cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance analysis and code design for differential antenna selection systems

Without channel state information (CSI) at the receiver, we study receive antenna selection (AS) for multi-antenna systems that employ differential unitary space-time signals. We perform AS only at the receiver and a subset of receive antennas that have the largest received signal power is chosen. Selecting a single antenna at the receiver, it is proved in Q. Mia and C. Tepedelenlioglu (2005) that with no CSI at the receiver, the diversity gain with AS is preserved for differential unitary space-time codes with full spatial diversity. In this paper, we generalize the performance analysis to the case of selecting more than one antenna at the receiver. As an immediate consequence of performance analysis, based on the derived diversity gain and coding gain expressions, we develop code design principles for the differential ST codes suitable for maximum-power based AS systems. In particular, for 2times2 differential AS systems, we have devised new excellent-performing parametric codes, which outperform known differential codes when AS is employed. Simulation results are presented to validate our analysis and code design
Factors Affecting Water Uptake in Milled Rice

Water uptake in milled rice kernels was measured as a function of soaking condition, pretreatment (steaming at 107°C for 15 min), and variety. Soaking conditions included water to rice ratio (280g water/ g dry rice solids (drs) and 0.55g water/gdrs), temperature (50°C and 90°C), and presence of solutes (salt, sucrose and/or glyceryl monostearate). Time constants, determined from an empirical equation, indicated water uptake was reduced by limited water, low temperature, or the presence of solutes (salt and/or sugar). Water uptake was enhanced when glyceryl monostearate was present in 0.55g water/gdrs and by steaming prior to soaking with sucrose present in 0.55g water/gdrs. Steaming broadened the DSC endotherm but did not cause gelatinization.
Risk and Return for the Clinician-Investigator

In this case study, an early-career clinician-investigator discusses impending and future career issues in an interview with an established translational scientist, who then shares ideas about pursuing clinically informed research questions.
Pigment Epithelium-derived Factor Maintains Retinal Pigment Epithelium Function by Inhibiting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-R2 Signaling through γ-Secretase

Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) attacks the integrity of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) barrier system. The pathogenic process was hypothesized to be mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and antagonized by pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF). To dissect these functional interactions, monolayer cultures of RPE cells were established, and changes in transepithelial resistance were evaluated after administration of PEDF, placenta growth factor (VEGF-R1 agonist), and VEGF-E (VEGF-R2 agonist). A recently described mechanism of VEGF inhibition in endothelia required the release of VEGF-R1 intracellular domain by γ-secretase. To evaluate this pathway in the RPE, cells were pretreated with inhibitors DAPT or LY411575. Processing of VEGF receptors was assessed by Western blot analysis. Administration of VEGF-E rapidly increased RPE permeability, and PEDF inhibited the VEGF-E response dose-dependently. Both γ-secretase antagonists prevented the inhibitory effects of PEDF. The co-administration of PEDF and VEGF-E depleted the amount of VEGF-R2 in the membrane and increased the amount of VEGF-R2 ectodomain in the media. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of PEDF appears to be mediated via the processing of VEGF-R2 by γ-secretase. γ-Secretase generates the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide of Alzheimer disease from its precursor (amyloid precursor protein). This peptide is also a component of drusen in dry AMD. The results support the hypothesis that misregulation of γ-secretase may not only lead to Aβ deposits in dry AMD but can also be damaging to RPE function by blocking the protective effects of PEDF to prevent VEGF from driving the dry to wet AMD transition.
Separation of primary ice-rafted debris from lag deposits, utilizing manganese micronodule accumulation rates in abyssal sediments of the Southern Ocean

Changes in the abundance of ice-rafted debris in abyssal sediments of the Southern Ocean have been interpreted as evidence of variations in Antarctic glacial activity. When accompanied by a simultaneous increase in Mn micronodules, however, it is proposed that ice-rafted debris maxima may represent residual lag deposits, created during a period of reduced sedimentation rate caused by selective removal of the finer or lighter fraction by high-velocity bottom currents. An empirical relationship between ice-rafted debris and Mn micronodules in the southeast Pacific Ocean has been used to suppress the lag component in the total ice-rafted debris signal in order to isolate the ice-rafted debris caused by increased iceberg supply associated with increases in glacial activity in Antarctica. The spatial distribution of the mean accumulation rate of ice-rafted debris during the past 690,000 yr is complicated by local bottom-scouring activity, which causes erratic latitudinal variations of total ice-rafted debris accumulation rates. When the residual portion of ice-rafted debris is removed, a coherent latitudinal decrease of the mean accumulation rate of debris is revealed. The average northern limit of debris during the past 690,000 yr is not different from present conditions. A sharp maximum in debris accumulation occurs in the vicinity of the present Antarctic convergence, suggesting that the factors governing iceberg supply and melting rate have not changed appreciably during the period involved. Six periods of increases in Mn micronodule production are defined at intervals of 100,000 to 110,000 ± 20,000 yr. The linear correlation coefficient between ice-rafted debris and Mn micronodules during the past 690,000 yr defines two areas of intense winnowing, separated by the East Pacific Rise. The southernmost zone corresponds to an area independently described as one of high bottom-current activity. Our results indicate that the intensity of bottom-current winnowing on the north flank of the East Pacific Rise may be as great as in the southern zone. This could mean that the Eltanin Fracture Zone serves as a conduit for high-velocity Antarctic Bottom Water flowing onto the northern flank of the East Pacific Rise.
Prolonged Metabolic Correction in Adult Ornithine Transcarbamylase-deficient Mice with Adenoviral Vectors (∗)

A murine model of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency was used in this study to evaluate the efficacy of recombinant adenoviruses for correcting the metabolic defect in liver. Recombinant adenoviruses deleted in E1 and containing a human OTC cDNA expressed little functional OTC enzyme in vivo and had no observable impact on the underlying metabolic abnormalities of the OTC-deficient mouse (i.e. elevated urinary orotate and serum glutamine). E1-deleted vectors were improved through the use of the strong constitutive promoter from cytomegalovirus driving the normal murine homolog of OTC cDNA and the ablation of E2a with a temperature-sensitive mutation. Infusion of this improved vector into the mouse model was associated with a complete normalization of liver OTC enzyme activity that persisted for at least 2 months with complete but transient correction in serum glutamine and urine orotic acid. These studies illustrate the utility of improved adenoviral vectors in the treatment of liver metabolic disease.
En la línea del cine y la educación. Una propuesta de análisis sobre el film “Un chien andalus” de Luis Buñuel

This article has two major axes. One is theoretical and focuses on the relationship between cinema and education. In this sense, it is far from establishing a duality between movies that educate and do not educate. Any movie, in order to get an educational quality, must have an educated eye. Likewise, its educational quality has to do with the mindset of the viewer, who looks and not just sees. Is has to do with their will and knowledge in order to be enjoyed and provide a learning opportunity. In addition, there is an invitation to consider the differences between public and audience. The second axis of the article focuses on the presentation of an analysis of the fi lm “Un chien Andalus” (1929) by Luis Bunuel. It represents a lesson that the viewer has to understand and overcome the irresponsible view that rejects a prioris. Key words: cinema, education, educational responsibilities, media education, public and viewer, Luis Bunuel.
Acetylcholine receptor assembly is stimulated by phosphorylation of its γ subunit

Abstract Different combinations of Torpedo acetylcholine receptor (AChR) subunits stably expressed in mouse fibroblasts were used to establish a role for phosphorylation in AChR biogenesis. When cell lines expressing fully functional AChR complexes ( α 2 βγδ ) were labeled with 32 P, only γ and δ subunits were phosphoryaated. Forskolin, which causes a 2- to 3-fold increase in AChR expression by stimulating subunit assembly, increased unassembled γ phosphorylation, but had little effect on unassembled δ. The forskolin effect on subunit phosphorylation was rapid, significantly preceding its effect on expression. The pivotal role of the γ subunit was established by treating αβγ and αβδ cell lines with forskolin and observing increased expression of only αβγ complexes. This effect was also observed in αγ, but not αδ cells. We conclude that the cAMP-induced increase in expression of cell surface AChRs is due to phosphorylation of unassembled γ subunits, which leads to increased efficiency of assembly of all four subunits.
The Open Science Grid

The Open Science Grid (OSG) provides a distributed facility where the Consortium members provide guaranteed and opportunistic access to shared computing and storage resources. OSG provides support for and evolution of the infrastructure through activities that cover operations, security, software, troubleshooting, addition of new capabilities, and support for existing and engagement with new communities. The OSG SciDAC-2 project provides specific activities to manage and evolve the distributed infrastructure and support its use. The innovative aspects of the project are the maintenance and performance of a collaborative (shared & common) petascale national facility over tens of autonomous computing sites, for many hundreds of users, transferring terabytes of data a day, executing tens of thousands of jobs a day, and providing robust and usable resources for scientific groups of all types and sizes. More information can be found at the OSG web site: www.opensciencegrid.org.
Diffusion from Low-Level Urban Sources: Reexamination Using Recently Available Experimental Data

Abstract Experimental meteorological tracer data recently collected or declassified concerning dispersion from low-level sources in urban areas are examined in terms of the findings of the St. Louis Dispersion Study. The latter still provides a standard for use in urban air quality models and a basis of comparison for subsequent studies. Collectively, the results indicated that the quantitative findings of the St. Louis project are still valid. However, a tendency for the experimental data to be organized in terms of the local land use, especially nearer the tracer release points, provides evidence that it may be possible to catalog the resulting dispersion parameters in terms of land use and hence decrease the scatter of data points used to develop products such as stability related dispersion curves.
Follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates protein kinase A-mediated histone H3 phosphorylation and acetylation leading to select gene activation in ovarian granulosa cells.

We examined the phosphorylation and acetylation of histone H3 in ovarian granulosa cells stimulated to differentiate by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). We found that protein kinase A (PKA) mediates H3 phosphorylation on serine 10, based on inhibition exclusively by PKA inhibitors. FSH-stimulated H3 phosphorylation in granulosa cells is not downstream of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase, ribosomal S6 kinase-2, mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase-1, p38 MAPK, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, or protein kinase C. Transcriptional activation-associated H3 phosphorylation on serine 10 and acetylation of lysine 14 leads to activation of serum glucocorticoid kinase, inhibin α, and c-fos genes. We propose that phosphorylation of histone H3 on serine 10 by PKA in coordination with acetylation of H3 on lysine 14 results in reorganization of the promoters of select FSH responsive genes into a more accessible configuration for activation. The unique role of PKA as the physiological histone H3 kinase is consistent with the central role of PKA in initiating granulosa cell differentiation.
Negotiating between Generations: A Decade of Experience Teaching Oral History

T eaching oral history to undergraduate history majors for the past ten years has taught me lessons about achieving effective instructional methods and obtaining historically worthwhile interviews of World War II, Home Front, and Korean War veterans. Students learn best practices visually. That is to say, they learn by watching other student interviewers and interviews by historians or other professionals. Students need guidance and deadlines in order to become more disciplined and effective. They also need grounding in military history and the purposes of oral history. Projects organized around a college curriculum work best with community involvement and input so that names can be generated as potential interview subjects. Generational differences between today's students in their twenties and their grandparents' generation can complicate learning and intrude in interviews. At best, teaching oral history allows the instructor the opportunity to see students improve their skills over the course of a semester.
Children's pre-operative tonsillectomy pain education: clinical outcomes.

Summary Objective To examine the effects of pre-operative tonsillectomy pain education on children's (7–13 years) self-reported pre-operative anxiety and post-operative clinical outcomes (i.e., anxiety, pain intensity, quality of pain and sleep, oral intake, perceptions of pre-operative education, and pain expectation). Method A prospective, repeated measures, quasi-experimental design using an age appropriate pain education booklet ( n = 30) and a standard care comparison group ( n = 30) was employed to investigate children's pre- and post-education anxiety and post-operative tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy subjective experiences in the hospital and home settings. Group comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon test, Fisher's exact test, repeated measures analysis of variance, and mixed model regression. Results There were no significant differences between groups for measures of anxiety, pain intensity, quality of pain and sleep, oral intake, or expected pain. There was no change in anxiety before or after pre-operative education ( P = 0.85). Ninety-six percent (n = 25) of the children in the intervention group reported that pre-operative pain education helped with their post-operative pain and 72% ( n = 16) in the control group stated that it would be helpful to learn about pain before surgery. The majority of children in both the intervention and control groups (96%, 91%, respectively) stated learning about the 0–10 numeric pain intensity scale helped or would be helpful to learn pre-operatively. Conclusion Pre-operative pain education did not affect anxiety. Children valued pre-operative pain education. Pre-operative pain education may influence children's perceptions of medical care.
The paradoxical nature of whiteness-at-work in the daily life of schools and teacher communities

US public schools produce persistent, racially-based inequities in educational opportunity and attainment. These institutional outcomes may be related to the fact that the schooling of low-income students and students of color is shaped, overwhelmingly, by middle-class white women teachers, who have relatively higher levels of privilege than, and certainly wield authority over, their students. In this case study, I follow a teacher study group made up of white women intent on addressing equity issues in their own school and observe what the study group addresses and how it operates. I utilize critical discourse analysis to elaborate ways in which whiteness is enacted in the study group and how that professional culture is also evident in one participating teacher’s classroom. This article focuses on discursive strategies that create paradoxes among teachers’ beliefs, intentions, and actions. I call these discursive paradoxes ‘whiteness-at-work’ and discuss the mechanics and implications of whiteness-at-wo...
Frame synchronization using complementary codes in digital communication systems

Expressions are developed which can be used to determine the false-detection performance of complementary codes. The false-detection performance of complementary phase codes for various bit-error rates is presented and verified through simulation. It is shown that all complementary phase code pairs of the same length perform equally when preceded by random data. This shows that the performance of a two-sequence codeword depends only on the combined autocorrelation properties of the two sequences. When preceded by recovery data, all complementary phase code pairs are not found to perform equally; however, one pair (01001000, 10111000) is found to be nearly optimum for all five bit-error probabilities. >
A formal semantics for P3P

The Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P), developed by the W3C, provides an XML-based language for websites to encode their data-collection and data-use practices in a machine-readable form. To fully deploy P3P in enterprise information systems and over the Web, a well-defined semantics for P3P policies is a must, which is lacking in the current P3P framework. Without a formal semantics, a P3P policy may be semantically inconsistent and may be interpreted and represented differently by different user agents; it is difficult to determine whether a P3P policy is indeed enforced by an enterprise; and privacy policies from different corporations cannot be formally compared before information exchange. In this paper, we propose a relational formal semantics for P3P policies, which precisely and intuitively models the relationships between different components of P3P statements (i.e., collected data items, purposes, recipients and retentions) during online information collection.The proposed formal semantics is an important step towards improving P3P, making it more appropriate to be integrated with business practice and ultimately accelerating the large-scale adoption of P3P across the Internet.
Solenopsis invicta virus-1A (SINV-1A): Distinct species or genotype of SINV-1?

We have cloned and sequenced a 2845 bp cDNA representing the 3-end of either a new picorna-like virus species or genotype of Solenopsis invicta virus-1 (SINV-1). Analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed 1 large open reading frame. The amino acid sequence of the translated open reading frame was most identical to structural proteins of SINV-1 (97%), followed by the Kashmir bee virus (KBV, 30%), and acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV, 29%). A PCR-based survey for SINV-1 and the new species or genotype (tentatively named S. invicta virus-1A, SINV-1A) using RNA extracts of S. invicta collected around Gainesville, Florida, revealed a mean colony infestation rate of 25% by SINV-1 and 55% by SINV-1A. Both SINV-1 and SINV-1A were found to co-infect 17.5% of the nests surveyed. Although the data preclude deWnitive species or genotype assignment, there is no doubt that SINV-1A is distinct from SINV-1, identiWable, and infects S. invicta. We provide a simple RT-PCR technique capable of discerning SINV-1 and SINV1A infection of S. invicta. Published by Elsevier Inc.
On Multiple Measures of Performance: A Theoretical Investigation of Production and Internal Quality Measures

Multiple measures of managerial performance, including the increased use of non-financial measures exist widely in the business world. Using a principal-agent model with moral hazard, we study a special case of two performance measures - production and internal quality. We derive a condition when agents respond to an increase in incentives for internal quality performance by decreasing the level of internal quality effort provided. This happens where the agent's effort can be allocated between internal quality performance and production performance and incentives for internal quality performance are at a sufficiently high cost of incentives for production performance. We further show with numerical analysis that such a condition is possible in the optimal solution. In the benchmark case with one measure of performance, this condition did not arise. Our results provide analytical support to the notion that the use of multiple measures of performance should be accompanied by a careful analysis of their interactions.
The Continuing Retreat of Marriage: Figures from Marital Status Life Tables for United States Females, 2000–2005 and 2005–2010

The lack of vital statistics data on American marriage and divorce has made it difficult to follow post-1995 changes in marriage behavior. Here, a new approach, Rate Estimation from Adjacent Populations (REAP), is used in conjunction with vital statistics mortality data and recently released divorce data from the American Community Survey to construct marital status life tables that reflect the lifetime implications of observed or inferred rates of marriage, divorce, and mortality. Methodologically, the chapter sets forth the features of the REAP approach. Substantively, the analysis shows that the retreat from marriage is continuing, but unevenly. The probability that a woman ever marries has fallen to 80 %, and the average age at first marriage has risen, slightly, to 27 years. At the same time, the probability of divorce appears to be holding steady at about 43–46 %. The results suggest that the great transformation of the American family has not yet run its course.
A Mn-54 radiotracer study of Mn isotope solid-liquid exchange during reductive transformation of vernadite (δ-MnO2) by aqueous Mn(II).

We employed Mn-54 radiotracers to characterize the extent and dynamics of Mn atom exchange between aqueous Mn(II) and vernadite (δ-Mn(IV)O2) at pH 7.5 under anoxic conditions. Exchange of Mn atoms between the solid and liquid phase is rapid, reaching dynamic equilibrium in 2–4 days. We propose that during the initial stages of reaction, Mn atom exchange occurs through consecutive comproportionation-disproportionation reactions where interfacial electron transfer from adsorbed Mn(II) to lattice Mn(IV) generates labile Mn(III) cations that rapidly disproportionate to reform aqueous Mn(II) and solid-phase Mn(IV). Following nucleation of Mn(III)OOH phases, additional exchange likely occurs through electron transfer from aqueous Mn(II) to solid-phase Mn(III). Our results provide evidence for the fast and extensive production of transient Mn(III) species at the vernadite surface upon contact of this substrate with dissolved Mn(II). We further show that HEPES buffer is a reductant of lattice Mn(IV) in the vernad...
Bevacizumab toxicity in heavily pretreated recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers

Objective Bevacizumab was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in recurrent platinum resistant epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), fallopian tube cancer (FTC), or primary peritoneal cancer (PPC) when no more than two prior cytotoxic regimens have been used; due to concerns for gastrointestinal perforation. We sought to determine bevacizumab-related toxicities in heavily pretreated recurrent EOC.
Oxygen supply and consumption in the adult respiratory distress syndrome.

SUMMARY Our understanding of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure has evolved continually over the past 100 years. Currently, much attention is focused on the peripheral consequences of the adult respiratory distress syndrome, because the systemic sequelae are a significant contributor to morbidity and death from the condition. The unexpected relation between O2 supply and uptake in the periphery of these patients could be a signal of occult tissue hypoxia. If so, this would have important implications for clinical care aimed at minimizing the multiple system organ failure that often develops. Alternatively, the increases in uptake seen when delivery is increased could arise in part from coupling error, uptake by nonmitochondrial oxidase systems, oxygen radical formation, and the normal increases in uptake seen in the range of relative O2 supply independence. Future evolution in our understanding of ARDS will require a careful evaluation of the adequacy of tissue oxygenation and the role of tissue hypoxia in this syndrome. Promising new approaches such as near-infrared spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging may help provide indices of tissue O2 supply limitation that complement regional measurements of tissue function.
Tactile Perception and Braille Letter Recognition: Effects of Developmental Teaching.

Studies the extent to which a developmental program of tactile perception and braille letter recognition would affect errors in tactile perception, braille letter recognition, and reduce scrubbing ...
The Coupling Factor (Ca-ATPase) of the Cyanobacterium Spirulina Plantensis

Energy transduction in cyanobacteria is poorly understood relative to our understanding of phosphorylation in eukaryotic photosynthesis. As part of a study of electron transport and phosphorylation in the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis, our laboratory extracted and partially purified a protein with latent Ca-ATPase activity that reconstituted photophosphorylation in ATPase-depleted membranes (Owers-Narhi et al. 1979). In the present report we describe the purification to homogeneity and some of the characteristics of the Spirulina platensis coupling factor Ca-ATPase (SF1).
Chapter Thirteen – Ion-Selective Electrodes

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses modern ion selective electrodes and their applications with the emphasis directed toward the measurement of pH. In redox methods, an indicator electrode is used to sense the presence or change in concentration of the oxidized and reduced forms of a redox couple. It is convenient to dip an electrode pair into a solution of the substance to determine and obtain the sample's concentration from the observed potential. The problems with using metals are that in many cases, electrode response is slow, the Nernst equation is not followed, electron change is not well-defined, and the metal electrodes change potential because of alteration of the electrode surface. But there are many ions that do not participate in a half-cell that includes a metal. A typical example is the hydronium ion. An accurate measurement of it is important in a wide variety of scientific disciplines. The chapter also discusses the investigation of different ion selective electrodes that have proved to be very useful.
Sleep, Cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study objectives Mounting evidence implicates disturbed sleep or lack of sleep as one of the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the extent of the risk is uncertain. We conducted a broad systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the effect of sleep problems/disorders on cognitive impairment and AD. Methods Original published literature assessing any association of sleep problems or disorders with cognitive impairment or AD was identified by searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. Effect estimates of individual studies were pooled and relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random effects models. We also estimated the population attributable risk. Results Twenty-seven observational studies (n = 69216 participants) that provided 52 RR estimates were included in the meta-analysis. Individuals with sleep problems had a 1.55 (95% CI: 1.25-1.93), 1.65 (95% CI: 1.45-1.86), and 3.78 (95% CI: 2.27-6.30) times higher risk of AD, cognitive impairment, and preclinical AD than individuals without sleep problems, respectively. The overall meta-analysis revealed that individuals with sleep problems had a 1.68 (95% CI: 1.51-1.87) times higher risk for the combined outcome of cognitive impairment and/or AD. Approximately 15% of AD in the population may be attributed to sleep problems. Conclusion This meta-analysis confirmed the association between sleep and cognitive impairment or AD and, for the first time, consolidated the evidence to provide an "average" magnitude of effect. As sleep problems are of a growing concern in the population, these findings are of interest for potential prevention of AD.
Modeling of propagation of phase transformation fronts in NiTi under uniaxial tension

Abstract Tension induced solid-state transformation in a nearly equiatomic NiTi results in inhomogeneous deformation with transformed and untransformed material coexisting. Strains of the order of 7% are recovered on unloading with the material reverting to its original phase. In a thin strip the two coexisting phases and deformation regimes are separated by inclined fronts monitored with digital image correlation. The fronts propagate along the strip until the transformation is completed with the stress remaining nearly unchanged. A recently developed constitutive model for the pseudoelastic behavior of NiTi is implemented in a finite element analysis used to simulate the strip experiment. The model is capable of addressing the tension/compression asymmetry by incorporating both the tensile and compressive responses of the material. Softening moduli are introduced over the extents of the plateaus of the tensile response at approximately the Maxwell stress levels. The numerical solution reproduced the closed hysteresis with the correct stress plateau levels and extents. Localized deformation initiates in a single narrow band of higher strain inclined to the axis of the strip. The high strain zone propagates initially with inclined fronts and subsequently with a crisscross pattern with the stress remaining essentially unchanged. The details of the front propagation are influenced by in-plane moment caused by secondary kinking of the strip. The strip unloads by tracing a lower stress plateau developing a similar propagation of localization patterns. Overall, the numerical simulation captures the main features of the response and the associated localization configurations. The sensitivity of the solution to the mesh, the boundary conditions, and the softening moduli are discussed.
Enabling Radio-as-a-Service With Truthful Auction Mechanisms

We envision that in the near future, just as Infrastructure-as-a-Service, radios, and radio resources in a wireless network can also be provisioned as a service to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), which we refer to as Radio-as-a-Service (RaaS) . A major obstacle for wide adoption of RaaS is the lack of incentives and fairness for allocating radio resources among MVNOs. In this paper, we present a novel auction-based model to enable fair pricing and fair resource allocation according to real-time needs of MVNOs for RaaS. Based on the proposed model, we study the auction mechanism design with the objective of maximizing social welfare. First, we present an integer linear programming and Vickrey–Clarke–Groves-based auction mechanism for obtaining optimal social welfare. To reduce time complexity, we present a polynomial-time greedy mechanism for the RaaS auction. Both methods have been formally shown to be truthful and individually rational. Extensive simulation results show that the proposed greedy auction mechanism can quickly produce close-to-optimal solutions. Furthermore, to prevent winning bidders from making 0 payment, we introduce reserve prices, and present auction mechanisms with reserve prices, which are shown to be truthful and individually rational too.
Comparison of Two Types of Meditation on Patients' Psychosocial Responses During Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

Abstract Objectives: Radiation treatment for head and neck cancer introduces adaptive demands and subjects patients to significant and unique psychosocial challenges. There is growing evidence that meditation is useful in lessening anxiety and depression in cancer patients. This study compared the effects of two types of meditation training on the psychological responses of patients with head and neck cancer during radiation therapy. Design: Randomized clinical trial. Setting: Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven. Patients: A total of 29 patients with head and neck cancers were recruited and 28 patients were followed during their radiation therapy over 12 weeks. Interventions: Depending on their group assignment, patients were taught one of two standardized meditations: meditation with a coach or self-meditation with a CD. Outcome measures: Patient psychosocial responses were defined as anxiety, depression, and emotional distress and were measured by the Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) an...
Individual Empowerment through Digital Governance: Proposing an Assessment Framework for India

Adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT) in governance contexts is considered empowering for governments and citizens. Digital Governance aims at transforming internal processes, structures and working practices leading to greater effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency. Simultaneously, with open and digital governance accompanied by the Internet and other emergent technologies, the engagement between citizens and governments is expected to significantly increase in the near future. However, it is not clear to what extent ICT initiatives are truly empowering citizens and government managers. In order to understand how ICT initiatives have been empowering citizens, in this paper we propose an assessment framework and provide some evidence from cases in India. Based on a systematic review of recent literature, the framework should be useful for assessing the levels of empowerment produced or facilitated by different ICT initiatives. In this paper, we also share some preliminary findings from selected ICT initiatives across India.
mTOR referees memory and disease through mRNA repression and competition.

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity is required for memory and is dysregulated in disease. Activation of mTOR promotes protein synthesis; however, new studies are demonstrating that mTOR activity also represses the translation of mRNAs. Almost three decades ago, Kandel and colleagues hypothesized that memory was due to the induction of positive regulators and removal of negative constraints. Are these negative constraints repressed mRNAs that code for proteins that block memory formation? Herein, we will discuss the mRNAs coded by putative memory suppressors, how activation/inactivation of mTOR repress protein expression at the synapse, how mTOR activity regulates RNA binding proteins, mRNA stability, and translation, and what the possible implications of mRNA repression are to memory and neurodegenerative disorders. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Suppression of cigarette smoke condensate-induced NFκB activation in normal human bronchial cells by green tea polyphenol EGCG

2256 Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, currently responsible for one third of cancer deaths in many Western countries. There is considerable evidence from various mammalian cell culture studies and animal models, that (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenol present in green tea, possesses potent anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activity capable of selectively inhibiting cell growth and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells without adversely affecting normal cells. Cigarette smoke is a powerful inducer of inflammatory responses resulting in disruption of major cellular pathways with transcriptional and genomic alterations driving the cells towards carcinogenesis. Green tea consumption has been reported to inhibit cigarette smoke-induced mutations in humans. Here, we demonstrate that EGCG pretreatment (20-80μM) of normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE) resulted in significant inhibition of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC)-induced cell proliferation. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) controls the transcription of genes involved in immune and inflammatory responses. In most cells NFκB prevents apoptosis by mediating cell signal survivals. We therefore examined the effect of EGCG on CSC-induced activation of NFκB in NHBE cells. Western blot analysis showed that pretreatment of NHBE cells with EGCG effectively suppressed CSC-induced phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, and activation of NFκB. Inhibition of CSC-mediated nuclear translocation and DNA binding of p65 (RelA) in EGCG pretreated cells was further demonstrated using immunocytochemistry and ELISA. NHBE cells transfected with a luciferase reporter plasmid containing an NFκB-inducible promoter sequence showed an increased reporter activity after CSC exposure that was specifically inhibited by EGCG pretreatment. Immunoblot analysis further showed that pretreatment of NHBE cells with EGCG resulted in a significant down regulation of NFκB-regulated proteins involved in the process of tumorigenesis including cyclin D1, iNOS, and MMP-9. Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) involved in the cellular stress response through regulation of transcriptional factors play a key role in cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Immunoblot analysis revealed that CSC-induced phosphorylation of MAPKs was inhibited by EGCG in a dose dependent manner. Taken together, our data indicates that EGCG can suppress NFκB activation in NHBE cells, which may contribute to its ability to suppress inflammation, proliferation, and angiogenesis induced by cigarette smoke. Further understanding of its molecular mechanism of action may have important implications for developing novel chemopreventive regimens that can afford protection against lung cancer in smokers as well as those exposed to secondhand smoke.
Sleep, psychological distress, and somatic symptoms in perimenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE Self-report and somnographic data from 135 volunteer, disease-free, women (37-59 years) were used to determine the prevalence of perceived poor sleep and to compare women with and without "poor" sleep on menopausal status, somnographic sleep, psychological distress, and somatic symptom cluster frequencies. METHODS Data from identical measures done on two groups of perimenopausal-age women, one recruited for menopausal age and the other for same age but sleep problems plus controls, were tested using a two-way analysis of variance for the main effects of recruitment group and the presence or absence of "poor" sleep as well as the joint effects of both. RESULTS "Poor" sleep was reported by more than one-third of the women, but menopausal status and perceived sleep quality were not statistically related. Women with "poor" sleep took longer to fall asleep, spent longer in bed, and had higher scores for psychological distress and for four out of five somatic symptom clusters (p < or = 0.03), compared to women with "good" sleep. CONCLUSION In sum, midlife women reporting poor sleep are likely to have trouble falling asleep and to have higher psychological distress and somatic symptoms, especially musculoskeletal discomfort and fatigue, coinciding with their perceived poor sleep.
Finite Difference Formulas

This chapter describes the different aspects of finite difference formulas. It is applicable to differential equations that will be solved by the method of finite differences. A table of finite difference formulas for some common grids and common equations can be useful. Given a differential equation to be approximated by finite differences, and a grid on which the solution is desired, replace every derivative by a finite difference approximation to that derivative. Standard finite difference formulas presume that there is an underlying uniform grid with a grid spacing of h. A list of finite difference formulas, of different accuracies, for rectangular grids with uniform spacing is provided. It is found that other formulas can be obtained from the last list by simply holding one variable constant.
Utilization of solid catfish manure waste as carbon and nutrient source for lactic acid production

The aim of this work was to study the solid waste (manure) produced by catfish as a potential feedstock for the production of lactic acid (LA) via fermentation. The solid waste contains high levels of both carbohydrates and nutrients that are sufficient for LA bacteria. Simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) was applied using enzyme and Lactobacillus pentosus, and different loadings of enzyme and solid waste were tested. Results showed LA concentrations of 35.7 g/L were obtained at 15% solids content of catfish waste. Because of the high nutrient content in the fish waste, it could also be used as supplementary substrate for nitrogen and carbon sources with other lignocellulosic materials. A combined feedstock of catfish waste and paper mill sludge was tested, increasing the final LA concentration to 43.1 g/L at 12% solids loading. The catfish waste was shown to be a potential feedstock to provide both carbon and nutrients for LA production, suggesting its use as a sole substrate or in combination with other lignocellulosic materials.
Spatial and temporal variance in fatty acid and stable isotope signatures across trophic levels in large river systems

Fatty acid and stable isotope signatures allow researchers, managers, and policy makers to better understand food webs, food sources, and trophic relationships. Research in marine and lentic systems has indicated that the variance of these biomarkers can exhibit substantial differences across spatial and temporal scales, but this type of analysis has not been completed for large river systems. Our objectives were (a) to evaluate variance structures for fatty acids and stable isotopes (i.e., δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) of seston, threeridge mussels, hydropsychid caddisflies, gizzard shad, and bluegills across spatial scales (10s–100s of km) in large rivers of the Upper Mississippi River Basin, USA, that were sampled annually for 2 years and (b) to evaluate the implications of this variance on the design and interpretation of trophic studies. The greatest variance for both stable isotopes was present at the largest spatial scale for all taxa (except seston δ¹⁵N), indicating that these isotopic signatures are responding to factors at a larger geographic level rather than being influenced by local‐scale alterations. Conversely, the greatest variance for fatty acids was present at the smallest spatial scale (i.e., among individuals) for all taxa except caddisflies, indicating that the physiological and metabolic processes that influence fatty acid profiles can differ substantially between individuals at a given site. Our results highlight the need to consider the spatial partitioning of variance during sample design and analysis, as some taxa may not be suitable for use in assessing ecological questions at larger spatial scales.
Closed-loop nonlinear modeling of ∑Δ fractional-N frequency synthesizers

Nonlinear, time-varying nature of synthesizer building blocks such as phase frequency detectors (PFD), charge pump and frequency dividers can increase close-in phase noise and enhance spurious tones due to intermodulation of high frequency quantization noise and tonal content; therefore, an accurate simulation model is critical for successful implementation of loop parameters and bandwidth widening techniques. In this paper inherent non-uniform sampling of the PFD is modeled through an event-driven dual-iteration based technique. The proposed technique generates a vector of piece-wise linear time-voltage pairs, defining the VCO control voltage. A flexible third-order ∑Δ modulated RF synthesizer core with integrated loop filter and LC-tank VCO is designed and fabricated in 0.13-μm CMOS process in order to validate the technique experimentally. The proposed modeling technique was able to predict in-band spur power levels with 1.8 dB accuracy, and spur frequency offsets with lower than 400Hz accuracy with several programmable non-idealities enabled.
Joint service training for medical readiness.

Medical Readiness Training is of major importance in preparing to meet the challenge of medical care during wartime and national emergencies or disasters. As an alternative to simulated casualty training, the U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Army joined forces to provide "real world" medical care for troops during training. Although simulated training provides insight into casualty and trauma medicine, it is felt that many aspects of real medical care are often ignored or taken for granted. Providing medical care under austere field conditions provides a realistic environment and presents situations that can not be evaluated by simulated training.
Parallel between antianxiety and cardiovascular effects of chlordiazepoxide in genetically nervous dogs

There is evidence that cardiac arrhythmias are partially of CNS origin, and that certain drugs affect arrhythmia, both positively and negatively, through CNS action. We hypothesized and confirmed that chlordiazepoxide diminished the well-established incidence of arrhythmias (A-V blocks and nodal escapes) in five nervous pointer dogs. It is known that this drug normalizes behavior and aids in the bar-pressing performance of nervous dogs. Nervous dogs tend to have low heart rates (HRs) while normals have higher HRs. Chlordiazepoxide increased HRs in our five nervous dogs, and we postulated that HR increase would be less or none in normals. This was confirmed in a later study of five normals. A further study of eight normal dogs and eight nervous dogs essentially reproduced these findings, suggesting the possibility that the slow heart rates and the behavioral abnormality have a common basis, expected to be some CNS biochemical lesion.
Clinical Trial Designs for Therapeutic Vaccine Studies

Cancer vaccines are different in many ways from cytotoxic drugs. Consequently some of the paradigms for the early clinical development of cytotoxics are not applicable to the development of therapeutic vaccines. In contrast, many of the principles of phase III clinical trials are applicable to cancer vaccines. In this chapter we will describe design strategies for the efficient early clinical development of cancer vaccines.
Delay-Aware Application Protocol for Internet of Things

Existing CoAP primarily focuses on communication (i.e., client/server-based request/response interaction) between constrained devices in a constrained network. Constrained networks may have large latencies and constrained devices may not be able to respond in a timely manner. Therefore, incorporating delay awareness in the CoAP protocol may prove beneficial for communications between devices. This article presents a new method to support a delay-aware CoAP messaging model, where a Delay- Indicator is proposed to be contained in messages to reflect delay tolerance information. Furthermore, the DelayIndicator can be leveraged by CoAP Clients and CoAP Servers to improve their operations of entering sleep mode to save energy while not violating delay tolerances. With this new enabler, a timeout mechanism for CoAP Responses is put forward to enhance CoAP performance. Simulation results show that incorporating delay awareness in CoAP significantly improves messaging performance.