cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Field Topology Analysis of a Long-lasting Coronal Sigmoid

We present the first field topology analysis based on nonlinear force-free field (NLFFF) models of a long-lasting coronal sigmoid observed in 2007 February with the X-Ray Telescope on Hinode. The NLFFF models are built with the flux rope insertion method and give the three-dimensional coronal magnetic field as constrained by observed coronal loop structures and photospheric magnetograms. Based on these models, we have computed horizontal maps of the current and the squashing factor Q for 25 different heights in the corona for all six days of the evolution of the region. We use the squashing factor to quantify the degree of change of the field line linkage and to identify prominent quasi-separatrix layers (QSLs). We discuss the major properties of these QSL maps and devise a way to pick out important QSLs since our calculation cannot reach high values of Q. The complexity in the QSL maps reflects the high degree of fragmentation of the photospheric field. We find main QSLs and current concentrations that outline the flux rope cavity and that become characteristically S-shaped during the evolution of the sigmoid. We note that, although intermittent bald patches exist along the length of the sigmoid during its whole evolution, themore » flux rope remains stable for several days. However, shortly after the topology of the field exhibits hyperbolic flux tubes (HFT) on February 7 and February 12 the sigmoid loses equilibrium and produces two B-class flares and associated coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The location of the most elevated part of the HFT in our model coincides with the inferred locations of the two flares. Therefore, we suggest that the presence of an HFT in a coronal magnetic configuration may be an indication that the system is ready to erupt. We offer a scenario in which magnetic reconnection at the HFT drives the system toward the marginally stable state. Once this state is reached, loss of equilibrium occurs via the torus instability, producing a CME.« less
Multi-hop relaying with optimal decode-and-forward transmission rate and self-immunity to mutual interference among wireless nodes

In this paper we show that multi-hop relaying with immunity to mutual interference among relays can be realized in multi-hop ad hoc wireless networks with full-duplex decode-and-forward relays that exploit appropriate packet encoding and successive interference cancellation. This resolves fundamentally the mutual interference challenge involved in multi-hop wireless network research. Based on this interference immune phenomenon, a relay selection algorithm is developed to find the optimal hop count and the optimal relays that maximize source-destination decode-and-forward transmission rate. The algorithm constructs the optimal multi-hop paths from a source node to all other network nodes simultaneously with a quadratic complexity O(N2), where N is the network size. This algorithm is efficient for wireless networks with arbitrary size, including extremely large sizes, and can potentially play a fundamental role in exploring multi-hop wireless networks. Surprisingly, this wireless networking algorithm is similar to the well-known Djikstra's algorithm of wired networks. Simulations are conducted to demonstrate the efficiency and the superior performance of the new algorithm.
Pseudoexfoliative material and oxytalan fibers

Pseudoexfoliative material (PSX) was found to show oxytalan staining like the ocular zonular fibers. These two fibrous proteins also shared positive reactions for disulfide and sulhydryl groups and for acidic mucosubstances, both of which have been suggested as reactive groups in the oxytalan staining reaction. The deep striated zone in the pre-equatorial lens capsule and the lens capsular inclusions shared most of these reactions, indicating that they contain some similar components. PSX material showed histochemical differences from the zonule, including evidence of less PAS-positive glycoprotein and more acidic mucosubstance. Variations in staining within the PSX excrescences indicated that they are a composite of more than one substance. PSX material appears to be a product of local basement membrane-secreting cells, representing an abnormal polymerization of glycoconjugates similar to those in elastic microfibrils.
Numerical modeling of oxygen exclusion experiments of anaerobic bioventing.

Abstract A numerical and experimental study of transport phenomena underlying anaerobic bioventing (ABV) is presented. Understanding oxygen exclusion patterns in vadose zone environments is important in designing an ABV process for bioremediation of soil contaminated with chlorinated solvents. In particular, the establishment of an anaerobic zone of influence by nitrogen injection in the vadose zone is investigated. Oxygen exclusion experiments are performed in a pilot scale flow cell (2×1.1×0.1 m) using different venting flows and two different outflow boundary conditions (open and partially covered). Injection gas velocities are varied from 0.25×10 −3 to 1.0×10 −3 cm/s and are correlated with the ABV radius of influence. Numerical simulations are used to predict the collected experimental data. In general, reasonable agreement is found between observed and predicted oxygen concentrations. Use of impervious covers can significantly reduce the volume of forcing gas used, where an increase in oxygen exclusion efficiency is consistent with a decrease in the outflow area above the injection well.
Spectral stability of traveling water waves: Eigenvalue collision, singularities, and direct numerical simulation

Abstract In a recent paper (Nicholls (2009) [1] ) the author conjectured upon the connection between the onset of dynamic spectral instability of periodic traveling water waves, and singularities present in Taylor series representations of spectral data for the linearized water wave equations. More specifically, he proposed that the onset of instability is always coincident with encountering the smallest singularity in these Taylor series. In this paper we study this connection via a new Direct Numerical Simulation algorithm derived from the surface formulation of the water wave problem due to Zakharov (1968) [5] and Craig & Sulem (1993) [6] . We find compelling evidence that the conjecture is true in the case of deep (as compared to Benjamin & Feir’s (1967) [7] critical depth h ≈ 1.363 ) water, but false for shallow depths as it significantly underpredicts the onset of instability. The utility of the singularity identification strategy advocated in [1] , while somewhat lessened in the shallow water case, is nonetheless upheld due to its ability to reliably identify a lower bound of stability and its extremely favorable computational complexity.
Photoionization of positive ions of atomic oxygen

Abstract The photoionization cross section of the K-shell of atomic oxygen and its positive ions to O 6+ has been calculated using Hartee-Slater wave functions and compared with hydrogen-like results. The implications for other shells and other atoms are discussed.
The reduction of Test, State, and Trait Anxiety by test-specific and generalized stress inoculation training

Forty-eight highly test-anxious students in an introductory psychology class were randomly assigned to one of four treatment conditions. Two experimental conditions, a test-specific stress inoculation training and a generalized stress inoculation training condition were compared with two control conditions, a discussion control and a waiting-list control. The test-specific group received coping statements with test referents while the generalized group was trained with non-situation specific coping statements. Subjects were administered the Test Anxiety Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventories, and the Fear Survey Schedule prior to treatment, immediately following the three treatment sessions, and at the 3-week and 8-month follow-ups. Two verbal rating scales were administered after treatment to assess subjective feelings of test anxiousness and psychology test scores were recorded to assess performance changes before and after treatment. Testspecific training reduced test and trait anxiety relative to the two control groups and the generalized training reduced test anxiety relative to the waiting-list group. On both verbal rating scales the test-specific group showed greater test anxiety reductions over both controls while the generalized group showed anxiety reduction only over the waiting-list group on the first scale. These gains on the Test Anxiety Scale and State Trait Anxiety Inventories were maintained for both follow-ups.
Interannual Variability in the Pathways of the North Atlantic Current over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Impact of Topography

Abstract Recent studies have indicated that the North Atlantic Ocean subpolar gyre circulation undergoes significant interannual-to-decadal changes in response to variability in atmospheric forcing. There are also observations, however, suggesting that the southern limb of the subpolar gyre, namely, the eastward-flowing North Atlantic Current (NAC), may be quasi-locked to particular latitudes in the central North Atlantic by fracture zones (gaps) in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This could constrain the current’s ability to respond to variability in forcing. In the present study, subsurface float trajectories at 100–1000 m collected during 1997–99 and satellite-derived surface geostrophic velocities from 1992 to 2006 are used to provide an improved description of the detailed pathways of the NAC over the ridge and their relationship to bathymetry. Both the float and satellite observations indicate that in 1997–99, the northern branch of the NAC was split into two branches as it crossed the ridge, one quasi-lock...
Software design of distributed manufacturing control systems

How a software design method for distributed real-time applications can be used to design distributed manufacturing control systems which consist of several concurrent tasks executing on multiple modes supported by a local area network is described. The application is a manufacturing control system which controls part manufacturing in a high-volume, low-flexibility assembly plant. The method addresses the needs of distributed real-time manufacturing applications by providing criteria for structuring subsystems into concurrent tasks. The method leads to a design which is primarily message based. >
A Hetero-core Spliced Optical Fiber Sensor Network for Remote Monitoring of Agricultural Enviroment

This paper describes an integration of hetero-core spliced optical fiber sensor network for remotely monitoring agricultural environment with a cloud service. A hetero-core spliced optical fiber SPR sensor introduced in our study is able to provide both data communications and sensing functions in the same fiber line simultaneously. Our study uses a fiber sensor covered with Tantalum Pent oxide (Ta2O5) that allows the data transmission distance to be extended with a wavelength of 1310nm for a wide area monitoring. Our novel sensor system can gather remotely-observed environmental data from the monitoring points and deliver them to an operator on a real-time basis.
Successful percutaneous transvenous antegrade mitral valve-in-valve implantation

We report a case of transcatheter valve-in-valve therapy performed on an 85-year-old man with severe mitral bioprosthetic valve dysfunction. He was a high risk candidate for conventional surgery and he underwent placement of the Melody transcatheter heart valve into the mitral bioprosthesis via the right femoral vein.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coordinating the motions of multiple robots with kinodynamic constraints

This paper focuses on the coordination of multiple robots with kinodynamic constraints along specified paths. The presented approach generates continuous velocity profiles that avoid collisions and minimize the completion time for the robots. The approach identifies collision segments along each robot's path and then optimizes the motions of the robots along their collision and collision-free segments. For each path segment for each robot, the minimum and maximum possible traversal times that satisfy the dynamics constraints are computed by solving the corresponding two-point boundary value problems. Then the collision avoidance constraints for pairs of robots can be combined to formulate a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem. Since this nonconvex MINLP model is difficult to solve, we describe two related mixed integer linear programming (MILP) formulations that provide schedules that are lower and upper bounds on the optimum; the upper bound schedule is a continuous velocity schedule. The approach is illustrated with robots modeled as double integrators subject to velocity and acceleration constraints. An implementation that coordinates 12 nonholonomic car-like robots is described.
Health impact assessment in international development assistance: the World Bank experience.

Large infrastructure construction and rehabilitation works are the obvious priorities for integrating health impact assessment into the environmental assessment process because of the specific risks generated by the sudden surge in human presence from migratory workers and because of the intrinsic health and safety hazards associated with construction. However other sectors may also generate serious health hazards for example tourism development an activity which is typically funded by the World Bank’s sister organization the International Finance Corporation (IFC). (excerpt)
Crystallization mechanism of amorphous mullite and the Al2O3-SiO2 phase diagram

Recent progress in the crystallization of amorphous mullite (3Al2O3×2SiO2) and yttrium aluminate (Y3Al5O12, 5Al2O3×3Y2O3 or “YAG”) beads and fibers is reviewed. Studies were made by differential thermal analyses, (DTA, DSC), synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Rietveld profile fitting, HREM, EDS and SEM. Crystallization kinetics, activation energies and microstructures were determined, leading to temperature-time-transformation (T-T-T) curves. The crystallization of mullite from the solid state proceeds by formation of large-grained, pseudo-tetragonal mullite of composition 70 mol% Al2O3, which is highly strained and which contains <0 nm silica-containing inclusions. During further heat treatments, the inclusions react with the first-formed mullite yielding single phase, orthorhombic mullite of 60 mol% Al2O3. Recrystallization also occurs on further heating with a significant reduction of grain size, in a manner similar to recrystallization in brass. These observations (using more modern and sensitive characterization techniques) suggest the presence of a peritectic-like, syntectic or syntectoidal invariant reaction in the Al2O3-SiO2 phase diagram. Further work needs to be done to ascertain whether the reaction is an equilibrium or non-equilibrium phenomenon.
Enzymatic responses of cat medial gastrocnemius fibers to chronic inactivity

The role of neuromuscular activity in maintaining the normal enzyme heterogeneity found in a predominantly fast mixed muscle was studied. Enzymatic profiles of single fibers in the adult cat medial gastrocnemius (MG) were examined after almost complete elimination of neuromuscular activity for 6 mo. Inactivity was achieved by spinal cord isolation (SI), i.e., spinal transection at T12-T13 and L7-S1 combined with bilateral dorsal rhizotomy between the two transection sites. Cross-sectional area and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) activities were determined in a population of fibers identified in frozen serial cross sections. Each fiber was categorized as light or dark on the basis of its staining characteristics for qualitative myosin adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase), alkaline preincubation, and its reaction to fast and slow myosin heavy chain (MHC) antibodies. SI resulted in a conversion of nearly all light (approximately 36% in the control) to dark ATPase fibers. Virtually all MG fibers in the SI cats reacted with the fast MHC antibody, whereas very few fibers reacted with slow MHC antibody. On the basis of fiber cross-sectional area, it was estimated that the MG atrophied by approximately 10% after SI. Compared with the mean of the dark and light ATPase fibers in control (weighted by the percent fiber type distribution), mean SDH activity was significantly lower (approximately 70%) and mean GPD activity was significantly higher (approximately 120%) in the SI cats. These data indicate that prolonged electrical silence of a mixed fast hindlimb extensor results in virtually all fibers expressing fast MHC as well as oxidative and glycolytic enzyme profiles normally observed in fast glycolytic fibers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The effects of greater occipital nerve block and trigger point injection on brush allodynia and pain in migraine.

Objective.—To evaluate the effect of GONB, with or without trigger point injection (TPI), on dynamic mechanical (brush) allodynia (BA) and on head pain in migraine. Background.—Patients with migraine often have cutaneous allodynia that is related to sensitization of central pain neurons. Greater occipital nerve block (GONB) is an effective treatment for migraine headache; however, its effect on cutaneous allodynia in migraine is unknown. Methods.—We studied patients with migraine and BA who were treated with GONB with or without TPI. Demographic data, migraine history, and headache features were documented. Allodynia was evaluated using a structured questionnaire and by applying a 4 × 4-inch gauze pad to skin areas in the trigeminal and cervical dermatomes. Degree of allodynia (the allodynia score) was measured on a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) before treatment and 10 and 20 minutes thereafter. Headache levels were assessed using an 11-point verbal scale. Allodynia scores, as well as headache levels, before and after treatment were compared. Results.—Nineteen patients were studied. Mean age was 43.6 ± 11.8 years. Twenty minutes after treatment, headache was reduced in 17 patients (89.5%) and did not change in 2 (10.5%). The average headache level was 6.53 before treatment and 3.47, 20 minutes after it. The average allodynia score decreased after 20 minutes in all patients. Average allodynia score per site was reduced by 18.69 mm and 13.74 mm in the trigeminal and cervical areas, respectively. There was a positive correlation between allodynia index, obtained through the questionnaire, and allodynia score, obtained by examination. Conclusion.—GONB, with or without TPI, reduced both head pain and brush allodynia in this migraine patient group.
Disability and Human Supports

This article provides a brief overview of models of disability growing out of the field of disability studies and leading to a call for interventions going beyond a simply medical model approach. A brief discussion of human supports/services is provided such that readers engaged in the development of services/supports can base them on best principles.
Integrated Processing of Silicon Oxynitride Alloy Dielectrics by Plasma-Assisted Oxidation, Chemical Vapor Deposition, and On-Line Rapid Thermal Annealing

Thin film dielectrics have been prepared in a cluster processing system with chambers for plasma-assisted, rapid-thermal processing, and on-line Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). A low-thermal budget process for the formation of homogeneous silicon oxynitride (OXN) alloy films is presented. This Na2-based plasma-CVD process has (i) increased process latitude for the formation of N-rich alloys, and (ii) results in lower bonded-H concentrations, in comparison with a similar NH3-based process. Gate dielectric formation consists of (i) a 300°C plasma-assisted oxidation for removal of residual hydrocarbons, and formation of an Si-SiO2 interface protected by ∼0.5-0.6 nm of oxide, (ii) a 300°C plasma-assisted CVD of oxynitride films from N2O, N2, and SiH4, and (iii) a 30 s, 900°C post-deposition rapid-thermal anneal in an ambient that contains sufficient oxygen to prevent decomposition of the Si/SiO2 interface. On-line AES and off-line infrared (IR) spectroscopy have been used to characterize chemical bonding, showing that the deposited films are pseudo-binary alloys lying on a join-line from SiO2 and Si3N4 in a ternary composition diagram. Electrical characterization of MOS capacitors, consisting of O-OXN-O structures, using C-V techniques is discussed.
Artificial Neural Networks and Gene Filtering Distinguish Between Global Gene Expression Profiles of Barrett’s Esophagus and Esophageal Cancer

cDNAmicroarrays, combined with bioinformatics analyses, are becomingincreasingly used in current medical research. Existing analytic methods,particularly those that are unsupervised, often have difficulty recognizing subtle differences among predefined subgroups. In contrast, supervised methods, such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), are able to recognize subtly different biological entities. We applied ANNs in a proof-of-principle study of cDNA microarray data in esophageal cancer (CA) and premalignancy. cDNA microarrays, each containing 8064 clones, were hybridized to RNAs from 22 esophageal lesions, including 14 Barrett's esophagus (BA) metaplasias and 8 esophageal carcinomas (3 squamous cell carcinomas and 5 adenocarcinomas). Scanned cDNA microarray data were analyzed using the bioinformatics software Cluster/TreeView, Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM), and ANNs. Cluster analysis based on all 8064 clones on the microarrays was unable to correctly distinguish BA specimens from CA specimens. SAM then selected 160 differentially expressed genes between Barrett's and cancer. Cluster analysis based on this reduced set still misclassified 2 Barrett's as cancers. The ANN was trained on 12 samples and tested against the remaining 10 samples. Using the 160 selected genes, the ANN correctly diagnosed all 10 samples in the test set. Finally, the 160 genes selected by SAM may merit further study as biomarkers of neoplastic progression in the esophagus, as well as in elucidating pathological mechanisms underlying BA and CA.
Tunable lineshapes from a two-mode waveguide coupled to a single mode resonator

Reconfigurable lineshapes are demonstrated for a two-mode waveguide coupled to a single mode ring. An extinction ratio of 34 dB is obtained by tuning the input power distribution and phase of the waveguide eigenmodes.
IMMUNOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE MYELOMA PROTEINS

An immunological study of 21 myeloma sera was carried out to determine their relationship to components of normal γ-globulin and to each other. Ten proteins were separated for detailed characterization. Every one of the myeloma proteins studied was immunologically different, indicating individual specificity. The γ-type myeloma proteins were all related to normal γ-globulin or a fraction thereof, and although each was distinct from the others, all were related. The s-type myeloma proteins likewise were related to one another, though individually specific. Evidence was found favoring the view that some of the γ-type myeloma proteins are related to the s-type myeloma proteins although most of them were completely unrelated. Likewise the results indicated a definite but distant relationship between the s-myeloma proteins and normal γ-globulin. Certain of the s-myeloma proteins were more closely related to a fraction of normal serum of similar electrophoretic mobility. It is suggested that most multiple myeloma proteins fall into two groups or families of cross-reacting abnormal proteins, one closely related to normal γ-globulin, the other distantly related to γ-globulin with marked individual specificities.
Chronic hyperosmolarity mediates constitutive expression of molecular chaperones and resistance to injury

Renal medullary cells are exposed to elevated and variable osmolarities and low oxygen tension. Despite the harsh environment, these cells are resistant to the effects of many harmful events. To te...
Locking the Door to Leukocytes: Use of Integrin Inhibitors for the Treatment of Crohn’s Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) treatments are rapidly evolving. Current knowledge of the immunopathology responsible for IBD grows on a daily basis. These scientific discoveries are quickly being translated into clinical advances for improved treatment of IBD patients. The breakthrough in biologic therapy occurred with the introduction of infliximab for the treatment of Crohn’s disease. Since then, research applying biologic therapies for IBD has expanded dramatically. Even though significant therapeutic gains have occurred with the expanded use of biologic therapies directed against tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, some patients still remain underserved by this type of treatment. Clinicians need to be familiar with alternative biological therapeutics to so that patients will have an opportunity to benefit from this effective class of medications. This review will highlight the advances made in integrin inhibitor therapy, and discuss the application of this therapy to an IBD treatment paradigm.
Growing mechanisms and cluster identification with TurSOM

TurSOM [1] is a novel self-organizing map algorithm with the capability of connection reorganization, not just neuron reorganization. This behavior facilitates the ability to map distinct patterns in a given input space. Multiple networks exist, and operate independently. This work presents an application driven approach, based on the theoretical and empirical work of previous TurSOM experiments. TurSOM is a highly robust algorithm, designed to eliminate the need for post processing methods of cluster identification using SOM algorithms. One of the applications TurSOM is suitable for, but obviously not limited to, is image segmentation, as it is demonstrated in this work.
Role of PCP referral and weight loss in the Hopkins POWER trial

Purpose Primary care providers (PCPs) play an important role in identifying and counseling obese patients to lose weight, but it is unknown whether PCP referral of patients into a weight loss intervention is associated with greater weight loss. The objectives are to determine if PCP referral is associated with greater 1) weight loss, 2) end of study patient–provider relationship quality, and 3) satisfaction and participation rates in the intervention.
Tense, aspect, and cognitive representation of time

This paper explores the relationships between a computational theory of temporal representation (as developed by james Allen) and a formal lingustic theory of lense (as developed by Norbert Hornstein) and aspect. It aims to provide explicit answers to four fundamental questions (1) what is the computational justification for the permitives of a linguistic theory; (2) what is the computational explanation of the formal grammatical contraints. (3) what are the processing constraints imposed on the learnability and markedness of these theoretical constructs and (4) what are the constraints a linguistic theory imposes or representations. We show that one can effectively exploit the interface between the language faculty and the cognitive faculties by using lingustic constrants to determine restrictions on the cognitive representations and vice versa. Theree man results are obtained (1) We derive an explanation of an observed grammatical constraint on tense. the property of the constraint propagation algorithm of Allen's temporal system; (2) We formulate a principle of markedness for the basic tense structures based on the computation efficiency of the temporal representations, and (3) We show Allen's interval-based temporal system is not arbitrary, but it can be used to explain independently motivated linguistic contraints on tense and aspect interpretations. We also claim that the methodology of research developed in this study "cross-level" investigation of independently motivated formal grammatical theory and computational models is a powerful paradigm with which to attach representational problems in basic cognitive domains. e.g., space, time, causality, etc.
Angoumois Grain Moth: Chemical Control of Infestation in Shelled Corn

Four candidate protectants for grain were evaluated monthly for 8 mo as controls for indigenous infestations of Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) in shelled corn by counting the number of adult moths that emerged from the bins during a 48-h period. At the doses applied, pirimiphos methyl, chlorpyrifos-methyl, and fenitrothion protectant sprays and a malathion-diatomaceous earth dust gave control and protection equal or superior to that of the recommended treatment of 1.0 pt of 57% malathion EC/1000 bu.
Nephropore Rosette Glands of the Lobster Homarus Americanus: Possible Sources of Urine Pheromones

ABSTRACT This study examined the nephropore area of sexually mature lobsters for the presence of structures capable of producing chemical signals in conjunction with urine release. Urine signals are used for chemical communication in the lobster Homarus americanus. Male urine plays a role in the determination of dominance and female choice of dominant males, while female urine reduces the incidence of male aggressive behavior and induces male mating behavior. Masses of rosette glands were found, lateral and medial to the ureter of all animals examined. Staining properties and gland morphology suggest that nephropore rosettes are active in males and females, in all molt stages and at all times of the year. Rosette glands stained positively for protein and mucopolysaccharides. Gland complexes did not show histochemical evidence of phenoloxidase, a product of some crustacean rosette glands. Nephropore rosette glands were packaged into clusters, which in turn were organized into lateral and medial gland complexes lying alongside each ureter. Complexes were joined by a common duct terminating at the bladder, while rosettes in some anterior clusters were served by individual ducts passing through the nephropore sphincter and terminating outside the animal adjacent to the site of urine release. These two duct systems could allow gland complexes to release their products into the environment with or without concomitant urine release, and as such these glands are good candidates for sources of chemical signals.
Radical Ions and Their Reactions in DNA Constituents: ESR/ENDOR Studies of Radiation Damage in the Solid State

This updating review contains the results of recent ESR/ENDOR experiments on DNA constituents in the solid state. The compounds reviewed include single crystals of the DNA bases, nucleosides, and nucleotides. The emphasis is on low-temperature ENDOR results. Typical experiments involve irradiations at or near helium temperatures in attempts to determine the primary radiation-induced oxidation and reduction products. The use of the ENDOR technique allows one to determine the protonation state of the initial products. Subsequent warming of the sample facilitates a study of the reactions that these primary products undergo. A critical review of previous ESR experiments is considered to see if these results conflict with the newer ENDOR results. Finally, a summary is provided to show which of the numerous results discussed may have some relevance to understanding the radiation chemistry of DNA.
Financial Interest Groups and Interlocking Directorates

Many recent studies of interlocking directorates have paid special attention to the possible existence of interest groups or cliques within the corporate world (Allen, 1978; Dooley, 1969; Mariolis, 1977; Mintz and Schwartz, 1981a; Mizruchi, 1982b). The search for economic groupings of this type dates from the early part of the twentieth century when financial domination of industrial firms was thought to characterize American business. Bank control theory, in particular, posited the coalescence of individual companies into a number of competing groups, each organized around banking interests. Thus, Baran and Sweezy (1966: 17) define interest groups as “a number of corporations under common control, the locus of power being normally an investment or commercial bank or a great family fortune.” Early work in this area, therefore, attempted to identify separate groups of companies organized around either family or financial interests. Rochester (1936), for example, used information on stock ownership, banking dependence, service relationships, capital investments, and joint ventures to identify many autonomous cliques headed by founding families. Sweezy (1939) used a similar set of criteria to identify eight dominant financial interest groups. Perlo (1957) replicated these results 20 years later.
Sensor Technology for Water Quality Monitoring: Fiber-Optic Biosensor

Two methods for the detection of important human pathogens, Cryptosporidium parvum and Helicobacter pylori, were investigated: a fiber optic biosensor, and real time PCR. The mechanism for specific detection in both methods is recognition of specific DNA sequences in the target organisms. The biosensor that was used, the Analyte 2000, was originally developed for the detection of chemicals. It utilizes a fiber optic wave guide that propagates an evanescent light wave of very specific wavelength. The light excites fluorescent molecules bound to the waveguide, but not in the bulk solution, which theoretically enhances signal while reducing background interference. Attempts to develop this system for the detection of DNA were not successful due to poor detection of the target molecules.An assay analogous to a sandwich immunoassay was designed for use on the Analyte 2000. Specific oligonucleotide probes were designed to bind to the waveguides via biotin-streptavidin interaction, and were used to capture the target DNA. Pure target DNA representing unique genes in the organisms were synthesized by PCR. Detection of captured DNA was then attempted using an oligonucleotide detection probe designed to bind to the target. Two detection systems were employed: an indirect signal amplification system based on biotin-tyramide deposition, or direct detection of fluorescent signal from Cy-5 molecules. In all experiments performed there was very little difference between the signal generated with or without the target molecules. Many experiments were conducted to attempt to identify reasons for the poor signal. Signal was only of any significance when target amplicons were internally labeled with Cy-5 by PCR.Real time PCR as a method to detect the pathogens was also investigated. Though the PCR technique itself is very rapid, DNA extraction and purification requires preparation time. Filtration of up to one liter of well water, followed by concentration and “cleaning” Helicobacter pylori cells by immunomagnetic separation, was used to detect H. pylori seeded in a water source. Following cell lysis, the extracted DNA could be used directly in conventional PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene to detect less than 265 cells per liter of water. DNA purification was not required for this level of detection. Initial studies to amplify lysed cells by real time PCR indicated that an incorrect product was made. When purified DNA was used for real time PCR, the correct product was produced from DNA representing as few as 100 cells. This title belongs to WERF Research Report Series ISBN: 9781780404165 (eBook) ISBN: 9781843396772 (Print)
Rejuvenation of the upper face: A logical gamut of surgical options

Despite advances in techniques, aesthetic surgeons must realize that not every patient requires a complete forehead rejuvenation. This article discusses the contemporary armamentarium for forehead rejuvenation. Injection of botulinum toxin for glabella furrows is minimally invasive but only temporarily effective. Fat injection and fat grafts are useful for patients with a limited number of wrinkles and frown lines. Subcutaneous brow elevation provides direct correction of the forehead wrinkling by dividing the subcutaneous septae responsible for the furrows. Endoscopic techniques facilitate forehead rejuvenation with less morbidity and greater patient acceptance. Detailed descriptions of the spectrum of surgical options for forehead rejuvenation are included.
The use of Doppler ultrasound to assist with sciatic nerve blocks.

Twenty consecutive patients requiring surgical procedures on a lower extremity received leg blocks using a modification of Labat9s classic approach. A Doppler ultrasound pencil probe was used to identify the dominant arterial structure exiting the sciatic notch with the sciatic nerve. A block needle was inserted in the same orientation as the probe until paresthesias were elicited; then 25 ml of local anesthetic was injected. Successful block was achieved in one or two attempts in 70% of the patients.
Chronic rejection. A general overview of histopathology and pathophysiology with emphasis on liver, heart and intestinal allografts

Recent advances in immunosuppression, operative techniques and patient management have improved short term one year survival rates after kidney, liver and heart transplantation to more than 80% at most experienced centers. In fact, organ allograft recipients without major post-operative complications are being discharged from the hospital within several weeks of the operation, a scenario almost unheard of even as little as a decade ago. These developments have shifted considerable attention in research away from short term problems such as acute rejection, to the major obstacles to long-term, morbidity-free survival: chronic rejection (CR), the subject of this review, and the adverse effects of maintenance immunosuppression, which is needed to prevent CR.
CHAPTER 13 – Integral and Integro-Differential Operators

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the integral and integro-differential operators. When a difficult nonlinearity is present in the differential equation of interest such as a convolution product, it may be useful in some cases to transform the differential equation into an algebraic equation by use of the Laplace transform and then solve the algebraic equation in the transform variable by the same techniques, that is, decomposition and use of the An polynomials. The interesting possibility is that the inverses of Laplace transforms can be determined by decomposition more easily than by conventional methods. The possibility is suggested by the solution of the algebraic equation in series form of decomposition method and the relatively simple inverse transform applied to each term. With the rapid convergence of the decomposition method, it appears that it may be a superior technique in the difficult problem of finding inverse transforms.
Computational efficient Variational Bayesian Gaussian Mixture Models via Coreset

Variational Bayesian Gaussian Mixture Model is a popular clustering algorithm with a reliable performance. However, it is noted that the model fitting process takes long time, especially when dealing with large scale data, since it utilizes the whole dataset. To address this issue, in paper we propose a new algorithm termed a weighted VBGMM via Coreset. Specifically, a new coreset construction method is first proposed to sample the data which is used to fit the model. To evaluate the algorithm, two datasets are used: 1) six rat kidney images datasets 2) three human kidney images datasets. The results show that our proposed algorithm is much faster (∼ 20 times) comparing to classic VBGMM while maintaining the similar performance on whole dataset.
Subtle New Forms of Internet Influence Are Putting Democracy at Risk Worldwide

The free and fair election is fundamental to democracy , but the internet has made possible new, nearly invisible forms of influence that have likely been affecting the outcomes of close elections worldwide for several years now. Left unchecked, these forms of influence will inevitably grow over time, slowly but surely nullifying the democratic process as we know it.
A Graph Polynomial Approach to Primitivity

Recently, Tittmann et al. introduced the subgraph component polynomial and showed that its power for distinguishing graphs is quite different from the power of other graph polynomials that appear in the literature such as the matching polynomial, the Tutte polynomial, the characteristic polynomial, the chromatic polynomial, etc. The subgraph component polynomial enumerates vertex induced subgraphs in a given undirected graph with respect to the number of components. We show the use of the subgraph component polynomial to count the number of primitive partial words of a given length over an alphabet of a fixed size, which leads to a method for enumerating such partial words.
Employing project-based learning to address the Next Generation mathematics standards in high schools

In the summer of 2015, a five-day professional development workshop was held at West Virginia University Institute of Technology, located in Montgomery, West Virginia, with the objective of providing systematic training of project-based learning to high school math teachers. Twenty-two teachers participated in the workshop. Instructors of the workshop were faculty members from West Virginia University Institute of Technology, West Virginia University, and West Virginia State University. The workshop's focus was project-based learning, which employs projects closely related to real-world applications to facilitate delivering abstract concepts. Specifically during the workshop, the participating high school math teachers learned designing engineering projects, mapping engineering projects to Next Generation math standards/objectives, and assessing the outcomes of project-based learning. Each participating teacher is required to implement at least one engineering project in his/her math class and the results will be collected by the superintendents of the three participating school districts. The workshop has two primary hypotheses: (i) teachers who participated in the workshop will increase their self-efficacy toward implementing project-based learning, applying engineering and technology to address content standards and objectives, and using assessments to inform instruction, and (ii) project-based learning will improve students' self-efficacy and learning effectiveness in math, and in turn, will increase their interest/intention to pursue STEM disciplines. The impact of the workshop on teachers is determined through surveys and interviews. Social Cognitive Career Theory is applied to evaluate the impact of project-based learning on the participating teachers' students. Results of the surveys, interviews, and student performance will be presented at the conference.
LEVEL STRUCTURES OF $sup 59$Cu AND $sup 61$Cu STUDIED BY MEANS OF THE $sup 58$ $sup 60$Ni($sup 3$He,d) REACTIONS.

The reactions ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{58,60}({\mathrm{He}}^{3},d){\mathrm{Cu}}^{59,61}$ have been studied at 16.4-MeV incident energy. Forty-two states up to 7.1-MeV excitation were observed in ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{59}$, and 82 states up to 8.5 MeV were observed in ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{61}$. Deuteron angular distributions were recorded in the angular interval 7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}-60\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and, with the aid of distorted-wave analysis, spectroscopic information has been obtained for those states which are fed by the more intense transitions. The low-lying level structures are compared with the unified-model predictions.
Effect of interstitial fluid on the fraction of flow microstates that precede clogging in granular hoppers.

We report on the nature of flow events for the gravity-driven discharge of glass beads through a hole that is small enough that the hopper is susceptible to clogging. In particular, we measure the average and standard deviation of the distribution of discharged masses as a function of both hole and grain sizes. We do so in air, which is usual, but also with the system entirely submerged under water. This damps the grain dynamics and could be expected to dramatically affect the distribution of the flow events, which are described in prior work as avalanche-like. Though the flow is slower and the events last longer, we find that the average discharge mass is only slightly reduced for submerged grains. Furthermore, we find that the shape of the distribution remains exponential, implying that clogging is still a Poisson process even for immersed grains. Per Thomas and Durian [Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 178001 (2015)], this allows for an interpretation of the average discharge mass in terms of the fraction of flow microstates that precede, i.e., that effectively cause, a stable clog to form. Since this fraction is barely altered by water, we conclude that the crucial microscopic variables are the grain positions; grain momenta play only a secondary role in destabilizing weak incipient arches. These insights should aid ongoing efforts to understand the susceptibility of granular hoppers to clogging.
Why the Defense Budget Is Worth Considering

This book provides a clear, accessible description of the defense budget’s journey through Congress each year. Focusing exclusively on the portion of the U.S. Army’s budget designated for program funding—or, the dollars used to purchase items such as trucks, rifles, and helicopters—this book elaborates on why weapon systems experience such volatile funding decisions by congressional committees while the overall Army and defense budgets differ only incrementally.
An Update on the Premerger Notification Program in the United States

The United States (US) Premerger Notification program was established by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and became operative in late 1978. This Act amended the Clayton Act to require the reporting of certain planned transactions to the US Antitrust agencies prior to their consummation. Amendments of 2001 to the threshold reporting requirements, among other things, lowered the number of proposed transactions that need be reported to the antitrust agencies. This article discusses the various features and changes in the HSR program and examines the record of compliance and effectiveness of the program since its inception.
Detection of neurotransmitters through the skull by surface-enhanced spatially-offset Raman spectroscopy

We present results on surface-enhanced spatially-offset Raman spectroscopy (SESORS) measurements of epinephrine at 50 mM and 100 µM in a brain tissue mimic through a cat skull.
The Metal Drives the Chemistry: Dual Functions of Acireductone Dioxygenase

Acireductone dioxygenase (ARD) from the methionine salvage pathway (MSP) is a unique enzyme that exhibits dual chemistry determined solely by the identity of the divalent transition-metal ion (Fe2+ or Ni2+) in the active site. The Fe2+-containing isozyme catalyzes the on-pathway reaction using substrates 1,2-dihydroxy-3-keto-5-methylthiopent-1-ene (acireductone) and dioxygen to generate formate and the ketoacid precursor of methionine, 2-keto-4-methylthiobutyrate, whereas the Ni2+-containing isozyme catalyzes an off-pathway shunt with the same substrates, generating methylthiopropionate, carbon monoxide, and formate. The dual chemistry of ARD was originally discovered in the bacterium Klebsiella oxytoca, but it has recently been shown that mammalian ARD enzymes (mouse and human) are also capable of catalyzing metal-dependent dual chemistry in vitro. This is particularly interesting, since carbon monoxide, one of the products of off-pathway reaction, has been identified as an antiapoptotic molecule in mamm...