cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automatic lip-synchronized video-self-modeling intervention for voice disorders

Video self-modeling (VSM) is a behavioral intervention technique in which a learner models a target behavior by watching a video of him- or herself. In the field of speech language pathology, the approach of VSM has been successfully used for treatment of language in children with Autism and in individuals with fluency disorder of stuttering. Technical challenges remain in creating VSM contents that depict previously unseen behaviors. In this paper, we propose a novel system that synthesizes new video sequences for VSM treatment of patients with voice disorders. Starting with a video recording of a voice-disorder patient, the proposed system replaces the coarse speech with a clean, healthier speech that bears resemblance to the patient's original voice. The replacement speech is synthesized using either a text-to-speech engine or selecting from a database of clean speeches based on a voice similarity metric. To realign the replacement speech with the original video, a novel audiovisual algorithm that combines audio segmentation with lip-state detection is proposed to identify corresponding time markers in the audio and video tracks. Lip synchronization is then accomplished by using an adaptive video re-sampling scheme that minimizes the amount of motion jitter and preserves the spatial sharpness. Experimental evaluations on a dataset with 31 subjects demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed techniques.
Distribution of large-bowel cancers detected by occult blood test in asymptomatic patients.

A randomized, controlled study on occult blood in stool was conducted in 48,000 asymptomatic participants, ages 50 to 80 years. Those with positive hemoccult test results underwent a complete colonic workup including colonoscopy and, in some cases, an air-contrast barium-enema examination when total colonoscopy could not be accomplished. From April 1976 to December 1980, 113 patients (62 men and 51 women), with an average age of 66 years, were found to have invasive carcinomas of the large bowel: right colon−25 per cent, transverse colon (included both flexures)−9 per cent, descending colon−10 per cent, sigmoid and rectosigmoid−42 per cent, rectum−12 per cent, anal canal−2 per cent. The stages of the cancers were: Dukes' A−57 per cent, Dukes' B−21 per cent, Dukes' C−19 per cent, Dukes' D−3 per cent. The findings suggest that a complete colonic workup is required for the detection and diagnosis of large-bowel cancers in asymptomatic patients.
Generation of evenly-spaced pressure-solution seams during (late) diagenesis: A kinetic theory

Stylolites and pressure-solution seams can form during diagenesis of rocks subjected to stress through a feedback involving texture and pore-fluid solute concentration. This feedback destabilizes the state of uniform texture (represented here only by porosity, for simplicity). A mathematical kinetic model that includes pressure solution, diffusion, and reprecipitation predicts the spontaneous generation, even in initially uniform rocks, of regions alternatingly (in space) more and less soluble. A region that becomes more soluble also becomes simultaneously more porous. The kinetic theory predicts that Stylolites can form at roughly constant spacings; this agrees with many field and petrographic observations. Bedding planes between beds that have initially different texture are shown by the theory to be the focus of a porosity instability that can lead to the formation of a stylolite and to the generation of more Stylolites within each bed. This prediction agrees with the observation that many Stylolites have developed at bedding planes.
Flux-lattice melting and lowest-Landau-level fluctuations

We discuss the influence of lowest-Landau-level (LLL) fluctuations near ${H}_{c2}(T)$ on flux-lattice melting in ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$ (YBCO). We show that the specific heat step of the flux-lattice melting transition in YBCO single crystals can be attributed largely to the degrees of freedom associated with LLL fluctuations. These degrees of freedom have already been shown to account for most of the latent heat. We also show that these results are a consequence of the correspondence between flux-lattice melting and the onset of LLL fluctuations.
Three-dimensional and four-dimensional echocardiography

Since its introduction in 1974, 3-D reconstruction of the heart has undergone significant technological refinements in image acquisition, processing and display techniques. Image acquisition for transthoracic 3-D reconstruction utilizes the parasternal or apical windows, or combinations of the two. The parasternal approach allows better endocardial border detection, while the apical approach allows a more complete visualization of the left ventricular apex. Computer algorithms are used to process images with various display techniques incorporated into the algorithm. Transesophageal image acquisition overcomes a significant limitation of the transthoracic approach, which is variable and sometimes poor image quality. Both a multiplane approach and a computerized tomographic approach have been successfully used by several investigators. Potential applications of 3-D echocardiography include reconstruction of the mitral annulus, dynamic cardiac anatomy and function and volume calculations. A major limitation is the need for considerable computer time for image processing and display; furthermore, errors may be introduced by the various smoothing and contouring algorithms. Despite these limitations, 3-D echocardiography has considerable potential for clinical utility, particularly in the areas of reconstructive cardiac surgery and congenital heart disease.
PPPS-2013: Process for evaluating effects of transient currents in pulse initiated systems

Pulse initiated systems are designed to reliably and consistently operate when energized above a threshold value. The situation exists where these systems can be exposed to pulsed and transient signals that are directly injected due to external coupling factors that do not initiate the system. This paper will examine the potential for transient currents to cause unforeseen stress to theses electrical devices and systems, which can lead to aging, malfunction and possibly failure. This work will address the process of quantifying the detrimental effects, in order to understand non-ideal performance or the mechanics of failure due to pulsed and other transient currents that are less than what is required to initiate. A test and data acquisition circuit is designed and built that enables a constant current source to pulse the device under test. The data collected will be compared to the theoretical results of a finite element multi-physics simulation. Upon completion, any changes in resistive properties will be evaluated to determine if there were quantifiable effects that have contributed to the aging process.
Thermal stability of the carbon-carbon bond in Ethylene adsorbed on Si(100): An isotopic mixing study

Abstract The dominant surface chemical process involving chemisorbed C 2 H 4 on Si(100) is the desorption of the intact C 2 H 4 molecule. Decomposition of C 2 H 4 (a) to produce SiC is a minor process on Si(100). By studying the isotopic mixing between 13 C 2 H 4 and 12 C 2 H 4 to produce 13 CH 2 = 12 CH 2 , it has been shown that less than 1% isotopic mixing occurs in the temperature range 500– This observation excludes the recombination process 2CH 2 (a) → C 2 H 4 (a) → C 2 H 4 (g) as being of importance in C 2 H 4 desorpti from Si(100). In addition, the efficiency, η SiC , of SiC formation from C 2 H 4 has been carefully remeasured using direct calibration of the Auger spectrometer for adsorbed carbon using C 2 H 4 of known absolute coverage as a standard. We find that η Sic = 3.3 × 10 −3 SiC units per C 2 H 4 collision at a Si(100) temperature of 950 K.
1/f noise for driven interfaces.

Velocity-fluctuation spectra are proposed as a probe of the dynamic scaling of moving interfaces. Using the theory of Kardar, Parisi, and Zhang [Phys. Rev. Lett. 56, 889 (1986)] it is shown that the spectrum of the spatially averaged displacement velocity diverges as 1/f at low frequencies, where \ensuremath{\alpha}=1/3 (\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\simeq}0.7) for a one- (two-) dimensional interface. This implies superdiffusive motion of the average interface position, which is verified numerically. The fluctuation spectrum of the stationary interface width diverges as 1/${\mathit{f}}^{2+\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}$ Simulations of interfaces driven by non-Gaussian noise are also presented.
Toward The Robot Eye: Isomorphic Representation For Machine Vision

This paper surveys some issues confronting the conception of models for general purpose vision systems. We draw parallels to requirements of human performance under visual transformations naturally occurring in the ecological environment. We argue that successful real world vision systems require a strong component of analogical reasoning. We propose a course of investigation into appropriate models, and illustrate some of these proposals by a simple example. Our study emphasizes the potential importance of isomorphic representations - models of image and scene which embed a metric of their respective spaces, and whose topological structure facilitates identification of scene descriptors that are invariant under viewing transformations.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Inducible nitric oxide synthase and vascular injury

The role nitric oxide (NO) plays in the cardiovascular system is complex and diverse. Even more controversial is the role that the inducible NO synthase enzyme (iNOS) serves in mediating different aspects of cardiovascular pathophysiology. Following arterial injury, NO has been shown to serve many vasoprotective roles, including inhibition of platelet aggregation and adherence to the site of injury, inhibition of leukocyte adherence, inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration, and stimulation of endothelial cell (EC) growth. These properties function together to preserve a normal vascular environment following injury. In this review, we discuss what is known about the involvement of iNOS in the vascular injury response. Additionally, we discuss the beneficial role of iNOS gene transfer to the vasculature in preventing the development of neointimal thickening. Lastly, the pathophysiology of transplant vasculopathy is discussed as well as the role of iNOS in this setting.
Quenching-enhanced shift of recombination zone in phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes

Abstract We studied the influence of concentration quenching on exciton distribution and recombination in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a neat fac-tris(2-phenylpyridinato-N, C2′) iridium (III) [Ir(ppy)3] emitting layer (EML). It has been found that electron overflow to the hole transport layer (HTL) at elevated currents was enhanced by quenching in the EML, leading to a broadened recombination zone. The maximum quenching of green phosphorescence occurred in OLEDs with 4 nm Ir(ppy)3 and correlated well with the strongest blue fluorescence from the HTL. The OLEDs emitted white light with an efficiency of 6.5 cd/A and a quantum efficiency twice as high as compared to similar OLEDs with an additional 4,4′,4″,-tris(N-carbazolyl) triphenylamine (TCTA) EBL.
Cerebellar Injury Induces NADPH Diaphorase in Purkinje and Inferior Olivary Neurons in the Rat

NADPH diaphorase (NADPH-D) histochemistry was examined following cerebellar lesions induced by stab or knife cuts. A population of Purkinje cells adjacent to the injury became NADPH-D positive after either type of lesion. These cells appeared by 3 days postlesion and were still seen after 6 weeks. Somata of reactive cells shrank gradually and were reduced about 38% in size by 6 weeks after lesion. In the inferior olive of animals subjected to cerebellar knife cut, NADPH-D-positive cells were found in the beta nucleus, dorsal cap, and subnucleus C. These cells became NADPH-D positive 5 days postlesion, were shrunken at 4 weeks postlesion, and were reduced about 26% in somata size by 6 weeks after lesion. Other cerebellar afferents did not exhibit obvious NADPH-D induction following these lesions. In unlesioned animals, no Purkinje cells or inferior olivary neurons were NADPH-D positive. The present study demonstrates that cerebellar damage induces NADPH-D, a marker for nitric oxide (NO) synthase, in Purkinje cells and inferior olivary neurons. In addition, these reactive neurons exhibit long-term degenerative changes. Taken together with previous studies, these findings indicate that NO, produced by the lesion-induced nitric oxide synthase (NOS), may contribute to the degeneration of brain neurons after injury. The lack of NADPH-D-positive neurons in either Purkinje or the inferior olivary neurons in nonlesioned animals indicates that this may provide a useful model system to study injury-induced NOS in brain.
Preventive oral surgery

Abstract Oral surgery plays an important role in any preventive dentistry program. Timely, sound, conservative oral surgical procedures are indicated to prevent untoward results, unnecessary complications, and needless mutilation in the eradication of oral disease. Oral surgery procedures based on time-tested surgical principles contribute greatly to the comfort, health, and well-being of the patient. The contributions of oral surgery to preventive dentistry may be summarized as follows: (a) prevention of errors in therapy due to improper diagnosis; (b) prevention of major surgical problems developing from minor surgical problems; (c) prevention of operative and postoperative complications; (d) prevention of adverse reactions to local anesthetics; (e) prevention of postoperative hemorrhage; (f) prevention of minimizing prosthetic failures; (g) prevention of psychological and functional problems associated with facial deformities and injuries; (h) prevention of death, by early diagnosis of oral malignancies; and (i) prevention of leukoplakia and erythroplasia from progressing into serious lesions.
Serotonin as a homeostatic regulator of lactation

Serotonin (5-HT), a neurotransmitter produced in mammary epithelial cells (MECs), acts via autocrine–paracrine mechanisms on MECs to regulate milk secretion in a variety of species. Recent studies in dairy cows reported that 5-HT ligands affect milk yield and composition. We determined the mRNA expression of bovine 5-HT receptor (5-HTR) subtypes in bovine mammary tissue (BMT) and cultured bovine MECs. We then used pharmacologic agents to evaluate functional activities of 5-HTR subtypes. The mRNAs for five receptor isoforms (5-HTR1B, 5-HTR2A, 5-HTR2B, 5-HTR4, and 5-HTR7) were identified by conventional reverse transcription PCR, real-time PCR, and in situ hybridization in BMT. In addition to luminal MEC expression, 5-HTR4 was expressed in myoepithelium, and 5-HTR1B, HTR2A, and HTR2B were expressed in small mammary blood vessels. Studies to date report that there are multiple 5-HTR isoforms in mammary tissue of rodents, humans, and cattle. Inhibition of the 5-HT reuptake transporter with selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) disrupted tight junctions and decreased milk protein mRNA expression in mouse, human, and bovine mammary cells. Selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitors act to increase the cellular exposure to 5-HT by preventing reuptake of 5-HT by the cell and eventual degradation. Increasing 5-HT concentration in milk via inhibiting its reuptake (SSRI), or by increasing the precursor for 5-HT synthesis 5-hydroxytryptophan, accelerated decline in milk synthesis at dry-off. We conclude that the 5-HT system in mammary tissue acts as a homeostatic regulator of lactation.
A chemotype of Cyperus rotundus in Hawaii

Abstract A new chemotype of Cyperus rotundus was found in Hawaii based on the sesquiterpene composition of the mature tubers. The K-type has higher concentrations of patchoulenyl acetate and sugeonyl acetate than the three known Asian chemotypes. Biochemical and evolutionary aspects of these findings are discussed.
Reversible interconversion between a nitrido complex of Os(VI) and an ammino complex of osmium(II)

The reaction between (N(n-Bu){sub 4})(Os(N)(X){sub 4}) (X = Cl, Br) and 2,2{prime}:6{prime},2{double prime}-terpyridine (tpy) in acetone under reflux gave the salts (Os(N)(typ)(X){sub 2})X. The X-ray crystal structure of (Os(N)(tpy)(Cl){sub 2})Cl showed that the chloride ligands occupy mutually trans axial positions relative to the nitrido ligand. Reduction potentials were measured or estimated at pH = 3 for the intermediate Os(VI/V), Os(V/IV), Os(IV/III), and Os(III/II) couples. From those measurements, it was shown that the Os(V) intermediate, (Os{sup V}(N)(tpy)(Cl){sub 2}), is both a powerful oxidant and a strong reductant, highly unstable with respect to disproportionation into Os(VI) and Os(IV).
An Overdue Reunion

The announcement of his high school class’ fiftieth year reunion prompted the author to read a short story and an essay he had written in high school. He discovered considerable continuity between the themes with which the boy was preoccupied (especially hope but also wisdom and love) and his adult vocational interests and writings. Invoking John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress (1956) the author concludes that the high school boy who lives inside of him has been his faithful companion throughout the years. He also observes that the short story has proven prophetic because it tells about an old man in search of a young boy who appears to have found what both are searching for.
Beam loading effect in bunch leakage at the PSR

Abstract In this article, the effects of longitudinal space charge and beam loading are discussed for the PSR bunch leakage, which can be an important factor in the e–p instability encountered there. It is shown that for the parameters we use for the PSR operations, the beam loading effect without compensation can result in significant beam leakage, in presence of the space charge effect. Increasing the RF voltage, or reducing the Linac beam chopping rate, can reduce the leakage.
Investigation of ordering in polyaniline salt films prepared from hexafluoroisopropanol solutions

Abstract Hexafluoroisopropanol has proved to be a useful solvent for salts of the emeraldine form of polyaniline prepared from a number of sulfonic acids. Large peaks at relatively small X-ray scattering angles establish the presence of domains containing a periodicity with a spacing in the 1–3 nm range. The spacings suggest that the emeraldine chains are separated by distances equivalent to two anion lengths. The domain size in the direction of periodicity indicate that only 2–4 repeat units are involved. Neither the X-ray scattering nor results obtained from neutron reflectometry show evidence for preferential orientation of the domains.
A Seasonal Comparison of Suspended Sediment Filtration by Quagga (Dreissena bugensis) and Zebra (D. polymorpha) Mussels

Field evidence suggests a shift in the dreissenid population from zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) to quagga (D. bugensis) mussels is occurring within the lower Great Lakes. This laboratory study directly compared per-mussel and per-dry-weight filtration rates (volume per time) of both species, gauged by the clearance of resuspended natural sediments (1 to 12 mg/L) from gently mixed, 1-L static vessels. Mussels of 15- and 20-mm lengths were collected together from the Lake Ontario drainage basin at Oak Orchard Creek, Medina, NY, and maintained and tested in ambient Niagara River water. A 2 × 4 factorial design was employed, with species and season as independent factors. Season significantly influenced filtration rate of both size classes, and winter rates were about half those measured during the rest of the year. Species significantly influenced filtration of 20-mm mussels. Quagga mussels of this size filtered up to 37% faster than zebra mussels (data for spring: 309 vs. 226 mL/h/mussel, n = 18 and 20 individuals, respectively). Species was not a significant factor alone for 15-mm mussels, but a species x season interaction was significant. The zebra mussels employed here had 16 to 22% more ash-free dry weight (AFDW) than the quagga mussels, accentuating filtration differences when expressed per-mg-AFDW.
β-Aspartokinase from developing endosperm of maize

The enzyme ..beta..-aspartokinase (EC 2.7.2.4.) was isolated from the developing endosperm (30 days post-pollination) of Zea mays. Enzyme activity was dependent upon ATP, MG/sup + +/ or Mn/sup + +/, aspartate, and protein concentration. Double reciprocal plots of velocity vs. aspartate concentrations deviated from a straight line at low aspartate concentration indicating two apparent Km's of 0.5 and 6.6 mM. Enzyme activity was inhibited by lysine but not by methionine or threonine. The endosperm-derived ..beta..-aspartokinase behaved similarly to enzyme isolated from 6-day-old etiolated shoot tissue. The presence of ..beta..-aspartokinase in developing endosperm provides new insight into the source of the aspartate-derived amino acids in maize endosperm.
The construction of chaotic homeomorphisms on chainable continua

Abstract A homeomorphism construction is given such that the resulting homeomorphism is chaotic. Next the construction is used to obtain a chaotic homeomophism on the pseudoarc. Finally, some related results are obtained.
Making the Connection: Single Women's Use of the Telephone in Dating Relationships With Men

The telephone is an important medium for constituting, maintaining, and terminating personal relationships that has been practically ignored by social scientists. This study remedies a notable gap in the fields of sociology and communication in regard to the social functions of the telephone. Dating relationships were used as the social context for examining telephone communication to understand women's negotiation of gender and power revolving around the telephone. In-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of 25 single women in dating relationships. The interviews revealed distinct patterns of telephone use resulting from the women's perception of the balance of power in their relationships, their expectations of the relationships, and their expectations of gender in our culture. The study concludes that women use the telephone to exert control and power within their dating relationships, but that this control and power are confined by the cultural belief that a woman ought to have a man without pursuing one aggressively.
Design considerations for symmetrically laminated plates with cutouts

Earlier [I], it was shown that certain reinforced holes may be designed for elastic, isotropic plane sheets that do not alter the stress state in the cut sheet, for particular types of planar loading. In this work, this methodology is extended to symmetrically laminated composite plates which are under planar loading, and additionally pure bending moments. Since these two types of loading lead to uncoupled governing equations, they are treated separatly in two parts. The shape of the cutout and the cross-sectional area of the reinforcement are determined in closed form. The reinforcement is modeled as a one-dimensional rodlbeam type structural element.
Terror Management and Personality: Variations in the Psychological Defense Against the Awareness of Mortality

Drawing on terror management theory (TMT), we discuss the psychological motivations that shape personality at two levels: the characteristically human personality common to us all and the individual differences that distinguish some people from others. TMT posits that the motivation to protect the self against deep-rooted fears about mortality drives people to maintain meaningful, reliable conceptions of reality and positive evaluations of themselves, two broad tendencies that form the foundation of every person’s personality. We review studies showing that mortality reminders increase efforts to bolster cultural sources of meaning and self-esteem in similar ways across individuals and cultures. TMT also posits that individual differences in personality partly reflect the different sources of meaning and self-esteem that people invest in to assuage mortality fears. We review evidence that individual differences predict the degree and direction of people’s defensive responses to mortality reminders. Directions for future research are discussed.
Social Construction and Policy Design: A Review of Past Applications

One of the leading theories for understanding the policy process is the theory of social construction and policy design developed by Anne Schneider and Helen Ingram. The theory incorporates the social construction and power of target populations to understand the development and implications of policy design. In order to better understand its empirical breadth, depth, and general utility, our analysis reviews all past publications of the theory, focusing specifically on empirical applications (N = 111), from 1993 to 2013. Based on this review, we find: a recent increase in the number of applications of this theory; that these applications appear across a wide range of outlets, relate to numerous policy domains, and are conducted by a diverse group of domestic and international scholars; that the target population proposition has been applied with greater frequency than the theory’s feed-forward proposition; and that scholars have a notable interest in understanding causal mechanisms leading to changes in the positioning of target populations among advantaged, contender, dependent, and deviant target population categories. Following a descriptive review of past publications, we offer specific suggestions for theoretical development and future research.
Spring temperatures in the Sagehen Basin, Sierra Nevada, CA: implications for heat flow and groundwater circulation.

Heat flow in the Sierra Nevada, CA, is low despite its young geologic age. We investigate the possibility that advective heat transport by groundwater flow leads to an underestimate of heat flow in the Sierras based purely on borehole measurements. Using temperature and discharge measurements at springs in Sagehen Basin, we find that groundwater removes the equivalent of approximately 20‐40 mW m )2 of geothermal heat from the basin. This is comparable with other heat flow measurements in the region and indicates that, in this basin, at least, groundwater does transport a significant amount of geothermal heat within the basin. Additionally, we use estimates of the mean residence time of water discharged at the springs along with hourly temperature records in springs to provide constraints on groundwater flow depths within the basin. An analytical model based on these constraints indicates that the heat removed by groundwater may represent 20% to >90% of the total heat flow in the basin. Without better constraints on the regional hydrogeology and the depth of circulation, we cannot determine whether the heat discharged at the springs represents a change in the mode of heat transfer, i.e. from conduction to advection at shallow depths (<100 m) or whether this is a component of heat transfer that should be added to measured conductive values. If the latter is true, and Sagehen Basin is representative of the Sierras, basal heat flow in the Sierra Nevada may be higher than previously thought.
Growth inhibition of selected food‐borne bacteria, particularly Listeria monocytogenes, by plant extracts

Six extracts from Chinese medicinal plants: Tin Men Chu, Sey Lau Pai, Siu Mao Heung, Bak Tao Yung, Kam Chin Chiu and Liao Ya, were tested for their inhibitory effect on selected food-borne bacteria by the well assay technique. Among them, Tin Men Chu, Siu Mao Heung and Sey Lau Pai inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Streptococcus faecalis, Salmonella paratyphi, Salm. enteritidis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Proteus vulgaris, Alcaligenes faecalis, and three strains of Listeria monocytogenes. Two of these three extracts, Tin Men Chu and Siu Mao Heung, suppressed the growth of L. monocytogenes Scott A in cabbage juice. This inhibition was prevented by the addition of protein but not sodium chloride. Plant extracts show potential to control the growth of food-borne bacteria.
iltur : connecting novices and experts through collaborative improvisation

The iltur system features a novel method of interaction between expert and novice musicians through a set of musical controllers called Beatbugs. Beatbug players can record live musical input from MIDI and acoustic instruments and respond by transforming the recorded material in real-time, creating motif-and-variation call-and-response routines on the fly. A central computer system analyzes MIDI and audio played by expert players and allows novice Beatbug players to personalize the analyzed material using a variety of transformation algorithms. This paper presents the motivation for developing the iltur system, followed by a brief survey of pervious and related work that guided the definition of the project's goals. We then present the hardware and software approaches that were taken to address these goals, as well as a couple of compositions that were written for the system. The paper ends with a discussion based on observations of players using the iltur system and a number of suggestions for future work.
Satellite servicing in mission design studies at the NASA GSFC

Several NASA missions in various stages of development have undergone one-week studies in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Integrated Mission Design Center (IMDC), mostly in preparation for proposals. The possible role of satellite servicing has been investigated for several of these missions, applying the lessons learned from Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing, taking into account the current state of the art, projecting into the future, and implementing NASA long-range plans, and is presented here. The general benefits and costs of injecting satellite servicing are detailed, including components such as mission timeline, mass, fuel, spacecraft design, risk abatement, life extension, and improved performance. The approach taken in addressing satellite servicing during IMDC studies is presented.
A Content Analysis of Smoking Fetish Videos on YouTube: Regulatory Implications for Tobacco Control

This study examined the prevalence, accessibility, and characteristics of eroticized smoking portrayal, also referred to as smoking fetish, on YouTube. The analysis of 200 smoking fetish videos revealed that the smoking fetish videos are prevalent and accessible to adolescents on the website. They featured explicit smoking behavior by sexy, young, and healthy females, with the content corresponding to PG-13 and R movie ratings. We discuss a potential impact of the prosmoking image on youth according to social cognitive theory, and implications for tobacco control.
Putting Mobility on the Map: Researching Journeys and the Research Journey

This paper, based on a fieldwork conducted with community transport projects in rural Ireland, examines the place of mobility in the lives of older people. It uses the idea of journey to explore what mobility means to older people, what the research made visible to a diverse range of project stakeholders and to reflect on the nature of ethnographic projects in industry settings. For passengers, the journeying is often as important as the destination — travelling creates visibility of countryside, community and communion with others. For project stakeholders, the research encouraged a view of mobility that transcends travel because it highlighted the world beyond the bus. For researchers, the project created challenges to the dominant view of technology for ageing-in-place within their own organization. Finally, reflections are made on industry ethnography as a journey with often unknown destinations.
Survival of Dicor glass-ceramic dental restorations over 14 years: Part I. Survival of Dicor complete coverage restorations and effect of internal surface acid etching, tooth position, gender, and age

Abstract Statement of problem. There are no long-term data on Dicor glass-ceramic restoration survival in the human oral cavity and the effect that different technical and clinical variables have on survival. Purpose. This prospective study examined the relationship of different clinical parameters on the survival of Dicor glass-ceramic restorations in the human oral cavity. Material and methods. A total of 417 subjects (from 17 to 91 years of age) participated. All subjects required single unit fixed prosthodontics in any area of the mouth and/or 3-unit fixed partial dentures or cantilevered anterior restorations. They were offered the option of a gold or conventional metal-ceramic restoration, or a Dicor restoration with potentially improved esthetic results, better wear characteristics, and diminished oral plaque accumulation. Overall survival of the restorations was determined and the effect of various clinical parameters evaluated with Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Log rank tests were used to determine statistically significant differences among parameters. Results. For the 1444 units placed, 188 failures were recorded. Total time at risk for the units was 7319 years providing an estimated risk of 2.45% per year. Probabilities of survival of “typical” acid-etched Dicor and nonacid-etched Dicor restorations were 76% and 50%, respectively, at 14.1 years ( P P P Conclusions. Dicor restorations can survive successfully over time with certain reservations. Long-term survival improved significantly when restorations were acid-etched before luting. Complete coverage restoration failures per year decreased from molars to incisors in both arches, suggesting that complete coverage restorations on molars represented a serious risk. No Dicor complete coverage restoration on lateral incisors failed during the study. Restorations failed less often in female than male subjects. (J Prosthet Dent 1999;81:23-32.)
Haploid Plant Production, Pollen, Anther, and Ovule Culture

Haploid plants with the gametic chromosome number can be obtained in many genera of angiosperms by redirection of gametophytic development to sporophytic development. This can be achieved in vitro through anther, microspore of ovule culture; alternatively, haploid plants can be obtained in vivo through parthenogenesis after wide hybridization, or occurring as one of a pair of twin seedlings. Doubled haploids can be derived from haploids by application of colchicine or through tissue culture regeneration from callus. The allelic simplicity of haploid plants or their corresponding doubled haploids facilitates genetic studies and hybrid breeding strategies. Doubled haploid cultivars of self-pollinating crops, such as wheat and barley, have been released directly following field trials. For cross-pollinating crops, doubled haploids have been used as parents of hybrid cultivars. Keywords: genetic load; androgenesis; gynogenesis; inbreeding
USE OF THE PENETROMETER FOR DEFORMATION TESTING OF FOODS

The cone of a penetrometer is replaced by a flat, light-weight plastic horizontal disc which is allowed to compress an article of food for 5 set, after which a reading is taken from the dial of the instrument. Next a weight is placed on the upper end of the vertical shaft that carries the disc and the food is compressed again for 5 set, after which a second reading is taken from the dial. The difference between the two dial readings gives the deformation to the nearest 0.1 mm. Examples of its use on tomatoes and marshmallows are given. The test works well on foods that are deform able, but is not recommended for rigid foods because of lack of precision.
Recent Developments in Myocardial Protection: Retrograde Cardioplegia:

In recent years there has been increasing use of coronary sinus perfusion to deliver cardioplegic solutions during open-heart surgery. This has been aided by advances in coronary sinus catheter design and by easier methods of cannula insertion. Coronary sinus perfusion has been used with both intermittent crystalloid and blood cardioplegia and has recently evolved to include retrograde continuous normothermic blood cardioplegia. Coronary sinus perfusion has several advantages including safety, ease of use (with a single cannula placed out of the operative field), usefulness in patients with significant aortic regurgitation, redo coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and acute myocardial infarction. However, there are continuing concerns about the distribution of retrograde perfusion, preservation of right ventricular function, dislodgment of the coronary sinus catheter (and resulting ischemia during surgery), and damage to the coronary sinus.
Confirmation of Models for Interpretation and Use of the Social and Academic Behavior Risk Screener (SABRS).

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the models for interpretation and use that serve as the foundation of an interpretation/use argument for the Social and Academic Behavior Risk Screener (SABRS). The SABRS was completed by 34 teachers with regard to 488 students in a Midwestern high school during the winter portion of the academic year. Confirmatory factor analysis supported interpretation of SABRS data, suggesting the fit of a bifactor model specifying 1 broad factor (General Behavior) and 2 narrow factors (Social Behavior [SB] and Academic Behavior [AB]). The interpretive model was further supported by analyses indicative of the internal consistency and interrater reliability of scores from each factor. In addition, latent profile analyses indicated the adequate fit of the proposed 4-profile SABRS model for use. When cross-referenced with SABRS cut scores identified via previous work, results revealed students could be categorized as (a) not at-risk on both SB and AB, (b) at-risk on SB but not on AB, (c) at-risk on AB but not on SB, or (d) at-risk on both SB and AB. Taken together, results contribute to growing evidence supporting the SABRS within universal screening. Limitations, implications for practice, and future directions for research are discussed herein.
Dynamic simulation of shear thickening in concentrated colloidal suspensions

Stokesian Dynamics has been used to investigate the origins of shear thickening in concentrated colloidal suspensions. For this study, we considered a monolayer suspension composed of charge-stabilized non-Brownian monosized rigid spheres dispersed at an areal fraction of ϕa=0.74 in a Newtonian liquid. The suspension was subjected to a linear shear field. In agreement with established experimental data, our results indicate that shear thickening in this system is associated with an order–disorder transition of the suspension microstructure. Below the critical shear rate at which this transition occurs, the suspension microstructure consists of two-dimensional analogues of experimentally observed sliding layer configurations. Above this critical shear rate, suspensions are disordered, contain particle clusters, and exhibit viscosities and microstructures characteristic of suspensions of non-Brownian hard spheres. In addition, suspensions possessing the sliding layer microstructure at the beginning of supercritical shearing tend to retain this microstructure for a period of time before disordering. The onset of this disorder is due to the formation of particle doublets within the suspension. Once formed, these doublets rotate, due to the bulk motion, and disrupt the long-range order of the suspension. The cross-stream component of the centre-to-centre separation vector associated with the two particles forming a doublet, which is zero when the doublet is perfectly aligned with the bulk velocity vector, grows exponentially with time. This strongly suggests that the evolution of these doublets is due to a change in the stability of the sliding layer configurations, with this type of ordered microstructure being linearly unstable above a critical shear rate. This contention is supported by results of a stability analysis. The analysis shows that a single string of particles is subject to a linear instability leading to the formation of particle doublets. Simulations were repeated with different numbers of particles in the computational domain, with the results found to be qualitatively independent of system size.
Mitigation of late renal and pulmonary injury after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Purpose To update the results of a clinical trial that assessed whether the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril was effective in mitigating chronic renal failure and pulmonary-related mortality in subjects undergoing total body irradiation (TBI) in preparation for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods and Materials Updated records of the 55 subjects who were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial were analyzed. Twenty-eight patients received captopril, and 27 patients received placebo. Definitions of TBI-HSCT-related chronic renal failure (and relapse) were the same as those in the 2007 analysis. Pulmonary-related mortality was based on clinical or autopsy findings of pulmonary failure or infection as the primary cause of death. Follow-up data for overall and pulmonary-related mortality were supplemented by use of the National Death Index. Results The risk of TBI-HSCT-related chronic renal failure was lower in the captopril group (11% at 4 years) than in the placebo group (17% at 4 years), but this was not statistically significant ( p > 0.2). Analysis of mortality was greatly extended by use of the National Death Index, and no patients were lost to follow-up for reasons other than death prior to 67 months. Patient survival was higher in the captopril group than in the placebo group, but this was not statistically significant ( p > 0.2). The improvement in survival was influenced more by a decrease in pulmonary mortality (11% risk at 4 years in the captopril group vs. 26% in the placebo group, p = 0.15) than by a decrease in chronic renal failure. There was no adverse effect on relapse risk ( p = 0.4). Conclusions Captopril therapy produces no detectable adverse effects when given after TBI. Captopril therapy reduces overall and pulmonary-related mortality after radiation-based HSCT, and there is a trend toward mitigation of chronic renal failure.
Distance Estimation of an Unknown Person from a Portrait

We propose the first automated method for estimating distance from frontal pictures of unknown faces. Camera calibration is not necessary, nor is the reconstruction of a 3D representation of the shape of the head. Our method is based on estimating automatically the position of face and head landmarks in the image, and then using a regressor to estimate distance from such measurements. We collected and annotated a dataset of frontal portraits of 53 individuals spanning a number of attributes (sex, age, race, hair), each photographed from seven distances. We find that our proposed method outperforms humans performing the same task. We observe that different physiognomies will bias systematically the estimate of distance, i.e. some people look closer than others. We expire which landmarks are more important for this task.
Fundamental limitations on increasing data rate in wireless systems

There is a continuing quest for increasing the data transmission rate in wireless systems. Cellular mobile radio systems have advanced from second generation digital technology with limited data capability to third generation systems with data transmission rates on the order of a few megabits per second and on to fourth generation systems with goals of even higher data rates. Wireless local area networks (WLANs) based on various versions of IEEE 802.11 standards and known collectively as WiFi, have evolved from having data transmission rates of several megabits per second to hundreds of megabits per second.
Design and FPGA Prototyping of a Flood Prediction System

This paper explains the chip design of a flood prediction system based on piezoelectric pressure sensors, and its FPGA prototyping. The sensors are placed at different water levels and can dependably predict the occurrence of a flood. The main criteria considered in design of the system are low cost, low power consumption, ease of installation, autonomy, reliability, and most importantly, provision of early alerts. Predicting the flood before its actual occurrence can buy sufficient time for residents to evacuate nearby areas, preventing loss of life and property. The design has been prototyped on Altera's Cyclone DE2 FPGA board.
Truth Telling as an Element of Culturally Competent Care at End of Life

Purpose: Nondisclosure of terminal prognosis in the context of intercultural interactions can cause moral distress among health care providers guided exclusively by informed consent. However, cultu...
Definitive functional evidence for a tumor suppressor gene on human chromosome 7q31.1 neighboring the Fra7G site

Definitive functional evidence for a tumor suppressor gene on human chromosome 7q31.1 neighboring the Fra7G site
Mental Health, Racial Discrimination, and Tobacco Use Differences Across Rural-Urban California

Objective Disparities in tobacco use persist despite successful policies reducing use within the United States. In particular, the prevalence of tobacco use in rural and certain minority communities is significantly higher compared to that of their counterparts. In this work, we examine the impact of rurality, mental health, and racial discrimination on tobacco use. Methods Data come from the 2003 California Health Interview Survey (n = 42,044). Modified Poisson regression models were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, birth origin, education, income, insurance, and marital status. Results Compared to urban residents, rural residents had a significantly higher risk for smoking after adjustment (RR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01-1.19). Those who reported having experienced racial discrimination also had a significantly greater risk for smoking compared to those who did not (RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.07-1.27). Additionally, those who reported higher stress had a significantly greater risk for smoking (RR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.07-1.67). There was evidence of interaction between rurality and race/ethnicity, and rurality and gender (P < .05). Conclusion Residing in rural areas was associated with an increased risk for smoking, above and beyond sociodemographics. There were no significant differences across rural-urban environments for the relationship between stress and tobacco use—an indication that the impact of stress and discrimination is not buffered or exacerbated by environmental characteristics potentially found in either location. Mechanisms that explain rural-urban tobacco use disparities need to be explored, and smoking cessation programs and policies should be tailored to target these factors within rural communities.
The Marrakesh Treaty and the Targeted Uses of Copyright Exhaustion

This chapter analyzes whether the exhaustion principle might be relevant to the implementation of the 2013 Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled (the "Marrakesh Treaty"). The analysis of the potential role for the exhaustion principle in the implementation of the Treaty provides an opportunity to explore three matters that are not specific to the implementation of the Treaty. The first matter is a seldom-mentioned (and apparently never in-depth investigated) relationship between the exhaustion principle and other limitations and exceptions to copyright, including the relationship between the first sale doctrine and section 121 of the U.S. Copyright Act. The second matter is the application of the three-step test to limitations and exceptions that concern the distribution right in circumstances when distribution is expected to occur abroad, outside the country that is implementing the limitations or exceptions. Finally, the third matter is the "targeted uses" of the exhaustion principle – instances in which the exhaustion principle, also known as the “first sale doctrine” in the United States, does not apply generally, as we would typically expect, but applies selectively because it is tailored to achieve particular goals.