cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process in house selection

The house selection process involves an assessment by the buyer of a myriad of qualitative and quantitative factors before negotiating a purchase. The complex interplay among these factors along with the limitations of humans to systematically consider the complex information set, create the potential to induce serious inconsistencies in decisions. This paper presents a formal judgmental model of the house selection process using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The model will allow the buyer to consistently evaluate property attributes. We also present a simple extension of the model to help the prospective buyer arrive at an attribute weighted price that can be used for comparative rankings.
The end of power: from boardrooms to battlefields and churches to states, why being in charge isn't what it used to be

The title of Moises Naim's newest book lends itself to a rather provocative implication. But power is not coming to an end and Naim backs off this suggestion rather quickly. Instead, this book desc...
Enhancing fault-tolerance in rate-monotonic scheduling

In this paper, we address the problem of supporting timeliness and dependability at the level of task scheduling. We consider the problem of scheduling a set of tasks, each of which, for fault-tolerance purposes, has multiple versions, onto the minimum number of processors. On each individual processor, the tasks are guaranteed their deadlines by the Rate-Monotonic algorithm. A simple online allocation heuristic is proposed. It is proven that N ≤ 2.33N o + κ where N is the number of processors required to feasibly schedule a set of tasks by the heuristic, N o is the minimum number of processors required to feasibly schedule the same set of tasks, and κ is the maximum redundancy degree a task can have. The bound is also shown to be a tight upper bound. The average-case performance of the heuristic is studied through simulation. It is shown that the heuristic performs surprisingly well on the average.
Threshold Chloride Concentrations of Selected Corrosion-Resistant Rebar Materials Compared to Carbon Steel

Abstract The threshold chloride concentration for solid Type 316LN (UNS S31653) stainless steel, Type 316L (UNS S31603) stainless steel clad, 2101 (UNS S32101), Fe-9%Cr, and carbon steel rebar (ordinary ASTM A 615M) was investigated using potentiodynamic and potentiostatic current monitoring techniques in saturated calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2) + sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions. There is general consensus in this study and the literature that the chloride threshold for carbon steel is less than a chloride to hydroxl (Cl−/OH−) molar ratio of 1. Solid Type 316LN stainless steel rebar was found to have a much higher chloride threshold (i.e., threshold Cl−/OH− ratio > 20) than carbon steel (0.25 < Cl−/OH−< 0.34). Type 316L stainless steel clad rebar possessed a chloride threshold expressed as a Cl−/OH− ratio of 4.9 when cladding was intact. However, surface preparation, test method, duration of period exposed to a passivating condition prior to the introduction of chloride, and the presence of cladding defects...
Pulse compression recording

Small media defects are a major limitation to data reliability at high magnetic recording densities. One way of overcoming this limitation is to use an error correction code. In this paper, Pulse-Compression Recording (PCR) is proposed as a method in which the energy of each data bit is spatially dispersed in such a manner that the recorded information is insensitive to small media defects or short bursts of noise.
The Cul4-Ddb1Cdt2 Ubiquitin Ligase Inhibits Invasion of a Boundary-Associated Antisilencing Factor into Heterochromatin

SUMMARY Partitioning of chromosomes into euchromatic and heterochromatic domains requires mechanisms that specify boundaries. The S. pombe JmjC family protein Epe1 prevents the ectopic spread of heterochromatin and is itself concentrated at boundaries. Paradoxically, Epe1 is recruited to heterochromatin by HP1 silencing factors that are distributed throughout heterochromatin. We demonstrate here that the selective enrichment of Epe1 at boundaries requires its regulation by the conserved Cul4-Ddb1 Cdt2 ubiquitin ligase, which directly recognizes Epe1 and promotes its polyubiquitylation and degradation. Strikingly, in cells lacking the ligase, Epe1 persists in the body of heterochromatin thereby inducing a defect in gene silencing. Epe1 is the sole target of the Cul4-Ddb1 Cdt2 complex whose destruction is necessary for the preservation of heterochromatin. This mechanism acts parallel with phosphorylation of HP1/Swi6 by CK2 to restrict Epe1. We conclude that the ubiquitin-dependent sculpting of the chromosomal distribution of an antisilencing factor is critical for heterochromatin boundaries to form correctly.
Applicability of Micromechanics Model Based on Actual Microstructure for Failure Prediction of DP Steels

In this paper, various micromechanics models based on actual microstructures of DP steels are examined in order to determine the reasonable range of martensite volume fraction where the methodology described in this study can be applied. For this purpose, various micromechanics-based finite element models are first created based on the actual microstructures of DP steels with different martensite volume fractions. These models are, then, used to investigate the influence of ductility of the constituent ferrite and martensite phases and also the influence of voids in the ferrite phase on the overall ductility of DP steels. The computational results indicate that there is a range of martensite volume fraction where the phase inhomogeneity between the ferrite and martensite phases has dominant effect on the overall ductility of DP steels, defeating the influence of the ductility of each phase and the voids in the ferrite phase, and that this phase inhomogeneity dominant region includes the range of marteniste volume fraction between 15% and 40%. Therefore, the methodology, adopted in this study, may be applied to DP steels within the phase inhomogeneity dominant region in tailoring the DP steel design for its intended purpose and desired properties.
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the C-reactive protein (CRP) gene promoter that affect transcription factor binding, alter transcriptional activity, and associate with differences in baseline serum CRP level

To investigate whether functional polymorphisms exist in the C-reactive protein (CRP) gene, i.e., ones that contribute directly to differences in baseline CRP among individuals, we sequenced a 1,156-nucleotide-long stretch of the CRP gene promoter in 287 ostensibly healthy people. We identified two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), a bi-allelic one at nucleotide −409 (G→A), and a tri-allelic one at −390 (C→T→A), both resident within the hexameric core of transcription factor binding E-box elements. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirmed that the SNP within the sequence −412CACGTG−407 (E-box 1) modulates transcription factor binding, and that the one within −394CACTTG−389 (E-box 2) supports transcription factor binding only when the −390 T allele is present. The commonest of four E-box 1/E-box 2 haplotypes (−409G/−390T) identified in the population supported highest promoter activity in luciferase reporter assays, and the rarest one (−409A/−390T) supported the least. Importantly, serum CRP in people with these haplotypes reproduced this rank order, i.e., people with the −409G/−390T haplotype had the highest baseline serum CRP (mean±SEM 10.9±2.25 μg/ml) and people with the −409A/−390T haplotype had the lowest (5.01±1.56 μg/ml). Furthermore, haplotype-associated differences in baseline CRP were not due to differences in age, sex, or race, and were still apparent in people with no history of smoking. At least two other SNPs in the CRP promoter lie within E-box elements (−198 C→T, E-box 4, and −861 T→C, E-box 3), indicating that not only is the quality of E-box sites in CRP a major determinant of baseline CRP level, but also that the number of E-boxes may be important. These data confirm that the CRP promoter does encode functional polymorphisms, which should be considered when baseline CRP is being used as an indicator of clinical outcome. Ultimately, development of genetic tests to screen for CRP expression variants could allow categorization of healthy people into groups at high versus low future risk of inflammatory disease.
A new wavelet based deblocking algorithm for compressed images

The paper addresses the problem of the deblocking of JPEG compressed images. A new efficient approach based on wavelet theory is introduced. The main idea is to use the dyadic wavelet to transform decoded blocked images into time-frequency space, then use an optimal interpolation technique to smooth high frequencies around the boundaries between adjacent blocks. Based on this idea, a new deblocking algorithm is derived. This algorithm is simple and easily implemented. Experiment shows that the algorithm improves not only visual quality, but also the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of images.
The Drosophila ecdysone receptor ( EcR ) Gene Is Required Maternally for Normal Oogenesis

Oogenesis in Drosophila is regulated by the steroid hormone ecdysone and the sesquiterpenoid juvenile hormone. Response to ecdysone is mediated by a heteromeric receptor composed of the EcR and USP proteins. We have identified a temperature-sensitive EcR mutation, EcR A483T , from a previously isolated collection of EcR mutations. EcR A483T is predicted to affect all EcR protein products (EcR-A, EcR-B1, and EcR-B2) since it maps to a common exon encoding the ligand-binding domain. In wild-type females, we find that both EcR-A and EcR-B1 are expressed in nurse cells and follicle cells throughout oogenesis. EcR mutant females raised at permissive temperature and then shifted to restrictive temperature exhibit severe reductions in fecundity. Oogenesis in EcR mutant females is defective, and the spectrum of oogenic defects includes the presence of abnormal egg chambers and loss of vitellogenic egg stages. Our results demonstrate a requirement for EcR during female reproduction and suggest that EcR is required for normal oogenesis.
Total Synthesis of Cribrostatin 6

The total synthesis of antimicrobial and antineoplastic cribrostatin 6 was accomplished in only four steps in the longest linear sequence and five total steps from commercially available starting materials. The key step employed a tandem 4-π electrocyclic ring opening, radical cyclization, and homolytic aromatic substitution sequence to afford the tricylic core of the natural product, which was converted to cribrostatin 6 via a subsequent, one-pot oxidation.
Correlation functions in 2D string theory

Abstract We calculate spherical N point correlation functions in string theories with c⩽1. The amplitudes are given by two dimensional integrals, which we compute in their domain of convergence in momentum space. Outside of this domain, the amplitudes are non-analytic due to the existence of the Liouville interaction.
Energy harvesting with piezoelectric circular membrane under pressure loading

This paper presents a comprehensive theoretical model for predicting the energy generating performance of an energy harvesting device that uses a piezoelectric circular membrane subject to pressure fluctuation. PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) film is adopted for the membrane. In order to predict the power generating performance due to stretching and bending of the membrane, the total stress on the membrane, rather than the stress at the center point of the circular membrane, is determined using the energy method. Analytical results indicate that the theoretically predicted generated power of the device under normal blood pressure variation is close to experimental results available in the literature. This comprehensive model provides a useful design tool during parameter optimization for energy harvesters that use piezoelectric circular membranes for a pressure fluctuating system.
An analysis of deflection routing in multi-dimensional regular mesh networks

A Markov Chain based analysis for deflection routing in n-dimensional regular mesh networks is presented. Detailed analyses are given for the 2D mesh, and a generalization to higher dimensions is outlined. Analytic results are shown to agree very closely with simulations. A basic routing scheme in which all packets have equal priority and a priority scheme in which packets with fewer alternative routes are given priority are proposed and analyzed. Results show that the priority scheme gives higher maximum throughput and lower average packet delay than the basic scheme by reducing average deflections under heavy loads. With the priority scheme, the network performance is almost identical to that of the optimal diagonal routing scheme. By doubling the number of links the throughput is always more than doubled. The authors conclude that in the 2D case, bidirectional links are more cost-effective than unidirectional ones assuming the cost is the number of optical transceivers. >
Series Voltage Compensation for DFIG Wind Turbine Low-Voltage Ride-Through Solution

This paper introduces a new solution for doubly fed induction generators to stay connected to the grid during voltage sags. The main idea is to increase the stator voltage to a level that creates the required flux to keep the rotor side converter current below its transient rating. To accomplish this goal, a series compensator is added to inject voltage in series to the stator side line. The series converter monitors the grid voltage and provides compensation accordingly to accomplish this aim. Since the turbine and converter stay connected, the synchronization of operation remains established during and after the fault and normal operation can be resumed immediately after the fault is cleared. To keep the current at its minimum, a control strategy has been developed to keep the injected voltage and line voltage in phase during and after the fault.
Studies of natural herbage of the subtropics II. The effect of added concentrates on the digestibility of herbage

1. The effect of feeding three levels of concentrates on the organic matter digestibility of two kinds of herbage was determined in four Latin square trials with four wether sheep. 2. Analysis of variance of the trials showed that the organic matter digestibility of all mixed feeds was significantly higher than that of the corresponding herbage. With one exception, the organic matter digestibility of the mixed feeds within each trial was not significantly different. 3. The digestibility coefficients of the concentrates, derived by difference, were invariably high and exceeded 100% for four levels of addition. This indicated a marked improvement of the digestibility of herbage when it was fed with certain levels of concentrate. 4. A possible explanation of the increase of digestibility was discussed and the practical implications of the results indicated.
Saying “I Don’t” to Matrimony An Investigation of Why Long-Term Heterosexual Cohabitors Choose Not to Marry

Research indicates the continuance of a rising trend in cohabitation among heterosexual couples. Although most cohabitors eventually marry or break up, there is a subset of cohabitors that are consciously committed to remaining unmarried. Based on interviews with 45 committed unmarried heterosexual couples residing in the United States, this study investigates the reasons why some choose to abstain from legal marriage altogether. Participants indicate a variety of reasons for forgoing legal marriage, including political views, economic practicalities, divorce concerns, and a lack of rationales or incentives to marry. The reasons offered fit into two larger categories: unease about the meanings associated with marriage and concerns about what marriage does to the relationship. As a subset of cohabitors often overlooked in research, it is important to understand what motivates some into saying “I Don’t” to legal marriage.
Detecting and correcting errors in rule-based expert systems: an integration of empirical and explanation-based learning

Abstract In this paper, we argue that techniques proposed for combining empirical and explanation-based learning methods can also be used to detect errors in rule-based expert systems, to isolate the blame for these errors to a small number of rules and suggest revisions to the rules to eliminate these errors. We demonstrate that FOCL, an extension to Quinlan's FOIL program, can learn relational concepts in spite of an incorrect domain theory (e.g. a knowledge base of an expert system that contains some erroneous rules). A prototype knowledge acquisition tool, KR-FOCL, has been constructed that utilizes a trace of FOCL to suggest revisions to a rule base.
An information theoretic justification for covariance intersection and its generalization

A technique for fusing Kalman filter information has been developed by Jeffrey Uhlmann, Simon Julier, and their associates that addresses the problems that arise from fusing correlated measurements. The researchers have named this technique "covariance intersection" and have presented papers on it at several robotics and control theory conferences. The technique is applicable to these research areas because robotic systems often have data flowing between multiple interconnected algorithms with no guarantee that the data flowing into any algorithm are independent. This paper shows that the covariance intersection technique is equivalent to the. log-linear combination of two Gaussian functions and is thus related to Chernoff information. Given this relationship, covariance intersection can be generalized to the fusion of any two probability density functions. A number of different optimization criteria for covariance intersection have been suggested, one being the minimization of the determinant of the fused covariance. This paper shows that this criterion is equivalent to the minimization of the Shannon information of the fused density function. This equivalence provides justification for the selection of the determinant criterion for many applications of covariance intersection. The relationship to Chernoff information suggests that this function may be useful-in other applications.
The role of curvature in Newton’s dynamics

Abstract Newton produced three distinct but related methods of deriving the nature of the force required to maintain a given orbit relative to a given center of force: the polygonal approximation, the parabolic approximation, and the circular approximation. In all three editions of the Principia, the polygonal approximation is employed to demonstrate Kepler’s law of equal areas in equal times and the parabolic approximation to derive a measure of force. The circular approximation, in which an element of an orbit is approximated by the arc of the circle of curvature, does not appear in the first edition of the Principia, however, and in the revised editions it appears as an alternate measure of force. It is therefore often seen as secondary by many commentators on Newton’s dynamics. The fundamental importance of the circular approximation and curvature, however, has been demonstrated in the work of commentators such a D. T. Whiteside and S. Chandrasekhar: the former in his eight volumes of Newton’s mathematical papers (1664–1722) and the latter in his volume on selections from the third edition of Principia (1726). The tale of the role of curvature in Newton’s dynamics is a crooked one, however, and it is not easy to follow it in Whiteside’s multiple volumes, nor is it addressed historically in Chandrasekhar’s modern treatment. I propose to illuminate that crooked path.
Food habits of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) as an indicator of invasive species in San Francisco Bay, California

The diet of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) in San Francisco Bay (SFB), California, was determined from July 2007 to July 2008 using prey hard parts recovered from 442 scats collected at five haul-out sites. Twenty-two species of fish and one species of crustacean were identified, but harbor seals primarily ate a nonnative invasive species, yellowfin goby (Acanthogobius flavimanus), which increased in dietary importance since the diet was last studied in 1991/1992. Additionally, another nonnative invasive fish species, chameleon goby (Tridentiger trigonocephalus), was found for the first time in the diet of harbor seals in SFB. Harbor seal diet was statistically different between years (1991/1992 and 2007/2008), between the pupping and nonpupping seasons, and between North SFB and South SFB haul-out locations. The diet of harbor seals was significantly correlated with fish species caught in trawl surveys conducted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) during the same time periods as this study (2007/2008). Harbor seals currently are influencing the health of the SFB ecosystem in a positive manner by consuming large quantities of nonnative invasive fish species.
All in the family: creating a family of IT sites

Texas A&M Information Technology sought to build a consistent online presence to convey knowledgeable, approachable, and professional attributes of the organization. Departmental sites were redesigned for easier browsing and finding actionable information. However, with seven departments and information dispersed across multiple web sites, finding the correct site could still be a challenge. A new top-level site, IT.tamu.edu, was constructed to provide a roadmap to all of Texas A&M IT. This comprehensive site listed every IT service offered and supplies short descriptions, how to quickly get started, and where to learn more information. Helpful visuals and user-friendly components ("Did You Mean?" for quick access to related topics and "How Do I?" for answers to common questions) conveyed approachable expertise in IT to the Texas A&M campus. This essential resource was promoted to the university using an interactive "Find IT and Win Scavenger Hunt", which consisted of using clues to find "IT" icons scattered throughout the site. At the end of the hunt, participants could double their chance of winning prizes by completing a survey. Survey results indicated that site users had positive experiences, found the features helpful, and said they would visit the site again.
Minimally Invasive Nephron Sparing Management for Renal Tumors in Solitary Kidneys

Purpose: We present a large series of minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery outcomes in solitary kidneys with a focus on treatment selection criteria, and oncological and functional outcomes.Materials and Methods: Of 1,019 patients who underwent minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery since September 1997 at our institution 36, 36 and 29 underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, cryoablation and radio frequency ablation, respectively, for tumors in a solitary kidney. Data, including patient and tumor characteristics, surgery details, complications, and postoperative renal function and intermediate term oncological outcomes in each patient, were obtained by telephone contact or from charts. The 3 groups were compared for perioperative, functional and oncological outcomes.Results: On multivariate analysis tumor size, aspect and remnant kidney status were independent predictors of treatment selection. Cancer specific and overall survival at 2 years was 100% and 91.2% for laparoscopic partial nephre...
Deconvolution methods for 3-D fluorescence microscopy images

This paper presents an overview of various deconvolution techniques of 3D fluorescence microscopy images. It describes the subject of image deconvolution for 3D fluorescence microscopy images and provides an overview of the distortion issues in different areas. The paper presents a brief schematic description of fluorescence microscope systems and provides a summary of the microscope point-spread function (PSF), which often creates the most severe distortion in the acquired 3D image. Finally, it discusses the ongoing research work in the area and provides a brief review of performance measures of 3D deconvolution microscopy techniques. It also provides a summary of the numerical results using simulated data and presents the results obtained from the real data.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Human Norepinephrine Transporter Gene Affect Expression, Trafficking, Antidepressant Interaction, and Protein Kinase C Regulation

The role of norepinephrine (NE) in attention, memory, affect, stress, heart rate, and blood pressure implicates NE in psychiatric and cardiovascular disease. The norepinephrine transporter (NET) mediates reuptake of released catecholamines, thus playing a role in the limitation of signaling strength in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human NET (hNET) gene that influence transporter function can contribute to disease, such as the nonfunctional transporter, A457P, identified in orthostatic intolerance. Here, we examine additional amino acid variants that have been identified but not characterized in populations that include cardiovascular phenotypes. Variant hNETs were expressed in COS-7 cells and were assayed for protein expression and trafficking using cell-surface biotinylation and Western blot analysis, transport of radiolabeled substrate, antagonist interaction, and regulation through protein kinase C (PKC)-linked pathways by the phorbol ester β-phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate. We observed functional perturbations in 6 of the 10 mutants studied. Several variants were defective in trafficking and transport, with the most dramatic effect observed for A369P, which was completely devoid of the fully glycosylated form of transporter protein, was retained intracellularly, and lacked any transport activity. Furthermore, A369P and another trafficking variant, N292T, impeded surface expression of hNET when coexpressed. F528C demonstrated increased transport and, remarkably, exhibited both insensitivity to down-regulation by PKC and a decrease in potency for the tricyclic antidepressant desipramine. These findings reveal functional deficits that are likely to compromise NE signaling in SNP carriers in the population and identify key regions of NET contributing to transporter biosynthesis, activity, and regulation.
Blind identification of ARMA models with periodically modulated inputs

Previous results have pointed out the importance of inducing cyclostationarity at the transmitter for blind identification of FIR communication channels. The paper considers the blind identification problem of an ARMA(p,q) channel, by exploiting the cyclostationarity induced at the transmitter through periodic encoding of the input. It is shown that causal and stable ARMA(p,q) channels can be uniquely identified from the output second-order cyclic statistics, irrespective of the location of channel poles and zeros, and the color of the additive stationary noise, provided that the cyclostationary input has at least q+2 cycles.
Peer-to-peer internet telephony using SIP

P2P systems inherently have high scalability, robustness and fault tolerance because there is no centralized server and the network self-organizes itself. This is achieved at the cost of higher latency for locating the resources of interest in the P2P overlay network. Internet telephony can be viewed as an application of P2P architecture where the participants form a self-organizing P2P overlay network to locate and communicate with other participants. We propose a pure P2P architecture for the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based IP telephony systems. Our P2P-SIP architecture supports basic user registration and call setup as well as advanced services such as offline message delivery, voice/video mails and multi-party conferencing. Additionally, we give an overview of our implementation.
Genetic testing and genetic counseling in patients with sudden death risk due to heritable arrhythmias

Sudden cardiac death due to heritable ventricular arrhythmias is an important cause of mortality, especially in young healthy individuals. The identification of the genetic basis of Mendelian diseases associated with arrhythmia has allowed the integration of this information into the diagnosis and clinical management of patients and at-risk family members. The rapid expansion of genetic testing options and the increasing complexity involved in the interpretation of results creates unique opportunities and challenges. There is a need for competency to incorporate genetics into clinical management and to provide appropriate family-based risk assessment and information. In addition, disease-specific genetic knowledge is required to order and correctly interpret and apply genetic testing results. Importantly, genetic diagnosis has a critical role in the risk stratification and clinical management of family members. This review summarizes the approach to genetic counseling and genetic testing for inherited arrhythmias and highlights specific genetic principles that apply to long QT syndrome, short QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.
The effects of omeprazole therapy on bacterial colonization of the pharynx in healthy dogs.

Objective To identify the relative abundance of commensal pharyngeal flora in healthy dogs and determine if abundance of pharyngeal flora is altered during omeprazole administration. Animals Eight adult Beagles. Procedures A total of 3 baseline pharyngeal swabs, collected 48 hours apart, were obtained from each dog. Omeprazole (1 mg/kg PO q 24 h) was administered for a total of 12 days. During omeprazole administration, pharyngeal swabs were obtained on Days 8, 10, and 12. All swabs were submitted for semiquantitative aerobic and anaerobic culture. Growth of bacterial isolates, as well as genus of isolates, was compared between the pretreatment (n = 24) and treatment (n = 24) swabs. Results A greater abundance of several bacterial species was identified during the treatment period, including coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (P < 0.01), Bacillus (P < 0.01), and Pasteurella (P = 0.05). The abundance of bacterial species in samples collected during the treatment period was unchanged for Escherichia coli (P = 0.16), Provotella (P = 0.40), hemolytic Streptococcus (P = 0.34), and nonhemolytic Streptococcus (P = 0.14). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance This small study indicates that shifts in canine pharyngeal flora may occur during omeprazole therapy. Further studies are warranted to determine the clinical significance of gastric acid suppressants on pharyngeal flora in dogs.
Imperial Itinerance and Mobile Pastoralism: The State and Mobility in Medieval Inner Asia

Mobility in pastoral societies has often been treated as either a necessity for efficient pastoral production or else as a method of avoiding state power. Yet both the examples of itinerance in medieval Europe and the attested itineraries of medieval Inner Asian rulers suggest that power projection, not power avoidance, was a key component of Turco-Mongolian imperial mobility. By using new historico-geographical evidence, the itineraries of several pre-Chinggisid and Mongol empire figures—Ong Qa’an, Batu, Ogedei, and Mongke—may be mapped. The results show that imperial itinerance must be distinguished from pastoral mobility. They also show that movement in vast agglomerations of mob-grazing herds was not just a temporary response to military crisis but continued long into the peacetime of the Mongol empire. These results challenge a functionalist understanding of mobility and state structures in Inner Asia.
HIGH PREVALENCE OF AGENT ORANGE EXPOSURE AMONG THYROID CANCER PATIENTS IN THE NATIONAL VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

ABSTRACT Objective: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy and the most rapidly increasing cancer in the U.S. Little is known regarding the epidemiology and characteristics of patients with thyroid cancer within the national Veterans Health Administration (VHA) integrated healthcare system. The aim of this study was to further understand the characteristics of thyroid cancer patients in the VHA population, particularly in relation to Agent Orange exposure. Methods: This is a descriptive analysis of the VA (Veterans Affairs) Corporate Data Warehouse database from all U.S. VHA healthcare sites from October1, 1999, to December 31, 2013. Information was extracted for all thyroid cancer patients based on International Classification of Diseases–ninth revision diagnosis codes; histologic subtypes of thyroid cancer were not available. Results: There were 19,592 patients (86% men, 76% white, 58% married, 42% Vietnam-era Veteran) in the VHA system with a diagnosis of thyroid cancer within this 14-y...
William Heberden and reverse translation

Beginning with the 18th-century physician-scientist William Heberden, the elder, Science Translational Medicine introduces a new article series about historical figures whose transformational contributions to science, medicine, and society remain relevant today.
Modification of sex differentiation by steroid hormones in a tree frog (Pseudacris nigrita triseriata Wied).

SummaryTestosterone masculinizes the course of gonad differentiation in genetically female larvae of treefrogs. Gynogenic steroids are only partially feminizing the gonadal development of genetic males. These results establish for hylids and ranids a common reaction type to steroid treatments, which differs characteristically from that of all other amphibian families which, so far, were submitted to tests.
Contribution to the Life History of Sorex vagrans in Montana

During the period extending from October, 1948, through the first part of September, 1950, and the summers of 1951 and 1952, the author collected shrews in western Montana for a study of the taxonomic relationships of the Sorex vagrans-obscurus group (Clothier, 1951). The present study is based upon 306 specimens of Sorex vagrans monticola from this series for which sufficient amounts of life history data were available. Of these specimens, 188 were collected by the author, and 118 were obtained from other collectors. Seventy-seven were collected near Missoula, Missoula County, fifty-four were collected near Yellow Bay, Flathead Lake, Lake Co., and 137 were collected in Glacier National Park. An effort was made to collect shrews throughout the year, but most of the specimens were obtained during the spring, summer and early fall months. The numbers collected each month were: January—8, February—16, March—26, April—22, May—12, June—40, July—80, August—46, September—42, October—23, November—5, and December—6. Specimens were prepared as study skins and skulls whenever possible, and in all cases the bodies were fixed entire in an alcohol-formalin-acetic acid mixture (Guyer, 1936) for a few days, then preserved in 70 per cent ethyl alcohol. Acknowledgments .—The author is indebted to Clinton H. Conaway, Charles D. Haynes, and many others who have contributed specimens, and especially to Dr. Philip L. Wright, of the Zoology Department of Montana State University, who not only provided many specimens, but also generously supplied assistance and guidance through most of the period of this study. Age .—The age of all specimens was determined by a method similar to that used by Conaway (1952). Measurements of the heights of several teeth of each specimen were taken with an ocular micrometer used in a ten power binocular dissecting microscope, and totaled to give a tooth wear index. The measurements taken were …
Conjugated Polyelectrolyte Dendrimers: Aggregation, Photophysics, and Amplified Quenching

Conjugated polyelectrolyte dendrimers (CPDs) are monodisperse macromolecules that feature a fully π-conjugated dendrimer core surrounded on the periphery by ionic solubilizing groups. CPDs are soluble in water and polar organic solvents, and they exhibit photophysics characteristic of the π-conjugated chromophores comprising the dendrimer core. Here we describe the synthesis and photophysical characterization of series of three generations of CPDs based on a phenylene ethynylene repeat unit structure that is surrounded by an array of anionic sodium carboxylate groups. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the first-generation CPD is flat while the second- and third-generation CPDs adopt oblate structures. Photophysical studies, including absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, and lifetimes, show that the ester protected precursor dendrimers exhibit highly efficient blue fluorescence in THF solution emanating from the phenylene ethynylene chromophore that is in the dendrimer core. By contrast, the w...
89 LIPID RAFT REGULATION OF HEPATOCYTE GROWTH FACTOR/C-MET-MEDIATED VASCULAR INTEGRITY: ROLE OF CD44, TIAM1/RAC1, DYNAMIN 2, AND CORTACTIN.

Endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction results in increased vascular permeability, a feature of inflammation, tumor angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, and acute lung injury. Therefore, agents that protect vascular integrity have important therapeutic implications both in vivo and in vitro. We have previously shown that the binding of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) to its cell surface receptor, c-Met, promotes Rac1-dependent increases in lung EC barrier function. Further examination of the regulatory mechanisms of HGF/c-Met-induced EC barrier enhancement revealed that HGF (25 ng/mL) promotes c-Met recruitment into specialized caveolin 1-enriched plasma membrane microdomains (lipid rafts). Abolishing lipid raft formation (MβCD) attenuated HGF-induced EC barrier enhancement. Within lipid rafts, HGF induced c-Met association with CD44 (a major glycoprotein receptor for hyaluronan). Silencing CD44 expression (siRNA) inhibited HGF-induced c-Met and Tiam1 (a Rac1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor) recruitment to lipid rafts, as well as the association of cortactin (an actin-binding regulatory protein) with dynamin 2 (a vesicular regulatory protein) within lipid raft structures. Silencing of either Tiam1 or dynamin 2 blocked HGF-induced Rac1 activation, cortactin recruitment to lipid rafts, and EC barrier enhancement. Silencing cortactin attenuated HGF-induced EC barrier regulation. Finally, HGF-mediated in vivo protection from lipopolysaccharide-induced pulmonary vascular hyperpermeability was inhibited in CD44 knockout mice. Taken together, these results suggest that lipid rafts are an essential regulator of HGF/c-Met-mediated barrier enhancement via a process involving CD44, Tiam1, Rac1, dynamin 2, and cortactin.
Approaching secure protocol from quantum perspective

The aim of quantum cryptography is to overcome the everlasting problem of unrestricted security in private communication. The usage of the quantum principles protects the privacy of the user's data during the time it is in the transmission process through the telecommunication channels. The sophisticated algorithm we have developed will make the data meaningless to eavesdroppers. The security of modern cryptographic systems has been accomplished by using a long key that will require many years to launch a brute force attack. Therefore, we designed an efficient algorithm that was developed based on BB84 and B92 techniques. In this paper, we utilized the classic features of quantum mechanism, such as superposition and the uncertainty principle. We present the underlining mechanisms of quantum cryptography that enhances the security of data transmission in three stages with valid results that promise a low error rate that leads to a strong consistent key by raising the constraint of the security concept.
Synergistic Utility of Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain in Asymptomatic Patients With Significant Primary Mitral Regurgitation and Preserved Systolic Function Undergoing Mitral Valve Surgery.

Background— In asymptomatic patients with ≥3+ mitral regurgitation and preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction who underwent mitral valve surgery, we sought to discover whether baseline LV global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) and brain natriuretic peptide provided incremental prognostic utility. Methods and Results— Four hundred and forty-eight asymptomatic patients (61±12 years and 69% men) with ≥3+ primary mitral regurgitation and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, who underwent mitral valve surgery (92% repair) at our center between 2005 and 2008, were studied. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic data (including LV-GLS using Velocity Vector Imaging, Siemens, PA) were recorded. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was calculated. The primary outcome was death. Mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score, left ventricular ejection fraction, mitral effective regurgitant orifice, indexed LV end-diastolic volume, and right ventricular systolic pressure were 4±1%, 62±3%, 0.55±0.2 cm2, 58±13 cc/m2, and 37±15 mm Hg, respectively. Forty-five percent of patients had flail. Median log-transformed BNP and LV-GLS were 4.04 (absolute brain natriuretic peptide: 60 pg/dL) and −20.7%. At 7.7±2 years, death occurred in 41 patients (9%; 0% at 30 days). On Cox analysis, a higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (hazard ratio 1.55), higher baseline right ventricular systolic pressure (hazard ratio 1.11), more abnormal LV-GLS (hazard ratio 1.17), and higher median log-transformed BNP (hazard ratio 2.26) were associated with worse longer-term survival (all P <0.01). Addition of LV-GLS and median log-transformed BNP to a clinical model (Society of Thoracic Surgeons score and baseline right ventricular systolic pressure) provided incremental prognostic utility (χ2 for longer-term mortality increased from 31–47 to 61; P <0.001). Conclusions— In asymptomatic patients with significant primary mitral regurgitation and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction who underwent mitral valve surgery, brain natriuretic peptide and LV-GLS provided synergistic risk stratification, independent of established factors.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (pseudohermaphroditism) before and after cortisone therapy. I. Adolescent development and menstruation.

Abstract The results of continuous treatment of a 16-year-old girl with congenital adrenal hyperplasia with cortisone for a period of one year have been evaluated. Cortisone in amounts of 100 mg. orally or 50 mg. intramuscularly daily was required to suppress adequately the adrenal androgen secretion. At this dosage level considerable feminization occurred with normal breast development, cornification of the vaginal smear, regular menstruation, and a decrease in hirsutism. Although the urinary estrogen excretion and vaginal smear cornification showed cyclic changes coinciding with the menstrual periods, no positive evidence of ovulation was obtained during the period of study.
Bioclinical stress of Rogor pesticide in the fish Amphipnous cuchia

Background: The impact of acute and sub lethal toxicity of synthetic Rogor on some biochemical and hematological parameters of a fish Amphipnous cuchia was estimated aquatic environment by various pollutants like pesticides, detergents, discharge of effluents and heavy metals induce changes in the biochemical, hematological and behavioral aspects of inhabitants. These pollutants cause serious effects on growth, biochemistry, physiology, neurochemistry and survival rate of the aquatic organism . Methods: The present research work is one such attempt to investigate the effect of organophosphorous pesticide Rogor on biochemical and hematological parameters of fish Amphipnous cuchia . The main objective of this study was to investigate the level of AST, ALT, hematocrit and TLC in fish Amphipnous cuchia exposed 24 to 96 hours to four different concentrations of Rogor pesticide . Results: Rogor toxicity resulted in a significant maximum increase (89.15%) in level of aspartate amino transferase (7.87±0.14 / 18.31±0.09) and alanine amino transferase (76.65%, 5.28±0.11 / 3.03±0.14) enzyme. Regarding to hematological parameter, significant maximum increase (77.12%) in total leukocyte count (27,400±298 / 15,470±286) and maximum decrease (66.07%) in hematocrit (6.20±0.04 / 18.31±0.09) level was observed . Conclusions: In this study it is concluded that exposure to sublethal/lethal concentration of Rogor results in a significant alterations in different biochemical and hematological parameters and this kind of biochemical and physiological changes may directly affect the survivability of these fishes in these natural habitat.
Beyond Instructions to Disregard: When Objections Backfire and Interruptions Distract

Researchers have proposed many explanations for the replicated finding that jurors often fail to disregard evidence when instructed by a judge to do so. We propose a novel explanation: that the act of objecting may cause the effect because an objection (a) draws attention to the testimony and (b) heightens the perceived importance of the testimony (because of the implication that the objecting party wants to prevent jurors from using it). In previous studies, the act of objecting has always been confounded with the presence of the critical (objected-to) testimony. We devised two new experimental conditions that unconfound these factors. We found that whereas objections increase the use of objected-to (incriminating) testimony, random (non-objection) interruptions decrease use of this testimony. We conclude that, unlike random interruptions, an objection communicates to the jurors that an attorney is concerned about the objected-to testimony, increasing the perceived importance of that testimony.
Brain metastases: epidemiology and pathophysiology

Metastases are the most common tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), but cancer databases are often incomplete leading to underestimation of the incidence of even symptomatic brain metastases. Brain imaging studies are not routinely performed on neurologically asymptomatic cancer patients and autopsy studies are outdated. Furthermore, while incidence rates for cancers are stable and mortality is decreasing due to earlier detection and better therapy, the incidence of brain metastases appears to be increasing. The pathophysiology of brain metastases is a complex multistage process, mediated by molecular mechanisms; from the primary organ, cancer cells must transform, grow and be transported to the CNS where they can lay dormant for various lengths of time before invading and growing further. Understanding the pathophysiology of brain metastases is of great importance, because it may lead to the development of more efficient therapies to combat brain tumor growth or to possibly make the CNS an undesirable environment for tumor progression.
Design and fabrication of resonator-quantum well infrared photodetector for SF 6 gas sensor application

The infrared absorption of SF6 gas is narrowband and peaks at 10.6 μm. This narrowband absorption posts a stringent requirement on the corresponding sensors as they need to collect enough signal from this limited spectral bandwidth to maintain a high sensitivity. Resonator-quantum well infrared photodetectors (R-QWIPs) are the next generation of QWIP detectors that use resonances to increase the quantum efficiency for more efficient signal collection. Since the resonant approach is applicable to narrowband as well as broadband, it is particularly suitable for this application. We designed and fabricated R-QWIPs for SF6 gas detection. To achieve the expected performance, the detector geometry must be produced according to precise specifications. In particular, the height of the diffractive elements and the thickness of the active resonator must be uniform, and accurately realized to within 0.05 μm. Additionally, the substrates of the detectors must be completely removed to prevent the escape of unabsorbed light in the detectors. To achieve these specifications, two optimized inductively coupled plasma etching processes were developed. Due to submicron detector feature sizes and overlay tolerance, we used an advanced semiconductor material lithography stepper instead of a contact mask aligner to pattern wafers. Using these etching techniques and tool, we have fabricated focal plane arrays with 30-μm pixel pitch and 320×256 format. The initial test revealed promising results.