cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Primary fabric ellipsoids in sandstones: implications for depositional processes and strain analysis

Abstract When measuring strains in deformed clastic rocks, geologists usually assume one or more of the following: (1) objects were initially circular; (2) objects were initially non-circular but had uniform orientations; (3) object populations initially had a fabric, but that this fabric had a symmetrical relationship to bedding; or that (4) initial fabrics are recognizable even after straining. To evaluate these assumptions, we measured 43 fabric ellipsoids in non-strained, poorly sorted sandstones from four depositional settings: DSDP core 174 (fan and abyssal plain deposits off the coast of Oregon); the Cretaceous Great Valley sequence, California (fore-arc deposits): the Cretaceous Pigeon Point Formation, California (accreted and slumped turbidites); and crossbedded sandstones from intracontinental basins in California and Australia. Our results indicate the following: (1) in two-dimensional cuts, individual grains have variable but usually small axial ratios ( These data and microstructures in grains and matrix cements also argue against significant compaction during burial in these clast-supported, sand-rich units and instead suggest that the primary fabrics largely reflect grain packing processes during deposition, and/or slumping and packing in the case of the Pigeon Point samples.
Mathematical models for time-domain design of electrohydraulic servomechanisms

IN THE ANALYTICAL DESIGN of high-speed electrohydraulic servomechanisms, an accurate mathematical model of the valve-actuator mechanism is generally helpful in determining the controller and system configuration required to achieve the desired over-all performance. During past years, various forms of electrohydraulic valves and actuator mechanisms have been realized. Detailed descriptions of these devices can be found in a book by Blackburn et al.1 Most previous works on the analysis of these systems have resorted to linearization techniques.2,3 Recently, Butler and Turnbull presented detailed analysis of simplified nonlinear models.4,5 Also, Zaborszky and Harrington derived describing functions for both single and two-stage electrohydraulic valves, which permit analytical design in the frequency-domain.6?9 The limitations of linearized models are discussed by Rausch.10
Analysis of the atmospheric 14C record spanning the past 50,000 years derived from high-precision 230Th/234U/238U, 231Pa/235U and 14C dates on fossil corals

Abstract Changes in the geomagnetic field intensity, solar variability, and the internal changes of the carbon cycle are believed to be the three controlling factors of past atmospheric radiocarbon ( 14 C) concentrations (denoted as Δ 14 C). Of these three, it is believed that the field intensity is the dominant factor. We analyze an atmospheric Δ 14 C record spanning the past 50,000 years based on previously-published 230 Th/ 234 U/ 238 U and 14 C dates of fossil corals from Kiritimati, Barbados, Araki and Santo Islands, and identify the role of the Laschamp geomagnetic field excursion on the long term trend of the Δ 14 C record. There is a general consistency between the coral Δ 14 C record and the Δ 14 C output from carbon cycle models based on the global 14 C production estimates. High-precision, high-accuracy 230 Th/ 234 U/ 238 U dates and redundant 231 Pa/ 235 U dates anchor the timing of this Δ 14 C record. We propose that a significant fraction of the long-term Δ 14 C trend may be due to inaccuracies in the generally accepted 14 C decay constant. The uncertainty in estimating the shape of 14 C beta spectrum below 20 keV leads to one of the greatest errors in decay constant estimates. Once the 14 C half-life is validated via redundant techniques, Δ 14 C records will provide a better opportunity to examine the roles of carbon cycle and 14 C production influences.
Harvesting Sperm and Artificial Insemination of Mice

Rodents of the genus Peromyscus (deer mice) are the most prevalent native North American mammals. Peromyscus species are used in a wide range of research including toxicology, epidemiology, ecology, behavioral, and genetic studies. Here they provide a useful model for demonstrations of artificial insemination. Methods similar to those displayed here have previously been used in several deer mouse studies, yet no detailed protocol has been published. Here we demonstrate the basic method of artificial insemination. This method entails extracting the testes from the rodent, then isolating the sperm from the epididymis and vas deferens. The mature sperm, now in a milk mixture, are placed in the female’s reproductive tract at the time of ovulation. Fertilization is counted as day 0 for timing of embryo development. Embryos can then be retrieved at the desired time-point and manipulated. Artificial insemination can be used in a variety of rodent species where exact embryo timing is crucial or hard to obtain. This technique is vital for species or strains (including most Peromyscus) which may not mate immediately and/or where mating is hard to assess. In addition, artificial insemination provides exact timing for embryo development either in mapping developmental progress and/or transgenic work. Reduced numbers of animals can be used since fertilization is guaranteed. This method has been vital to furthering the Peromyscus system, and will hopefully benefit others as well.
The discrete logarithm hides O (log n ) bits

The main result of this paper is that obtaining any information about the $O(\log |p|)$ “most significant” bits of x, given $g^x (\bmod p)$, even with a tiny advantage over guessing, is equivalent to computing discrete logarithms $\bmod p$.
Oral Treatment with γ-Aminobutyric Acid Improves Glucose Tolerance and Insulin Sensitivity by Inhibiting Inflammation in High Fat Diet-Fed Mice

Adipocyte and β-cell dysfunction and macrophage-related chronic inflammation are critical for the development of obesity-related insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which can be negatively regulated by Tregs. Our previous studies and those of others have shown that activation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors inhibits inflammation in mice. However, whether GABA could modulate high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance has not been explored. Here, we show that although oral treatment with GABA does not affect water and food consumption it inhibits the HFD-induced gain in body weights in C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, oral treatment with GABA significantly reduced the concentrations of fasting blood glucose, and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in the HFD-fed mice. More importantly, after the onset of obesity and T2DM, oral treatment with GABA inhibited the continual HFD-induced gain in body weights, reduced the concentrations of fasting blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in mice. In addition, oral treatment with GABA reduced the epididymal fat mass, adipocyte size, and the frequency of macrophage infiltrates in the adipose tissues of HFD-fed mice. Notably, oral treatment with GABA significantly increased the frequency of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs in mice. Collectively, our data indicated that activation of peripheral GABA receptors inhibited the HFD-induced glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and obesity by inhibiting obesity-related inflammation and up-regulating Treg responses in vivo. Given that GABA is safe for human consumption, activators of GABA receptors may be valuable for the prevention of obesity and intervention of T2DM in the clinic.
Muscle-specific calpain is localized in regions near motor endplates in differentiating lobster claw muscles

Calpains are Ca2+-dependent proteinases that mediate protein turnover in crustacean skeletal muscles. We used an antibody directed against lobster muscle-specific calpain (Ha-CalpM) to examine its distribution in differentiating juvenile lobster claw muscles. These muscles are comprised of both fast and slow fibers early in development, but become specialized into predominantly fast or exclusively slow muscles in adults. The transition into adult muscle types requires that myofibrillar proteins specific for fast or slow muscles to be selectively removed and replaced by the appropriate proteins. Using immunohistochemistry, we observed a distinct staining pattern where staining was preferentially localized in the fiber periphery along one side of the fiber. Immunolabeling with an antibody directed against synaptotagmin revealed that the calpain staining was greatest in the cytoplasm adjacent to synaptic terminals. In complementary analyses, we used sequence-specific primers with real-time PCR to quantify the levels of Ha-CalpM in whole juvenile claw muscles. These expression levels were not significantly different between cutter and crusher claws, but were positively correlated with the expression of fast myosin heavy chain. The anatomical localization of Ha-CalpM near motor endplates, coupled with the correlation with fast myofibrillar gene expression, suggests a role for this intracellular proteinase in fiber type switching.
SU-FF-J-126: An Open-Source Radiotherapy Image Registration Toolkit Integrated with CERR

Purpose: We developed an image registration module for the open‐source system CERR (the computational environment for radiotherapy research) for the purpose of radiation therapyimage guidance quality assurance and image analysis. This new module provides functionality useful for registration algorithm optimization, visualization, analysis, and validation. Method and Materials: We implemented a series of automatic (rigid and deformable) and semi‐automatic image registration methods. We implemented 20+ original and variant deformable methods, including optical flow based methods with different constraints, level set motion based methods and demon based methods. We imported ITK rigid image registration methods into CERR, including affine transform, similarity transform, Euler3D transform, versor3D transform, etc. We also implemented a multi‐grid framework to improve the speed and accuracy of the automatic registration process. In addition, we implemented 3D control point matching methods. We use several similarity metrics, including MSE, cross correlation, MI etc., to quantitatively analyze and validate the registration results. For results visualization, we implemented functions such as difference, dynamic checkerboard, image mirror, deformation field vector and grid plotting, etc. We programmed the GUI in MATLAB and Java, deformable methods in MATLAB and ITK rigid registration methods in C++. Results: The new CERR module supports 3D rigid and deformable registration. By monitoring the registration process and measuring the results, we can optimize the registration methods by tuning the parameters. We tested the deformable methods with chest CT images and the results were satisfied. Conclusion: The goal of this work is to extend the functions of CERR, to provide an open source implementation of image registration algorithms for radiotherapy research. As an ongoing project, we plan to provide more registration methods and further improve the integration of the registration results with treatment planning data.
Sequential Protein Kinase C (PKC)-dependent and PKC-independent Protein Kinase D Catalytic Activation via Gq-coupled Receptors: DIFFERENTIAL REGULATION OF ACTIVATION LOOP SER744 AND SER748 PHOSPHORYLATION *

Protein kinase D (PKD) is a serine/threonine protein kinase rapidly activated by G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists via a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathway. Recently, PKD has been implicated in the regulation of long term cellular activities, but little is known about the mechanism(s) of sustained PKD activation. Here, we show that cell treatment with the preferential PKC inhibitors GF 109203X or Go 6983 blocked rapid (1–5-min) PKD activation induced by bombesin stimulation, but this inhibition was greatly diminished at later times of bombesin stimulation (e.g. 45 min). These results imply that GPCR-induced PKD activation is mediated by early PKC-dependent and late PKC-independent mechanisms. Western blot analysis with site-specific antibodies that detect the phosphorylated state of the activation loop residues Ser744 and Ser748 revealed striking PKC-independent phosphorylation of Ser748 as well as Ser744 phosphorylation that remained predominantly but not completely PKC-dependent at later times of bombesin or vasopressin stimulation (20–90 min). To determine the mechanisms involved, we examined activation loop phosphorylation in a set of PKD mutants, including kinase-deficient, constitutively activated, and PKD forms in which the activation loop residues were substituted for alanine. Our results show that PKC-dependent phosphorylation of the activation loop Ser744 and Ser748 is the primary mechanism involved in early phase PKD activation, whereas PKD autophosphorylation on Ser748 is a major mechanism contributing to the late phase of PKD activation occurring in cells stimulated by GPCR agonists. The present studies identify a novel mechanism induced by GPCR activation that leads to late, PKC-independent PKD activation.
Thirteen theorems in search of the truth

We review recent work on the accuracy of group judgmental processes as a function of (a) the competences (judgmental accuracies) of individual group members, (b) the group decision procedure, and (c) group size. This work on individual competence and group accuracy represents an important contribution to democratic theory and a useful complement to the usual emphasis in the social choice literature on individual preference and preference aggregation mechanisms. The work reported on is rooted in a tradition which goes back to scholars such as Condorcet, Poisson, and Bayes.
ON THE RELIABILITY OF MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL VIRTUES

: I examine here whether reliability is a defining feature of (moral or intellectual) virtues. I argue (1) that reliability is not a defining feature of a virtue where virtues are conceived (as they often are) as “personal excellences,” but (2) that there is another (also intuitive and familiar) conception of a virtue according to which reliability is a defining feature. I also argue (3) that even on the former conception, a certain rational belief pertaining to reliability is essential and (4) that reliability itself, while not a defining feature of a virtue thus conceived, nevertheless is a concomitant of it.
Accelerated hyperfractionation radiation therapy for carcinoma of the nasopharynx. Techniques and results

Experience using accelerated hyperfractionation radiation therapy (twice-a-day) in the treatment of 60 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx is presented. The local control rate at the primary sites was significantly improved statistically as compared with 58 patients with the same disease and stages treated by once daily (once-a-day) radiation therapy at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) 5 years before twice-a-day radiation therapy. For the T1-2 lesions, the 5-year actuarial local control rates were 89% after twice-a-day and 55% after once-a-day radiation therapy, with a P value of 0.0021. For the T3-4 lesions, the corresponding rates were 77% and 45%, with a P value of 0.026. The improved local control rates occurred in patients with N2-3 disease and among male and female patients, and were reflected in patient survival. Although our study is not randomized, the improved local control and survival rates after twice-a-day radiation therapy are encouraging. However, the final answer will require a clinical randomized trial in the management of carcinoma of the nasopharynx.
Why Can't I Just See the Movie?: Fostering Motivation in Children Who Struggle With Reading

Fostering the motivation to read in children and adolescents is an elusive task for many good teachers. Although there has been a great deal of research on cognitive aspects of reading, little rece...
Near zero-defect accounting with Six Sigma

Many companies have used the Six Sigma methodology to improve manufacturing processes, but in recent years, companies have started using Six Sigma to improve the finance function. This article provides an overview of Six Sigma, explains how two companies are using Six Sigma to streamline their respective finance departments, and offers tips for companies interested in adopting Six Sigma for their finance departments. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Understanding of Ratioproportionality Rules and Equality Vs Equity in Children's Sharing

Summary Past researchers have disagreed concerning developmental trends in equity vs equality allocations. In the present study eight boys and eight girls from preschool, first grade, and sixth grade (N = 48) played a game which assessed the use of ratioproportionality rules, thought to be a precursor to equity allocations. In a second session, another E allowed each child to complete two tasks and then to allocate in the E's absence six prizes between him- or herself, an unseen same sex peer who had completed three tasks and a peer who had completed one task. Results indicated that although both ratioproportionality ability and the tendency to allocate in response to equity rather than equality or selfishness increased with age, these abilities were not correlated within age groups.
Isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly

A 68-year-old accountant visits his physician. A year earlier he was told that his blood pressure was somewhat elevated and was advised to reduce salt intake and increase activity. Otherwise, he has been in good health and has no history or signs of cardiovascular or renal disease. On physical examination, his blood pressure is 178/72 mm Hg, and his body-mass index is 28.4. How should he be further evaluated and treated?
Soliton lattice in pure and diluted CuGeO3.

We report a synchrotron x-ray scattering study of the magnetic-field-induced incommensurate phase of the spin-Peierls compound CuGeO{sub 3}, in magnetic fields up to 13 T. By measuring first and third harmonics of the incommensurate Bragg reflections as a function of field we show that the lattice modulation has the form of a soliton lattice. The soliton half-width, 13.6 lattice spacings, is surprisingly large. Dilution of the CuO{sub 2} spin-1/2 chains with spin-0 (Zn) and spin-1 (Ni) impurities results in a short-range-ordered incommensurate state with an anisotropic correlation length comparable to the average impurity separation. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Project Management Duration/Resource Tradeoff Analysis: an Application of the Cut Search Approach

The paper presents an application oriented procedure for solving the project management duration/resource tradeoff problem. A procedure is presented for reducing a project from a normal to a crash duration state at a minimum amount of additional resource expenditure assuming a linear utilization functions. The procedure is network based using a graphical Cut Search Approach to locate the minimal resource level at each reduction in total project duration. Activity-on-arc networks and flow networks are utilized. The paper is presented for practical application and for conceptual development as compared to a theoretical treatment.
Identification of Caenorhabditis elegans isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase and structural comparison with other acyl-CoA dehydrogenases.

Isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (IVD) is a flavoenzyme, which catalyzes the conversion of isovaleryl-CoA to 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA in the leucine catabolism pathway and transfers electrons to the electron-transferring flavoprotein (ETF). IVDs from human and rat have been identified and characterized previously. In this study, the gene coding for Caenorhabditis elegans IVD has been identified from a published cDNA sequence and molecular modeling has been performed using the human IVD atomic coordinates. The coding sequence for the mature form of the enzyme was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant nematode IVD enzyme was purified to essential homogeneity. Its spectrum is typical of recombinant FAD-containing acyl-CoA dehydrogenases and shows a minor broad absorption band at 650-700 nm characteristic of an IVD:CoA persulfide charge-transfer complex. Following treatment of the enzyme with sodium dithionite to remove the bound CoA persulfide, the K(m) values for isovaleryl-, butyryl-, valeryl-, and hexanoyl-CoA were estimated to be 2.5, 36.2, 10.5, and 33.8 microM, respectively, using the ETF fluorescence reduction assay. The catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) for these substrates was 56.9, 1.3, 13.7, and 3.2 microM(-1). min(-1) per mole of FAD, respectively. The apparent binding constant (K(D app)) of the recombinant IVD determined spectrally for isovaleryl-CoA was 0.34 microM. These kinetic parameters confirm that isovaleryl-CoA is the preferred substrate for the purified enzyme. The variability in the protein structure among known and putative IVDs from various species is discussed in the context of possible mechanisms for modulating enzyme activity.
Markov chain models of complex chemical reactions in continuous flow reactors

Abstract A stochastic approach, namely, a Markov chain, has been adopted to simulate the dynamics of complex reactions in a flow chemical reactor without either solving directly differential equations governing the performance of the reactor or obtaining a closed form solution to such equations. All calculations have been carried out iteratively with the aid of a computer. The results are in good agreement with the known results obtained from the deterministic approach. The present technique can be applied to a variety of flow reactors with complex chemical reactions, which cannot be handled easily by deterministic approaches.
HYDROXYLYSINE DEFICIENT COLLAGEN IN A FLOPPY BABY

Five disorders of collagen have been characterized. In four of these disorders the patients have had symptoms of Ehlers Danlos. Three families with lysyl hydroxylase deficiency have previously been reported. We are reporting an additional case diagnosed in infancy. This infant was investigated as a floppy baby but nerve and muscle were normal. Lysyl hydroxylase activity measured in sonicates of dermal fibroblasts was 10% of normal. The deficiency of hydroxylysine results in abnormal cross-linking of collagen molecules which may account for the symptomatology. The patient we are reporting eventually developed symptoms of Ehlers Danlos. This type of Ehlers Danlos is an autosomal recessive disorder in which one might expect to make an intrauterine diagnosis. Collagen abnormalities may thus be a cause of floppy baby syndrome and the delineation of a specific defect should be the goal of diagnostic studies.
Mileage Rates and the Interstate Commerce Commission

I. Major scales prescribed by the Commission, 281. — Central Freight Association, 281. — New England, 282. — Southern, 282 — Western, 283. — Trunk Line, 286. II. Form of Commission schedules and comparison with continental baremes, 290. — Calculation of distances, 292. — Initial rates, 295. — Rates of progression, 300. III. Effect of new mileage tariffs upon established rate structures, 306. — Use of key rates for interterritorial shipments, 307. — Merits and defects of mileage ratemaking, 310. — Attitude of the Interstate Commerce Commission, 314.
Defeating UCI: Building Stealthy and Malicious Hardware

In previous work Hicks et al. proposed a method called Unused Circuit Identification (UCI) for detecting malicious backdoors hidden in circuits at design time. The UCI algorithm essentially looks for portions of the circuit that go unused during design-time testing and flags them as potentially malicious. In this paper we construct circuits that have malicious behavior, but that would evade detection by the UCI algorithm and still pass design-time test cases. To enable our search for such circuits, we define one class of malicious circuits and perform a bounded exhaustive enumeration of all circuits in that class. Our approach is simple and straight forward, yet it proves to be effective at finding circuits that can thwart UCI. We use the results of our search to construct a practical attack on an open-source processor. Our malicious backdoor allows any user-level program running on the processor to enter supervisor mode through the use of a secret â knock. We close with a discussion on what we see as a major challenge facing any future design-time malicious hardware detection scheme: identifying a sufficient class of malicious circuits to defend against.
Why do Seizures Cause Loss of Consciousness

Model systems are needed for the scientific investigation of consciousness. A good model system should include variable states of consciousness, allowing the relationship between brain activity and consciousness to be investigated. Examples include sleep, anesthesia, focal brain lesions, development, evolution, and epilepsy. One advantage of epilepsy is that changes are dynamic and rapidly reversible. The authors review previous investigations of impaired consciousness in epilepsy and describe new findings that may shed light on both normal and abnormal mechanisms of consciousness. Abnormal increased activity in fronto-parietal association cortex and related subcortical structures is associated with loss of consciousness in generalized seizures. Abnormal decreased activity in these same networks may cause loss of consciousness in complex partial seizures. Thus, abnormally increased or decreased activity in the same networks can cause loss of consciousness. Information flow during normal conscious processing may require a dynamic balance between these two extremes of excitation and inhibition.
Monocercomonas molae n. sp., a Flagellate from the Sunfish Mola mola

SYNOPSIS. Monocercomonas molae from the hindgut of the sunfish Mola mola is described. The host was taken from southern California coastal waters in October, 1964. The body of the flagellate is 8.0 × 10.7 microns. A single basal granule complex gives rise to 4 flagella, one of which is recurrent. The axostyle is relatively stout, with argentophilic granules, and possesses a periaxostylar ring. The capitulum of the axostyle continues into the sickle-shaped pelta, and the parabasal body is rod-shaped or lobed and roughly triangular in cross-section.
Efficient OTC routing algorithm for via-less middle terminal models

MTM-V router, an efficient router for MTM based standard cell designs when vias are not allowed over-the-cell, is presented. MTM-V router is based on two key algorithms. First, an approximation algorithm to select a planar set of nets for routing between two terminal rows of a cell row is developed. Second, an optimal algorithm for planar routing between the terminal row and the cell boundary is developed. MTM-V router has been implemented in C on a SUN SPARC-station 1+ and has been tested on several benchmarks including PRIMARY I and PRIMARY II from MCNC. MTM-V router produces smaller height layouts as compared to those produced by the routers based on the existing cell models. >
Practical constrained estimation

A class of constrained state estimation problems is studied. The state estimate is defined to be the geometric center of the convex set bounded by the nonlinear constraints. A modified Khachian algorithm is used to solve for the state estimate. An example is given of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite selection and receiver location determination, showing the numerical behavior of the algorithm. >
Positron emission tomography in Alzheimer’s disease: early prediction and differentiation

The development of biomarkers for the preclinical detection of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a vital step in developing prevention therapies. One consistent feature of AD is a reduction in the cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglc), a measure of neuronal function. In vivo brain 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-PET imaging demonstrates consistent and progressive CMRglc reductions in AD patients, the extent and topography of which correlate with symptom severity. There is increasing evidence that CMRglc reductions occur at the preclinical stages of AD and predict decline years in advance of clinical symptoms. This review will give an overview of FDG-PET results in individuals at risk for developing dementia, including: presymptomatic individuals carrying mutations responsible for early-onset familial AD; patients with mild cognitive impairment, often a prodrome to late-onset sporadic AD; nondemented carriers of the ApoE e4 allele, a strong genetic risk factor for late-on...
Poignancy as Human Rights Aesthetic

This essay offers an aesthetic of “poignancy” as a potential theoretical ground of human rights, as opposed to Kantian formulations currently finding expression in the language of “cosmopolitanism.” The lack of concern with health and life found in Immanuel Kant's definition of human freedom is reproduced in what the author calls “magisterial” human rights practice, which tends to emphasize civil proceduralism and is advanced by a global elite. An immanental aesthetic indebted to Theodor Adorno, by contrast, might coincide with an immanental justice responsive to the physical and spiritual demands of human subjects, thus advancing vital if underdeveloped impulses of the UDHR, namely those expressed in its recognition of freedom from want and freedom of worship. This aesthetic is described with reference to the Orpheus myth, to John Keats's odes, and to a January 2009 account of shelling in Gaza. It is furthermore deployed in response to the dismissal of human rights emerging from such leftist intellectual...
A caching-based video-on-demand service in wireless relay networks

In this work, we propose using video caching in the wireless relay networks (WRNs) for video on demand (VoD) service. We assume the relay station (RS) of the WRNs is capable of caching a small portion of the ongoing video stream. The cached video data can be used to accommodate new user requests. Previous works on video caching for VoD are in the context of overlay network, where the physical topology is a minor concern. However, in the WMNs, it is crucial for us to take the topology into consideration. Based on the topology, we could minimize the communication cost for a request to join a video multicast. In this way, efficient utilization of video caching in the targeted environment can be achieved. Simulation study verifies the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Interpolation over ectopic beats increases low frequency power in heart rate variability spectra

The authors compared spectra of heart rate variability (HRV) computed from 24 and 48 hour Holter tapes on 34 patients with congestive heart failure. Spectra on each patient were computed in two ways: (A) Segments with ectopic beats were included in the analysis. In this method, the intervals corresponding to ectopic beats and three beats following the last ectopic beat were computed by interpolation, and (B) Segments with ectopic beats were discarded. Spectral components of HRV in the low (0-0.05 Hz) and mid (0.05-0.15 Hz) frequency ranges were significantly (p >
Conscious and Nonconscious Components of Superstitious Beliefs in Judgment and Decision Making

Despite the large impact that superstitious beliefs have on the marketplace, we currently know very little about their implications for consumer judgment and decision making. We document the existence of the influence of superstitious beliefs on consumer behavior and specify their conscious and nonconscious underlying properties. In particular, we show that superstitious beliefs have a robust influence on product satisfaction and decision making under risk. However, these effects are only observed when superstitious beliefs are allowed to work nonconsciously. Using a process-dissociation task, we further demonstrate the distinct conscious versus nonconscious components of the effect of superstition on decision making under risk.
Restoration of a Fractured Central Incisor using Original Tooth Fragment

The acid-etch technique, a microfilled composite resin, and a V-shaped, notched bevel were used to restore a fractured central incisor.
Memory-Efficient IPv4/v6 Lookup on FPGAs Using Distance-Bounded Path Compression

Memory efficiency with compact data structures for Internet Protocol (IP) lookup has recently regained much interest in the research community. In this paper, we revisit the classic trie-based approach for solving the longest prefix matching (LPM) problem used in IP lookup. In particular, we target our solutions for a class of large and sparsely-distributed routing tables, such as those potentially arising in the next-generation IPv6 routing protocol. Due to longer prefix lengths and much larger address space, straight-forward implementation of trie-based LPM can significantly increase the number of nodes and/or memory required for IP lookup. Additionally, due to the available on-chip memory and the number of I/O pins of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), state-of-the-art designs cannot support large IPv6 routing tables consisting of over $300$K prefixes. We propose two algorithms to compress the uni-bit-trie representation of a given routing table: (1) \emph{single-prefix distance-bounded path compression} and (2) \emph{multiple-prefix distance-bounded path compression}. These algorithms determine the optimal maximum \emph{skip distance} at each node of the trie to minimize the total memory requirement. Our algorithms demonstrates substantial reduction in the memory footprint compared with the uni-bit-trie algorithm ($1.86\times$ for IPv4 and $6.16\times$ for IPv6), and with the original path compression algorithm ($1.77\times$ for IPv4 and $1.53\times$ for IPv6). Furthermore, implementation on a state-of-the-art FPGA device shows that our algorithms achieve $466$ million lookups per second and are well suited for $100$Gbps lookup. This implementation also scales to support larger routing tables and longer prefix length when we go from IPv4 to IPv6.
Using weather derivatives to improve the efficiency of forward markets for electricity

The analysis in this paper demonstrates that a combination of 1) a forward contact, with fixed price for both base land and peaking power, and 2) a collar option for the number of hot days in a summer is an effective way to reduce the risk of purchasing electricity in a spot market. The main advantages are 1) the effectiveness of price signals is strengthened by making peaking power expensive, and 2) the correlation between payouts from the weather option and high prices is increased.
Adaptive Robust Optimization With Dynamic Uncertainty Sets for Multi-Period Economic Dispatch Under Significant Wind

The exceptional benefits of wind power as an environmentally responsible renewable energy resource have led to an increasing penetration of wind energy in today's power systems. This trend has started to reshape the paradigms of power system operations, as dealing with uncertainty caused by the highly intermittent and uncertain wind power becomes a significant issue. Motivated by this, we present a new framework using adaptive robust optimization for the economic dispatch of power systems with high level of wind penetration. In particular, we propose an adaptive robust optimization model for multi-period economic dispatch, and introduce the concept of dynamic uncertainty sets and methods to construct such sets to model temporal and spatial correlations of uncertainty. We also develop a simulation platform which combines the proposed robust economic dispatch model with statistical prediction tools in a rolling horizon framework. We have conducted extensive computational experiments on this platform using real wind data. The results are promising and demonstrate the benefits of our approach in terms of cost and reliability over existing robust optimization models as well as recent look-ahead dispatch models.
TsoiChem: A Mobile Application to Facilitate Student Learning in Organic Chemistry

Mobile devices, such as the iPhone, are potentially powerful learning tools, with their touch screen capabilities and highly interactive and engaging applications available for download. The dependence of today's student on mobile devices also contributes to the possibility of increased student engagement and time-on-task -- both factors in student success. This paper describes the development of a mobile application (app) created as a learning tool for organic chemistry students. The learning needs of organic chemistry students studying the topic "functional groups" were first identified, appropriate learning theories were chosen, and then a functional prototype of the mobile application "TsoiChem" was designed and then created using Apple's iOS Software Development Kit. Unlike many existing chemistry applications, this application leverages the multi-touch feature of iPhone to teach fundamentals of functional groups to students and incorporated several learning theories and models in doing so. The ways in which learning theories and models helped inform the design of this mobile app will be discussed.
An immunopathological study of herpes‐associated erythema multiforme

Any pathogenetic mechanism proposed for erythema multiforme (EM) must account for the prominent mononuclear cell infiltrate in the skin lesions. The purpose of this study was to characterize immunopathologically, with monoclonal antibodies to human leukocyte antigens, the inflammatory cells in early target lesions of recurrent herpes-associated EM. Cryostat sections of snap-frozen skin biopsies were studied by the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique with use of the following monoclonal antibodies: anti-HLA-DR, anti-Leu M5, anti-Leu 4 + 5b, anti-Leu 3a + 3b, anti-Leu 2a, anti-Leu 14, and anti-Leu 6. The dermal mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate in the EM biopsies consisted of monocyte-macrophages and T-lymphocytes, with both helper and suppressor T cells present. Both the dermal inflammatory infiltrate and the overlying keratinocytes were strongly HLA-DR positive. No definite alteration of Langerhans cell number or distribution was noted. These findings are consistent with the characteristics seen in cell-mediated immune reactions in the skin and point to this as a likely immune mechanism for the tissue damage of EM.
Constitution Day: 'The Image of Liberty'

This Constitution Day talk compares the state of constitutional governance today to that of the Roman Empire, as famously discussed by the historian Edward Gibbon, and discusses alternative strategies that might be contemplated by those who believe that current American governance does not conform to the requirements of the historical Constitution.
Fitness consequences of short- and long-distance pollinations in Phlox hirsuta, an endangered species

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The persistence of rare and endangered plant species may depend on the distance pollinators travel when dispersing pollen. Pollinations between adjacent plants, which are often genetically similar, can decrease seed set, germination, and/or progeny vigor due to shared S-alleles or inbreeding depression. Interpopulation pollen dispersal is often suggested as a management tool to increase genetic diversity; however, long-distance pollinations also have the potential to decrease fitness. METHODS We performed experimental hand pollinations in the field and germination experiments in a growth chamber to determine the effect of intrapopulation pollination distance (1 m, 10 m, and 100 m) on seed set, seed germination, progeny growth, and progeny reproduction in Phlox hirsuta. In addition, we included interpopulation pollinations (6740 m) to determine whether artificial gene flow is a viable management option for this endangered species. KEY RESULTS Although pollination distance did not affect the number of healthy seeds produced or the likelihood of radicle emergence, it did significantly affect the ability of germinating seeds to successfully produce cotyledons. Outbreeding depression was observed during seed germination and early seedling development. Seedlings resulting from interpopulation pollinations developed more slowly and were less likely to survive to produce cotyledons than seedlings resulting from all three intrapopulation pollination distances. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the success of P. hirsuta does not depend on the distance pollinators travel within populations and that conservation strategies that involve transporting genes between populations can be counterproductive.
Gastrointestinal tract wall visualization and distention during abdominal and pelvic multidetector CT with a neutral barium sulphate suspension: comparison with positive barium sulphate suspension and with water.

Objective: When examining patients with contrast-enhanced multidetector-row CT, we determined if the stomach and small bowel were visualized and distended better with a neutral barium sulphate suspension than with positive barium sulphate suspension or water. Materials and methods: After obtaining approval from our institutional review board, 156 patients (women: 84; mean age: 54 yrs) with no history of gastrointestinal tract disease were randomized prospectively to receive orally either 900 ml of neutral (0.1%w/v) barium sulphate suspension (n = 53), 900 ml of positive (2.1%w/v) barium sulphate suspension (n = 53), or 900 ml of water (n = 50), prior to undergoing contrast-enhanced abdominal and pelvic multidetector- row CT. Two independent radiologists evaluated the stomach, and small bowel, for luminal distension and wall visualization, using a five point scale. Results were compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The walls of the stomach, and small bowel were visualized better in patients who were administered neutral barium sulphate suspension than those who were administered either positive barium sulphate suspension (p Conclusions:When examining patients with intravenous contrast-enhanced abdominal and pelvic multidetector-row CT, orally administered neutral barium sulphate suspension allows the gastrointestinal tract to be visualized and distended better than either positive barium sulphate suspension, or water.
Installation and Planned Testing of the 625 kW Molten Carbonate Ship Service Fuel Cell

The U.S. Navy Ship Service Fuel Cell (SSFC) program is approaching the testing phase of the 625 KW molten carbonate ship service fuel cell generator. Testing is scheduled to occur in fiscal year 2005. The objective of the SSFC program is to develop diesel fueled shipboard fuel cell power systems with optimized performance characteristics (cost, weight, volume, and efficiency) which, when considered in the total ship environment, provide superior performance at a competitive cost compared to traditional shipboard generators. Emphasis has been placed on adapting commercially developed fuel cell technology to meet Navy/Marine requirements including operation in a salt-laden air, reforming and purification of naval logistics fuel, ship motion, shock and vibration. Fuel Cell Energy Inc., under an ONR contract. is adapting its commercial direct carbonate fuel cell technology for use with naval logistics fuels to provide power suitable for ship application. This paper provides a description of the fuel cell system and details of the installation and planned operation of the unit at the Philadelphia test site.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Abstract 1910: Acquired resistance to HER2 targeted therapy: A common mechanism

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL There are currently two FDA approved targeted therapies being utilized in the clinic to treat Her2+ breast cancer, trastuzumab and lapatinib. Acquired resistance has become a major concern and several mechanisms for resistance have been proposed. The upregulation of a truncated transcriptional variant of Darpp-32, known as t-Darpp, is a characteristic shared by several independently developed trastuzumab-resistant cell lines. Moreover, exogenous t-Darpp overexpression is sufficient for conferring trastuzumab resistance. No consistent mechanism, however, has been identified for lapatinib resistant cells. By inhibiting signaling through Her2+ pathways such as PI3K/Akt and Erk, lapatinib induces a strong apoptotic response by down-regulating survivin and inducing BIM. Darpp-32 and t-Darpp both have been linked to apoptosis, with t-Darpp identified as having anti-apoptotic properties through its regulation of Bcl-2. The purpose of the current study was to determine if t-Darpp or other dysregulated apoptosis proteins play a role in lapatinib resistance. Lapatinib-resistant SKBR3 cells (Her2+, ER-) were selected by continuous exposure to increasing concentrations of lapatinib (0.3-2.0µM) over the course of one year. Using Sulforhodamine B and colony forming assays, we found that individual clones and pools of SK/LapR cells were, on average, 50-fold resistant to lapatinib, relative to parental SKBR3 cells. This resistance phenotype was stable even after cells were maintained for 1 month outside of drug. As observed in trastuzumab resistance and similar to previous reports of lapatinib-resistant cells, we found that SK/LapR cells had sustained PI3K/Akt signaling in the presence of lapatinib, whereas parental cells did not. Additionally, survivin inactivation and BIM induction by lapatinib seemed to be partially impaired in SK/LapR cells. Finally, SK/LapR cells appeared to down-regulate Darpp-32 and up-regulate t-Darpp, similar to what we have reported in BT474 cells selected for resistance to trastuzumab. Although t-Darpp overexpression is sufficient to confer resistance to trastuzumab, this does not appear to be the case for lapatinib resistance – SK.tDp cells transfected with a t-Darpp cDNA are not resistant to lapatinib. Experiments are currently underway to determine if the t-Darpp overexpression that we observe in SK/LapR cells is required for lapatinib resistance. Identifying a shared mechanism of resistance to lapatinib and trastuzumab would provide a novel therapeutic target that could be widely used among Her2+ breast cancer patients to ameliorate acquired drug resistance. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1910. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1910
ARTIFICIAL SELECTION ON A FITNESS-COMPONENT IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER.

Recently there have been a number of studies concerning the quantitative genetics of components of fitness (e.g., Istock et al., 1976; Derr, 1980; review by Istock, 1983). This constitutes a return to an experimental approach which was once widespread (e.g., Robertson, 1957; review by Falconer, 1960), but fell from favor with the adoption of electrophoretic and related techniques in population genetics (Lewontin, 1974). Unfortunately, frustration has greeted most attempts to relate electrophoretic genotypes to fitness or fitness-component phenotypes, with only a few exceptions (e.g., Richmond et al., 1980). Taking a different approach, evolutionary ecology has endeavoured to dispense with genetic information in treating fitness-components such as fecundity and survivorship, usually referred to as life-history (Stearns, 1977). But this research strategy also has attendant shortcomings, especially in the difficulty of inferring genetic constraints on evolution from phenotypic correlations (cf. Charlesworth, 1980; Stearns, 1980; Rose and Charlesworth, 1981a). The present return to quantitative genetics research on fitness-components can to some extent be seen as an attempt to find a middle ground on which genetic variation and fitness-phenotype variation can be related to one another. But this new return to the quantitative genetics approach has by no means been entirely free of difficulties. Perhaps the most puzzling development is the apparent ubiquity, though not universality,
Government E-commerce adoption: A study of Texas counties

This article examines the adoption of electronic commerce or e-commerce in county governments. This study uses Texas as a case study of e-commerce adoption because it is the second largest state in...