cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A vascular model of Tsc1 deficiency accelerates renal tumor formation with accompanying hemangiosarcomas.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal disease caused by inactivating mutations in either of the tumor suppressor genes TSC1 or TSC2 . TSC-associated tumor growth is present in multiple tissues and organs including brain, kidney, liver, heart, lungs, and skin. In the kidney, TSC angiomyolipomas have aberrant vascular structures with abnormal endothelial cells, suggesting a role for endothelial mTORC1 function. In the current report, a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) with a conditional knockout allele of Tsc1 with a Darpp32-Cre allele displayed accelerated formation of both kidney cystadenomas and paw hemangiosarcomas. All mutant mice developed hemangiosarcomas on multiple paws by 6 weeks of age. By 16 weeks of age, the average mutant hind paw was 4.0 mm in diameter, nearly double the size of control mice. Furthermore, the hemangiosarcomas and kidney cystadenomas were responsive to intraperitoneal rapamycin treatment. Immunoblotting and immunostaining for phospho-S6 (pS6) and phospho-CAD showed that the effect of rapamycin on tumor size was through inhibition of the mTOR signaling pathway. Finally, elevated VEGF mRNA levels were also observed in hemangiosarcoma specimens. Because paw hemangiosarcomas are easily detectable and scorable for size and growth, this novel mouse model enables accelerated in vivo drug testing for therapies of TSC-related tumors. Implications: These findings provide a strong rationale for simultaneous use of this conditional knockout mouse as an in vivo genetic model while seeking new cancer therapies for TSC-related tumors. Mol Cancer Res; 13(3); 548–55. ©2014 AACR .
Comparison of near fusional vergence ranges with rotary prisms and with prism bars

Abstract Background Common methods for determination of fusional vergence ranges make use of rotary prisms in the phoropter or prism bars out of the phoropter. This study compared near fusional vergence ranges with rotary prisms with those with prism bars. Methods Fifty young adults served as subjects. Odd-numbered subjects had rotary prism vergences performed before prism bar vergences. For even-numbered subjects, prism bar vergences were done first. Base-in (BI) vergences were done before base-out (BO) vergences with both rotary prisms and prism bars. A coefficient of agreement was calculated by multiplying the standard deviation of the individual subject differences between rotary prisms and prism bars by 1.96, to approximate the range within which the 2 tests would agree 95% of the time. Results The lowest coefficient of agreement was 7.3Δ for the BI recovery. The others were high, ranging from 15.4Δ for the BO recovery to 19.5Δ for the BO break. Conclusion Fusional vergence ranges determined by prism bars out of the phoropter cannot be used interchangeably with those determined by phoropter rotary prisms for the purpose of follow-up on individual patients or for the purpose of comparison with norms.
Prison Visiting Policies and Practices

Based on empirical evidence that visiting is significantly related to parole success, correctional administrators have begun to view family visits as one component of the rehabilitation process. Several authorities have encouraged correctional institutions to maximize visiting opportunities. Previous studies have noted geographical and architectural limits to such maximization. This article reports the results of a national survey of visiting policies and draws comparisons with surveys reported in 1978 and 1954 to determine the extent to which prisons have increased efforts to make visiting a priority.
Analysis of collisions when hashing by division

Abstract In this paper simple formulas are derived for the calculation of overflow records when the division method is used for hashing keys in the following distributions: 1. (1) keys in a file are randomly distributed; 2. (2) some keys in a file form clusters of various lengths and others are randomly distributed. Using these formulas it is shown that the division method indeed produces less collisions then the theoretically perfect randomization method as indicated in some previous experimental results. In addition the paper also shows that the number of collisions depends mainly on the ratio of number of keys in a file to the number of slots available to store these keys. Some numerical examples are given.
Brillouin cavity optomechanics with microfluidic devices

Light–sound interactions in microcavities are used for optomechanical excitation and cooling, but have previously only been shown in solid-state devices. Here, Bahl et al. generate acoustic oscillations in microfluidic resonators to enable novel optomechanical interactions with liquid-phase materials.
Adsorption of oxygen on platinum

Abstract The adsorption and diffusion of oxygen on (111) and (100) oriented Pt field emitters has been studied. Adsorption occurs mainly via an electronegative state with an increase in average work function of ~1.0 eV. Heating above 700°K results in the formation of epitaxial overgrowths, some of which are believed to be Pt oxides, but some of which seem to be impurity oxides. Low temperature diffusion in a physisorbed layer on top of the chemisorbed one occurs at 27–80°K with an activation energy of 1.0 kcal, while desorption from this layer requires an activation energy of 2.4 kcal. Diffusion in the chemisorbed layer occurs with a moving boundary at high θ at 450–500 °K and without a moving boundary at low θ at > 500 °K. The activation energy for the former is 27 kcal, that for the latter 34 kcal. The diffusion results in the chemisorbed layer can be explained by postulating that diffusion is most rapid on (111) configurations, and that (100) sites act as traps.
Origin of the beeri (Israel) sulfur deposit

Abstract A sulfur deposit from Upper Pleistocene sandstone in Beeri, Israel, is described. Elemental sulfur closely associated with organic matter is disseminated throughout the sediment. Oxidation of the sulfur has lowered the pH of the sediment to below 3.0, causing dissolution of the carbonate cement. The organic matter resembles humic acid in character. The 14 C age of this material and associated organic mats is about 30,000 years B.P. 13 C 12 C isotope measurements showed an anomalous depletion in 13 C in the organic matter ( δ 13 C −75 to −90‰). 34 S 32 S isotope ratios of the elemental sulfur showed it to be isotopically heavier ( δ 34 S + 27‰ ) than the associated sulfate ( δ 34 S + 25‰ ) and heavier than present day mean sea water sulfate. The suggested origin for the deposit is a lagoonal environment in which sulfate was completely reduced to sulfide, with subsequent oxidation to elemental sulfur. The low 13 C 12 C value of the organic matter indicates that isotopically light carbon, perhaps in the form of methane, may have been the starting carbon source for biological metabolism, or that a sequential recycling of carbon occurred.
Sn / Ge ( 111 ) Surface Charge-Density-Wave Phase Transition

Angle-resolved photoemission has been utilized to study the surface electronic structure of $\frac{1}{3}$ monolayer of Sn on Ge(111) in both the room-temperature $(\sqrt{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\sqrt{3})R30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ phase and the low-temperature ( $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3$) charge-density-wave phase. The results reveal a gap opening around the ( $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3$) Brillouin zone boundary, suggesting a Peierls-like transition despite the well-documented lack of Fermi nesting. A highly sensitive electronic response to doping by intrinsic surface defects is the cause for this unusual behavior, and a detailed calculation illustrates the origin of the ( $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3$) symmetry.
A numerical study of flow crossover between adjacent flow channels in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with serpentine flow field

Abstract The focus of this paper is to study the flow crossover between two adjacent flow channels in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell with serpentine flow field design in bipolar plates. The effect of gas diffusion layer (GDL) deformation on the flow crossover due to the compression in a fuel cell assembly process is particularly investigated. A three-dimensional structural mechanics model is created to study the GDL deformation under the assembly compression. A three-dimensional PEM fuel cell numerical model is developed in the aforementioned deformed domain to study the flow crossover between the adjacent channels in the presence of the GDL intrusion. The models are solved in COMSOL Multiphysics—a finite element-based commercial software package. The pressure, velocity, oxygen mass fraction and local current density distribution are presented. A parametric study is conducted to quantitatively investigate the effect of the GDL’s transport related parameters such as porosity and permeability on the flow crossover between the adjacent flow channels. The polarization curves are also examined with and without the assembly compression considered. It is found that the compression effect is evident in the high current density region. Without considering the assembly compression, the fuel cell model tends to over-predict the fuel cell’s performance. The proposed method to simulate the crossover with the deformed computational domain is more accurate in predicting the overall performance.
Accuracy and convergence of a finite element algorithm for turbulent boundary layer flow

The Galerkin-Weighted Residuals formulation is employed to derive an implicit finite element solution algorithm for the nonlinear parabolic partial differential equation system governing turbulent boundary layer flow. Solution accuracy and convergence with discretization refinement are quantized in several error norms using linear and quadratic basis functions. Richardson extrapolation is used to isolate integration truncation error in all norms, and Newton iteration is employed for all equation solutions performed in double-precision. The mathematical theory supporting accuracy and convergence concepts for linear elliptic equations appears extensible to the nonlinear equations characteristic of turbulent boundary layer flow.
Some existence results for multivalued complementarity problems

This paper presents some new results for the existence of a solution to a multivalued complementary problem. These results are derived under a "upper limiting homogeneity" ULH property on the multifunction defining the complementarity problem and on a certain closedness/interiority condition. The closedness condition seems to be new in the context of existence proof for the multivalued complementarity problem. We show that this closedness condition is satisfied by the class of polyhedral multifunctions.
New-Onset Maternal Gestational Hypertension and Risk of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Purpose. To evaluate associations between conditions of maternal new-onset gestational hypertension (mHTN) and the features imparting risk of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants.
Complex-plane description of differential plane detection in optical data storage

Differential phase detection (DPD) is a method of generating a tracking error signal from rotation of the irradiance pattern formed in the pupil of an optical data storage system. The amount of rotation is related to the distance between the scanning spot and the center of the track being scanned. Media parameters, such as reflectivities of the marks and land and the groove depth affect the DPD signal. The representation of mark and land reflectivity vectors on a complex plane diagram proves to be an elegant technique for designers to optimize a given medium for DPD.
Fracture analysis of thick-wall cylinder pressure vessels

Abstract Fracture mechanics analysis of cylindrical pressure vessels is described in a brief fracture case study. Also included are additional examples of crack growth in pressure vessels and cannons. The case study is of an early brittle failure and subsequent redesign of a cannon tube. Fracture mechanics test methods are described which were developed specifically for testing of cylindrical geometries. Three examples of current fracture analysis of cylindrical pressure vessels are presented. Fast fracture of a vessel is described, including effects of tension residual stress and crack shape. Evidence of environmentally assisted fracture of a cannon tube is presented. Fatigue crack growth and life calculation methods for cylindrical pressure vessels are discussed including effects of compressive residual stress due to overstrain.
Sweatshop Subjectivity and The Politics of Definition and Exhibition

When factory inspectors first used the word “sweatshop” at the turn-of-the-last century, they sought to describe much more than the cramped garment workplaces where immigrants labored. They also tried to explain the social dangers posed by these workplaces. Inspectors relied on their sensory responses. Citing odors as evidence, inspectors united fears of poverty, pestilence, and promiscuity in their definition of the sweatshop. Clothing produced in filthy shops by diseased workers could infect consumers and male and female immigrants working in close quarters were becoming an enfeebled, immoral race. Workers eschewed the language of racial decline, but pointed to their weak bodies as evidence of the exploitative nature of the sweatshop.The subjectivity of definitions of the sweatshop presents a challenge, especially to public historians. How, in the process of exhibition and reconstruction, can public historians represent the competing moral judgments and racial, class, and gendered fears that shaped initial definitions of the sweatshop?
Alagille syndrome associated with xerophthalmia.

Purpose: To report the occurrence of xerophthalmia and keratomalacia in a patient with Alagille syndrome. Methods: The patient's record and relevant literature were reviewed. Results: A 3-year-old boy with Alagille syndrome was examined at our institution due to severe bilateral ocular irritation. A corneal ulcer and keratomalacia were found in the right eye and severe dryness with corneal opacification was found in the left eye. He was treated with topical fortified antibiotics in the right eye, followed by amniotic membrane transplantation. Due to his systemic condition, characterized by severe cholestasis and intestinal malabsorption, a suspicion of vitamin A deficiency was raised and was later confirmed in serum analysis. Conclusion: This is the first report of xerophthalmia in a patient with Alagille syndrome. Vitamin A deficiency leading to xerophthalmia is common in developing countries; however, its occurrence in the West is rare, leading to a reduced awareness of this disorder amongst clinicians. Unusual eating habits, intestinal malabsorption and liver disease are possible causes for such a deficiency. The purpose of this case report is to raise awareness to the possibility of vitamin A deficiency in children with keratopathy, especially when associated with these disorders.
Poly-L-arginine topical lotion tested in a mouse model for frostbite injury.

Background Frostbite injury occurs when exposure to cold results in frozen tissue. We recently reported a novel mouse model for frostbite injury to be used in screening potentially therapeutic drugs and other modalities. Objective We used the mouse skin frostbite model to evaluate the effect of poly-l-arginine contained in lotion (PAL) applied topically to involved skin. Methods Sixty mice were studied in a randomized, double-blind method. Standardized 2.9-cm-diameter circles were tattooed on the mouse dorsum. Magnets snap frozen in dry ice (–78.5 ° C) were used to create a frostbite injury on skin within the circle as a continuous 5-minute freeze. Mice were treated with prefreeze placebo, postthaw placebo, combined prefreeze and postthaw placebo, prefreeze with PAL, postthaw with PAL, or combined prefreeze and postthaw with PAL. Appearance, healing rate, tissue loss, and histology were recorded until the wounds were healed. Results Application of PAL before inducing frostbite injury resulted in decreased tissue loss as compared with other treatment conditions. Conclusions Applying PAL topically to frostbitten mouse skin caused decreased tissue loss. Poly-l-arginine should be studied further to determine whether it is a beneficial therapeutic modality for frostbite injury.
Impact of a chronic kidney disease clinic on preemptive kidney transplantation and transplant wait times.

Background—Despite the known benefits of preemptive kidney transplantation, its rate of use remains low.Objective—To determine whether focused, comprehensive education provided at a clinic for patients with chronic kidney disease would improve the rate of preemptive transplantation and transplant wait times.Methods—A retrospective cohort study design was used. The rate of preemptive transplantation and transplant wait times were compared between patients with end-stage renal disease who had been followed in a chronic kidney disease clinic for more than 3 months and patients with end-stage kidney disease who had not been followed for chronic kidney disease care during the same period.Results—More African Americans than others had initiated dialysis without having had previous care for chronic kidney disease. The rate of preemptive transplantation was 24% for patients followed in the clinic. For those patients without living donor options, mean transplant referral time was significantly different between pa...
Artifactual hypoglycemia associated with hemotrophic mycoplasma infection in a lamb.

Background: A 35-day-old male lamb with Mycoplasma ovis infection (previously Eperyihrozoon avis) was evaluated because of severe hypoglycemia (serum glucose 4 mg/dL, Hitachi 704 automated chemistry analyzer) inconsistent with the animal's condition. Whole blood glucose concentration measured with a glucometer was 74 mg/dL. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate this discrepancy through in vitro evaluation of the patient's blood. Methods: Blood was incubated alone, with increasing concentrations of plasma, or with equine serum of known glucose concentration for 0,15, 30, and 60 minutes at room temperature; end-point glucose concentrations were compared with blood from a control sheep handled similarly. Results: A rapid decline in glucose concentration was observed in heparinized or EDTA anticoagulated whole blood from the infected lamb incubated alone or with the equine serum. Glucose concentrations in incubated samples from a control sheep remained stable. Incubation of increasing concentrations of heparinized blood with autologous plasma resulted in decreased glucose concentrations in patient, but not control, blood. As parasitemia decreased after treatment, serum glucose concentration increased, serum lactate concentration decreased, and in vitro glucose concentration stabilized. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with parasite-associated in vitro glucose consumption. An increase in the lamb's plasma glucose concentration associated with reduction of parasite load suggested excess glucose consumption also may have occurred in vivo.
Genetic Risk Factors in Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism: A Multilocus, Population-Based, Prospective Approach

Background Recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common, complex disorder; however, genetic factors have been suggested to play a role in the disease development. We therefore conducted a multi-locus genetic study examining the potential associations of candidate gene variants in inflammation, thrombosis, coagulation, and lipid metabolism pathways, individually or interactively, with risk of recurrent VTE.
High conductivity of dense tetragonal Li7La3Zr2O12

Abstract Hot-pressing at 1050 °C lead to near theoretical density (∼98% relative density) tetragonal LLZO. The total conductivity value for dense tetragonal LLZO is ∼2.3 × 10−5 S cm−1. This is the highest reported value for tetragonal LLZO. This vast improvement in total conductivity is a result of the higher density achieved as a result of hot-pressing compared to conventional solid-state sintering. The value of the Li-ion lattice conductivity for dense tetragonal LLZO is 1.1 × 10−4 S cm−1. The microstructure of dense tetragonal LLZO consist of twins within the grains. It is suggested that the presence of twin boundaries adds a significant contribution to the total resistance.
Biochemical and motile properties of Myo1b splice isoforms

Abstract Myo1b is a widely expressed myosin-I isoform that concentrates on endosomal and ruffling membranes and is thought to play roles in membrane trafficking and dynamics. Myo1b is alternatively spliced within the regulatory domain of the molecule, yielding isoforms with six (myo1ba), five (myo1bb), or four (myo1bc) non-identical IQ motifs. The calmodulin binding properties of the myo1b IQ motifs have not been investigated, and the mechanical and cell biological consequences of alternative splicing are not known. Therefore, we expressed the alternatively spliced myo1b isoforms truncated after the final IQ motif and included a sequence at their C termini that is a substrate for bacterial biotin ligase. Site-specific biotinylation allows us to specifically attach the myosin to motility surfaces via a biotin-streptavidin linkage. We measured the ATPase and motile properties of the recombinant myo1b splice isoforms, and we correlated these properties with calmodulin binding. We confirmed that calcium-dependent changes in the ATPase activity are due to calcium binding to the calmodulin closest to the motor. We found that calmodulin binds tightly to some of the IQ motifs (Kd 5 μm), suggesting that a subset of the IQ motifs are not calmodulin bound under physiological conditions. Finally, we found the in vitro motility rate to be dependent on the myo1b isoform and the calmodulin concentration and that the myo1b regulatory domain acts as a rigid lever arm upon calmodulin binding to the high affinity and low affinity IQ motifs.
Autoinflammation: The prominent role of IL-1 in monogenic autoinflammatory diseases and implications for common illnesses

The discovery of the genetic causes of a rare group of immune-mediated inflammatory conditions that mimic infections and allergic conditions in their clinical presentation and the molecular understanding of the function of the mutated molecules in these diseases has led to a revolution in our understanding of the pathogenesis of systemic and local inflammation. The proteins mutated in a number of these so-called autoinflammatory diseases are part of, or regulate the activity of, intracellular molecular complexes, the inflammasomes, that sense "danger" to the body and coordinate an initial immune response. Our understanding of specific triggers of the inflammasomes, coupled with the recognition that inflammasomes are critical for activation of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1, has provided a rational and very effective target in the treatment of a number of these rare autoinflammatory diseases. In addition, the ongoing discovery of the role of inflammasomes and IL-1 activation and secretion in a number of genetically complex disorders have fundamentally changed our view of disease pathogenesis in a growing number of disorders that were heretofore not even thought of as "immunologic" diseases.
Late Quaternary stratigraphy of loess in the Channeled Scabland and Palouse Regions of Washington State

Abstract Loess deposits of late Quaternary age in the Channeled Scabland and western Palouse regions of Washington state contain distinctive sequences of calcic buried soils, loess layers, tephra layers, and stratigraphic unconformities caused by cataclysmic flooding. Four new soil-stratigraphic units, the Sand Hills Coulee Soil, Washtucna Soil, Old Maid Coulee Soil, and the Devils Canyon Soil, are recognized across a 100-km transect. The pedostratigraphic correlations are strengthened by two tephra layers found at several sites that are correlative with the Mount St. Helens set S (radiocarbon ages about 13,000 yr B.P.), Mount St. Helens set C (radiocarbon ages about 36,000 yr B.P.), and by a third one that may be from an earlier (pre-set C) Mount St. Helens eruption. The set S tephra layer separates the Sand Hills Coulee and Washtucna Soils; the set C tephra layer separates the Old Maid Coulee and Devils Canyon Soils; and the pre-set C tephra layer underlies the Devils Canyon Soil. The well-known late Wisconsin episode of Scabland flooding and two older episodes of flooding are marked by regional stratigraphic unconformities that lie between pedostratigraphic units. One unconformity that underlies the Washtucna and Old Maid Coulee Soils was caused by a major episode of Scabland flooding that occurred before 35,000 yr B.P., probably during the early Wisconsin (80,000 to 65,000 yr B.P.). A possible second and older episode of flooding, recognized by an unconformity that underlies the Devils Canyon Soil, may be Illinoian (ca. 130,000 to 200,000 yr B.P.) in age.
Percutaneous Revascularization Is the Preferred Strategy for Patients With Significant Left Main Coronary Stenosis

In the early 1970s, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was found to improve late survival in comparison to medical therapy in patients with significant left main stenosis.1–3 Once CABG became the standard of care for left main disease, a distinction between “protected”—by at least 1 patent bypass graft to the left coronary artery—and “unprotected left main (UPLM)”— no patent bypass graft to the left coronary artery—was made. In the 1980s, early attempts at balloon angioplasty of UPLM stenoses were associated with poor early outcomes because of coronary dissection, abrupt closure, and restenosis. Mortality rates as high as 30% at 1 year were reported.4–6 In the 1990s, bare metal stents were introduced and soon used to treat UPLM disease. Several small registries found a low rate of procedural complications, but repeat revascularization rates of 20% to 30% because of restenosis were considered unacceptable.7–12 Early bare metal stent registries for UPLM also found high mortality rates, particularly in high-risk patients, such as patients with acute coronary syndromes and poor left ventricular function. Importantly, high-risk subgroups often presented with late sudden death after stenting.11,13 In the early 2000s, the introduction of drug-eluting stents (DES), with the promise of vastly reduced rates of restenosis,14–17 raised the possibility of improved late outcomes in this challenging patient group. Response by Smith p 1033 Clinical outcomes after treatment of UPLM disease with either the sirolimus-eluting stent or the paclitaxel-eluting stent from >20 small registries have been published. Results reported in these registries vary widely.18–40 As depicted in Table 1, cardiac mortality between 6 and 12 months after the procedure ranges from 0% to 11%. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) or target vessel revascularization (TVR) rates range from 2% to 38%. This wide variation in clinical outcome appears largely because of variation …
Introduction to International Issues

This issue presents issues in Comparative and International Education and represents the degree to which the field has been integrating with issues of domestic concern. Instead of focusing on exoti...
Possibilities of Incorporating Coherent Structure Models in Turbulent Shear Flow Calculations

We discuss possibilities of using coherent structure models in turbulent shear flow description. The nonuniversality of different classes of such flows is directly attributed to the nonuniversality of hydrodynamic instability mechanisms. This is fully explored in discussions of free shear flows, where dynamical instabilities are important and in wall-bounded flows where longitudinal vorticity system and its nonlinear consequence are at play.
Facilitating Accuracy of Imitative Articulation through Reception Training.

Abstract Accuracy of imitation of nonsense words was examined in first- and second-grade children (65–99 months of age) as a function of prior reception training. Two experiments were conducted, involving within-subject comparisons. In the first, one group of words was trained as labels for nonsense objects, a second received noncontingent feedback yoked to the labeling words, a third was presented an equal number of times to control for exposure, and a fourth group was not included in the training phase. Testing involved accuracy of imitation of all four groups of words. Both the feedback and exposure words were imitated less accurately than the labeling words, but more accurately than the nonexposure controls. The second experiment examined the length of the label-object association, using an overtraining procedure. Words which came under the discriminative control of objects for greater numbers of trials were imitated more accurately than those meeting only a minimum discrimination criterion.
Requirements, architecture, and technology for NextGen surveillance and weather radar capability (NSWRC)

Presents a collection of slides from the author's conference presentation. The specific areas/topics discussed include: NextGen Surveillance Needs; NSWRC Architecture; NSWRC Future Technologies & Trades; Airspace Coverage; Netted X-Band - CASA; CASA Update - Videos; Deployment and Infrastructure; and Closing Comments.
Effective Mechanical Properties of Composites at Finite Deformations

A new representation theorem for the deformation gradient rate in the presence of cracks and kinematic constraints is presented. This representation theorem uses an extension of the concept of transformation strains to finite deformations. Based on the representation theorem the overall concentration factor was decomposed into contributions from the opening and sliding of cracks and from material non homogeneities
THE ROLE OF LIGHT AND SURFACE BACTERIA IN THE COLOR STABILITY OF PREPACKAGED BEEF

When intact beef was packaged in a PVC film, stored at 5°C and illuminated with 250 ft-c light, a significant alteration in color stability was observed when compared to storage in the dark. Fluorescent lights, emitting light of lower wavelengths, were most detrimental to color, in comparison to incandescent lights. Upon prolonged storage large bacterial numbers on the surface created a reducing environment and caused the conversion of surface MetMb to reduced Mb, which was responsible for the purple color that developed. Gel electrophoresis indicated that no significant alterations occurred in the structure of myoglobin or hemoglobin (color pigments) upon storage at 5°C for as long as 18 days. Color instability of meat stored under soft white fluorescent light is almost entirely due to the effect of the light, whereas color instability when stored under incandescent light is due to a combination of light energy and bacterial growth.
Synthesis and characterization of random poly(amide-sulfonamide)s. II: Polymers from unsymmetrical diamine monomers

Novel poly(amide-sulfonamide)s have been prepared by reacting terephthalic, isophthalic, and sebacic acid and their acid chlorides with variously substituted diamines containing preformed sulfonamide linkages utilizing solution polymerization techniques. Inherent viscosities of the prepared polymers varied from 0.22 to 1.21 dL/g. Those having inherent viscosities greater than 0.4 dL/g formed clear, tough, flexible films. Glass transition temperatures ranged from 87 to 273°C. Thermogravimetric analyses of the polymers showed moderate thermal stability.
“Now will I be a Turke”: Performing Ottoman Identity in Thomas Goffe’s The Courageous Turk

In the past several years, scholars have devoted increasing attention to representations of the Middle East and of Persian, Moorish, or Turkish characters in early modern English drama. Many of these studies have examined the cultural, political, and economic encounters between the English and Islamic or quasi-Islamic others and the ways in which early modern English writers constituted their own identity through representations of the other. In particular, critics such as Daniel Vitkus have focused on the permeability of the boundaries between the ideological constructs of East and West and the hybrid identity assumed by Englishmen who ventured into what he calls the “multicultural Mediterranean.” Thus, English identity was constituted not only in antithetical contrast to Middle Eastern cultures, but also by the possibility of assimilation into those cultures—of “turning Turk.”1
Atrial Volume in a Normal Adult Population by Two-dimensional Echocardiography

Left atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) volumes were calculated from two-dimensional echocardiography (2D echo) in 54 normal volunteers, of whom 23 were nonathletic men and 25 nonathletic women; 6 additional men had a history of athletic training. Ages ranged from 20 to 66 years (average nonathletic group, 38 years; athletic men, 28 years). The LA volume was measured by single-plane area-length algorithm from apical 2-chamber (2CH) and 4-chamber (4CH) views and from their combination by means of Simpson's rule. The RA volume was analyzed only in the 4CH view. Mean LA volume was larger for men than women; for nonathletic men, 46 +/- 14 ml for 2CH view and 38 +/- 10 ml for both the 4CH view and for Simpson's rule combination of the apical views. For women it was 36 +/- 11 ml for the 2CH view, 34 +/- 12 ml for the 4CH view, and 32 +/- 10 ml by Simpson's rule. Right atrial volume was 39 +/- 12 ml in nonathletic men and 27 +/- 7 ml in women. In the six athletic men, LA volume and volume index, but not RA volume and volume index, were significantly larger than in nonathletes. These findings in this small sample suggest that caution should be exercised in interpreting atrial enlargement in athletes. There were no significant correlations between atrial volumes and age, although individuals over 65 years with normal hearts were not represented. In evaluating LA volume in a given patient, it is advisable to use specific values for each apical view and algorithm and to correct for either sex or body surface area (BSA) but not for both. In the RA it is necessary to correct for both sex and BSA.
Particle image velocimetry fringe processing using an optically addressed spatial light modulator.

The use of an optically addressed spatial light modulator for processing images from a particle image velocimetry system is demonstrated. The results obtained by using a binary ferroelectric liquid-crystal device are compared with those obtained by conventional means (electronic Fourier transformation of the fringe patterns). It is shown that both methods of processing are capable of determining particle velocities to within 5% error when the autocorrelation peak separations are plotted against known particle separations. However, the optical processor is capable of operation speeds in excess of 3 kHz, whereas electronic-based systems perform the task at 1–10 Hz.
Exposure to peer delinquency as a mediator between self-report pubertal timing and delinquency: A longitudinal study of mediation

This study examined exposure to peer delinquency as a mediator between pubertal timing and self-reported delinquency longitudinally and whether this mediational model was moderated by either gender or maltreatment experience. Data were obtained from Time 1, 2, and 3 of a longitudinal study of maltreatment and development. At Time 1 the sample comprised 454 children aged 9-13 years. Analyses via structural equation modeling supported full mediation. Gender did not moderate this mediational relationship, but maltreatment experience did. The results show that early maturing males and females are both at risk for being exposed to peers that may draw them into delinquent behavior. In addition, the mechanism linking early pubertal timing to delinquency differs depending on maltreatment experience.
A virtual-learning service platform and its API based programming learning and design refinement

The evolution of 3D internet technologies has opened a whole new range of opportunities for enhanced learning, and has offered new support in programming learning fields. In this paper, we present a framework for the virtual-learning service platform over 3D virtual worlds. Our framework provides a set of fundamental services that can effectively help to reduce the learning curve in learning programming on a new specific platform and improve the targeted platform development work. The proposed framework is a generalization of our experience gained in developing of a fully immersive 3D e-learning system which has been tested and used for customer training.
Police perceptions of the severity of local gang problems: An analysis of noncriminal predictors

The results of a survey of municipal police departments in nine states are used to examine the effects of gang and city traits on police perceptions of the severity of the gang problem in their jurisdiction. The study is a preliminary and heuristic inquiry into some of the factors that color police perceptions of gangs. The data are especially relevant to small and medium‐sized cities in the south central region of the United States. Analysis indicates that only the size of the gang and its organizational level are clearly significant, although race is more prominent than was expected. The analysis probes the relationships among these variables and raises questions about the origins of police perceptions and the dynamics of gang development.
Comparing Models of Disengagement in Individual and Group Interactions

Changes in type of interaction (e.g., individual vs. group interactions) can potentially impact data-driven models developed for social robots. In this paper, we provide a first investigation in the effects of changing group size in datadriven models for HRI, by analyzing how a model trained on data collected from participants interacting individually performs in test data collected from group interactions, and \textit{vice-versa. Another model combining data from both individual and group interactions is also investigated. We perform these experimentsin the context of predicting disengagement behaviors in children interacting with two social robots. Our results show that a model trained with group data generalizes better to individual participants than the other way around. The mixed model seems a good compromise, but it does not achieve the performance levels of the models trained for a specific type of interaction.
Improved methods for parameter estimation of mixture Gaussian model using genetic and maximum-likelihood algorithms

We present new approaches based on Genetic Algorithms (GAs), Simulated Annealing (SA) and Expectation Maximization (EM) for learning parameters of the mixture of Gaussian model. GAs are adaptive search techniques designed to search for near optimal solutions of large-scale optimization problems with multiple local maxima. It has been shown that GAs are independent of initialization parameters and can provide an efficient technique to optimize functions in large search spaces while the solution obtained by EM is a function of initial parameters, hence relatively high likelihood of achieving sub-optimal solution, due to trapping in local maxima. In this work we propose a new incorporate genetic algorithm with EM (Interactive GA-EM) to improve estimation of Gaussian mixture parameters. The method uses a population of mixture models, rather than a single mixture, interactively in both GA and EM to determine Gaussian mixture parameters. To assess the performance of the proposed methods, a series of Gaussian phantoms, based on modified Shepp-Logan method, were created. All proposed methods were employed to estimate the tissue parameters in each phantom. The results indicate that the EM algorithm, as expected, is heavily impacted by the initial values. The best result on both computational time and accuracy was obtained from Interactive GA-EM. The proposed method offers an accurate and stable solution for parameter estimation on Gaussian mixture models, with higher chance of achieving global optimal. Obtaining such accurate parameter estimation is a key requirement for several image segmentation approaches, which rely on a priori knowledge of tissue distribution.
Click It, No More Tick It: Online Reference Statistics

This article describes the creation of an online reference intake form that collects statistics and provides detailed reports. Included is a practical application, based on analysis of Native American questions, for collection development.
Late-Life Emergence of Early-Life Trauma The Phenomenon of Late-Onset Stress Symptomatology Among Aging Combat Veterans

This study aimed to provide preliminary evidence for, and explore potential antecedents and correlates of, a phenomenon observed in aging combat veterans termed late-onset stress symptomatology (LOSS). LOSS is a hypothesized phenomenon among older veterans who (a) experienced highly stressful combat events in early adulthood; (b) functioned successfully throughout their lives, with no chronic stress-related disorders; but (c) begin to register increased combat-related thoughts, feelings, reminiscences, memories, or symptoms commensurate with the changes and challenges of aging, sometimes decades after their combat experiences. Using a qualitative focus group methodology with 47 World War II, Korean Conflict, and Vietnam War veterans, the authors obtained preliminary evidence for the presence of LOSS as defined, identified some of its features, revealed some normative late-life stressors that may precipitate LOSS, and uncovered potential intrapersonal risk and resilience factors for LOSS. The authors prese...
In vivo heparan sulfate treatment alters the immune response of normal and LLC-bearing mice.

Despite the large amount of research dedicated to the understanding and treatment of tumor growth, the majority of cancers continue to lack effective therapeutic options. As in the case of most solid tumors, growth requires evasion of the host immune system. Our previous work using the Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) model of tumor bearing (TB)-mice has shown several tumor-induced immune suppressing effects to be present. These effects include a decreased T-cell proliferative response to Con A and altered cytokine secretion patterns that favor neither a Th1 nor a Th2 response. To address these immune alterations, immune modulating approaches have been a central area of study. Of the many potential immune modulating compounds, we believe promising therapeutic potential lies in the heparin family. Heparan sulfate (HS), in particular, has been shown to increase T-cell proliferative response in non TB-mouse splenocytes as well as promotion of a beneficial Th1 response. In this paper, we studied the potential of HS...
Semantic Enabled Metadata Framework for Data Grids

We designed a semantic enabled metadata framework using ontology for multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional large scale scientific data sets in a Data Grid setting. There are two main issues we intend to address: data integration for semantically and physically heterogeneous distributed knowledge stores, and semantic reasoning for data verification and inference in such a setting. This framework enables data interoperability between otherwise semantically incompatible data sources, cross-domain query capabilities and multi-source knowledge extraction. In this paper, we present the basic system architecture for this framework, as well as an initial implementation.
HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION IN EXUDATES OF PNEUMOCOCCUS INFECTION

The hydrogen ion concentration in the lesions of experimental pneumococcus infection has been estimated directly by pH determinations on exudates from living animals. For indirect evidence of an increase in hydrogen ion concentration within the lesions, the difference in sugar content between exudate and blood from animals with pneumococcus infection has been measured. With sanguinous exudate from the consolidated lungs of dogs with experimental pneumococcus pneumonia, the findings were not always consistent, but usually there was either direct or indirect evidence of increased hydrogen ion concentration. The physicochemical changes in exudate from animals treated with artificial pneumothorax showed no important differences from those in other specimens. In concurrence with Lord's (1, 2) observation of increased acidity in pneumonia exudate obtained at autopsy, sugar concentrations, which are low in the blood, were markedly reduced in exudates from animals which had died of the infection. Serous exudates from dermal pneumococcus infection in rabbits uniformly showed definite acidity by both direct and indirect methods of estimation. The hydrogen ion concentrations in exudate from dermal pneumococcus infection in rabbits varied between pH 6.87 and 6.66 but were not always proportional to the difference in sugar concentrations between the exudate and blood. While these hydrogen ion concentrations are similar to those attained in the pneumonic exudate from dogs, they are of lesser magnitude than those which Takahashi (3) has described in the pus of secondary empyema due to the pneumococcus.
Medium-Contention Based Energy-Efficient Distributed Clustering (MEDIC) for Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we utilize clustering to organize wireless sensors into an energy-efficient hierarchy. We propose a Medium-contention based Energy-efficient DIstributed Clustering (MEDIC) scheme, through which sensors self-organize themselves into energy-efficient clusters by bidding for cluster headship. This scheme is based on a new criterion that can be used by each sensor node to make a distributed decision on whether electing to be a cluster head or a non-head member, which is a fully distributed approach. Although MEDIC uses only local information, it achieves better performance in terms of effective lifetime and its Data/Energy Ratio is 25% higher than native LEACH (Low-Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy), which relies on other routing algorithms to access global information. A complementary exponential data correlation model is also introduced to simulate different data aggregation effect.
Frequency diverse Bayesian ultrasonic flaw detection

When the range cell of an ultrasonic system contains many unresolved reflectors such as grains, fibers, etc. the detection of flaws embedded in the range cell is obscured by echoes scattered from the microstructure. In general, microstructure echoes (clutter) are random, and are more sensitive to changes in frequency than flaws, which are generally larger in size. Through split-spectrum processing, frequency-diverse scattering information of both microstructure and flaw can be obtained. The statistical difference between clutter and flaw echoes has led to the development of a Bayes classifier that is quadratic and can incorporate the correlation properties of scattered echoes. The performance of the Bayes classifier has been examined for both experimental and computer-simulated data, and is compared to other commonly used techniques such as mean, minimum, median, and polarity detectors. >
Parallelization of particle filter algorithms

This paper presents the parallelization of the particle filter algorithm in a single target video tracking application. In this document we demonstrate the process by which we parallelized the particle filter algorithm, beginning with a MATLAB implementation. The final CUDA program provided approximately 71x speedup over the initial MATLAB implementation.