cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stochastic analysis of exit fluid temperature records from the active TAG hydrothermal mound (Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, 26°N): 2. Hidden Markov models of flow episodes

[1] I develop a stochastic signal model for episodic modes of variability in hydrothermal flow records using probabilistic functions of Markov processes (i.e., hidden Markov models, HMMs) and fit the model to exit fluid temperature time series data from diffuse flow sites on the active TAG hydrothermal mound. The flow states are modeled using Gamma densities to provide flexibility for application to a range of signal types. Between three and five flow states are needed to fit the diffuse flow temperature records from TAG, which correspond to models with between 10 and 28 degrees of freedom. The number of flow states required to fit a given record is related to the signal variance, with more variable records requiring a larger state space. HMMs thus provide an efficient signal model for episodic variability in hydrothermal flow records, suggesting that Markov processes may provide a means to generate stochastic subsurface flow models for deep-sea hydrothermal fields if the spatial flow correlations can be incorporated into a statistical framework. I also use the Viterbi algorithm to “decode” the time series data into best fitting state sequences, which can be used to classify the records into discrete flow episodes. This may provide an objective means to identify discrete events in a flow record if misclassification issues arising from nonepisodic variability (e.g., tidal forcing) can be addressed.
NEW TAXONOMIC CRITERIA IN CLASSIFICATION OF CHLOROCOCCUM SPECIES. II. PYRENOID FINE STRUCTURE(2).

SUMMARY The pyrenoids of 18 Chlorococcum species (including 3 now transferred to Tetracystis) have been investigated at the ultrastructural level. Three categories of pyrenoids were observed, including pyrenoids with unfragmented perforate starch plates in 11 species; those with many separate fragmented starch plates in 6 species; and those with hemispherical starch plates in 1 species. Pyrenoids were further distinguishable on the basis of the number of thylakoid disks or tubules which penetrate the ground substance. Stability and diversity of pyrenoid fine structure as a taxonomic criterion at the specific level have been demonstrated.
Complementary use of Wave Glider and satellite measurements: Description of spatial decorrelation scales in Chl-a fluorescence across the Pacific basin

Abstract A key challenge for ecosystem science in the 21st century is to characterize emerging trends in ecosystem productivity due to climate change and to better predict cycles in ecosystem variability. A first step toward this goal is to be able to characterize phytoplankton variability across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. In this paper, 15 months of Wave Glider (WG) fluorometer measurements made across the Pacific Ocean were used to understand how WGs complement existing chlorophyll-a-based measurements of phytoplankton biomass from satellite platforms. Extensive analysis of the WG transects demonstrated that WG fluorometer readings reliably characterized similar large-scale variability in satellite Chl-a measurements in four distinct ecosystem types including coastal upwelling, transition zone, oligotrophic and equatorial upwelling regions. Complementary information provided by WG measurements included better resolution of coastal Chl-a patches and prominent diel cycles in the open ocean. The decorrelation scales computed from WG fluorometer measurements in this study provide necessary information for designing observing systems, process experiments, and data assimilation studies. We conclude this paper by suggesting how WGs can be used to anchor satellite measurements and to develop better predictive models.
Training for renal ablative technique using an agarose-based renal tumour-mimic model.

OBJECTIVE To assess whether a recently developed porcine tumour-mimic model can serve as a training model for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of renal masses, as the increased diagnosis of small occult renal masses has led to the development of nephron-sparing treatments, including RFA, and the techniques required for effective tumour ablation can be difficult to master. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tumour mimics were created by injecting 0.7 mL of an agarose mixture into the parenchyma of a porcine kidney, producing 1-cm spherical lesions which were hyperechoic on ultrasonography (US). The ex vivo experiment included creating 40 tumour mimics followed by RFA using US-guided needle placement. The ablation diameter was set to 15 mm to produce a margin of grossly ablated tissue around the mimic lesions. The in vivo portion involved creating 20 tumour mimics and ablating them under direct laparoscopic vision with US-guided probe placement. In each case, the mimic lesion size by US and gross examination, ablation diameter, and completion (accuracy) of ablations were recorded. RESULTS Accurate placing of the RFA needle by US guidance was difficult to learn, as all tumour-mimic lesions were either endophytic or completely intraparenchymal. The ex vivo model required ≈ 15 ablations before the needle was placed consistently into the lesions. The in vivo model was equally difficult to learn, with five positive margins by gross examination in the first 10 ablations, while the subsequent 10 had no positive margins. CONCLUSION The agarose-based tumour mimic is a useful target model for learning and improving US-guided ablative techniques in both the ex vivo and in vivo settings. The tumour-mimic allows the surgeon to assess targeting accuracy in an animal model. Further studies are needed to determine this model's utility as a clinical training aid.
Rock mechanics studies of mining in the Climax granite

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is conducting a test of retrievable storage of nuclear spent fuel assemblies in three granite caverns, at Climax/Nevada Test Site, Nevada. During excavation of the three parallel chambers, stress changes and deformations were measured in the two intervening pillars. Originally, it was inferred from these data that arching had formed over the chambers, and that the pillars had unloaded. However, these conclusions were not substantiated, and the arching hypothesis was reexamined. A two-phase project was implemented to elucidate the rock mass response during the previous mining. First, a program of field testing was conducted. The in-situ modulus (Ef was estimated, using six different approaches. A value of Ef = 26 GPa was obtained by comparing results from the various approaches. The laboratory modulus obtained on small cores was El = 70 GPa. Thus, the modulus reduction factor for the Climax granite appears to be Ef/El = 0.37. In turn, the estimate of in-situ deformability was used to back-calculate values for the normal stiffness of the granite joints. A new analysis of former stress measurements showed that horizontal stresses in the vicinity of the caverns vary greatly with azimuth, and that the vertical stress appears to be only two thirds of the calculated lithostatic stress. New stress measurements also were performed around the chambers by two different methods. From the strain ellipsoid at mid-length in the tunnels, the in-situ Poisson's ratio of the rock mass was estimated as v = 0.246. Second, finite element modeling of the mining sequence was performed, using the refined estimates of material properties and in-situ stresses. The models provided a realistic description of the geology by discretely accounting for major joints and shears. The damage due to blasting was represented, as well. The combination of the in-situ test program and of the modeling provided a coherent explanation of the stress changes observed in the pillars. It was concluded that no arching had developed. This project also highlighted the need for redundant procedures in the analysis of rock structures. Specific recommendations regarding rock mechanics field testing are offered in conclusion.
Single Port Access Renal Cryoablation (SPARC): A New Approach

Abstract Background Cryoablation has been performed laparoscopically for small renal masses using 3–4 ports with promising oncologic results. Objectives To report the initial experience of Single Port Access Renal Cryoablation (SPARC). Design, Setting, and Participants Beginning in September 2007, outcomes of patients undergoing SPARC have been recorded into an IRB approved database. Patients with localized small renal mass ( Intervention The novel multichannel single port was positioned in the umbilicus during the transperitoneal approach and at the tip of the 12th rib during the retroperitoneal approach. Intraoperative ultrasound was used to localize and observe the renal mass during cryoablation. Measurement Operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, and complications were noted. Tumor characteristics and follow-up CT scans were evaluated. Results and Limitations All six cases, four retroperitoneal and two transperitoneal, underwent SPARC without conversion to laparoscopy or open surgery. Patient age and body mass index was 73±9 yr and 33±10kg/m 2 , respectively. Mean tumor size was 2.6±0.4cm. Total freeze time was 15±1.8min. There were no intraoperative complications and mean hospital stay was 2.3 d. One patient had a prolonged hospital stay due to preexisting respiratory condition. CT with contrast was performed in three patients and documented no residual tumor enhancement. Although flexible laparoscopic instruments allow parallel insertion through a single port, surgical range of motion is limited and clashing of instruments is frequent. Conclusion Single Port Access Renal Cryoablation (SPARC) for small renal masses is feasible and safe. Transperitoneal approach provides a virtually scarless surgery since the surgical incision is hidden in the umbilicus. Further studies are needed to define the role of and evaluate the potential advantages of single port surgery.
Carriers of the mouse rd gene have reduced levels of the beta subunit of the retinal cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase.

Abstract Polyclonal antipeptide antisera have been utilized to quantitate the amount of retinal rod outer segment cGMP phosphodiesterase α and β catalytic subunits present in retinas from C57BL/6J mice which are normal or carriers for the rd gene defect. Results suggest that the quantity of PDE-β subunit is reduced in carrier mice while PDE-α and PDE-γ are not affected. In 21-day-old mice, the PDE-β was reduced by about one-half while adult carrier mice had even more reduced levels of PDE-β. Since PDEα was not reduced, this suggests that synthesis of PDEα and PDEβ may not be coordinately controlled.
Use of Taylor Series Expansions for Time Savings in Computation of Accurate Transducer Pressure Fields

In the method of data reduction used in our laboratory to determine acoustic backscatter coefficients in tissues and tissuelike me- dia, computation of the complex acoustic pressure in an attenuating medium due to a nonfocused disk radiator is required at a large num- ber of field points and over a frequency band of about 1 MHz. Com- puter CPU time and input/output time can he considerable because of the need to evaluate an integral corresponding to each field point P and frequency, W. The fact that the frequency dependence of this integral is restricted to a factor in the integrand of the form exp (ikr' ), where r' is the dummy variable and k = k(w) is the complex wave number, makes the integral part of the expansion in a Taylor series straightfor- ward. The first five terms of the Taylor series have been derived, and tests of the accuracy of the expansion are presented. While maintaining adequate accuracy, the CPU time savings accrued through use of the series corresponds to a factor of 1 /7 and an inputioutput time savings factor of at least 1/6. (The factor 1/7 means, e.g., that a CPU time of 35 min without using the Taylor series becomes 5 min using the Taylor series.)
Melatonin administration alters nicotine preference consumption via signaling through high-affinity melatonin receptors

While it is known that tobacco use varies across the 24-h day, the time-of-day effects are poorly understood. Findings from several previous studies indicate a potential role for melatonin in these time-of-day effects; however, the specific underlying mechanisms have not been well characterized. Understanding of these mechanisms may lead to potential novel smoking cessation treatments. The objective of this study is examine the role of melatonin and melatonin receptors in nicotine free-choice consumption A two-bottle oral nicotine choice paradigm was utilized with melatonin supplementation in melatonin-deficient mice (C57BL/6J) or without melatonin supplementation in mice proficient at melatonin synthesis (C3H/Ibg) compared to melatonin-proficient mice lacking both or one of the high-affinity melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2; double-null mutant DM, or MT1 or MT2). Preference for bitter and sweet tastants also was assessed in wild-type and MT1 and MT2 DM mice. Finally, home cage locomotor monitoring was performed to determine the effect of melatonin administration on activity patterns. Supplemental melatonin in drinking water significantly reduced free-choice nicotine consumption in C57BL/6J mice, which do not produce endogenous melatonin, while not altering activity patterns. Independently, genetic deletion of both MT1 and MT2 receptors in a melatonin-proficient mouse strain (C3H) resulted in significantly more nicotine consumption than controls. However, single genetic deletion of either the MT1 or MT2 receptor alone did not result in increased nicotine consumption. Deletion of MT1 and MT2 did not impact taste preference. This study demonstrates that nicotine consumption can be affected by exogenous or endogenous melatonin and requires at least one of the high-affinity melatonin receptors. The fact that expression of either the MT1 or MT2 melatonin receptor is sufficient to maintain lower nicotine consumption suggests functional overlap and potential mechanistic explanations.
Continuum elasticity analysis of the enhanced modulus effect in metal-alloy superlattice films

Large enchancements in certain elastic moduli (by more than 100%) of compositionally modulated films of certain metal alloys, in particular copper-nickel, have been reported. Among the explanations proposed for the phenomenon, it has been suggested that the enhancement is due to coherency-induced strains and preliminary calculations based on nonlinear continuum elasticity have been reported in support of this idea. We have explored this mechanism in detail for copper-nickel superlattices. The variation of the elastic constants with strain (including up to fourth-order elastic constants) as well as with alloy composition have been considered. The average elastic moduli have been determined for a sinusoidally modulated film. We have found that the biaxial moduli Y[001] and Y[111] vary as the square of the modulation amplitude (A). The biaxial modulus Y[001] shows a small enhancement, on the order of a few percent, while Y[111] actually decreases, by a few percent, from its value for the homogeneous alloy. We have also found a similar decrease of Y[111] for layered copper-nickel superlattices with sharp interfaces. The relative contributions of the strain and composition dependences of the elastic constants to the net change have been investigated. While the strain dependence alone increases the modulus of the modulated film, the composition dependence decreases it. The third- and fourth-order elastic constants (reflecting the strain dependence of the elastic moduli) have to be much larger than their experimentally determined values (even accounting for experimental uncertainty) in order to get even a small enhancement of Y[111]. We conclude that the enhancement cannot be explained by a continuum model of the coherency-strained superlattice, but note that an atomic-scale effect cannot be ruled out.
Peyronie’s surgery: Graft choices and outcomes

Peyronie’s disease (PD), a localized fibrosis of the tunica albuginea surrounding the penile corpora, results in penile curvature and sexual dysfunction. Men with significant penile curvature and satisfactory erectile function are often treated with plaque incision or excision and grafting. The advantages and disadvantages of various grafting materials have long been debated. Graft materials can be divided into three categories: autologous tissue harvested from the patient’s body, allograft or xenograft from another person or species, and synthetic grafts. Despite groundbreaking advances in physiology, synthetic materials, and tissue engineering, the ideal graft material has yet to be established. This review presents and discusses the variety of graft materials available for the surgical correction of PD. For this purpose, a MEDLINE search was conducted on PD until May 2009.
The Application of Immunohistochemical Biomarkers in Urologic Surgical Pathology

Context.— Tumors of the genitourinary tract can be diagnostically challenging, particularly in core biopsies and cystoscopic biopsies with limited material. Immunohistochemistry is a valuable tool ...
High yield synthesis of high specific activity R-(−)-[11C]epinephrine for routine PET studies in humans

R-( -)-[“ClEpinephrine ([“CIEPI) has been synthesized from R-( -)-norepinephrine by direct methylation with [“Clmethyl iodide or [“Clmethyl triflate. The total synthesis time including HPLC purification was 3540min. The radiochemical yields (EOB) were S-10% for [“Clmethyl iodide and 15-25% for [“Clmethyl triflate. Radiochemical purity was >98%; optical purity determined by radio-chiral HPLC was > 97%. The [“Clmethyl triflate technique produces R-( -)-[“Clepinephrine in quantities (8&l 70 mCi) sufficient for multiple positron emission tomography studies in humans. The two synthetic methods are generally applicable to the production of other N-[“Clmethyl phenolamines and N[“Clmethyl catecholamines.
Halothane decreases pontine acetylcholine release and increases eeg spindles

This study tested the hypothesis that halothane anesthesia would cause decreased acetylcholine (ACh) release within the medial pontine reticular formation (mPRF). ACh was collected by microdialysis and measured by high pressure liquid chromatography during wakefulness and during halothane-induced anesthesia. The electroencephalogram (EEG) showed that spindles were a reliable indicator of anesthetic depth. There was a statistically significant disease in ACh release during halothane anesthesia compared with ACh release during wakefulness. Spindles always disappeared during noxious stimulation and during emergence from anesthesia when pontine ACh levels began to increase. These results are consistent with previous data concerning brain stem cholinergic influences on thalamocortical spindle generation, and suggest that similar mechanisms generate cortical spindles during natural sleep and halothane anesthesia.
Exact image reconstruction from n-PI acquisition data in helical cone-beam CT

In helical cone-beam computerized tomography, the data within the Tam-Danielsson window is sufficient for exact reconstruction of the images. In some practical situation, the projections outside the Tam-Danielsson window are available that indicate the data redundancy. In this work, we investigate image reconstruction on n-PI lines from data within n-PI window. We performed a preliminary numerical study, and the results in these studies shown that our algorithm can exactly reconstruct images from n-PI data.
Alfred Marshall on economic biology

This article examines the sequence of ideas which led Marshall to conclude that economic growth is organic in nature and that its analysis must be based on a bilogical not a mechanical analogue. At the outset of his career in the early 1870s, when he was attemting to reconcile increasing returns with atomic competition, Marshall came up against the problem of irreversibility; he had to discard his long-period curves because they were interdependent and irreversible. Volume I of the Pinciples(1890), particularly Book V, was an analysis of mechanical equilibrium, and it was to be followed by volume II on dynamics. When Marshall replied to a critic of the Principlesin the Economic Journalin 1898, he gave an illuminating account of his methodology and declared that ‘the Mecca of the economist is economic biology rather than economic dynamics’. He failed to produce Volume II of his Principlesbecause by the end of the 1890s he had changed his mind on important theoritical matters. He would have had to write a t...
The use of the carbon dioxide laser in head and neck lymphangioma

The carbon dioxide laser has been used to treat various lesions of the head and neck, ranging from carcinomas to hemangiomas, and even including tatoos. A search of the literature does not reveal any reports of the carbon dioxide laser being used to treat lymphangioma. This report discusses the efficacy of treating lymphangioma of the air and food passages with the carbon dioxide laser, and presents three patients who have been treated in this fashion-two for palliation and one for cure.
EFFECT OF PENTOBARBITAL SODIUM ON SLEEP LATENCY AND LENGTH OF SLEEP IN THE RAT.

THE effects of repeated dosages of pentobarbital sodium on two sleep responses in the rat have been investigated. The responses observed were sleep latency (the time between drug injection and an observed sleep response) and sleep length (the time between the observed sleep response and arousal). The dosage used was purposely designed to obtain a significant delay between injection and the sleep response. The study was an outgrowth of an attempt to produce, in a minimally distracting environment, a low variability but delayed sleep latency which would be susceptible to systematically introduced environmental sleep distractors. The investigations are a part of a larger programme directed toward determining the environmental antecedents of sleep.
Higher-twist contributions to high-p T inclusive meson production in two-photon collisions

The most important higher-twist subprocess contributing to inclusive single-meson production at high ${p}_{T}$ is photon + quark\ensuremath{\rightarrow}meson + quark. We consider two-photon collisions and compare this higher-twist contribution to that arising from the leading-twist subprocess, photon + photon\ensuremath{\rightarrow}quark + antiquark. We find that the higher-twist subprocess, while not important for direct $\ensuremath{\pi}$ production, is significant for $\ensuremath{\rho}$ production, especially when enhanced by suitable trigger requirements.
A FORTRAN program for generation of multivariate normally distributed random variables

Abstract The computer program given in this paper generates a set of values for each of the random variables which are distributed according to a multivariate normal distribution. It is written in FORTRAN 77 and is designed to run on a CYBER 175 computer. In generating a set of values, the program either can use actual data of the variables as input to estimate parameter values of the multivariate normal distribution or the parameter values of the multivariate normal distribution can be used directly as input to the program. The theory and the necessary algorithms for the generation are given in detail. Use of the program is illustrated through an example in soil engineering. Monte-Carlo simulation method is used for working out the example.
Critical Thinking and the Teaching of Dance

ABSTRACTThe use of critical thinking methods in dance classes—a way of teaching that promotes problem solving, reasoning skills, analysis, examination, and decision making—is a necessary aspect of excellent teaching and learning. Utilizing critical thinking methods allows educators to move beyond merely teaching skills, providing opportunities for meaningful learning that will stay with students for the long term. By employing appropriate strategies such as asking the right questions, having open and significant discussions, utilizing small groups, creative projects, and journaling, educators can enhance the comprehension and learning of all students.
Predicted airframe noise levels for certification flights

A correction is presented for a previously published inconsistency in predicted airframe noise values, which were based on approach velocities lower than those required for FAA certification. New figures are given for the following aircraft: DC-9-30, 727-200, A300-B2, L-1011, DC-10-10, and 747-200B. The new levels average 2.3 dB higher than those calculated for typical approach speeds.
A mathematical programming approach to simultaneous unit-load and fleet-size optimisation in material handling systems design

This paper develops a model for simultaneously determining the optimal performance-based unit-load and fleet sizes for material handling vehicles serving work stations in a manufacturing system. The mathematical programming model maximises the number of units transported by the material handling vehicle during a given production cycle. The optimisation model simultaneously specifies the unit-load and fleet sizes, based on material transportation requirements and system characteristics.
EFFECT OF ADSORBED ELECTROLYTES ON PROPERTIES OF MONODISPERSE CLAY‐WATER SYSTEMS

A sample of Florida kaolin was separated by a supercentrif uge into three nearly mono-disperse systems whose sizes were, respectively, 0.1 to 0.2, 0.2 to 0.4, and 0.4 to 1.0 micron. These samples were electrodialyzed, and to aliquot samples of the H clay thus obtained, varying concentrations of sodium or barium hydroxide were added. The base-exchange capacity at pH 7 varied linearly with the surface area. The apparent viscosity was reduced to about 4% of its original value by the addition of 1 milli-equivalent of sodium hydroxide, after which further additions had a very slight lowering effect. The addition of electrolyte decreased the yield point and increased the maximum strain before rupture at the water content of optimum plasticity. The water of plasticity, pore water, shrinkage water, and film thickness were decreased by adding electrolyte. The dry transverse strength was doubled by the change from H clay to Na clay. Most properties varied linearly with the surface area within the experimental error. The potential concept of plasticity is briefly outlined.
Grain growth of high T C YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x

Grain growth during sintering of the polycrystalline high onset temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−x has been examined by measuring grain sizes at various temperatures for different times above 900°C. The grain size distribution is found to be predominately lognormal after some sintering time. The mean grain size increases with both temperature and time. The standard deviation of the grain size distribution increases with temperature, but appears to be independent of time. The grain growth law may have an exponent of five. The grain growth rate may be affected by the grain size of the calcined powder.
Low-thrust roundtrip trajectories to Mars with one-synodic-period repeat time

Abstract Cycler trajectories—both ballistic and powered—are reported in the literature in which there are two-vehicle, three-vehicle, and four-vehicle cases. Such trajectories permit the installation of cycler vehicles which provide safe and comfortable living conditions for human space travel between Earth and Mars during every synodic opportunity. The question the present paper answers is a logical, obvious one: Does a single-vehicle, one-synodic-period cycler exist? The answer is yes: such a trajectory can be flown—but only with a high-power electric propulsion system. In our example, it is found that “stopover” trajectories that spend 30 days in orbit about Earth and 30 days about Mars, and return astronauts to Earth in one synodic period require a 90-t power generator with a power level of 11 MWe. Fortuitously, and in lieu of using chemical propulsion, the high power level of the electric propulsion system would also be effective in hauling the cargo payload via a spiral trajectory about the Earth. But because one synodic period is not enough for the cycler vehicle to fly both the interplanetary trajectories and the Earth-spiral trajectories, we suggest developing two nuclear power generators, which could alternate flying the interplanetary trajectories and the Earth-spiral trajectories. Once these power generators are launched and begin operating in space, the mass requirement in seven subsequent missions (over a period of 15 years beginning in 2022) would be modest at 250–300 metric tons to low-Earth orbit per mission. Thus two cargo launches of NASA׳s Space Launch System and one crew launch of the Falcon Heavy, for example, would be adequate to maintain support for each consecutive mission. Although we propose developing two sets of electric propulsion systems to account for the Earth-spiral phases, only one vehicle is flown on a heliocentric trajectory at any given time. Thus, our low-thrust stopover cycler with zero encounter velocities falls into a category of a “one-vehicle cycler,” which completes the gap in the literature, where we have already seen multiple-vehicle cycler concepts.
Theory of 3-D angle gathers in wave-equation seismic imaging

I present two methods for constructing angle gathers in 3-D seismic imaging by downward extrapolation. Angles in angle gathers refer to the scattering angle at the reflector and provide a natural access to analyzing migration velocity and amplitudes. In the first method, angle gathers are extracted at each downward-continuation step by mapping transformations in constant-depth frequency slices. In the second method, one extracts angle gathers after applying the imaging condition by transforming local offset gathers in the depth domain. The second approach generalizes previously published algorithms for angle-gather construction in 2-D and common-azimuth imaging.
Quality Enhancement of Packet Audio with Time-Scale Modification

In traditional packet voice or the emerging 2.5G and 3G wireless data services, smooth and timely delivery of audio is an essential requirement in Quality of Service (QoS) provision. It has been shown in our previous work that, by adapting time-scale modification to audio signals, an adaptive play-out algorithm can be designed to minimize packet dropping at the receiver end. By stretching the audio frame duration up and down, the proposed algorithm could adapt quickly to accommodate fluctuating delays including delay spikes. In this paper, we will address the packet audio QoS with emphasis on end-to-end delay, packet loss, and delay jitter. The characteristics of delay and loss will be discussed. Adaptive playback will enhance the audio quality by adapting to the transmission delay jitter and delay spike. Coupled with Forward Error Correction (FEC) schemes, the proposed delay and loss concealment algorithm achieves less overall application loss rate without sacrificing on the average end-to-end delay. The optimal solution of such algorithms will be discussed. We also investigate the stretching-ratio transition effect on perceived audio quality by measuring the objective Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality (PESQ) Mean Opinion Score (MOS).
Very high CW output power and power conversion efficiency from current-confined CDH-LOC diode lasers

CDH-LOC lasers with tight current confinement to the lasing region provide CW output powers as high as 165 mW. The overall power conversion efficiency in CW operation reaches values of 35% (front-facet emitted power/overall input electrical power). Single-longitudinal-mode and fundamental-mode operations are achieved to 40 mW CW and 60 mW peak power (50% duty cycle), respectively. The threshold-current temperature coefficient T0 reaches values of 185 K.
Abstract B21: CD1 d-expressing breast cancer cells promote iNKT-mediated antitumor immunity in a mouse model of breast cancer bone metastasis

Overcoming tumor tolerance and immune suppression remains a formidable obstacle to the development of immunotherapeutics that harness the immune system to eradicate breast cancer. We have developed a syngeneic mouse model to study mechanisms of tumor tolerance and immune suppression during breast cancer bone metastasis. Comparative analysis of low metastatic vs. highly bone metastatic tumor cells isolated from mice revealed several important genetic alterations related to immune control of tumor progression. Of these, a significant downregulation of cd1d1 was observed in the highly bone metastatic tumor cells. The cd1d1 gene in mice encodes the MHC class I-like molecule CD1d, which presents glycolipid antigens to a specialized subset of T cells that bridge the innate and adaptive immune response to cancer, known as invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. Activated iNKT cells mediate antitumor immunity in cell culture and in mouse models in vivo. Clinically, iNKT levels are significantly reduced in solid tumors, and this reduction is correlated with a poor prognosis in many types of cancers, including breast cancer. It is well known that the majority of advanced breast cancer patients present with bone metastases, and NKT cells have been shown to comprise a significant portion of the T cells found in healthy bone marrow. We hypothesize that downregulation of CD1d by breast cancer cells enables evasion of iNKT immune surveillance and inhibition of iNKT-mediated antitumor immunity, and may be an important prerequisite for the ability of breast cancer cells to colonize bone. In this study, we demonstrate in a mouse model of breast cancer bone metastasis that tumor cells expressing CD1d can induce direct iNKT-mediated cytolysis in a CD1d-dependent manner in vitro, and demonstrate increased CD1d-dependent iNKT-mediated antitumor immunity in vivo. Using transgenic knockout (KO) models, we show that the ability of CD1d-expressing tumor cells to metastasize to bone is dependent on the presence of CD1 d-restricted NKT cells. The results of this study further support research into therapeutic strategies that boost iNKT-mediated antitumor immunity for the treatment of advanced metastatic breast cancer. In addition, we propose the use of our novel mouse model of breast cancer bone metastasis as an ideal system for conducting further studies into mechanisms of immune regulation of breast cancer. Citation Information: Clin Cancer Res 2010;16(14 Suppl):B21.
Adaptation in synergistic muscles to soleus and plantaris muscle removal in the rat hindlimb.

Abstract Although the soleus muscle comprises only 6% of the ankle plantar flexor mass in the rat, a major role in stance and walking has been ascribed to it. The purpose of this study was to determine if removal of the soleus muscle would result in adaptations in the remaining gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles due to the new demands for force production imposed on them during stance or walking. A second purpose was to determine whether the mass or the fiber type of the muscle(s) removed was a more important determinant of compensatory adaptations. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent bilateral removal of soleus muscle, plantaris muscle, or both muscles. For comparison, compensatory hypertrophy was induced in soleus and plantaris muscles by gastrocnemius muscle ablation. After forty days, synergist muscles remaining intact were removed. Mass, and oxidative, glycolytic, and contractile enzyme activities were determined. Despite its role in stance and slow walking, removal of the soleus muscle did not elicit a measurable alteration in muscle mass, or in citrate synthase, lactate dehydrogenase, or myofibrillar ATPase activity in gastrocnemius or plantaris muscles. Similarly, removal of the plantarus muscle, or soleus and plantaris muscles, had no effect on the gastrocnemius muscle, suggesting that this muscle was able to easily meet the new demands placed on it. These results suggest that amount of muscle mass removed, rather than fiber type, is the most important stimulus for compensatory hypertrophy. They also suggest that slow-twitch motor units in the gastrocnemius muscle play an important role during stance and locomotion in the intact animal.
Chief Audit Executives' Assessment of Internal Auditors' Performance Attributes by Professional Rank and Cultural Cluster

ABSTRACT: This study explores chief audit executives' perceptions of the most important performance attributes of internal auditors by professional rank and cultural cluster. A large sample of chief audit executives (CAEs) from 19 countries located in five different cultural clusters was surveyed by the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation (CBOK 2006). Analysis of data generated by that survey indicates that while leadership attributes (e.g., negotiating) are perceived to be most important for upper ranks in internal auditing, technical skills (e.g., analytical) are most important for lower ranks. Also, based on the cultural relativism literature, I hypothesize and find evidence that the importance of performance attributes differs significantly by cultural cluster. For example, while Latin-American CAEs rated leadership attributes at higher levels than other cultural clusters for internal audit staff, the East-European chief audit executives assessed the importance of technical skills at hi...
TH-C-M100J-10: Development of Image Guidance Methods for Deep Brain Stimulation

Purpose: To develop and employ novel image guidance methods for targeting in the stereotactic functional procedure of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in regions that are poorly defined with anatomic imaging using a deformable atlas and functional imaging.Method and Materials: An image guidance system was developed to enhance targeting for stereotactic DBS surgeries. An atlas of the structures in the basal ganglia was created from the Schaltenbrand‐Bailey series of histologically stained sagittal and axial sections. By defining a surface that connects each plane, a voxelized binary atlas was created and smoothed to reduce inconsistencies. A set of programs were created using Matlab to allow for user driven linear atlas deformation to match the atlas with patient specific anatomy and landmarks. An additional set of programs were created to record intraoperative microelectrode recording (MER) maps and to visualize these maps through sagittal and coronal cuts in the patient deformed atlas. To add additional functional information, a high resolution functional MRI (fMRI) protocol was developed that allows for localization of motor, sensory, language, and emotional regions in the basal ganglia. Software to visualize the deformed atlas, MRI and fMRI all together was created to allow for target definition and planning based off multiple sources of information simultaneously. Results: The developed atlas‐based image guidance system has been used as a clinical tool for several months and now allows physicians the ability to deform an anatomic atlas to patient specific anatomy and also obtain and view electrode tracks through the atlas in oblique angles. fMRI data on initial subjects has shown good qualitative agreement with expected physiological locations and MER maps in patients. Conclusion: This work allows for improved targeting in DBS based off the simultaneous usage of a 3D deformed atlas, microelectrode recording maps, and fMRI data.
Efficacy of Trenbolone Acetate in Sex Inversion of the Blue Tilapia Oreochromis aureus

.— Trenbolone acetate (TBA) is a synthetic anabolic androgenic steroid approved in the United States as a growth promoter for beef cattle. Pooled populations of blue tilapia Oreochromis aureus with more than 98% males were produced by feeding diets containing TBA. This hormone effectively inversed the sex of blue tilapia when doses of 25–100 mg/kg of diet were fed for 28 d. Fish treated with 60 mg of 17-alpha-methyltestosterone (MT)/kg of feed resulted in 88.7% males. The percentage of male tilapia masculinized with TBA was significantly higher (P 0.05) at the end of the 28-d treatment period.
Detection and Analysis of Iron Uptake Components Expressed by Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Isolates

The Acinetobacter baumannii 19606 prototype strain produces a 78-kDa iron-regulated outer membrane protein immunologically related to FatA, which is required for iron acquisition by the fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum via the anguibactin-mediated system. This A. baumannii strain also secretes histamine, a biosynthetic precursor of the siderophore anguibactin. In contrast, the A. baumannii 8399 clinical strain isolated in Oregon produces a siderophore and a putative 73-kDa iron-regulated outer membrane (OM73) receptor that are different from those produced by V. anguillarum and A. baumannii 19606. These observations suggest that different A. baumannii clinical isolates express unrelated iron uptake systems. This hypothesis is supported by differences in outer membrane protein profiles among A. baumannii isolates obtained from Oregon and Europe. The 19606 isolate and some European isolates expressed a FatA-like protein, while neither 19606 nor any of the European isolates expressed proteins related to OM73. Some European isolates failed to express FatA- and OM73-like proteins. All but one of the Oregon isolates expressed OM73-like proteins, while none of them contained a FatA-like protein. The presence of these proteins always correlated with the presence of the om73- and fatA-like genes in the cognate strains. While 19606 and a few European isolates produced histamine, none of the Oregon isolates had this capability. Interestingly, one strain each from the Oregon and European isolates did not express any of these products involved in iron acquisition, indicating that they could acquire iron through siderophore-mediated transport systems different from those expressed by the 19606 and 8399 clinical isolates.
Current status of endocrine treatment of carcinoma of the breast

Sequential administration of endocrine therapies can result in objective remission in a significant fraction of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Combined hormonal therapies and combined hormonochemotherapies have not resulted in better results than the sequential administration of these same therapies. Tamoxifen (an antiestrogen) given as an initial therapy results in local control of the disease in a significant fraction of patients with locally advanced breast cancer who are not candidates for cytotoxic therapy. Tamoxifen as an adjuvant therapy for operable breast cancer prolongs disease-free survival and reduces mortality in patients greater than 50 yr of age with higher estrogen receptor concentrations. The role of tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy for patients less than 50 yr of age remains unclear. Also, adjuvant tamoxifen in combination with cytotoxic drugs has not produced superior results, and the duration of adjuvant tamoxifen therapy remains to be determined. Experimental data suggest prolonged administration of tamoxifen may be needed to control micrometastases.
On the origin of large-scale periodicities observed during scanning tunneling microscopy studies of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite

Abstract Scanning tunneling microscopy was used to investigate the origin of a large-scale periodicity observed on the basal plane of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite. Similar phenomena have previously been ascribed to a rotational misorientation between the uppermost graphite layers. We report the first direct measurement of graphite interlayer rotational alignment in the presence of a superlattice, and find that misorientation is not the cause.
Single view compositing with shadows

In this paper, we describe how geometrically correct and visually realistic shadows may be computed for objects composited into a single view of a target scene. Compared to traditional single view compositing methods, which either do not deal with the shadow effects or manually create the shadows for the composited objects, our approach efficiently utilizes the geometric and photometric constraints extracted from a single target image to synthesize the shadows consistent with the overall target scene for the inserted objects. In particular, we explore (i) the constraints provided by imaged scene structure, e.g. vanishing points of orthogonal directions, for camera calibration and thus explicit determination of the locations of the camera and the light source; (ii) the relatively weaker geometric constraint, the planar homology, that models the imaged shadow relations when explicit camera calibration is not possible; and (iii) the photometric constraints that are required to match the color characteristics of the synthesized shadows with those of the original scene. For each constraint, we demonstrate the working examples followed by our observations. To show the accuracy and the applications of the proposed method, we present the results for a variety of target scenes, including footage from commercial Hollywood movies and 3D video games.
Sequential coding of correlated sources

We study a generalization of the successive refinement coding problem called the sequential coding of correlated sources. In successive refinement source coding one first describes the given source using a few bits of information, and then subsequently improves the description of the same source when more information is supplied. Sequential coding differs from successive refinement in that the second-stage encoding involves describing a correlated source as opposed to improving the description of the same source. We introduce the notion of a coupled fidelity criterion to quantify perceived distortion in certain applications of sequential coding. We characterize the achievable rate region for this source coding problem and show that the rate region reduces to the successive refinement rate region when the two sources are the same. Then we consider the specific case of a pair of correlated Gaussian sources as an example. We give an explicit characterization that reveals an interesting generalization of a property of successive refinement of a single Gaussian source.
Effect of Hydrologic and Geochemical Conditions on Oxygen-Enhanced Bioremediation in a Gasoline-Contaminated Aquifer

Oxygen addition to enhance bioremediation of gasoline-contaminated ground water was performed in two locations of a shallow aquifer in South Carolina characterized by benzene, toluene, and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) at concentrations greater than 1 mg/L, respectively. Oxygen addition with an oxygen-release compound (a proprietary form of magnesium peroxide [MgO2]) produced markedly different results with respect to dissolved oxygen (DO) generation and contaminant decrease in the two locations. Oxygen-release compound injected at the former underground storage tank (UST) source area did not significantly change measured concentrations of DO, benzene, toluene, or MTBE. Conversely, oxygen-release compound injected 200 m downgradient of the former UST source area rapidly increased DO levels, and benzene, toluene, and MTBE concentrations decreased substantially. The different results can be related to differences in hydrologic and geochemical conditions that characterized the two locations prior to oxygen ...
Tradition and Modernism: Sustainable Rice Culture

Japan has defended its 778 percent tariffs on rice as the sacred crop grown by farmers who defend a proud agrarian heritage that forms the nation’s spiritual center (Tabuchi, 2014: B1). However, the rice industry may not be sustainable as it is presently structured in an increasingly freer trade world. Arguably, the average size of rice farms in Japan of approximately 1 hectare of land (2.5 acres, approximately) is not sustainable. In 2009, according to government statistics, the average size of a farm in Japan was just 1.9 hectares, or 4.7 acres, in 2009, compared with 198 hectares in the United States (Tabuchi, 2010). Herein, we will explore the historical and cultural context of rice farming and ultimately, make recommendations for how to make rice farming more sustainable.