cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Persistent amygdala novelty response is associated with less anterior cingulum integrity in trauma-exposed women.

Abstract Objectives We investigated the potential role of cingulum and uncinate fasciculus integrity in trauma-related neural hypervigilance, indexed by less discrimination between amygdala activation to novel and familiar affective images. Participants 22 women (mean age 21.7 ± 3.9 years) with a history of trauma, and 20 no-trauma controls (mean age 21.9 ± 4.8 years). Measures Trauma exposure and trauma-related symptoms were assessed during structured clinical interview. White matter integrity in the anterior cingulum, parahippocampal cingulum, and uncinate fasciculus was measured using diffusion weighted imaging. Amygdala response to novel and familiar affective scenes was measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results Trauma-exposed women showed less discrimination between novel and familiar negative images in the amygdala compared to no-trauma controls. In trauma-exposed women, less amygdala discrimination between novel and familiar affective images was associated with less structural integrity in the anterior cingulum, but was not associated with structural integrity of the parahippocampal cingulum or the uncinate fasciculus. Conclusions The anterior cingulum might play an important role in impaired novelty discrimination for affective information in the amygdala. This impairment is potentially driven by inefficient habituation and could contribute to persistent behavioral hypervigilance following trauma exposure.
Bayesian Wind Speed Estimation Conditioned on Significant Wave Height for GNSS-R Ocean Observations

AbstractSpaceborne Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry observations of the ocean surface are found to respond to components of roughness forced by local winds and to a longer wave swell that is only partially correlated with the local wind. This dual sensitivity is largest at low wind speeds. If left uncorrected, the error in wind speeds retrieved from the observations is strongly correlated with the significant wave height (SWH) of the ocean. A Bayesian wind speed estimator is developed to correct for the long-wave sensitivity at low wind speeds. The approach requires a characterization of the joint probability of occurrence of wind speed and SWH, which is derived from archival reanalysis sea-state records. The Bayesian estimator is applied to spaceborne data collected by the Technology Demonstration Satellite-1 (TechDemoSat-1) and is found to provide significant improvement in wind speed retrieval at low winds, relative to a conventional retrieval that does not account for SWH. At higher wi...
Listening Ability and Initiative and Creative Ideas of Primary 1 Student by Using Story Telling Activity

The purpose of this research is to compare the Listening Ability of the primary 1 students that have been taught by story telling activity and the teaching by normal teaching and to compare the Initiative and Creative Ideas of the primary1 students that have been taught by story telling and the teaching of normal method. Thus, this research is the Quasi-Experimental Research and had studied with the primary1 students of the Bangkok Kindergarten School in Thailand on the 2nd semester in the Academic Year 2016 for the total of 2 classes, each class for 25 students, results obtaining by Cluster Random Sampling. Statistics that used in data analysis are Average, Standard Deviation and Analysis of Covariance. The studied results found that the primary1 students that have been taught by the method of story telling activity have different capability in listening from the normal teaching method in the statistical significant level of .01 and the primary1 students that have been taught with the method of story telling have different Initiative and Creative Ideas from the normal teaching method in the statistical significant level of .01.
The Idea of a "Standard View" of Informed Consent.

The article in this issue of AJOB titled “Reframing Consent for Clinical Research: A Function-Based Approach” is a fresh and engaging way of thinking about how to handle several conceptual and mora...
Business Travel and Behavioral and Mental Health.

Objective:Assess associations between business travel and behavioral and mental health.Methods:Cross-sectional analyses of de-identified electronic medical record data from EHE International, Inc. a provider of corporate wellness programs.Results:Higher levels of business travel were associated with
Pioneering Work on Computers at Bletchley

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the pioneering work on electronic computers at the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, during World War II. It discusses that in Hut 8, the job of author was to carry out complex cryptanalytic work and, thus, to prepare jobs for the machine known as the BOMBE, which was housed in another building. The BOMBE was essentially an electromagnetic relay machine more than electronic, and it was for extremely special purpose. The ENIGMA machine was based on an earlier design by an American named Hebern. The main ingredient of the ENIGMA machine is rotor or hebern wheel. The U-boat ENIGMA had four rotors after a time instead of only three. The particular set of rotors in a machine was determined by daily keys. Winterbotham describes the BOMBE as a bronze goddess. It was about 8 feet high and had wheels corresponding to the rotors of the ENIGMA, together with other complicated circuits. It was presumably the world's first large fast cryptanalytic machine.
The Immunobiology of Human Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas

The non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas represent an important interface between basic immunobiology and lymphocyte pathophysiology. In the last decade, the rapidly expanding knowledge of immunocytes has been applied to this spectrum of diseases and has resulted in more scientifically accurate classifications. Of perhaps greater import, however, is the nascent realization that these diseases represent malignant counterparts of normal lymphocyte development, and that the concept of a maturational block originally applied to Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia (CLL) (Preud’homme and Seligmann, 1972) may be operative in other compartments of the spectrum. If this proves correct, these diseases may afford an opportunity to study relatively homogenous populations of cells at different stages of development and thus gain knowledge of the developmental processes of normal lymphocyte subpopulations. In addition, this spectrum may permit a dissection of those elements that define pathophysiology and determine the clinical presentation of disease. These must include the cell type affected (T, B, null) and the roles of lymphocyte homing patterns and immunoregulatory influences.
THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF SCHIZOPHRENIC HALLUCINOSIS

This paper is intended to review and present much new data relating certain electrical and chemical measurements to the pathophysiology of hallucinosis in schizophrenics. Clearly, such laboratory work must correlate with the clinical picture which it is intended to explain.
Advanced Properties of Full-Duplex Radio for Securing Wireless Network

This paper examines the role of full-duplex radio for securing wireless network from a new perspective. It first studies the secrecy capacity of two single-antenna full-duplex users against a multi-antenna eavesdropper (Eve) who has the perfect knowledge of the channel state information (CSI) from users to Eve. It is shown that if Eve uses a basic matched-filtering, the probability of zero secrecy (or outage) can be made small by a large jamming power from both users and a small gain of residual self-interference (RSI) power. But if Eve uses the optimal matched-filtering, the probability of outage grows rapidly as either the jamming power from the users increases or the number of antennas on Eve increases, regardless of the RSI gain. To prevent any Eve from obtaining its CSI, this paper then proposes a novel anti-eavesdropping channel estimation (ANECE) method, which allows users to obtain their own CSI while keeping all Eves in handicap. This method also prevents Eves from colluding with each other at any layer. The design of ideal pilots for ANECE for multiple multi-antenna users and multiple broadband multi-antenna users is discussed. It is also shown that the capacity of Eve with any number of antennas but without its CSI can be virtually eliminated over a time window corresponding to the number of antennas at the transmitter for each realization of the CSI.
Advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis in children.

Introduction: Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) is a significant global health threat and is one of the top ten causes of death in children. There are a number of diagnostic, treatment, and preventive in...
On the Uniqueness of Stationary Solutions of an Asynchronous Parallel and Distributed Algorithm for Diffusion Equations

In this paper, we study the uniqueness of stationary solutions of an asynchronous parallel and distributed algorithm for diffusion equations. In the literature, it has been reported that asynchronous stationary solutions can be affected by randomness of asynchrony, leading to variations in solutions. The uniqueness in this context implies that the stationary solutions obtained by asynchronous communications between parallel and distributed computing devices are the same as the synchronous one, regardless of asynchrony. In some applications, inexact stationary solutions as an outcome of asynchrony may result in serious consequences. Therefore, it is critical to guarantee the existence of the unique stationary solution for a given problem. As a case study, we analyze the uniqueness of stationary solutions for diffusion equations with a fixed boundary condition, by employing the dynamical system framework and nonnegative matrix theory. The numerical results are presented to validate the proposed method with performance analysis of the asynchronous parallel and distributed algorithm.
Integrating Multiple Biomarkers to Increase Sensitivity for the Detection of Onchocerca volvulus Infection.

BACKGROUND Serological assessments for human onchocerciasis are based on IgG4 reactivity against the OV-16 antigen, with sensitivities of 60-80%. We have previously identified 7 novel proteins that could improve serodiagnosis. METHODS IgG4 responses to these 7 proteins were assessed by luciferase immunoprecipitation (LIPS) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) immunoassays. RESULTS OVOC10469 and OVOC3261 were identified as the most promising candidates by IgG4-based immunoassays with sensitivities of 53% for rOVOC10469 and 78% for rOVOC3261 while specificity for each was >99%. These 2 antigens in combination with OV-16 increased the sensitivity for patent infections to 94%. The kinetics of appearance of these IgG4 responses based on experimentally infected non-human primates indicated that they were microfilarial- driven. Further, the IgG4 responses to both OVOC10469 and OVOC3261 (as well as to OV-16) drop significantly (p<0.05) following successful treatment for onchocerciasis. A prototype lateral flow rapid diagnostic test to detect IgG4 to both Ov-16 and OVOC3261 was developed and tested demonstrating an overall 94% sensitivity. CONCLUSION The combined use of rOVOC3261 with OV-16 improved serologic assessment of O. volvulus infection, a current unmet need toward the goal of elimination of transmission of O. volvulus.
Extrema of curvature functionals on the space of metrics on 3-manifolds, II

Several rigidity results are proved for critical points of natural Riemannian functionals on the space of metrics on 3-manifolds. Two of these results are as follows. Let (N, g) be a complete Riemannian 3-manifold, satisfying one of the following variational conditions: (i) (N, g) has non-negative scalar curvature and is a critical point for the L^2 norm of the full curvature R among compact perturbations of (N, g). (ii) (N, g) has non-negative scalar curvature, a free isometric S^1 action, and is a critical point of the L^2 norm of R among compact volume non-increasing perturbations of (N, g) with non-negative scalar curvature. In either case, (N, g) is flat. The Schwarzschild metric (on the space-like hypersurface) has an isometric S^1 action and satisfies the other assumptions in (ii), showing that this result is sharp.
Localization and Tracking of Uncontrollable Underwater Agents: Particle Filter Based Fusion of On-Body IMUs and Stationary Cameras

Tracking of uncontrollable agents in a controlled environment is an important research question for the coordination of controllable and uncontrollable agents and bio-inspired multi-agent control. This paper presents a framework that approaches the multiagent tracking problem from a localization perspective, utilizing a combination of wearable sensors and stationary cameras. Specifically, this framework was applied to localize uncontrollable biological agents (dolphins) in a well defined environment. The biological agents were outfitted with wearable sensors (IMU, speed, depth) and were free to move in their three dimensional habitat. The dynamic data collected by the wearable sensors was supplemented with image data collected using a pair of cameras mounted above the habitat. The framework presented in this paper combines data from these sensor streams to calculate an accurate estimate of the animal’s location during extended periods of free movement. The associations between camera detections and tagged agents are handled using a particle filter embedded with a fuzzy observation concept. The platform is readily implementable in similar water / land environments, and is able to handle nonlinear agent dynamics, non-Gaussian noise, and sparse camera observations while maintaining robust agent localization and tracking.
The Metallothionein-Zinc Landscape: How It Shapes Antimicrobial Immunity

Nutritional immunity refers to the ability of the host to sequester nutrients from pathogens during infection. Metal ions are important for microbial survival and pathogenesis as well as for host defenses. For example, while zinc (Zn2+) is crucial for microbial fitness within the host, immune cells deprive microbes of these metal ions and retain it for their own defense. However, excess Zn2+ may be toxic to both the host and the pathogen. Therefore, Zn2+ regulation is a central component of host-pathogen interactions and antimicrobial immunity. Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of highly conserved cysteine-rich proteins that are ubiquitously expressed in most organisms. Immune cells express MTs in response to a variety of stimuli including cytokines, chemokines, and infectious agents. They regulate intracellular Zn2+ homeostasis, protect from oxidative stress, and modulate host immunity during infection. Although Zn2+ signals are well known to alter immunological processes, our knowledge of how the MTs-Zn2+ axis affects immune response to infections is relatively scarce. Emerging evidence points to a significant role for MTs in regulating host immunity. Thus, this chapter discusses immunomodulatory roles of MTs with a focus on Zn2+ regulation in response to pathogen attack.
Use of Atypical Antipsychotics in Long-Term Care Residents with Parkinson's Disease and Comorbid Depression.

Purpose According to the 2015 American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers criteria, most antipsychotics are inappropriate in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients due to the risk of worsening Parkinsonian symptoms. This study examined the incidence and predictors of inappropriate antipsychotic use among long-term care residents with PD and comorbid depression. Patients and methods This retrospective cohort study utilized 2007-2009 Minimum Data Set (MDS) linked to Chronic Condition Warehouse (CCW) Medicare data files involving patients with PD and comorbid depression. Using a 12-month baseline and a 24-month follow-up, the study examined incidence of inappropriate atypical antipsychotics, namely asenapine, brexpiprazole, iloperidone, lurasidone, olanzapine, paliperidone, risperidone, or ziprasidone as specified in the 2015 AGS Beers criteria. Appropriate atypical antipsychotic included aripiprazole, clozapine, or quetiapine. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine various sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with inappropriate antipsychotic use in PD based on the Andersen Behavioral Model. Results The incidence of atypical antipsychotic use was 17.50% (13,352/76,294) among PD patients over a 2-year follow-up. The percentage of inappropriate use among atypical antipsychotic users was 36.32%. The likelihood of inappropriate antipsychotic use was higher for patients who had dementia (OR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.12-1.33) or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ((OR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.03-1.24). However, patients who were taking levodopa (OR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.57-0.67), dopamine agonists (OR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.82-0.98), Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (OR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.68-0.86), Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors type B (OR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.60-0.86), or amantadine (OR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.71-0.98) were less likely to receive inappropriate antipsychotics. Conclusion More than one-third of PD patients used inappropriate antipsychotics among those who were treated with atypical antipsychotic medications. Various socio-demographics and clinical factors were associated with inappropriate antipsychotic use in older patients with PD. Concerted efforts are needed to reduce inappropriate atypical antipsychotic use among PD patients.
Identifying Moderators in the Link Between Workplace Discrimination and Health/Well-Being.

The stress that arises from workplace discrimination can have a large impact on an employee’s work attitude, their work and life satisfaction, and oftentimes whether or not they stay in a job. Workplace discrimination can also have a considerable influence on employees’ short- and long-term health. However, less is known about the factors that might mitigate or exacerbate the effects of discrimination on health. The current study focused not only on the links between workplace discrimination and health, and but also on the effects of potential moderators of the discrimination-health link (i.e., perceived control, Big Five personality traits, optimism, and coworker/supervisor support). People with high neuroticism, high extraversion and high agreeableness were more negatively affected by workplace discrimination than those low on neuroticism, extraversion, and agreeableness. Perceived control was found to be a protective factor, such that those high in perceived control had fewer chronic illnesses in the context of high levels of workplace discrimination.
Uninterruptible IMS: Maintaining Users Access During Faults in Virtualized IP Multimedia Subsystem

Network function virtualization (NFV) of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) pose promise to service increasing multimedia traffic demand. In this paper, we show that virtualized IMS (vIMS) is unable to provide session-level resilience under faults and becomes the bottleneck to high service availability. We propose a design to provide fault-tolerance for vIMS operations. In control-plane, our system decomposes single IMS operation into different atomic actions, and partition these actions into critical and non-critical actions. Only the critical actions are then monitored in real time and the system can easily resume IMS operations after failure. In data-plane, we decompose multimedia traffic flows and partition each multimedia service as a separate Virtualized Network Function (VNF). Through data-plane partitioning, our design restricts the damage from faults to only failed VNF. Thereafter, impacted service flow is merged with other ongoing service flows. We build our system prototype of open source IMS over virtualized platform. Our results show that we can achieve session-level resilience by performing fail-over procedure within tens of milliseconds under different combinations of IMS failures in both control-plane and data-plane operations.
Turn-level Dialog Evaluation with Dialog-level Weak Signals for Bot-Human Hybrid Customer Service Systems.

We developed a machine learning approach that quantifies multiple aspects of the success or values in Customer Service contacts, at anytime during the interaction. Specifically, the value/reward function regarding to the turn-level behaviors across human agents, chatbots and other hybrid dialog systems is characterized by the incremental information and confidence gain between sentences, based on the token-level predictions from a multi-task neural network trained with only weak signals in dialog-level attributes/states. The resulting model, named Value Profiler, serves as a goal-oriented dialog manager that enhances conversations by regulating automated decisions with its reward and state predictions. It supports both real-time monitoring and scalable offline customer experience evaluation, for both bot- and human-handled contacts. We show how it improves Amazon customer service quality in several applications.
Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of post‐transplant erythrocytosis after kidney transplantation

The incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with post-transplant erythrocytosis (PTE) in the modern era of strong, protocolized immunosuppressive management are unknown. In this study, we aim to identify the incidence and risk factors of PTE and outcomes associated with PTE. This study examined adult KTRs transplanted at our hospital between 01/2001 and 12/2016. Controls were KTRs without PTE and selected in a 1:5 ratio using incident density sampling. Patient survival, graft survival, and vascular thromboembolism (VTE) incidence were outcomes of interest. Of 4,317 kidney transplants during the study period, 214 (5%) had PTE and were compared with controls. In the multivariate analysis, recipients with older age (HR: 0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.99, p = .001) were less likely to develop PTE, while male gender (HR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.92-5.3, p < .001) and non-preemptive transplant (HR: 3.86, 95% CI 1.56-9.56, p = .003) were associated with increased risk of PTE. After adjustment for confounding factors, PTE was not associated with patient mortality (HR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.69-1.42, p = .97), graft failure (HR: 1.11, 95% CI 0.68-1.80, p = .69), or VTE (HR: 1.07, 95% CI 0.59-1.96, p = .81). The incidence of PTE is still substantial in this era, but with proper management PTE does not impact patient or graft survival.
Changes in the Glutinous Rice Grain and Physicochemical Properties of Its Starch upon Moderate Treatment with Pulsed Electric Field

Pulsed electric field (PEF) processing is an emerging non-thermal technology that shows potential to improve food quality and to maintain stability. Glutinous rice is composed mainly of amylopectin and has low amylose content. This study investigated the effect of PEF treatment at 3 kV/cm field strength for 50 to 300 pulses on whole, water-soaked glutinous rice grains. Micro-pores were created at the surface of PEF treated rice grains, increasing grain porosity from 7.3% to 9.8%. Peak viscosity of PEF treated rice flour decreased, and breakdown, final and setback viscosities increased as the number of PEF treating pulses increased, indicating that the swelling degree of rice starch was promoted after PEF treatment. Lower values of gelatinization enthalpy and lower crystalline degree of PEF treated glutinous rice flour were also observed. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies confirmed the secondary structure changes in rice protein and partial gelatinization of rice starch after PEF treatment.
Genetic diversity through social heterosis can increase virulence in RNA viral infections and cancer progression.

In viral infections and cancer tumours, negative health outcomes often correlate with increasing genetic diversity. Possible evolutionary processes for such relationships include mutant lineages es...
Think outside the grids: An objective approach to define spatial strata for catch and effort analysis

Abstract A method is developed to objectively stratify a study area for standardizing catch per unit effort (CPUE) data for use in a generalized linear modeling framework. The method involves two steps: (1) subdividing the study area into small grids and applying a boosted regression tree method based on the full model to reconstruct a rough population pattern among grids and (2) applying a k -medoids algorithm to partition the grids into discrete strata based on the trend and magnitude of expected CPUE in each grid (time series clustering) or the spatial proximity and average CPUE in each grid (spatial clustering). The main advantage of this method compared to other area stratification approaches is that the shape of the resulting strata best matches the population structure as inferred from CPUE. This approach reduced bias in indices of abundance compared to ad-hoc methods. The variant of the area stratification method based on time series clustering performed best. However, this approach often performed as poorly as ad-hoc methods when there was a unidirectional shift in fishing locations over time because strata did not necessarily capture the shifts in fishing grounds over time. However, when the strata were selected to capture the shift in fishing grounds, both arbitrary and cluster-based method produced an index of abundance that was close to unbiased. Finally, the study showed that goodness of fit criteria (AICc or BIC) can be used to select the optimal number of strata for CPUE standardization, but this does not guarantee improved accuracy of the derived index of abundance compared to a pre-specified number of strata. The importance of conducting sensitivity analysis and the use of an ensemble approach is highlighted.
Empirical conversion of the vertical profile of reflectivity from Ku-band to S-band frequency

[1] This paper presents an empirical method for converting reflectivity from Ku-band (13.8 GHz) to S-band (2.8 GHz) for several hydrometeor species, which facilitates the incorporation of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR) measurements into quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) products from the U.S. Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD). The development of empirical dual-frequency relations is based on theoretical simulations, which have assumed appropriate scattering and microphysical models for liquid and solid hydrometeors (raindrops, snow, and ice/hail). Particle phase, shape, orientation, and density (especially for snow particles) have been considered in applying the T-matrix method to compute the scattering amplitudes. Gamma particle size distribution (PSD) is utilized to model the microphysical properties in the ice region, melting layer, and raining region of precipitating clouds. The variability of PSD parameters is considered to study the characteristics of dual-frequency reflectivity, especially the variations in radar dual-frequency ratio (DFR). The empirical relations between DFR and Ku-band reflectivity have been derived for particles in different regions within the vertical structure of precipitating clouds. The reflectivity conversion using the proposed empirical relations has been tested using real data collected by TRMM-PR and a prototype polarimetric WSR-88D (Weather Surveillance Radar 88 Doppler) radar, KOUN. The processing and analysis of collocated data demonstrate the validity of the proposed empirical relations and substantiate their practical significance for reflectivity conversion, which is essential to the TRMM-based vertical profile of reflectivity correction approach in improving NEXRAD-based QPE.
The design tensions framework

This article introduces the notion of design tensions as a paradigm. The concept of design tensions advances design decisions as a focus for analysis and reflection. It admits many paradigms of analysis but emphasizes the balancing of considerations in producing an entire system, emphasizing user or user group experience. This paradigm is presented in relationship to a particular design arena, the design of NetCalc, a system of handheld, wirelessly connected tools for math teaching/learning in classroom settings. Six intertwined project tensions are presented and explored for their technical, social, and cognitive antecedents and consequences, as they play out in relationship to achieving goals and system potential. Design tensions differ from design spaces in that they do not set boundaries or simplify the problem but rather provide a framework for creating a space of relevance.
Telling the Ultimate Tale: The Merits of Narrative Research in the Psychology of Religion

Narrative research is based on the understanding that we create our experiences through language. That is, we story ourselves into being. What do narrative researchers do when we meet the limits of language to express experience? In an earlier issue of Qualitative Research in Psychology, Coyle (2008) raised this issue as a particular challenge to qualitative research in the psychology of religion. In this article, I draw on the findings of a study I conducted on spiritual coping to illustrate how narrative research addresses this challenge. By offering a broad range of tools to investigate the form as well as the content of people's stories, narrative methodologies take the reader beneath the surface layer of content to reveal multiple levels of meaning. In this article, I also build on Coyle's arguments about the importance of qualitative research in the psychology of religion by demonstrating the specific strengths of narrative methods in reflecting both the range and complexity of people's spiritual an...
Separating Clique Tree and Bipartition Inequalities in Polynominal Time

Many important cutting planes have been discovered for the traveling salesman problem. Among them are the clique tree inequalities and the more general bipartition inequalities. Little is known in the way of exact algorithms for separating these inequalities in polynomial time in the size of the fractional point X* which is being separated. An algorithm is presented here that separates bipartition inequalities of a fixed number of handles and teeth, which includes clique tree inequalities of a fixed number of handles and teeth, in polynomial time.
Visualization of Pulsed Vortex Generator Jets

This work highlights the use of porous pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) as a visualization tool for unsteady flows in turbomachinery. Surface pressure measurements on turbomachinery components with semiconductor sensors or pressure taps are limited by sparse spatial resolution and complex installation. As a result, resolving high-frequency pressure fluctuations in unsteady flows has proven to be difficult. Recent advancements in the development of porous pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) have enabled unsteady surface pressure measurements at frequencies of at least 20 kHz with very fine spatial resolution. Conventional PSP formulas use a polymer binder which results in a response time of several seconds; however, response characteristics have recently been improved by the formulation of a porous matrix binder. Dynamic response calibrations are presented, and the application of PSP to a low pressure turbine blade is discussed. In particular, PSP is used to visualize the unsteady behavior of a spanwise row of vortex generator jets (VGJs) on an L1A low-pressure turbine blade placed in a cascade wind tunnel. The blade was painted with polymer/ceramic PSP (PC-PSP), and the VGJs were pulsed at 10.6 Hz with nitrogen. Intensity-based, time-resolved PSP measurements reveal the development and structure of the VGJs.
Design and evaluation of the home network systems using the service oriented architecture

In the conventional home network systems (HNS), a powerful centralized server controls all electric home appliances connected to provide value-added integrated services. However, when the number of the appliances increases and the appliances become more sophisticated, the conventional architecture would suffer from problems in superfluous resources, flexibility, scalability and reliability. This paper proposes alternative architecture for HNS, which exploits the service-oriented architecture with Web Services. In the proposed architecture, each appliance is controlled by a Web service in a de-centralized manner. Then, the services autonomously collaborate with each other to achieve the integrated service scenarios. To evaluate the HNS at the design process, we also present four kinds of evaluation metrics: reliability, load, complexity, and coupling. Using these metrics, we conduct a comparative study among the proposed and the previous HNS architectures.
Development of an in vitro system for screening adjuvant combinations for induction of specific patterns of CD4 T cell differentiation (VAC10P.967)

Adjuvants are a critical component of many vaccines, but their mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. While great progress has been made in defining several pathways that are activated by various adjuvants, their impact on adaptive immunity remains largely unpredictable. Here, we developed an experimental system to screen multiple defined compounds with known adjuvant activity on the strength and quality of antigen-specific murine CD4 T cell priming in vitro. By screening combinations of suboptimal concentrations of 30 adjuvants, we identified combinations that showed remarkable synergy in priming naive CD4 T cells toward TH1, TH2, TH17 or TfH phenotypes. By applying a variety of computational algorithms to data from this in vitro approach, we identified synergy between agonists of different pattern recognition receptor families for induction of specific functional programs in CD4 T cells during priming. These were ranked by strength of polarization and with respect to robustness under different culture conditions. Immunizations in mice showed strong correlations between in vitro ranking and in vivo outcomes of antigen specific CD4 T cell responses. Our approach provides a method for analyzing large numbers of adjuvant combinations to predict their influence on the outcome of CD4 T cell priming in vivo. This should assist in the development of new adjuvants that enable more predictable and functionally polarized CD4 T cell responses following vaccination.
Perilipin: unique proteins associated with intracellular neutral lipid droplets in adipocytes and steroidogenic cells

For several reasons it seems reasonable to suspect that perilipins participate in lipid hydrolysis. First, they are located at the lipid droplet surface, the presumed site of HSL and cholesteryl esterase action. Secondly, they are polyphosphorylated by PKA in concert with lipid hydrolysis. Finally, these proteins appear to be expressed primarily, if not solely, in adipocytes and steroidogenic cells, cells in which lipid hydrolysis is stimulated by cyclic AMP and mediated by HSL or cholesteryl esterase(s), whereas other cells that contain abundant neutral lipid depositions contain no perilipin [13]. Interestingly, these closely related hydrolases share no homology with other mammalian lipases [3]. Although such attributes provide a link between perilipin and lipid hydrolysis, we have no evidence that perilipins participate directly in, or are necessary for, lipid catabolism. The basis for the strong affinity between the perilipins and neutral lipids is unknown. Clearly, lipids and perilipins are tightly linked, as evidenced by selective targeting of epitope-tagged perilipin to lipid droplets and by the paradoxical appearance of lipid droplets in pre-adipocytes transfected with a sense perilipin A construct. Indeed, in differentiating adipocytes the earliest lipid depositions are associated with perilipins, and restriction of perilipin synthesis with anti-sense constructs may impede lipid formation and deposition. It remains to be determined if, in the normal course of events, perilipins are directed toward lipid depositions or if lipids are transported to perilipin foci. Whatever the temporal sequence, the result is that neutral lipids are encased in perilipin-bounded droplets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Input–Output Modeling for Interdependent Infrastructure Sectors

This article discusses practical applications of input–output analysis to describe and model interdependencies across infrastructure and economic sectors of a region. The increasing degrees of interdependencies coupled with the uncertain and emerging nature disasters motivate the need for advancing the knowledge and modeling capabilities in this domain. The inoperability input–output model (IIM) is introduced in this article and demonstrated using three selected applications: (i) a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse attack scenario, (ii) reactions to an increased threat level in Homeland Security Advisory System, and (iii) impacts of a disrupted transportation asset on a regional economy. Keywords: input–output model; risk analysis; interdependencies; inoperability; ripple effects; cost–benefit analysis; sector decomposition; sensitivity analysis
Perspectives on death anxiety: A review

A review of psychoanalytic and philosophical writings on death anxiety indicates that it is a multi-faceted phenomenon which has been interpreted at several levels of analysis—including the level of infantile conflict and intrapsychic structural tensions, the level of primary instincts, the level of object relations, and the level of ontological givens.
Temperature field and ventilation simulation of stope in Hongtoushan mine

Hongtoushan copper mine was studied by analyzing the type of heat source, the calculation method about thermal releasing in stope, thermal transfer between rock and air, distribution of temperature in stope were formulated. With CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics, DFD) simulation and Fluent software, geometrical model of a stope was built, boundary conditions was initialized, then the temperature distribution, velocity and pressure field, concentration of oxygen and CO2 of air were simulated. In order to validate the simulation result, the parameters of the stope were measured with meter, and comparing with the data of simulation. The result shows that the data of measuring and simulating are compatible. According to the distribution of temperature and velocity, some ways such as flow angle and flow velocity are put forward, simulation and parameter optimization made also, a satisfied result is acquired. The conclusion can be used on ventilation designing and stope improving.
The Durability of Political Goods? Evidence from Nigeria's New Democracy

Abstract A conventional argument suggests that, for new democracies to survive, citizens must receive benefits of socioeconomic development. Yet an emerging literature shows that, following democratic transitions, the delivery of political goods such as order, civil rights and good governance, can sustain a new regime, at least in the short run. But how long does any such honeymoon last? This article uses survey data over time to assess the durability of various types of public goods in shaping popular attitudes to democracy in Nigeria, a critical test case where democracy is under threat. We find that, even under unfavourable conditions, political goods are more durable than previously thought and that mass preferences for democracy do not require an economic miracle. To be sure, economic assessments of policy performance shape evolving views about the supply of democracy. Over time, however, political assessments of the trustworthiness of national leaders are equally important.
The effect of ethoxyquin on the chemical and nutritional changes of poultry by-product meal and poultry offal fat during storage.

Abstract SEVERAL investigators have shown that antioxidant treatment significantly improved the nutritional value of fish meals by protecting their residual oils against oxidation (March et al., 1962; and Meade, 1956). The metabolizable energy value of the fish meal was found by March et al. (1962) and Matterson and Ousterhout (1969) to be significantly greater when treated with an effective antioxidant. Ethoxyquin offered greater protection against oxidation than the other antioxidants (Brown et al., 1957; and Lea et al., 1960). Several experiments were conducted at the University of Georgia to determine the effect of an antioxidant on the nutritional value of poultry by-product meal and meat and bone meal. In the earlier experiments, previously reported by Kirkland and Fuller (1969 Kirkland and Fuller (1970), ethoxyquin treatment was shown to reduce the rate of oxidation of the residual fats in these materials as indicated by iodine number (I2 No.). Metabolizable energy values of the stabilized meals were…
Hot Jupiters from secular planet–planet interactions

About one-quarter of the known hot Jupiter exoplanets are orbiting in the 'wrong direction', or counter to the spin axis of the host star. Attempts to explain this phenomenon have so far failed. It is known that in triple-star systems, retrograde orbits of this type can be produced by the long-term effects of stellar perturbations. An analysis of the motions of planetary bodies, including octupole-order effects and tidal friction, suggest that a similar mechanism may be operating involving planets rather than stars. The new model proposes a mechanism called Kozai capture, in which long-term interactions with a more-distant planet can naturally produce close-in planets with retrograde orbits, through forces familiar in the Kozai mechanism that are thought to cause the high eccentricities observed in the orbits of exosolar planets. About 25 per cent of ‘hot Jupiters’ (extrasolar Jovian-mass planets with close-in orbits) are actually orbiting counter to the spin direction of the star1. Perturbations from a distant binary star companion2,3 can produce high inclinations, but cannot explain orbits that are retrograde with respect to the total angular momentum of the system. Such orbits in a stellar context can be produced through secular (that is, long term) perturbations in hierarchical triple-star systems. Here we report a similar analysis of planetary bodies, including both octupole-order effects and tidal friction, and find that we can produce hot Jupiters in orbits that are retrograde with respect to the total angular momentum. With distant stellar mass perturbers, such an outcome is not possible2,3. With planetary perturbers, the inner orbit's angular momentum component parallel to the total angular momentum need not be constant4. In fact, as we show here, it can even change sign, leading to a retrograde orbit. A brief excursion to very high eccentricity during the chaotic evolution of the inner orbit allows planet–star tidal interactions to rapidly circularize that orbit, decoupling the planets and forming a retrograde hot Jupiter.
The challenge of understanding tactics in a multiplayer online game: Analyzing BZFlag games of the Games United League

Three-dimensional virtual space is often regarded as one of the more appealing characteristics of multiplayer online games, but the actual use of that space remains one of their more under-studied features. Consequently, accounts of what people actually do in multiplayer online games are incomplete, as is our understanding of what 3D contributes to the game. To address this lack, a systematic study of game tactics is needed. This paper argues for this need, and describes methods for tactical analysis developed to analyze recorded games from the open-source online game BZFlag.
A developmental comparison of two types of visual mnemonics

Abstract The effectiveness of two kinds of visual mnemonics (mental imagery instructions and picture presentation) was evaluated by comparison to an uninstructed control condition. Subjects were included from three age groups: first grade, fourth grade, and adult. Three types of memory tests (free recall, cued recall, and recognition) were used to assess performance. While both mental imagery and picture mnemonics reliably facilitated cued recall and recognition for first- and fourth-grade subjects, there were no reliable differences between the adult groups. In contrast, only adults showed significant facilitation under free-recall testing. Qualitative analyses of memory gave no indication that the kinds of information stored under the three instruction conditions are different.
Characterization and Promoter Analysis of a Cotton RING-Type Ubiquitin Ligase (E3) Gene

A cotton fiber cDNA, GhRING1, and its corresponding gene have been cloned and characterized. The GhRING1 gene encodes a RING-type ubiquitin ligase (E3) containing 338 amino acids (aa). The GhRING1 protein contains a RING finger motif with conserved cysteine and histine residues at the C-terminus, and is classified as a C3H2C3-type RING protein. Blast searches show that GhRING1 has the highest homology to At3g19950, a zinc finger family protein from Arabidopsis. Real time RT–PCR analysis indicates that the GhRING1 gene is expressed in cotton fibers in a developmental manner. The transcript level of GhRING1 gene reaches a maximum in elongating fibers at 15 days post-anthesis (DPA). In vitro auto-ubiquitination assays using wheat germ extract and a reconstitution system demonstrate that GhRING1 has the ubiquitin E3 ligase activity. The histochemical GUS assay was performed to analyze tissue specificity of the GhRING1 and At3g19950 promoters in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. The GUS assay shows that the promoter of At3g19950 is highly activated in leaves, roots, trichomes, and also in anthers and stigma of flowers. In contrast, the GUS expression directed by the GhRING1 promoter is only located at stipules and anthers. The expression pattern of GhRING1 suggests that protein ubiquitination and turnover may be involved in transition to different stages of cotton fiber development.
Cognitive Skills and Street Activity

The worst educator's assumption is that all knowledge comes from schooling. Another and important source is children's street play.
Exaggeration of featural contrasts in clarifications of misheard speech in English

Abstract This study investigates the extent to which speakers manipulate featural distinctions when trying to clarify misunderstood speech, focusing on voicing contrasts in stops and height and backness (represented by F1 and F2) and durational contrasts in vowels. Participants interacted with a simulated speech recognizer, repeating words when they were “guessed” incorrectly. Both phonemically voiced and voiceless stops showed more extreme VOT values when elicited by an incorrect guess in which the consonant was a minimal pair in voicing with the target consonant (e.g. subject reads “bit”, computer guesses “pit”), but not when elicited by an open-ended request for repetition (e.g. subject reads “bit”, computer guesses “What did you say?”). A follow-up study showed that the change in VOT between the two repetitions was only present when the incorrect guess contrasted in voicing, but not when it contrasted in place or manner. In contrast, for vowels, the amount and direction of formant change in the F1–F2 space was not significantly different from zero for either type of incorrect guess. However, when there was a durational component to the vowel contrast (/i/ vs. / ɪ / ), speakers exaggerated the durational differences between the segments, as opposed to when there was not a durational contrast (e.g. /i/ vs. /u/). The results show that speakers perform local, systematic, and phonologically informed manipulations of temporal contrasts online when clarifying phonetic segments.