cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Preliminary Checklist of the Cerambycidae and Disteniidae (Coleoptera) of Alabama

ABSTRACT A faunal study of the Cerambycidae and the related Disteniidae (Coleoptera) is currently being conducted for the state of Alabama. Field surveys began in 2006 and are ongoing. Additional specimens were examined from the Auburn University Entomological Museum, Alabama Museum of Natural History at the University of Alabama, the University of North Alabama, and the private collection of Howard Grisham. To date, 234 taxa of Cerambycidae have been recorded, representing 119 genera and 48 tribes from seven subfamilies. The family Disteniidae is represented by only one species in Alabama. Fifty-one taxa are reported from Alabama for the first time.
Use of pairs of pseudopure states for NMR quantum computing

The premise of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) quantum computing is that pseudopure quantum states, for which the populations of all energy levels but one are equal, can be used instead of pure quantum states. However, for systems with a large number of quantum bits (qubits), it would require elaborate pulse sequences with many steps to prepare these pseudopure states. To overcome this problem, a method using pairs of pseudopure states (POPS) instead of individual pseudopure states as the basis for NMR quantum computing is introduced here. The POPS approach has a significant advantage over the existing methods that, regardless of the number of qubits, only a single step is needed to prepare each pair of pseudopure states. A detailed analysis of a 16-level spin system is given, and the results of applying a ${c}^{2}$-NOT quantum logic gate (a controlled-NOT gate conditional upon the state of two other qubits) to all the POPS in the system are presented.
Benzthiazoles in estuarine sediments as indicators of street runoff

Street runoff can be a major source of potentially toxic aromatic compounds that enter estuaries, embayments and ocean inlets1,2. While investigating contaminated sediments in San Francisco Bay we discovered several benzthiazoles, which appear to be derived from the use of anti-oxidants in the manufacture of rubber tyres. Our investigations confirm that two of these compounds, benz-thiazole and 2-(4-morpholinyl)-benzthiazole, occur in street runoff and that they can result from the weathering of a commercially used anti-oxidant in rubber manufacture. These compounds are proposed as potential indicators of the contribution of street runoff to the contaminants in sediments of urban coastal areas.
On the determinants of nutrition in Mozambique: The importance of age-specific effects

Abstract The literature indicates mixed results regarding the impact of income and other variables on the age and gender standardized height-for-age of children. This paper uses data from Maputo, Mozambique to show that the impact of household resources or health inputs may be masked if diverse age groups are aggregated. For example, increases in household incomes affect only the nutritional status of children two years of age and older. Conversely, for younger children, but not the older ones, mother's education is a significant determinant of anthropometric measures of nutritional status. This implies that education and efforts to improve childcare practices can be targeted to mothers of younger children, but that these children will not achieve improved linear growth from income-support programs, unlike older children.
Modeling Vibrational Spectra of Amino Acid Side Chains in Proteins: Effects of Protonation State, Counterion, and Solvent on Arginine C−N Stretch Frequencies†

The vibrational spectrum of arginine's side chain in various protein environments is modeled by measuring IR spectra of ethylguanidinium (EG) salts under varying conditions. Characteristic νC-N stretch vibrational frequencies of monoalkylguanidinium are assigned to observed IR bands at 1655−1685 cm-1, 1615−1635 cm-1, and 1170−1180 cm-1. Each of these bands is observed to downshift by 4−9 cm-1 upon [15N]2 substitution at the terminal nitrogens. Additional weaker bands from vibrations involving nitrogen motion are also discernible at ∼920, ∼1085, and ∼1440 cm-1. Deprotonation of EG−Cl is accompanied by an overall decrease in IR absorption intensity and substantial changes in the νC-N vibrational bands. The ∼1670 and ∼1180 cm-1 bands appear to shift substantially in the deprotonated state. A strong band near 1635 cm-1 remains in ethylguanidine, but this is interpreted as being due to a δ(NH2) scissor mode based on previously published assignments of the guanidine IR spectrum. New bands attributable to C−N st...
State-dependent spike-timing relationships between hippocampal and prefrontal circuits during sleep.

Cortico-hippocampal interactions during sleep are believed to reorganize neural circuits in support of memory consolidation. However, spike-timing relationships across cortico-hippocampal networks—key determinants of synaptic changes—are poorly understood. Here we show that cells in prefrontal cortex fire consistently within 100 ms after hippocampal cells in naturally sleeping animals. This provides evidence at the single cell-pair level for highly consistent directional interactions between these areas within the window of plasticity. Moreover, these interactions are state dependent: they are driven by hippocampal sharp-wave/ripple (SWR) bursts in slow-wave sleep (SWS) and are sharply reduced during REM sleep. Finally, prefrontal responses are nonlinear: as the strength of hippocampal bursts rises, short-latency prefrontal responses are augmented by increased spindle band activity and a secondary peak ∼100 ms later. These findings suggest that SWR events are atomic units of hippocampal-prefrontal communication during SWS and that the coupling between these areas is highly attenuated during REM sleep.
Effectiveness of in situ NH3 annealing treatments for the removal of oxygen from GaN surfaces

Abstract An in situ NH 3 annealing procedure for the cleaning of GaN(0 0 0 1) is studied in detail using density functional theory (DFT), microkinetic modeling and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The microkinetic model was calibrated and tested against published H 2 and NH 3 temperature programmed desorption (TPD) experiments on GaN(0 0 0 1). We find that an NH 3 treatment is efficient for the removal of carbon contaminants, but a complete removal of oxygen contaminants cannot be achieved. The remaining oxygen coverage after the treatment was estimated from XPS measurements to be 0.92 ML. In contrast, our microkinetic model based on DFT derived parameters predicts complete removal of OH species and a final oxygen coverage of 0.19 ML. We assign the difference between model and experiments to the formation of a surface oxide phase, which is not included in the model. DFT results also indicate strong adsorbate–adsorbate interactions for H, N, NH, NH 2 , O, and OH on the GaN(0 0 0 1) surface which were incorporated into the microkinetic model to a first approximation. XPS experiments and microkinetic modeling demonstrate that the final surface composition shows little dependence on process parameters such as temperature or the time the sample is kept at an elevated temperature. Furthermore, the microkinetic model suggests that complete removal of OH from the surface can also be achieved using a NH 3 /H 2 mixture, or even pure H 2 as a hydrogen source. The amount of H 2 present in the feed changes the coverage of NH x species, but a certain amount of adsorbed oxygen is always left on the surface.
Pulsed NMR Studies in Solid D2. I. Solid Echo

The solid echoes for both I = 1 and I = 2 nuclear spins from a two-pulse sequence are studied forp-D2 concentrations between 0.06 and 0.5 and for 0.06 < T < 1.5 K. The drop of the I = 1 echo amplitude from Curie's law reported earlier is confirmed and is discussed. The density matrix method, previously developed to describe the I = 1 echo properties in solid H2 as a function of various parameters, is applied to p-D2, and similarly accounts for most of the observations. An analysis of the I =2 echoes for o-D2 is carried out in similar fashion in the absence of a complete density matrix theory. Studies of the echo amplitude for the I = 1 and I = 2 spins versus r.f. pulse widths are reported and discussed. Various measurements associated with the echo decay as a function of the time Τ between the two r.f. pulses are described. They include the I = 2 echo maximum shift respective to that of I = 1, the echo amplitude ratio S (I = 1)/S(I =2), the intermodular nuclear interaction magnitude, the local inhomogeneous field distribution, and the absence of expected satellite echoes for I =2. A comparison is made with the results of a similar study on solid H2.
Vertical Radar Reflectivity Structure and Cloud-to-Ground Lightning in the Stratiform Region of MCSs: Further Evidence for In Situ Charging in the Stratiform Region

Abstract This study presents further evidence in support of an in situ, noninductive charging mechanism as the process likely responsible for significant electrification of the trailing stratiform regions of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). In contrast to previous studies of MCS electrification that have investigated observations of radar reflectivity and cloud-to-ground lightning in the horizontal (e.g., Orville et al.; Rutledge et al.), here the relationship between the location and occurrence of cloud-to-ground lightning in the stratiform regions of midlatitude and tropical MCSs and the vertical profile of radar reflectivity are examined. The vertical profile of radar reflectivity at elevations above the 0°C level is used as a proxy for the amount of mass present in the mixed-phase region of the stratiform clouds, which in turn is related to the generation of charge through a noninductive charging mechanism. To further explore the relationship between radar reflectivity, mixed-phase microphysics, a...
Fine grinding in a horizontal ball mill

Abstract The fine grinding of ores is increasing due to the depletion of coarse grained, easily processed ore bodies and the increased need to process disseminated, fine grained deposits. The main reason ball mills are not utilised for fine grinding is the perceived poor energy efficiency generally experienced when grinding to fine sizes. However there is a trend towards ball mill grinding for product sizes below the traditional ball mill cut-off of 45 μm. The effect of ball size on the feed and product size distributions in a fine grinding situation was studied. The grinding tests identified a number of trends for fine grinding, including: • Efficient grind curves forming the same shape as for traditional grinding (exponential decay). • The results supporting the claim that fine material is best ground with small media and coarse material with larger media. • The smallest charge was most efficient at treating the finer feeds. • The smaller charges were very ineffective and inefficient for grinding of the coarser feeds. • Efficient grind was undertaken by smaller charges than that recommended by Bond’s ball sizing formula, and • Operating work index analysis confirming the results of the P 80 -energy analysis.
Virtual Human: a diagnostic tool for human studies and health effects in the 21st century

The virtual human will be a research/simulation environment having an integrated system of biophysical models, data, and advanced computational algorithms. It will have a Web-based interface for easy, rapid access from several points of entry. The virtual human will serve as a platform for national and international users from governments, academia and industry to investigate the widest range of human biological and physical response to stimuli, be they biological, chemical, or physical. This effort will go far beyond the modeling of anatomy to incorporate refined computational models of whole-body processes, using mechanical and electrical tissue properties, and biology from physiology to biochemical information. The platform will respond mechanistically to varied and potentially iterative stimuli that can be visualized multi- dimensionally. This effort is in the formative stage of a several-year process that will lead to a program that is of similar proportion to the human genome, but will be much more computationally intensive. The main purpose of this paper is to communicate our early ideas about the philosophic basis of the program, to identify some of the applications for which the virtual human would be used, to elicit comments, and to provide a basis to identify prospective collaborators.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Quantum criticality and percolation in dimer-diluted two-dimensional antiferromagnets.

The S = 1/2 Heisenberg model is considered on bilayer and single-layer square lattices with couplings J1, J2, with each spin belonging to one J2-coupled dimer. A transition from a Neel to disordered ground state occurs at a critical value of g = J2/J1. The systems are here studied at their dimer-dilution percolation points p*. The multicritical point (g*,p*) previously found for the bilayer is not reproduced for the single layer. Instead, there is a line of critical points (g < g*, p*) with continuously varying exponents. The uniform magnetic susceptibility diverges as T(-alpha) with alpha element of [1/2,1]. This unusual behavior is attributed to an effective free-moment density approximately T(1-alpha). The susceptibility of the bilayer is not divergent but exhibits remarkably robust quantum-critical scaling.
Partisan Sorting in the United States, 1972-2012: New Evidence from a Dynamic Analysis

Whether Americans have “sorted” into politically like-minded counties and to what extent is hotly debated by academic and journalists. This paper examines whether or not geographic sorting has occurred and why it has occurred using a novel, dynamic analysis. Our findings indicate that geographic sorting is on the rise, but that it is a very recent phenomenon. In the 1970s and 1980s, counties tended to become more competitive, but by 1996 a pattern of partisan sorting had emerged and continued through the present. Results suggest this pattern is driven by Southern re-alignment and voting behavior in partisan stronghold counties. Lastly, we find evidence that migration can drive partisan sorting, but only accounts for a small portion of the change.
Three-dimensional transvaginal sonography of interstitial pregnancy.

We describe the case of a 33-year-old pregnant woman, gravida 1 para 0, who was referred to us with a presumptive diagnosis of an interstitial pregnancy. The patient had had amenorrhea for 7 weeks and had previously undergone myomectomy. Two-dimensional sonographic examination revealed a gestational sac located outside the uterine cavity but could not define its exact anatomic position. Using transvaginal 3-dimensional sonography, we were able to correctly depict the sac, which was located where the fallopian tube crossed the uterine horn. We performed a cornual resection, during which the diagnosis of interstitial pregnancy was confirmed. The use of 3-dimensional sonography in this patient's case thus led to appropriate early treatment and avoidance of possible subsequent morbidity.
Improved compliance measures: Applications in an ambulatory hypertensive drug trial

To assess the value of improved monitoring of medication-taking behavior in a drug trial, we employed a modified pill vial with microcircuitry to record the precise times when the vials were opened. After a 3-week placebo washout period, 21 ambulatory subjects with mild hypertension (mean age, 57 years; 67% men; 76% white) randomly received isradipine or enalapril twice daily in a double-blind titration during 10 weeks. Both drugs achieved a 13% reduction in sitting diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.01) with minimal symptomatic or laboratory toxicity. Although pill counts indicated near-perfect compliance (92% to 99% for both groups), the electronic monitor showed that fewer than half of all openings occurred at the prescribed interval of 12 ± 2 hours. Modest overdispensing was documented in the 3 days before scheduled visits. The monitor confirmed that pill count misclassified compliance sufficiency in 22% of visits and permitted more discrete attribution for drug-associated adverse reactions and secondary resistance to treatment. We conclude that the electronic monitor reduces ambiguity about medication compliance and helps interpret both the biology and pharmacology of the trial. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1990) 48, 676–685; doi:10.1038/clpt.1990.211
Aspartic Peptide Hydrolases in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

Two well-characterized enzymes in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Escherichia coli are able to hydrolyze N-terminal aspartyl (Asp) dipeptides: peptidase B, a broad-specificity aminopeptidase, and peptidase E, an Asp-specific dipeptidase. A serovar Typhimurium strain lacking both of these enzymes, however, can still utilize most N-terminal Asp dipeptides as sources of amino acids, and extracts of such a strain contain additional enzymatic activities able to hydrolyze Asp dipeptides. Here we report two such activities from extracts of pepB pepE mutant strains of serovar Typhimurium identified by their ability to hydrolyze Asp-Leu. Although each of these activities hydrolyzes Asp-Leu at a measurable rate, the preferred substrates for both are N-terminal isoAsp peptides. One of the activities is a previously characterized isoAsp dipeptidase from E. coli, the product of the iadA gene. The other is the product of the serovar Typhimurium homolog of E. coli ybiK, a gene of previously unknown function. This gene product is a member of the N-terminal nucleophile structural family of amidohydrolases. Like most other members of this family, the mature enzyme is generated from a precursor protein by proteolytic cleavage and the active enzyme is a heterotetramer. Based on its ability to hydrolyze an N-terminal isoAsp tripeptide as well as isoAsp dipeptides, the enzyme appears to be an isoAsp aminopeptidase, and we propose that the gene encoding it be designated iaaA (isoAsp aminopeptidase). A strain lacking both IadA and IaaA in addition to peptidase B and peptidase E has been constructed. This strain utilizes Asp-Leu as a leucine source, and extracts of this strain contain at least one additional, as-yet-uncharacterized, peptidase able to cleave Asp dipeptides.
Thermoplastic damage of a stretched plane caused by a moving energy source

Abstract A thermoplastic stress and strain calculation is made to analyze the energy distribution around an energy source traveling in a prestretched panel. The technique of finite element is applied such that the motion of the energy source is discretized into a finite number of time increments. Remeshing of the grid pattern is carried out for every time increment. The energy source may represent a welding torch or laser beam with a high local intensity that causes the material to deform beyond its elastic limit and experience permanent damage by evaporation. This reduces the local stiffness and can lead to global instability. The failure analysis is based on the application of the strain energy density theory which is into the incremental theory of thermoplasticity. The specific example involves examining the experimental data of a 7075-T651 aluminum panel subjected to tensile loading. The energy source is assumed to have a finite radius and travels along the line of symmetry being normal to the direction of applied tension. The possible failure location is predicted for each time increment by analyzing the fluctuation of the local strain energy density field. A critical point corresponding to incipient fracture is found. The panel has a width of 45.72 cm and length of 55.88 cm. The prediction is consistent with the experimental observation.
Comparing Multidimensional and Unidimensional Proficiency Classifications: Multidimensional IRT as a Diagnostic Aid

This research examined the effect of scoring items thought to be multidimensional using a unidimensional model and demonstrated the use of multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) as a diagnostic tool. Using real data from a large-scale mathematics test, previously shown to function differentially in favor of proficient writers, the difference in proficiency classifications was explored when a twoversus one-dimensional confirmatory model was fit. The estimate of ability obtained when using the unidimensional model was considered to represent general mathematical ability. Under the two-dimensional model, one of the two dimensions was also considered to represent general mathematical ability. The second dimension was considered to represent the ability to communicate in mathematics. The resulting pattern of mismatched proficiency classifications suggested that examinees found to have less mathematics communication ability were more likely to be placed in a lower general mathematics proficiency classification under the unidimensional than multidimensional model. Results and implications are discussed. The primary purpose of any mathematics assessment is to quantify the unobservable construct commonly referred to as mathematical ability. As with any psychological measurement endeavor, no single approach to quantifying this construct is universally agreed upon. Rather, many different approaches exist, such as performance assessments, portfolios, journals, observational assessments, and multiplechoice standardized tests. While many would agree that the alternatives to standardized multiple-choice tests should play an important part in any mathematics classroom, the use of these alternative assessments for large-scale testing seems daunting due to the time and money needed for such an undertaking. Yet multiplechoice standardized tests in mathematics have traditionally been criticized for their perceived misalignment with the curriculum, their inability to provide information about the process of student learning as well as the widespread belief that the use of these tests can negatively affect the quality of mathematics instruction (Romberg,
Altered expression of transforming growth factor‐β1 in cervical neoplasia as an early biomarker in carcinogenesis of the uterine cervix

BACKGROUND Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is a potent growth inhibitor of epithelial cell growth, but can also stimulate stromal cell growth. Loss of responsiveness to TGF-beta 1 or loss of TGF-beta 1 itself may be important in the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to invasive cervical carcinoma. METHODS. To examine the expression of TGF-beta in early stages of malignant transformation of the uterine cervix, paraffin embedded tissue samples from 11 patients with normal cervical epithelium, 15 with CIN I-III, 12 with microinvasive, and 18 with invasive squamous cell carcinoma were examined using an immunohistochemical technique. Tissues were immunostained with polyclonal antibodies that react with intracellular and extracellular forms of TGF-beta 1. RESULTS Percent positive staining for the intracellular form of TGF-beta 1 was 100% for normal epithelium, 73.3% for CIN, and 44.1% for invasive carcinomas, (P = 0.002). Percent positive staining for the extracellular form of TGF-beta 1 was 63.6% for stroma underlying normal epithelium, 60% for stroma associated with CIN, and 94.1% for stroma surrounding invasive cancer (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS Decreased expression of intracellular TGF-beta 1 in neoplastic epithelium and increased expression of extracellular TGF-beta 1 in stroma associated with invasive cervical carcinoma suggest that an early event in the neoplastic transformation of cervical epithelia] cells may involve the loss of TGF-beta 1. Tumor progression may be indirectly promoted by TGF-beta 1 secreted into or produced by supporting stromal elements.
Miosis from Echothiophate in Patients with Total Oculomotor Nerve Paralysis from Intracranial Abnormalities

Seven subjects with intracranial pathologic abnormalities received bilateral instillations of echothiophate. Six had unilateral third (oculomotor) nerve paralysis; one had unilateral third nerve paresis. All 14 eyes became miotic. Miosis was greater in the defective eye in three subjects, greater in the normal eye in two subjects, and equal in two subjects. The neurons originating in the ciliary ganglion and terminating on the sphincter pupillae muscle may exhibit spontaneous activity. Echothiophate, by preventing acetylcholine hydrolysis, may have allowed this transmitter to accumulate and to produce miosis. The amount of maximal miosis in the abnormal eye after bilateral instillation of echothiophate drops may vary from that in the normal eye. The causes of this variation include denervation supersensitivity of the sphincter pupillae muscle, partial paresis of the dilator pupillae muscle, and increased drug penetration in the abnormal eye.
Carbohydrate and lignin partitioning in sorghum stems and blades.

(...) This study was conducted to determine quantities of hemicellulose (HC), cellulose (CL), lignin (LG), and nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) partitioned between stems and blades of a spectrum of sorghums. Six entries, E35-1, AT×623×«Rio» (primarily forage types), Giza-114 (biomass type), RT×432, AT×623×RT×432, and AT×623×RT×430 (grain types), were produced on a Ships clay (very-fine, mixed, thermic Udic Chromustert) (...)
Nitric Oxide–Induced Inhibition of Transport by Thick Ascending Limbs From Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats

The factor responsible for salt sensitivity of blood pressure in Dahl rats is unclear but presumably resides in the kidney. We tested the hypotheses that (1) thick ascending limbs of Dahl salt-sensitive rats (DS) absorb more NaCl than those of Dahl salt-resistant rats (DR) and (2) NO inhibits transport to a lesser extent in thick ascending limbs from DS. We found that basal chloride absorption (J(Cl)) by thick ascending limbs from DR was 105.8+/-10.0 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1) (n=6). Ten and 100 micromol/L spermine NONOate, an NO donor, decreased J(Cl) in DR to 65.8+/-8.5 and 46.8+/-7.0 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1), respectively. Basal J(Cl) in DS was 131.6+/-13.4 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1) (n=7). In DS, 10 and 100 micromol/L spermine NONOate decreased J(Cl) to 111.5+/-12.8 and 46.8+/-6.2 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1), respectively. No difference was observed in basal or NO-inhibited Na absorption by cortical collecting ducts or in basal or NO-inhibited oxygen consumption by inner medullary collecting ducts. Because NO acts via generation of cGMP, we measured cGMP production by thick ascending limbs from DS and DR to see whether a difference in cGMP production could account for the difference in basal or NO-inhibited transport. Basal rates of cGMP production were similar between the 2 strains. Although NO increased cGMP production by thick ascending limbs from both strains, no difference existed between DS and DR. We concluded that the reduced ability of NO to block transport in thick ascending limbs in DS may account for at least part of the salt sensitivity of blood pressure in this strain.
Neighborhood as a Social Context of the Stress Process

A fundamental objective of the stress process model is to explain the connection between low social status and high levels of psychological distress and disorder (Pearlin 1989, 1999; Pearlin et al. 1981). This goal has been realized, in part, through the elaboration of the connection between exposure to stressors and status locations within various institutions and social arrangements – education, occupation, economy, gender, and race/ethnicity. In addition, the model articulates the role of low social status in limiting access to psychosocial resources that might otherwise ameliorate the adverse mental health impact of exposure to stress.
HVS-Aware Dynamic Backlight Scaling in TFT-LCDs

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) have appeared in applications ranging from medical equipment to automobiles, gas pumps, laptops, and handheld portable computers. These display components present a cascaded energy attenuator to the battery of the handheld device which is responsible for about half of the energy drain at maximum display intensity. As such, the display components become the main focus of every effort for maximization of embedded system's battery lifetime. This paper proposes an approach for pixel transformation of the displayed image to increase the potential energy saving of the backlight scaling method. The proposed approach takes advantage of human visual system (HVS) characteristics and tries to minimize distortion between the perceived brightness values of the individual pixels in the original image and those of the backlight-scaled image. This is in contrast to previous backlight scaling approaches which simply match the luminance values of the individual pixels in the original and backlight-scaled images. Furthermore, this paper proposes a temporally-aware backlight scaling technique for video streams. The goal is to maximize energy saving in the display system by means of dynamic backlight dimming subject to a video distortion tolerance. The video distortion comprises of: 1) an intra-frame (spatial) distortion component due to frame-sensitive backlight scaling and transmittance function tuning and 2) an inter-frame (temporal) distortion component due to large-step backlight dimming across frames modulated by the psychophysical characteristics of the human visual system. The proposed backlight scaling technique is capable of efficiently computing the flickering effect online and subsequently using a measure of the temporal distortion to appropriately adjust the slack on the intra-frame spatial distortion, thereby, achieving a good balance between the two sources of distortion while maximizing the backlight dimming-driven energy saving in the display system and meeting an overall video quality figure of merit. The proposed dynamic backlight scaling approach is amenable to highly efficient hardware realization and has been implemented on the Apollo Testbed II. Actual current measurements demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed technique compared to the previous backlight dimming techniques, which have ignored the temporal distortion effect
Corpus-based schema matching

Schema matching is the problem of identifying corresponding elements in different schemas. Discovering these correspondences or matches is inherently difficult to automate. Past solutions have proposed a principled combination of multiple algorithms. However, these solutions sometimes perform rather poorly due to the lack of sufficient evidence in the schemas being matched. In this paper we show how a corpus of schemas and mappings can be used to augment the evidence about the schemas being matched, so they can be matched better. Such a corpus typically contains multiple schemas that model similar concepts and hence enables us to learn variations in the elements and their properties. We exploit such a corpus in two ways. First, we increase the evidence about each element being matched by including evidence from similar elements in the corpus. Second, we learn statistics about elements and their relationships and use them to infer constraints that we use to prune candidate mappings. We also describe how to use known mappings to learn the importance of domain and generic constraints. We present experimental results that demonstrate corpus-based matching outperforms direct matching (without the benefit of a corpus) in multiple domains.
Nonlinear guided waves in low-index, self-focusing thin films: transverse electric case

A theoretical investigation is made of the optical waveguiding properties of thin films that exhibit an intensity-dependent refractive index. The results of a numerical calculation show that in a symmetric structure, there exist guided waves with symmetric field profiles, being the nonlinear analog of conventional guided modes. In addition, however, there exist asymmetric guided waves that are closely related to the surface waves supported at a single nonlinear interface. Such surface waves have been studied previously. The effect of structural asymmetry on nonlinear guided waves is also investigated.
Complexity of Decoding Positive-Rate Primitive Reed–Solomon Codes

It has been proved that the maximum likelihood decoding problem of Reed-Solomon codes is NP-hard. However, the length of the code in the proof is at most polylogarithmic in the size of the alphabet. For the complexity of maximum likelihood decoding of the primitive Reed-Solomon code, whose length is one less than the size of alphabet, the only known result states that it is at least as hard as the discrete logarithm in some cases where the information rate unfortunately goes to zero. In this paper, it is proved under a well known cryptography hardness assumption that: 1) There does not exist a randomized polynomial time maximum likelihood decoder for the Reed-Solomon code family [q, k(q)]q, where k(x) is any function in Z+ → Z+ computable in time xO(1) satisfying √x ≤ k(x) ≤ x - √x. 2) There does not exist a randomized polynomial time bounded-distance decoder for primitive Reed-Solomon codes at distance 2/3 + ϵ of the minimum distance for any constant 0 <; ϵ <; 1/3. In particular, this rules out the possibility of a polynomial time algorithm for maximum likelihood decoding problem of primitive Reed-Solomon codes of any rate under the assumption.
A Study of the Impedance and Pattern Bandwidths of Probe-Fed Cylindrical Dielectric Resonator Antennas

Probe-fed cylindrical dielectric resonator antennas (DRAs) are investigated by varying their aspect ratio and permittivity to maximize their impedance bandwidth while maintaining an acceptable radiation pattern. With an optimum combination of aspect ratio and permittivity, a maximum bandwidth of approximately 46% is attainable.
Towards noise-robust speaker recognition using probabilistic linear discriminant analysis

This work addresses the problem of speaker verification where additive noise is present in the enrollment and testing utterances. We show how the current state-of-the-art framework can be effectively used to mitigate this effect. We first look at the degradation a standard speaker verification system is subjected to when presented with noisy speech waveforms. We designed and generated a corpus with noisy conditions, based on the NIST SRE 2008 and 2010 data, built using open-source tools and freely available noise samples. We then show how adding noisy training data in the current i-vector-based approach followed by probabilistic linear discriminant analysis (PLDA) can bring significant gains in accuracy at various signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels. We demonstrate that this improvement is not feature-specific as we present positive results for three disparate sets of features: standard mel frequency cepstral coefficients, prosodic polynomial co-efficients and maximum likelihood linear regression (MLLR) transforms.
Disruption of PLZP in Mice Leads to Increased T-Lymphocyte Proliferation, Cytokine Production, and Altered Hematopoietic Stem Cell Homeostasis

Deregulated function of members of the POK (POZ and Kruppel) family of transcriptional repressors, such as promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) and B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL-6), plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, respectively. PLZP, also known as TZFP, FAZF, or ROG, is a novel POK protein that displays strong homology with PLZF and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the cancer-predisposing syndrome, Fanconi's anemia, and of APL, in view of its ability to heterodimerize with the FANC-C and PLZF proteins, respectively. Here we report the generation and characterization of mice in which we have specifically inactivated the PLZP gene through in-frame insertion of a lacZ reporter and without perturbing the expression of the neighboring MLL2 gene. We show that PLZP-deficient mice display defects in cell cycle control and cytokine production in the T-cell compartment. Importantly, PLZP inactivation perturbs the homeostasis of the hematopoietic stem and/or progenitor cell. On the basis of our data, a deregulation of PLZP function in Fanconi's anemia and APL may affect the biology of the hematopoietic stem cell, in turn contributing to the pathogenesis of these disorders.
Advanced composites: the leading edge in high performance motor and transformer insulation

Advanced composite electrical structures, offer excellent strength, heat, and electrical properties. The author reviews their electrical performance and manufacturing advantages and reports on new designs in high-performance motors and transformers incorporating them. The applications for slot liners and coil forms outlined underscore the potential of composites for cutting costs, scaling down size, and improving the performance of various types of electrical equipment. >
Neural reserve, neuronal density in the locus ceruleus, and cognitive decline

Objective: To test the hypothesis that higher neuronal density in brainstem aminergic nuclei contributes to neural reserve. Methods: Participants are 165 individuals from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a longitudinal clinical–pathologic cohort study. They completed a mean of 5.8 years of annual evaluations that included a battery of 19 cognitive tests from which a previously established composite measure of global cognition was derived. Upon death, they had a brain autopsy and uniform neuropathologic examination that provided estimates of the density of aminergic neurons in the locus ceruleus, dorsal raphe nucleus, substantia nigra, and ventral tegmental area plus summary measures of neuronal neurofibrillary tangles and Lewy bodies from these nuclei and medial temporal lobe and neocortex. Results: Neuronal densities in each nucleus were approximately normally distributed. In separate analyses, higher neuronal density in each nucleus except the ventral tegmental area was associated with slower rate of cognitive decline, but when modeled together only locus ceruleus neuronal density was related to cognitive decline (estimate = 0.003, SE = 0.001, p Conclusion: Density of noradrenergic neurons in the locus ceruleus may be a structural component of neural reserve.
The emotional depravity of psychopaths and culpability

In this paper, I restrict discussion to cases of psychopathy in which it is assumed that psychopaths who satisfy epistemic requirements of responsibility, including the requirement that one is culpable for an action only if one performs it in light of the belief that one is doing wrong, can and do perform actions they take to be immoral or illegal. I argue that in such cases, the well-documented emotional impairment of psychopaths fails to subvert moral culpability. In particular, it does not undermine the sort of control required for moral blameworthiness and, hence, assuming all other conditions of responsibility have been met, the psychopaths of concern are indeed culpable for their behavior. Drawing, however, from certain lessons regarding the effects of coercion on responsibility, I propose that emotional impairment is a factor that should abate, perhaps even significantly, negative reaction to or treatment of such agents.
Relations between traumatic brain injury and the environment: Feedback reduces maladaptive behaviour exhibited by three persons with traumatic brain injury

Feedback is a commonly used technique in neurorehabilitation. It functions to strengthen or weaken select relations between individuals' behaviour and their environment. The study of behaviour-environment relations is a focus of operant psychology, commonly referred to as behaviour analysis. Central to behaviour analysis is the analysis of interrelations among stimuli, behaviour, and consequences. The focus on behaviour-environment relations may have considerable benefits for designing clinical treatments and accounting for successful and unsuccessful treatments, especially psychological interventions for maladaptive behaviour. In the present investigation, three persons with traumatic brain injuries, diagnosed with depression and presenting mild cognitive impairments, received feedback about their maladaptive behaviour. Weekly feedback resulted in general reductions in the variability and frequency of maladaptive behaviour. The results support the utility of giving equal consideration to relations betwee...
CD30 Is a Potential Therapeutic Target in Malignant Mesothelioma

CD30 is a cytokine receptor belonging to the TNF superfamily (TNFRSF8) that acts as a regulator of apoptosis. The presence of CD30 antigen is important in the diagnosis of Hodgkin disease and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. There have been sporadic reports of CD30 expression in nonlymphoid tumors, including malignant mesothelioma. Given the remarkable success of brentuximab vedotin, an antibody-drug conjugate directed against CD30 antigen, in lymphoid malignancies, we undertook a study to examine the incidence of CD30 in mesothelioma and to investigate the ability to target CD30 antigen in mesothelioma. Mesothelioma tumor specimens (N = 83) were examined for CD30 expression by IHC. Positive CD30 expression was noted in 13 mesothelioma specimens, primarily those of epithelial histology. There was no significant correlation of CD30 positivity with tumor grade, stage, or survival. Examination of four mesothelioma cell lines (H28, H2052, H2452, and 211H) for CD30 expression by both FACS analysis and confocal microscopy showed that CD30 antigen localized to the cell membrane. Brentuximab vedotin treatment of cultured mesothelioma cells produced a dose-dependent decrease in cell growth and viability at clinically relevant concentrations. Our studies validate the presence of CD30 antigen in a subgroup of epithelial-type mesothelioma tumors and indicate that selected mesothelioma patients may derive benefit from brentuximab vedotin treatment.
Identification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) genetic variants that modify risk for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

EGFR polymorphisms have not been thoroughly evaluated for association with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) risk. We genotyped 578 HNSCC patients and 588 cancer-free controls for 60 EGFR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and tested associations with HNSCC risk. EGFR intronic SNPs rs12535536, rs2075110, rs1253871, rs845561 and rs6970262 and synonymous SNP rs2072454 were associated with HNSCC risk among all subjects (p < 0.05). SNPs rs12538371, rs845561, and rs6970262 were significantly associated with HNSCC risk (p < 0.05) among never tobacco users. We identified EGFR variants that likely modify risk for HNSCC including three variants that contribute to tobacco-independent risk.
Effects of tertiary microsieving on the composition of poultry processing wastewater

SUMMARY Experiments were conducted to establish baseline values and processing plant variability in the reduction in concentrations of 5 wastewater parameters and 15 minerals after bench-scale tertiary microsieving of poultry processing wastewater (PPW) to 53 µm. Most US poultry processing plants currently use a 2-stage series of primary and secondary mechanical screens in the Fine (1,500 to 6,000 µm) and Very Fine (250 to 1,500 µm) micron range to remove gross offal before the wastewater enters advanced treatment systems. Poultry processors could receive substantial economic and environmental benefits by reducing the amount of fine particulate matter in PPW entering advanced wastewater treatment systems through the use of tertiary microscreening, which is the physical screening of PPW below 250 µm. This would increase the volume of offal recovered while decreasing associated wastewater treatment costs. Composite samples of PPW from 3 US broiler slaughter plants were collected after secondary rotary screening and analyzed for mean concentrations (mg/L) of chemical oxygen demand (2,733 mg/L), total solids (2,304 mg/L), total volatile solids (1,822 mg/L), total suspended solids (1129 mg/L), and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (161 mg/L). Tertiary microsieving reduced total suspended solids by 27 to 37%, total volatile solids by 16 to 22%, total solids by 16%, total Kjeldahl nitrogen by 8%, and chemical oxygen demand by 7%. The PPW samples were also analyzed for mean concentrations (mg/L) of sodium (119.9), potassium (61.0), phosphorus (33.5), calcium (26.2), silicon (13.9), magnesium (8.9), iron (1.8), aluminum (0.6), zinc (0.3), copper (0.16), manganese (0.102), boron (0.036), molybdenum (0.019), nickel (0.016), and chromium (0.013). Four of the 7 elements with mean concentrations >1 mg/L (sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium) were generally unaffected by microsieving.
Dynamic method for software test data generation

Test data generation in program testing is the process of identifying a set of test data which satisfies a given testing criterion. Existing pathwise test data generators proceed by selecting program paths that satisfy the selected criterion and then generating program inputs for these paths. One of the problems with this approach is that unfeasible paths are often selected; as a result, significant computational effort can be wasted in analysing those paths. In this paper, an approach to test data generation, referred to as a dynamic approach for test data generation, is presented. In this approach, the path selection stage is eliminated. Test data are derived based on the actual execution of the program under test and function minimization methods. The approach starts by executing a program for an arbitrary program input. During program execution for each executed branch, a search procedure decides whether the execution should continue through the current branch or an alternative branch should be taken. If an undesirable execution flow is observed at the current branch, then a real-valued function is associated with this branch, and function minimization search algorithms are used to locate values of input variables automatically, which will change the flow of execution at this branch.
The role of the convective modes and sheared variables in the Hamiltonian dynamics of uniform-shear-flow perturbations

The convective modes in shear flows are associated with the algebraic time evolution of perturbations. The sheared variables, corresponding to the amplitudes of the convective modes, are shown to diagonalize the quadratic Hamiltonian. In other words, the sheared variables are the normal variables of the Hamilton equations, and the convective modes are the normal modes in the Hamiltonian dynamics.