cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sparse dictionary learning from 1-BIT data

This work examines a sparse dictionary learning task - that of fitting a collection of data points, arranged as columns of a matrix, to a union of low-dimensional linear subspaces - in settings where only highly quantized (single bit) observations of the data matrix entries are available. We analyze a complexity penalized maximum likelihood estimation strategy, and obtain finite-sample bounds for the average per-element squared approximation error of the estimate produced by our approach. Our results are reminiscent of traditional parametric estimation tasks - we show here that despite the highly-quantized observations, the normalized per-element estimation error is bounded by the ratio between the number of “degrees of freedom” of the matrix and its dimension.
Classification of irreducible modules for the vertex operator algebra VL+: general case

Abstract The irreducible modules for the fixed point vertex operator subalgebra V L + of the vertex operator algebra V L associated to an arbitrary positive definite even lattice L under the automorphism lifted from the −1 isometry of L are classified.
Bmi1 reprograms CML B-lymphoid progenitors to become B-ALL-initiating cells.

The characterization and targeting of Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)–initiating cells remains unresolved. Expression of the polycomb protein Bmi1 is up-regulated in patients with advanced stages of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). We report that Bmi1 transforms and reprograms CML B-lymphoid progenitors into stem cell leukemia (Scl) promoter-driven, self-renewing, leukemia-initiating cells to result in B-lymphoid leukemia (B-ALL) in vivo. In vitro, highly proliferating and serially replatable myeloid and lymphoid colony-forming cultures could be established from BCR-ABL and Bmi1 coexpressing progenitors. However, unlike in vivo expanded CML B-lymphoid progenitors, hematopoietic stem cells, or multipotent progenitors, coexpressing BCR-ABL and Bmi1 did not initiate or propagate leukemia in a limiting dilution assay. Inducible genetic attenuation of BCR-ABL reversed Bmi1-driven B-ALL development, which was accompanied by induction of apoptosis of leukemic B-lymphoid progenitors and by long-term animal survival, suggesting that BCR-ABL is required to maintain B-ALL and that BCR-ABL and Bmi1 cooperate toward blast transformation in vivo. Our data indicate that BCR-ABL targeting itself is required to eradicate Ph+/Bmi1+ B-ALL–initiating cells and confirm their addiction to BCR-ABL signaling.
Contributions to Fusion Research from Studies of Foil-Excited Heavy Ion Beams

XUV spectra in the wavelength region from 5-55 nm have been measured at Brookhaven National Laboratory for foil-excited ion beams of Au, W, Zr, Mo, Fe, and Ti. These atoms are of particular interest in fusion research. In sharp contrast to the wide-ranging time-dependent charge state evolution of heavy ions in a plasma discharge, foil excitation of a heavy ion beam produces relatively well-defined narrow charge-state distributions. Existing accelerators, such as the Brookhaven MP tandems, can produce sufficiently energetic heavy ion beams to span the range of charge states found in present-day tokamaks. The comparison of spectra from beam-foil excitation and tokamak plasmas can therefore be used to infer the average ion and charge state makeup of the plasma discharge. Such comparisons with Au, W, and Mo features in tokamak spectra are discussed and spectra for Zr and Fe (which are expected contaminants in new tokamaks) are presented. Additional contributions to fusion research from beam-foil experiments are demonstrated. These include: wavelengths and identifications for lines which can be resolved in plasma spectra and direct determinations of radiative lifetimes and absorption oscillator strengths for these transitions which are used to determine impurity concentrations in plasmas.
Development of a specific inhibitor for the placental protease, cathepsin P.

Abstract Gene duplications in rodents have given rise to a family of proteases that are expressed exclusively in placenta. To define the biological role of these enzymes specific inhibitors are needed to differentiate their activities from other more ubiquitously expressed proteases, such as cathepsins B and L. Libraries of peptidyl inhibitors based upon a 4-cyclohexanone pharmacophore were screened for inhibition of cathepsins P, L, and B. The tightest binding dipeptidyl inhibitor for cathepsin P contained Tyr in P2 and Trp in P 2 ′ , consistent with the specificity of this enzyme for hydrophobic amino acids at these sites in synthetic substrates. An inhibitor containing Trp in both P2 and P 2 ′ provided better discrimination between cathepsin P and cathepsins B and L. Extension of the inhibitors to include P3, and P 3 ′ amino acids identified an inhibitor with Trp in P2, P 2 ′ , and P3, and Phe in P 3 ′ that bound to cathepsin P with a Ki of 32 nM. This specificity for inhibitors with hydrophobic aromatic amino acids in these four positions is unique among the lysosomal cysteine proteases. This inhibitor bound to cathepsin P an order of magnitude tighter than to mouse and human cathepsin L and two orders of magnitude tighter than to human cathepsin B. Cbz-Trp-Trp-4-cyclohexanone-Trp-Phe-OMe can discriminate cathepsin P from cathepsins B and L and consequently can be used to specifically inhibit and identify cathepsin P in cellular systems.
The reality of virtual environments

In this article, the reality of virtual environment is described in detail. Highly detailed three-dimensional (3D) computer models and environments are commonly used in design, manufacturing, simulation, and entertainment. These virtual environments (VEs) are often successful at appearing realistic when time remains still, but as the mobile objects are set into motion and interact with their surroundings, the movements often appear unnatural. In many prerendered VEs used for entertainment purposes, all of the object's motions must be handmade by 3-D animators in a process that is time consuming and lacks strict realism. In other VEs such as the first generation of 3-D video games, objects are modeled by their bounding space or by a sphere that surrounds all of the 3-D model's vertices. In these cases, the motions are often quite linear, and the collision response algorithms are quite simplistic; some even revert to stopping an object's motion when it collides with the environment. These techniques are much too minimal and greatly reduce the level of realism in VEs.
G-wire: A livewire segmentation algorithm based on a generalized graph formulation

A novel livewire algorithm for image segmentation is proposed. Based on a generalized graph formulation, our algorithm incorporates the internal energy of the boundary curve while preserving the principle of optimality, resulting in better segmentation results in noisy images.
AIR-FILLED POROSITY OF GOLF GREEN SAND MIXES

The air-filled porosity of sand mixes for greens as recommended by the United States Golf Association (USGA) is calculated from the difference between total porosity and water content retained in soil columns at 40 cm tension. Recently, some researchers suggested that 30 cm tension should be used. Theoretically, it is difficult to define when and at what tension quick drainage from macropores will cease in soil mixes. However, it may be possible to determine the tension at which quick drainage has reached its steady condition. This can be done by evaluating water contents if no significant difference is found between tensions. The objective of this study was to compare water retentive capacity of sand mixes between the 30 and 40 cm tensions and to examine statistically at which tension water content in the sand mix remained steady. Four sands and 35 different sand mixes were arbitrarily selected for this study. All the selected sands met the USGA sand recommendations, but only the Shawneetown sand was use...
A method for following patients with retrievable inferior vena cava filters: results and lessons learned from the first 1,100 patients.

Abstract Purpose Patients who have undergone implantation of a retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filter require continued follow-up to have the device removed when clinically appropriate and in a timely fashion to avoid potential long-term filter-related complications. The efficacy of a method for patient follow-up was evaluated based on a retrospective review of a single-institutional retrievable IVC filter experience. Materials and Methods Patients with retrievable IVC filters were tracked via a prospectively collected database designed specifically for patient follow-up. Follow-up consisted of periodic review of the electronic medical record. Patients were contacted by mail (at regular intervals one or more times) when removal of the filter was deemed appropriate. A retrospective review of the ultimate fate of the first 1,127 retrievable IVC filters placed at a single institution was performed. Retrieval rates were compared with those seen in the initial experience, during which no structured follow-up was performed. Results Of 1,127 filters placed, 658 (58.4%) were removed. Filter removal or declaration of the device as permanent was achieved in 860 patients (76.3%). Filter removal, declaration of the device as permanent, or establishment of the need for continued follow-up was achieved in 941 patients (83.5%). Only 186 patients (16.5%) were lost to follow-up. Conclusions The follow-up method described in the present study resulted in a statistically significant difference ( P
Internet Inquiry: Conversations About Method, edited by Annette N. Markham and Nancy K. Baym. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2008. 264 pp. $50.00 paper. ISBN 978-1412910019 paper.

Internet Inquiry is not a step-by-step guide for performing online qualitative research; it is rather an invitation to reflect and discuss upon methods. It creates a conversation internally by the ...
Catheter materials affect the incidence of late blood-borne catheter infection.

Background: Adherence of bacteria and subsequent catheter-related infections (CRI) are greatly enhanced by the fibrin sheath that develops on indwelling catheters. Since the infection rate of cathe...
Influence of Microstegium vimineum Presence on Insect Abundance in Hardwood Forests

Abstract Microstegium vimineum (Japanese Stiltgrass) is an exotic, annual grass that has invaded hardwood forests throughout the Southeastern United States. Four forests, in four Tennessee counties, were selected, and insects and plant communities were sampled along transects with and without M. vimineum. Insects were sampled using a terrestrial vacuum sampler. Percent plant cover was measured using a point-intercept technique, and plant species richness and diversity were calculated. Of the 60 families collected, significantly more individuals in the families Acrididae, Cicadellidae, and Gryllidae, were collected in areas with M. vimineum, whereas areas without M. vimineum resulted in significantly more individuals in the families Blattellidae and Chrysomelidae. Herbaceous plant richness and diversity did not significantly differ between areas with and without M. vimineum. Areas without M. vimineum had significantly lower percent vegetation cover (30.41%) than areas with M. vimineum (91.48%). The overall...
cis-acting elements of the rat aromatase promoter required for cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate induction in ovarian granulosa cells and constitutive expression in R2C Leydig cells.

The cytochrome P450 aromatase gene is transcriptionally regulated by FSH and steroids in granulosa cells of developing ovarian follicles. To characterize the molecular mechanisms by which this regulation occurs, the promoter of the rat aromatase gene has been analyzed by 1) mapping the transcriptional start site, 2) constructing deletion mutant reporter genes for transfection assays, and 3) determining DNA-protein interactions by gel shift assays. Transient transfection assays indicated that promoter sequences between -176 and -31 basepairs (bp) were required for cAMP inducibility of reporter constructs in primary cultures of granulosa cells and for expression in rat R2C Leydig cells, which constitutively express high amounts of aromatase mRNA. Nuclear extract proteins from granulosa cells and R2C Leydig cells specifically bound a labeled -176/13-bp fragment and were competed by cold competitor fragment as well as by a shorter region (-90/-66 bp) containing an AGGTCA hexameric motif. Competition was inhib...
Toward a normative explanation of “old fashioned revivals”

Much of the literature attempting to explain revival phenomena has resorted to psychological explanations to the exclusion of sociological factors. The purpose of this paper is to provide an explanation of revival behavior employing a normative framework. Four propositions are stated, each the prerequisite for the next. First, sinner and the revival culture must interact, and definitions of self and others must be forged. Second, structural facilities must be available for learning the Christian role. Third, opportunity structures must present themselves to afford the expression of appropriate behaviors that are in accord with pre-established patterns. Fourth, the status passage from salvation to sanctification is an orderly one, requiring that a sinner be saved before sanctified. The position taken is that in order to arrive at adequate explanation, revival behavior must be observed as a social process. Therefore, the necessary requisite of the participant observation strategy is noted.
Review Of State-Of-The-Art Lead-Salt Diode Laser Development

AbstractLong wavelength (X > 22 µm) lead -salt diode lasers are useful for spectroscopy studiesand also for long distance fiber -optical communications. Double heterojunction diodelasers have now been fabricated using a new material system, Pbl_xEuxSeyTel_y. Thesestructures were grown lattice- matched to (100) oriented PbTe substrates by molecular beamepitaxy. Laser operation up to 190 K pulsed, 147 K CW, has been attained with up to 1 mWsingle mode output power. The growth of single quantum well lead -chalcogenide diode laserswill be described. The threshold current of these quantum well lasers increases relativelyslowly with temperature, yielding CW operation up to 174 K (at 4.41 µm wavelength), andpulsed operation up to 241 K (at 4.01 µm). To achieve single mode operation, a simpletechnique has been developed for the fabrication of lead -salt CS (cleaved- coupled- cavity)diode lasers. The improvement in spectral purity and the reduction in threshold current ofthese coupled cavity lasers will be discussed.IntroductionLead -salt diode lasers are useful for spectroscopic studies in the 2 -30 pm range.1,2The longer wavelengths (X > 6 -8 µm) can be covered with PbSnSe or PbSnTe, and we haverecenty shown that PbSnTe /PbSnYbTe double heterojunction lasers can be operated CW up to
Social Work Response to the Needs of Biracial Americans

Abstract The number of interracial marriages is rising. The offspring of these marriages are a special group that is experiencing the complexities and frustrations of multiracial existence. Over six million Americans identified themselves as biracial in the 2000 census. These people are different from biracial Americans of the past. They do not want to disown any part of their ancestry and are resisting the societal practice of forcing them to identify with only the racial community of one parent. This paper examines the social realities and worldviews of these Americans and identifies their major needs. It discusses these and suggests a social work response at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice.
MEASUREMENT ERRORS IN GPS OBSERVABLES

Airborne users of GPS may benefit from differential (relative) navigation to the extent that the errors in their measurements of pseudorange and/or delta range to each satellite are correlated with observation errors for the same satellite signals received at a reference site. This paper describes some results of an experiment to characterize the measurement errors of one airborne GPS user equipment. The results suggest that pseudorange errors are dominated by slowly varying systematic processes that are likely to be highly correlated from user to user, whereas delta-range errors appear to be zero-mean processes that are dominated by user generated noises, especially clock jitter and tracking errors.
The analysis of the magnetostatic fields surrounding a twisted-pair transmission line using integral methods

An integral formulation is derived from the Biot-Savart law in conjunction with Gaussian numerical integral methods and applied to the computation of magnetic fields surrounding a two-wire twisted-pair transmission line in the static case. The results show the effects of the length of the pitch of the twisted-pair line on magnetic fields surrounding these lines and the 3-D nature of this field. It appears that, to obtain uniform heating, one should try different shapes for the exciting coils. Increasing the length of the heating coils improves the uniformity near the center of the workpiece, but has the effect of overheating at the edges. Changing the distance between the coils or the supply frequency does not have a significant effect on the heating pattern. The significance of the analysis lies in its relation to electromagnetic compatibility considerations which must be taken into account in the design of the electric power transmission and distribution system of NASA's Space Station Freedom (SSF). >
Resistance to a Protein Farnesyltransferase Inhibitor in Plasmodium falciparum

The post-translational farnesylation of proteins serves to anchor a subset of intracellular proteins to membranes in eukaryotic organisms and also promotes protein-protein interactions. Inhibition of protein farnesyltransferase (PFT) is lethal to the pathogenic protozoa Plasmodium falciparum. Parasites were isolated that were resistant to BMS-388891, a tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) PFT inhibitor. Resistance was associated with a 12-fold decrease in drug susceptibility. Genotypic analysis revealed a single point mutation in the β subunit in resistant parasites. The resultant tyrosine 837 to cysteine alteration in the β subunit corresponded to the binding site for the THQ and peptide substrate. Biochemical analysis of Y837C-PFT demonstrated a 13-fold increase in BMS-388891 concentration necessary for inhibiting 50% of the enzyme activity. These data are consistent with PFT as the target of BMS-388891 in P. falciparum and suggest that PFT inhibitors should be combined with other antimalarial agents for effective therapy.
A framework for stress computation in single-walled carbon nanotubes under uniaxial tension

A procedure is proposed for computing the stresses in an armchair single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) under uniaxial tension. Computation is based on molecular dynamics simulations and the virial stress theorem. The proposed approach is compared with other methods used in the literature for calculating the stresses in CNTs. The loading is applied under two different boundary conditions and different strain rates and the results are compared. It is shown that the method commonly used in the literature for calculating the stresses in CNTs under estimates the ultimate strength by around 35%. It is shown that the value of the displacement increment used to apply the tensile strain is crucial. A convergence study is done to eliminate the computational error due to large displacement increments.
The Veterans Administration Cooperative Study on Antihypertensive Agents. Implications for Stroke Prevention

Hypertension and atherosclerosis are the leading causes of stroke. The risk of stroke is directly related to the height of the blood pressure. The Veterans Administration Cooperative Study included 523 male patients. If the results of two subgroups (115 to 129 mm Hg and 90 to 114 mm Hg initial diastolic) are combined, the total incidence of stroke was 25 in the control group and six in the treated group. In addition to widespread lack of awareness of the medical profession of the benefits of treatment, there also is a failure of detection of hypertension in large segments of our population. There is need for greater professional as well as public education concerning hypertension.
Analysis and verification of the HMGB1 signaling pathway

Recent studies have found that overexpression of the High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein, in conjunction with its receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGEs) and toll-like receptors (TLRs), is associated with proliferation of various cancer types, including that of the breast and pancreatic. We have developed a rule-based model of crosstalk between the HMGB1 signaling pathway and other key cancer signaling pathways. The model has been simulated using both ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and discrete stochastic simulation. We have applied an automated verification technique, Statistical Model Checking, to validate interesting temporal properties of our model. Our simulations show that, if HMGB1 is overexpressed, then the oncoproteins CyclinD/E, which regulate cell proliferation, are overexpressed, while tumor suppressor proteins that regulate cell apoptosis (programmed cell death), such as p53, are repressed. Discrete, stochastic simulations show that p53 and MDM2 oscillations continue even after 10 hours, as observed by experiments. This property is not exhibited by the deterministic ODE simulation, for the chosen parameters. Moreover, the models also predict that mutations of RAS, ARF and P21 in the context of HMGB1 signaling can influence the cancer cell's fate - apoptosis or survival - through the crosstalk of different pathways.
Autonomy and Manipulated Freedom

In recent years, compatibilism has been the target of two powerful challenges. According to the consequence argument, if everything we do and think is a consequence of factors beyond our control (past events and the laws of nature), and the consequences of what is beyond our control are themselves beyond our control, then no one has control over what they do or think and no one is responsible for anything. Hence, determinism rules out responsibility. A different challenge--here called the manipulation argument--is that by allowing agents to be fully determined compatibilist accounts of practical freedom and responsibility are unable to preclude those who are subject to global manipulation from being free and responsible.
Comparative Citizenship: An Agenda for Cross-National Research

In this article, I attempt to integrate the study of citizenship into debates in comparative politics, in two different ways. First, I justify the real-world importance of the topic, and thereby encourage other scholars to grapple with its manifestations and implications. Second, I present some suggestive evidence, based on the 15 "older" countries of the European Union (EU). The findings not only illustrate the extent of cross-national variation in citizenship policies at two different time periods, but they help to demonstrate the applicability of comparative analysis to categorizing and explaining both long-lasting cross-national differences and more recent change in some countries. In explaining the historical variation within the EU, I consider whether or not a country had a prior experience as a colonial power, as well as whether it became a democracy in the nineteenth century. In accounting for continuity or change over the last few decades, I argue that while various international and domestic pressures have led to liberalization in a number of countries, these usually occurred in the absence of public discussion and involvement. In contrast, when public opinion gets mobilized and engaged on issues related to citizenship reform-usually by a well-organized far right party, but also sometimes by a referendum or petition campaign-liberalization is usually blocked, or further restrictions are introduced. This finding raises important, paradoxical, and troubling questions about the connection between democratic processes and liberal outcomes. The state is a compound made of citizens; and this compels us to consider who shouldproperly be called a citizen and what a citizen really is. The nature of citizenship, like that of the state, is a question which is often disputed: there is no general agreement on a single definition: the man who is a citizen in a democracy is often not one in an oligarchy. Aristotle
Retinotopy and color sensitivity in human visual cortical area V8.

Prior studies suggest the presence of a color-selective area in the inferior occipital-temporal region of human visual cortex. It has been proposed that this human area is homologous to macaque area V4, which is arguably color selective, but this has never been tested directly. To test this model, we compared the location of the human color-selective region to the retinotopic area boundaries in the same subjects, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), cortical flattening and retinotopic mapping techniques. The human color-selective region did not match the location of area V4 (neither its dorsal nor ventral subdivisions), as extrapolated from macaque maps. Instead this region coincides with a new retinotopic area that we call ‘V8’, which includes a distinct representation of the fovea and both upper and lower visual fields. We also tested the response to stimuli that produce color afterimages and found that these stimuli, like real colors, caused preferential activation of V8 but not V4.
Novel pharmacological approaches to the prevention and treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is most commonly the final stage of a sequence of deleterious events: obesity and genetic factors lead to decreased insulin sensitivity of muscle, liver and adipose tissue, which can initially be compensated for by increased insulin secretion and which may only be apparent as a decrease in glucose tolerance. Over the years, however, pancreatic b-cell function starts to fail progressively in some patients, resulting in fasting hyperglycemia. This, and the associated glucotoxicity and possibly lipotoxicity further decrease b-cell function, eventually resulting in overt NIDDM. Although the pathogenesis of NIDDM is clearly a multifactorial process with several genetic and environmental factors determining the predisposition to insulin resistance and b-cell dysfunction, the onset of reduced sensitivity of target tissues to insulin is thought to be the pivotal initiating factor. However, virtually all current treatments for NIDDM are targeted at increasing the availability of circulating insulin, with the notable exception of weight loss which is highly effective in reversing insulin resistance. Since the success rate of the latter intervention is notoriously disappointing, pharmacological strategies have been sought to increase the effectiveness of insulin signaling. While various high-throughput and combinatorial screening strategies were and still are being employed to identify proteins and small molecules enhancing insulin action at or beyond its receptor, the first clinically promising insulin sensitizers are derived from an apparently unrelated area of research dealing with nuclear hormone receptors and retinoids. The first indication that nuclear receptors can improve insulin action came from studies demonstrating that the insulin-sensitizing thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are ligands for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) g. This ligand-activated transcription factor is expressed in human adipose tissue and, to a lesser degree, also in muscle (1), where it binds as a heterodimer with the 9-cis retinoic acid receptor RXR to the regulatory DNA sequences of specific target genes. Intriguingly, this PPAR:RXR complex has now been shown by several groups to be susceptible to activation not only by TZDs, but also by natural and pharmacological RXR ligands, such as LG100268 (‘rexinoid’) (2, 3). In the presence of both ligands, a strong synergistic effect is observed in
Diurnal cycle of thermally driven cross-basin winds in Arizona's meteor crater

Abstract Cross-basin winds produced by asymmetric insolation of the crater sidewalls occur in Arizona’s Meteor Crater on days with weak background winds. The diurnal cycle of the cross-basin winds is analyzed together with radiation, temperature, and pressure measurements at the crater sidewalls for a 1-month period. The asymmetric irradiation causes horizontal temperature and pressure gradients across the crater basin that drive the cross-basin winds near the crater floor. The horizontal temperature and pressure gradients and wind directions change as the sun moves across the sky, with easterly winds in the morning and westerly winds in the evening. A case study of 12 October 2006 further illustrates the obtained relation between these parameters for an individual day. The occurrence of an elevated cross-basin flow on 23 October 2006 is shown to relate to the presence of an elevated inversion layer.
Estimating Odds Ratios in Genome Scans: An Approximate Conditional Likelihood Approach

In modern whole-genome scans, the use of stringent thresholds to control the genome-wide testing error distorts the estimation process, producing estimated effect sizes that may be on average far greater in magnitude than the true effect sizes. We introduce a method, based on the estimate of genetic effect and its standard error as reported by standard statistical software, to correct for this bias in case-control association studies. Our approach is widely applicable, is far easier to implement than competing approaches, and may often be applied to published studies without access to the original data. We evaluate the performance of our approach via extensive simulations for a range of genetic models, minor allele frequencies, and genetic effect sizes. Compared to the naive estimation procedure, our approach reduces the bias and the mean squared error, especially for modest effect sizes. We also develop a principled method to construct confidence intervals for the genetic effect that acknowledges the conditioning on statistical significance. Our approach is described in the specific context of odds ratios and logistic modeling but is more widely applicable. Application to recently published data sets demonstrates the relevance of our approach to modern genome scans.
Multisensor seeker for medium-range air-to-air missiles

Typically, air-to-air missiles built to this day use either radar or infrared guidance to steer a missile on to the target. This paper presents the development of a multisensor seeker for medium range air-to-air missiles which would contain active infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF) modes, as well as passive IR and RF modes. The principal technology issues identified, and techniques proposed include a cylindrically shaped, frequency scanned, conformal RF antenna array and a gimballed heterodyne/direct double detector IR sensor in an array configuration. The IR sensor consists of a dual active/passive imaging system mounted on a gimballed platform, substituted at the focal plane of the optical system. Alternative design options for both RF and IR sensors are also suggested.
Breakup in stochastic Stokes flows: sub-Kolmogorov drops in isotropic turbulence

Deformation and breakup of drops in an isotropic turbulent flow has been studied by numerical simulation. The numerical method involves a pseudospectral representation of the turbulent outer flow field coupled to three-dimensional boundary integral simulations of the local drop dynamics. A statistical analysis based on an ensemble of drop trajectories is presented; results include breakup rates, the distribution of primary daughter drops produced by breakup events, and stationary distributions for drop deformation and orientation. Depending on the local flow history, drops may break at modest length or become highly elongated and relax without breaking. Drop deformation is the dominant mechanism of drop reorientation. The volume of the primary daughter drops, produced by a given fluctuation in flow strength, scales with the volume of the corresponding critical drop size for the fluctuation. A simplified description for the evolution of the drop size distribution, based on this scaling, is presented.
Miscellaneous Chromosome Numbers in Opuntieae Dc. (Cactaceae) with a Compilation of Counts for the Group

Abstract: Chromosome counts of members of the Opuntieae were carried out to further our understanding of ploidal levels, species boundaries, and evolutionary patterns within this group of stem succulents, which has been well-studied cytologically and is well known for hybridization and polyploidy. Here we counted chromosomes of 53 taxa in 4 genera (Consolea Lem., Nopalea Salm-Dyck, Opuntia Mill., and Tacinga Britton & Rose). Thirty of these counts are the first for a given taxon, and six counts represent a different ploidy for a taxon than has been reported previously. We also present a review of chromosome counts reported for Opuntieae. Ploidy in these taxa ranged from diploid, 2n = 2x = 22, to 20-ploid, 2n = 20x = 220. Of the 164 species in the Opuntieae for which chromosome counts have been carried out, including our new counts, 26.2% are diploid, 13.4% are both diploid and polyploid, and 60.4% are polyploid reiterating that the frequency of genome duplication in the group is far more common than diploidy.
Hydroalkenylation: palladium catalyzed co-dimerization of unactivated alkenes

Abstract A highly efficient co-dimerization of styrene and cyclopentene was developed in the presence of palladium and a BF 3 source, selectively forming a new C–C bond. The complex [Pd(PPh 3 ) 2 ] + BF 4 − is believed to generate palladium hydride (Pd-H), which catalyzes the reaction between various styrenes and cyclopentene in excellent yields as single isomers. This co-catalytic system provides a new efficient C–C bond forming method.
MR evaluation of epidural fibrosis: proposed grading system with intra- and inter-observer variability.

The purpose of this study is to present a grading system for the Magnetic Resonance (MR) appearance of epidural fibrosis, and to present the inter- and intra-observer variability of the system. The study population was from a randomized, double blind, controlled multicenter clinical trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness of ADCON-L anti-adhesion barrier gel, in preventing epidural fibrosis and dural adhesions following single-level unilateral laminectomy/discectomy for lumbar disc herniations. MRI of the lumbar spine was obtained, without and with gadolinium enhancement, pre-operatively and at six months post-operatively. Patients having extensive epidural scar have been shown to be 3.2 times more likely to experience recurrent radicular pain than those patients with less extensive epidural scarring. New agents have appeared in the marketplace and in clinical trials that may be used intra-operatively to modulate the presence or absence of epidural scar tissue. Given these factors, the need to accurately describe the location and amount of epidural scar tissue has assumed more pressing importance. Two readers, blinded to clinical findings and to the other reader, independently evaluated the MR examinations in 50 post-operative lumbar spine surgery patients using the previously defined categorization of epidural scar for five levels in each patient, four quadrants per level. In addition, 114 examinations were separately evaluated by the same reader for evaluation of intra-observer variability. For the purposes of epidural fibrosis identification, only the axial T1-weighted images with and without contrast were utilized. The amount of epidural fibrosis was graded on a scale of 0-4 for each quadrant at each imaging slice encompassing the operative level: 0 = no/trace scar; 1 = > 0% and 25% and 50% and 75% and < or = 100% of quadrant filled with scar. Each reader evaluated a total of 1000 epidural quadrants for the inter-observer assessment. The estimated kw index is 0.68 with 95% confidence interval (CI) of [0.64, 0.71]; this is substantial agreement. There were a total of 2,280 quadrants evaluated overall for the intra-observer assessment. The estimated kw index is 0.94 with 95% CI of [0.93, 0.95]; this is almost perfect agreement. Substantial intra-observer and near perfect inter-observer agreement was achieved for evaluation of epidural scar using a relatively simple, semi-quantitative approach to the T1-weighted axial MR images. A standard grading system for epidural scar is proposed.
Ward Edwards and New Professional Organizations

As anyone familiar with Ward knows, he likes to talk about his research. For this, he needs an audience. It should not be surprising, therefore, to find that Ward has always been eager to help create organizations that sponsor meetings at which decision scientists can talk with one another. This brief chapter outlines his contributions to the development of six ongoing organizations, plus his efforts to organize one super meeting in 2000.
Typical-use contraceptive failure rates in 43 countries with Demographic and Health Survey data: summary of a detailed report

Background While most unintended pregnancies occur because couples do not use contraception, contraceptive failure is also an important underlying cause. However, few recent studies outside of the United States have estimated contraceptive failure rates, and most such studies have been restricted to married women, to a limited number of countries and to 12-month failure rate estimates.
Strongly Nonlinear Dependence of Energy Transfer Rate on sp2 Carbon Content in Reduced Graphene Oxide-Quantum Dot Hybrid Structures

The dependence of the energy transfer rate on the content of sp2-hybridized carbon atoms in the hybrid structures of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and Mn-doped quantum dot (QDMn) was investigated. Taking advantage of the sensitivity of QDMn’s dopant luminescence lifetime only to the energy transfer process without interference from the charge transfer process, the correlation between the sp2 carbon content in RGO and the rate of energy transfer from QDMn to RGO was obtained. The rate of energy transfer showed a strongly superlinear increase with increasing sp2 carbon content in RGO, suggesting the possible cooperative behavior of sp2 carbon domains in the energy transfer process as the sp2 carbon content increases.
Collagen Changes in Rat Cervix in Pregnancy—Polarized Light Microscopic and Electron Microscopic Studies:

The structural arrangement of collagen fibers in cervical ripening was studied in normal pregnant rats by picrosirius red staining and polarized light microscopy. The macromolecular arrangement of collagen fibers in the cervices of nonpregnant controls and in firm and rigid cervices of rats in early pregnancy (1-10 days of gestation) were optically anisotropic and had birefringence and a positive sign of elongation when examined by polarized light microscopy. The findings indicated that the structure of these collagen fibers was assembled from well-packed parallel collagen molecules. The direction of fibrous formation was arranged with regularity. In contrast, most of the collagen fibers in the soft cervices were optically isotropic. The fibers were fragmented and had a structure with discontinuous birefringence. Disarray and disorientation of the collagen fibers was found in the soft cervices. These collagen fibers changed their direction of formation. The disorganization of these collagen fibers might have a major impact on weakening the tensile strength of the cervix. Thus, we conclude that the processes of rearrangement of collagen fibers might be an important process in the cervical ripening. Electron microscopic studies suggest that in the focal hydrolytic processes of collagen and other matrix components degradation by lysosomal and phagosomal vesicles were associated with atrophic smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts of the cervices. Hydrolases released from lysosomes from these apoptotic cells may presumably be one of the processes in the remodeling of collagen structure.
Normal reference value of Urinary Arsenic in Normal Population

[Objective] To study the normal upper limit of urine arsenic in healthy adults without arsenic exposure in Liuzhou City.[Methods]One-time adult urine samples of 305 health workers,teachers and students from assembly companies,machinery manufacturing company,sugar company and vocational technical school,without arsenic exposure,were colleted. People from a metal smelting enterprise and other units,with arsenic exposure,were recruited as control group. The urinary arsenic level was detected by atomic fluorescence spectrometry.[Results]The upper limit of urine arsenic in normal population was 0.104 mg/L,which was similar with the test value of 305 health adults without arsenic exposure,but significantly different with the test value of 132 smelting workers with arsenic exposure (P0.01).[Conclusion]The normal upper limit value of urine arsenic is recommended to be 0.11 mg/L in healthy residents Liuzhou city.
Report of the results of the International Clinical Cytometry Society and American Society for Clinical Pathology workload survey of clinical flow cytometry laboratories

Background Thorough review of current workload, staffing, and testing practices in clinical laboratories allows for optimization of laboratory efficiency and quality. This information is largely missing with regard to clinical flow cytometry laboratories. The purpose of this survey is to provide comprehensive, current, and accurate data on testing practices and laboratory staffing in clinical laboratories performing flow cytometric studies. Methods Survey data was collected from flow cytometry laboratories through the ASCP website. Data was collected on the workload during a 1-year time period of full-time and part-time technical and professional (M.D./D.O./Ph.D. or equivalent) flow cytometry employees. Workload was examined as number of specimens and tubes per full time equivalent (FTE) technical and professional staff. Test complexity, test result interpretation, and reporting practices were also evaluated. Results There were 205 respondent laboratories affiliated predominantly with academic and health system institutions. Overall, 1,132 FTE employees were reported with 29% professional FTE employees and 71% technical. Fifty-one percent of the testing performed was considered high complexity and 49% was low complexity. The average number of tubes per FTE technologist was 1,194 per year and the average number of specimens per FTE professional was 1,659 per year. The flow cytometry reports were predominantly written by pathologists (57%) and were typically written as a separate report (58%). Conclusions This survey evaluates the overall status of the current practice of clinical flow cytometry and provides a comprehensive dataset as a framework to help laboratory departments, directors, and managers make appropriate, cost-effective staffing decisions. © 2016 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Gender and AD Effectiveness: The Role of Social Risk

Traditional feminine roles as mothers and homemakers tend to emphasize compassion and rapport building. Study of conversational styles (Tannen 1990) also suggests that women tend to be concerned with belonging, and group cohesiveness as opposed to standing out and taking social risks to get ahead. Based on these ideas it was thought that women would tend to prefer socially safe appeals to more socially risky appeals and that men would tend to prefer socially risky appeals. An experiment failed to support these ideas. Potential reasons for the findings and suggestions for future research are presented.
Stochastic human segmentation from a static camera

Segmenting individual humans in a high-density scene (e.g., a crowd) acquired from a static camera is challenging mainly due to object inter-occlusion. We define this problem as a "model-based segmentation" problem and the solution is obtained using a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach. Knowledge of various aspects including human shape, human height, camera model, and image cues including human head candidates, foreground/background separation are integrated in a Bayesian framework. We show promising results on some challenging data.
Making Designs Come Alive: Using Physically Based Modeling Techniques in Space Layout Planning

This paper introduces the concept of responsive design. It elaborates this concept as an approach to free form, adaptable, automated design applying physically based modeling techniques to the design process. Our approach attempts to bridge the gap between totally automated design and the free form brainstorming designers normally employ. We do this by automating the initial placement and sizing of design elements, with an interactive engine that appears alive and highly responsive. We present a method for applying these techniques to architectural space layout planning, and preliminary implementation details for a prototype system for developing rectangular, two-dimensional, single-story floor plans.
Transgenic mice with increased astrocyte expression of CCL2 show altered behavioral effects of alcohol.

Emerging research provides strong evidence that activation of CNS glial cells occurs in neurological diseases and brain injury and results in elevated production of neuroimmune factors. These factors can contribute to pathophysiological processes that lead to altered CNS function. Recently, studies have also shown that both acute and chronic alcohol consumption can produce activation of CNS glial cells and the production of neuroimmune factors, particularly the chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). The consequences of alcohol-induced increases in CCL2 levels in the CNS have yet to be fully elucidated. Our studies focus on the hypothesis that increased levels of CCL2 in the CNS produce neuroadaptive changes that modify the actions of alcohol on the CNS. We utilized behavioral testing in transgenic mice that express elevated levels of CCL2 to test this hypothesis. The increased level of CCL2 in the transgenic mice involves increased astrocyte expression. Transgenic mice and their non-transgenic littermate controls were subjected to one of two alcohol exposure paradigms, a two-bottle choice alcohol drinking procedure that does not produce alcohol dependence or a chronic intermittent alcohol procedure that produces alcohol dependence. Several behavioral tests were carried out including the Barnes maze, Y-maze, cued and contextual conditioned fear test, light-dark transfer, and forced swim test. Comparisons between alcohol naive, non-dependent, and alcohol-dependent CCL2 transgenic and non-transgenic mice show that elevated levels of CCL2 in the CNS interact with alcohol in tests for alcohol drinking, spatial learning, and associative learning.
Exercise induced complete atrioventricular block: Utility of exercise stress test

Exercise induced complete atrioventricular block (EIAVB) is a relatively uncommon condition. This phenomenon is clinically important because it can mimic symptoms of other cardiovascular conditions and may be associated with exercise intolerance and subsequent syncope. A 76year old man with long-standing hypertension and diabetes mellitus presented with recurrent episodes of lightheadedness and syncope with physical activity. ECG showed sinus rhythm with first degree atrioventricular block. Echocardiography did not show any valvular disease causing his symptoms. Coronoary angiographic evaluation revealed non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Because of the exertional nature of his symptoms, a symptom-limited treadmill exercise test was performed which revealed EIAVB. A permanent dual chamber pacemaker was implanted and his symptoms resolved completely.
High-speed oversampled continuous-time analog-to-digital converters

Oversampled continuous-time analog-to-digital converters are on the verge of surpassing the bandwidth of their discrete-time counterparts as their sampling rates continue to increase while recent innovative architectures have reduced their oversampling ratios. This paper outlines several architectures that have led to these improvements, which include single-loop ΔΣ modulators, cascaded or MASH ΔΣ modulators, and pipeline data converters.