocomial infection management. For preventing and controlling the nosocomial infection,comprehensive measures should be taken to optimize the system building.
High-yielding Seed Production Techniques of Super Rice "Jinyou 458"

The main characteristics of the parents and main seed production techniques of super rice "Jinyou 458"are introduced in this paper.
Design of intelligent bus-stop announcement system based on STC89C52

An automatically stops system composed of STC89C52 microcontroller, NRF24L01 wireless module, and other components is designed. The system is mainly composed with transmitting module and receiving module. The receiving module receives signals which are sent by the wireless module, then sends instructions by CPU to control voice module, and realizes the function of automatic identification and automatic stop announcing. The proposed system replaces one-to-one single channel information sending and receiving mode, while realizes one-to-many multi-channel information sending and receiving mode, also has great advantages in design cost, improves the utilization rate of the platform and reduces the occupied space, realizes the intelligence of city bus stops.
Expression of androgen receptor protein within the lumbar spinal cord during ontologic development and following antiandrogen induced cryptorchidism.

AbstractOne of the leading hypotheses regarding androgenic regulation of testicular descent is that the lumbar genitofemoral nucleus is morphologically altered by testosterone during a specific prenatal period. This hypothesis is based on the unproved assumption that androgen receptor is present in the fetal spinal cord. Using immunohistochemistry we identified androgen receptor in the rat lumbar spinal cord on gestational day 15, a day before the onset of maximal androgenic action for testicular descent.Experiments were performed to determine whether alterations in the morphology of the genitofemoral nucleus are associated with flutamide induced cryptorchidism. Studies revealed a reduction of motoneuron number in rats with flutamide induced cryptorchidism (124.2 ± 18.9) compared to rats exposed to flutamide without cryptorchidism (269.3 ± 20.2) and/or male controls (291.0 ± 14.5, p <0.01). These findings support the hypothesis that androgens can directly regulate development and morphology of the genitof...
Effect of Silane on Glass/Resin Adhesion Strength

Glass fiber/resin adhesion, in terms of interfacial shear strength, was determined in a system consisting of silane coated single filaments embedded in a polymeric resin. Wettability of the fibers in the resin was measured with a Wilhelmy wetting balance. The interfacial shear strength and the resin wetting were found to be dependent on the concentration of the silanes in the coating solution. The dependence on silane concentration is similar in character for both properties, though different for different silane compounds. Studies by GPC, DMA and FTIR of the coatings suggested deposition of a polymeric, low molecular weight silane product by dilute solutions, and a high molecular weight, highly cross-linked polymer by concentrated solutions. It is concluded that the different properties of silane coatings are responsible for the observed differences in resin wetting, which in turn affect the interfacial bond strength and its degradation in the presence of water. Also, at a given concentration of a coupling agent, better adhesion and water resistance might be achieved by increasing the number of glass and/or resin reactive groups on the silane compound.
SU-F-J-83: Estimation of Deformation Field with Two-Scale Supervoxel Equations

Purpose: To circumvent the ill-posedness in the problem to estimate inhomogeneous motion or deformation field without resorting to global regularization conditions. Methods: We present a novel method for deformable registration. First, we estimate the deformation field at a coarse resolution level, with super-voxels as the spatial elements, keeping the target/reference image remains at the fine resolution. The resultant system of nonlinear equations are no longer under-determined. Next we establish local systems of 2-scale equations to determine the difference in deformation between the coarser level and the fine level, namely, the relative deformation between each super-voxel and its 8 sub-pixels. The equations are set up as follows. Consider an arbitrarily fixed super-voxel, we refer to it as the pivot voxel to be refined. Partition the other super-voxels as its near neighbors or far neighbors. In the local equations, the deformation at far neighbors are fixed as that obtained at the coarse resolution. The relative deformation at the sub-voxels within the pivot voxel is unknown and to be estimated. The deformation at the near neighbors is allowed to undergo changes, acting as elastic variables bridging the deformation associated with sub-pixels within the pivot voxel and that over the far neighbors. Each local system is not under-determined. The refinement is regularized by the principle of strong near-neighbor influence and weak far-neighbor influence, inspired primarily by the celebrated numerical Fast Multiple Method. Results: We demonstrate the viability and efficacy of the new method using 2D XCAT lung images. We provide comparisons to two other commonly used iterative methods. Conclusion: The proposed method is essentially a self-regularization mechanism, which is adaptive, non-parametric, non-global, in the sense that the solution at the finer resolution is regulated by the deformation structure itself at multiple resolution scale. NIH Grant No: R01-184173
Task Familiarity Effects on Job Sample Performance

As part of the Navy Job Performance Measurement Program, the technical proficiency of first-term radioman (RM) personnel was measured using a multimethod approach, the most significant component of which was a hands-on, or job sample test. Because the RM job included large numbers of personnel assigned to both ships and shore installations, the performance of these two groups on the hands-on test was compared and related to achievement on the other measures. The data were analyzed using MANOVA to test the overall difference between the groups across 12 hands-on task tests, showing that the RMs assigned to ships performed significantly better than RMs assigned to shore installations. T-tests for each of the task tests showed that RMs assigned to ships performed significantly better than RMs assigned to shore installations on seven of the 12 task tests. Examination of personnel background questionnaire information revealed a significant difference in the work experience between the groups. Possible causes o...
Abstract 2863: Mechanisms underlying estrogen-induced inflammation in estrogen-deprived breast cancer cells

Inflammation is critical for estrogen (E2) to undertake apoptosis in E2-deprived breast cancer cells. However, it remains unclear how E2 induces inflammation. Here, we demonstrate that E2 increases lipid metabolism and accumulates unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum in E2-deprived breast cancer cells. These two major alterations result in different inflammatory responses. E2 rapidly increases lipid metabolism related genes such as fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (CEBPB) to modulate adipose inflammation related factors, e.g. IL6/IL6R after two hours treatment, which regulate the cellular proliferation or differentiation. Simultaneously, accumulation of the unfolded protein activates unfolded protein response (UPR) sensors, protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) and inositol-requiring protein 1 alpha (IRE1α) within few hours after exposure to E2. Importantly, inhibition of PERK, rather than IRE1α, is able to completely prevent E2 from induction of late event inflammatory genes associated with apoptosis, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily members, BCL2L11 (Bim), and HMOX1,which are activated by E2 after 48 hours. Consistently, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is activated when TNFα is maximal after E2 treatment. Further examination revealed that an anti-inflammatory agent, dexamethasone (Dex), activates glucocorticoid receptor (GR) transcriptional activity and blocks E2-induced apoptosis. These effects can be reversed by the knockdown of GR. A notable mechanistic change is that Dex effectively blocks the phosphorylation of PERK and produces equivalent inhibitory effects on the apoptosis-associated inflammatory genes as the PERK inhibitor. However, Dex has an additional potential to activate lipid metabolism and are additive with E2 to elevate FADS1 and adipokine IL6/IL6R. All of these data, for the first time, describe the mechanisms underlying E2-induced inflammation in E2-deprived breast cancer. It provides important information to restrict the clinical use of glucocorticoids, which will undermine the beneficial effects of E2-induced apoptosis in estrogen deprived breast cancer patients. Citation Format: Ping Fan, Fadeke A. Agboke, Amit Kumar Tyagi, V. Craig Jordan. Mechanisms underlying estrogen-induced inflammation in estrogen-deprived breast cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2863.
Integrated waveguide-photodetector using Si/SiGe multiple quantum wells for long wavelength applications

An Si/SiGe integrated rib waveguide-photodetector for long wavelength applications has been fabricated. Low-loss (1-2 dB/cm at 1.3 mu m) silicon waveguides on SOI (silicon-on-insulator) have been fabricated. Remote coupling of optical fiber to photodetector through the silicon waveguide was successfully accomplished. The integrated waveguide-P-i-N detectors exhibited low reverse leakage currents (10-30 pA/ mu m/sup 2/ at 15 V reverse bias) and 50% internal quantum efficiency at 1.1 mu m, with a frequency response bandwidth of 1-2 GHz. These results show promise for an integrated preamplifier-detector for an all Si-based long wavelength receiver. >
Dispersal and the Microbiome: Learning how fast and how far microorganisms move will help us better understand the diversity of microbial communities

“Everything is everywhere—the environment selects,” said the late Dutch microbiologist and botanist Lourens Bass-Becking. Subsequently, other scientists interpreted his comments to mean that microorganisms, particularly free-living ones, are not dispersal limited. Small, abundant organisms are more likely to disperse greater distances, and many microbes can be found all over the globe. Indeed, one group of experts recently estimated that all marine bacterial taxa, defined as having at least 97% 16S rRNA sequence similarity, are present in a mere 200 L of seawater.
The development of repetitive motor behaviors in deer mice: Effects of environmental enrichment, repeated testing, and differential mediation by indirect basal ganglia pathway activation.

Little is known about the mechanisms mediating the development of repetitive behaviors in human or animals. Deer mice reared with environmental enrichment (EE) exhibit fewer repetitive behaviors and greater indirect basal ganglia pathway activation as adults than those reared in standard cages. The developmental progression of these behavioral and neural circuitry changes has not been characterized. We assessed the development of repetitive behavior in deer mice using both a longitudinal and cohort design. Repeated testing negated the expected effect of EE, but cohort analyses showed that progression of repetitive behavior was arrested after one week of EE and differed significantly from controls after 3 weeks. Moreover, EE reductions in repetitive behavior were associated with increasing activation of indirect pathway nuclei in males across adolescence, but not females. These findings provide the first assessment of developmental trajectories within EE and support indirect pathway mediation of repetitive behavior in male deer mice.
Acute bone changes after lower limb amputation resulting from traumatic injury

Bone health is critical for lower limb amputees, affecting their ability to use a prosthesis and their risk of osteoporosis. We found large losses in hip bone mineral density (BMD) and in amputated bone strength in the first year of prosthesis use, suggesting a need for load bearing interventions early post-amputation. Large deficits in hip areal BMD (aBMD) and residual limb volumetric BMD (vBMD) occur after lower limb amputation; however, the time course of these bone quality changes is unknown. The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in the amputated bone that occur during the early stages post-amputation. Eight traumatic unilateral amputees (23–53 years) were enrolled prior to surgery. Changes in total body, hip, and spine aBMD (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry); in vBMD, stress-strain index (SSI), and muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA) (peripheral QCT); and in bone turnover markers were assessed after amputation prior to prosthesis fitting (pre-ambulatory) and at 6 and 12 months walking with prosthesis. Hip aBMD of the amputated limb decreased 11–15%, which persisted through 12 months. The amputated bone had decreases (p 650 mg/cm3 (58 to 43% of total area) or >480 mg/cm3 (65% to 53%), suggesting an increase in cortical porosity after amputation. Bone alkaline phosphatase and sclerostin were elevated (p < 0.05) at pre-ambulatory and then decreased towards baseline. Bone resorption markers were highest at surgery and pre-ambulatory and then progressively decreased (p < 0.05). Rapid and substantial losses in bone content and strength occur early after amputation and are not regained by 12 months of becoming ambulatory. Early post-amputation may be the most critical window for preventing bone loss.
Assessing the use of artificial substrates to monitor Gambierdiscus populations in the Florida Keys

Abstract Four distinct coastal locations were sampled on a monthly basis near Long Key (Florida Keys, USA) over a 13-month period to study Gambierdiscus population dynamics on different substrates, including four macrophyte species ( Dictyota spp., Halimeda spp., Laurencia spp., and Thalassia testudinum ) and three artificial substrates (polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tiles, burlap, and fiberglass window screen). Cell densities of Gambierdiscus were generally lower on Dictyota versus Halimeda and Laurencia. Cell densities of Gambierdiscus were significantly correlated among macrophyte hosts in 54% of the comparisons, and between macrophyte hosts and artificial substrates in 72% of the comparisons. Predictive slopes determined from regression analyses between cell densities on artificial substrates and macrophyte hosts indicated that, on an areal basis, fewer cells were present on macrophytes versus artificial substrates (cells cm −2 ) and that slope variation (error) among the different macrophytes and sites ranged from 5% to 200%, averaging 61% overall. As the data required log-transformation prior to analyses, this level of error translates into two-orders of magnitude in range of estimation of the overall average abundance of Gambierdiscus cells on macrophytes (135 cells g −1 wet weight); 20–2690 cells g −1 ww. The lack of consistent correlation among Gambierdiscus cell densities on macrophytes versus artificial substrates, coupled with the high level of error associated with the predictive slope estimations, indicates that extreme caution should be taken when interpreting the data garnered from artificial substrate deployments, and that such deployments should be thoroughly vetted prior to routine use for monitoring purposes.
Allograft-Prosthetic Composite Reconstruction for Massive Proximal Humeral Bone Loss in Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty.

Background:Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) performed in the setting of massive proximal humeral bone loss often requires special reconstructive techniques. Restoration of the proximal part of the humerus with an allograft provides a number of theoretical benefits, including implant suppor
Genome Polymorphism Detection Through Relaxed de Bruijn Graph Construction

Comparing genomes to identify polymorphisms is a difficult task, especially beyond single nucleotide poly-morphisms. Polymorphism detection is important in disease association studies as well as in phylogenetic tree reconstruc-tion. We present a method for identifying polymorphisms in genomes by using a modified version de Bruijn graphs, data structures widely used in genome assembly from Next-Generation Sequencing. Using our method, we are able to identify polymorphisms that exist within a genome as well as well as see graph structures that form in the de Bruijn graph for particular types of polymorphisms (translocations, etc.)
Introduction: Visuality, Gender and Asian America

The chapter sketches the contexts in which Asianness, gender and visual art interact in contemporary US culture. Focusing on issues of circulation of contemporary art and the related politic discourse, the chapter outlines the ways in which Chinese art and Asian America connect today in the USA, with the new interest in China overshadowing the history of Asian American communities and their diasporic art. The author offers a postcolonial critique of how this cultural dynamic renders invisible the contributions of Asian women artists living in California.
Columbia digital news project: an environment for briefing and search over multimedia information

In this paper we describe an ongoing research project called the Columbia Digital News Project. The goal of this project is to develop a suite of effective interoperable tools with which people can find relevant information (text, images, video, and structured documents) from distributed sources and track it over a period of time. Our initial focus is on the development of a system with which researchers, journalists, and students can keep track of current news events in specific areas.
Darwin and Cirripedia prior to 1846: Exploring the origins of the barnacle research

Phillip Sloan has thoroughly documented theimportance of Darwin's general invertebrateresearch program in the period from 1826 to1836 and demonstrated how it had an impact onhis conversion to transformism. AlthoughDarwin later spent eight years of his life(1846–1854) investigating barnacles, thisperiod has received less treatment in studiesof Darwin and the development of his thought. The most prominent question for the barnacleperiod that has been attended to is why Darwin``delayed'' in publishing his theory ofevolution. A related but distinct questionconcerns the variety of earlier events andinfluences that led Darwin to the study ofCirripedia in 1846, apart from its role in thetrajectory that led to On the Origin ofSpecies (1859). In this paper I focus on four specific episodesprior to 1846 that inform a picture of whyDarwin had an antecedent interest in barnacles:(1) the orientation to collecting strange andcurious invertebrate organisms, as well as thestrong affinities of Darwin's invertebratecollecting on the Beagle voyage with thework of John Vaughan Thompson; (2) the criticalrole of marine invertebrate fossils in Darwin'sgeological reasoning aboard the Beagleand exemplified in his GeologicalObservations of South America; (3) the strangeabsence of a Zoology of the Beagle volumeon invertebrates and Darwin's original intentto publish some of the descriptions himself;and (4) the noteworthy presence of barnacles inDarwin's transformation theorizing between 1837and 1839. There is a wealth of support for thethesis that Darwin had a strong interest incirripedes prior to the formal barnacleresearch, blunting arguments that it was psychologicalaversion or a feeling of inferiority about histaxonomic abilities that drove Darwin to thecirripedes.
Elastic Properties of Amorphous Thin Films

The anomalous, low temperature elastic and thermal properties found in all bulk amorphous solids have been well described in terms of a phenomenological two level state (TLS) model, although the microscopic origin of the TLS still remains a mystery. Several workers [1][2][3] have proposed that the mysterious TLS could originate from elastic interactions that arise between stress dipoles found in these solids. In an attempt to determine if these elastic interactions are responsible for the TLS we have developed a technique for measuring the internal friction of amorphous thin films which is sensitive to films with thicknesses as small as 100 A.
Management of Complex Proximal Humerus Fractures: What Is the Role of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation?

Proximal humerus fractures are challenging injuries to treat and will become more common with an aging population. The purpose of this paper is to review the recent literature regarding the role of open reduction and internal fixation for this injury. Complex proximal humerus fractures present a significant challenge in the elderly. The introduction of locked plating has improved surgical management of these injuries; however, complications including avascular necrosis, primary screw cutout, and secondary screw cutout remain obstacles. Newer technologies aim to combat these issues, with promising early results. Complex proximal humerus fractures call for experienced surgeons and remain challenging with high complication rates with open reduction and internal fixation. Newer fixation methods aim to reduce these complications.