cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A METHOD FOR DESCRIBING AND COMPARING AVIAN HABITATS.

Summary. Detailed studies of ecological distribution and habitat specificity require objective, quantitative data which are rarely available in the reference system customarily used for designating habitat relations. A scheme of habitat description was developed and tested in a variety of situations in Africa and North America based on the selection of a set of measurable features or dimensions, each of which was graduated for quantitative or qualitative evaluation. A procedure for recording measurements in the field is described. Examples are presented showing how quantitative habitat data may be applied in erecting vegetation formulae of various degrees of refinement, in making semi-pictorial habitat diagrams, and in analyzing subtle differences in habitat selection by different species or populations.
Segmenting Normative Beliefs Regarding Wolf Management in Central Italy

We segmented a sample of the Italian public based on their normative beliefs to support or oppose wolf management options. Based on the specificity principle and the notion of predictive potential, we hypothesized “minimal” differences among the segments for demographic and past experience variables and substantive differences among the segments for belief and attitude measures. Data were collected through personal interviews (n = 1,611) in Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park and the surrounding area. Using K-means cluster analysis, three clusters of respondents were identified: those who favored protection, opposed protection, and had mixed views regarding wolves. Consistent with the hypotheses, demographics (i.e., age, sex) and prior-experience (i.e., hunting, seeing wolves) did not substantively differ among the clusters. The three segments, however, did differ in their beliefs about the perceived impacts and attitudes toward wolves. Findings reinforce the predictive potential of psychological var...
Roles of eosinophils in allergy

In the past year insights have been gained into mechanisms whereby eosinophils are mobilized from the vasculature to enter sites of inflammation. In addition, the responses of eosinophils to specific cytokines have been delineated. Moreover, for the first time it has become clear that eosinophils themselves are sources of cytokines that may exert not only autocrine effects on eosinophils but also paracrine effects on adjacent cells within tissues.
New Species and Review of the Genus Paracypris (Ostracoda)

Depuis 120 ans, on ne connait que la femelle d'une seule espece vivante du genre Paracypris. P. bensoni n. sp. et quatre autres especes sont ici decrites et comparees afin de renforcer l'integrite taxonomique de ce genre important et ancien. Une liste des especes comprend plus de 130 noms, dont 7 especes vivantes et 8 especes fossiles seulement sont indubitablement correctement classees.
Candida albicans Isolates from the Gut of Critically Ill Patients Respond to Phosphate Limitation by Expressing Filaments and a Lethal Phenotype

Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that proliferates in the intestinal tract of critically ill patients where it continues to be a major cause of infectious-related mortality. The precise cues that shift intestinal C. albicans from its ubiquitous indolent colonizing yeast form to an invasive and lethal filamentous form remain unknown. We have previously shown that severe phosphate depletion develops in the intestinal tract during extreme physiologic stress and plays a major role in shifting intestinal Pseudomonas aeruginosa to express a lethal phenotype via conserved phosphosensory-phosphoregulatory systems. Here we studied whether phosphate dependent virulence expression could be similarly demonstrated for C. albicans. C. albicans isolates from the stool of critically ill patients and laboratory prototype strains (SC5314, BWP17, SN152) were evaluated for morphotype transformation and lethality against C. elegans and mice during exposure to phosphate limitation. Isolates ICU1 and ICU12 were able to filament and kill C. elegans in a phosphate dependent manner. In a mouse model of intestinal phosphate depletion (30% hepatectomy), direct intestinal inoculation of C. albicans caused mortality that was prevented by oral phosphate supplementation. Prototype strains displayed limited responses to phosphate limitation; however, the pho4Δ mutant displayed extensive filamentation during low phosphate conditions compared to its isogenic parent strain SN152, suggesting that mutation in the transcriptional factor Pho4p may sensitize C. albicans to phosphate limitation. Extensive filamentation was also observed in strain ICU12 suggesting that this strain is also sensitized to phosphate limitation. Analysis of the sequence of PHO4 in strain ICU12, its transcriptional response to phosphate limitation, and phosphatase assays confirmed that ICU12 demonstrates a profound response to phosphate limitation. The emergence of strains of C. albicans with marked responsiveness to phosphate limitation may represent a fitness adaptation to the complex and nutrient scarce environment typical of the gut of a critically ill patient.
Residual Stress and Strain Responses of Welded Piping Joints Under Low-Cycle Fatigue Loading

It is well known that residual stress of welded joints influence their fatigue lives. This influence of residual stress is manifested through strain ratcheting response at the weld toe. Among many other reasons, strain ratcheting at the weld toe is anticipated to be a reason of many premature fatigue failure of welded joints. Hence, accurate simulations of weld toe residual stress and strain responses are essential for fatigue life simulation of welded joints. This paper presents results form an ongoing study on fatigue failure of welded piping joints. A modeling scheme for simulating weld toe residual stress and strain response is developed. Uncoupled, thermo-mechanical, finite element analyses are employed for imitating the welding procedure, and thereby simulating the temperature history during welding and initial residual stresses. Simulated residual stresses are validated by comparing against the measured residual stresses. Finite element simulations indicate that both residual stress and resulting strain responses near the weld toe are the key factors in inducing fatigue cracks at the weld toe. Research needs in revealing the fatigue failure mechanisms at the weld toe are discussed.© 2009 ASME
Labelling and Recall in Learning Disabled Students

According to Kass (1977), students with learning disabilities may show labelling deficits due to difficulty in control of sensory input, rehearsal, and short-term memory. In this study 44 learning disabled and 44 average students labelled objects and pictures, recalled their own language labels, and re-labelled common objects. The LD students produced and recalled as many labels as the controls. However, the performance of the LD students was characterized by the use of inappropriate labels. Students with learning disabilities were found to be qualitatively rather than quantitatively different from controls in language and memory. The authors suggest that LD students may show a deficit in hyperexcitability rather than in memory.
A Morphing Capacitor and an RC Transient Electric Circuit

We consider an RC-series DC driven electric network. We envision the capacitor C is a parallel-plate capacitor with a pair of elliptical plates. We apply a set of transformations mapping the ellipses gradually and continually into their corresponding rectangles; this makes the capacitor time-dependent, C(t). We analyze the impact of the shape-shifting capacitor on the corresponding RC(t) transient circuit. Applying Mathematica [1] animation we display the morphing capacitor adjacent to its corresponding characteristic signals. Utilizing the embedded Mathematica code also we display the transient electric signals of a morphing capacitor while it is being mutated from a circular disk into a set of exotic configurations.
Restoration of dopamine transporter density in the striatum of fetal ventral mesencephalon-grafted, but not sham-grafted, MPTP-treated parkinsonian monkeys.

Abstract Transplantation of fetal dopamine neurons to the adult striatum potentially offers a means to reverse the striatal dopamine deficiency that characterizes Parkinson's disease. Many investigations in rodents have supported the hope that neural grafting may be a useful treatment for parkinsonism. However, clinical studies have generally produced more modest improvements in motor abnormalities than observed in lower species. It is possible that the number of fetal dopamine neurons that survive transplantation is insufficient to restore dopaminergic innervation of the large human striatum to a level where striking recovery is obtained. In fact, there has been no quantitative study of graft outgrowth to indicate what portion of the dopamine-depleted striatum might be reinnervated with present techniques. Furthermore, it has been speculated that regeneration of the host dopamine system in response to the implantation surgery may play an important role in the beneficial effects of neural grafting in primates. The present study used nine 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated parkinsonian monkeys to investigate these issues. Sham implantation procedures produced no increase in either dopamine transporter density (measured by quantitative autoradiography) or tissue dopamine concentration (measured by HPLC) in the striatum of MPTP-treated monkeys. In sham-grafted and nonimplanted MPTP-treated monkeys, the striatal dopamine concentration was reduced by 99%, based on analysis of 16 sampled sites in the caudate nucleus and putamen of each monkey. No behavioral recovery was seen in the sham-grafted and nonimplanted MPTP-treated groups. In contrast, transplantation of fetal dopamine neurons to the caudate nucleus or putamen of MPTP-treated monkeys resulted in a significant elevation of dopamine transporter density and dopamine levels in the grafted striatal nucleus. Each grafted MPTP-treated monkey received ventral mesencephalon dopamine neurons from one donor harvested during putative neurogenesis. Donor ventral mesencephalon was divided equally and implanted into six sites either in the caudate nucleus or putamen. One graft site in each monkey was examined by dopamine transporter autoradiography. In sections in which graft fibers were present, a mean of one-third of the volume of the grafted nucleus was occupied by an elevated density of dopamine transporters. This increase in dopamine transporter density was defined to be at least 5–10% of the control density. However, full behavioral recovery was not observed in the grafted MPTP-treated group. These data provide no support for the hypothesis that regeneration of the host dopamine system occurs in respons to a sham implantation procedure in severely parkinsonian monkeys. The current study illustrates the power of the applied techniques for delineating the relationship between the level of host dopamine depletion, the extent of graft-induced dopaminergic restoration, and behavioral recovery.
Exposure Control of Dot Size for Photographically Recorded Data

A mathematical model of the emulsion character­ istics is developed to determine relative exposure. This is employed to preserve the radially symmetrical geometric structure of a dot produced by Guassian distributed light from a cathode ray tube with P-ll phosphor. Experimental results will be reported and discussed.William A. Miller received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering and M.S. in Physics at Oregon State College. He was awarded a Ph.D. in Physics from Pur due University. He studied Modern Methods of Optical Design at the Institute of Optics, University of Rochester.Dr. Miller, a Senior Staff Scientist at Fairchild Stratos-Electronic Systems Division, has a wide and extensive background in many areas of scientific disciplines. During his tenure at FS-ESD, as techni­ cal adviser to the Director of Engineering, he has been involved in proposal and research consultationefforts on satellites for navigational systems and scientific experiments, space-rendezvous radar, precision ranging systems, optical design and filter­ ing, highly reliable communication systems, and high-resolution facsimile systems.Dr. Miller was concerned with the development of electronic circuitry for microwave transmission, radar applications, and studies of Military communication systems when with RCA Laboratories.Dr. Miller holds almost 40 patents on electrical, electronics, and laser devices, and has several others pending.
Modeling Return Periods of Tropical Cyclone Intensities in the Vicinity of Hawaii

Abstract Tropical cyclones in the vicinity of Hawaii have resulted in great property damage. An estimate of the return periods of tropical cyclone intensities is of particular interest to governments, public interest groups, and private sectors. A dimensionless quantity called relative intensity (RI) is used to combine all available information about the tropical cyclone characteristics at different places and times. To make a satisfactory estimate of the return periods of tropical cyclone intensities, a large number of RIs are simulated by the Monte Carlo method based on the extreme value distribution. The return periods of RIs and the corresponding maximum wind speeds associated with tropical cyclones are then estimated by combining the information about the intensities and occurrences. Results show that the return periods of maximum wind speeds equal to or greater than 125, 110, 100, 80, 64, 50, and 34 kt are estimated to be 137, 59, 33, 12, 6.6, 4, and 3. 2 years, respectively. The Monte Carlo method ...
Towards Robustly Stable Musculo-Skeletal Simulation of Human Gait: Merging Lumped and Component-Based Modeling Approaches

The objective of work presented in this paper is to increase the center-of-mass stability of human walking and running in musculo-skeletal simulation. The approach taken is to approximate the whole-body dynamics of the low-dimensional Spring-Loaded Inverted Pendulum (SLIP) model of locomotion in the OpenSim environment using existing OpenSim tools. To more directly relate low-dimensional dynamic models to human simulation, an existing OpenSim human model is first modified to more closely represent bilateral above-knee amputee locomotion with passive prostheses. To increase stability further beyond the energy-conserving SLIP model, an OpenSim model based upon the Clock-Torqued Spring-Loaded-Inverted-Pendulum (CT-SLIP) model of locomotion is also created. The result of this work is that a multi-body musculo-skeletal simulation in Open-Sim can approximate the whole-body sagittal-plane dynamics of the passive SLIP model. By adding a plugin controller to the OpenSim environment, the Clock-Torqued-SLIP dynamics can be approximated in OpenSim. To change between walking and running, only one parameter representing the preferred period of a stride is changed. The result is a robustly stable simulation of the center-of-mass locomotion for both walking and running that could serve as a first step toward increasingly anatomically accurate and robustly stable musculo-skeletal simulations.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Clinical Phenomenology and Neuroimaging Correlates in ALS-FTD

The overlap of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been well documented in FTD patients with co-morbid motor neuron degeneration and in ALS patients with frontotemporal dysfunction. Up to 15% of FTD patients and 30% of ALS patients experience the overlap syndrome. The syndrome may be difficult to identify since patients often present either to a neuromuscular clinic or a memory disorder’s center, each which may have limited expertise in the other specialty. Survival is greatly impacted for both disorders in the co-morbid condition, making identification of this syndrome critical. The clinical characteristics of the overlap syndrome with new diagnostic criteria will be discussed along with screening strategies, including the UCSF Screening battery and clinical neurophysiology techniques. Treatable mimics of this disorder will also be described and management techniques. Neuroimaging findings will be summarized, which show that the frontotemporal impairment in ALS patients lies on a continuum. Identification of the overlap syndrome also provides a unique opportunity to study very early signs of FTD and conversely, very early signs of ALS, to gain greater insight into both disorders.
Gender trends in emergency medicine publications.

Background In recent years, the number of women entering the field of emergency medicine (EM) has increased. Objectives To determine if authorship in EM publications has increased in parallel with this trend. Methods The gender of first and last authors of EM articles in Academic Emergency Medicine, American Journal of Emergency Medicine, Annals of Emergency Medicine, and Journal of Emergency Medicine were examined. The authors reviewed articles from 1985, 1995, and 2005 for American Journal of Emergency Medicine, Annals of Emergency Medicine, and Journal of Emergency Medicine and from 1999 and 2005 for Academic Emergency Medicine. The primary outcomes were the proportions of female authors. Results A total of 2,016 articles were reviewed. Overall, 18% of first and last authors were female. Respectively, for 1985, 1995, 1999, and 2005, the proportions of female first authors were 9%, 15%, 19%, and 24%; the proportions of female last authors were 9%, 18%, 19%, and 22%. The trend of increases in female authorship was statistically significant. Conclusions Although female authorship remains a minority in EM publications, it has increased significantly in parallel with increases in female participation in EM.
High sensitivity infrared extended wavelength response InGaAs detectors

Recent development of low dark current 2.34 μm-cutoff InGaAs material has resulted in the successful construction of a hybrid focal plane array built on the SB-206 512x512 format astronomical quality Read Out Integrated Circuit(ROIC). This contribution reports on the verification of the quality of the InGaAs material as well as the essential characteristics and performance of the hybrid focal plane array. The results of the investigation indicate that the dark current levels surpass the requirements for ground-based broadband and narrowband imaging as well as for low resolution spectroscopy in the astronomical H and K s bands.
The determination of effective antiviral doses using a computer program for sigmoid dose-response curves☆

A computer program was designed to construct best fit sigmoid dose-response curves for determination of the dose required to reduce the yield of virus by 50%, effective antiviral dose (ED50). A single antiviral agent, 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine, was examined for effectiveness against four strains of herpes simplex virus type 1. The resulting ED50 values were compared with those obtained by probit analysis. The statistical parameters obtained from sigmoid curve fit program were utilized to evaluate statistical differences between ED50 values for resistant and sensitive virus strains and to evaluate the goodness-of-fit of the regression line to the data. In addition, using this analytical method, it was shown that a change in one experimental variable, i.e., multiplicity of infection, in the yield reduction assay significantly affected the apparent ED50 value. The computer program was easily utilized for analysis of data obtained from both plaque reduction and yield reduction assays and generated the parameters necessary for statistical comparison of relative antiviral activity of any antiviral agent.
SiGe class-E power amplifier with envelope tracking for mobile WiMAX/Wibro applications

In this paper, we report both circuits design and system simulations using highly-efficient monolithic SiGe class-E power amplifier (PA) with an open-loop envelope tracking (ET) technique for mobile WiMAX/Wibro applications. The 1-stage and 2-stage class-E PAs were designed and fabricated in a 0.18µm BiCMOS SiGe technology. The 1-stage class-E PA achieved peak power added efficiency (PAE) of 62% at output power of 21dBm in single-tone measurement. The design of linear-assisted switching envelope amplifier is also discussed, which involves balancing the tradeoff between efficiency and signal fidelity. Detailed co-design system simulations including RF circuits and digital DSP blocks show that our class-E PA can be linearized by the open-loop ET technique, and the entire ET-based transmit (TX) system meets the stringent 802.16e TX mask with ∼33% overall average efficiency at output power of 18.5dBm.
Peacekeeping and the Constraints of Global Culture

Why do peacekeeping agencies, such as the United Nations, pursue certain strategies and not others? Most accounts suggest that peacekeeping mandates reflect the interests of major parties, along with perceptions of how effectively certain strategies will accomplish the goals of peacekeeping. This article argues that another factor — the international normative environment, sometimes called ‘global culture’ — also shapes the design of peacekeeping operations in fundamental ways. Peacekeeping agencies seem predisposed to adopt strategies that conform with global culture, and to reject strategies that they view as normatively inappropriate, even if the rejected strategies are potentially more likely to accomplish the goals of peacekeeping. Changes in the international norms have been accompanied by corresponding shifts in peacekeeping policy; and UN officials have summarily rejected certain proposals for more effective peacekeeping, including the idea of establishing a new trusteeship system, on largely normative grounds. These observations suggest that global culture limits the range of possible policies that peacekeepers can realistically pursue.
The path taken: Consequences of attaining intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations in post-college life

Life goals, or aspirations, organize and direct behavior over extended periods of time. The current study, guided by self-determination theory, examined the consequences of pursuing and attaining aspirations over a 1-year period in a post-college sample. Results indicated that placing importance on either intrinsic or extrinsic aspirations related positively to attainment of those goals. Yet, whereas attainment of intrinsic aspirations related positively to psychological health, attainment of extrinsic aspirations did not; indeed, attainment of extrinsic aspirations related positively to indicators of ill-being. Also as predicted, the association between change in attainment of intrinsic aspirations and change in psychological health was mediated by change in the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Discussion focuses on the idea that not all goal attainment is beneficial; rather, attainment of aspirations with different contents relates differentially to psychological health.
Human ECoG analysis during speech perception using matching pursuit: a comparison between stochastic and dyadic dictionaries

We use the matching pursuit (MP) algorithm to detect induced gamma activity in human EEG during speech perception. We show that the MP algorithm is particularly useful for detecting small power changes at high gamma frequencies (>70 Hz). We also compare the performance of the MP using a stochastic versus a dyadic dictionary and show that despite the frequency bias the time-frequency power plot (averaged over 100 trials) generated by the dyadic MP is almost identical (>98.5%) to the one generated by the stochastic MP. However, the dyadic MP is computationally much faster than the stochastic MP.
Adult Learner Perceptions: Perspectives from Beginning Musicians (Ages 60-86 Years).

The purpose of this project was to examine adult learning perceptions of a model music program with group piano instruction and group percussion ensemble for beginning-level musicians (ages 60–86 years). Participants were matched by age and education to two 16-week music programs. Forty participants completed a post-training questionnaire related to learning experiences and preferences. Results indicate that program strengths include course offerings containing musical performance and music theory, emphasis on developing social networks, and expertise of the instructor. Older adults prefer group music instruction compared with individual music instruction. These results have implications for developing model music programs that meet the needs of all learners and for music educators developing community music programs to address the preferences and needs of a growing aging population.
Calculating the external magnetic field from permanent magnets in permanent-magnet motors-an alternative method

We present an alternative method for calculating the magnetic field from a set of permanent magnets in a permanent-magnet motor. The method uses a cylindrical coordinate system to model the geometry of the structure enclosing the magnets. A Fourier series expansion yields an alternative to the more familiar multipole expansion given in spherical coordinates. The expansion is developed by using Green's function in cylindrical coordinates. A technique called charge simulation allows computation of an equivalent point charge distribution. Finally, Coulomb's law is applied to express the magnetic scalar potential in a mathematically tractable form.
Availability of recreational resources and physical activity in adults

Objectives. Using data from a large cohort of adults aged 45 to 84 years-old, we investigated whether availability of recreational resources is related to physical activity levels.Methods. Data from a multiethnic sample of 2723 adult residents of New York City, NY; Baltimore, Md; and Forsyth County, NC, were linked to data on locations of recreational resources. We measured the availability (density) of resources within 0.5 (0.8 km), 1, 2, and 5 miles of each participant’s residence and used binomial regression to investigate associations of density with physical activity.Results. After adjustment for potential confounders, individuals in the tertile of participants residing in areas with the highest density of resources were more likely to report physical activity during a typical week than were individuals in the lowest tertile. Associations between availability of recreational resources and physical activity levels were not present for the smallest area assessed (0.5 miles) but were present for areas r...
The Case of the C-TPAT Border Security Initiative: Assessing the Adoption/Persistence Decisions When Dealing With a Novel, Institutionally Driven Administrative Innovation

The current study examines attributes of a diffusion process associated with an institutionally driven administrative innovation (IDAI) that was designed to mitigate international supply chain logistic risk. Using a sample of firms who adopted this type of administrative innovation (AI), we find that managers' adoption and persistence decisions differed from observed behaviors associated with economically driven AIs. For example, with IDAIs, large firms are the characteristic early adopters and the innovation persists in spite of a lack of a clearly compelling economic rationale for its continued support. These findings are drawn from an analysis of respondent data pertaining to Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism—an AI that has been previously identified as being an example of such a development. The results prompt us to rethink on the mechanisms governing AI adoption and persistence decisions and enhance the theoretical richness surrounding research into not only IDAIs but also other related areas such as certified management standards.
An adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller for robotic manipulators

This paper proposes an adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller for robotic manipulators. An adaptive single-input single-output (SISO) fuzzy system is applied to calculate each element of the control gain vector in a sliding mode controller. The adaptive law is designed based on the Lyapunov method. Mathematical proof for the stability and the convergence of the system is presented. Various operation situations such as the set point control and the trajectory control are simulated. The simulation results demonstrate that the chattering and the steady state errors, which usually occur in the classical sliding mode control, are eliminated and satisfactory trajectory tracking is achieved.
Contextual Influences on Ethnic Identity among Hawaiian Students in the Mainland United States

A sample of 19 residents of Hawaii were surveyed after their social context changed from majority group to minority group status as a result of relocation to the mainland United States to attend college. Multivariate statistical methods were used to evaluate the effects of group attitudes and length of residence in the mainland on ethnic identity and affiliative behavior. Results showed (a) an internalization of the perceived attitudes of mainland students with respect to the attitudes held by Hawaiian students toward their own group, (b) a strong association between Hawaiian students' attitudes toward their own group and affiliation with other Hawaiian students, (c) a marked reduction in the perceived favorability of attitudes of mainland students after the first year of mainland residence, (d) a decline in Hawaiian identification with increasing years of mainland residence, and (e) no association between Hawaiian identification and affiliative behavior toward fellow Hawaiian students.
Simulation of bacterial attraction and adhesion to falling particles in an aquatic environment

Chemosensory movement of bacteria toward the cloud of leaked material around planktonic algae has been suggested as an important aspect ofbactcrial nutrition in aquatic ecosystems. Inability of bacteria to keep pace with falling algae has been suggested as inhibiting such interactions. The interaction between bacteria and falling particles, including microalgac, is explored with a simulation model ofbacterial chemotaxis that incorporates low Reynolds number fluid flow and resulting substrate spatial distributions. Results show that although bacteria cannot maintain a position relative to a falling particle unless the particle is extremely large, such as a marine snow aggregate, chemosensory response does allow them to stay in the high substrate environment of the leaky particle longer than if they did not have it. The ecological significance for bacterial metabolism depends on several factors, including the frequency of contact between algae and bacteria and the relative concentrations of substrate at the cell surface and in the background. Optimal enhancement should occur in eutrophic conditions of large algal cells present in high abundances. Presently available values for the ratio of substrate concentration next to the algal cell relative to that in solution are not large enough to suggest that the microzones around algal cells provide significant enhancement of bacterial nutrition. Chemotaxis should enhance interactions with large marine snow aggregates, both by allowing bacteria to stay for significant periods around them and by enhancing the rates at which bacteria attach to the aggregate surfaces. This enhancement is greater for surfaces in which there is a lower probability of sticking.
Integrated Processors Scheduling for Multimedia

The advent of multimedia ushers forth a growing class of applications that must manipulate digital audio and video within well-defined timeliness requirements. Existing processor schedulers are inadequate in supporting these requirements. They fail to allow the integration of these continuous media computations with conventional interactive and batch activities. We have created a new scheduler that provides integrated processor scheduling for all classes of computational activities. Our solution achieves optimal performance when all timeliness requirements can be satisfied, and provides graceful degradation when the system is overloaded. Though unique in the degree to which it allows users control over the dynamic sharing of processing resources, the scheduler does not impose any draconian demands on the user to provide information he does not have or does not choose to specify.
Dispersion relation at point L in the photonic band structure of the face-centered-cubic lattice with active or conductive dielectric media

In this paper we develop a computational method for photonic band structures with active and conductive media by transforming Maxwell’s equations into high-order nonlinear polynomial eigensystems based on the plane-wave expansion method with complex k vectors. Furthermore, by assuming an infinitely fast response of the material, we reduce the high-order polynomial eigensystems to lower-order (ordinary or quadratic) eigenproblems. Numerical computations were performed at point L for the fcc lattice structure with active nonconducting and nonactive conducting dielectric media by solution of the ordinary or linearized eigensystems. For both cases physical solutions with complex k vectors for Maxwell’s equations were found between the two propagating modes; however, solutions were in the unphysical region of the tunneling dispersion relation for the passive media.
Online system-identification using subspace algorithms for the control of microscopic processes

The problem of online system identification and control of microscopic processes is considered. Traditionally, such processes are numerically simulated employing atomistic simulations. The unavailability of closed-form models to describe the evolution makes the controller design task challenging. A methodology is developed in which subspace algorithms for bilinear system identification are coupled with feedback linearization techniques with objective the online identification and control of microscopic processes. We illustrate the applicability of the proposed methodology on a Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) realization of a simplified surface reaction scheme that describes the dynamics of CO oxidation by O2 on a Pt catalytic surface. The proposed controller successfully forces the process from one stationary state to another state.
Pulmonary Vascular Disease in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

Pulmonary arterial hypertension of variable degree is commonly associated with adult congenital heart disease. Depending on size and location of the underlying cardiac defect as well as on repair status, pulmonary arterial hypertension may present with or without reversed shunting and associated cyanosis (ie, Eisenmenger syndrome). We review available data on etiology, clinical presentation, prognosis, and management strategies of pulmonary arterial hypertension in adult patients with congenital heart disease. In addition, we discuss the numerous complications associated with Eisenmenger syndrome, representing a multisystem disorder. Finally, we present general management strategies and emerging disease-targeting therapies.
Influence of Phenotypic Hide Color and Sex Condition on Beef Carcass Grading Performance and Value

The influence of hide color and sex on carcass grading performance and value was evaluated on 18,575 carcasses. Cattle exhibited color frequencies of black (50.0%), black-white face (10.6%), red (10.6%), red-white face (5.8%), gray (4.9%), yellow (4.7%), white (3.5%), Holstein (2.7%), striped (2.4%), yellow-white face (2.2%), gray-white face (1.4%), and spotted (1.3%) and sex frequencies of 83.5% steers and 16.5% heifers. Black cattle (black and black-white face) had greater (P < 0.01) s.c. fat (1.46 cm), hot carcass weight (HCW; 362.4 kg), KPH (2.38%), calculated YG (3.30), and marbling score (Small29) with less (P < 0.01) LM area (83.9 cm2) than did nonblack cattle (red, red-white face, gray, gray-white face, yellow, yellow-white face, white, striped, spotted, Holstein) (1.24 cm, 357.2 kg, 2.34%, 2.89, Small02, 86.9 cm2, respectively). Steers had less (P < 0.01) s.c. fat (1.18 cm), KPH (2.22%), calculated YG (2.83), and marbling score (Slight98) with greater (P < 0.01) HCW (372.3 kg) and LM area (89.4 cm2) than did heifers (1.37 cm, 2.47%, 3.11, Small19, 344.0 kg, 83.4 cm2, respectively). Black cattle had greater (P < 0.01) HCW discounts (-$1.32), YG discounts (-$2.46), and market value ($122.93) with less (P < 0.01) QG discounts (-$2.07) than did nonblack cattle (-$1.10, -$1.73, $122.49, -$3.46, respectively). Steers had less (P = 0.02) HCW discounts (-$0.97) and (P < 0.01) YG discounts (-$1.33) with greater (P < 0.01) QG discounts (-$3.68) than did heifers (-$1.43, -$2.30, -$2.56, respectively). The results suggest that the incentives to pay premiums for feeder cattle based on hide color diminish once the finished animal is in the carcass form and that steer and heifer carcasses have differing carcass characteristics that could warrant independent value-based marketing methods.
REVIEW - The Fruit of Our Labor: Afghan Perspectives in Film. Prod. Community Supported Film, co-prod. Killid Group of Kabul Afghanistan. Col. 114 mns. Community Supported Film, 2010.

REVIEW - The Fruit of Our Labor: Afghan Perspectives in Film. Prod. Community Supported Film, co-prod. Killid Group of Kabul Afghanistan. Col. 114 mns. Community Supported Film, 2010.
Book: An Injury Law Constitution

An Injury Law Constitution presents a novel thesis that embraces leading features of the American law of injuries. The book argues that the body of law that Americans have developed concerning responsibility for injuries and prevention of injuries has some of the qualities of a constitution - a fundamental set of principles that govern relations between human persons and between individual persons and corporate and governmental institutions. The historical frame reaches back to Aristotle and goes forward to European human rights law. In the modern American legal environment, this “injury law constitution” includes tort law, legislative compensation systems like workers compensation, and the many statutes that regulate safety of activities and of products including drugs, medical devices, automobile design, and pesticides. The work weaves the history of these systems of law into an analysis that it links to the unique compensation plan devised for the victims of the September 11th attacks. The book examines how our injury law constitution reflects deeply held views in U.S. society on risk and injury, indicating how it provides a guide to the question of what it means to be an American.
Abnormal skull shape in intrauterine growth retardation: report of two cases.

We present two cases of abnormal skull shape, initially thought to represent cloverleaf skull, or kleeblattschadel, in fetuses with IUGR. Skeletal dysplasia was suspected in each case because of the skull shape and the presence of shortened limbs. The pregnancies were continued, and the babies were delivered prematurely. Both were severely growth retarded but were otherwise healthy. Neither infant demonstrated evidence of skeletal dysplasia. Abnormal skull shape may be another manifestation of IUGR, not necessarily associated with underlying skeletal dysplasia. CASE REPORTS
Vectors of Global Change: An Analysis and Assessment of the Principal Factors in World Political Development

On the threshold of the twenty-first century six powerful forces have been identified, which together should lead to a new world order. The first is the growing geopolitical might of the sovereign states that won the cold war, coupled with the extension of this strength throughout the rest of the world. The second is the vigorous economic growth enjoyed by North America, Western Europe, and East Asia. The third is the weakening of nation-states against the background of the rise of transnational corporations and nongovernmental organizations, on one hand, and unfolding processes that elude regulation and threaten to plunge the world into chaos, on the other. The fourth is states' attempts to acquire a new identity after the "century of ideologies." The fifth is the uprising of the poor majority of the planet against the affluent minority, and the sixth is the population explosion.
Behavior of Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli relevant to lettuce washing processes and consideration of factors for evaluating washing process surrogates.

Postharvest processes for fresh produce commonly include washing in water containing antimicrobial chemicals, such as chlorine; however, if the antimicrobials are not present in sufficient levels, washing can promote the spread of contamination that might be present. To understand cross-contamination risk during washing, we tested a collection of Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC), including O157:H7 and other non-O157 strains, for certain traits during washing of fresh-cut lettuce, i.e., sensitivity to sublethal chlorine levels and ability to cross-contaminate (detach from and attach to) lettuce in the presence of sublethal chlorine levels. Nonpathogenic E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) and Pediococcus pentosaceus lactic acid bacterial species (LAB) were included as potential washing process validation surrogates. As measured by extension of the lag phase of growth in media containing 0.15 ppm of chlorine, chlorine sensitivity varied among the STECs. Cross-contamination was assessed by evaluating transfer o...
Mechanism of Poly I: Poly C Stimulation of Human Bone Marrow Colony Growth In Vitro

SummaryThe effect of Poly I: Poly C on the production of colony stimulating factor activity (CSA) by mononuclear cells (MNC) has been studied. Poly I: Poly C enhanced CSA production from whole blood buffy coat feeders, unseparated bone marrow (containing MNC) and from MNC incubations. Poly I: Poly C had no effect on separated bone marrow (devoid of MNC) stimulated with placental conditioned medium.These experiments suggest that the colony enhancing effect of Poly I: Poly C is on the production of CSA and not the colony forming unit in culture.
Prevalence of hypokalemia in an academic internal medicine clinic

Published studies have shown that all-cause mortality increases in patients diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic kidney disease, including end stage renal disease, whose potassium levels are less than 4.0mEq/L. As of yet unpublished data presented at this meeting three years go in an abstract form shows a similar pattern in patients recruited to the ACCOMPLISH trial. In this retrospective pilot study, hypokalemia is defined as potassium level (K+) below 4.0 mEq/L and the hypothesis is that hypokalemia is more prevalent in the hypertensive group as compared to non-hypertensive group. The two cohorts were populated based on diagnostic billing codes and 200 electronic medical charts were reviewed in each hypertensive and non-hypertensive arms. Patients were required to have at least two visits in the outpatient clinic from October 2011 through January 2015. We excluded patients with an estimated GFR of less than 15ml/min/1.73m2, absent medication lists, age greater than 90 or less than 18, and those who did not have an outpatient blood work (i.e. electrolyte panel). Three-outpatient blood pressure readings were documented using an Omron device and other variables that were evaluated are: presence or absence of diabetes mellitus, CHF, hyperlipidemia and medications. Medications were divided into antihypertensive drugs and diuretics. Diuretics were subdivided into hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), chlorthalidone, and loop diuretics. Hypertensive patients had a mean age of 57 years, mean blood pressure of 150/89 mmHg, 49% had K+ below 4.0mEq/L, 88% had an eGFR greater than 60 ml/min/1.73m2. Forty percent of hypertensive patients were on diuretics; of those 20% of them were taking chlorthalidone and 70% were on HCTZ and 7.5% were on loop diuretics. The non-hypertensive cohort had a mean age of 49 years, mean blood pressure of 120/72 mmHg, 23% had a K+ less than 4.0mEq/L, and 100 % had an eGFR greater than 60 ml/min/1.73m2. None of these patients were on diuretics. The hypertensive population who had a K+ less than 4.0mEq/L, only 10% had further evaluation with a magnesium level or aldosterone to renin ratio. We conclude that hypokalemia is common, neither acknowledged nor evaluated frequently enough. We plan to re-study this after an educational intervention is implemented. A review of much larger cohorts would be critical to confirm the significance of these findings regarding frequencies, evaluation of hypokalemia, and outcomes.
3D Model of Fission Yeast Contractile Ring Assembly: Effects of Cytokinetic Node Interaction with the Cell Membrane and Myosin Motors

Cytokinetic ring assembly in model organism fission yeast is a dynamic process, involving condensation of a network of actin filaments and myosin motors bound to the cell membrane through cortical nodes. A 3D computational model of cytokinetic ring assembly based on the “search, capture, pull and release” mechanism illustrates how the combined activities of myosin motors, filament crosslinkers and actin filament turnover can lead to robust ring formation [Bidone et al. Biophys. J, 2014]. We extended the model to study the importance of the physical properties of node movement along the cell membrane and of myosin recruitment to nodes. Experiments by D. Zhang (Temasek Life Sciences) show that tethering of the cortical endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the plasma membrane modulates the speed of node condensation and the degree of node clumping. We were able to capture the trend observed in these experiments by changes in the node drag coefficient and initial node distribution in simulations. The model predicted that reducing crosslinking activities in ER tethering mutants with faster node speed enhances the probability of actomyosin clumping. We developed a model of how tilted and/or misplaced rings assemble in cells that lack the node structural component anillin-like Mid1 and thus fail to recruit myosin II to nodes independently of actin. If actin-dependent binding of diffusive myosin to the cortex is incorporated into the model, it generates progressively elongating cortical actomyosin strands with fluctuating actin bundles at the tails. These stands often close into a ring, similar to observations by the group of J.Q. Wu (The Ohio State University).
Smart fast blood counting of trace volumes of body fluids from various mammalian species using a compact custom-built microscope cytometer(Conference Presentation)

Cell counting in human body fluids such as blood, urine, and CSF is a critical step in the diagnostic process for many diseases. Current automated methods for cell counting are based on flow cytometry systems. However, these automated methods are bulky, costly, require significant user expertise, and are not well suited to counting cells in fluids other than blood. Therefore, their use is limited to large central laboratories that process enough volume of blood to recoup the significant capital investment these instruments require. We present in this talk a combination of a (1) low-cost microscope system, (2) simple sample preparation method, and (3) fully automated analysis designed for providing cell counts in blood and body fluids. We show results on both humans and companion and farm animals, showing that accurate red cell, white cell, and platelet counts, as well as hemoglobin concentration, can be accurately obtained in blood, as well as a 3-part white cell differential in human samples. We can also accurately count red and white cells in body fluids with a limit of detection ~3 orders of magnitude smaller than current automated instruments. This method uses less than 1 microliter of blood, and less than 5 microliters of body fluids to make its measurements, making it highly compatible with finger-stick style collections, as well as appropriate for small animals such as laboratory mice where larger volume blood collections are dangerous to the animal’s health.
Loaded versus unloaded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee: Effect on meniscus extrusion in healthy volunteers and patients with osteoarthritis

Objective Assess the impact of knee joint loading on meniscal extrusion in normal individuals and those with varying degrees of osteoarthritis (OA).