cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined impacts of current and future dust deposition and regional warming on Colorado River Basin snow dynamics and hydrology

Abstract. The Colorado River provides water to 40 million people in seven western states and two countries and to 5.5 million irrigated acres. The river has long been overallocated. Climate models project runoff losses of 5–20% from the basin by mid-21st century due to human-induced climate change. Recent work has shown that decreased snow albedo from anthropogenic dust loading to the CO mountains shortens the duration of snow cover by several weeks relative to conditions prior to western expansion of the US in the mid-1800s, and advances peak runoff at Lees Ferry, Arizona, by an average of 3 weeks. Increases in evapotranspiration from earlier exposure of soils and germination of plants have been estimated to decrease annual runoff by more than 1.0 billion cubic meters, or ~5% of the annual average. This prior work was based on observed dust loadings during 2005–2008; however, 2009 and 2010 saw unprecedented levels of dust loading on snowpacks in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB), being on the order of 5 times the 2005–2008 loading. Building on our prior work, we developed a new snow albedo decay parameterization based on observations in 2009/10 to mimic the radiative forcing of extreme dust deposition. We convolve low, moderate, and extreme dust/snow albedos with both historic climate forcing and two future climate scenarios via a delta method perturbation of historic records. Compared to moderate dust, extreme dust absorbs 2× to 4× the solar radiation, and shifts peak snowmelt an additional 3 weeks earlier to a total of 6 weeks earlier than pre-disturbance. The extreme dust scenario reduces annual flow volume an additional 1% (6% compared to pre-disturbance), a smaller difference than from low to moderate dust scenarios due to melt season shifting into a season of lower evaporative demand. The sensitivity of flow timing to dust radiative forcing of snow albedo is maintained under future climate scenarios, but the sensitivity of flow volume reductions decreases with increased climate forcing. These results have implications for water management and suggest that dust abatement efforts could be an important component of any climate adaptation strategies in the UCRB.
Austrian Business Cycle Theory: A Modern Appraisal

Austrian business cycle theory (ABCT) is a body of hypotheses embodying particularly Austrian insights and assumptions. The canonical variant associated with Mises (1934, 1963) and Hayek (1933, 1935) is particularly well-suited to the Great Depression. However, it is an inadequate account of the recent US recession and financial crisis. This paper develops a suitable ABCT variant that explicitly incorporates not only the economy’s time structure of production but also (1) its structure of consumption and (2) its risk structure. The continuous input-continuous output nature of the housing market is highlighted, as well as the Treasury and Federal Reserve’s roles in externalizing the risk associated with GSEs’ debt. This paper then extends Garrison’s (2001) graphical framework to illustrate this ABCT variant.
Statistical Tests for the OHI-S and PI: A Commentary

Empirical evidence obtained through the use of a Monte-Carlo sampling process justifies the use of parametric inference techniques with the OHI-S and PI in some instances.
The optimal control problem on SO(4) and its applications to quantum control

We consider the problem of steering control via an input electro-magnetic field for a system of two interacting spin 1/2 particles. This model is of interest in applications because it is used to perform logic operations in quantum computing that involve two quantum bits. The describing model is a bilinear system whose state varies on the Lie group of special unitary matrices of dimension 4, SU(4). By using decompositions of the latter Lie group, the problem can be decomposed into a number of subproblems for a system whose state varies on the (smaller) Lie group of 4/spl times/4 proper orthogonal matrices, SO(4). We tackle the time optimal control problem for this system and show that the extremals can be computed explicitly and they are the superposition of a constant field and a sinusoidal one.
IFRS and US GAAP Convergence Progressing: As Taxpayers Voluntarily Stop using LIFO

This paper presents the potential benefits of the last in, first out (LIFO) inventory valuation method being eliminated as a requirement in financial statements prepared under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles when also used for United Stated federal income tax reporting. Research results show that corporations have been voluntarily switching from LIFO to another method since inflation declined well below double digits. Of the corporations still using LIFO, the potential billions of federal tax revenue is presented that might help keep the United States federal budget from going over the fiscal cliff.
A microdissection and molecular genotyping assay to confirm the identity of tissue floaters in paraffin-embedded tissue blocks.

Abstract Context.—A recurring problem in surgical pathology practice is specimen mix-up and floater contamination. While many cases can be resolved histologically, a significant number remain unclear and may have serious clinical and medicolegal implications. Objectives.—To design a microdissection and genotyping assay to identify contaminating floater tissues in paraffin-embedded tissues that is optimized for small samples, and to use the assay to resolve a series of clinical cases with floater tissues. Materials and Methods.—Twenty-one cases of possible tissue floater contamination in paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were included. Using 4 unstained, 4-μm-thick histologic sections, multiple sites were microdissected under direct visualization either by hand or by laser capture microdissection. Nonneoplastic and neoplastic tissues were sampled. Polymerase chain reaction was performed for a panel of 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers at 1p34, 3p26, 5q21, 9p21, 10q23, and 17p13. Allele size and content w...
Solvent effects in the extraction and detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from complex oils in complex environments

Anthropogenic oil spills such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill present a number of unique challenges in environmental remediation, detection, and monitoring of a wide range of toxicants in complex environments. We have previously reported the use of cyclodextrin derivatives to accomplish the selective extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and facilitate their detection via proximity-induced energy transfer. Reported herein is the ability of these cyclodextrins to operate in a real-world scenario: extracting PAHs from oil collected from an oil spill site and from tar ball extracts into crude seawater from the Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. The ability of this system to operate in this complex environment highlights the practical significance of cyclodextrin-based systems, and a direct comparison of the results obtained in seawater with those obtained using a variety of aqueous solvent systems provides significant insights into the factors responsible for efficient performance.
Targeting of Neutrophil Lewis X Blocks Transepithelial Migration and Increases Phagocytosis and Degranulation.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are innate immune cells whose principal function is to migrate from the blood to sites of inflammation, where they exert crucial anti-infectious and immunomodulatory effects. However, dysregulated migration of PMNs into mucosal epithelial tissues is characteristic of chronic inflammatory disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease. Carbohydrate-mediated binding interactions between PMN Lewis glycans and endothelial glycan-binding proteins are critical for initial migration of PMN out of the vasculature. However, the role of Lewis glycans during transepithelial migration (TEM) has not been well characterized. Herein, we show that antibody blockade of Lewis X (Le x ) displayed as terminal glycan residues on the PMN surface blocks chemotaxis and TEM while enhancing PMN-adhesive interactions with intestinal epithelia. Unexpectedly, targeting of subterminal Le x residues within glycan chains had no effect on PMN migration or adhesive interactions. There was increased surface expression of Le x on PMN after TEM, and blockade of terminal Le x regulated post-migratory PMN functions, increasing PMN phagocytosis and the surface mobilization of azurophilic (CD63, myeloperoxidase, and neutrophil elastase) and specific (CD66b and lactoferrin) granule markers. These findings suggest that terminal Le x represents a potential target for regulating PMN trafficking and function in inflamed mucosa. Furthermore, given its abundant expression on migrating PMN, Le x may be a rational target for modulating inflammation in diseases where dysregulated PMN influx is associated with host tissue damage.
The Gentle Art of Conversational English in Direct Examination

Direct examination is the most important though perhaps the least exciting part of any trial. It displays the facts of the prepared case for the jury whose verdict is ultimately based on their perception of these facts. Direct examination is one of the most difficult of all trial skills to master, yet cases are won or lost through the examination of witnesses, particularly the direct examination of witnesses.The generally accepted purpose of direct examination is two-fold: to inform and to persuade jurors. A more accurate representation of this interchange would be that of facilitating communication between the witness who is aware of the facts and the jurors who need to become aware of them." The primary thrust of direct examination consists of an attorney convincing the jury that his facts and his witnesses are more believable than his opponent's.
Mortars, pestles, and division of labor in prehistoric California : A view from Big Sur

The mortar and pestle, technologically linked to intensive acorn economies, appeared initially in low frequencies over a large portion of California ca. 4000-3500 B.C. Three sites on the Big Sur coast of central California illuminate the circumstances surrounding the advent of this new technology, which initially supplemented hand stones and milling slabs. Excavation results suggest that ca. 3500 B.C. production of hunting-related flaked-stone tools increased relative to ground stone, and hunted resources became more important, as part of a transition from a highly mobile, selective use of the coastal resources, heavily focused on gathering, to a less mobile, more intensified lifeway. Obsidian hydration profiles indicate that interregional exchange increased at the same time. Evaluation of alternative mussel collection techniques further indicates that shellfish-harvesting strategies became less efficient at this juncture, promoting the emergence of a processing specialization, concomitant with increased hunting intensity. These transitions apparently mark the appearance of lineal descent organization and the system of gender-specific task appropriation observed at European contact.
The cytological localization of erythropoietin in the human kidney using the fluorescent antibody technique.

SummaryIntense fluorescent staining of cells in the glomerular tuft has been demonstrated in an anemic human kidney following application of an antibody to erythropoietin using the indirect fluorescent antibody technique. The fluorescence was more localized in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells in the periphery of the glomerular tuft. A slight amount of fluorescent staining in the glomeruli was blocked by a highly purified preparation of human urinary erythropoietin. The present studies suggest that the visceral epithelial cell of the glomerular tuft is the most likely source of erythropoietin.
Stochastic-Shielding Approximation of Markov Chains and its Application to Efficiently Simulate Random Ion-Channel Gating

Markov chains provide realistic models of numerous stochastic processes in nature. We demonstrate that in any Markov chain, the change in occupation number in state A is correlated to the change in occupation number in state B if and only if A and B are directly connected. This implies that if we are only interested in state A, fluctuations in B may be replaced with their mean if state B is not directly connected to A, which shortens computing time considerably. We show the accuracy and efficacy of our approximation theoretically and in simulations of stochastic ion-channel gating in neurons.
Dendritic amphiphiles strongly affect the biophysical properties of DPPC bilayer membranes.

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to gain insight on the molecular interactions in a model biological membrane comprised of a bilayer with DPPC (dipalmitoylphosphotidylcholine) and anti...
After Moving to Opportunity: How Moving to a Low-poverty Neighborhood Improves Mental Health among African American Women

A large body of nonexperimental literature finds residing in a disadvantaged neighborhood is deleterious for mental health, and recent evidence from the Moving to Opportunity (MTO) program—a social experiment giving families living in high-poverty neighborhoods the opportunity to move to low-poverty neighborhoods—suggests a causal effect of moving to a low-poverty neighborhood on adult mental health. We use qualitative data from 67 Baltimore adults who signed up for the MTO program to understand how moving to a low-poverty neighborhood produced these mental health benefits. First, we document the vast array of mental health challenges, traumatic experiences, and stressors reported by both experimentals (those who received a housing voucher to move to a low-poverty neighborhood) and controls (those who did not receive a voucher). We then explore how changes in the physical and social environments may have produced mental health benefits for experimentals. In particular, experimentals reported the following...
Current profile redistribution driven by neutral beam injection in a reversed-field pinch

Neutral beam injection in reversed-field pinch (RFP) plasmas on the Madison Symmetric Torus [Dexter et al., Fusion Sci. Technol. 19, 131 (1991)] drives current redistribution with increased on-axis current density but negligible net current drive. Internal fluctuations correlated with tearing modes are observed on multiple diagnostics; the behavior of tearing mode correlated structures is consistent with flattening of the safety factor profile. The first application of a parametrized model for island flattening to temperature fluctuations in an RFP allows inferrence of rational surface locations for multiple tearing modes. The m = 1, n = 6 mode is observed to shift inward by 1.1 ± 0.6 cm with neutral beam injection. Tearing mode rational surface measurements provide a strong constraint for equilibrium reconstruction, with an estimated reduction of q0 by 5% and an increase in on-axis current density of 8% ± 5%. The inferred on-axis current drive is consistent with estimates of fast ion density using TRANSP...
The Research of Distribution Network Production Command System and Information Exchange

Based on distribution automation system,the Distribution Network Production Command System for Urban Power Grid Company exchanges information with other system,such as production management system(PMS),through the information exchanging bus,which support the comprehensive management and unified command for the dispatchers and operation dedicated staff.This paper analyzes the power company's existing information systems and their further needs for integration of information,and design a distribution network of production command system architecture and proposed a command system to interact with other system information integration approach,which provide a feasible solution for the integration of information for the power company implementation of the project construction.
RESEARCH ON THE REASONS OF BACTERIA CONTAMINATION IN DENTAL UNIT WA-TERLINES IN TIANJIN

Objective To find the reasons for bacterial contamination of dental unit waterlines( DUWls),in order to propose the improved methods. Methods Using stratified sampling method,water quality of 10 hospitals' DUWLs was evaluated. Results 24 copies water samples from 3-in-1 syringe were collected. The total number of bacteria in water was 3 × 104cfu / ml,The average pass rate of sanitary quality was 58. 3%. 45 pathogens or opportunistic pathogens isolated were mainly Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas. Conclusion The pollution of DUWLs in Tianjin is serious. Monitoring regularly is necessary to control the contamination and to improve the water quality of DUWLs.
Modulation of glycan recognition by clustered saccharide patches.

Abstract All cells in nature are covered with a dense and complex array of glycan chains. Specific recognition and binding of glycans is a critical aspect of cellular interactions, both within and between species. Glycan–protein interactions tend to be of low affinity but high specificity, typically utilizing multivalency to generate the affinity required for biologically relevant binding. This review focuses on a higher level of glycan organization, the formation of clustered saccharide patches (CSPs), which can constitute unique ligands for highly specific interactions. Due to technical challenges, this aspect of glycan recognition remains poorly understood. We present a wealth of evidence for CSPs-mediated interactions, and discuss recent advances in experimental tools that are beginning to provide new insights into the composition and organization of CSPs. The examples presented here are likely the tip of the iceberg, and much further work is needed to elucidate fully this higher level of glycan organization.
Effect of water–carbon dioxide ratio on the selectivity of phenolic compounds produced from alkali lignin in sub- and supercritical fluid mixtures

Abstract Lignin is considered as the most abundant renewable carbon source after cellulose and non-commercialized waste product with constantly growing annual production exceeding 50 million tons per year. This article is focused on a newly developed selective synthesis of high-value phenolic products from lignin in presence of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ) known as sustainable, non-flammable, naturally abundant, and catalytically active solvent. Depending on the synthesis conditions, such as temperature (250, 300, and 350 °C) and water-to-scCO 2 ratio (1:5, 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1), high yield of the specific phenolic compounds such as phenol, guaiacols, and vanillin has been achieved. The GCMS analysis reveals the trend of the increased total phenolic yield with temperature and strong dependence of the selectivity on the water-to-scCO 2 ratio. The maximum selectivity toward formation of the specific phenolic products, such as guaiacol and vanillin was observed at the highest H 2 O:scCO 2 = 1:5 ratio. At 350 °C the relative yield of guaiacol was ∼39% whereas at 250 °C vanillin was a dominant phenolic monomer with a relative yield of ∼33%. Moreover, at the intermediate temperature of 300 °C both guaiacol and vanillin were produced with relative yields of ∼28% and ∼13%, respectively. The highest amounts of scCO 2 resulted in the highest total relative phenolic yields of ∼79%, ∼71%, and ∼73% at 250, 300, and 350 °C, respectively. Demonstrated for the first time, the effect of water-to-scCO 2 ratio in the process of alkali lignin liquefaction will have significant impact on selective synthesis of phenolic compounds, their use in synthesis of “green” polymers with desirable properties, and sustainable utilization of both carbon dioxide and lignin waste.
Analysis of a balanced analog multiplier for an arbitrary number of signed inputs

We present an extension of the double-balanced current-commutating analog multiplier (also known as the Gilbert cell) that enables the multiplication of an arbitrary number of signed differential input voltages. A general analysis of the circuit for an arbitrary device nonlinearity is provided, and simulations on a bulk CMOS process as well as measurement results of a discrete bipolar implementation are reported.
Fumigant toxicity of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae) essential oil against immature stages of Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Turkiye’de ve bircok ulkede Borulce tohum bocegi, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) borulce, nohut, mercimek, soya fasulyesi, kuru fasulye gibi depolanan baklagil tohumlarinda onemli bir zararlidir. Bu calismada, nohutta Borulce tohum boceginin yumurtalarina, dane icerisindeki ilk ve son donem larvalarina ve pupalarina karsi biberiye [ Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae)] ucucu yaginin fumigant toksisitesi arastirilmistir. Calisma, 2013 yilinda Selcuk Universitesi Ziraat Fakultesi Bitki Koruma Bolumu Entomoloji Laboratuvarinda 28±2⁰C sicaklik, %55±5 orantili nem ve tamamen karanlik ortamda yurutulmustur. Doz ve maruz birakma suresinin artisina paralel olarak C. maculatus ’un ergin oncesi donemlerinin olum oranlarinin arttigi belirlenmistir. Ergin oncesi donemler icerisinde en hassas donemlerin yumurta ve birinci larva donemi olurken, en dayanikli donemlerin ise pupa ve son donem larvalarin oldugu tespit edilmistir. 24 saat sureyle biberiye ucucu yaginin gaz haline maruz birakilan yumurtalarin, birinci donem larvalarin, son donem larvalarin ve pupalarin LC 50 degerleri sirasiyla 34.57, 27.64, 60.39 ve 60.34 µl/l hava olarak belirlenmistir. Biberiye ucucu yagin 50 µl/l hava konsantrasyonuna24 saat sureyle maruz birakilan yumurta, birinci donem larva, son donem larva ve pupalarda sirasiyla, %100, 91, 56 ve 46’ya varan olum oranlari tespit edilmistir. Sonuc olarak biberiye ucucu yaginin C. maculatus ’un ergin oncesi donemlerine karsi yuksek fumigant toksisiteye sahip oldugu tespit edilmistir.
Abstract B80: Stroma in pancreatic cancer: Automated quantification and its prognostic significance

Tumor stroma (TS) is a cardinal component of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); it comprises 60 to 90% of tumor volume and is an emerging treatment target. There are conflicting reports of the role that TS plays in disease progression and its prognostic significance. The objective of this study was to develop a high-throughput, operator independent method for objectively quantifying TS density (TSD) and to evaluate the prognostic significance of TSD in resected tumors. Tissue sections of primary tumor from 126 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for PDAC from 1979 to 2008 and followed by observation only were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE 2016 May 12-15; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(24 Suppl):Abstract nr B80.
Have You Set Your Life Priorities Straight?: Intergenerational Differences in Life Goals among European and East Asian Americans College Students and their Mothers

We examined ethnic differences in (a) the life goals of college-enrolled youth as well as their mothers’ goals for them, (b) intergenerational similarity in life goals, and (c) the association betw...
Exploring the Abilities of 3D Printing and its Viability for Consumption in the Fashion Industry

With the ever-evolving state of today's technology, designers and retailers in the apparel industry are seeking out new technological methods that have the capacity to revolutionize and individualize their brand, as well as meet consumer needs and preferences. An emerging technology is 3D printing, which utilizes computer aided technology and a variety of filaments to construct an object. Though 3D printing technology offers the ability for rapid prototyping, a condensed supply chain, and a sustainable additive manufacturing process, there is question as to whether or not consumers are ready for 3D printed clothing to enter their wardrobes. The purpose of this study was to construct a 3D printed garment and measure consumer response to the application of this technology in ready-to-wear clothing. The results of this research indicate that a major transformation in ready-to-wear style is feasible and beneficial to the apparel industry because of 3D printing.
Trace-Level Volatile Quantitation by Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry following Headspace Extraction: Optimization and Validation in Grapes

Ambient ionization mass spectrometric (AI-MS) techniques like direct analysis in real time (DART) offer the potential for rapid quantitative analyses of trace volatiles in food matrices, but performance is generally limited by the lack of preconcentration and extraction steps. The sensitivity and selectivity of AI-MS approaches can be improved through solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with appropriate thin-film geometries, for example, solid-phase mesh-enhanced sorption from headspace (SPMESH). This work improves the SPMESH-DART-MS approach for use in food analyses and validates the approach for trace volatile analysis for two compounds in real samples (grape macerates). SPMESH units prepared with different sorbent coatings were evaluated for their ability to extract a range of odor-active volatiles, with poly(dimethylsiloxane)/divinylbenzene giving the most satisfactory results. In combination with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), detection limits for SPMESH-DART-MS under 4 ng/L in less than 30...
Microwave power detection with gated graphene

Gated graphene has been used to realize a microwave power detector. A Corbino disc structure with Ti/Ag contacts has been fabricated on top of graphene deposited on P-type Si substrates with SiO 2 gate oxides. This device exhibits power detection with a sensitivity reaching 0.87 mV/mW at a frequency of 433.92 MHz using lock-in detection at room temperature.
Interfacial stability of graphene-based surfaces in water and organic solvents

The mass production of graphene and graphene oxide (GO) is essential for its use in commercial products. To improve its processing in the solution, dispersion behavior of graphene-based materials and their colloidal stability must be further understood. This study used all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to understand how electrostatics, van der Waals interactions, and hydrogen bonding affect the exfoliation and stability of three-layered graphene as a function of oxidation and solvent. Water, methanol, and ethanol were chosen as solvents due to their various dispersion behaviors. Our study indicated that (1) both surface oxidation level and solvent type can heavily influence the stability and (2) a decrease in interlayer vdW interactions, an increase in GO–solvent electrostatic interactions, and an increase in GO–solvent hydrogen bonding are important factors that can facilitate the dissolution of GO.
Multi-beam and single-chip LIDAR with discrete beam steering by digital micromirror device

A novel Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) based beam steering enables a single chip Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system for discrete scanning points. We present increasing number of scanning point by using multiple laser diodes for Multi-beam and Single-chip DMD-based LIDAR.
Model-Based static code analysis for MATLAB models

MATLAB is widely used in scientific, engineering, and numerical computations. Complex systems such as digital signal processors, process control systems, etc. are modeled in MATLAB and analyzed; C implementation of the system can be automatically generated from the validated MATLAB model. We combine static analysis techniques with model-based deductive verification using SMT solvers to provide a framework to analyze MATLAB code. The analyzer is generated by translating the collecting semantics of a MATLAB script to a formula in first order logic over multiple underlying theories. Function calls in a script can be handled by importing SMT assertions obtained by analyzing MATLAB files containing function definitions. Logical specification of the desired program behavior (rather its negation) is incorporated as a first order logic formula. An SMT-LIB formula solver treats the combined formula as a "constraint" and "solves" it. The "solved form" can be used to identify logical errors in the MATLAB model.
Generalized stochastic differential equations on (D

Itecent work on anticipating, or non-adapted, SDE's has proceeded along various avenues and from different points of view (compare e.g., [0P 89a,b], [KP 90], [Oc 90], [PP 90], and [Kuo 91] to cite just a few papers on this subjcct). In this paper we briefly describe a general theory for treating such SDE's based on the Wiener algebra (D*) and the natural analysis associated with this space of generalized Wiener functionMs. Within this setting the weak derivative: ~ = dx/dt and weak Yettis integral: f x ( t )d t , of functions x : R ~ (2)*), allow one to not only generalize the theory of stochastic integrals (cf. [Bit 91a,b]), but also obtain (as we argue here) a straight-forward formulation and generalization of SDE theory: one which is expressed without the need of stochastic integrals or of adaptedness assumptions. Thus an initial value problem on the Wiener algebra is naturally formulated by
Digital and Discrete Deformation

In science, changing one curve α into another curve β continuously is called deformation. To describe this action, we usually use a sequence of curves in a sketch: the beginning curve C 0 is the original curve α and the final curve C 1 indicates the targeting curve β. Therefore, deformation can be defined as a function f α(t) = C t , where t ∈ [0, 1]. f α(t) and f α(t 0) are getting closer (infinitively) when t → t 0. Such a concept has essential importance since it relates to the topological equivalence and effect on entire modern mathematics. It also has great deal of impact in 3D image processing, what we call morphing one 2D/3D picture into another. In this chapter, we introduce the basic method of digital deformation and homotopic equivalence. We also give a brief overview of the fundamental groups and homology groups for digital objects. (Note The material in this chapter is much different than that of other chapters because it contains some graduate level material in the mathematical field of topology. In this book, the author tries to explain some profound concepts in an elementary way, which may not always be successful meaning that it is not always appreciated by some others.)
Moments of Complex Gaussian Ratios

We study the moments of general complex Gaussian ratios (CGRs), whose numerator and denominator are correlated and have arbitrary mean. In particular, we calculate the mean of these ratios in a closed form and prove that the mean-square and higher order absolute moments are unbounded in general. Then, we show that the earlier results generalize existing results in the literature and apply the mean of general CGR in a novel problem of antenna impedance estimation at single-antenna receivers.
New York Film Festival 2002

The 40th annual New York Film Festival was framed by the refusal of the United States government to grant Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami a visa to attend the screening of his film, _Ten_. In protest Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki, whose apolitical film _The Man Without a Past_ was also on the Festival program, decided not to attend. A week or so into the Festival, Bertrand Tavernier found himself unable to attend his press conference after the screening of his highly political film, _Safe Conduct_, because he was in the hospital. He sent a letter to the Festival apologizing for his absence which made it clear that he had wanted, in addition to discussing his film, to make his own statement about the insult to Kiarostami. Tavernier saluted Kaurismaki for his gesture, but said that his way was to be present at the Festival to raise his voice. Tavernier specifically called attention to the bitter irony of lumping Kiarostami with the Arab terrorists and with Saddam Hussein, only because of his national origin, when the Iranian director had devoted his life to affirming the values of freedom and condemning dictatorship.
Dense compounds of C, H, N, and O atoms: Nitramine derivatives of diimino‐ and dioxodecahydro‐1 h,5h‐diimidazo‐[4,5‐b:4′,5′‐e]pyrazine

Guanidine condensed with 1,4-diformyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydroxypiperazine 1 to give 2,6-diiminodecahydro-1H,5H-diimidazo[4,5-b:4′,5′-e]pyrazine 3 isolated as the tetrahydrochloride salt. nitric acid (100%) at −40°C converted the bisguanidine 3 to 2,6-dinitrimino-4,8-dinitrodecahydro-1H,5H-diimidazo[4,5-b:4′,5′-e]- pyrazine 8 isolated as a dihydrate, whereas nitration by nitronium tetrafluoroborate at 0° to 25°C afforded 2,6-diimino-4,8-dinitrodecahydro-1H,5H-diimidazo[4,5-b:4′,5′-e]pyrazine 9 isolate as the monohydrated bistetrafluoroborate salt, and treatmetn with nitric acid (100%) and acetic anhydride or phosphorus pentoxide converted the bisguanidine 3 to 2,6-dioxo-1,3,4,5,7,8-hexanitrodecahydro-1H,5H-diimidazo[4,5-b:4′,5′-e]pyrazine 4, also obtained from the tetra N-nitro compound 8 · 2 H2O and from the dinitramine 9 · 2 BHF4 · H2O after similar treatment. The cis-syn-cis- configuration of the tricyclic bisurea 4 and bisguanidine 9 was confirmed by X-ray crys-tallographic analysis. Nitrosation by nitrous acid or by dinitrogen tetroxide converted the bisguanidine 3 to a hydrated 2,6-dinitrosimino-4,8-dinitrosodecahydro-1H,5H-diimidazo[4,5-b:4′,5′-]pyrazine 10 · 2.5 H2O, whereas treatment with nitrosonium tetrafluo-roborate afforded the bistetrafluoroborate salt of 4,8-dinitroso derivative 11 · 2 BHF 4. The nitrosamines 10 and 11 were converted to the tetranitro compound 8 · 2 H2O on treatment with nitric acid (100%) at −40°C. Treatmnt with fluoroboric acid etherate in acetonitrile converted nitroimino groups in compound 8 · 2 H2O and nitrosimino groups in compound 10 · 2.5 H2O to imino groups in compounds 9 · 2 BHF2 · H2O and 11 · 2 HBF4 respectively.
CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES Water Resources: Extend Maximum Duration of Water Use Permits; Provide for Water Development and Conservation Plans; Preserve the Department of Natural Resources’ Right to Appeal Decisions of Administrative Law Judges

The Act extends the maximum duration of permits for withdrawal, diversion, or impoundment of surface waters and ground waters to fifty years. Permits for more than twenty-five years must be based on a water conservation and development plan. The Act also provides for administrative review of decisions under this title.
Crowding and Other Environmental Stressors

The definition and measurement of environmental stressors, including crowding, noise, and ambient air pollution, are described. Psychological stress is employed as a heuristic device to understand how the physical environment can influence human psychological functioning. Effects of each of these stressors on psychophysiological stress, cognitive performance, interpersonal relationships, and mental health are summarized. Methodological and conceptual limitations are briefly noted. Current research on underlying explanatory processes is discussed, focusing on the concepts of control and social support. Future needs for research on environmental stressors and human behavior include the following: prospective, longitudinal research designs with calculations of dose-response functions; more complete daily exposure estimation of stressor exposure; investigation of other underlying psychosocial processes in addition to control and social support; and examination of environmental stressors within the more ecologically valid, multiple stressor contexts in which they are situated.
Comparing Mortality of Peritoneal and Hemodialysis Patients in an Era of Medicare Payment Reform.

Background Prior studies have shown peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients to have lower or equivalent mortality to patients who receive in-center hemodialysis (HD). Medicare's 2011 bundled dialysis prospective payment system encouraged expansion of home-based PD with unclear impacts on patient outcomes. This paper revisits the comparative risk of mortality between HD and PD among patients with incident end-stage kidney disease initiating dialysis in 2006-2013. Research design We conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing 2-year all-cause mortality among patients with incident end-stage kidney disease initiating dialysis via HD and PD in 2006-2013, using data from the US Renal Data System and Medicare. Analysis was conducted using Cox proportional hazards models fit with inverse probability of treatment weighting that adjusted for measured patient demographic and clinical characteristics and dialysis market characteristics. Results Of the 449,652 patients starting dialysis between 2006 and 2013, the rate of PD use in the first 90 days increased from 9.3% of incident patients in 2006 to 14.2% in 2013. Crude 2-year mortality was 27.6% for patients dialyzing via HD and 16.7% for patients on PD. In adjusted models, there was no evidence of mortality differences between PD and HD before and after bundled payment (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.89-1.04; P=0.33). Conclusions Overall mortality for HD and PD use was similar and mortality differences between modalities did not change before versus after the 2011 Medicare dialysis bundled payment, suggesting that increased use of home-based PD did not adversely impact patient outcomes.
Rapid Development of Clinically Symptomatic Radiation Recall Pneumonitis Immediately Following COVID-19 Vaccination

In this report, we present the case of a 66-year-old man who received local consolidation radiotherapy to the right lung and mediastinum for oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following partial response to upfront chemoimmunotherapy. He continued with maintenance immunotherapy and was asymptomatic for eight months after completing radiation therapy. He then developed symptoms consistent with pneumonitis within three to five days of his first administration of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine injection. He reported that these symptoms significantly intensified within three to five days of receiving his second dose of the vaccine. The clinical time frame and radiographic evidence raised suspicion for radiation recall pneumonitis (RRP). Patients undergoing maintenance immunotherapy after prior irradiation may be at increased risk of this phenomenon that may be triggered by the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Epidemiological Survey of First Human Brucellosis Outbreak Caused by the Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) — Guizhou Province, China, 2019

What is already known on this topic? Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Brucella spp. The main source of infection in human brucellosis is sick animals, mainly including sheep, goat, and cattle, but sika deer (Cervus nippon) can also cause human brucellosis. The first human brucellosis case in Guizhou Province was reported in 2009, and no brucellosis outbreak was reported caused by sika deer ever before. What is added by this report? This is the first reported outbreak of human brucellosis caused by sika deer in Guizhou Province. Inappropriate regulation of animal movement may be the main driver of introducing and spreading brucellosis in southern areas. The ability to diagnose brucellosis in both humans and animals was weak in the county where the outbreak took place. What are the implications for public health practice? It was suggested to prioritize occupational protection and health education for sika deer breeders. The inspection of the movement of animals and the reimbursement policy need to be improved.
Cancer in Obstetrics

Cancer in pregnancy is a rare occurrence and accounts for 0.1% of malignant tumors. It is the second leading cause of death during the reproductive years. The most frequent malignancies diagnosed during pregnancy include breast cancer, cervical cancer, and lymphomas. Presenting signs and symptoms may be unspecific and often attributed to the physiological manifestations of pregnancy, leading to a delayed diagnosis. Diagnostic and staging workup pose a challenge and should be adapted considering the risks to the fetus. Enhancing treatment of cancer while minimizing fetal and maternal harm is dependent on the gestational age, underlying comorbidities, and disease stage. Optimal management may include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation; final decision should outweigh the potential risk and benefits on maternal and fetal health. Ideal treatment decision and strategies should be performed under the supervision of a multidisciplinary tumor board.
Ultra Rapid Lispro (URLi) Accelerates Insulin Lispro Absorption and Insulin Action vs Humalog® Consistently Across Study Populations: A Pooled Analysis of Pharmacokinetic and Glucodynamic Data

Ultra rapid lispro (URLi) is a novel insulin lispro formulation developed to more closely match physiological insulin secretion and improve postprandial glucose control. This pooled analysis compared the pharmacokinetics and glucodynamics between URLi and Humalog® in healthy subjects and patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. The analysis included four randomized, double-blind, crossover, single-dose studies (healthy subjects [n = 74], patients with type 1 diabetes [n = 78], and type 2 diabetes [n = 38]) evaluating subcutaneous doses of 7, 15, or 30 U of URLi and Humalog during an 8- to 10-h euglycemic clamp procedure. The pooled analysis showed an ~ 5-min faster onset of appearance, an ~8-fold greater exposure in the first 15 min, a 43% reduction in exposure beyond 3 h, and a 68-min shorter exposure duration with URLi vs Humalog across all study populations and dose range. Compared with Humalog, URLi had a 10-min faster onset of action, a 3-fold greater insulin action in the first 30 min, a 35% reduction in insulin action beyond 4 h, and a 44-min shorter duration of action across all populations and dose range. Overall exposure and insulin action were similar between URLi and Humalog for each dose level and study population. Across the studied populations and dose range, URLi consistently demonstrated a faster absorption, reduced late exposure, and overall shorter exposure duration compared with Humalog. Similarly, URLi demonstrated earlier insulin action while reducing late insulin action and shorter insulin action compared with Humalog across the study populations and dose range. NCT02942654 (registered: 21 October, 2016), NCT03286751 (registered: 15 September, 2017), NCT03166124 (registered: 23 May, 2017), and NCT03305822 (registered: 5 October, 2017).
Alaska Native Elders' perspectives on dietary patterns in rural, remote communities.

BACKGROUND Given the increasing rates of childhood obesity in Alaska Native children and the understanding that the most effective interventions are informed by and reflect the cultural knowledge of the community in which they are implemented, this project sought to gather the wisdom of local Yup'ik and Cup'ik Elders in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region of Alaska around how to maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle. METHODS Perspectives were sought through the use of semi-structured focus groups, which were completed in person in twelve communities. All conversations were recorded, translated, transcribed, and analyzed using a qualitative approach, where key themes were identified. RESULTS Elders provided a clear and consistent recollection of what their life looked like when they were young and expressed their perspectives related to maintaining a healthy and traditional lifestyle. The key themes the Elders discussed included an emphasis on the nutritional and cultural benefits of traditional foods; concerns around changing dietary patterns such as the consumption of processed foods and sugar sweetened beverages; and concerns on the time and use of screens. Elders also expressed a desire to help younger generations learn traditional subsistence practices. CONCLUSIONS The risk of obesity in Alaska Native children is high and intervention efforts should be grounded in local knowledge and values. The perspectives from Yup'ik and Cup'ik Elders in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta area of Alaska provide a better understanding on local views of how to maintain a healthy diet, physical activities, and traditional values.
Exploring digital health care: eHealth, mHealth, and librarian opportunities

Technology advances in eHealth and mHealth are changing the way that health care consumers and providers communicate, receive and deliver care, and access health information. As electronic health records and smartphones have become ubiquitous in the United States, opportunities and applications for the integration of eHealth and mHealth have increased. In addition to technology advances, the changing health care model is simultaneously adapting to and driving initiatives in digital health care. With these digital initiatives have come challenges, including data overload, security and privacy concerns, deficits in technological and health literacy skills, and sorting through the vast number of choices of digital applications. Navigating this changing landscape can be overwhelming and time consuming for both health care providers and consumers. Librarians are uniquely positioned to assist providers and consumers to break down barriers within the digital health care landscape through data management initiatives, technology and health literacy instruction, and finding and evaluating health information and digital health technologies.
Molecular Studies of a Rare HLA Haplotype: Implications for Mechanisms of Generating Class II Gene Polymorphisms

For both HLA-DR and -DQ antigens there are serologically detectable (e.g., DR1, DR2, etc. and DQw1, DQw3, etc.) as well as Dw/LD T lymphocyte-defined (e.g., Dw2, LD-MN2 and LD-5a, etc.) polymorphisms (1). Haplotypes encoding DR2 can be subdivided into Dw2, Dw12, and DR2.3 (including FJO and MN2) subtypes based on distinct T-cell responses (2). DR components of a putative additional LD subtype of DR2, LD-5a, have been related to the DR2.3 subtype, although they are associated with DQw3 rather than with DQw1. Cytotoxic T-cell clones can differentiate FJO (DR2/MN2/DQw1) from REM (DR2/LD-5a/DQw3) (3) for DR as well as DQ molecules (4). In an attempt to study the mechanisms for generation of polymorphisms related to Dw/LD in class II antigens, we isolated and sequenced cDNA clones from REM representing the polymorphic DRB, DQB, and DQA genes and compared these with sequences of other DR and DQ genes. The results demonstrated that the DR2 β chains (DRβ2 in this paper shall be called DRB3) must be involved in allo-specific T-cell recognition, and that LD-5a (Dw22) should be considered independently of the DR2.3 (Dw21) subtype, even for DR. Our data suggest that the DQw3 serological specificity may be mainly defined by the DQB chain rather than the A chain. A mechanism is suggested for the generation of the DR2/Dw22/DQw3 haplotype.
Role of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 in TNFα Signaling in Colon Epithelial Cells

G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) compose a 7-member family of serine/threonine protein kinases that are critical in the regulation of GPCR lifecycle. In addition to GPCR phosphorylation, G...
A spatial auditory display for the cyberstage

The CyberStage is GMD's CAVE-like audio-visual projection system integrating a 4-side visual stereo display and an 8-channel spatial auditory display. A software-based sound server for the generation of auditory cues for interactive virtual environments has been developed for this display system in the context of a research project on integrated simulation of image and sound (ISIS). Hardware and software components of the auditory display and their integration in the CyberStage application development process are described. Four applications from different areas are discussed as examples.