cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Statistical properties of cerebral CT perfusion imaging systems. Part I. Cerebral blood volume maps generated from nondeconvolution-based systems.

PURPOSE The development and clinical employment of a computed tomography (CT) imaging system benefit from a thorough understanding of the statistical properties of the output images; cerebral CT perfusion (CTP) imaging system is no exception. A series of articles will present statistical properties of CTP systems and the dependence of these properties on system parameters. This Part I paper focuses on the signal and noise properties of cerebral blood volume (CBV) maps calculated using a nondeconvolution-based method. METHODS The CBV imaging chain was decomposed into a cascade of subimaging stages, which facilitated the derivation of analytical models for the probability density function, mean value, and noise variance of CBV. These models directly take CTP source image acquisition, reconstruction, and postprocessing parameters as inputs. Both numerical simulations and in vivo canine experiments were performed to validate these models. RESULTS The noise variance of CBV is linearly related to the noise variance of source images and is strongly influenced by the noise variance of the baseline images. Uniformly partitioning the total radiation dose budget across all time frames was found to be suboptimal, and an optimal dose partition method was derived to minimize CBV noise. Results of the numerical simulation and animal studies validated the derived statistical properties of CBV. CONCLUSIONS The statistical properties of CBV imaging systems can be accurately modeled by extending the linear CT systems theory. Based on the statistical model, several key signal and noise characteristics of CBV were identified and an optimal dose partition method was developed to improve the image quality of CBV.
AN ECONOMIC STUDY FOR GREEN BEANS PRODUCTION IN AGRICULTURAL GREENHOUSES

استهدف البحث دراسة اقتصاديات إنتاج الفاصوليا الخضراء بالصوب الزراعية والتى تندرج تحت الزراعة المحمية، من خلال التعرف على محددات الطاقة الإنتاجية والکفاءة الاقتصادية للصوب الزراعية في مصر بصفة عامة، ولمحصول الفاصوليا الخضراء موضع الدراسة بصفة خاصة، وکذا دراسة التقييم المالي لهذا الاسلوب الإنتاجى ومدى تحملها للمخاطر من خلال قياس حساسيتها لإرتفاع تکاليف الإنتاج وانخفاض الإيرادات، واستند البحث على أسلوب التحليل الإحصائى الوصفي والکمي بإستخدام النماذج الرياضية المختلفة، وکذلک إستخدام معايير التحليل المالي کما أعدها البنک الدولي لإستخدامها وتطبيقها للحکم على مدى ربحية هذا النشاط. وتوصل البحث الى عدة نتائج أهمها: (1) متوسط عدد صوب الفاصوليا الخضراء في مصر بلغ نحو 6.89 ألف صوبة لمتوسط الفترة (2004-2016). (2) وجود إتجاها عاما متزايدا ومعنوي إحصائيا بلغ حوالي 440 صوبة سنويا. (3) وجود إتجاها عاما متزايدا ومعنوي إحصائيا فى حجم الإنتاج بلغ حوالي 1.76 ألف طن سنويا. (4) إرتفاع الکفاءة الإنتاجية لفدان الصوب الزراعية مقارنة بإنتاجية الفدان للزراعة المکشوفة لمحصول الفاصوليا الخضراء بنسبة بلغت نحو 248.46% أى حوالى مرتين ونصف خلال فترة الدراسة. (5) تحقق الجدوى المالية لمشروع إنتاج الفاصوليا الخضراء فى الصوب الزراعية حيث بلغ معدل العائد الداخلي نحو 79% وهذا يزيد عن تکلفة الفرصة البديلة لاستثمار رأس المال فى المجتمع والتى يمثلها سعر الخصم والبالغ 20%. (6) أن مشروع الصوب الزراعية لمحصول الفاصوليا الخضراء ذو جدوى اقتصادية من الناحية المالية نتيجة التغيرات المحتملة على الإيرادات والتکاليف التشغيلية سالفة الذکر، کما تبين أن أثر تغير الإيرادات أکبر من أثر تغير تکاليف التشغيل، کما تبيين أن مشروع الصوب الزراعية ذو جدوى اقتصادية في حالتى انخفاض الإيرادات وارتفاع تکاليف التشغيل معا بنسبة 30%، حيث قدر معدل العائد الداخلي بنحو 24% أکبر من معامل الخصم وتکلفة الفرصة البديلة والبالغة 20%.
INTEGRINS AND BONE : CELL ADHESION AND BEYOND

Integrins are a superfamily of cell surface receptors involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion. Integrin-mediated interactions are involved in the regulation of numerous cellular functions such as fertilization, implantation, cell differentiation and migration during embryonic development, maintaining tissue architecture, blood clot formation and retraction programmed cell death, tumor growth and metastasis formation, lymphocyte homing and response of cells to mechanical stresses. This broad spectrum of activity is achieved by combining the ability to create mechanically functional junctions (cell-matrix and cell-cell) and signal-transducing capabilities. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts express specific integrin receptors and the pattern of expression varies depending on the stage of cell differentiation. Interactions of integrins with bone-matrix adhesive proteins are thought to be important for regulating the tissue integrity and may provide a local, responsive regulatory system of osteoblastic differentiation as well. Osteoclasts most likely attach to osteopontin exposed on the bone surface via the classic vitronectin receptor alpha v beta 3 and this binding may be crucial to their bone resorption activity.
The economic costs of planting, preserving, and managing the world's forests to mitigate climate change.

Forests are critical for stabilizing our climate, but costs of mitigation over space, time, and stakeholder group remain uncertain. Using the Global Timber Model, we project mitigation potential and costs for four abatement activities across 16 regions for carbon price scenarios of $5–$100/tCO2. We project 0.6–6.0 GtCO2 yr−1 in global mitigation by 2055 at costs of 2–393 billion USD yr−1, with avoided tropical deforestation comprising 30–54% of total mitigation. Higher prices incentivize larger mitigation proportions via rotation and forest management activities in temperate and boreal biomes. Forest area increases 415–875 Mha relative to the baseline by 2055 at prices $35–$100/tCO2, with intensive plantations comprising <7% of this increase. Mitigation costs borne by private land managers comprise less than one-quarter of total costs. For forests to contribute ~10% of mitigation needed to limit global warming to 1.5 °C, carbon prices will need to reach $281/tCO2 in 2055. Forests are critical for stabilizing our climate, but costs of mitigation remain uncertain. Here the authors show the global forest sector could reduce emissions by 6.0 GtCO2 yr−1 in 2055, or roughly 10% of the mitigation needed to limit warming to 1.5 °C by mid-century, at a cost of 393 billion USD yr−1, or $281/tCO2.
Infusing Multicultural Education: A Process of Creating Organizational Change at the College Level.

Organizational change directed at infusing multicultural education into an institutional unit such as a college requires attention to the organizational culture of that unit. The authors use the concept of second-order organizational change (Levy & Merry, 1986) as a way to conceptualize the nature of the change associated with infusing multicultural education within a large College of Education. The authors describe a four-year process of organizational change in which qualitative changes to the organization's culture occured in support of multicultural education. Key elements of change include the values and norms that support organizational policies and practices. Lessons learned are included.
Delivering a Presentation Live or Online

By this point, chances are that you’ve created a powerful and compelling presentation stuffed with great content. Now it’s time to deliver that presentation.
Epidemiological survey and analysis on an outbreak of gastroenteritis due to water contamination.

Abstract Objective To document the investigation and control of an outbreak of gastroenteritis in City G, South China, and provide a reference for preventing future outbreaks. Methods An ambispective cohort study was designed. Attack rate (AR) and relative risks (RR) were calculated to identify the causes of gastroenteritis. Investigations using questionnaires included personal interviews with patients and doctors, reviews of medical records, laboratory examinations of fecal specimens and continuous hygiene monitoring of water samples from the waterworks. Results Overall, 427/71534 (AR=5.97%) cases were identified between October 31 and November 12 2010. Geographic distribution was highly localized, with 80% of cases occurring in the areas supplied by waterworks-A. Consumption of water provided solely by waterworks-A was found to be associated with illness (RR=8.20, 95 CI%:6.12-10.99) compared with that from waterworks-B. Microbiological analyses confirmed the presence of Norovirus in six of eight fecal samples from symptomatic patients, two water samples from waterworks-A and two sewage samples. After taking effective measures, the hygienic indices of waterworks-A met health criteria again on November 9 and no cases were reported 3 days later. Conclusion The outbreak reported here was caused by drinking tap water contaminated with sewage at the source. Early identification of possible contamination sources and awareness of changes that might negatively impact water quality are important preventive measures to protect public health.
Alloantibodies Prevent the Induction of Transplantation Tolerance by Enhancing Alloreactive T Cell Priming

Circulating alloantibodies in transplant recipients are often associated with increased Ab-mediated as well as cellular rejection. We tested the hypothesis that alloantibodies facilitate cellular rejection by functioning as opsonins to enhance T cell activation using a BALB/c to C57BL/6 heart or skin transplant model. Long-term heart and skin survival induced with anti-CD154 alone or in combination with donor-specific transfusion (DST), respectively, was abrogated by the presence of anti-K(d) mAbs, and alloreactive T cell activation as well as acute rejection was observed. The prevention of graft acceptance in the skin model was dependent on anti-K(d) binding to and converting DST from tolerigenic to immunogenic. Adoptive transfer of CFSE-labeled TCR-transgenic T cells into B6 recipients treated with anti-CD154/DST revealed the ability of anti-K(d) to enhance the proliferation of anti-K(d)-specific T cells via the indirect pathway as well as of non-K(d)-reactive, recipient MHC-restricted CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Thus, alloantibodies with restricted specificity are able to facilitate the indirect presentation as well as the cross-presentation of a larger repertoire of "linked" donor-derived Ags. These observations highlight the ability of alloantibodies to function not only in classical humoral rejection but also as opsonins that facilitate the CD40-CD154-independent activation of alloreactive T cells.
In situ fragment detection at scale

We explore the problem of characterizing fragments using Par-aView in situ with an explosion simulation. By running in situ we can see a much higher temporal view of the data as well as potentially compress the output to only those statistics about fragments we care about. However, the fragment finding must be able to scale as well as the simulation. In order to achieve the necessary scales, we borrow operations the simulation is already doing and take advantage of them within Para View, demonstrating the resulting improvement in scaling performance.
A pentamer-repeat-containing DNA sequence in Texas bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis Hook.)

A 654-bp EcoRI restriction fragment called Lup4 was shotgun cloned from Texas bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis Hook.) nuclear genomic DNA that had been extracted from plant leaves. Its sequence was det...
In vitro evaluation of the Mera Silox-S 0.5 and 0.8 m2 silicone hollow-fibre membrane oxygenator for use in neonatal ECMO

The Mera Silox-S is a silicone hollow-fibre membrane oxygenator made up of thousands of fibres in a clear polycarbonate housing. Being a silicone membrane it does not have the plasma leakage problem associated with conventional microporous hollow fibres when used in a long-term application. This device (Mera Senko Medical Instrument Co., Japan) is made in three sizes: 0.3, 0.5 and 0.8 m 2. The performance of the 0.5 m 2 and 0.8 m 2 Silox-S membrane oxygenators was tested in vitro using filtered ovine blood and a customized test circuit designed to provide a continuous source of de-oxygenated, CO 2-laden blood, according to the AAMI standard for oxygenator performance. The 0.8 m 2 membrane provided excellent oxygenation, with a transfer rate of 13.0-43.5 ml/min for blood flows of 200-800 ml/min. CO 2 transfer over the same range of flows measured 32.3-40.8 ml/min. Flow rates of 100-500 ml/min for the 0.5 m 2 membrane provided an oxygen transfer of 6.8-28.3 ml/min and would probably not be suited for the existing neonatal ECMO population. A matter of concern with both oxygenators was an increased pressure drop for blood flow through the devices. The delta P for the 0.5 m 2 for flows of 100-500 ml/min ranged from 155 +/- 7 mmHg to 516 +/- 6 mmHg. For the 0.8 m 2, delta P was 194 +/- 39 mmHg to 492 +/- 53 mmHg for flows of 200-800 ml/min. Overall, favourable results support further long-term evaluation for potential use in neonatal ECMO.
Communication Devices for the Nonvocal Disabled

This overview of devices developed at Tufts-New England Medical Center accents the lack of a unified means for delivering devices to those who need them.
Adhesion molecules expressed on homing lymphocytes in model intestinal epithelia

Abstract Background & Aims: The development of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) requires the movement of lymphocytes into the epithelial compartment (i.e., IEL homing). The rules governing and the biologic consequences of IEL homing are poorly understood. The aims of this study were to examine the adhesion molecules involved in IEL homing and the phenotypic alteration of lymphocytes as a consequence of homing. Methods: We previously developed an in vitro IEL homing model consisting of human IEL cell lines and a polarized monolayer of human intestinal epithelial T84 cells. Homing capacity of lymphocytes was assessed by measuring their migration into epithelial monolayers, and phenotypic analysis was performed by flow cytometry. Results: In this model, ~30% of lymphocytes moved into the epithelial monolayer, regardless of the lymphocyte concentration. Flow cytometric screening of adhesion molecules revealed that homed lymphocytes expressed high levels of integrin αXβ2 and αEβ7 and low levels of α4β7 compared with nonhomed lymphocytes. In addition, subpopulations sorted as αXβ2 high or αEβ7 high independently showed greater homing capacities. After homing, αEβ7 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) on homed lymphocytes were significantly up-regulated, which was consistent with their high expression observed on freshly isolated human IELs. The up-regulation of αEβ7 (but not ICAM-1) was completely dependent on epithelial-derived transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). The expression of αXβ2 was observed on a small population of freshly isolated human IELs, and was markedly induced by stimulation. Also, epithelial-derived TGF-β1 down-regulated the αXβ2 expression (an event likely to occur after homing). Conclusions: Our findings indicate a relationship between IEL αXβ2 and αEβ7 expression and homing into intestinal epithelia. We also show that phenotypic alteration of IELs is induced by close interaction with intestinal epithelia as a consequence of homing. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2000;118:289-298
The Utility of Cytodiagnostic Urinalysis as a Tool to Diagnose Kidney Allograft Dysfunction in the Era Lymphocyte-Depleting Induction Therapy

Cytodiagnostic urinalysis (CDU) has been used to evaluate causes of kidney allograft dysfunction, such as an acute rejection episode (ARE), calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) toxicity, or polyoma virus infection. We examined the concordance between CDU and allograft biopsy in patients with allograft dysfunction. Between 2002 and 2006, 201 patients had CDU performed within 7 days of a biopsy. The cohort was black (73%) with, male preponderance (59.2%), and an overall mean age of 48±13 years with 46% having received a deceased donor kidney. The induction regimen consisted of either antithymocyte globulin or alemtuzumab. CDU results that demonstrated 5 to 10 lymphocytes per high-power field (HPF) and >20 lymphocytes/HPF had 2.5 increased odds of predicting acute rejection (AR) on biopsy (odds ratio [OR] 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-5.79; P=.025). In the era of antithymocyte globulin induction, a CDU result demonstrating>5 lymphocytes/HPF had a 4.3 increased odds of predicting AR (CI 1.76-10.50; P=.001). This association was lost with alemtuzumab induction. A positive CDU result for calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) toxicity did not predict CNI nephrotoxcity on biopsy, but a positive CDU for polyoma virus infection predicted polyoma virus nephropathy (OR 22.18; CI: 4.41-111.63; P<.001). In conclusion, CDU is an adjunctive diagnostic tool for kidney transplantation.
Mortar Finite Element Methods for Discontinuous Coefficients

In this paper, we consider a mortar finite element method for second order elliptic boundary value problems with discontinuous coefficients. At the interface where the coefficient is discontinuous, different triangulations and/or discretizations are coupled by means of Lagrange multipliers. The numerical algorithm is based on the algebraic saddle point formulation. The coupling of P1 conforming finite elements with P1 conforming and nonconforming Crouzeix-Raviart elements as studied. Finally, we present the performance of the adaptive refinement process.
Efficient search algorithms for RNAi target detection

RNA interference (RNAi) is a posttranscriptional gene silencing mechanism used to study gene functions, inhibit viral activities, and treat diseases therapeutically. However, RNAi has off-target effects--non-target genes can be unintentionally silenced. Therefore, target validation through target detection is crucial for the success of RNAi experiments. Effective target detection must examine each gene expressed by an organism, making computational efficiency a critical issue. We develop efficient sequential and parallel search algorithms using RNA string kernels, which model mismatches, G-U wobbles, bulges, and the seed region in the hybridization between an siRNA and its target mRNA. Empirical results demonstrate that our algorithms achieved speedups of six orders of magnitude over the alignment algorithm based on tests in the organisms of S. pombe, C. elegans, D. melanogaster, and human. Our design strategy also leads to a framework for efficient, flexible, and portable string search algorithms allowing for inexact matches.
Software Development of Co-Simulation of Algebraically Coupled Dynamic Subsystems Without Disclosure of Proprietary Subsystem Models

This paper presents a software environment for Co-Simulation using a special Differential Algebraic Equation (DAE) solution method, which is based on the discrete-time sliding control methodology. This algorithm does not require the detailed information from subsystems to resolve causal conflict. The problem formulation and the computational algorithm will be briefly introduced. The algebraic constraint is handled by a special subsystem simulator, Boundary Condition Coordinator (BCC). All subsystem simulators run as independent processes in the Co-Simulation environment. Class templates containing all necessary functions for the different types of subsystems are defined. Subsystem engineers can easily build a subsystem simulator by simply providing the mathematical model, which will be hidden after the subsystem simulator is compiled. Integration engineers can assemble subsystem simulators into simulation of large coupled systems by simply connecting subsystems. The object-oriented class design makes it feasible to extend the software to run Internet-based subsystem simulators or to compile subsystems into a single-process simulator.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Polymer Distribution in Grafted Starch Granules by Scanning Electron Microscopy

The location of grafted polymer within the starch granule matrix was determined by scanning electron microscopy for two wheat starch graft copolymers prepared by 60Co-initiated graft polymerization of a mixture of acrylamide and N,N,N-trimethylaminoethyl metacrylate methyl sulfate (TMAEMA-MS). For a graft copolymer containing 16% synthetic polymer, prepared by the simultaneous irradiation of a starch-monomer mixture, grafting took place throughout most of the granule interior. However, a graft copolymer containing 31% synthetic polymer, prepared by reaction of preirradiated starch with a water solution of monomers, was grafted largely near the granule surface. In contrast to starch-g-poly(acrylamide-co-TMAEMA-MS) prepared by simultaneous irradiation, irradiation of a starch-styrene mixture gave predominantly surface grafting. All graft copolymers had the outward appearance of starch granules, and this appearance was retained even after removal of the starch moiety by hydrolysis. The size distribution of wheat starch granules, as determined by Coulter counter measurements, was not greatly altered by graft polymerization of acrylamide-TMAEMA-MS; however, graft polymerization of styrene onto corn starch significantly increased granule size.
High-performance GaAs metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors grown at intermediate temperatures

Planar metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) devices fabricated on gallium arsenide (GaAs) are promising candidates for use as photodetectors in coherent optical communications and millimeter-wave phased-array applications. Their primary features are broad bandwidth, large responsivity, high power-handling capability, and compatibility with monolithic optoelectronic integrated circuits. We have characterized the performance of an interdigitated GaAs MSM photodetector grown by molecular beam epitaxy at 350 degree(s)C using a fast sampling technique in the time domain. A key factor for undoped GaAs material grown at this temperature is the optimal combination of both low dark current and high photocurrent. Experimental measurements are made of the temporal response of the MSM detector to optical impulses generated by a mode-locked titanium-sapphire (Ti:Al2O3) laser. Speed and responsivity are characterized over a range of optical powers and DC bias voltages. Results demonstrate that this device can switch up to 69% of the applied DC bias voltage under high optical pulsed power. Results also indicate responsivities exceeding 80 mV/pJ and bandwidths approaching 20 GHz. This high-efficiency, broad-bandwidth photodetector may find critical applications in the optical production of millimeter-wave signals by frequency conversion (mixing) and harmonic generation.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Educating rational decision-makers about uncertainty using US social security investment economics

We make a case for improving the education of future rational decision-makers who will incorporate probabilistic thinking and not simply deterministic thinking in their processes of making decisions. The power of a system, systems thinking, and the power of thinking spatially, symbolically, and distributionally will be more naturally internalized by students who routinely use the tools of rational decision-making in both their coursework and their professional careers. Using the recent Social Security debate in the United States as a case example, we demonstrate how to enlarge the frame of the discussion, and hence change the course of the debate, to include uncertainty, market volatility, and the security of investments, not just their average rate of return. An important issue is identified and addressed by the use of a simple mathematical model based on difference equations and generating functions, which was implemented in Microsoft Excel along with the @RISK Monte Carlo Simulation program. The lessons learned can be used in many decision-making frameworks.
Counselor Competency in the Courtroom

This article outlines general courtroom procedures and offers systematic practical advice for the counselor testifying as an expert witness. Major topics include the counselor role in court, preparing for testimony, answering questions, and dealing with the cross-examination.
Protein antigenicity: a static surface property.

Much recent progress has been made in understanding the nature of antigenicity in the generation of antibodies. In this article Jiři Novotný and his colleagues discuss properties such as accessibility, flexibility and shape which determine the antigenicity of sites on proteins and consider the influence of these properties on the formation of immune complexes and the composition of the idiotype network.
Conversion of long-chain terminal alcohols and secondary amines into tertiary amines using ruthenium(II) tertiary phosphine complexes as homogeneous catalysts☆

Abstract RuCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 3 acts as a homogeneous catalyst for the condensation reaction between long-chain terminal alcohols and secondary amines to give tertiary amines. Supporting evidence is presented for a pathway involving an intermediate aldehyde which undergoes Schiff base formation with the secondary amine. Small amounts of amine side product are formed from catalysed alkyl group transfer reactions between the amines in the solution. A secondary pathway involving decarbonylation of the aldehyde leads to the formation of alkane and RuHCl(CO)(PPh 3 ) 3 . Mechanistic probes are presented and discussed, and the scope of the reaction with secondary alcohols and ketones is presented.
Control of Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Using a Microprocessor-Based Controller

This article presents a novel microprocessor-based controller for high-temperature proton-exchange membrane (HTPEM) fuel cells. The controller manages start-up, control, protection, shut-down, and monitoring functions. This portable unit controls HTPEM fuel cell components to ensure secure and reliable operation in both normal and transient operation modes. The proposed controller monitors critical fuel cell parameters such as cell voltages, air/hydrogen inlet temperatures, air/hydrogen inlet pressures, stack temperature, and stack current. The controller software has several concurrent control loop tasks, which send proper commands to the fuel cell system. The hardware consists of a development microchip board and a novel interface input-output (I/O) board, including a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a keyboard.
Structural dependence of phase transition and dielectric relaxation in ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride-chlorotrifluoroethylene-trifluoroethylene)s.

A series of ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride−chlorotrifluoroethylene−trifluoroethylene)s, P(VDF-CTFE-TrFE), with systematically varied chemical compositions have been synthesized via a two-st...
226Ra–230Th–238U disequilibria of historical Kilauea lavas (1790–1982) and the dynamics of mantle melting within the Hawaiian plume

Abstract The geochemical variations of Kilauea’s historical summit lavas (1790–1982) document a rapid fluctuation in the mantle source and melting history of this volcano. These lavas span nearly the entire known range of source composition for Kilauea in only 200 yr and record a factor of ∼2 change in the degree of partial melting. In this study, we use high-precision measurements of the U-series isotope abundances of Kilauea’s historical summit lavas and two ‘ingrowth’ models (dynamic and equilibrium percolation melting) to focus on the process of melt generation at this volcano. Our results show that the 226 Ra– 230 Th– 238 U disequilibria of these lavas have remained relatively small and constant with ∼12±4% excess 226 Ra and ∼2.5±1.6% excess 230 Th (both are ±2σ). Model calculations based mostly on subtle variations in the 230 Th– 238 U disequilibria suggest that lavas from the 19th to early 20th centuries formed at significantly higher rates of mantle melting and upwelling (up to a factor of ∼10) compared to lavas from 1790 and the late 20th century. The shift to higher values for these parameters correlates with a short-term decrease in the size of the melting region sampled by the volcano, which is consistent with fluid dynamical models that predict an exponential increase in the upwelling rate (and, thus, the melting rate) towards the core of the Hawaiian plume. The Pb, Sr, and Nd isotope ratios of lavas derived from the smallest source volumes correspond to the ‘Kilauea’ end member of Hawaiian volcanoes, whereas lavas derived from the largest source volumes overlap isotopically with recent Loihi tholeiitic basalts. This behavior probably arises from the more effective blending of small-scale source heterogeneities as the melting region sampled by Kilauea increases in size. The source that was preferentially tapped during the early 20th century (when the melt fractions were lowest) is more chemically and isotopically depleted than the source of the early 19th and late 20th century lavas (which formed by the highest melt fractions). This inverse relationship between the magnitude of source depletion and melt fraction suggests that source fertility (i.e. lithology) controls the degree of partial melting at Kilauea. Thus, rapid changes in the size of the melting region sampled by the volcano (in the presence of these small-scale heterogeneities) may regulate most of the source- and melting-related geochemical variations observed at Kilauea over time scales of decades to centuries.
Is it really a placenta previa

Abstract Transvaginal sonography was compared to the traditional transabdominal sonography for diagnosing placenta previa. There was no vaginal bleeding in the 55 women studied following vaginal examination. The exact location of the internal os was diagnosed in all women by the vaginal route, and only in 36 of the 55 by abdominal scanning. Transvaginal sonography correctly diagnosed 39 out of the delivered 45 women, whereas transabdominal sonography only did so in 20 of the 45 cases. These results suggest that transvaginal sonography for the diagnosis of placenta previa is safe and superior to transabdominal sonography.
Bioenergetic effects of aqueous copper and cadmium on the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio

Abstract Adult grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) were exposed to either aqueous copper (ranging from 7.54 to 41.29 μg Cu2+/L) or cadmium (2.48– 6.55 μg Cd2+/L) for 14 days in laboratory experiments to quantify effects on survival and bioenergetic processes, including respiration, somatic growth, energy (lipid) storage, and food consumption. The lowest observed effect concentrations for mortality were 41.29 μg Cu2+/L or 6.55 μg Cd2+/L, expressed as free metal ion concentrations. Both copper and cadmium caused a decrease in respiration rate at concentrations of 7.54 to 41.29 μg Cu2+/L or 6.55 μg Cd2+/L. Exposure to copper (≥ 27.03 μg Cu2+/L) resulted in negative somatic growth (i.e., weight loss). Cadmium exposure (6.17 μg Cd2+/L) caused a decrease in growth rate, relative to the control, but growth remained positive. Nonpolar lipid content and food consumption were not significantly affected by exposure to either copper or cadmium. Our results suggest that both copper and cadmium result in overall metabolic depression, decreasing energy allocation to both maintenance and production.
Matter, Time, and the Digital: Varda's The Gleaners and I

Agnes Varda's The Gleaners and I (2000) introduces us to all manner of people who gather the world's leftovers for reasons of survival, ethics, or simply pleasure. We meet homeless laborers, a chef...
Ohmic contacts to n-type GaSb and n-type GalnAsSb

An investigation with the objective of improving n-type ohmic contacts to GaSb-based devices is described. This study involves a series of n-GaInAsSb and n-GaSb samples with varying doping, grown on semi-insulating (SI) GaAs substrates. These samples were fabricated into mesa-etched, transfer-length method (TLM) structures, and the specific-contact resistivity and sheet resistance of these layers as a function of majority electron concentration were measured. Extremely low specific-contact resistivities of about 2 × 10−6 Ω-cm2 and sheet resistances of about 4 Ω/▭ are found for n-type GaInAsSb doped at about 3 × 1018 cm−3.
Propagating diversity through active dissemination

This paper is about building a pipeline of underrepresented students from high schools to graduate schools, with outreach programs at each of the 10 HBCUs serving as a crucial middle link. The glue that holds the pipeline together is a mutual and collaborative effort to develop outreach programs at each of the 10 HBCUs. The HBCUs benefit from increased visibility as their students go out into the community to promote computer science as a discipline. The students gain leadership experience as they develop and run their outreach programs, have opportunities to practice public speaking, and develop a broader understanding of research projects under way at their own schools.
Difference systems, graph designs, and coloring problems

Abstract Difference systems and chromatic difference systems are generalizations of difference sets. They may be used to construct various types of graphical block designs and to determine graphs with maximal achromatic number. The bulk of the paper is concerned with the application of these ideas to certain special types of graphs: forests, paths, circuits, and generalized Petersen graphs. Cyclotomy is an effective tool in the construction of difference systems for graphs with a high degree of symmetry.
Decay time of type III solar bursts observed at kilometric wavelengths.

Type III bursts were observed between 3.5 MHz and 50 kHz by the University of Michigan radio astronomy experiment aboard the OGO-5 satellite.
Using computational community interest as an indicator for ranking

Ranking documents in response to users' information needs is a challenging task, due, in part, to the dynamic nature of users' interests with respect to a query. I hypothesize that the interests of a given user are similar to the interests of the broader community of which he is a part and propose an innovative method that uses social media to characterize the interests of the community and use this characterization to improve future rankings. By generating a community interest vector (CIV) for a given query, we use community interest to alter the ranking score of individual documents retrieved by the query. The CIV is based on a continuously updated set of recent (daily or past few hours) user-oriented text data. The user-oriented data can be user blogs or user comment tagged news. Preliminary evaluation shows that the new ranking method significantly improves ranking performance.
Updates in adjuvant systemic treatment of breast cancer

Abstract Breast cancer is a significant public health burden with more than 200,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Although many incident cases represent localized disease, a significant proportion of women with early stage breast cancer eventually experience a distant relapse and ultimately die of metastatic breast cancer complications. Consequently, investigators strive to improve the adjuvant treatment paradigm and thus, optimize outcomes for women with early stage breast cancer. Within the last year a study describing a decline in incident breast cancer cases in the United States was reported. In addition, the results from a number of notable adjuvant treatment studies were reported or updated. Innovations in taxane-containing strategies and dose dense chemotherapy strategies were prominently featured. In addition, a number of insights pertaining to the treatment of women with HER2-positive breast cancer were reported. An overview of selected recently reported studies will be reviewed here.
Accumulation and Partitioning of Dry Matter in Taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott]

Abstract A field study was conducted as part of an ongoing effort to collect data on patterns of leaf area development and dry matter accumulation and partitioning among various plant parts during growth and development of two taro cultivars. Plants were harvested for biomass about every 6 weeks during the growing season. At each harvest, plants were separated into various plant parts, and their dry matter content was determined. The first 80 d after planting were characterized by low rates of dry matter accumulation, with only leaves, petioles, and roots showing substantial growth. Afterwards, increases in total dry matter were mainly the result of corm and sucker growth. Corm bulking occurred after the attainment of maximal leaf area indices. The absence of an optimal leaf area index for a longer period of time may have prevented the realization of higher dry matter yields. The partitioning of dry matter to the corms of both cultivars remained almost constant especially after 150 d after planting. This process was in contrast to the partitioning of dry matter to the suckers, which increased significantly until the end of the growing cycle.
Age-dependent contextual effects on short-term active avoidance retention in rats.

Two experiments examined age-related differences in short-term retention of active avoidance in rats through manipulation of context. While adult and preweanling rats showed equally good immediate retention of the avoidance task when an odor contextual cue was held constant between training and testing, the performance of preweanlings was significantly disrupted compared to that of adults when the testing-context odor differed from that of training. The same results were obtained whether the animals had no prior experience with the odors (Experiment I) or had previously been exposed to the contextual cues (Experiment II). Results are considered in terms of their implications for the ontogeny of memory storage and retention.
Can major systematic reviews influence practice patterns? A case study of episiotomy trends.

Purpose Episiotomy is one of the most commonly performed procedures among women of childbearing age in the United States. In 2005, a major systematic review conducted by Hartmann and colleagues recommended against routine use of episiotomy and was widely covered in the media. We assessed the impact of the Hartman et al. study on episiotomy trend.
Magnetic field distortions produced by protective cages around sea turtle nests: unintended consequences for orientation and navigation?

Abstract The Earth’s magnetic field plays an important role in the orientation and navigation of sea turtles. Galvanized steel wire cages are often placed over turtle nests to protect them from predators, but the material typically used in cages has a high magnetic permeability and might therefore affect the nearby field. Here we report magnetometer measurements indicating that standard nest cages do indeed significantly alter the local magnetic field in the area where eggs develop. The mean change in total intensity was 26% at a level corresponding to the top of the egg chamber and 5% at a level corresponding to the bottom. Similarly, the mean change in field inclination was 20% for the top level and 4% for the bottom. In principle, the altered magnetic environment might affect subsequent magnetic orientation and navigation behavior in several ways, although whether turtles that develop in an unnatural magnetic field actually suffer navigational impairment has not yet been studied. Constructing protective cages out of magnetically inert materials provides a way to deter predators without risking unintended behavioral consequences of distorting the ambient field.
Novel Sandwich Complexes of Terbium and Erbium Metals Derived from Mixed η5 Open-Pentadienyl and C2B4 Carborane Ligands: A Synthetic and Structural Investigation

Mixed-ligand dimeric lanthanacarboranes of the type [(η5-2,4-(Me)2C5H5)(η5-2,3-(Me3Si)2-2,3-C2B4H4)Ln]2 (Ln = Tb (2), Er (3)) were prepared as orange and yellow crystalline solids in 76 and 82% yields, respectively, via the exchange reactions between (2,4-(Me)2C5H5)3Ln and nido-2,3-(Me3Si)2-2,3-C2B4H6 (1) in toluene at elevated temperature (70 °C). The compounds were characterized by IR spectra, elemental analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
Decreased expression of bcl-2 and bcl-x mRNA coincides with apoptosis following intracerebral administration of 3-nitropropionic acid.

The mitochondrial toxin, 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), is an irreversible inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase that induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. We injected 3-NP into the striatum of rats to examine the potential role of Bcl-2 or Bcl-x, proteins that can inhibit apoptosis, in brain injury due to 3-NP. Electrophoretic examination of striatal tissue indicated that 3-NP induced internucleosomal fragmentation typical of apoptosis. There was also histologic evidence of apoptosis based on staining by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. Apoptosis was first observed 6 h after injection, was maximal at 1 day, and was still observed on day 7. Expression of bcl-2, bcl-x, and c-jun mRNA expression was evaluated 1, 3, 6, and 12 h and 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after injection using in situ hybridization. Both bcl-2 and bcl-x mRNA expression in the striatum decreased starting at 6 h and continued to 5 days after injection. This was in contrast to an apparent increase in c-jun expression. The similarity in the time course of apoptosis to that of suppression of bcl-2 and bcl-x mRNA suggests that changes in expression of these genes may contribute to apoptosis following 3-NP injection.
All-optical 2R regeneration using a non-linear vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifier

All-optical 2R logic regeneration is demonstrated using a vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifier. The optical switching threshold is 1 µW, with 10 dB gain and >6:1 (8dB) extinction ratio. Performance limits are also discussed.
sex, lies and marketing: Miramax and the Development of the Quality Indie Blockbuster

in disarray. While the appearance of the video market in the 1980s had helped spur the emergence and expansion of a number of independent distributors, by the end of the decade several of these same companies—including Vestron, Island, and Cinecom—had overextended themselves by investing heavily in larger budget, in-house productions. Consequently, by 1989, many within the industry were predicting the death of the independent distributor. However, what seemed to be the decline of independent distribution was actually an “independent shakedown,” a label presciently attached to the period by Los Angeles Times writer Daniel Cerone in June 1989.2 Cerone saw that it was a transitional time within the independent world. While the vast majority of independent distributors who had thrived in the 80s were forced to declare bankruptcy by the end of the decade, a few companies were positioned to make a signi cant mark on the industrial structure and aesthetics of low-budget  lmmaking in the 90s. At the head of the pack was Miramax. The August 1989 release of sex, lies and videotape by Miramax marked a turning point in American independent cinema. In fact, the  lm should be perceived as central to the development of New Hollywood aesthetics, economics, and structure.3 sex, lies and videotape ushered in the era of the “indie blockbusters”— lms that, on a smaller scale, replicate the exploitation marketing and box-office performance of the major studio high-concept event pictures.4 On a cost-to-earning ratio, Steven Soderbergh’s creation —with its $1.1 million dollar budget and $24 million plus in North American box office—was a better investment than Batman, which—at an investment of $50 million—returned $250 million in domestic box office.5 These  gures begin to suggest how sex, lies and videotape helped to set the standard for low-budget, niche-based distribution in the 90s and to lay the groundwork for a bifurcation within the entertainment industry.6 In the ten years following the release of sex, lies and videotape, each major studio or media conglomerate created or purchased at least one specialty division. These divisions generally operated relatively autonomously from the studio in terms of production and distribution. In the wake of Disney’s April 1993 purchase of Miramax, a number of studio-based niche operations emerged, including Universal Focus, ParaTHE BUSINESS OF HOLLYWOOD
Status of BTeV

BTeV is a forward collider experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron dedicated to precision studies of CP violation, mixing and rare decays of beauty and charm hadrons.
Benefits of having students develop software for other departments

This paper describes how students benefit from having software engineering projects that serve to develop software for other departments in the institution. This is illustrated with an example project that our students have implemented for the department of geology.
THE NYQUIST ROBUST STABILITY MARGIN—A NEW METRIC FOR THE STABILITY OF UNCERTAIN SYSTEMS

The Nyquist robust stability margin kN is proposed as a new tool for analysing the robustness of uncertain systems. The analysis is done using Nyquist arguments involving eigenvalues instead of singular values, and yields exact necessary and sufficient conditions for robust stability. The concept of a critical line on the Nyquist plane is defined and used to calculate a critical perturbation radius which in turn is used to produce kN. The new approach gives alternatives to computing exact stability margins in some cases of highly directional uncertainty templates where other models are not applicable. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of sulfur evolution on the properties of high-temperature carbons—II. The addition of Fe2O3

A thianthrene-anthracene mixture has been used to study the influence of Fe2O3 addition in suppressing the volume expansion of carbons due to sulfur release on heat treatment. For undoped carbons, the particle density began to decrease above about 1200°C and continued to 2500°C. There was an accompanying sharp reduction in sulfur content between 1400–1600°C. With Fe2O3 addition, the sulfur content was higher over the whole temperature range studied. Between 1200–1600°C the carbon density increased slightly, while from 1600–2500°C the density continuously decreased. Below 1600°C, iron sulfide was detected in the cooled reaction mixture, consistent with the presence of an iron-sulfur liquid phase during heat treatment. The liquid phase appears to influence density changes through modifying the mechanisms for sulfur release. Although FeS was no longer evident at higher temperatures, the presence of iron compounds appeared to have an influence in reducing expansion. The addition of Fe2O3 did not affect crystal growth and development of structural order during graphitization. Density decreases for doped and undoped carbons are attributed to disruption of crystallite alignment. Porosity measurements showed that the increase in pore volume is due to the formation of pores smaller than 200 nm diameter.
Open-set speaker identification with classifier systems

Signal processing problems including the speaker identification problem require processing of real-valued feature vectors. Traditional cepstral encoding combined with clustering algorithms handle the closed-set speaker identification problem quite well but when it comes to the open-set problem, clustering methods show lack of performance. Furthermore, many clustering algorithms lack adaptability and the ability to learn on-the-fly. Genetic classifier systems are adaptive and they have the ability for open-ended learning. We introduce a genetic classifier system approach to the speaker identification problem and several classifier knowledge representation methods for open-set speaker identification. Experimental results show that the new system works quite well for the open-set speaker identification problem.