cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Athens and Nineteenth-Century Panoramic Art

This paper examines the panoramas of Athens to show how a modern audience creatively adapted the notion of Greece to its own purposes. Analyzing the paintings in terms of Picturesque art and of the rhetoric of visual representation, it asks what social and intellectual values underlie them. The results of this analysis show that the panoramas, so far from being merely forerunners in some sense of the photograph, were an expression of western liberal democratic thought, its disappointment at the existing condition of Greece, and its hopes for revolutionary change.
Optical Tests For Mechanical Performance Of Modern Step-And-Repeat Cameras

camera since level -to -level registra-tion is vital to proper performanceof an integrated circuit. Accuracyis also important, for the step -and-repeat camera is sometimes calledupon to photo compose or to producea step- master which will register withone made on a different machine.The tests described in this papervary greatly in the expenditure oftime and materials needed to performthe test and then evaluate theresults. Simply performed tests areoften complex in evaluation and vice -versa, but occasionally a test ariseswhich is easily performed and yieldsquantitative data upon visual examina-
Abstract 4258: Role of β2SP in asymmetric division and differentiation of intestine epithelial cells

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The adult intestinal epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract has a well-defined organizational structure. The epithelium can be divided into two regions, a functional region that houses differentiated cells (villi) and a proliferative region (crypts of Lieberkuhn) that represents the epithelial stem cell niche. In the small intestine, finger-like projections protrude from the floor of the intestine, forming villi. Multiple proliferative crypts surround each villus base. All epithelial cells that populate the villus originate from these crypts. Multipotent epithelial stem cells reside in the crypts and give rise to four principal epithelial lineages: absorptive enterocytes, mucin secreting-goblet cells, peptide hormone secreting enteroendocrine cells, and Paneth cells. Three of these cell lineages differentiate as they migrate up and out of the crypts onto the adjacent villus. The fourth lineage, Paneth cells, differentiates with a downward migration to reside at the base of the crypt. It is believed that these different cell types are generated by asymmetric cell divisions of stem/progenitor cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of how stem cells differentiate into four different cell types are only partially understood. Aim: in the current study, we evaluated the role of β2SP (β2 spectrin) in the differentiation and asymmetric division of stem/progenitor cells in normal intestine epithelium. Results: Our preliminary data showed that the number of secreting-goblet cells and peptide hormone secreting enteroendocrine cells was reduced in β2SP+/− mice compared to the wt mice. The number of cells undergo asymmetric division was also 3 folds lower in β2SP+/− mice than in wt mice. In in vitro studies, polarization of Par3 and PKCζ was impaired in β2SP−/− MEF cells. The coimmunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that β2SP directly bound to Par3 and actin in normal intestine epithelial cells, indicating that β2SP was involved in the spindle orientation and positioning during the asymmetric division of intestine epithelial cells. Conclusion: β2SP interacts with Par3 and regulates spindle orientation and polarization in the process of cell division, thereby contributing to the differentiation and asymmetric division of intestinal stem/progenitor cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4258.
Southwest and Northwest: Recent Research at the Juncture of the United States and Mexico

Research within the last 3 to 5 years is summarized for the southern part of the southwestern United States and adjacent northwest Mexico. In an effort to identify important new sources of information, the literature of contract archaeology is cited, along with more widely available journal and book publications. Topics considered include Late Archaic farmers, early ceramic villages, subsistence and agricultural technology, settlement stability and residential mobility, community organization, and developments of the late prehistoric period sociopolitical complexity.
Adhesion of culture cells to their substratum.

Abstract The attachment of cells to culture dishes has been investigated by replica techniques and scanning electron microscopy. Cells were removed from their substratum either in a stream of medium or by micromanipulation. In the most usual case of interphase cells one finds many small points of attachment uniformly distributed over the whole cell underside. Attachment sites are also found under the lamellipodia and at the trailing edge of the cells. A large portion of the cell underside is sometimes left behind. This is probably because the sole plate is reinforced by cytoskeletal elements, and does not necessarily indicate the presence of large adhesion points. The distal ends of the retraction fibers formed as the cells round-up in trypsin, or in the cold, represent the attachment points of the cell to the substratum. Agents which tend to stabilize microtubules greatly slow cell detachment by proteolytic agents. The primary effect of trypsin is not on the glue which holds the cells to the substratum but rather on the cell shape itself, affecting the rigidity of cytoskeletal elements.
Energy Use Comparison of Air Distribution Systems Serving a Section of a School Building

An optimal air distribution design accomplishes both comfort and ventilation requirements while consuming as little energy as possible. This paper analyzes four different air distribution systems and technologies including single duct variable air volume air handlers, chilled beam cooling systems, total energy recovery wheels, displacement ventilation, and dedicated outside air systems; in an effort to determine the best air distribution system for a representative section of a school in hot and humid climate. The effectiveness of the air distribution systems is evaluated by analyzing how the different technologies take advantage of the natural convective properties of air to create a comfortable environment for the occupied region of the space. Distribution effectiveness and energy consumption must be weighed against considerations such as system complexity and ease of operation.This paper compares several alternative air distribution systems to a baseline single inlet VAV system that is commonly used in new schools designed today. Calculations show that the total energy recovery wheels result in a 16% energy savings over the baseline air distribution system because of the large amount of outside air required in school buildings. Chilled beams are not well suited for schools because of the large amount of outside air required by the space and the sophisticated design and operation needed to prevent condensation from occurring at the chilled beam. The results show that the air distribution system that consumes the least amount of energy is a displacement ventilation system. The system also inherently promotes better indoor air quality as it allows air to naturally rise out and return out of the space with minimal mixing of contaminates that may be recirculated within the room for others to breath. The displacement ventilation system’s overall energy savings of 20% over the baseline is mainly attributed to its total energy recovery wheel and the system’s ability to drastically reduce the cooling load seen by the air cooled chiller by effectively ventilating spaces using less outside air.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Election administration and perceptions of fair elections

Scholars of democracy proposes an important relationship between the quality of elections and democratic legitimacy, but there are few studies of how the conduct of elections affects perceptions of elections being fair. We examine how election administration and individual-level demographic traits affect public perceptions of fair elections in the US. Since administration of US elections is largely the responsibility of individual states we are able to exploit variation in the quality of how elections are conducted to assess effects of electoral administration on public perceptions. We find evidence that administrative performance is positively and significantly related to perceptions of elections being fair. Voter identification laws, in contrast, are not associated with greater confidence in elections. We also find some evidence that speaks to the limits of these findings, as individual-level factors such as partisanship and minority status have larger effects than administration on perceptions of electoral fairness.
Heterogeneity of macroscopic and single villus blood flow in rabbit small intestine.

Abstract Heterogeneity of single villus blood flow in the small intestine was estimated from frequency distributions of 9-μm microspheres per villus in villus fields of 100–200 villi. The microspheres, which were nonradioactive, were administered, with or without 26-μm spheres in addition, by a brief injection into the left ventricle of unfasted, anesthetized rabbits. The spheres were counted and localized microscopically in cleared pieces of jejuno-ileum. It was found that gamma distributions of single villus flow would generate frequency distributions of beads per villus similar to those observed when the average villus contained up to four beads. This agreement, together with other relevant information, suggests the following view: The frequency distribution of values of single villus flow in a small area is unimodal, is skewed toward the high flow direction, has a coefficient of variation of, at most, 0.5–0.6, and is approximated by a gamma distribution. Reasons are given for believing that the coefficient of variation may be significantly smaller. The dispersion of values for total perfusion and its distribution to the layers of the intestine in small (about 25 mm 2 ) adjacent macroscopic pieces of intestine typically had a coefficient of variation of 0.2–0.3.
Determinants of blastomere identity in the early C. elegans embryo

Genetic and molecular studies of development in Caenorhabditis elegans have identified regulators that appear to control pattern formation in the cellularized nematode embryo. Two genes, skn-1 and pie-1, are required for specifying the different identities of two sister blastomeres in a 4-cell embryo, called P2 and EMS. The skn-1 gene encodes a DNA binding protein that may control blastomere development by regulating transcription in EMS and its descendants. ABa and ABp, the other two sisters in a 4-cell embryo, are influenced to develop differently by cell signaling events that require the two genes apx-1 and glp-1. In this review, I summarize evidence that some or all of these genes may encode embryonic determinants of blastomere identity.
Differential effects of hyperoxia and hydrogen peroxide on DNA damage, polyadenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase activity, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and adenosine triphosphate contents in cultured endothelial cells and fibroblasts

The effects of oxidative stress on DNA damage and associated reactions, increased polyadenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP) activity and decreased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) contents, have been tested in primary cultures of porcine aortic endothelial cells. The cells were treated with 50-500 microM H2O2 for 20 min or 100 microM paraquat for 3 days or were exposed to 95% O2 for 2 and 5 days. The administration of 250-500 microM H2O2 resulted in a marked increase in PARP activity and a profound depletion of ATP and NAD. Although hyperoxia had no effect on PARP activity and reduced only slightly the ATP and NAD stores, it markedly reduced the ability of endothelial cells to increase PARP activity upon exposure to DNase. Paraquat had a similar effect. Human dermal fibroblasts were also exposed to 50-500 microM H2O2 for 20 min or 95% O2 for 5 days. Their response to H2O2 differed from that of endothelial cells by their ability to maintain the ATP content at a normal level. Fibroblasts were also insensitive to the effect of hyperoxia. These results suggest that the oxidant-related DNA damage is a function of the type of oxidative stress used and may be cell-specific.
Approximation Orders of FSI Spaces in L2(Rd)

A second look at the authors' [BDR1], [BDR2] characterization of the approximation order of a Finitely generated Shift-Invariant (FSI) subspace $S(\Phi)$ of L 2(R d ) results in a more explicit formulation entirely in terms of the (Fourier transform of the) generators $\varphi\in\Phi$ of the subspace. Further, when the generators satisfy a certain technical condition, then, under the mild assumption that the set of 1-periodizations of the generators is linearly independent, such a space is shown to provide approximation order k if and only if $\mathop{\rm span}\nolimits\{\varphi(\cdot-j): |j| < k, \varphi\in\Phi\}$ contains a $\psi$ (necessarily unique) satisfying $D^j\widehat{\psi}(\alpha)=\delta_j\delta_\alpha$ for |j|<k , $\alpha\in 2\pi{\Bbb Z}^d$ . The technical condition is satisfied, e.g., when the generators are $O(|\cdot|^{-\rho})$ at infinity for some $\rho$ >k+d. In the case of compactly supported generators, this recovers an earlier result of Jia [J1], [J2].
Optical control of magnetization in a room-temperature magnet: V-Cr Prussian blue analog

K. Deniz Bozdag,1 Jung-Woo Yoo,1,2 N. P. Raju,1 Amber C. McConnell,3 Joel S. Miller,3 and A. J. Epstein1,2 1Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1117, USA 2Department of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1173, USA 3Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0850, USA Received 5 April 2010; revised manuscript received 2 June 2010; published 29 September 2010
Role of endothelial progenitors and other bone marrow-derived cells in the development of the tumor vasculature

Increasing evidence suggests the importance of bone marrow-derived cells for blood vessel formation (neovascularization) in tumors, which can occur in two mechanisms: angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Angiogenesis results from proliferation and sprouting of existing blood vessels close to the tumor, while vasculogenesis is believed to arise from recruitment of circulating cells, largely derived from the bone marrow, and de novo clonal formation of blood vessels from these cells. Although bone marrow-derived cells are crucial for neovascularization, current evidence suggests a promotional role of these cells on the existing blood vessels rather than de novo neovascularization in tumors. This is believed to be due to the highly proangiogenic features of these cells. The bone marrow-derived cells are heterogeneous, consisting of many different cell types including endothelial progenitor cells, myeloid cells, lymphocytes, and mesenchymal cells. These cells are highly orchestrated under the influence of the specific tumor microenvironment, which varies depending on the tumor type, thereby tightly regulating neovascularization in the tumors. In this review, we highlight some of the recent findings on each of these cell types by outlining some of the essential proangiogenic cytokines that these cells secrete to promote tumor angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.
Micro stereo lithography and fabrication of 3D microdevices

Micro Stereo Lithography (MSL) is a poor man's LIGA for fabricating high aspect ratio MEMS devices in UV curable semiconducting polymers using either two computer-controlled low inertia galvanometric mirrors with the aid of focusing lens or an array of optical fibers. For 3D MEMS devices, the polymers need to have conductive and possibly piezoelectric or ferroelectric properties. Such polymers are being developed at Penn State resulting in microdevices for fluid and drug delivery. Applications may include implanted medical delivery systems, chemical and biological instruments, fluid delivery in engines, pump coolants and refrigerants for local cooling of electronic components. With the invention of organic thin film transistor, now it is possible to fabricate 3D polymeric MEMS devices with built-in-electronics similar to silicon based microelectronics. In this paper, a brief introduction of MSL system is presented followed by a detailed design and development of micro pumps using this approach.
Communication with adolescents and their families

Abstract Adolescents are a group of patients who are often viewed as being difficult to communicate with and as presenting with a myriad of complex psychosocial problems. There are several principles of interviewing and working with this developmental stage that may be helpful to the health care provider in meeting the challenge of working with adolescents and their families. This article reviews modes of interaction and adolescent development and behavior, and provides interviewing techniques designed to ease the process of providing health care to adolescents.
Influence of temperature on Indian-meal moth larvae infected with a granulosis virus

Abstract Larvae of the Indian-meal moth, Plodia interpunctella , were exposed to a granulosis virus at 22, 27, 32, and 37°C. Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were measured with a gas chromatograph. Respiratory quotients (RQs) showed that larval respiration varied with temperature. The highest RQ was determined from larvae held at 32°C and the lowest from those held at 22°C. Larvae exposed to virus respired at a lower rate than did healthy individuals. In a temperature-mortality test, the highest mortality occurred at 32°C. Treated larvae at 37°C did not display granulosis symptoms, but they apparently harbored the virus.
Particle Deposition and Diffusivities Along Smooth Surfaces

Particle mass transport and deposition mechanisms of eddy diffusion, particle inertia, and lift forces are described by “effective” eddy diffusion coefficients, s, directed toward the deposition surface. Of principal concern is the eddy diffusion coefficient in the region very close to a surface in which the turbulence scale and intensity decrease rapidly as the surface is approached. These eddy diffusion coefficients are predicted from particle deposition velocity measurements through the use of a model which describes particle deposition in terms of eddy diffusion, Brownian diffusion, and the terminal settling velocity.
A Network Protection Framework for DNP3 over TCP/IP protocol

the pervasive deployment of intelligent devices in the critical infrastructures sector and the high dependency of these devices on the Internet motivated attackers to target the communication and control protocols of these devices. DNP3 over TCP/IP is among those protocols that are widely used as communication and control protocols in critical infrastructures. Due to the facts that security was not part of the goals for designing the DNP3 and the incompetent of current protection systems, adversary can easily succeed in attacking DNP3 devices and network. In this paper, we present an Autonomic Network Protection Framework for DNP3 over TCP/IP that detects old attacks that cannot be prevented by the legacy DNP3 security devices as well as new attacks. The system's detection module is based on rule-based anomaly intrusion detection. We evaluated the effectiveness of the generated rules in detecting anomalies through both offline and online testing. Both the false positive and the false negative rates of our approach are quite low. In addition, we present a classification technique and an access control mechanism to provide autonomic network protection.
DSC and high pressure conductivity and electrical relaxation measurements in PPO and PPO complexed with lithium salts

Abstract Differential scanning calorimetry and high pressure electrical conductivity studies have been carried out on poly(propylene oxide) after the addition of various lithium salts. In addition, high pressure electrical relaxation measurements have been performed in the glass transition region on uncomplexed PPO. The vacuum conductivity measurements show that T 0 is 30–40°C lower than the DSC Tg. Next, it is found that both T 0 and Tg increase several K/kbar. In terms of the configurational entropy model, the isobaric data yield a reasonable value for the activation volume which is consistent with values previously reported for PEO complexed with alkali metal ions. The isothermal data yield a negative activation volume for PPO complexed with LiSCN. Finally, DSC and isothermal conductivity measurements show that neither T g nor the apparent activation volume scale directly with ion size.
Thermal and mechanical properties of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete at elevated temperatures

For use in fire resistance calculations, the relevant thermal and mechanical properties of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete at elevated temperatures were determined. These properties included the th...
Cellular bone matrices: viable stem cell-containing bone graft substitutes

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Advances in the field of stem cell technology have stimulated the development and increased use of allogenic bone grafts containing live mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), also known as cellular bone matrices (CBMs). It is estimated that CBMs comprise greater than 17% of all bone grafts and bone graft substitutes used. PURPOSE: To critically evaluate CBMs, specifically their technical specifications, existing published data supporting their use, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation, cost, potential pitfalls, and other aspects pertaining to their use. STUDY DESIGN: Areview of literature. METHODS: A series of Ovid, Medline, and Pubmed-National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) searches were performed. Only articles in English journals or published with English language translations were included. Level of evidence of the selected articles was assessed. Specific technical information on each CBM was obtained by direct communication from the companies marketing the individual products. RESULTS: Five different CBMs are currently available for use in spinal fusion surgery. There is a wide variation between the products with regard to the average donor age at harvest, total cellular concentration, percentage of MSCs, shelf life, and cell viability after defrosting. Three retrospective studies evaluating CBMs and fusion have shown fusion rates ranging from 90.2% to 92.3%, and multiple industry-sponsored trials are underway. No independent studies evaluating spinal fusion rates with the use of CBMs exist. All the commercially available CBMs claim to meet the FDA criteria under Section 361, 21 CFR Part 1271, and are not undergoing FDA premarket review. The CBMs claim to provide viable MSCs and are offered at a premium cost. Numerous challenges exist in regard to MSCs’ survival, function, osteoblastic potential, and cytokine production once implanted into the intended host. CONCLUSIONS: Cellular bone matrices may be a promising bone augmentation technology in spinal fusion surgery. Although CBMs appear to be safe for use as bone graft substitutes, their efficacy in spinal fusion surgery remains highly inconclusive. Large, nonindustry sponsored studies evaluating the efficacy of CBMs are required. Without results from such studies, surgeons must be made aware of the potential pitfalls of CBMs in spinal fusion surgery. With the currently available data, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of CBMs as bone graft substitutes in spinal fusion surgery. 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Time course of cholinesterase inhibition in adult rats treated acutely with carbaryl, carbofuran, formetanate, methomyl, methiocarb, oxamyl or propoxur.

Abstract To compare the toxicity of seven N-methyl carbamates, time course profiles for brain and red blood cell (RBC) cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition were established for each. Adult, male, Long Evans rats (n = 4–5 dose group) were dosed orally with either carbaryl (30 mg/kg in corn oil); carbofuran (0.5 mg/kg in corn oil); formetanate HCl (10 mg/kg in water); methomyl (3 mg/kg in water); methiocarb (25 mg/kg in corn oil); oxamyl (1 mg/kg in water); or propoxur (20 mg/kg in corn oil). This level of dosing produced at least 40% brain ChE inhibition. Brain and blood were taken from 0.5 to 24 h after dosing for analysis of ChE activity using two different methods: (1) a radiometric method which limits the amount of reactivation of ChE activity, and (2) a spectrophotometric method (Ellman method using traditional, unmodified conditions) which may encourage reactivation. The time of peak ChE inhibition was similar for all seven N-methyl carbamate pesticides: 0.5–1.0 h after dosing. By 24 h, brain and RBC ChE activity in all animals returned to normal. The spectrophotometric method underestimated ChE inhibition. Moreover, there was a strong, direct correlation between brain and RBC ChE activity (radiometric assay) for all seven compounds combined (r2 = 0.73, slope 1.1), while the spectrophotometric analysis of the same samples showed a poor correlation (r2 = 0.09). For formetanate, propoxur, methomyl, and methiocarb, brain and RBC ChE inhibitions were not different over time, but for carbaryl, carbofuran and oxamyl, the RBC ChE was slightly more inhibited than brain ChE. These data indicate (1) the radiometric method is superior for analyses of ChE activity in tissues from carbamate-treated animals (2) that animals treated with these N-methyl carbamate pesticides are affected rapidly, and recover rapidly, and (3) generally, assessment of RBC ChE is an accurate predictor of brain ChE inhibition for these seven pesticides.
Report looks at megaprojects

“Are large nondefense R&D projects being funded at the expense of other science and technology programs?” This question is examined by a Congressional Budget Office report, “ Large Nondefense R&D Projects in the Budget: 1980–1996,” which was issued in July. Congress is wrestling with this question as it determines how to fund such “megaprojects” as NASA's Space Station and Earth Observing System, and the Department of Energy's Superconducting Super Collider, while providing enough support for other research. The study avoids making policy recommendations on the best balance between large and small science, but states bluntly that “if cost overruns or budget constraints require choosing between large and small projects, it would be against the national interest to support large projects at the expense of small ones for nonscientific and nontechnical reasons.”
Form and cultural context in rhetorical criticism: Re‐reading Wrage

Ernest Wrage's landmark essay, “Public Address: A Study in Social and Intellectual History,” described a revisionist paradigm of public address scholarship which has yet to be realized. Ironically,...
Learning the Rules of Academic Talk: A Longitudinal Study of Pragmatic Change.

This paper is a longitudinal study of the acquisition of pragmatic competence. Advanced adult nonnative speakers of English were taped in advising sessions over the course of a semester. Two speech acts, suggestions and rejections, were analyzed according to their frequency, form, and successfulness and compared with similar data gathered for native speakers. The nonnative speakers showed change toward the native speaker norms in their ability to employ appropriate speech acts, moving toward using more suggestions and fewer rejections, and became more successful negotiators. However, they changed less in their ability to employ appropriate forms of the speech acts, continuing to use fewer mitigators than the native speakers. Furthermore, unlike native speakers, they also used aggravators. We claim that these results may be explained by the availability of input: Learners receive positive and negative feedback from the advisor regarding the desirability and outcome of particular speech acts, but they do not receive such feedback regarding the appropriateness of the forms of such speech acts.
Daily variations in Spring Break alcohol and sexual behaviors based on intentions, perceived norms, and daily trip context.

Objective:Given the known risks of alcohol use and sexual behavior for college students on Spring Break, this study was designed to document the behaviors and correlates associated with being on a Spring Break trip on a given day (controlling for average time on a trip).Method:Participants were undergraduate students (n = 261; 55% women) who reported that they planned to go on a Spring Break trip. Web-based survey responses before and after Spring Break documented perceived norms, intentions, and actual behavior on each of the 10 days of Spring Break.Results:Students who went on longer trips, who previously engaged in more heavy episodic drinking, or who had greater pre–Spring Break intentions to drink reported greater alcohol use during Spring Break. Similarly, students with greater pre–Spring Break intentions to have sex, greater perceived norms for sex, or more previoussexual partners had greater odds of having sex. On days students were on trips, they had a greater likelihood of having sex, drinking t...
Low-density parity-check decoder architecture for high throughput optical fiber channels

A requirement-specific decoder design for forward error-correction in 2 Gbps optical fiber communication system is presented. Low-density parity-check codes are used to achieve high bit error rate performance. Several novel error-decoding architectures are proposed and their design configurations explored to identify optimal cost/performance design. Serial, parallel and scalable architectures are studied. The result is a scaleable architecture that consists of 1.3 million CMOS gates running at 295 MHz and it achieves a throughput of 2.51 Gbps.
New robot mechanisms for new robot capabilities

The authors note a need to overcome the deficiencies inherent in conventional manipulator mechanisms. Joint torque controllability, optimal dynamic characteristics, motion redundancy, and fine manipulation ability are among the basic characteristics that would be desirable attributes of advanced robot systems. The paper discusses the limitations of current robot technology and describes the ongoing effort at Stanford University for the development of high-performance force-controlled robot systems to provide the advanced capabilities needed for carrying out dextrous manipulation tasks. >
A Computational Investigation of Microwave Breast Imaging Using Deformable Reflector

In recent years, active microwave breast imaging is increasingly being viewed as a promising complementary imaging modality for cancer detection. In this paper, we present a novel deformable reflector microwave tomography technique for noninvasive characterization of the breast tissue. In contrast to conventional multitransceiver designs, the proposed technique utilizes a continuously deformable reflector with metallic coating to acquire field measurements for imaging. Computational feasibility of the proposed technique to image heterogeneous dielectric tissue property is evaluated using simplified 2-D breast models. The robustness of the deformable reflector-based tomography technique in imaging the spatial distribution of the tissue dielectric property in the presence of measurement noise is investigated using first-order Tikhonov regularization. Preliminary results obtained for the 2-D breast models appear promising and indicate further investigation of the new microwave tomography technique for breast imaging.
High purpose, low execution

In reasserting the primacy of the individual in biological analysis, Rose directs attention away from the crucial insights of the developmental/structuralist perspective that he advocates. In presenting his advocacy as a diatribe, he brings disrespect down upon that very tradition.
Dissecting ICRAC, a store-operated calcium current

The use of Ca 2+ for intracellular signalling necessitates tight local and global control of cytoplasmic Ca 2+ concentration, and mechanisms for maintaining the net Ca 2+ balance. It has long been recognized that intracellular Ca 2+ stores exert control over Ca 2+ influx at the plasma membrane through a process of store-operated Ca 2+ entry (SOCE). The Ca 2+ current I CRAC is the best characterized instance of SOCE, but the elements of the pathway leading to I CRAC have eluded biochemical definition for more than a decade. However, the recent identification of key proteins underlying I CRAC – STIM1 and Orai1 – has led to several insights into this ER-to-plasma membrane signalling system and to the recognition that it is an ancient and conserved mechanism in multicellular organisms.
Subepithelial Hematoma of the Renal Pelvis (Antopol-Goldman Lesion)

A 26-year-old white woman was hospitalized in November 1992 with sudden onset of gross hematuria, right flank and suprapubic pain, and difficulty in urinating. Physical examination was unremarkable except for mild suprapubic tenderness and fullness. Insertion of a Foley catheter revealed gross hematuria with organized blood clots and relieved lower abdominal symptoms. Cystoscopy showed bloody efflux h m the right ureteral orifice and clots in the bladder. A right retrograde pyelogram demonstrated multiple filling defects in the right pelvicaliceal system (fig. 1). Computerized tomography of the abdomen showed no excretion of contrast material in the right renal pelvis. Right renal arteriography was nondiagnostic. Ureteros-
Gas transport properties of thermotropic liquid-crystalline copolyesters. I : the effects of orientation and annealing

Gas transport properties are reported for two series of films prepared from copolyesters of 73 mol % hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and 27 mol % 2,6-hydroxynaphthoic acid (HNA) which systematically vary the degree of orientation and annealing time. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) photomicrographs of the liquid-crystalline polymer (LCP) films showed evidence of a skin-core structure and polydomain texture. The degree of orientation in the films was quantified by analyzing the azimuthal intensity of the x-ray reflection associated with the lateral packing of the nematic mesophase. Using heat of fusion data from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the films were found to contain low levels of crystallinity estimated to be in the range of 5 to 15 wt %, which increased with annealing time. Permeability measurements were made for He, H2, O2, N2, Ar, and CO2 at 35°C and the diffusivities were computed from time-lag data. The films exhibited excellent barrier properties resulting largely from very low gas solubility coefficients. A moderate reduction in permeability was observed with increased orientation, which could be attributed directly to a decrease in the effective diffusivity. The effect of increased crystallinity from annealing on the permeability coefficients was smaller than would be expected for similar changes in the crystallinity of conventional polymers. Analysis using a simple two-phase model suggests that a mechanism dominated by transport in a small volume fraction of boundary regions possibly could account for the bulk transport properties of these materials.
A Web-based electrical and electronics remote wiring and measurement laboratory (RwmLAB) instrument

This paper presents an instrument based on a new architecture called "Remote Wiring and Measurement Laboratory" ( RwmLAB) acting as a local multicircuit board on a common distributed panel on the Internet. Matrix switching, data acquisition, data processing and analysis, and graphical unit interface enabled-devices characterize the RwmLAB. RwmLAB is intended to address real-time remote wiring of electrical and electronic circuits and real data acquisition over the Internet instead of using simulated data. This Web-based instrument allows for flexibility and the spontaneous delivery of laboratory material and ensures a global access to a worldwide audience.
Organizing and indexing non-convex regions

We demonstrate data indexing and query processing techniques that improve the efficiency of comparing, correlating, and joining data contained in non-convex regions. We use computational geometry techniques to automatically characterize the region of space from which data are drawn, partition the region based on that characterization, and create an index from the partitions. Our motivating application performs distributed data analysis queries among federated database sites that store scientific data sets from the Chesapeake Bay. Our preliminary findings indicate that these techniques often reduce the number of I/Os needed to serve a query by a factor of five---depending on the geometry of the query region.
Applied Research Consultants (ARC) A Vertical Practicum Model of Training Applied Research

The demand for highly trained evaluation consultants is increasing. Furthermore, the gap between job seekers’ evaluation competencies and job recruiters’ expectations suggests a need for providing ...
Higgs mechanism in the Gaussian functional approximation

The Higgs mechanism is explicity verified and its gauge invariance confirmed in the Gaussian ground-state functional approximation to theO(2) symmetric ϕ4 theory coupled to an Abelian gauge field. We demonstrate this by using the recent proof of the Goldstone theorem in the said approximation and the Englert-Brout-Schwinger method. The mass of the vector gauge boson is evaluated and expressed in terms of the dressed properties of the scalar fields and the gauge field coupling constant.
Choosing an integrated resource plan for electric utilities: an analytic hierarchy approach

The objective of this research is to test an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach to integrated resource planning (IRP) for electric utilities in developing countries. We demonstrate how the AHP may be used in a multiple criteria framework for an effective group decision process for the IRP. We show in practice how the AHP may be used to evaluate the scenario probabilities, criteria weights, and uni-dimensional utility functions. A case study is undertaken at the Barbados Light and Power Company (BL&P) on the island nation of Barbados, where we solicit the judgment, trade-offs of a six member group of utility experts. We successfully re-visited the BL&P's 1988 resource expansion decision, and discovered and recorded the probable judgments and trade-offs made by the Company that lead to a robust preference for efficient oil fired plant rather than switching to natural gas or coal. We identified, ranked, and rated the corporate performance criteria and planning objectives, as well as a broad spectrum of external and internal business factors that impact on the choice of a resource plan.
Web service-based vegetation condition monitoring system - VegScape

Timely, frequent, high resolution, fully geospatial covered crop vegetation condition information throughout the season is critical to decision making in both public and private sectors that concern agricultural policy, production, food security, and food prices. This paper presents a new interactive Web service-based vegetation condition monitoring system - VegScape. This system automatically obtains and preprocesses near real-time 250m MODIS daily surface reflectance data for better spatial and temporal resolutions, and generates geospatially various vegetation condition indices for timely crop condition. The VegScape not only offers the online interactive map operations, data dissemination, crop condition statistics, charting and graphing, and comparison analysis, but also provides Web services such on-demand vegetation condition maps and statistics for uses in other applications. This system delivers dynamic user experiences and geospatial crop condition information for decision support with its comprehensive capabilities through standard geospatial Web services in a publicly accessible online environment.
NASAL DISORDERS AND SINUSITIS

This article describes applied anatomy, pathophysiology, office evaluation, and management of nose- and sinus-related clinical problems. Common disorders of the nose and the sinuses are reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on the accuracy in ENT evaluation in primary care setting. The idea of rhinosinus disease prevention by means of nasal hygiene is presented.
An Efficient Diode-Pumped Nd:YAG Laser With 451 W of CW IR and 182 W of Pulsed Green Output

We have demonstrated a compact and efficient diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser. This laser uses compound parabolic concentrators to transport diode radiation into a highly enclosed laser pump chamber. We have demonstrated 451 W of CW IR output with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 40% and a slope efficiency of 50%. This laser also generated 355 W of pulsed output using AO Q-switches. With an intracavity type II LBO crystal, we obtained 182 W of pulsed green output with thousands of hours of reliable operation.
Knowledge, Awareness and Behavior: HIV/AIDS and Disasters

African Americans are the most affected by HIV/AIDS. Both males and females continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. They are often drug users or participate in street/drug subculture. Recent weather disasters have required identification of knowledge, beliefs, conduct norms and behavior patterns that are HIV/AIDS risk factors for disaster survivors. This paper examines patterns of behavior and common practices related to HIV among disaster survivors. Study background: Data for this paper come from a three year renewal project which focused upon the processes by which illicit drug markets were reformulated after disasters and practices of risk behaviors for HIV/ AIDS. Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav and Ike presented the opportunity to examine the impact of disasters upon risky behavior among illicit drug users and sellers. Methods: From 2010-2013 ethnographic study was conducted in New Orleans, Louisiana, Houston and Galveston, Texas. Staff completed in-depth interviews with 132 focal respondents of drug users and sellers. There were 57 focus groups with 243 focus group participants; 350 drug using/selling respondents completed a survey protocol (CAPI), organized around their experiences during the hurricanes. Results: In both cities respondents displayed knowledge about HIV, modes of transmission and knew that HIV infection can lead to AIDS. Knowledge about time between exposure and infection was mostly imprecise. Most respondents reported they had been tested for HIV multiple times. A large number of participants reported learning about HIV in school, older respondents (mid-40s to 60) reported their knowledge came from television or the streets. Participants expressed fatalistic attitudes toward HIV, believing the virus was fatal even with medication. Conclusion: With the increase of disasters, more attention needs to be placed upon programs focused on drug consumers. Schools, clinics, public information sources, i.e., TV and radio can make understanding HIV/AIDS a priority through taking into consideration specific populations and making sure literature and other forms of information is adjusted to their understanding.
Vascular Abnormalties in Neurofibromatosis Type 1

The spectrum of cerebrovascular abnormalities (CVA), including moyamoya, was evaluated in a retrospective chart review of 353 patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) seen at the Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC, from 1995 to 2003.
Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae): population dynamics and distribution on Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus).

The absolute population density and spatial distribution of the ixodid tick Ixodes pacificus were determined on Columbian Black-tailed Deer collected over a 3-year period in northern California, USA. Tick abundance was compared as to season and age, anatomy, habitat, and sex of deer. Spatial distribution was analyzed by dividing the deer hide into 6 regions and processing each section separately. In total, 1336 I. pacificus were collected from 47 (66%) of 71 deer examined. Of these, 94.6% were adults and the remainder larvae and nymphs. The number of ticks averaged 18.8 per deer and the intensity (=mean number of ticks per infested host) was 28.4. The prevalence of ticks on female deer (79%) was greater than on male deer (42%). More deer were infested in winter and spring than in summer or fall, but tick abundance was greater in fall and winter than in spring and summer. Males constituted 54% of the adults; more males than females occurred on deer in winter than in other seasons and on the posterior dorsum than on other body regions. Overall, 80% of the ticks found occupied the anterior and posterior venters. Nearly 90% of larvae and nymphs were found in spring. Larvae preferred the ventral regions of the body, and nymphs the venter and head.
Fluid flow sensing with ionic polymer-metal composites

Ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) actuators and sensors have been developed and modeled over the last two decades for use as soft-robotic deformable actuators and sensors. IPMC devices have been suggested for application as underwater actuators, energy harvesting devices, and medical devices such as in guided catheter insertion. Another interesting application of IPMCs in flow sensing is presented in this study. IPMC interaction with fluid flow is of interest to investigate the use of IPMC actuators as flow control devices and IPMC sensors as flow sensing devices. An organized array of IPMCs acting as interchanging sensors and actuators could potentially be designed for both flow measurement and control, providing an unparalleled tool in maritime operations. The underlying physics for this system include the IPMC ion transport and charge fundamental framework along with fluid dynamics to describe the flow around IPMCs. An experimental setup for an individual rectangular IPMC sensor with an externally controlled fluid flow has been developed to investigate this phenomenon and provide further insight into the design and application of this type of device. The results from this portion of the study include recommendations for IPMC device designs in flow control.
Problems of Serial Resonance Voltage Withstand Test for GIS and the Resolutions

The work principles of devices used for serial resonance voltage withstand test are expounded,some abnormities in the test are introduced,and the reasons are and the test results are presented.Some suggestion is proposed in the serial resonance voltage withstand test for GIS.
All Biomedical and Health Science Researchers, Including Laboratory Physicians and Scientists, Need Adequate Education and Training in Study Design and Statistics

The American Statistical Association (ASA) has recently published an official warning about the misuse of P values in science (1). The misuse of statistics has been discussed for many decades without much improvement. We have not been wise enough to eliminate this problem. In the ASA's statement (1), Jeff Leek describes the current chaotic situation in this way: “the vast majority of data analysis is not performed by people properly trained to perform data analysis.” As laboratory physicians and scientists, we should ask ourselves, “Would you let nonprofessionals interpret clinical laboratory findings?” The statement (1) begins with an intriguing question and answer: “Q: Why do so many people still use P = 0.05?… A: Because that's what they were taught in college or grad school.” This is analogous to the unfortunate fact that the QWERTY …